NUR 160
NURS 434 Exam 2 Postpartum Questions
and Answers 2026
uterine involution
is the return of the uterus to its normal size and former condition after
delivery
-begins immediately after delivery
-contraction of the uterus aids in the process
-compression of the contracted uterus is primarily responsible for the
prevention of PPH
-by 6 weeks, the uterus should have completely involuted.
uterine atony
inability of the uterus to contract effectively
"boggy uterus"
FF
firm fundus
U/U
right at umbilicus
U/1
1 below the umbilicus
NUR 160
,NUR 160
1/U
1 above the umbilicus
P/P
post-partum
PPH
postpartum hemorrhage
boggy uterus PP
massage to prevent bleeding
subinvolution
failure of uterus to shrink at expected rate
-immediately after birth, the fundus of the uterus would be 2 cm above the
umbilicus (instead of right at the line0 and may rise in the first few hours and
then will begin to descend.
-related to infection or retained placental parts.
afterpains
Cramping pain after childbirth caused by alternating relaxation and
contraction of uterine muscles.
lochia rubra
NUR 160
, NUR 160
blood appearance; red/brown, small clots
(1-3 days is when these are most common)
most common in hospital after birth
lochia serosa
Pinkish/brown, serosanguineous. amount should begin to decrease
Lasts day 4-10 postpartum
lochia alba
Yellowish, white cream color.
Lasts approx 11 days-6 weeks postpartum
scant lochia
less than 1 inch on pad
light lochia
less than 4 inches on pad
moderate lochia
4-6 inch stain
approx. 25-50 mL loss
heavy lochia
NUR 160
NURS 434 Exam 2 Postpartum Questions
and Answers 2026
uterine involution
is the return of the uterus to its normal size and former condition after
delivery
-begins immediately after delivery
-contraction of the uterus aids in the process
-compression of the contracted uterus is primarily responsible for the
prevention of PPH
-by 6 weeks, the uterus should have completely involuted.
uterine atony
inability of the uterus to contract effectively
"boggy uterus"
FF
firm fundus
U/U
right at umbilicus
U/1
1 below the umbilicus
NUR 160
,NUR 160
1/U
1 above the umbilicus
P/P
post-partum
PPH
postpartum hemorrhage
boggy uterus PP
massage to prevent bleeding
subinvolution
failure of uterus to shrink at expected rate
-immediately after birth, the fundus of the uterus would be 2 cm above the
umbilicus (instead of right at the line0 and may rise in the first few hours and
then will begin to descend.
-related to infection or retained placental parts.
afterpains
Cramping pain after childbirth caused by alternating relaxation and
contraction of uterine muscles.
lochia rubra
NUR 160
, NUR 160
blood appearance; red/brown, small clots
(1-3 days is when these are most common)
most common in hospital after birth
lochia serosa
Pinkish/brown, serosanguineous. amount should begin to decrease
Lasts day 4-10 postpartum
lochia alba
Yellowish, white cream color.
Lasts approx 11 days-6 weeks postpartum
scant lochia
less than 1 inch on pad
light lochia
less than 4 inches on pad
moderate lochia
4-6 inch stain
approx. 25-50 mL loss
heavy lochia
NUR 160
