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Postpartum Hemorrhage — NCLEX Cheat Sheet

Atony = #1 cause; firm fundus

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👤 By the CinnaRN Clinical Content Team 🕐 Updated 2026-07-11 🏷️ Physiological Adaptation 🔖 Free to read, print, and share

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Use this quick-reference guide to spot, treat, and prevent Postpartum Hemorrhage on the NCLEX. Keep it handy during review and on exam day!

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Define

Key facts

> 500 mL vaginal, > 1000 C-section
Uterine atony = #1 cause

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Do First

Nursing actions

Massage fundus FIRST (boggy)
Empty bladder (displaces uterus)

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Meds

Key numbers

Oxytocin, methergine (NOT if HTN)
Carboprost (NOT if asthma)

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Report

Notify / act now

Boggy fundus, saturate pad < 1 hr
↑ HR, ↓ BP = hypovolemic shock

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Quick Tip

Uterine atony is the number-one cause; the fundus feels soft, boggy, and may be displaced above and to the side of midline (often from a full bladder).

📖 Related Topics

Hypokalemia Hyperkalemia Hyponatremia Heart Failure

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