Puerperium: postpartum urinary retention: practice question

A OBG question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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OBG · Puerperium: postpartum urinary retention

Sample item

A woman 8 hours after a forceps delivery under epidural has not passed urine and complains of suprapubic discomfort. A palpable bladder is present. What is the best management?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Catheterise the bladder and measure the residual volume

Postpartum urinary retention is common after instrumental delivery, epidural analgesia and perineal trauma, and an overdistended bladder can cause atony and permanent detrusor damage. Catheterisation with drainage and measurement of residual volume is the first step, and intermittent catheterisation or an indwelling catheter for 24 hours may follow. Further evaluation is needed if retention persists.

Option by option

  • A. Encourage oral fluids only

    Fluids alone worsen overdistension.

  • B. Catheterise the bladder and measure the residual volume (correct)

    Correct. Catheterise to relieve and quantify the retention.

  • C. Give a diuretic

    Diuretics increase urine production and distension.

  • D. Perform cystoscopy

    Cystoscopy is not needed at this stage.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More OBG questions

Questions about this OBG question

What is the answer to this OBG question?

The best answer is B, Catheterise the bladder and measure the residual volume. Postpartum urinary retention is common after instrumental delivery, epidural analgesia and perineal trauma, and an overdistended bladder can cause atony and permanent detrusor damage.

Why is "Encourage oral fluids only" not the answer?

Fluids alone worsen overdistension.

Why is "Give a diuretic" not the answer?

Diuretics increase urine production and distension.

Why is "Perform cystoscopy" not the answer?

Cystoscopy is not needed at this stage.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Puerperium: postpartum urinary retention in OBG. Catheterisation with drainage and measurement of residual volume is the first step, and intermittent catheterisation or an indwelling catheter for 24 hours may follow. Further evaluation is needed if retention persists.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Puerperium: postpartum urinary retention?

Learn management algorithms as steps: PPH, eclampsia, ectopic pregnancy. Then use the flashcards and the other OBG questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.