Maternal and child health: postpartum IUCD: practice question

A PSM 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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PSM · Maternal and child health: postpartum IUCD

Sample item

A multipara delivers at a district hospital and asks for a long-acting reversible method before discharge. Under national family planning guidelines, up to what time after delivery can a postpartum intrauterine device be inserted?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Within 48 hours of delivery

A postpartum IUCD is inserted within 48 hours of delivery, most commonly within 10 minutes of placental expulsion, or during caesarean section. Insertion between 48 hours and about four weeks is avoided because of higher expulsion and perforation risk, and the interval IUCD is inserted later, from about 6 weeks.

Option by option

  • A. Within 2 weeks of delivery

    Insertion in the second week carries a higher risk of expulsion and perforation, so it is deferred.

  • B. Within 48 hours of delivery (correct)

    Correct. The postpartum IUCD window extends to 48 hours after delivery.

  • C. Within 6 weeks of delivery

    Insertion from about six weeks onward is an interval insertion and not a postpartum one.

  • D. Within 7 days of delivery

    Insertion in the first week after the 48-hour window carries a higher risk of expulsion.

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 PSM questions

Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is B, Within 48 hours of delivery. A postpartum IUCD is inserted within 48 hours of delivery, most commonly within 10 minutes of placental expulsion, or during caesarean section.

Why is "Within 2 weeks of delivery" not the answer?

Insertion in the second week carries a higher risk of expulsion and perforation, so it is deferred.

Why is "Within 6 weeks of delivery" not the answer?

Insertion from about six weeks onward is an interval insertion and not a postpartum one.

Why is "Within 7 days of delivery" not the answer?

Insertion in the first week after the 48-hour window carries a higher risk of expulsion.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Maternal and child health: postpartum IUCD in PSM. Insertion between 48 hours and about four weeks is avoided because of higher expulsion and perforation risk, and the interval IUCD is inserted later, from about 6 weeks.

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 Maternal and child health: postpartum IUCD?

Practise biostatistics with small calculations until sensitivity, predictive values and risk measures are automatic. Then use the flashcards and the other PSM 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.