NCLEX OB Postpartum Practice Test

Rapid diuresis after delivery is driven by the kidneys filtering more fluid. The glomerular filtration rate rises during pregnancy due to increased renal blood flow, and it stays elevated briefly after birth, promoting a burst of urine production that helps eliminate the extra extracellular fluid accumulated during pregnancy. This increased filtration is the main reason for early postpartum diuresis. A decrease in GFR would lower urine output, higher progesterone doesn’t drive diuresis, and simply having less blood volume wouldn’t cause this rapid urine production.