NSG 3500 MATERNAL EXAM 1 PRACTICE TEST BANK
QUESTIONS COMPLETE WITH 100% VERIFIED ANSWERS
1. A patient who is 28 weeks pregnant reports feeling dizzy and
lightheaded when lying on her back. What is the nurse's priority
action?
A) Instruct the patient to turn onto her left side
B) Administer oxygen at 2 L per nasal cannula
C) Elevate the patient's legs above heart level
D) Place the patient in a supine position with head elevated
Answer: A) Instruct the patient to turn onto her left side
Rationale: Supine hypotension occurs when the gravid uterus
compresses the inferior vena cava, reducing cardiac output. Turning the
patient to the left lateral position relieves this compression and restores
venous return and blood pressure.
2. A patient at 30 weeks gestation reports heartburn after meals.
Which dietary modification should the nurse recommend?
A) Increase intake of spicy foods to improve digestion
B) Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day
C) Lie down immediately after eating
D) Consume carbonated beverages with meals
Answer: B) Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day
Rationale: Small, frequent meals help prevent gastric distension and
,reduce reflux. Spicy foods, lying flat after eating, and carbonated
beverages can exacerbate heartburn symptoms.
3. A patient with a history of asthma is 35 weeks pregnant and reports
shortness of breath. What should the nurse advise?
A) Discontinue all asthma medications until after delivery
B) Continue prescribed asthma medications and report increased
symptoms
C) Use only over-the-counter bronchodilators
D) Avoid all physical activity for the remainder of pregnancy
Answer: B) Continue prescribed asthma medications and report
increased symptoms
Rationale: Maintaining asthma control during pregnancy is essential for
maternal and fetal oxygenation. Prescribed medications should be
continued as directed, and the healthcare provider should be notified of
any symptom changes.
4. Which skin change during pregnancy results from connective tissue
losing strength and becoming fragile?
A) Melasma
B) Striae gravidarum
C) Linea nigra
D) Palmar erythema
Answer: B) Striae gravidarum
Rationale: Striae gravidarum (stretch marks) occur when connective
,tissue loses strength and becomes fragile due to increased cortisol levels
and mechanical stretching of the skin.
5. A 29-year-old female is 24 weeks pregnant with triplets. She has 3
living children born at 38 weeks, 39 weeks, and 40 weeks. She had one
miscarriage at 12 weeks. What is her GTPAL?
A) G=5, T=3, P=0, A=1, L=3
B) G=4, T=3, P=1, A=0, L=3
C) G=5, T=3, P=1, A=1, L=3
D) G=4, T=3, P=0, A=1, L=3
Answer: A) G=5, T=3, P=0, A=1, L=3
Rationale: G=5 (current pregnancy + 3 term births + 1 miscarriage = 5
total pregnancies). T=3 (3 births at 38, 39, and 40 weeks - all ≥37
weeks). P=0 (no preterm births). A=1 (one miscarriage). L=3 (3 living
children).
6. What over-the-counter medication is considered safe for use during
pregnancy for pain relief?
A) Ibuprofen
B) Acetaminophen
C) Naproxen
D) Aspirin
Answer: B) Acetaminophen
Rationale: Acetaminophen is the preferred OTC analgesic for pain and
fever during pregnancy when used as directed. NSAIDs like ibuprofen,
naproxen, and aspirin should be avoided, especially in the third
, trimester, due to risks of premature closure of the ductus arteriosus and
oligohydramnios.
7. The softening of the lower uterine segment that can be palpated by
the examiner is known as:
A) Chadwick's sign
B) Hegar's sign
C) Goodell's sign
D) McDonald's sign
Answer: B) Hegar's sign
Rationale: Hegar's sign is the softening and compressibility of the lower
uterine segment that can be detected during bimanual examination at
6-8 weeks of gestation. Chadwick's sign refers to bluish discoloration of
the cervix and vagina.
8. A patient reports missing her period, breast tenderness, and
nausea. These are examples of which type of pregnancy sign?
A) Positive signs
B) Probable signs
C) Presumptive signs
D) Diagnostic signs
Answer: C) Presumptive signs
Rationale: Presumptive signs are subjective symptoms reported by the
patient, including amenorrhea, breast tenderness, nausea/vomiting,
fatigue, quickening, and urinary frequency. These signs are not definitive
proof of pregnancy.
QUESTIONS COMPLETE WITH 100% VERIFIED ANSWERS
1. A patient who is 28 weeks pregnant reports feeling dizzy and
lightheaded when lying on her back. What is the nurse's priority
action?
A) Instruct the patient to turn onto her left side
B) Administer oxygen at 2 L per nasal cannula
C) Elevate the patient's legs above heart level
D) Place the patient in a supine position with head elevated
Answer: A) Instruct the patient to turn onto her left side
Rationale: Supine hypotension occurs when the gravid uterus
compresses the inferior vena cava, reducing cardiac output. Turning the
patient to the left lateral position relieves this compression and restores
venous return and blood pressure.
2. A patient at 30 weeks gestation reports heartburn after meals.
Which dietary modification should the nurse recommend?
A) Increase intake of spicy foods to improve digestion
B) Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day
C) Lie down immediately after eating
D) Consume carbonated beverages with meals
Answer: B) Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day
Rationale: Small, frequent meals help prevent gastric distension and
,reduce reflux. Spicy foods, lying flat after eating, and carbonated
beverages can exacerbate heartburn symptoms.
3. A patient with a history of asthma is 35 weeks pregnant and reports
shortness of breath. What should the nurse advise?
A) Discontinue all asthma medications until after delivery
B) Continue prescribed asthma medications and report increased
symptoms
C) Use only over-the-counter bronchodilators
D) Avoid all physical activity for the remainder of pregnancy
Answer: B) Continue prescribed asthma medications and report
increased symptoms
Rationale: Maintaining asthma control during pregnancy is essential for
maternal and fetal oxygenation. Prescribed medications should be
continued as directed, and the healthcare provider should be notified of
any symptom changes.
4. Which skin change during pregnancy results from connective tissue
losing strength and becoming fragile?
A) Melasma
B) Striae gravidarum
C) Linea nigra
D) Palmar erythema
Answer: B) Striae gravidarum
Rationale: Striae gravidarum (stretch marks) occur when connective
,tissue loses strength and becomes fragile due to increased cortisol levels
and mechanical stretching of the skin.
5. A 29-year-old female is 24 weeks pregnant with triplets. She has 3
living children born at 38 weeks, 39 weeks, and 40 weeks. She had one
miscarriage at 12 weeks. What is her GTPAL?
A) G=5, T=3, P=0, A=1, L=3
B) G=4, T=3, P=1, A=0, L=3
C) G=5, T=3, P=1, A=1, L=3
D) G=4, T=3, P=0, A=1, L=3
Answer: A) G=5, T=3, P=0, A=1, L=3
Rationale: G=5 (current pregnancy + 3 term births + 1 miscarriage = 5
total pregnancies). T=3 (3 births at 38, 39, and 40 weeks - all ≥37
weeks). P=0 (no preterm births). A=1 (one miscarriage). L=3 (3 living
children).
6. What over-the-counter medication is considered safe for use during
pregnancy for pain relief?
A) Ibuprofen
B) Acetaminophen
C) Naproxen
D) Aspirin
Answer: B) Acetaminophen
Rationale: Acetaminophen is the preferred OTC analgesic for pain and
fever during pregnancy when used as directed. NSAIDs like ibuprofen,
naproxen, and aspirin should be avoided, especially in the third
, trimester, due to risks of premature closure of the ductus arteriosus and
oligohydramnios.
7. The softening of the lower uterine segment that can be palpated by
the examiner is known as:
A) Chadwick's sign
B) Hegar's sign
C) Goodell's sign
D) McDonald's sign
Answer: B) Hegar's sign
Rationale: Hegar's sign is the softening and compressibility of the lower
uterine segment that can be detected during bimanual examination at
6-8 weeks of gestation. Chadwick's sign refers to bluish discoloration of
the cervix and vagina.
8. A patient reports missing her period, breast tenderness, and
nausea. These are examples of which type of pregnancy sign?
A) Positive signs
B) Probable signs
C) Presumptive signs
D) Diagnostic signs
Answer: C) Presumptive signs
Rationale: Presumptive signs are subjective symptoms reported by the
patient, including amenorrhea, breast tenderness, nausea/vomiting,
fatigue, quickening, and urinary frequency. These signs are not definitive
proof of pregnancy.
