SAFE MATERNITY AND PEDIATRIC
NURSING CARE
3RD EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)LUANNE LINNARD-
PALMER; GLORIA HAILE COATS
TEST BANK
Reference
Ch. 1 — Roles in Maternal–Child and Pediatric Nursing
Stem
A newly hired LPN is assigned to the postpartum unit on the
first day and a registered nurse (RN) asks the LPN to perform an
admission assessment and develop the initial plan of care
independently for a patient who delivered vaginally 4 hours
ago. The LPN is comfortable collecting vital signs and
performing focused postpartum checks. What is the most
appropriate nursing action by the LPN?
A. Complete the full admission assessment and independently
write the plan of care.
,B. Collect vital signs and focused postpartum data, then report
findings to the RN for plan development.
C. Refuse to collect data because admission assessments are
solely the RN’s responsibility.
D. Begin discharge teaching and document the teaching as
complete before notifying the RN.
Correct answer
B
Rationales
Correct (B): LPNs may collect data and perform focused
assessments within their scope, but development of the
comprehensive plan of care and independent admission
responsibility typically fall to the RN; reporting findings ensures
safe delegation and collaboration. This supports patient safety
by ensuring qualified professional decision-making and
coordination.
Incorrect (A): Writing the full plan independently exceeds
typical LPN scope and bypasses RN accountability—unsafe.
Incorrect (C): Refusing to collect within-scope data is
unnecessarily avoidant and delays care; data collection is
appropriate for LPNs.
Incorrect (D): Initiating and documenting teaching without RN
coordination and after only 4 hours postpartum may miss safety
issues; premature discharge teaching without RN oversight can
be unsafe.
,Teaching point
LPNs gather data and implement delegated tasks; RNs
synthesize data and set the comprehensive plan.
Citation
Linnard-Palmer, L., & Coats, G. H. (2025). Safe Maternity and
Pediatric Nursing Care (3rd ed.). Ch. 1.
2
Reference
Ch. 1 — Roles in Maternal–Child and Pediatric Nursing
Stem
An obstetric unit is short-staffed and the charge nurse asks an
experienced pediatric nurse to float to the postpartum unit for
one shift to assist with newborn care. The pediatric nurse has
current neonatal resuscitation certification but limited
experience with maternal postpartum assessments. Which
action best demonstrates professional role responsibility?
A. Accept the assignment and independently perform maternal
postpartum assessments.
B. Decline the assignment and leave work for the scheduled RN
because the pediatric nurse is not assigned there.
C. Accept the assignment, limit activities to newborn care and
report maternal assessment needs to the RN.
D. Accept and perform both newborn and maternal
assessments to help the unit.
, Correct answer
C
Rationales
Correct (C): The pediatric nurse may assist with neonatal care
but should limit maternal assessments to those within their
competence and notify the RN about maternal needs—
maintaining patient safety and scope of practice. Collaboration
and clear communication reduce risk.
Incorrect (A): Independently performing maternal assessments
outside of competence risks missing maternal complications.
Incorrect (B): Refusal without offering reasonable assistance
(newborn care) is not collaborative and may harm staffing
flexibility.
Incorrect (D): Taking on maternal assessments without
competence endangers patients and violates professional
responsibilities.
Teaching point
Work within competence; communicate limits and ensure RN
handles maternal assessment/plan.
Citation
Linnard-Palmer, L., & Coats, G. H. (2025). Safe Maternity and
Pediatric Nursing Care (3rd ed.). Ch. 1.
3
NURSING CARE
3RD EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)LUANNE LINNARD-
PALMER; GLORIA HAILE COATS
TEST BANK
Reference
Ch. 1 — Roles in Maternal–Child and Pediatric Nursing
Stem
A newly hired LPN is assigned to the postpartum unit on the
first day and a registered nurse (RN) asks the LPN to perform an
admission assessment and develop the initial plan of care
independently for a patient who delivered vaginally 4 hours
ago. The LPN is comfortable collecting vital signs and
performing focused postpartum checks. What is the most
appropriate nursing action by the LPN?
A. Complete the full admission assessment and independently
write the plan of care.
,B. Collect vital signs and focused postpartum data, then report
findings to the RN for plan development.
C. Refuse to collect data because admission assessments are
solely the RN’s responsibility.
D. Begin discharge teaching and document the teaching as
complete before notifying the RN.
Correct answer
B
Rationales
Correct (B): LPNs may collect data and perform focused
assessments within their scope, but development of the
comprehensive plan of care and independent admission
responsibility typically fall to the RN; reporting findings ensures
safe delegation and collaboration. This supports patient safety
by ensuring qualified professional decision-making and
coordination.
Incorrect (A): Writing the full plan independently exceeds
typical LPN scope and bypasses RN accountability—unsafe.
Incorrect (C): Refusing to collect within-scope data is
unnecessarily avoidant and delays care; data collection is
appropriate for LPNs.
Incorrect (D): Initiating and documenting teaching without RN
coordination and after only 4 hours postpartum may miss safety
issues; premature discharge teaching without RN oversight can
be unsafe.
,Teaching point
LPNs gather data and implement delegated tasks; RNs
synthesize data and set the comprehensive plan.
Citation
Linnard-Palmer, L., & Coats, G. H. (2025). Safe Maternity and
Pediatric Nursing Care (3rd ed.). Ch. 1.
2
Reference
Ch. 1 — Roles in Maternal–Child and Pediatric Nursing
Stem
An obstetric unit is short-staffed and the charge nurse asks an
experienced pediatric nurse to float to the postpartum unit for
one shift to assist with newborn care. The pediatric nurse has
current neonatal resuscitation certification but limited
experience with maternal postpartum assessments. Which
action best demonstrates professional role responsibility?
A. Accept the assignment and independently perform maternal
postpartum assessments.
B. Decline the assignment and leave work for the scheduled RN
because the pediatric nurse is not assigned there.
C. Accept the assignment, limit activities to newborn care and
report maternal assessment needs to the RN.
D. Accept and perform both newborn and maternal
assessments to help the unit.
, Correct answer
C
Rationales
Correct (C): The pediatric nurse may assist with neonatal care
but should limit maternal assessments to those within their
competence and notify the RN about maternal needs—
maintaining patient safety and scope of practice. Collaboration
and clear communication reduce risk.
Incorrect (A): Independently performing maternal assessments
outside of competence risks missing maternal complications.
Incorrect (B): Refusal without offering reasonable assistance
(newborn care) is not collaborative and may harm staffing
flexibility.
Incorrect (D): Taking on maternal assessments without
competence endangers patients and violates professional
responsibilities.
Teaching point
Work within competence; communicate limits and ensure RN
handles maternal assessment/plan.
Citation
Linnard-Palmer, L., & Coats, G. H. (2025). Safe Maternity and
Pediatric Nursing Care (3rd ed.). Ch. 1.
3
