Page 1 of 32
“MATERNITY NURSING PRACTICE QUESTIONS “ NEWEST
UPDATED EXAM 2025 – 2026 SOLVED QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS VERIFIED 100% GRADED A+ (LATEST
VERSION)
Maternity Exam Practice Questions
The nurse is assessing a client 24 hrs after delivery and finds the fundus to be
slightly boggy and 2 centimeters above the umbilicus. What should the
nursing priority intervention be?
A) Document this expected finding
B) Notify the physician
C) Gently massage the fundus until firm
D) Assess mom's vital signs
C
During a postpartum assessment, the nurse notes that the uterus is midline
and boggy. The immediate nursing action is:
A) To notify the patient's midwife or physician
B) Massage the fundus until firm and reevaluate within 30 minutes
C) Give syntocinon as per orders
D) Assist the patient to the bathroom and ask her to void
B
Reasoning
The first nursing action for a boggy uterus = massage the fundus
A perinatal nurse assesses the skin condition of a newborn, which is
characterized by a yellow coloration of the skin, sclera, and oral mucous
membranes. What condition is most likely the cause of this symptom?
A) Hypoglycemia
B) Physiologic anemia of infancy
C) Low glomerular filtration rate
D) Jaundice
D
Reasoning
, Page 2 of 32
Jaundice is a condition characterized by a yellow (icteric) coloration of the skin,
sclera, and oral mucous membranes and results from the accumulation of bile
pigments associated with an excessive amount of bilirubin in the blood
The perinatal nurse teaches the student nurse that deep breathing exercises
following a cesarean birth are critical to the prevention of: select all that apply
A) Pneumonia
B) Atelectasis
C) Abdominal distension
D) Increased tidal volume
A&B
Reasoning
Incisional pain and abdominal distension often cause patients to adopt shallow
breathing patterns haht can lead to decreased gas exchange and a reduced tidal
volume. To facilitate adequate lung functions, patients should be taught how to
perform pulmonary exercises. Expectoration of secretions and deep breathing help
prevent common complications including atelectasis and pneumonia. Abdominal
distension and gas pains are common after abdominal surgery and result from
delayed peristalsis
The nurse assesses the postpartum patient who has not had a bowel
movement by the 3rd postpartum day. Which nursing intervention would be
appropriate?
A) Encourage the new mother to be patient, saying "it will happen soon"
B) Obtain an order for a stool softener
C) Decrease fluid intake
D) Instruct patient to eat a low fiber diet
B
When assessing the apical pulse of the neonate, the stethoscope should be
placed at the
A) First or second intercostal space
B) Second or third intercostal space
C) Third or fourth intercostal space
D) Fourth or fifth intercostal space
C
A postpartum woman, who gave birth 12 hours ago, is breastfeeding her baby.
She tells her nurse that she is concerned that her baby is not getting enough
food since her milk has not come in. The best response for this patient is:
A) I understand your concern, but your baby will be okay until your milk comes
in
B) Your baby seems content, so you should not worry about him getting
enough to heat
C) Milk normally comes in around the third day. Prior to that, he is getting
colostrum, which is high in protein and immunoglobulins which are important
for your baby's health
D) You can bottle feed until your milk comes in
C
Reasoning
This response provides info on the stages of milk production to help the woman
understand her newborn's nutritional needs
, Page 3 of 32
Keisha, a 26 year old, has come from preconception counseling and asks
about caring for her cat as she has heard that she "should not touch the cat
during pregnancy." the clinic nurse's best response is:
A) It is best if someone other than you changes the cat's litter pan during
pregnancy so that you have no risk of toxoplasmosis during pregnancy
B) It is important to have someone else change the litter pan during pregnancy
and also avoid consuming raw vegetables
C) Have you had any "flu like" symptoms since you got your cat? If so, you
may have already had toxoplasmosis and there is nothing to worry about
D) Toxoplasmosis a concern during pregnancy, so it is important to have
someone else change the cat's litter pan and also to avoid consuming
uncooked meat
D
Reasoning
Women need to be aware that Toxoplasma gondii, a single celled parasite, is
responsible for the infection toxoplasmosis. The majority of individuals who become
infected with toxoplasmosis are asymptomatic, although when peasant, s/s are
described as "flu like" and include glandular pain and enlargement and myalgia.
Severe toxoplasmosis infection may cause damage to the fetal brain, eyes, or other
organs. Toxoplasmosis is usually acquired by consuming raw or poorly cooked meat
that has been contaminated w/ Toxoplasma gondii. Toxoplasmosis may also be
acquired through close contact w/ feces from an infected animal (usually cats) or soil
that has been contaminated with Toxoplasma gondii
Information provided by the nurse that addresses the function of the amniotic
fluid is that the amniotic fluid helps the fetus to maintain a normal body
temperature and also:
A) Facilitates asymmetrical growth of fetal limbs
B) Cushions the fetus from mechanical injury
C) Promotes development of muscle tone
D) Promotes adherence of fetal lung tissue
B
A nurse is assigning care of postpartum patients to a licensed vocational
nurse (LVN). Which postpartum patient is at the greatest risk for postpartum
bleeding from uterine atony, and should not be delegated to an LVN's care?
A) A breastfeeding postpartum patient
B) A patient who delivered vaginally after a prolonged labor
C) A primiparous patient
D) A postpartum patient who began early ambulation
B
The perinatal nurse defines each of the following as substances that adversely
affects the growth and development of the embryo/fetus EXCEPT:
A) Folic acid
B) Tetracycline
C) Rubella virus
D) Varicella zoster
A
How often can you give ice packs?
every 2-4 hrs for the first 24 hrs
, Page 4 of 32
The perinatal nurse teaches the postpartum woman that the most critical time
to achieve effectiveness from the application of ice packs to the perineum is
during the first 24 hours.
A) True
B) False
A
Reasoning
Can give ice packs every 2-4 hours during the 1st 24 hrs
Every time the nurse enters the room of a postpartum patient who gave birth 3
hours ago, the patient asks something else about her birth experience. The
nurse should:
A) Answer questions quickly and try to divert her attention to other subjects
B) Submit a referral to Social Services because of possible obsessive behavior
C) Contact the physician to warn him the patient might want to file a lawsuit,
based on her preoccupation with the birth experience.
D) Review the documentation of the birth experience and discuss it with her.
D
The nurse should notify the physician immediately concerning which of the
assessment findings?
A) Musty odor to lochia 48 hours postpartum
B) Firm uterus with steady trickle of blood 2 hours after delivery
C) Three pea-sized clots passed 4 hours after delivery
D) Scant amount of rubra lochia after cesarean delivery
B
A woman delivered her third baby vaginally 18 hours ago. She has strong
afterpains each time she breastfeeds the baby. To promote comfort the nurse
should:
A) Massage the client's fundus before the baby nurses
B) Have the client perform Kegel exercises while she nurses the baby
C) Have the client use a nipple shield when the baby nurses
D) Administer an analgesic one hour before the baby will nurse
D
The nurse is assessing a client's fundus and finds it firm, 2 centimeters above
the umbilicus, and displaced to the right. What is the most appropriate
intervention?
A) Massage the fundus until firm
B) Notify the physician
C) Start a pad count
D) Have the client void and reassess the fundus
D
A perinatal nurse assesses a term newborn for respiratory functioning. The
nurse knows that which of the following conditions is normal for newborns?
Select all that apply.
A) A respiratory rate of 60 to 80 breaths per minute
B) A breathing pattern that is often shallow, diaphragmatic, and irregular
C) Periodic episodes of apnea
D) The neonate's lung sounds may sound moist during early auscultation
B, C, D
“MATERNITY NURSING PRACTICE QUESTIONS “ NEWEST
UPDATED EXAM 2025 – 2026 SOLVED QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS VERIFIED 100% GRADED A+ (LATEST
VERSION)
Maternity Exam Practice Questions
The nurse is assessing a client 24 hrs after delivery and finds the fundus to be
slightly boggy and 2 centimeters above the umbilicus. What should the
nursing priority intervention be?
A) Document this expected finding
B) Notify the physician
C) Gently massage the fundus until firm
D) Assess mom's vital signs
C
During a postpartum assessment, the nurse notes that the uterus is midline
and boggy. The immediate nursing action is:
A) To notify the patient's midwife or physician
B) Massage the fundus until firm and reevaluate within 30 minutes
C) Give syntocinon as per orders
D) Assist the patient to the bathroom and ask her to void
B
Reasoning
The first nursing action for a boggy uterus = massage the fundus
A perinatal nurse assesses the skin condition of a newborn, which is
characterized by a yellow coloration of the skin, sclera, and oral mucous
membranes. What condition is most likely the cause of this symptom?
A) Hypoglycemia
B) Physiologic anemia of infancy
C) Low glomerular filtration rate
D) Jaundice
D
Reasoning
, Page 2 of 32
Jaundice is a condition characterized by a yellow (icteric) coloration of the skin,
sclera, and oral mucous membranes and results from the accumulation of bile
pigments associated with an excessive amount of bilirubin in the blood
The perinatal nurse teaches the student nurse that deep breathing exercises
following a cesarean birth are critical to the prevention of: select all that apply
A) Pneumonia
B) Atelectasis
C) Abdominal distension
D) Increased tidal volume
A&B
Reasoning
Incisional pain and abdominal distension often cause patients to adopt shallow
breathing patterns haht can lead to decreased gas exchange and a reduced tidal
volume. To facilitate adequate lung functions, patients should be taught how to
perform pulmonary exercises. Expectoration of secretions and deep breathing help
prevent common complications including atelectasis and pneumonia. Abdominal
distension and gas pains are common after abdominal surgery and result from
delayed peristalsis
The nurse assesses the postpartum patient who has not had a bowel
movement by the 3rd postpartum day. Which nursing intervention would be
appropriate?
A) Encourage the new mother to be patient, saying "it will happen soon"
B) Obtain an order for a stool softener
C) Decrease fluid intake
D) Instruct patient to eat a low fiber diet
B
When assessing the apical pulse of the neonate, the stethoscope should be
placed at the
A) First or second intercostal space
B) Second or third intercostal space
C) Third or fourth intercostal space
D) Fourth or fifth intercostal space
C
A postpartum woman, who gave birth 12 hours ago, is breastfeeding her baby.
She tells her nurse that she is concerned that her baby is not getting enough
food since her milk has not come in. The best response for this patient is:
A) I understand your concern, but your baby will be okay until your milk comes
in
B) Your baby seems content, so you should not worry about him getting
enough to heat
C) Milk normally comes in around the third day. Prior to that, he is getting
colostrum, which is high in protein and immunoglobulins which are important
for your baby's health
D) You can bottle feed until your milk comes in
C
Reasoning
This response provides info on the stages of milk production to help the woman
understand her newborn's nutritional needs
, Page 3 of 32
Keisha, a 26 year old, has come from preconception counseling and asks
about caring for her cat as she has heard that she "should not touch the cat
during pregnancy." the clinic nurse's best response is:
A) It is best if someone other than you changes the cat's litter pan during
pregnancy so that you have no risk of toxoplasmosis during pregnancy
B) It is important to have someone else change the litter pan during pregnancy
and also avoid consuming raw vegetables
C) Have you had any "flu like" symptoms since you got your cat? If so, you
may have already had toxoplasmosis and there is nothing to worry about
D) Toxoplasmosis a concern during pregnancy, so it is important to have
someone else change the cat's litter pan and also to avoid consuming
uncooked meat
D
Reasoning
Women need to be aware that Toxoplasma gondii, a single celled parasite, is
responsible for the infection toxoplasmosis. The majority of individuals who become
infected with toxoplasmosis are asymptomatic, although when peasant, s/s are
described as "flu like" and include glandular pain and enlargement and myalgia.
Severe toxoplasmosis infection may cause damage to the fetal brain, eyes, or other
organs. Toxoplasmosis is usually acquired by consuming raw or poorly cooked meat
that has been contaminated w/ Toxoplasma gondii. Toxoplasmosis may also be
acquired through close contact w/ feces from an infected animal (usually cats) or soil
that has been contaminated with Toxoplasma gondii
Information provided by the nurse that addresses the function of the amniotic
fluid is that the amniotic fluid helps the fetus to maintain a normal body
temperature and also:
A) Facilitates asymmetrical growth of fetal limbs
B) Cushions the fetus from mechanical injury
C) Promotes development of muscle tone
D) Promotes adherence of fetal lung tissue
B
A nurse is assigning care of postpartum patients to a licensed vocational
nurse (LVN). Which postpartum patient is at the greatest risk for postpartum
bleeding from uterine atony, and should not be delegated to an LVN's care?
A) A breastfeeding postpartum patient
B) A patient who delivered vaginally after a prolonged labor
C) A primiparous patient
D) A postpartum patient who began early ambulation
B
The perinatal nurse defines each of the following as substances that adversely
affects the growth and development of the embryo/fetus EXCEPT:
A) Folic acid
B) Tetracycline
C) Rubella virus
D) Varicella zoster
A
How often can you give ice packs?
every 2-4 hrs for the first 24 hrs
, Page 4 of 32
The perinatal nurse teaches the postpartum woman that the most critical time
to achieve effectiveness from the application of ice packs to the perineum is
during the first 24 hours.
A) True
B) False
A
Reasoning
Can give ice packs every 2-4 hours during the 1st 24 hrs
Every time the nurse enters the room of a postpartum patient who gave birth 3
hours ago, the patient asks something else about her birth experience. The
nurse should:
A) Answer questions quickly and try to divert her attention to other subjects
B) Submit a referral to Social Services because of possible obsessive behavior
C) Contact the physician to warn him the patient might want to file a lawsuit,
based on her preoccupation with the birth experience.
D) Review the documentation of the birth experience and discuss it with her.
D
The nurse should notify the physician immediately concerning which of the
assessment findings?
A) Musty odor to lochia 48 hours postpartum
B) Firm uterus with steady trickle of blood 2 hours after delivery
C) Three pea-sized clots passed 4 hours after delivery
D) Scant amount of rubra lochia after cesarean delivery
B
A woman delivered her third baby vaginally 18 hours ago. She has strong
afterpains each time she breastfeeds the baby. To promote comfort the nurse
should:
A) Massage the client's fundus before the baby nurses
B) Have the client perform Kegel exercises while she nurses the baby
C) Have the client use a nipple shield when the baby nurses
D) Administer an analgesic one hour before the baby will nurse
D
The nurse is assessing a client's fundus and finds it firm, 2 centimeters above
the umbilicus, and displaced to the right. What is the most appropriate
intervention?
A) Massage the fundus until firm
B) Notify the physician
C) Start a pad count
D) Have the client void and reassess the fundus
D
A perinatal nurse assesses a term newborn for respiratory functioning. The
nurse knows that which of the following conditions is normal for newborns?
Select all that apply.
A) A respiratory rate of 60 to 80 breaths per minute
B) A breathing pattern that is often shallow, diaphragmatic, and irregular
C) Periodic episodes of apnea
D) The neonate's lung sounds may sound moist during early auscultation
B, C, D
