MOTHER BABY UNIT 3 EXAM QUESTIONS ANSWERED CORRECTLY LATEST UPDATE 2026
which action would the nurse take when a 15-beat-per-minute acceleration of the fetal heart rate
above the baseline occurs during a contraction?
a.) call the practitioner to prepare for an imminent birth
b.) turn the mother on her left side to increase venous return
c.) record the fetal response to contractions and continue to monitor the heart rate
d.) document the fetal heart rate abnormality and monitor the fetal heart rate continuously - Answers
c.) record the fetal response to contractions and continue to monitor the heart rate
between contractions that are 2 to 3 minutes apart and last about 45 seconds, the internal fetal
monitor shows a fetal heart rate (FHR) of 100 beats/min. which is the priority nursing action?
a.) notify the health care provider
b.) resume continuous fetal heart monitoring
c.) continue to monitor the maternal vital signs
d.) document the fetal heart rate as an expected response to contractions - Answers a.) notify the
health care provider
which descriptor would the nurse use when explaining to a client how to time the frequency of
contractions?
a.) from the ned of 1 contraction to the end of the next contraction
b.) from the end of 1 contraction to the beginning of the next contraction
c.) from the beginning of 1 contraction to the end of the next contraction
d.) from the beginning of 1 contraction to the beginning of the next contraction - Answers d.) from the
beginning of 1 contraction to the beginning of the next contraction
at 36 weeks' gestation a client is scheduled for a contraction stress test (CST) and the nurse explains
the procedure. which statement indicated that the client understands the teaching?
a.) "if this test causes my labor to begin early, I would need a cesarean section"
b.) "if my baby's heart rate is okay, my labor probably won't be induced today"
c.) "I hate having needles in my arm, but I understand why it's necessary"
d.) "I hope the baby doesn't get restless after the test; it can get uncomfortable" - Answers b.) "if my
baby's heart rate is okay, my labor probably won't be induced today"
the doctor has written an order for a contraction stress test (CST). the presence of which condition
would prompt the nurse to question the order?
a.) proteinuria
b.) vaginal bleeding
c.) sickle cell disease
d.) gestational hypertension - Answers b.) vaginal bleeding
the health care provider prescribes a contraction stress test (CST) for a client at 33 weeks' gestation
whose nonstress test (NST) was nonreactive and whose biophysical profile (BPP) was inconclusive.
which maternal conditions would prompt the nurse to question the prescription? select all that apply.
one, some, or all responses may be correct.
a.) hypertension
b.) preterm labor
c.) placenta previa
d.) cervical insufficiency
e.) premature rupture of membranes - Answers b.) preterm labor
c.) placenta previa
d.) cervical insufficiency
e.) premature rupture of membranes
a newborn is admitted to the nursery with a spiral scalp electrode from an internal monitor in place.
how would the nurse remove the electrode?
a.) giving the electrode a quick jerk
b.) turning the electrode clockwise until it is free
c.) untwisting the wires before pulling the electrode out
d.) twisting the electrode counterclockwise until it is free - Answers d.) twisting the electrode
counterclockwise until it is free
which information would be given to a client about her position while an internal fetal monitor is in
place?
,a.) the most comfortable position may be assumed
b.) monitoring is more accurate in the side-lying position
c.) maintaining a supine position holds the internal electrodes in place
d.) the monitor leads need to be detached when sitting on the bedpan - Answers a.) the most
comfortable position may be assumed
which statement indicates a client understands the meaning of having a reactive nonstress test?
a.) normal because of increases in fetal heart rate (FHR) w/ fetal movement
b.) abnormal because of a decrease in FHR between contractions
c.) abnormal because of variability w/ each contraction
d.) normal because the FHR remained unchanged w/ maternal movement - Answers a.) normal
because of increases in fetal heart rate (FHR) w/ fetal movement
which fetal heart rate pattern in labor would require immediate action from the nurse?
a.) baseline of 140 beats per minute during contractions
b.) uniformly drops to 120 beats per minute mirroring each contraction
c.) fluctuates from 130 to 140 beats per minute unrelated to contractions
d.) repeatedly drops abruptly to 90 beats per minute unrelated to contractions - Answers d.)
repeatedly drops abruptly to 90 beats per minute unrelated to contractions
which information would the nurse provide to the client who is being prepared for a contraction
stress test (CST)?
a.) "the test will be discontinued after at least 6 contractions are observed"
b.) "you'll need to provide a urine specimen before the test"
c.) "the fetal heart rate will be monitored for about 20 minutes before the test begins"
d.) "you'll be placed in a right lateral position that must be maintained throughout the test" - Answers
c.) "the fetal heart rate will be monitored for about 20 minutes before the test begins"
which condition is most commonly associated w/ late decelerations of the fetal heart rate?
a.) head compression
b.) maternal hypothyroidism
c.) uteroplacental insufficiency
d.) umbilical cord compression - Answers c.) uteroplacental insufficiency
which characteristics are score on a biophysical profile? select all that apply. one, some, or all
responses may be correct.
a.) fetal tone
b.) fetal position
c.) fetal movement
d.) amniotic fluid index
e.) fetal breathing movements
f.) contraction stress test results - Answers a.) fetal tone
c.) fetal movement
d.) amniotic fluid index
e.) fetal breathing movements
while caring for a client who has has a positive contraction stress test (CST), which complication would
the nurse suspect?
a.) preeclampsia
b.) placenta previa
c.) imminent preterm birth
d.) uteroplacental insufficiency - Answers d.) uteroplacental insufficiency
a client who is 38 weeks' pregnant has a nonstress test (NST). the resulting fetal monitor strip is
shown. which interpretation would the nurse assign to this finding?
a.) negative because of a lack of contractions
b.) nonreassuring; fetal heart rate lacks variability
c.) reassuring; fetal heart rate accelerates w/ movement
d.) positive; demonstrates decelerations w/ fetal movements - Answers c.) reassuring; fetal heart rate
accelerates w/ movement
a contraction stress test (CST) performed on a client at 40 weeks' gestation is interpreted as negative.
which conclusion would the nurse draw from this interpretation?
a.) testing will be repeated in 24 hrs because the results indicate hyperstimulation
b.) there will be weekly retesting because at this time the fetus has adequate oxygen reserves
, c.) emergency birth will be considered because the fetal heart rate has early decelerations w/ uterine
contractions
d.) induction of labor will be performed because fetal heart rate accelerations w/ movement are
indicative of a false result - Answers b.) there will be weekly retesting because at this time the fetus
has adequate oxygen reserves
which result after 20 minutes of a nonstress test is suggestive of fetal activity?
a.) absence of long-term variability
b.) above-average fetal baseline heart rate of 160 beats/min
c.) no late decelerations associated w/ contractions
d.) two accelerations of 15 beats/min lasting 15 seconds - Answers d.) two accelerations of 15
beats/min lasting 15 seconds
which finding indicates a positive result when performing contraction stress test (CST)?
a.) there is moderate variability
b.) there are fetal heart rate accelerations w/ contractions
c.) the fetal heart rate baseline is 155 beats per minute
d.) there are recurrent late decelerations - Answers d.) there are recurrent late decelerations
an electronic fetal monitor is applied to a client in labor who is dilated to 4cm. which assessment
finding would cause the nurse to notify the healthcare provider?
a.) contractions every 4 minutes that last 50 seconds
b.) contractions every 1 to 2 minutes lasting 90 seconds
c.) fetal heart rate accelerations at the beginning of a contraction
d.) fetal heart rate decelerations to 110 beats/min before the peak of a contraction - Answers b.)
contractions every 1 to 2 minutes lasting 90 seconds
which phrase would the nurse use to document a fetal heart rate (FHR) increase of 15 beats over the
baseline rate of 135 beats per minute that lasts 15 seconds?
a.) an acceleration
b.) an early increase
c.) a sonographic motion
d.) a tachycardic heart rate - Answers a.) an acceleration
which is a potential cause of fetal tachycardia when a client is in active labor?
a.) fetal head compression
b.) umbilical cord compression
c.) increased maternal metabolism
d.) pudendal anesthesia administration - Answers c.) increased maternal metabolism
a client in labor is having an indwelling urinary catheter inserted. which action by the nurse would
help prevent late decelerations of the fetal heart rate during this procedure?
a.) position both the client's legs in stirrups simultaneously
b.) urge the client to take deep breaths frequently
c.) place a rolled towel under the client's right hip
d.) loosen the transducer belts around the client's abdomen - Answers c.) place a rolled towel under
the client's right hip
which fetal heart pattern indicates cord compression?
a.) smooth, flat baseline tracings of 135 beats/min
b.) abrupt decreases in fetal heart rate that are unrelated to the contractions
c.) accelerations in the fetal heart rate of 10 beats/min above baseline
d.) decelerations when a contraction begins that return to baseline when the contraction ends -
Answers b.) abrupt decreases in fetal heart rate that are unrelated to the contractions
a nurse is caring for a client in the first stage of labor, and an external fetal monitor is in place. which
do the tracings indicate?
a.) fetal tachycardia
b.) early accelerations
c.) variable decelerations
d.) inadequate long-term variability - Answers c.) variable decelerations
which fetal heart tracing during labor can most likely result in fetal hypoxia and metabolic acidosis?
a.) accelerations
b.) variable decelerations
c.) fetal heart rate variability
which action would the nurse take when a 15-beat-per-minute acceleration of the fetal heart rate
above the baseline occurs during a contraction?
a.) call the practitioner to prepare for an imminent birth
b.) turn the mother on her left side to increase venous return
c.) record the fetal response to contractions and continue to monitor the heart rate
d.) document the fetal heart rate abnormality and monitor the fetal heart rate continuously - Answers
c.) record the fetal response to contractions and continue to monitor the heart rate
between contractions that are 2 to 3 minutes apart and last about 45 seconds, the internal fetal
monitor shows a fetal heart rate (FHR) of 100 beats/min. which is the priority nursing action?
a.) notify the health care provider
b.) resume continuous fetal heart monitoring
c.) continue to monitor the maternal vital signs
d.) document the fetal heart rate as an expected response to contractions - Answers a.) notify the
health care provider
which descriptor would the nurse use when explaining to a client how to time the frequency of
contractions?
a.) from the ned of 1 contraction to the end of the next contraction
b.) from the end of 1 contraction to the beginning of the next contraction
c.) from the beginning of 1 contraction to the end of the next contraction
d.) from the beginning of 1 contraction to the beginning of the next contraction - Answers d.) from the
beginning of 1 contraction to the beginning of the next contraction
at 36 weeks' gestation a client is scheduled for a contraction stress test (CST) and the nurse explains
the procedure. which statement indicated that the client understands the teaching?
a.) "if this test causes my labor to begin early, I would need a cesarean section"
b.) "if my baby's heart rate is okay, my labor probably won't be induced today"
c.) "I hate having needles in my arm, but I understand why it's necessary"
d.) "I hope the baby doesn't get restless after the test; it can get uncomfortable" - Answers b.) "if my
baby's heart rate is okay, my labor probably won't be induced today"
the doctor has written an order for a contraction stress test (CST). the presence of which condition
would prompt the nurse to question the order?
a.) proteinuria
b.) vaginal bleeding
c.) sickle cell disease
d.) gestational hypertension - Answers b.) vaginal bleeding
the health care provider prescribes a contraction stress test (CST) for a client at 33 weeks' gestation
whose nonstress test (NST) was nonreactive and whose biophysical profile (BPP) was inconclusive.
which maternal conditions would prompt the nurse to question the prescription? select all that apply.
one, some, or all responses may be correct.
a.) hypertension
b.) preterm labor
c.) placenta previa
d.) cervical insufficiency
e.) premature rupture of membranes - Answers b.) preterm labor
c.) placenta previa
d.) cervical insufficiency
e.) premature rupture of membranes
a newborn is admitted to the nursery with a spiral scalp electrode from an internal monitor in place.
how would the nurse remove the electrode?
a.) giving the electrode a quick jerk
b.) turning the electrode clockwise until it is free
c.) untwisting the wires before pulling the electrode out
d.) twisting the electrode counterclockwise until it is free - Answers d.) twisting the electrode
counterclockwise until it is free
which information would be given to a client about her position while an internal fetal monitor is in
place?
,a.) the most comfortable position may be assumed
b.) monitoring is more accurate in the side-lying position
c.) maintaining a supine position holds the internal electrodes in place
d.) the monitor leads need to be detached when sitting on the bedpan - Answers a.) the most
comfortable position may be assumed
which statement indicates a client understands the meaning of having a reactive nonstress test?
a.) normal because of increases in fetal heart rate (FHR) w/ fetal movement
b.) abnormal because of a decrease in FHR between contractions
c.) abnormal because of variability w/ each contraction
d.) normal because the FHR remained unchanged w/ maternal movement - Answers a.) normal
because of increases in fetal heart rate (FHR) w/ fetal movement
which fetal heart rate pattern in labor would require immediate action from the nurse?
a.) baseline of 140 beats per minute during contractions
b.) uniformly drops to 120 beats per minute mirroring each contraction
c.) fluctuates from 130 to 140 beats per minute unrelated to contractions
d.) repeatedly drops abruptly to 90 beats per minute unrelated to contractions - Answers d.)
repeatedly drops abruptly to 90 beats per minute unrelated to contractions
which information would the nurse provide to the client who is being prepared for a contraction
stress test (CST)?
a.) "the test will be discontinued after at least 6 contractions are observed"
b.) "you'll need to provide a urine specimen before the test"
c.) "the fetal heart rate will be monitored for about 20 minutes before the test begins"
d.) "you'll be placed in a right lateral position that must be maintained throughout the test" - Answers
c.) "the fetal heart rate will be monitored for about 20 minutes before the test begins"
which condition is most commonly associated w/ late decelerations of the fetal heart rate?
a.) head compression
b.) maternal hypothyroidism
c.) uteroplacental insufficiency
d.) umbilical cord compression - Answers c.) uteroplacental insufficiency
which characteristics are score on a biophysical profile? select all that apply. one, some, or all
responses may be correct.
a.) fetal tone
b.) fetal position
c.) fetal movement
d.) amniotic fluid index
e.) fetal breathing movements
f.) contraction stress test results - Answers a.) fetal tone
c.) fetal movement
d.) amniotic fluid index
e.) fetal breathing movements
while caring for a client who has has a positive contraction stress test (CST), which complication would
the nurse suspect?
a.) preeclampsia
b.) placenta previa
c.) imminent preterm birth
d.) uteroplacental insufficiency - Answers d.) uteroplacental insufficiency
a client who is 38 weeks' pregnant has a nonstress test (NST). the resulting fetal monitor strip is
shown. which interpretation would the nurse assign to this finding?
a.) negative because of a lack of contractions
b.) nonreassuring; fetal heart rate lacks variability
c.) reassuring; fetal heart rate accelerates w/ movement
d.) positive; demonstrates decelerations w/ fetal movements - Answers c.) reassuring; fetal heart rate
accelerates w/ movement
a contraction stress test (CST) performed on a client at 40 weeks' gestation is interpreted as negative.
which conclusion would the nurse draw from this interpretation?
a.) testing will be repeated in 24 hrs because the results indicate hyperstimulation
b.) there will be weekly retesting because at this time the fetus has adequate oxygen reserves
, c.) emergency birth will be considered because the fetal heart rate has early decelerations w/ uterine
contractions
d.) induction of labor will be performed because fetal heart rate accelerations w/ movement are
indicative of a false result - Answers b.) there will be weekly retesting because at this time the fetus
has adequate oxygen reserves
which result after 20 minutes of a nonstress test is suggestive of fetal activity?
a.) absence of long-term variability
b.) above-average fetal baseline heart rate of 160 beats/min
c.) no late decelerations associated w/ contractions
d.) two accelerations of 15 beats/min lasting 15 seconds - Answers d.) two accelerations of 15
beats/min lasting 15 seconds
which finding indicates a positive result when performing contraction stress test (CST)?
a.) there is moderate variability
b.) there are fetal heart rate accelerations w/ contractions
c.) the fetal heart rate baseline is 155 beats per minute
d.) there are recurrent late decelerations - Answers d.) there are recurrent late decelerations
an electronic fetal monitor is applied to a client in labor who is dilated to 4cm. which assessment
finding would cause the nurse to notify the healthcare provider?
a.) contractions every 4 minutes that last 50 seconds
b.) contractions every 1 to 2 minutes lasting 90 seconds
c.) fetal heart rate accelerations at the beginning of a contraction
d.) fetal heart rate decelerations to 110 beats/min before the peak of a contraction - Answers b.)
contractions every 1 to 2 minutes lasting 90 seconds
which phrase would the nurse use to document a fetal heart rate (FHR) increase of 15 beats over the
baseline rate of 135 beats per minute that lasts 15 seconds?
a.) an acceleration
b.) an early increase
c.) a sonographic motion
d.) a tachycardic heart rate - Answers a.) an acceleration
which is a potential cause of fetal tachycardia when a client is in active labor?
a.) fetal head compression
b.) umbilical cord compression
c.) increased maternal metabolism
d.) pudendal anesthesia administration - Answers c.) increased maternal metabolism
a client in labor is having an indwelling urinary catheter inserted. which action by the nurse would
help prevent late decelerations of the fetal heart rate during this procedure?
a.) position both the client's legs in stirrups simultaneously
b.) urge the client to take deep breaths frequently
c.) place a rolled towel under the client's right hip
d.) loosen the transducer belts around the client's abdomen - Answers c.) place a rolled towel under
the client's right hip
which fetal heart pattern indicates cord compression?
a.) smooth, flat baseline tracings of 135 beats/min
b.) abrupt decreases in fetal heart rate that are unrelated to the contractions
c.) accelerations in the fetal heart rate of 10 beats/min above baseline
d.) decelerations when a contraction begins that return to baseline when the contraction ends -
Answers b.) abrupt decreases in fetal heart rate that are unrelated to the contractions
a nurse is caring for a client in the first stage of labor, and an external fetal monitor is in place. which
do the tracings indicate?
a.) fetal tachycardia
b.) early accelerations
c.) variable decelerations
d.) inadequate long-term variability - Answers c.) variable decelerations
which fetal heart tracing during labor can most likely result in fetal hypoxia and metabolic acidosis?
a.) accelerations
b.) variable decelerations
c.) fetal heart rate variability
