Maternal-Child Nursing & Complex Care
Pre-Licensure Nursing Program Assessment
2026/2027 Academic Year
75 Questions | NGN-Aligned | NCSBN CJMM Framework
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, NUR 2502 MDC 3 | Maternal-Child Nursing & Complex Care | 2026/2027
Table of Contents
Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................................... 1
1. High-Risk Pregnancy & Antepartum Complications .............................................................................. 2
2. undefined .................................................................................................................................................. 2
3. Intrapartum & Postpartum Nursing Care .............................................................................................. 16
4. Newborn & Pediatric Nursing ................................................................................................................. 17
5. Complex Medical-Surgical Conditions in Maternal-Child Contexts .................................................... 17
6. Pharmacology in Maternal-Child & Complex Care ............................................................................... 17
7. Family-Centered Care & Cultural Competence ...................................................................................... 17
8. Legal/Ethical Responsibilities & Scope of Practice ............................................................................... 18
9. Safety & Quality Improvement ............................................................................................................... 18
10. Clinical Judgment & NGN Item Types ................................................................................................. 18
11. Scenario-Based Decision-Making.......................................................................................................... 19
Page 1 of 20
, NUR 2502 MDC 3 | Maternal-Child Nursing & Complex Care | 2026/2027
1. High-Risk Pregnancy & Antepartum Complications
Questions 1–1
1. A pregnant patient at 32 weeks gestation presents with blood pressure 156/98 mmHg,
+2 proteinuria, and facial edema. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Gestational hypertension
B. Preeclampsia with severe features
C. Eclampsia
D. Chronic hypertension
Answer: B. Preeclampsia with severe features
Rationale: Preeclampsia with severe features is diagnosed at ≥20 weeks gestation with
systolic BP ≥160 or diastolic BP ≥110 mmHg, plus proteinuria and/or end-organ symptoms.
This patient meets severe criteria with markedly elevated BP, significant proteinuria, and
facial edema per ACOG guidelines.
2. undefined
Questions 2–75
2. Magnesium sulfate is administered to a patient with severe preeclampsia primarily
to:
A. Reduce blood pressure
B. Prevent seizures (eclampsia)
C. Increase urine output
D. Promote fetal lung maturity
Answer: B. Prevent seizures (eclampsia)
Rationale: Magnesium sulfate is the gold-standard seizure prophylaxis in severe
preeclampsia and eclampsia; it acts as a central nervous system depressant and cerebral
vasodilator to prevent eclamptic seizures per AWHONN and ACOG recommendations.
3. A pregnant patient with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) asks why she needs to
monitor her blood glucose. The nurse explains that uncontrolled GDM increases the
risk of:
A. Placenta previa
B. Macrosomia and neonatal hypoglycemia
C. Ectopic pregnancy
D. Maternal hyperthyroidism
Answer: B. Macrosomia and neonatal hypoglycemia
Rationale: Uncontrolled maternal hyperglycemia in GDM causes fetal hyperinsulinemia,
leading to excessive fetal growth (macrosomia) and reactive neonatal hypoglycemia after
delivery when the maternal glucose supply is abruptly discontinued.
4. A patient at 28 weeks gestation reports regular uterine contractions every 8 minutes,
cervical dilation of 2 cm, and 50% effacement. The nurse recognizes this as:
A. Braxton Hicks contractions
B. Preterm labor
C. Normal labor at term
D. Threatened abortion
Answer: B. Preterm labor
Rationale: Preterm labor is defined as regular contractions with cervical change (dilation
and/or effacement) occurring between 20 and 36 completed weeks of gestation. This patient
meets criteria with regular contractions and documented cervical changes.
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