Maternal and Newborn Nursing
Practice Exam Merged With Correct
Verified And Well Analyzed Answers |
2026 Latest Update | Already Graded
A+
Questions 1–50
1. A nurse is caring for a client in the first trimester of pregnancy
who reports nausea and vomiting every morning. Which
recommendation should the nurse provide?
A. Drink large amounts of fluid with meals B. Eat dry crackers
before getting out of bed C. Skip breakfast each morning D. Avoid
carbohydrates during the day
Correct Answer: B. Eat dry crackers before getting out of bed
Rationale: Morning sickness is common during the first trimester due
to hormonal changes. Eating dry crackers or toast before rising can
help reduce nausea. Small, frequent meals and avoiding greasy foods
are also beneficial. Drinking excessive fluids with meals may worsen
nausea, and skipping meals can increase symptoms.
, 2. A pregnant client at 32 weeks’ gestation reports sudden
painless vaginal bleeding. Which condition should the nurse
suspect?
A. Placental abruption B. Ectopic pregnancy C. Placenta previa D.
Uterine rupture
Correct Answer: C. Placenta previa
Rationale: Placenta previa is characterized by painless bright red
vaginal bleeding during the second or third trimester. Placental
abruption usually causes painful bleeding with uterine tenderness.
Ectopic pregnancy occurs earlier in pregnancy, while uterine rupture
is associated with severe abdominal pain and fetal distress.
3. Which finding is considered a presumptive sign of pregnancy?
A. Positive fetal heart tones B. Chadwick’s sign C. Ultrasound
visualization of the fetus D. Palpable fetal movement by the
examiner
Correct Answer: B. Chadwick’s sign
Rationale: Chadwick’s sign, a bluish discoloration of the cervix and
vaginal mucosa, is a presumptive sign of pregnancy because it may
occur due to causes other than pregnancy. Positive fetal heart tones
and ultrasound confirmation are positive signs of pregnancy.
4. A nurse is teaching a pregnant client about the importance of
folic acid during pregnancy. Folic acid helps prevent which
complication?
A. Iron-deficiency anemia B. Neural tube defects C. Gestational
diabetes D. Pregnancy-induced hypertension
Correct Answer: B. Neural tube defects
,Rationale: Folic acid supplementation before conception and during
early pregnancy significantly reduces the risk of neural tube defects
such as spina bifida. Iron prevents anemia, while folic acid specifically
supports fetal neural development.
5. During labor, the nurse notes variable decelerations on the
fetal monitor. What is the most likely cause?
A. Uteroplacental insufficiency B. Maternal hypotension C.
Umbilical cord compression D. Fetal head compression
Correct Answer: C. Umbilical cord compression
Rationale: Variable decelerations are abrupt decreases in fetal heart
rate caused by umbilical cord compression. Early decelerations are
related to fetal head compression, while late decelerations are
associated with uteroplacental insufficiency.
6. Which assessment finding indicates that a postpartum client
may be experiencing hemorrhage?
A. Firm uterus and moderate lochia B. Saturating a perineal pad
within 15 minutes C. Pulse rate of 72 beats/minute D. Small amount
of lochia rubra
Correct Answer: B. Saturating a perineal pad within 15 minutes
Rationale: Excessive bleeding that saturates a perineal pad rapidly is a
sign of postpartum hemorrhage and requires immediate intervention.
A firm uterus with moderate lochia is expected postpartum.
7. A nurse is assessing a newborn immediately after birth. Which
finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Heart rate of 140 beats/minute B. Acrocyanosis of hands and feet
C. Respiratory rate of 68 breaths/minute with grunting D. Presence
of vernix caseosa
, Correct Answer: C. Respiratory rate of 68 breaths/minute with
grunting
Rationale: Respiratory distress in a newborn includes tachypnea,
grunting, nasal flaring, and retractions. Immediate evaluation and
intervention are necessary. Acrocyanosis and vernix are common
normal findings in newborns.
8. Which hormone is primarily responsible for maintaining
pregnancy?
A. Oxytocin B. Estrogen C. Progesterone D. Prolactin
Correct Answer: C. Progesterone
Rationale: Progesterone maintains the uterine lining and supports
pregnancy by preventing uterine contractions. Oxytocin stimulates
contractions, while prolactin supports lactation.
9. A client in labor is found to be 8 cm dilated. Which stage of
labor is the client experiencing?
A. Latent phase of the first stage B. Active phase of the first stage C.
Second stage D. Third stage
Correct Answer: B. Active phase of the first stage
Rationale: The active phase of labor occurs when cervical dilation
progresses more rapidly, generally from 6 to 10 cm. The second stage
begins at complete dilation and ends with birth.
10. Which instruction should the nurse provide to a
breastfeeding mother to prevent nipple soreness?
A. Limit feedings to 5 minutes per breast B. Wash nipples with soap
before each feeding C. Ensure the infant has a proper latch D. Avoid
alternating breasts during feedings
Practice Exam Merged With Correct
Verified And Well Analyzed Answers |
2026 Latest Update | Already Graded
A+
Questions 1–50
1. A nurse is caring for a client in the first trimester of pregnancy
who reports nausea and vomiting every morning. Which
recommendation should the nurse provide?
A. Drink large amounts of fluid with meals B. Eat dry crackers
before getting out of bed C. Skip breakfast each morning D. Avoid
carbohydrates during the day
Correct Answer: B. Eat dry crackers before getting out of bed
Rationale: Morning sickness is common during the first trimester due
to hormonal changes. Eating dry crackers or toast before rising can
help reduce nausea. Small, frequent meals and avoiding greasy foods
are also beneficial. Drinking excessive fluids with meals may worsen
nausea, and skipping meals can increase symptoms.
, 2. A pregnant client at 32 weeks’ gestation reports sudden
painless vaginal bleeding. Which condition should the nurse
suspect?
A. Placental abruption B. Ectopic pregnancy C. Placenta previa D.
Uterine rupture
Correct Answer: C. Placenta previa
Rationale: Placenta previa is characterized by painless bright red
vaginal bleeding during the second or third trimester. Placental
abruption usually causes painful bleeding with uterine tenderness.
Ectopic pregnancy occurs earlier in pregnancy, while uterine rupture
is associated with severe abdominal pain and fetal distress.
3. Which finding is considered a presumptive sign of pregnancy?
A. Positive fetal heart tones B. Chadwick’s sign C. Ultrasound
visualization of the fetus D. Palpable fetal movement by the
examiner
Correct Answer: B. Chadwick’s sign
Rationale: Chadwick’s sign, a bluish discoloration of the cervix and
vaginal mucosa, is a presumptive sign of pregnancy because it may
occur due to causes other than pregnancy. Positive fetal heart tones
and ultrasound confirmation are positive signs of pregnancy.
4. A nurse is teaching a pregnant client about the importance of
folic acid during pregnancy. Folic acid helps prevent which
complication?
A. Iron-deficiency anemia B. Neural tube defects C. Gestational
diabetes D. Pregnancy-induced hypertension
Correct Answer: B. Neural tube defects
,Rationale: Folic acid supplementation before conception and during
early pregnancy significantly reduces the risk of neural tube defects
such as spina bifida. Iron prevents anemia, while folic acid specifically
supports fetal neural development.
5. During labor, the nurse notes variable decelerations on the
fetal monitor. What is the most likely cause?
A. Uteroplacental insufficiency B. Maternal hypotension C.
Umbilical cord compression D. Fetal head compression
Correct Answer: C. Umbilical cord compression
Rationale: Variable decelerations are abrupt decreases in fetal heart
rate caused by umbilical cord compression. Early decelerations are
related to fetal head compression, while late decelerations are
associated with uteroplacental insufficiency.
6. Which assessment finding indicates that a postpartum client
may be experiencing hemorrhage?
A. Firm uterus and moderate lochia B. Saturating a perineal pad
within 15 minutes C. Pulse rate of 72 beats/minute D. Small amount
of lochia rubra
Correct Answer: B. Saturating a perineal pad within 15 minutes
Rationale: Excessive bleeding that saturates a perineal pad rapidly is a
sign of postpartum hemorrhage and requires immediate intervention.
A firm uterus with moderate lochia is expected postpartum.
7. A nurse is assessing a newborn immediately after birth. Which
finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Heart rate of 140 beats/minute B. Acrocyanosis of hands and feet
C. Respiratory rate of 68 breaths/minute with grunting D. Presence
of vernix caseosa
, Correct Answer: C. Respiratory rate of 68 breaths/minute with
grunting
Rationale: Respiratory distress in a newborn includes tachypnea,
grunting, nasal flaring, and retractions. Immediate evaluation and
intervention are necessary. Acrocyanosis and vernix are common
normal findings in newborns.
8. Which hormone is primarily responsible for maintaining
pregnancy?
A. Oxytocin B. Estrogen C. Progesterone D. Prolactin
Correct Answer: C. Progesterone
Rationale: Progesterone maintains the uterine lining and supports
pregnancy by preventing uterine contractions. Oxytocin stimulates
contractions, while prolactin supports lactation.
9. A client in labor is found to be 8 cm dilated. Which stage of
labor is the client experiencing?
A. Latent phase of the first stage B. Active phase of the first stage C.
Second stage D. Third stage
Correct Answer: B. Active phase of the first stage
Rationale: The active phase of labor occurs when cervical dilation
progresses more rapidly, generally from 6 to 10 cm. The second stage
begins at complete dilation and ends with birth.
10. Which instruction should the nurse provide to a
breastfeeding mother to prevent nipple soreness?
A. Limit feedings to 5 minutes per breast B. Wash nipples with soap
before each feeding C. Ensure the infant has a proper latch D. Avoid
alternating breasts during feedings
