NUR 230 – MATERNAL NURSING FINAL EXAM] QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Antepartum Nursing
Intrapartum Nursing
Postpartum Nursing
Newborn Care and Assessment
Maternal-Newborn Pharmacology
High-Risk Pregnancy Complications
Ethical and Legal Issues in Maternal Nursing
Breastfeeding and Newborn Nutrition
Family Dynamics and Cultural Competence
Perinatal Mental Health
Introduction
*This comprehensive examination is designed to assess mastery of essential maternal-newborn nursing
concepts required for successful completion of NUR 230. The exam evaluates foundational theory, applied
clinical reasoning, regulatory compliance, ethical decision-making, and critical thinking in real-world perinatal
scenarios. Each multiple-choice question reflects evidence-based practice and professional standards. Scenarios
challenge students to prioritize care, recognize complications, and intervene appropriately. Correct answers are
verified with concise rationales. This assessment emphasizes safe, competent, and family-centered care across
the childbearing continuum. Prepare to demonstrate readiness for professional nursing practice.*
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a 32-week gestation client who reports persistent headache, epigastric pain, and visual
blurring. Vital signs: BP 168/104 mm Hg, pulse 92 bpm. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer acetaminophen for headache
B. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
C. Encourage the client to rest in a dark room
D. Obtain a clean-catch urine specimen
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: These symptoms suggest severe preeclampsia with possible HELLP syndrome or eclampsia.
Immediate provider notification is critical; seizure precautions and magnesium sulfate may be required.
Delaying care risks maternal-fetal mortality.
Question 2
A primigravida at 39 weeks is receiving oxytocin for induction. Contractions occur every 2 minutes, lasting 100
seconds. Fetal heart rate baseline is 140 bpm with late decelerations. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Increase oxytocin infusion rate
B. Apply oxygen via non-rebreather mask at 10 L/min
C. Assist the client to a left lateral position
D. Prepare for immediate cesarean birth
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Late decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency. Positioning the client left lateral
,improves uterine blood flow and fetal oxygenation. This non-invasive intervention must precede other actions
unless non-reassuring status persists.
Question 3
A nurse is teaching a postpartum client about signs of infection. Which statement indicates correct
understanding?
A. "I will call my provider if my temperature is 100.2°F once"
B. "Lochia with a foul odor is normal for the first week"
C. "Pain only with urination is expected after delivery"
D. "Redness or warmth around a C-section incision needs to be reported"
🟢D
🔴 RATIONALE: Incisional erythema or warmth suggests surgical site infection. Postpartum infection signs
include fever >100.4°F, foul lochia, delayed healing, and localized pain. Immediate reporting prevents severe
morbidity.
Question 4
A newborn’s Apgar scores are 5 at 1 minute and 8 at 5 minutes. What does this indicate?
A. Severe central nervous system depression
B. No resuscitation needed at birth
C. Improvement in cardiopulmonary adaptation
D. Persistent metabolic acidosis
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Apgar improvement from 5 (moderate depression) to 8 (good condition) reflects successful
, transition and response to initial stimulation/airway clearance. Scores guide but do not diagnose long-term
outcomes.
Question 5
Which medication is administered to an Rh-negative unsensitized client after delivery of an Rh-positive
newborn?
A. Methotrexate
B. Rh immune globulin
C. Methylergonovine
D. Betamethasone
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Rh immune globulin prevents maternal sensitization to Rh antigen by destroying fetal RBCs in
maternal circulation. Administer within 72 hours postpartum to avoid antibody formation in future pregnancies.
Question 6
A client at 28 weeks reports uterine cramping and low back pain. Contractions are palpable every 10 minutes.
Cervix is 2 cm dilated, 50% effaced. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Braxton-Hicks contractions
B. Preterm labor
C. Placenta previa
D. Round ligament pain
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Preterm labor is cervical change before 37 weeks with regular contractions. Braxton-Hicks are
PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Antepartum Nursing
Intrapartum Nursing
Postpartum Nursing
Newborn Care and Assessment
Maternal-Newborn Pharmacology
High-Risk Pregnancy Complications
Ethical and Legal Issues in Maternal Nursing
Breastfeeding and Newborn Nutrition
Family Dynamics and Cultural Competence
Perinatal Mental Health
Introduction
*This comprehensive examination is designed to assess mastery of essential maternal-newborn nursing
concepts required for successful completion of NUR 230. The exam evaluates foundational theory, applied
clinical reasoning, regulatory compliance, ethical decision-making, and critical thinking in real-world perinatal
scenarios. Each multiple-choice question reflects evidence-based practice and professional standards. Scenarios
challenge students to prioritize care, recognize complications, and intervene appropriately. Correct answers are
verified with concise rationales. This assessment emphasizes safe, competent, and family-centered care across
the childbearing continuum. Prepare to demonstrate readiness for professional nursing practice.*
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a 32-week gestation client who reports persistent headache, epigastric pain, and visual
blurring. Vital signs: BP 168/104 mm Hg, pulse 92 bpm. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer acetaminophen for headache
B. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
C. Encourage the client to rest in a dark room
D. Obtain a clean-catch urine specimen
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: These symptoms suggest severe preeclampsia with possible HELLP syndrome or eclampsia.
Immediate provider notification is critical; seizure precautions and magnesium sulfate may be required.
Delaying care risks maternal-fetal mortality.
Question 2
A primigravida at 39 weeks is receiving oxytocin for induction. Contractions occur every 2 minutes, lasting 100
seconds. Fetal heart rate baseline is 140 bpm with late decelerations. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Increase oxytocin infusion rate
B. Apply oxygen via non-rebreather mask at 10 L/min
C. Assist the client to a left lateral position
D. Prepare for immediate cesarean birth
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Late decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency. Positioning the client left lateral
,improves uterine blood flow and fetal oxygenation. This non-invasive intervention must precede other actions
unless non-reassuring status persists.
Question 3
A nurse is teaching a postpartum client about signs of infection. Which statement indicates correct
understanding?
A. "I will call my provider if my temperature is 100.2°F once"
B. "Lochia with a foul odor is normal for the first week"
C. "Pain only with urination is expected after delivery"
D. "Redness or warmth around a C-section incision needs to be reported"
🟢D
🔴 RATIONALE: Incisional erythema or warmth suggests surgical site infection. Postpartum infection signs
include fever >100.4°F, foul lochia, delayed healing, and localized pain. Immediate reporting prevents severe
morbidity.
Question 4
A newborn’s Apgar scores are 5 at 1 minute and 8 at 5 minutes. What does this indicate?
A. Severe central nervous system depression
B. No resuscitation needed at birth
C. Improvement in cardiopulmonary adaptation
D. Persistent metabolic acidosis
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Apgar improvement from 5 (moderate depression) to 8 (good condition) reflects successful
, transition and response to initial stimulation/airway clearance. Scores guide but do not diagnose long-term
outcomes.
Question 5
Which medication is administered to an Rh-negative unsensitized client after delivery of an Rh-positive
newborn?
A. Methotrexate
B. Rh immune globulin
C. Methylergonovine
D. Betamethasone
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Rh immune globulin prevents maternal sensitization to Rh antigen by destroying fetal RBCs in
maternal circulation. Administer within 72 hours postpartum to avoid antibody formation in future pregnancies.
Question 6
A client at 28 weeks reports uterine cramping and low back pain. Contractions are palpable every 10 minutes.
Cervix is 2 cm dilated, 50% effaced. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Braxton-Hicks contractions
B. Preterm labor
C. Placenta previa
D. Round ligament pain
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Preterm labor is cervical change before 37 weeks with regular contractions. Braxton-Hicks are
