NSG 140 MATERNAL-NEWBORN NURSING FINAL EXAM] QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Antepartum Nursing Assessment and Fetal Development
Intrapartum Nursing Care and Labor Management
Postpartum Maternal Physiological and Psychosocial Adaptation
Newborn Transition, Assessment, and Immediate Care
High-Risk Pregnancy and Obstetrical Complications
Pharmacological Therapies in Maternal-Newborn Nursing
Legal, Ethical, and Professional Standards in Perinatal Care
Breastfeeding and Infant Nutrition
Family Education, Discharge Planning, and Community Resources
Introduction
*This comprehensive examination is designed to evaluate the essential knowledge, clinical reasoning, and
decision-making skills required for safe and effective maternal-newborn nursing practice. The assessment
integrates foundational theory with applied professional knowledge, regulatory compliance, ethical standards,
and real-world clinical scenarios. Each of the 200 multiple-choice questions emphasizes critical thinking and
prioritization, reflecting the complexities of caring for childbearing families across the antepartum, intrapartum,
postpartum, and neonatal periods. Successful completion demonstrates readiness to apply evidence-based
,interventions, recognize complications, and provide culturally competent, family-centered care in diverse
healthcare settings.*
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a 32-week gestation client who reports a sudden gush of fluid from the vagina. Which
finding most strongly indicates rupture of membranes?
A. Negative nitrazine test result
B. Ferning pattern on microscopic examination of dried fluid
C. Urine leakage reported by client
D. Contractions every 10 minutes
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Ferning (arborization) on a microscope slide of dried amniotic fluid is a definitive sign of
rupture of membranes due to estrogen-induced crystallization of amniotic fluid. Nitrazine paper turns blue in
amniotic fluid (alkaline), but false positives can occur with blood or infection.
Question 2
A primigravida at 39 weeks gestation is admitted in active labor. Cervical examination reveals 6 cm dilation,
100% effacement, and +1 station. The fetal heart rate tracing shows a baseline of 140 bpm with moderate
variability and accelerations. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Prepare for immediate cesarean delivery
B. Administer oxygen via face mask
,C. Document the reassuring findings
D. Notify the provider of potential fetal distress
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Moderate variability and accelerations are reassuring signs of fetal well-being. The nurse should
document normal findings and continue routine labor support without immediate intervention.
Question 3
A postpartum client who delivered vaginally 6 hours ago has a fundus that is firm, midline, at the umbilicus, and
deviated to the right. She reports moderate lochia rubra with no clots. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Massage the fundus vigorously
B. Assist the client to empty her bladder
C. Administer oxytocin as ordered
D. Increase the IV fluid rate
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: A deviated uterus suggests a distended bladder displacing the uterus. Bladder emptying allows
the uterus to contract effectively and reduces the risk of postpartum hemorrhage.
Question 4
A newborn is 5 minutes old with Apgar scores of 6 at 1 minute and 8 at 5 minutes. The infant has acrocyanosis,
a heart rate of 140 bpm, good cry, and active movement. Which intervention is appropriate at this time?
A. Begin positive pressure ventilation
B. Initiate chest compressions
C. Provide routine newborn care with continued observation
D. Administer epinephrine via endotracheal tube
, 🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: An Apgar score of 8 at 5 minutes indicates the infant is transitioning well. Acrocyanosis is
normal in the first minutes of life. Routine care including drying, warming, and observation is indicated.
Question 5
A client with gestational diabetes mellitus at 36 weeks gestation has an ultrasound showing estimated fetal
weight of 4,500 grams (9.9 lbs). Which complication is the greatest risk during vaginal delivery?
A. Postpartum endometritis
B. Shoulder dystocia
C. Placenta previa
D. Uterine rupture
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Macrosomia (birth weight >4,000–4,500 g) in gestational diabetes significantly increases the
risk of shoulder dystocia due to fetal disproportionality between head and shoulders.
Question 6
A nurse is administering betamethasone to a client at 32 weeks gestation with preterm labor. The client asks
why this medication is given. Which response is correct?
A. It stops uterine contractions and prevents preterm birth
B. It reduces the risk of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome
C. It lowers maternal blood pressure in preeclampsia
D. It treats maternal infection that may trigger labor
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Betamethasone is a glucocorticoid that accelerates fetal lung maturity by stimulating surfactant
production, reducing the incidence and severity of RDS if preterm birth occurs.
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Antepartum Nursing Assessment and Fetal Development
Intrapartum Nursing Care and Labor Management
Postpartum Maternal Physiological and Psychosocial Adaptation
Newborn Transition, Assessment, and Immediate Care
High-Risk Pregnancy and Obstetrical Complications
Pharmacological Therapies in Maternal-Newborn Nursing
Legal, Ethical, and Professional Standards in Perinatal Care
Breastfeeding and Infant Nutrition
Family Education, Discharge Planning, and Community Resources
Introduction
*This comprehensive examination is designed to evaluate the essential knowledge, clinical reasoning, and
decision-making skills required for safe and effective maternal-newborn nursing practice. The assessment
integrates foundational theory with applied professional knowledge, regulatory compliance, ethical standards,
and real-world clinical scenarios. Each of the 200 multiple-choice questions emphasizes critical thinking and
prioritization, reflecting the complexities of caring for childbearing families across the antepartum, intrapartum,
postpartum, and neonatal periods. Successful completion demonstrates readiness to apply evidence-based
,interventions, recognize complications, and provide culturally competent, family-centered care in diverse
healthcare settings.*
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a 32-week gestation client who reports a sudden gush of fluid from the vagina. Which
finding most strongly indicates rupture of membranes?
A. Negative nitrazine test result
B. Ferning pattern on microscopic examination of dried fluid
C. Urine leakage reported by client
D. Contractions every 10 minutes
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Ferning (arborization) on a microscope slide of dried amniotic fluid is a definitive sign of
rupture of membranes due to estrogen-induced crystallization of amniotic fluid. Nitrazine paper turns blue in
amniotic fluid (alkaline), but false positives can occur with blood or infection.
Question 2
A primigravida at 39 weeks gestation is admitted in active labor. Cervical examination reveals 6 cm dilation,
100% effacement, and +1 station. The fetal heart rate tracing shows a baseline of 140 bpm with moderate
variability and accelerations. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Prepare for immediate cesarean delivery
B. Administer oxygen via face mask
,C. Document the reassuring findings
D. Notify the provider of potential fetal distress
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Moderate variability and accelerations are reassuring signs of fetal well-being. The nurse should
document normal findings and continue routine labor support without immediate intervention.
Question 3
A postpartum client who delivered vaginally 6 hours ago has a fundus that is firm, midline, at the umbilicus, and
deviated to the right. She reports moderate lochia rubra with no clots. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Massage the fundus vigorously
B. Assist the client to empty her bladder
C. Administer oxytocin as ordered
D. Increase the IV fluid rate
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: A deviated uterus suggests a distended bladder displacing the uterus. Bladder emptying allows
the uterus to contract effectively and reduces the risk of postpartum hemorrhage.
Question 4
A newborn is 5 minutes old with Apgar scores of 6 at 1 minute and 8 at 5 minutes. The infant has acrocyanosis,
a heart rate of 140 bpm, good cry, and active movement. Which intervention is appropriate at this time?
A. Begin positive pressure ventilation
B. Initiate chest compressions
C. Provide routine newborn care with continued observation
D. Administer epinephrine via endotracheal tube
, 🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: An Apgar score of 8 at 5 minutes indicates the infant is transitioning well. Acrocyanosis is
normal in the first minutes of life. Routine care including drying, warming, and observation is indicated.
Question 5
A client with gestational diabetes mellitus at 36 weeks gestation has an ultrasound showing estimated fetal
weight of 4,500 grams (9.9 lbs). Which complication is the greatest risk during vaginal delivery?
A. Postpartum endometritis
B. Shoulder dystocia
C. Placenta previa
D. Uterine rupture
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Macrosomia (birth weight >4,000–4,500 g) in gestational diabetes significantly increases the
risk of shoulder dystocia due to fetal disproportionality between head and shoulders.
Question 6
A nurse is administering betamethasone to a client at 32 weeks gestation with preterm labor. The client asks
why this medication is given. Which response is correct?
A. It stops uterine contractions and prevents preterm birth
B. It reduces the risk of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome
C. It lowers maternal blood pressure in preeclampsia
D. It treats maternal infection that may trigger labor
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Betamethasone is a glucocorticoid that accelerates fetal lung maturity by stimulating surfactant
production, reducing the incidence and severity of RDS if preterm birth occurs.
