LPN to ADN Bridge Exam 3: Maternal, Pediatrics & Mental Health
2026/2027 UPDATE
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is at 32 weeks of gestation and is
experiencing preterm labor. Which of the following medications should the
nurse expect to administer to promote fetal lung maturity?
A. Betamethasone
B. Oxytocin
C. Magnesium sulfate
D. Terbutaline
Answer: A
Rationale: Betamethasone is a corticosteroid given to clients in preterm labor to stimulate
surfactant production and improve fetal lung maturity.
2. A nurse is assessing a newborn 1 hour after birth. Which of the following
findings should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Generalized petechiae
B. Acrocyanosis of the hands and feet
C. Respiratory rate of 50/min
D. Milia on the nose
Answer: A
Rationale: Generalized petechiae can indicate a clotting factor deficiency or infection and
should be reported. Acrocyanosis and milia are normal findings in a newborn.
,3. A pregnant client at 38 weeks gestation reports a sudden gush of fluid from
the vagina. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Assess the fetal heart rate
B. Perform a nitrazine test
C. Check for cervical dilation
D. Identify the time of rupture
Answer: A
Rationale: The priority after rupture of membranes is assessing the fetal heart rate to
ensure there is no umbilical cord prolapse.
4. A nurse is teaching a parent of a 4-year-old child about appropriate toys.
Which of the following should the nurse recommend?
A. Push-pull toys
B. A bright mobile
C. Large-piece puzzles
D. Small building blocks
Answer: C
Rationale: Preschoolers (4-year-olds) enjoy fine motor activities like large-piece puzzles.
Push-pull toys are for toddlers, and mobiles are for infants.
5. A client with schizophrenia is hearing voices telling them that the food is
poisoned. Which response by the nurse is therapeutic?
A. I will taste the food first to show you it is safe.
B. Nobody is trying to poison you; the hospital is safe.
C. Why do you think the food is poisoned?
D. I don’t hear the voices, but I understand they are real to you.
Answer: D
Rationale: Acknowledging the client’s feelings while stating the nurse’s reality is a
therapeutic technique for hallucinations.
, 6. A nurse is assessing a child with epiglottitis. Which of the following actions
should the nurse avoid?
A. Administering humidified oxygen
B. Obtaining a throat culture
C. Assessing for drooling
D. Monitoring pulse oximetry
Answer: B
Rationale: A throat culture or any visual inspection of the throat with a tongue blade is
contraindicated in epiglottitis as it can cause complete airway obstruction.
7. Which of the following is a classic sign of Pyloric Stenosis in an infant?
A. Projectile vomiting after feedings
B. Currant jelly-like stools
C. Bile-stained emesis
D. Abdominal distension with ribbon-like stools
Answer: A
Rationale: Projectile vomiting is the hallmark sign of pyloric stenosis due to the thickening
of the pyloric sphincter preventing gastric emptying.
8. A nurse is monitoring a client receiving Magnesium Sulfate for preeclampsia.
Which finding suggests toxicity?
A. Blood pressure 150/95 mmHg
B. Absent deep tendon reflexes
C. Urinary output of 40 mL/hr
D. Respiratory rate of 14/min
Answer: B
Rationale: Loss of deep tendon reflexes is an early sign of magnesium sulfate toxicity.
Other signs include respiratory depression (<12/min) and oliguria.
2026/2027 UPDATE
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is at 32 weeks of gestation and is
experiencing preterm labor. Which of the following medications should the
nurse expect to administer to promote fetal lung maturity?
A. Betamethasone
B. Oxytocin
C. Magnesium sulfate
D. Terbutaline
Answer: A
Rationale: Betamethasone is a corticosteroid given to clients in preterm labor to stimulate
surfactant production and improve fetal lung maturity.
2. A nurse is assessing a newborn 1 hour after birth. Which of the following
findings should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Generalized petechiae
B. Acrocyanosis of the hands and feet
C. Respiratory rate of 50/min
D. Milia on the nose
Answer: A
Rationale: Generalized petechiae can indicate a clotting factor deficiency or infection and
should be reported. Acrocyanosis and milia are normal findings in a newborn.
,3. A pregnant client at 38 weeks gestation reports a sudden gush of fluid from
the vagina. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Assess the fetal heart rate
B. Perform a nitrazine test
C. Check for cervical dilation
D. Identify the time of rupture
Answer: A
Rationale: The priority after rupture of membranes is assessing the fetal heart rate to
ensure there is no umbilical cord prolapse.
4. A nurse is teaching a parent of a 4-year-old child about appropriate toys.
Which of the following should the nurse recommend?
A. Push-pull toys
B. A bright mobile
C. Large-piece puzzles
D. Small building blocks
Answer: C
Rationale: Preschoolers (4-year-olds) enjoy fine motor activities like large-piece puzzles.
Push-pull toys are for toddlers, and mobiles are for infants.
5. A client with schizophrenia is hearing voices telling them that the food is
poisoned. Which response by the nurse is therapeutic?
A. I will taste the food first to show you it is safe.
B. Nobody is trying to poison you; the hospital is safe.
C. Why do you think the food is poisoned?
D. I don’t hear the voices, but I understand they are real to you.
Answer: D
Rationale: Acknowledging the client’s feelings while stating the nurse’s reality is a
therapeutic technique for hallucinations.
, 6. A nurse is assessing a child with epiglottitis. Which of the following actions
should the nurse avoid?
A. Administering humidified oxygen
B. Obtaining a throat culture
C. Assessing for drooling
D. Monitoring pulse oximetry
Answer: B
Rationale: A throat culture or any visual inspection of the throat with a tongue blade is
contraindicated in epiglottitis as it can cause complete airway obstruction.
7. Which of the following is a classic sign of Pyloric Stenosis in an infant?
A. Projectile vomiting after feedings
B. Currant jelly-like stools
C. Bile-stained emesis
D. Abdominal distension with ribbon-like stools
Answer: A
Rationale: Projectile vomiting is the hallmark sign of pyloric stenosis due to the thickening
of the pyloric sphincter preventing gastric emptying.
8. A nurse is monitoring a client receiving Magnesium Sulfate for preeclampsia.
Which finding suggests toxicity?
A. Blood pressure 150/95 mmHg
B. Absent deep tendon reflexes
C. Urinary output of 40 mL/hr
D. Respiratory rate of 14/min
Answer: B
Rationale: Loss of deep tendon reflexes is an early sign of magnesium sulfate toxicity.
Other signs include respiratory depression (<12/min) and oliguria.
