KAPLAN NURSING CARE OF THE CHILDBEARING FAMILY EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Prenatal Care and Assessment
Labor and Delivery Management
Postpartum Care and Complications
Neonatal Care and Assessment
Family-Centered Maternity Care
Reproductive Health and Ethics
High-Risk Pregnancy Management
Pediatric Health and Development
Regulatory and Legal Compliance in Nursing
Critical Thinking and Clinical Decision-Making
Introduction
This comprehensive assessment is designed to evaluate nursing professionals' mastery of essential knowledge and clinical decision-making skills
required for caring for the childbearing family. The exam assesses competencies in prenatal care, labor and delivery management, postpartum care,
neonatal assessment, family-centered care principles, reproductive health ethics, high-risk pregnancy management, and pediatric health. The
multiple-choice and scenario-based structure emphasizes real-world application, requiring candidates to demonstrate critical thinking, prioritization
abilities, and evidence-based decision-making in diverse clinical situations. Questions address foundational theory, applied professional knowledge,
regulatory compliance, ethical standards, and critical clinical scenarios that reflect current best practices in maternity and pediatric nursing.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
,A nurse is assessing a pregnant client at 12 weeks gestation. Which finding should the nurse report immediately to the provider?
A. Mild lower back pain
B. Urinary frequency
C. Vaginal bleeding with cramping
D. Increased vaginal discharge
🟢 C. Vaginal bleeding with cramping
🔴 RATIONALE: Vaginal bleeding with cramping at 12 weeks gestation may indicate miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, or other serious complications
requiring immediate medical evaluation. Mild back pain, urinary frequency, and increased vaginal discharge are common, expected findings during
pregnancy.
Question 2
Which intervention is most appropriate for a client experiencing postpartum hemorrhage?
A. Encourage oral fluid intake
B. Perform fundal massage
C. Apply warm compresses to the abdomen
D. Delay breastfeeding for 24 hours
🟢 B. Perform fundal massage
🔴 RATIONALE: Fundal massage is the primary immediate intervention for postpartum hemorrhage as it stimulates uterine contractions and helps
control bleeding. Oral fluids, warm compresses, and delaying breastfeeding are not appropriate interventions for acute hemorrhage.
Question 3
A client at 38 weeks gestation presents with sudden, painless, bright red vaginal bleeding. The nurse suspects:
A. Placenta abruption
B. Placenta previa
C. Preterm labor
D. Ectopic pregnancy
,🟢 B. Placenta previa
🔴 RATIONALE: Painless, bright red vaginal bleeding at 38 weeks is characteristic of placenta previa, where the placenta covers the cervical
opening. Placental abruption typically presents with painful bleeding, preterm labor with contractions, and ectopic pregnancy occurs early in
pregnancy.
Question 4
Which statement by a pregnant client indicates understanding of danger signs during pregnancy?
A. "I should expect some swelling in my feet"
B. "I will call if I notice blurred vision or headaches"
C. "Mild abdominal cramping is normal throughout pregnancy"
D. "I can ignore vaginal discharge if it's white"
🟢 B. "I will call if I notice blurred vision or headaches"
🔴 RATIONALE: Blurred vision and headaches are danger signs indicating possible preeclampsia and require immediate medical attention.
Swelling, mild cramping, and white discharge can be normal, but the client's recognition of preeclampsia signs demonstrates proper understanding.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a newborn delivered 30 minutes ago. The infant has a heart rate of 140 bpm, regular respirations, some flexion of extremities,
crying vigorously, and a pink body with blue hands and feet. What is the newborn's Apgar score?
A. 7
B. 8
C. 9
D. 10
🟢 B. 8
🔴 RATIONALE: Apgar scoring: Heart rate 140 = 2 points, respirations regular = 2 points, some flexion = 1 point, vigorous crying = 2 points, pink
body with blue extremities = 1 point. Total = 8 points.
, Question 6
Which medication is the priority intervention for preventing respiratory distress syndrome in a preterm newborn?
A. Vitamin K
B. Surfactant therapy
C. Naloxone
D. Epinephrine
🟢 B. Surfactant therapy
🔴 RATIONALE: Surfactant therapy is critical for preventing and treating respiratory distress syndrome in preterm infants by improving lung
compliance. Vitamin K prevents bleeding, naloxone reverses opioid sedation, and epinephrine is used for cardiac arrest.
Question 7
A client at 28 weeks gestation reports decreased fetal movement. What is the nurse's first action?
A. Schedule an immediate ultrasound
B. Assess fetal heart rate
C. Advise the client to drink cold water
D. Reassure the client that this is normal
🟢 B. Assess fetal heart rate
🔴 RATIONALE: The first action is to assess fetal heart rate to determine fetal well-being. Ultrasound may follow if needed, cold water might
stimulate movement but doesn't assess status, and decreased movement is not normal and requires assessment.
Question 8
Which finding in a postpartum client indicates normal uterine involution?
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Prenatal Care and Assessment
Labor and Delivery Management
Postpartum Care and Complications
Neonatal Care and Assessment
Family-Centered Maternity Care
Reproductive Health and Ethics
High-Risk Pregnancy Management
Pediatric Health and Development
Regulatory and Legal Compliance in Nursing
Critical Thinking and Clinical Decision-Making
Introduction
This comprehensive assessment is designed to evaluate nursing professionals' mastery of essential knowledge and clinical decision-making skills
required for caring for the childbearing family. The exam assesses competencies in prenatal care, labor and delivery management, postpartum care,
neonatal assessment, family-centered care principles, reproductive health ethics, high-risk pregnancy management, and pediatric health. The
multiple-choice and scenario-based structure emphasizes real-world application, requiring candidates to demonstrate critical thinking, prioritization
abilities, and evidence-based decision-making in diverse clinical situations. Questions address foundational theory, applied professional knowledge,
regulatory compliance, ethical standards, and critical clinical scenarios that reflect current best practices in maternity and pediatric nursing.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
,A nurse is assessing a pregnant client at 12 weeks gestation. Which finding should the nurse report immediately to the provider?
A. Mild lower back pain
B. Urinary frequency
C. Vaginal bleeding with cramping
D. Increased vaginal discharge
🟢 C. Vaginal bleeding with cramping
🔴 RATIONALE: Vaginal bleeding with cramping at 12 weeks gestation may indicate miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, or other serious complications
requiring immediate medical evaluation. Mild back pain, urinary frequency, and increased vaginal discharge are common, expected findings during
pregnancy.
Question 2
Which intervention is most appropriate for a client experiencing postpartum hemorrhage?
A. Encourage oral fluid intake
B. Perform fundal massage
C. Apply warm compresses to the abdomen
D. Delay breastfeeding for 24 hours
🟢 B. Perform fundal massage
🔴 RATIONALE: Fundal massage is the primary immediate intervention for postpartum hemorrhage as it stimulates uterine contractions and helps
control bleeding. Oral fluids, warm compresses, and delaying breastfeeding are not appropriate interventions for acute hemorrhage.
Question 3
A client at 38 weeks gestation presents with sudden, painless, bright red vaginal bleeding. The nurse suspects:
A. Placenta abruption
B. Placenta previa
C. Preterm labor
D. Ectopic pregnancy
,🟢 B. Placenta previa
🔴 RATIONALE: Painless, bright red vaginal bleeding at 38 weeks is characteristic of placenta previa, where the placenta covers the cervical
opening. Placental abruption typically presents with painful bleeding, preterm labor with contractions, and ectopic pregnancy occurs early in
pregnancy.
Question 4
Which statement by a pregnant client indicates understanding of danger signs during pregnancy?
A. "I should expect some swelling in my feet"
B. "I will call if I notice blurred vision or headaches"
C. "Mild abdominal cramping is normal throughout pregnancy"
D. "I can ignore vaginal discharge if it's white"
🟢 B. "I will call if I notice blurred vision or headaches"
🔴 RATIONALE: Blurred vision and headaches are danger signs indicating possible preeclampsia and require immediate medical attention.
Swelling, mild cramping, and white discharge can be normal, but the client's recognition of preeclampsia signs demonstrates proper understanding.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a newborn delivered 30 minutes ago. The infant has a heart rate of 140 bpm, regular respirations, some flexion of extremities,
crying vigorously, and a pink body with blue hands and feet. What is the newborn's Apgar score?
A. 7
B. 8
C. 9
D. 10
🟢 B. 8
🔴 RATIONALE: Apgar scoring: Heart rate 140 = 2 points, respirations regular = 2 points, some flexion = 1 point, vigorous crying = 2 points, pink
body with blue extremities = 1 point. Total = 8 points.
, Question 6
Which medication is the priority intervention for preventing respiratory distress syndrome in a preterm newborn?
A. Vitamin K
B. Surfactant therapy
C. Naloxone
D. Epinephrine
🟢 B. Surfactant therapy
🔴 RATIONALE: Surfactant therapy is critical for preventing and treating respiratory distress syndrome in preterm infants by improving lung
compliance. Vitamin K prevents bleeding, naloxone reverses opioid sedation, and epinephrine is used for cardiac arrest.
Question 7
A client at 28 weeks gestation reports decreased fetal movement. What is the nurse's first action?
A. Schedule an immediate ultrasound
B. Assess fetal heart rate
C. Advise the client to drink cold water
D. Reassure the client that this is normal
🟢 B. Assess fetal heart rate
🔴 RATIONALE: The first action is to assess fetal heart rate to determine fetal well-being. Ultrasound may follow if needed, cold water might
stimulate movement but doesn't assess status, and decreased movement is not normal and requires assessment.
Question 8
Which finding in a postpartum client indicates normal uterine involution?
