**Stuvia Preview Blurb:** Unlock your nursing potential with this
comprehensive 2026 exam prep bundle, featuring over 100 NCLEX-
style questions across Fundamentals, Maternity, Pediatrics, and
Leadership. Each question includes a detailed rationale to reinforce
critical thinking and clinical judgment for student success.
*Compiled from student notes and practice resources — not an
official exam.*
---
# Maternal-Child & Leadership Success Pack: 2025/2026 Nursing Exam
Prep | 100+ Practice Questions with Rationales
*Compiled from student notes and practice resources — not an
official exam.*
---
**Question 1**
A nurse is caring for a client who is at 38 weeks gestation and is in active labor. The nurse notes variable
decelerations on the fetal heart monitor. Which of the following is the priority nursing action?
A) Increase the rate of the IV fluids
B) Position the client on her left side
C) Prepare for an immediate cesarean section
D) Administer oxygen via face mask
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
,💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Variable decelerations are often caused by cord compression. The priority action is to
reposition the client, usually to the left side, to relieve pressure on the cord. Increasing IV fluids and
oxygen are also interventions, but repositioning is the first and most critical. This maternal-newborn
nursing exam prep question emphasizes the importance of immediate, non-invasive interventions.
Remember, "Turn left to turn up the fetal heart rate!" This study guide is designed for student success.
---
**Question 2**
A client with preeclampsia is receiving magnesium sulfate. Which of the following findings indicates
magnesium toxicity?
A) Deep tendon reflexes 2+
B) Urine output of 40 mL/hr
C) Respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min
D) Serum magnesium level of 5 mEq/L
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: C
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Magnesium toxicity causes respiratory depression (less than 12 breaths/min), loss of
deep tendon reflexes, and oliguria (less than 30 mL/hr). A respiratory rate of 10 is a critical finding. The
therapeutic range is 4-7 mEq/L. This maternity critical care question is a staple of nursing exam prep.
---
**Question 3**
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who is postpartum and breastfeeding. Which of the
following statements indicates the client understands the teaching?
A) "I will feed my baby on a strict 4-hour schedule."
B) "I will use a nipple shield to prevent soreness."
C) "I will alternate breasts at each feeding."
D) "I will supplement with water between feedings."
,💫ANSWER✔️✔️: C
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Alternating breasts at each feeding helps ensure both breasts are emptied and
stimulates milk production. Feeding should be on demand, not on a strict schedule. Supplementation
with water is not needed for a breastfed infant. This postpartum teaching question is a key part of
nursing exam prep.
---
**Question 4**
A nurse is assessing a newborn who is 24 hours old. Which of the following findings should the nurse
report to the healthcare provider?
A) Heart rate of 140 beats/min
B) Respiratory rate of 60 breaths/min
C) Yellowish discoloration of the skin
D) Acrocyanosis
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: C
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Yellowish discoloration of the skin (jaundice) within the first 24 hours of life is
pathological and requires immediate investigation. Acrocyanosis and a heart rate of 140 are normal. A
respiratory rate of 60 is also within the expected range for a newborn. This newborn assessment
question is essential for nursing exam prep.
---
**Question 5**
A client in the second stage of labor is pushing. Which of the following assessment findings indicates the
fetus is descending?
A) Increase in bloody show
B) Bulging of the perineum
C) Contractions lasting 60 seconds
D) Maternal heart rate of 100 beats/min
, 💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Bulging of the perineum is a clear sign of fetal descent and indicates that the fetus is
crowning. An increase in bloody show can occur, but bulging perineum is a more specific sign of descent.
This labor and delivery question is a core part of nursing exam prep.
---
**Question 6**
A nurse is caring for a client who is 12 hours post-cesarean section. Which of the following findings
requires immediate intervention?
A) Pain rated as 5 on a 0-10 scale
B) Auscultation of bowel sounds in all quadrants
C) Moderate lochia rubra
D) Temperature of 100.8°F (38.2°C)
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: D
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: A temperature of 100.8°F (38.2°C) in the first 24 hours post-cesarean may indicate
infection, especially chorioamnionitis or a wound infection, and should be reported. Pain, lochia rubra,
and bowel sounds are expected findings. This post-op obstetrical question is a must for nursing exam
prep.
---
**Question 7**
A client who is 34 weeks gestation reports decreased fetal movement. Which of the following is the
nurse's priority action?
A) Have the client drink a glass of orange juice
B) Perform a non-stress test
C) Assess the fetal heart rate
D) Instruct the client to count fetal kicks
comprehensive 2026 exam prep bundle, featuring over 100 NCLEX-
style questions across Fundamentals, Maternity, Pediatrics, and
Leadership. Each question includes a detailed rationale to reinforce
critical thinking and clinical judgment for student success.
*Compiled from student notes and practice resources — not an
official exam.*
---
# Maternal-Child & Leadership Success Pack: 2025/2026 Nursing Exam
Prep | 100+ Practice Questions with Rationales
*Compiled from student notes and practice resources — not an
official exam.*
---
**Question 1**
A nurse is caring for a client who is at 38 weeks gestation and is in active labor. The nurse notes variable
decelerations on the fetal heart monitor. Which of the following is the priority nursing action?
A) Increase the rate of the IV fluids
B) Position the client on her left side
C) Prepare for an immediate cesarean section
D) Administer oxygen via face mask
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
,💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Variable decelerations are often caused by cord compression. The priority action is to
reposition the client, usually to the left side, to relieve pressure on the cord. Increasing IV fluids and
oxygen are also interventions, but repositioning is the first and most critical. This maternal-newborn
nursing exam prep question emphasizes the importance of immediate, non-invasive interventions.
Remember, "Turn left to turn up the fetal heart rate!" This study guide is designed for student success.
---
**Question 2**
A client with preeclampsia is receiving magnesium sulfate. Which of the following findings indicates
magnesium toxicity?
A) Deep tendon reflexes 2+
B) Urine output of 40 mL/hr
C) Respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min
D) Serum magnesium level of 5 mEq/L
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: C
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Magnesium toxicity causes respiratory depression (less than 12 breaths/min), loss of
deep tendon reflexes, and oliguria (less than 30 mL/hr). A respiratory rate of 10 is a critical finding. The
therapeutic range is 4-7 mEq/L. This maternity critical care question is a staple of nursing exam prep.
---
**Question 3**
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who is postpartum and breastfeeding. Which of the
following statements indicates the client understands the teaching?
A) "I will feed my baby on a strict 4-hour schedule."
B) "I will use a nipple shield to prevent soreness."
C) "I will alternate breasts at each feeding."
D) "I will supplement with water between feedings."
,💫ANSWER✔️✔️: C
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Alternating breasts at each feeding helps ensure both breasts are emptied and
stimulates milk production. Feeding should be on demand, not on a strict schedule. Supplementation
with water is not needed for a breastfed infant. This postpartum teaching question is a key part of
nursing exam prep.
---
**Question 4**
A nurse is assessing a newborn who is 24 hours old. Which of the following findings should the nurse
report to the healthcare provider?
A) Heart rate of 140 beats/min
B) Respiratory rate of 60 breaths/min
C) Yellowish discoloration of the skin
D) Acrocyanosis
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: C
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Yellowish discoloration of the skin (jaundice) within the first 24 hours of life is
pathological and requires immediate investigation. Acrocyanosis and a heart rate of 140 are normal. A
respiratory rate of 60 is also within the expected range for a newborn. This newborn assessment
question is essential for nursing exam prep.
---
**Question 5**
A client in the second stage of labor is pushing. Which of the following assessment findings indicates the
fetus is descending?
A) Increase in bloody show
B) Bulging of the perineum
C) Contractions lasting 60 seconds
D) Maternal heart rate of 100 beats/min
, 💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Bulging of the perineum is a clear sign of fetal descent and indicates that the fetus is
crowning. An increase in bloody show can occur, but bulging perineum is a more specific sign of descent.
This labor and delivery question is a core part of nursing exam prep.
---
**Question 6**
A nurse is caring for a client who is 12 hours post-cesarean section. Which of the following findings
requires immediate intervention?
A) Pain rated as 5 on a 0-10 scale
B) Auscultation of bowel sounds in all quadrants
C) Moderate lochia rubra
D) Temperature of 100.8°F (38.2°C)
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: D
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: A temperature of 100.8°F (38.2°C) in the first 24 hours post-cesarean may indicate
infection, especially chorioamnionitis or a wound infection, and should be reported. Pain, lochia rubra,
and bowel sounds are expected findings. This post-op obstetrical question is a must for nursing exam
prep.
---
**Question 7**
A client who is 34 weeks gestation reports decreased fetal movement. Which of the following is the
nurse's priority action?
A) Have the client drink a glass of orange juice
B) Perform a non-stress test
C) Assess the fetal heart rate
D) Instruct the client to count fetal kicks
