Your ultimate nursing study guide — practice, revise, and succeed
with confidence. Compiled from student notes and practice resources
— not an official exam.
---
## 🏆 Maternal & Child Nursing Study Pack – 2026 Edition | Complete
NCLEX-Style Prep & Revision Notes
---
1. A nurse is assessing a client who is 32 weeks pregnant and reports a sudden gush of fluid from the
vagina. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Assess the fluid for meconium staining.
B. Check the client's cervical dilation.
C. Administer a prescribed tocolytic.
D. Notify the healthcare provider.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: D
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: A sudden gush of fluid indicates rupture of membranes. The priority is to notify the
healthcare provider to evaluate for preterm labor, infection, and fetal well-being. This is a critical
assessment in obstetrics. "Gush of fluid? Call the crew!" is a helpful mnemonic for nursing exam prep.
Assessing for meconium is important, but notification is the priority.
2. A nurse is caring for a newborn who is 12 hours old. The newborn has a heart rate of 150 bpm, a
respiratory rate of 40 breaths per minute, and a temperature of 98.6°F (37°C). Which action should the
nurse take?
A. Notify the healthcare provider.
B. Document the findings as normal.
C. Place the newborn in an incubator.
,D. Administer oxygen.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: These vital signs are within the normal range for a newborn: heart rate 110-160 bpm,
respiratory rate 30-60 breaths/min, and temperature 36.5-37.5°C (97.7-99.5°F). This is a fundamental
assessment in newborn nursing. This nursing study guide emphasizes the importance of recognizing
normal findings for student success in maternal-child health.
3. A nurse is providing education to a client who is breastfeeding. Which instruction is correct about the
let-down reflex?
A. It is stimulated by the infant's sucking.
B. It is inhibited by stress and fatigue.
C. It causes milk to be released from the breasts.
D. All of the above.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: D
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: The let-down reflex is stimulated by the infant's sucking, is inhibited by stress, and
causes milk ejection. This is a key physiological concept in breastfeeding. This nursing exam prep
question emphasizes the importance of understanding lactation physiology.
4. A client at 38 weeks gestation is admitted with a diagnosis of preeclampsia. The nurse notes that the
client's blood pressure is 160/100 mmHg, and she has a severe headache. What is the nurse's priority
action?
A. Administer prescribed magnesium sulfate.
B. Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
C. Place the client in a dark, quiet room.
D. Assess the client's deep tendon reflexes.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Severe headache and elevated blood pressure in a client with preeclampsia are signs
of worsening preeclampsia and possible impending eclampsia. The priority is to notify the healthcare
provider immediately. This is a critical safety concept in maternity nursing. The other actions may be
taken after notification.
5. A nurse is assessing a newborn's Apgar score at 1 minute and 5 minutes of life. Which finding is
assessed as part of the Apgar score?
,A. Temperature.
B. Blood glucose.
C. Muscle tone.
D. Bilirubin level.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: C
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: The Apgar score assesses heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, reflex irritability,
and color. Muscle tone is one of the five components. This is a foundational concept in newborn
nursing.
6. A nurse is providing education about contraception. Which method is most effective in preventing
pregnancy?
A. Condoms.
B. Oral contraceptives.
C. Intrauterine device (IUD).
D. Withdrawal method.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: C
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: IUDs and implants are the most effective reversible contraceptive methods. This is a
key teaching point in reproductive health. Condoms and withdrawal have higher failure rates.
7. A client is in labor and has a history of herpes simplex virus (HSV). The nurse should prepare for:
A. A cesarean section.
B. A vaginal delivery.
C. A vacuum extraction.
D. A forceps delivery.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Clients with active HSV lesions are typically delivered by cesarean section to prevent
neonatal transmission. This is a key intervention in obstetrics. This nursing study guide emphasizes the
importance of preventing neonatal infections.
, 8. A nurse is assessing a client who is 24 hours postpartum. The client's uterus is firm, midline, and at the
level of the umbilicus. The nurse notes a moderate amount of lochia rubra. Which finding indicates a
potential complication?
A. Firm, midline uterus.
B. Lochia rubra.
C. Uterus at the level of the umbilicus.
D. Saturation of a perineal pad in 30 minutes.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: D
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Saturation of a perineal pad in 30 minutes or less indicates excessive bleeding
(hemorrhage) and is a priority. A firm, midline uterus and lochia rubra are expected findings. This is a
key assessment for postpartum hemorrhage.
9. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving magnesium sulfate for preeclampsia. Which finding
indicates magnesium toxicity?
A. Respiratory rate of 16 breaths/min.
B. Urine output of 35 mL/hr.
C. Loss of deep tendon reflexes.
D. Blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: C
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Loss of deep tendon reflexes is an early sign of magnesium toxicity. A respiratory rate
of <12 breaths/min, urine output <30 mL/hr, and absent reflexes are signs of toxicity. This is a critical
safety concept in maternity nursing. "Reflexes gone? Magnesium wrong!" is a helpful mnemonic.
10. A nurse is assessing a newborn for signs of hypoglycemia. Which finding is most indicative?
A. Pink skin.
B. Strong cry.
C. Jitteriness.
D. Good muscle tone.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: C
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Jitteriness, lethargy, poor feeding, and hypotonia are signs of neonatal hypoglycemia.
This is a key assessment for newborn safety. This nursing exam prep question emphasizes the
importance of early identification of hypoglycemia.
with confidence. Compiled from student notes and practice resources
— not an official exam.
---
## 🏆 Maternal & Child Nursing Study Pack – 2026 Edition | Complete
NCLEX-Style Prep & Revision Notes
---
1. A nurse is assessing a client who is 32 weeks pregnant and reports a sudden gush of fluid from the
vagina. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Assess the fluid for meconium staining.
B. Check the client's cervical dilation.
C. Administer a prescribed tocolytic.
D. Notify the healthcare provider.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: D
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: A sudden gush of fluid indicates rupture of membranes. The priority is to notify the
healthcare provider to evaluate for preterm labor, infection, and fetal well-being. This is a critical
assessment in obstetrics. "Gush of fluid? Call the crew!" is a helpful mnemonic for nursing exam prep.
Assessing for meconium is important, but notification is the priority.
2. A nurse is caring for a newborn who is 12 hours old. The newborn has a heart rate of 150 bpm, a
respiratory rate of 40 breaths per minute, and a temperature of 98.6°F (37°C). Which action should the
nurse take?
A. Notify the healthcare provider.
B. Document the findings as normal.
C. Place the newborn in an incubator.
,D. Administer oxygen.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: These vital signs are within the normal range for a newborn: heart rate 110-160 bpm,
respiratory rate 30-60 breaths/min, and temperature 36.5-37.5°C (97.7-99.5°F). This is a fundamental
assessment in newborn nursing. This nursing study guide emphasizes the importance of recognizing
normal findings for student success in maternal-child health.
3. A nurse is providing education to a client who is breastfeeding. Which instruction is correct about the
let-down reflex?
A. It is stimulated by the infant's sucking.
B. It is inhibited by stress and fatigue.
C. It causes milk to be released from the breasts.
D. All of the above.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: D
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: The let-down reflex is stimulated by the infant's sucking, is inhibited by stress, and
causes milk ejection. This is a key physiological concept in breastfeeding. This nursing exam prep
question emphasizes the importance of understanding lactation physiology.
4. A client at 38 weeks gestation is admitted with a diagnosis of preeclampsia. The nurse notes that the
client's blood pressure is 160/100 mmHg, and she has a severe headache. What is the nurse's priority
action?
A. Administer prescribed magnesium sulfate.
B. Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
C. Place the client in a dark, quiet room.
D. Assess the client's deep tendon reflexes.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Severe headache and elevated blood pressure in a client with preeclampsia are signs
of worsening preeclampsia and possible impending eclampsia. The priority is to notify the healthcare
provider immediately. This is a critical safety concept in maternity nursing. The other actions may be
taken after notification.
5. A nurse is assessing a newborn's Apgar score at 1 minute and 5 minutes of life. Which finding is
assessed as part of the Apgar score?
,A. Temperature.
B. Blood glucose.
C. Muscle tone.
D. Bilirubin level.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: C
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: The Apgar score assesses heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, reflex irritability,
and color. Muscle tone is one of the five components. This is a foundational concept in newborn
nursing.
6. A nurse is providing education about contraception. Which method is most effective in preventing
pregnancy?
A. Condoms.
B. Oral contraceptives.
C. Intrauterine device (IUD).
D. Withdrawal method.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: C
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: IUDs and implants are the most effective reversible contraceptive methods. This is a
key teaching point in reproductive health. Condoms and withdrawal have higher failure rates.
7. A client is in labor and has a history of herpes simplex virus (HSV). The nurse should prepare for:
A. A cesarean section.
B. A vaginal delivery.
C. A vacuum extraction.
D. A forceps delivery.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Clients with active HSV lesions are typically delivered by cesarean section to prevent
neonatal transmission. This is a key intervention in obstetrics. This nursing study guide emphasizes the
importance of preventing neonatal infections.
, 8. A nurse is assessing a client who is 24 hours postpartum. The client's uterus is firm, midline, and at the
level of the umbilicus. The nurse notes a moderate amount of lochia rubra. Which finding indicates a
potential complication?
A. Firm, midline uterus.
B. Lochia rubra.
C. Uterus at the level of the umbilicus.
D. Saturation of a perineal pad in 30 minutes.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: D
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Saturation of a perineal pad in 30 minutes or less indicates excessive bleeding
(hemorrhage) and is a priority. A firm, midline uterus and lochia rubra are expected findings. This is a
key assessment for postpartum hemorrhage.
9. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving magnesium sulfate for preeclampsia. Which finding
indicates magnesium toxicity?
A. Respiratory rate of 16 breaths/min.
B. Urine output of 35 mL/hr.
C. Loss of deep tendon reflexes.
D. Blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: C
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Loss of deep tendon reflexes is an early sign of magnesium toxicity. A respiratory rate
of <12 breaths/min, urine output <30 mL/hr, and absent reflexes are signs of toxicity. This is a critical
safety concept in maternity nursing. "Reflexes gone? Magnesium wrong!" is a helpful mnemonic.
10. A nurse is assessing a newborn for signs of hypoglycemia. Which finding is most indicative?
A. Pink skin.
B. Strong cry.
C. Jitteriness.
D. Good muscle tone.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: C
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Jitteriness, lethargy, poor feeding, and hypotonia are signs of neonatal hypoglycemia.
This is a key assessment for newborn safety. This nursing exam prep question emphasizes the
importance of early identification of hypoglycemia.
