Nursing, 2nd Edition by Cynthia F. Durham and Linda W.
Chapman (ISBN 978-0803666542) – Comprehensive NCLEX
Practice Questions, Maternal-Newborn Exam Review &
Study Guide
1. A nurse is providing teaching about home care to the parent of a newborn. Which of the following statements
indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. I should make sure the baby's bath water is between 115 and 120 degrees Fahrenheit
B.I should let my baby sleep on the sofa until he is old enough to roll over
C. I should ensure the airbag is functional when my baby is riding in the front seat of a car
D. I should remove the bumper paf and stuffed toys from my babies crib
D. The parent should remove bumper pads, stuffed toys and blankets from the babies crib to decrease the risk of
suffocation and SIDs
2. A nurse is assessing a female client 24 hours after delivery and notes the fundus is 2 cm above the umbilicus. Which
of the following actions should the nurse take?: A. Administer a tocolytic medication
B.Apply a heating pad to the mid-abdominal area
C. Reassess the fundus in 2 hours
D. Ambulate the client to the bathroom
D. An increased fundal height in the postpartum period is a sign of non-contracted uterus, which increases the risk for
hemorrhage. The most common postpartum cause of an elevated fundal height is an over-distended bladder
3. A nurse is assessing a client who missed 2 menstrual cycles and reports that she might be pregnant. Which of the
following findings is a positive sign of pregnancy?
A. Quickening
B.Breast Tenderness
C. Uterine enlargement
D. Auscultation of a fetal heart rate
,D. Auscultation of a fetal heart rate
The auscultation of a fetal heart rate is a conclusive sign of pregnancy
4. A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client at 33 weeks gestation who has placenta previa and bleeding. Which
of the following prescriptions should the nurse clarify with the provider?
A. Perform a vaginal examination
B.Perform continuous external fetal monitoring
C. Insert a large bore IV catheter
D. Obtain a blood sample for laboratory testing
A. Perform a vaginal examination
When a client has placenta previa, the placenta implants in the lower part of the uterus and obstructs the cervical os
(the opening to the vagina). The nurse should clarify this prescription because any manipulation can cause tearing of
the placenta and increased bleeding
5. A nurse is assessing a pregnant client who is at 38 weeks gestation. The client reports that her breathing has
become easier but notes an increased frequency of urination. The nurse should document this occurrence as which of
the following?
A. Effacement
B.Dilation
C. Lightening
D. Quickening
C. Lightening
Lightning describe the engagement of the fetal head into the pelvis. When this occurs, breathing becomes easier, but
urination is more frequent
6. A charge nurse is providing teaching for a newly hired nurse about the potential side effects of an epidural anesthetic
for a laboring client. Which of the following effects should the charge nurse include in teaching?
A. Newborn respiratory depression at birth
B. Impaired ability of the neonate to maintain body temperature
C. Impaired placental perfusion
D. Decreased fetal heart rate (FHR) variability
C. Impaired placental perfusion
Maternal hypotension can occur in 10% to 30% of women who receive epidural or spinal anesthesia. This can result in
decreased blood flow to the placenta and impaired delivery of oxygen to the fetus
7. A nurse in a clinic is assessing a client who is at 13 weeks of gestation and has
hyperemesis gravidarum. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as the priority?: A. Blood pressure
90/52 mmHg
, B.Ketones 2+
C. Specific gravity 1.035
D. Sodium 130mEq/L
B. Ketones 2+
The greatest risk to this client is malnutrition that poses a serious risk to the developing fetus. Ketonuria indicates
that the client's body is breaking down fat and protein stores for energy and cannot provide the fetus with essential
nutrients. Therefore, this is the priority finding, and the nurse should report it to the provider immediately.
8. A nurse is teaching a client with pre-eclampsia who is schedule to receive magnesium sulfate via continuous IV
infusion about expected adverse effects. Which of the following adverse effects should the nurse include in the
teaching?
A. Elevated blood pressure
B.Feeling of warmth
C. Hyperactivity
D. Generalized pruritus
B. Feeling of warmth
The nurse should tell the client to expect a feeling of warmth all over her body while the magnesium sulfate is infusing
9. A nurse is caring for a client who is in the latent phase of labor and is
experiencing low back pain. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Instruct the client to pant during contractions
B.Position the client supine with legs elevated
C. Encourage the client to soak in a warm bath
D. Apply pressure to the client's sacral area during contractions
D. Apply pressure to the client's sacral area during contractions
The nurse should provide counter pressure to the sacral area with a palm or firm object such as a tennis ball during
contractions. Counter-pressure lifts the fetal head away from the sacral nerves, which decrease pain
10. A nurse is caring for a client who is 8 hour postpartum and is experiencing hemorrhage. Which of the following
actions should the nurse implement after notifying the provider (Select all that apply)
A. Massage the fundus
B.Give oxygen at 2L/min via nasal cannula
C. Administer oxytocin with IV fluids
D. Insert an indwelling urinary catheter
E. Place the client in a lateral position with her legs elevated 30 degrees