NSG 3500 EXAM 2 – NURSING PRACTICE:
MATERNAL HEALTH (GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING)
2025–2026 ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A
NSG 3500 EXAM 2 – NURSING PRACTICE: MATERNAL HEALTH (GALEN COLLEGE
OF NURSING) 2025–2026
Actual Questions and Correct Answers with Rationales
QUESTION 1: Stages of Labor
Question: What is the longest stage of labor?
A. 1st Stage
B. 2nd Stage
C. 3rd Stage
D. 4th Stage
Correct Answer: A. 1st Stage
Rationale: The first stage of labor is the longest, beginning with the onset of true
labor and ending with full cervical dilation at 10 cm. This stage includes the latent
phase (1–3 cm), active phase (4–8 cm), and transition phase (8–10 cm). The latent
phase alone can last 6–8 hours or longer for nulliparous women .
QUESTION 2: Labor Stage for Pushing
Question: A woman must be how effaced and dilated to begin pushing?
,A. 90% effaced, 9 cm dilated
B. Fully effaced and 10 cm dilated
C. 50% effaced and 7 cm dilated
D. 100% effaced and 8 cm dilated
Correct Answer: B. Fully effaced and 10 cm dilated
Rationale: The second stage of labor begins when the cervix is fully dilated at 10
cm and completely effaced (100%). Only at this point should the woman begin
pushing with contractions. Pushing before complete dilation can cause cervical
edema and injury .
QUESTION 3: Pelvic Types
Question: Which pelvic type is best for vaginal delivery?
A. Gynecoid
B. Android
C. Anthropoid
D. Platypelloid
Correct Answer: A. Gynecoid
Rationale: The gynecoid pelvis is the classic female pelvis and is most favorable for
vaginal delivery. It has a rounded inlet, adequate capacity, and allows optimal fetal
descent and rotation .
Additional Information:
• Android pelvis: Narrow anterior, difficult vaginal delivery
• Anthropoid pelvis: Narrow side-to-side
• Platypelloid pelvis: Narrow front-to-back, often requires C-section
QUESTION 4: Fetal Presentation
, Question: Which fetal presentation is best for vaginal delivery?
A. Vertex presentation
B. Breech presentation
C. Transverse lie
D. Face presentation
Correct Answer: A. Vertex presentation
Rationale: Vertex presentation, where the fetal head is fully flexed with the
occiput presenting first, is the optimal position for vaginal delivery. The smallest
diameter of the fetal head (suboccipitobregmatic) presents to the maternal
pelvis .
QUESTION 5: Fetal Heart Rate Decelerations
Question: A nurse is caring for a client in active labor. The fetal heart rate shows
late decelerations. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Increase the oxytocin infusion
B. Place the client in left lateral position
C. Encourage the client to push with contractions
D. Check for cord prolapse
Correct Answer: B. Place the client in left lateral position
Rationale: Late decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency. Repositioning
the client to the left lateral side improves uterine blood flow and fetal
oxygenation. Left lateral position is preferred because it maximizes venous return
and placental perfusion .
QUESTION 6: Rupture of Membranes
Question: A client at 36 weeks gestation reports a sudden gush of fluid from the
vagina. What should the nurse do first?
MATERNAL HEALTH (GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING)
2025–2026 ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A
NSG 3500 EXAM 2 – NURSING PRACTICE: MATERNAL HEALTH (GALEN COLLEGE
OF NURSING) 2025–2026
Actual Questions and Correct Answers with Rationales
QUESTION 1: Stages of Labor
Question: What is the longest stage of labor?
A. 1st Stage
B. 2nd Stage
C. 3rd Stage
D. 4th Stage
Correct Answer: A. 1st Stage
Rationale: The first stage of labor is the longest, beginning with the onset of true
labor and ending with full cervical dilation at 10 cm. This stage includes the latent
phase (1–3 cm), active phase (4–8 cm), and transition phase (8–10 cm). The latent
phase alone can last 6–8 hours or longer for nulliparous women .
QUESTION 2: Labor Stage for Pushing
Question: A woman must be how effaced and dilated to begin pushing?
,A. 90% effaced, 9 cm dilated
B. Fully effaced and 10 cm dilated
C. 50% effaced and 7 cm dilated
D. 100% effaced and 8 cm dilated
Correct Answer: B. Fully effaced and 10 cm dilated
Rationale: The second stage of labor begins when the cervix is fully dilated at 10
cm and completely effaced (100%). Only at this point should the woman begin
pushing with contractions. Pushing before complete dilation can cause cervical
edema and injury .
QUESTION 3: Pelvic Types
Question: Which pelvic type is best for vaginal delivery?
A. Gynecoid
B. Android
C. Anthropoid
D. Platypelloid
Correct Answer: A. Gynecoid
Rationale: The gynecoid pelvis is the classic female pelvis and is most favorable for
vaginal delivery. It has a rounded inlet, adequate capacity, and allows optimal fetal
descent and rotation .
Additional Information:
• Android pelvis: Narrow anterior, difficult vaginal delivery
• Anthropoid pelvis: Narrow side-to-side
• Platypelloid pelvis: Narrow front-to-back, often requires C-section
QUESTION 4: Fetal Presentation
, Question: Which fetal presentation is best for vaginal delivery?
A. Vertex presentation
B. Breech presentation
C. Transverse lie
D. Face presentation
Correct Answer: A. Vertex presentation
Rationale: Vertex presentation, where the fetal head is fully flexed with the
occiput presenting first, is the optimal position for vaginal delivery. The smallest
diameter of the fetal head (suboccipitobregmatic) presents to the maternal
pelvis .
QUESTION 5: Fetal Heart Rate Decelerations
Question: A nurse is caring for a client in active labor. The fetal heart rate shows
late decelerations. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Increase the oxytocin infusion
B. Place the client in left lateral position
C. Encourage the client to push with contractions
D. Check for cord prolapse
Correct Answer: B. Place the client in left lateral position
Rationale: Late decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency. Repositioning
the client to the left lateral side improves uterine blood flow and fetal
oxygenation. Left lateral position is preferred because it maximizes venous return
and placental perfusion .
QUESTION 6: Rupture of Membranes
Question: A client at 36 weeks gestation reports a sudden gush of fluid from the
vagina. What should the nurse do first?
