Maternity and Women’s Health Care 2026 P a g e |
1
Maternity and Women’s Health Care 13th
Edition Test Bank – Lowdermilk Chapters 1–37
Complete Questions and Answers Study Guide
While caring for a client in labor, a nurse notes that during a
contraction there is a 15-beat/min acceleration of the fetal heart
rate above the baseline. What is the nurse's next action?
1
Call the practitioner to prepare for an imminent birth
2
Turn the mother on her left side to increase venous return
3
Record the fetal response to contractions and continue to monitor the heart rate
4
Document the fetal heart rate abnormality and monitor the fetal heart rate continuously –
Correct Answer :3
Record the fetal response to contractions and continue to monitor the heart rate
Periodic accelerations are the most reassuring of fetal heart rate indicators, regardless of the cause.
This increase in the fetal heart rate does not require intervention at this time. Turning the mother on
her left side to increase venous return is done when a fetal heart rate deceleration occurs. This is not a
fetal heart rate abnormality and does not require a specific amount of time for observation; if the
interventions are effective, monitoring should continue as before.
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2
A nurse performs Leopold's maneuvers on a newly admitted client in labor. Palpation reveals a soft,
firm mass in the fundus; a firm, smooth mass on the mother's left side; several knobs and protrusions
on the mother's right side; and a hard, round, movable mass in the pubic area with the brow on the
right. On the basis of these findings, the nurse determines that the fetal position is:
1
LOA
2
ROA
3
LMP
4
RMP –
Correct Answer :1
LOA
The fetus is in a left occiput anterior (LOA) position because the buttock (firm mass) is in the fundus,
the back is on the left, the small parts are on the right, and the head is flexed, indicating an anterior
occiput. The right occiput anterior (ROA) position is indicated by the presence of the back on the right
side and the cephalic prominence on the left side; the occiput is anterior. The left mentum posterior
(LMP) position is marked by cephalic prominence and the back on the same side, indicating an
extended head and chin presentation. In the right mentum posterior (LMP) position, the back and
cephalic prominence are on the same side (right), indicating an extended head and chin presentation.
A client arrives in the birthing room with the fetal caput emerging. What should the nurse say to the
client during a contraction?
1
"Push hard."
2
"Hold your breath."
3
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3
"Take slow, deep breaths."
4
"Use the panting-breathing pattern." –
Correct Answer :4
"Use the panting-breathing pattern."
Panting will slow the birthing process, allowing the nurse to support the head as it emerges. Pushing
will speed up the birth, which may injure the mother and fetus. Usually holding the breath causes
involuntary pushing; it also depletes the mother and fetus of oxygen. This breathing technique is
helpful when active labor begins; it is impossible to maintain during a second-stage labor contraction.
What findings occur with supine hypotensive syndrome? (Select all that apply.)
1
Reflex tachycardia
Correct2
Feeling of faintness
3
Increased cardiac output
Correct4
Increased venous pressure
5
Increased diastolic pressure
Correct6
Decreased systolic pressure –
Correct Answer :2
Feeling of faintness
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4
4
Increased venous pressure
6
Decreased systolic pressure
Compression of the vena cava hinders venous return, which in turn results in a decrease in the systolic
pressure, an increase of venous pressure in the legs, and decreased blood flow to the brain, causing
the woman to feel faint. Blood pressure decreases when venous return is compromised. Supine
hypotensive syndrome results in a reflex bradycardia. Cardiac output is decreased by half.
A postpartum client is being prepared for discharge. The laboratory report indicates that she has a
white blood cell (WBC) count of 16,000/dL. What is the next nursing action?
1
Checking with the nurse manager to see whether the client may go home
2
Reassessing the client for signs of infection by taking her vital signs
3
Delaying the client's discharge until the practitioner has conducted a complete examination
4
Placing the report in the client's record because this is an expected postpartum finding –
Correct Answer :4
Placing the report in the client's record because this is an expected postpartum finding
Leukocytosis (15,000-20,000 mm3 WBC) typically occurs during the postpartum period as a
compensatory defense mechanism. There is no need for further intervention, because the client is
exhibiting an expected postpartum leukocytosis.
A 23-year-old woman comes to the clinic for a Pap smear. After the examination, the client confides
that her mother died of endometrial cancer 1 year ago and says that she is afraid that she will die of
P a g e 4 | 108
1
Maternity and Women’s Health Care 13th
Edition Test Bank – Lowdermilk Chapters 1–37
Complete Questions and Answers Study Guide
While caring for a client in labor, a nurse notes that during a
contraction there is a 15-beat/min acceleration of the fetal heart
rate above the baseline. What is the nurse's next action?
1
Call the practitioner to prepare for an imminent birth
2
Turn the mother on her left side to increase venous return
3
Record the fetal response to contractions and continue to monitor the heart rate
4
Document the fetal heart rate abnormality and monitor the fetal heart rate continuously –
Correct Answer :3
Record the fetal response to contractions and continue to monitor the heart rate
Periodic accelerations are the most reassuring of fetal heart rate indicators, regardless of the cause.
This increase in the fetal heart rate does not require intervention at this time. Turning the mother on
her left side to increase venous return is done when a fetal heart rate deceleration occurs. This is not a
fetal heart rate abnormality and does not require a specific amount of time for observation; if the
interventions are effective, monitoring should continue as before.
P a g e 1 | 108
, Maternity and Women’s Health Care 2026 P a g e |
2
A nurse performs Leopold's maneuvers on a newly admitted client in labor. Palpation reveals a soft,
firm mass in the fundus; a firm, smooth mass on the mother's left side; several knobs and protrusions
on the mother's right side; and a hard, round, movable mass in the pubic area with the brow on the
right. On the basis of these findings, the nurse determines that the fetal position is:
1
LOA
2
ROA
3
LMP
4
RMP –
Correct Answer :1
LOA
The fetus is in a left occiput anterior (LOA) position because the buttock (firm mass) is in the fundus,
the back is on the left, the small parts are on the right, and the head is flexed, indicating an anterior
occiput. The right occiput anterior (ROA) position is indicated by the presence of the back on the right
side and the cephalic prominence on the left side; the occiput is anterior. The left mentum posterior
(LMP) position is marked by cephalic prominence and the back on the same side, indicating an
extended head and chin presentation. In the right mentum posterior (LMP) position, the back and
cephalic prominence are on the same side (right), indicating an extended head and chin presentation.
A client arrives in the birthing room with the fetal caput emerging. What should the nurse say to the
client during a contraction?
1
"Push hard."
2
"Hold your breath."
3
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, Maternity and Women’s Health Care 2026 P a g e |
3
"Take slow, deep breaths."
4
"Use the panting-breathing pattern." –
Correct Answer :4
"Use the panting-breathing pattern."
Panting will slow the birthing process, allowing the nurse to support the head as it emerges. Pushing
will speed up the birth, which may injure the mother and fetus. Usually holding the breath causes
involuntary pushing; it also depletes the mother and fetus of oxygen. This breathing technique is
helpful when active labor begins; it is impossible to maintain during a second-stage labor contraction.
What findings occur with supine hypotensive syndrome? (Select all that apply.)
1
Reflex tachycardia
Correct2
Feeling of faintness
3
Increased cardiac output
Correct4
Increased venous pressure
5
Increased diastolic pressure
Correct6
Decreased systolic pressure –
Correct Answer :2
Feeling of faintness
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, Maternity and Women’s Health Care 2026 P a g e |
4
4
Increased venous pressure
6
Decreased systolic pressure
Compression of the vena cava hinders venous return, which in turn results in a decrease in the systolic
pressure, an increase of venous pressure in the legs, and decreased blood flow to the brain, causing
the woman to feel faint. Blood pressure decreases when venous return is compromised. Supine
hypotensive syndrome results in a reflex bradycardia. Cardiac output is decreased by half.
A postpartum client is being prepared for discharge. The laboratory report indicates that she has a
white blood cell (WBC) count of 16,000/dL. What is the next nursing action?
1
Checking with the nurse manager to see whether the client may go home
2
Reassessing the client for signs of infection by taking her vital signs
3
Delaying the client's discharge until the practitioner has conducted a complete examination
4
Placing the report in the client's record because this is an expected postpartum finding –
Correct Answer :4
Placing the report in the client's record because this is an expected postpartum finding
Leukocytosis (15,000-20,000 mm3 WBC) typically occurs during the postpartum period as a
compensatory defense mechanism. There is no need for further intervention, because the client is
exhibiting an expected postpartum leukocytosis.
A 23-year-old woman comes to the clinic for a Pap smear. After the examination, the client confides
that her mother died of endometrial cancer 1 year ago and says that she is afraid that she will die of
P a g e 4 | 108
