Test Bank for Safe Maternity & Pediatric
Nursing Care 3rd Edition by Luanne
Linnard-Palmer
Safe Maternity & Pediatric Nursing Care
Original Practice Test Bank — Questions 1–50
With Answers and Rationales
Question 1 — Multiple Choice
A pregnant client at 10 weeks' gestation asks the nurse when the fetal heart rate can usually first
be detected using a Doppler device. Which response is most appropriate?
A. 4–6 weeks
B. 8–10 weeks
C. 10–12 weeks
D. 18–20 weeks
Correct Answer: C. 10–12 weeks
Rationale: A handheld Doppler may detect fetal heart activity around 10–12 weeks of gestation,
although the timing can vary. Earlier detection is often possible with ultrasound.
Question 2 — Multiple Choice
The nurse is assessing a pregnant client who reports severe headache, blurred vision, and
epigastric pain. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Gestational diabetes
B. Preeclampsia with severe features
C. Placenta previa
D. Hyperemesis gravidarum
Correct Answer: B. Preeclampsia with severe features
,Rationale: Severe headache, visual disturbances, and epigastric or right-upper-quadrant pain are
concerning manifestations of severe preeclampsia and require immediate evaluation.
Question 3 — Select All That Apply
The nurse is teaching a pregnant client about foods that are good sources of folate. Which foods
should the nurse recommend? Select all that apply.
A. Spinach
B. Lentils
C. Oranges
D. Fortified cereals
E. Processed luncheon meat
Correct Answers: A, B, C, D
Rationale: Folate is found in leafy green vegetables, legumes, citrus fruits, and fortified grain
products. Adequate folate intake helps reduce the risk of neural tube defects.
Question 4 — Priority
The nurse receives reports on four postpartum clients. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client with mild perineal discomfort
B. A client reporting uterine cramping during breastfeeding
C. A client saturating a perineal pad in 15 minutes
D. A client requesting assistance with breastfeeding
Correct Answer: C. A client saturating a perineal pad in 15 minutes
Rationale: Rapidly saturating a perineal pad suggests excessive postpartum bleeding and
possible postpartum hemorrhage. This client requires immediate assessment.
Question 5 — Multiple Choice
Which assessment finding in a newborn requires immediate nursing intervention?
A. Respiratory rate of 44/min
B. Acrocyanosis during the first few hours of life
,C. Nasal flaring and grunting
D. Heart rate of 140/min
Correct Answer: C. Nasal flaring and grunting
Rationale: Nasal flaring and grunting are signs of respiratory distress. Immediate assessment
and intervention are required.
Question 6 — Multiple Choice
A nurse is teaching parents how to reduce the risk of sudden unexpected infant death. Which
instruction is most appropriate?
A. Place the infant prone for sleep.
B. Use soft pillows around the infant.
C. Place the infant supine on a firm sleep surface.
D. Allow the infant to sleep in the parents' bed.
Correct Answer: C. Place the infant supine on a firm sleep surface.
Rationale: Infants should be placed on their backs on a firm, flat sleep surface without loose
bedding, pillows, or soft objects.
Question 7 — Select All That Apply
A pregnant client is receiving magnesium sulfate for seizure prevention. Which findings suggest
magnesium toxicity? Select all that apply.
A. Absent deep tendon reflexes
B. Respiratory depression
C. Decreased urine output
D. Increased alertness
E. Severe muscle tremors
Correct Answers: A, B, C
Rationale: Magnesium toxicity can cause loss of deep tendon reflexes, respiratory depression,
and decreased urine output. Calcium gluconate is commonly available as an antidote.
Question 8 — Multiple Choice
, Which newborn finding is most consistent with hypoglycemia?
A. Jitteriness
B. Strong cry
C. Pink skin
D. Increased muscle tone
Correct Answer: A. Jitteriness
Rationale: Neonatal hypoglycemia may present with jitteriness, tremors, poor feeding, lethargy,
hypotonia, apnea, or seizures.
Question 9 — Priority
A child with suspected epiglottitis arrives in the emergency department. Which action should the
nurse take first?
A. Obtain a throat culture.
B. Inspect the throat with a tongue blade.
C. Prepare for emergency airway management.
D. Encourage the child to drink fluids.
Correct Answer: C. Prepare for emergency airway management.
Rationale: Epiglottitis can rapidly cause airway obstruction. The nurse should avoid
manipulating the throat and prioritize airway management.
Question 10 — Multiple Choice
A pregnant client asks why iron supplementation is prescribed during pregnancy. Which
response is correct?
A. "Iron prevents all congenital abnormalities."
B. "Iron supports increased maternal blood volume and red blood cell production."
C. "Iron prevents gestational hypertension."
D. "Iron eliminates nausea during pregnancy."
Correct Answer: B. "Iron supports increased maternal blood volume and red blood cell
production."
Rationale: Pregnancy increases the body's demand for iron because of expanded maternal blood
volume and fetal growth.
Nursing Care 3rd Edition by Luanne
Linnard-Palmer
Safe Maternity & Pediatric Nursing Care
Original Practice Test Bank — Questions 1–50
With Answers and Rationales
Question 1 — Multiple Choice
A pregnant client at 10 weeks' gestation asks the nurse when the fetal heart rate can usually first
be detected using a Doppler device. Which response is most appropriate?
A. 4–6 weeks
B. 8–10 weeks
C. 10–12 weeks
D. 18–20 weeks
Correct Answer: C. 10–12 weeks
Rationale: A handheld Doppler may detect fetal heart activity around 10–12 weeks of gestation,
although the timing can vary. Earlier detection is often possible with ultrasound.
Question 2 — Multiple Choice
The nurse is assessing a pregnant client who reports severe headache, blurred vision, and
epigastric pain. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Gestational diabetes
B. Preeclampsia with severe features
C. Placenta previa
D. Hyperemesis gravidarum
Correct Answer: B. Preeclampsia with severe features
,Rationale: Severe headache, visual disturbances, and epigastric or right-upper-quadrant pain are
concerning manifestations of severe preeclampsia and require immediate evaluation.
Question 3 — Select All That Apply
The nurse is teaching a pregnant client about foods that are good sources of folate. Which foods
should the nurse recommend? Select all that apply.
A. Spinach
B. Lentils
C. Oranges
D. Fortified cereals
E. Processed luncheon meat
Correct Answers: A, B, C, D
Rationale: Folate is found in leafy green vegetables, legumes, citrus fruits, and fortified grain
products. Adequate folate intake helps reduce the risk of neural tube defects.
Question 4 — Priority
The nurse receives reports on four postpartum clients. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client with mild perineal discomfort
B. A client reporting uterine cramping during breastfeeding
C. A client saturating a perineal pad in 15 minutes
D. A client requesting assistance with breastfeeding
Correct Answer: C. A client saturating a perineal pad in 15 minutes
Rationale: Rapidly saturating a perineal pad suggests excessive postpartum bleeding and
possible postpartum hemorrhage. This client requires immediate assessment.
Question 5 — Multiple Choice
Which assessment finding in a newborn requires immediate nursing intervention?
A. Respiratory rate of 44/min
B. Acrocyanosis during the first few hours of life
,C. Nasal flaring and grunting
D. Heart rate of 140/min
Correct Answer: C. Nasal flaring and grunting
Rationale: Nasal flaring and grunting are signs of respiratory distress. Immediate assessment
and intervention are required.
Question 6 — Multiple Choice
A nurse is teaching parents how to reduce the risk of sudden unexpected infant death. Which
instruction is most appropriate?
A. Place the infant prone for sleep.
B. Use soft pillows around the infant.
C. Place the infant supine on a firm sleep surface.
D. Allow the infant to sleep in the parents' bed.
Correct Answer: C. Place the infant supine on a firm sleep surface.
Rationale: Infants should be placed on their backs on a firm, flat sleep surface without loose
bedding, pillows, or soft objects.
Question 7 — Select All That Apply
A pregnant client is receiving magnesium sulfate for seizure prevention. Which findings suggest
magnesium toxicity? Select all that apply.
A. Absent deep tendon reflexes
B. Respiratory depression
C. Decreased urine output
D. Increased alertness
E. Severe muscle tremors
Correct Answers: A, B, C
Rationale: Magnesium toxicity can cause loss of deep tendon reflexes, respiratory depression,
and decreased urine output. Calcium gluconate is commonly available as an antidote.
Question 8 — Multiple Choice
, Which newborn finding is most consistent with hypoglycemia?
A. Jitteriness
B. Strong cry
C. Pink skin
D. Increased muscle tone
Correct Answer: A. Jitteriness
Rationale: Neonatal hypoglycemia may present with jitteriness, tremors, poor feeding, lethargy,
hypotonia, apnea, or seizures.
Question 9 — Priority
A child with suspected epiglottitis arrives in the emergency department. Which action should the
nurse take first?
A. Obtain a throat culture.
B. Inspect the throat with a tongue blade.
C. Prepare for emergency airway management.
D. Encourage the child to drink fluids.
Correct Answer: C. Prepare for emergency airway management.
Rationale: Epiglottitis can rapidly cause airway obstruction. The nurse should avoid
manipulating the throat and prioritize airway management.
Question 10 — Multiple Choice
A pregnant client asks why iron supplementation is prescribed during pregnancy. Which
response is correct?
A. "Iron prevents all congenital abnormalities."
B. "Iron supports increased maternal blood volume and red blood cell production."
C. "Iron prevents gestational hypertension."
D. "Iron eliminates nausea during pregnancy."
Correct Answer: B. "Iron supports increased maternal blood volume and red blood cell
production."
Rationale: Pregnancy increases the body's demand for iron because of expanded maternal blood
volume and fetal growth.
