RNSG 1517 A Maternity Comprehensive Question
Bank | Practice Questions with Verified Answers &
Rationales
Question 1
A nurse is interviewing a client who is 16 weeks pregnant. The client
reports feeling subtle fluttering movements in her abdomen. What is
this clinical finding called, and how is it classified?
A. Ballottement; probable sign
B. Quickening; subjective (presumptive) sign
C. Braxton Hicks; objective sign
D. Lightening; positive sign
Correct Answer: B. Quickening; subjective (presumptive) sign
Detailed Rationale: Quickening is the first perception of fetal
movement, usually felt by multiparous women at 16 to 18 weeks and
nulliparous women at 18 to 20 weeks. It is a subjective (presumptive)
sign of pregnancy because it is reported entirely by the client.
Question 2
A pregnant client states that her last menstrual period began on
October 15. Using Nagele's rule, what is her estimated date of birth
(EDB)?
A. July 22
B. July 8
,C. August 22
D. June 15
Correct Answer: A. July 22
Detailed Rationale: Nagele's rule calculates the estimated date of birth
by taking the first day of the last menstrual period, subtracting 3
months, and adding 7 days (plus 1 year). October 15 minus 3 months is
July 15, plus 7 days equals July 22.
Question 3
What is the primary physiological function of human chorionic
gonadotropin (hCG) in early pregnancy?
A. To stimulate maternal milk production
B. To maintain the corpus luteum so it continues to secrete
progesterone and estrogen until the placenta takes over
C. To increase maternal insulin resistance and make glucose available to
the fetus
D. To relax smooth muscle tissue in the uterus and gastrointestinal tract
Correct Answer: B. To maintain the corpus luteum so it continues to
secrete progesterone and estrogen until the placenta takes over
Detailed Rationale: Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is produced
by the trophoblast and signals the corpus luteum to persist, ensuring
continuous progesterone production to maintain the endometrial lining
until the placenta is fully functional.
Question 4
,A nurse is reviewing cardiovascular adaptations in a client at 28 weeks
gestation. Which normal physiological change should the nurse expect?
A. Decreased cardiac output and decreased heart rate
B. Increased plasma volume by 40% to 50% and increased cardiac
output
C. Significant increase in systemic blood pressure
D. Decreased red blood cell mass without any plasma change
Correct Answer: B. Increased plasma volume by 40% to 50% and
increased cardiac output
Detailed Rationale: Pregnancy induces a substantial expansion of
plasma volume (40-50%) and red blood cell mass, resulting in increased
cardiac output, stroke volume, and heart rate to meet the metabolic
and perfusion demands of the fetus.
Question 5
A nurse is assessing a client at 12 weeks gestation who complains of
severe morning sickness. Which dietary and lifestyle recommendation is
appropriate to help manage nausea and vomiting?
A. Eat three large, high-fat meals daily and lie down immediately after
eating.
B. Eat dry crackers or toast before getting out of bed in the morning and
consume small, frequent meals.
C. Avoid drinking fluids entirely throughout the day.
D. Exercise vigorously immediately after meals.
, Correct Answer: B. Eat dry crackers or toast before getting out of bed in
the morning and consume small, frequent meals.
Detailed Rationale: Small, frequent meals and eating dry carbohydrates
before rising help stabilize blood glucose levels and minimize nausea
during early pregnancy. Fluid intake should be maintained between
meals rather than with large meals.
Question 6
A nurse is providing pre-procedure instructions to a client scheduled for
an abdominal ultrasound at 10 weeks gestation. What instruction is
essential?
A. "You must empty your bladder completely right before the
procedure."
B. "You should drink 1 to 2 quarts of water and maintain a full bladder
prior to the scan."
C. "You must fast from midnight before the exam."
D. "You will receive a general anesthetic."
Correct Answer: B. "You should drink 1 to 2 quarts of water and
maintain a full bladder prior to the scan."
Detailed Rationale: In the first trimester, the uterus is still located
within the pelvic cavity. A full bladder acts as an acoustic window, lifting
the uterus out of the pelvis to provide clear visualization of pelvic
structures.
Question 7
Bank | Practice Questions with Verified Answers &
Rationales
Question 1
A nurse is interviewing a client who is 16 weeks pregnant. The client
reports feeling subtle fluttering movements in her abdomen. What is
this clinical finding called, and how is it classified?
A. Ballottement; probable sign
B. Quickening; subjective (presumptive) sign
C. Braxton Hicks; objective sign
D. Lightening; positive sign
Correct Answer: B. Quickening; subjective (presumptive) sign
Detailed Rationale: Quickening is the first perception of fetal
movement, usually felt by multiparous women at 16 to 18 weeks and
nulliparous women at 18 to 20 weeks. It is a subjective (presumptive)
sign of pregnancy because it is reported entirely by the client.
Question 2
A pregnant client states that her last menstrual period began on
October 15. Using Nagele's rule, what is her estimated date of birth
(EDB)?
A. July 22
B. July 8
,C. August 22
D. June 15
Correct Answer: A. July 22
Detailed Rationale: Nagele's rule calculates the estimated date of birth
by taking the first day of the last menstrual period, subtracting 3
months, and adding 7 days (plus 1 year). October 15 minus 3 months is
July 15, plus 7 days equals July 22.
Question 3
What is the primary physiological function of human chorionic
gonadotropin (hCG) in early pregnancy?
A. To stimulate maternal milk production
B. To maintain the corpus luteum so it continues to secrete
progesterone and estrogen until the placenta takes over
C. To increase maternal insulin resistance and make glucose available to
the fetus
D. To relax smooth muscle tissue in the uterus and gastrointestinal tract
Correct Answer: B. To maintain the corpus luteum so it continues to
secrete progesterone and estrogen until the placenta takes over
Detailed Rationale: Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is produced
by the trophoblast and signals the corpus luteum to persist, ensuring
continuous progesterone production to maintain the endometrial lining
until the placenta is fully functional.
Question 4
,A nurse is reviewing cardiovascular adaptations in a client at 28 weeks
gestation. Which normal physiological change should the nurse expect?
A. Decreased cardiac output and decreased heart rate
B. Increased plasma volume by 40% to 50% and increased cardiac
output
C. Significant increase in systemic blood pressure
D. Decreased red blood cell mass without any plasma change
Correct Answer: B. Increased plasma volume by 40% to 50% and
increased cardiac output
Detailed Rationale: Pregnancy induces a substantial expansion of
plasma volume (40-50%) and red blood cell mass, resulting in increased
cardiac output, stroke volume, and heart rate to meet the metabolic
and perfusion demands of the fetus.
Question 5
A nurse is assessing a client at 12 weeks gestation who complains of
severe morning sickness. Which dietary and lifestyle recommendation is
appropriate to help manage nausea and vomiting?
A. Eat three large, high-fat meals daily and lie down immediately after
eating.
B. Eat dry crackers or toast before getting out of bed in the morning and
consume small, frequent meals.
C. Avoid drinking fluids entirely throughout the day.
D. Exercise vigorously immediately after meals.
, Correct Answer: B. Eat dry crackers or toast before getting out of bed in
the morning and consume small, frequent meals.
Detailed Rationale: Small, frequent meals and eating dry carbohydrates
before rising help stabilize blood glucose levels and minimize nausea
during early pregnancy. Fluid intake should be maintained between
meals rather than with large meals.
Question 6
A nurse is providing pre-procedure instructions to a client scheduled for
an abdominal ultrasound at 10 weeks gestation. What instruction is
essential?
A. "You must empty your bladder completely right before the
procedure."
B. "You should drink 1 to 2 quarts of water and maintain a full bladder
prior to the scan."
C. "You must fast from midnight before the exam."
D. "You will receive a general anesthetic."
Correct Answer: B. "You should drink 1 to 2 quarts of water and
maintain a full bladder prior to the scan."
Detailed Rationale: In the first trimester, the uterus is still located
within the pelvic cavity. A full bladder acts as an acoustic window, lifting
the uterus out of the pelvis to provide clear visualization of pelvic
structures.
Question 7
