,NSG 340 Exam 1 | Obstetric and Maternity Nursing | Grand Canyon
1. A nurse is providing education to a client at 8 weeks gestation. The client asks about the function of
the placenta. Which response by the nurse is most accurate?
A) "The placenta cushions the baby against injury."
B) "The placenta provides respiratory, nutritional, and excretory functions for the fetus."
C) "The placenta protects the baby's skin from amniotic fluid."
D) "The placenta produces insulin for the baby's pancreas."
Correct Answer: The placenta provides respiratory, nutritional, and excretory functions for the fetus.
Rationale: The placenta serves as the organ of exchange between the mother and fetus, providing
oxygen and nutrients while removing waste products. It does not cushion the fetus, protect the skin, or
produce insulin. These are common misconceptions that the nurse should clarify.
2. A nurse is evaluating the fundal height of a pregnant client and finds the fundus at the level of the
umbilicus. The nurse should estimate the gestational age at:
A) 16 weeks
B) 20 weeks
C) 24 weeks
D) 28 weeks
Correct Answer: 20 weeks
Rationale: At approximately 20 weeks of gestation, the fundal height reaches the level of the umbilicus.
Fundal height measured in centimeters correlates with weeks of gestation between 18 and 32 weeks.
3. A client at 28 weeks gestation reports sudden swelling in the face and hands, headache, and blurred
vision. The nurse suspects which condition?
A) Normal pregnancy symptoms
B) Gestational diabetes
C) Preeclampsia
,D) Anemia
Correct Answer: Preeclampsia
Rationale: Sudden onset of facial and hand edema, headache, and visual disturbances at 28 weeks
gestation are classic signs of preeclampsia. These symptoms require immediate evaluation for
hypertension and proteinuria. Normal pregnancy symptoms do not typically include sudden, severe
swelling or visual changes.
4. A nurse is teaching a client about nutrition during pregnancy. The nurse explains that the
recommended caloric increase during the second trimester is approximately:
A) 100 calories per day
B) 200 calories per day
C) 340 calories per day
D) 452 calories per day
Correct Answer: 340 calories per day
Rationale: The recommended additional caloric intake is approximately 340 calories per day during the
second trimester. The first trimester typically requires no additional calories, and the third trimester
requires approximately 452 calories per day.
5. A nurse is assessing a client at 12 weeks gestation. Which finding would the nurse expect?
A) Fundus at the level of the umbilicus
B) Fetal heart tones audible by Doppler
C) Quickening
D) Lightening
Correct Answer: Fetal heart tones audible by Doppler
, Rationale: Fetal heart tones can typically be detected by Doppler ultrasound by 10–12 weeks of
gestation. Fundal height at the umbilicus occurs at 20 weeks, quickening is typically felt at 16–20 weeks,
and lightening occurs near term.
6. A nurse is providing preconception counseling to a client. Which supplement is most important for
preventing neural tube defects?
A) Iron
B) Calcium
C) Folic acid
D) Vitamin D
Correct Answer: Folic acid
Rationale: Folic acid supplementation before conception and during early pregnancy is critical for
preventing neural tube defects. The recommended dose is 400–800 mcg daily for all women of
childbearing age. Iron prevents anemia, calcium supports bone health, and vitamin D supports calcium
absorption.
7. A nurse is calculating a client's estimated due date using Naegele's rule. The client's last normal
menstrual period began on June 10. What is the estimated due date?
A) March 3
B) March 17
C) April 3
D) April 17
Correct Answer: March 17
Rationale: Naegele's rule calculates the estimated due date by subtracting 3 months from the first day of
the last normal menstrual period and adding 7 days. June 10 minus 3 months = March 10; March 10 plus
7 days = March 17.
1. A nurse is providing education to a client at 8 weeks gestation. The client asks about the function of
the placenta. Which response by the nurse is most accurate?
A) "The placenta cushions the baby against injury."
B) "The placenta provides respiratory, nutritional, and excretory functions for the fetus."
C) "The placenta protects the baby's skin from amniotic fluid."
D) "The placenta produces insulin for the baby's pancreas."
Correct Answer: The placenta provides respiratory, nutritional, and excretory functions for the fetus.
Rationale: The placenta serves as the organ of exchange between the mother and fetus, providing
oxygen and nutrients while removing waste products. It does not cushion the fetus, protect the skin, or
produce insulin. These are common misconceptions that the nurse should clarify.
2. A nurse is evaluating the fundal height of a pregnant client and finds the fundus at the level of the
umbilicus. The nurse should estimate the gestational age at:
A) 16 weeks
B) 20 weeks
C) 24 weeks
D) 28 weeks
Correct Answer: 20 weeks
Rationale: At approximately 20 weeks of gestation, the fundal height reaches the level of the umbilicus.
Fundal height measured in centimeters correlates with weeks of gestation between 18 and 32 weeks.
3. A client at 28 weeks gestation reports sudden swelling in the face and hands, headache, and blurred
vision. The nurse suspects which condition?
A) Normal pregnancy symptoms
B) Gestational diabetes
C) Preeclampsia
,D) Anemia
Correct Answer: Preeclampsia
Rationale: Sudden onset of facial and hand edema, headache, and visual disturbances at 28 weeks
gestation are classic signs of preeclampsia. These symptoms require immediate evaluation for
hypertension and proteinuria. Normal pregnancy symptoms do not typically include sudden, severe
swelling or visual changes.
4. A nurse is teaching a client about nutrition during pregnancy. The nurse explains that the
recommended caloric increase during the second trimester is approximately:
A) 100 calories per day
B) 200 calories per day
C) 340 calories per day
D) 452 calories per day
Correct Answer: 340 calories per day
Rationale: The recommended additional caloric intake is approximately 340 calories per day during the
second trimester. The first trimester typically requires no additional calories, and the third trimester
requires approximately 452 calories per day.
5. A nurse is assessing a client at 12 weeks gestation. Which finding would the nurse expect?
A) Fundus at the level of the umbilicus
B) Fetal heart tones audible by Doppler
C) Quickening
D) Lightening
Correct Answer: Fetal heart tones audible by Doppler
, Rationale: Fetal heart tones can typically be detected by Doppler ultrasound by 10–12 weeks of
gestation. Fundal height at the umbilicus occurs at 20 weeks, quickening is typically felt at 16–20 weeks,
and lightening occurs near term.
6. A nurse is providing preconception counseling to a client. Which supplement is most important for
preventing neural tube defects?
A) Iron
B) Calcium
C) Folic acid
D) Vitamin D
Correct Answer: Folic acid
Rationale: Folic acid supplementation before conception and during early pregnancy is critical for
preventing neural tube defects. The recommended dose is 400–800 mcg daily for all women of
childbearing age. Iron prevents anemia, calcium supports bone health, and vitamin D supports calcium
absorption.
7. A nurse is calculating a client's estimated due date using Naegele's rule. The client's last normal
menstrual period began on June 10. What is the estimated due date?
A) March 3
B) March 17
C) April 3
D) April 17
Correct Answer: March 17
Rationale: Naegele's rule calculates the estimated due date by subtracting 3 months from the first day of
the last normal menstrual period and adding 7 days. June 10 minus 3 months = March 10; March 10 plus
7 days = March 17.
