Updated NACE Care of the Childbearing Family Exam verified with correct answers
2026/2027 version/instant pdf
1. A pregnant patient asks when she should begin prenatal care. What is the
nurse’s best response?
A. After the first trimester
B. As soon as pregnancy is suspected
C. During the last month of pregnancy
D. Only if complications occur
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Early prenatal care helps identify risks, monitor maternal and fetal health, provide education, and
prevent complications.
2. Which finding is a positive sign of pregnancy?
A. Nausea and vomiting
B. Missed menstrual period
C. Fetal heart sounds detected by Doppler
D. Breast tenderness
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Positive signs of pregnancy are objective findings that confirm pregnancy, including:
• Fetal heart tones
• Ultrasound visualization of fetus
• Fetal movement palpated by examiner
3. A nurse is teaching a pregnant patient about folic acid. Which statement
indicates understanding?
A. "It helps prevent neural tube defects in the fetus."
B. "It prevents all infections."
C. "It replaces the need for iron."
D. "It stops contractions."
,Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Folic acid taken before and during pregnancy reduces the risk of neural tube defects such as
spina bifida.
4. Which nutritional recommendation is appropriate during pregnancy?
A. Increase intake of protein and essential nutrients
B. Avoid all carbohydrates
C. Eliminate calcium
D. Reduce all fluids
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Pregnancy increases nutritional requirements for fetal growth, maternal tissues, and blood
volume expansion.
5. A pregnant patient reports morning sickness. Which teaching is appropriate?
A. Eat small frequent meals
B. Skip breakfast daily
C. Drink large amounts with meals
D. Remain completely inactive
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Small frequent meals, dry crackers before rising, and avoiding triggers may reduce nausea during
pregnancy.
6. Which symptom during pregnancy should be reported immediately?
A. Mild fatigue
B. Vaginal bleeding
C. Increased appetite
D. Mild back discomfort
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale:
Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy may indicate complications such as miscarriage, placenta
previa, or placental abruption.
7. A nurse is teaching a pregnant patient about fetal movement. Which statement
is correct?
A. "Decreased fetal movement should be reported."
B. "Movement is never important."
C. "Movement stops before delivery."
D. "Only the healthcare provider can assess movement."
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
A decrease in fetal movement may indicate fetal distress and requires evaluation.
8. Which finding may indicate preeclampsia?
A. Low blood pressure
B. Hypertension and proteinuria
C. Increased appetite
D. Decreased body temperature
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Preeclampsia is characterized by:
• Elevated blood pressure
• Protein in urine
• Possible headache, visual changes, and edema
9. A nurse is monitoring a pregnant patient with gestational diabetes. Why is
glucose control important?
A. It reduces risks to mother and fetus
B. It prevents all pregnancy discomforts
C. It eliminates the need for prenatal visits
D. It guarantees a cesarean birth
, Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Poor glucose control increases risks such as macrosomia, birth complications, and newborn
hypoglycemia.
10. Which vaccine is generally recommended during pregnancy?
A. Influenza vaccine (inactivated)
B. Live vaccines only
C. No vaccines are recommended
D. Vaccines after delivery only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
The inactivated influenza vaccine is recommended during pregnancy to protect both mother and
fetus.
11. A nurse explains the purpose of prenatal visits. Which response is correct?
A. "They monitor maternal and fetal health."
B. "They are only needed during labor."
C. "They prevent every complication."
D. "They are optional."
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Prenatal visits allow assessment of fetal growth, maternal health, screening, and education.
12. Which assessment finding during pregnancy requires further evaluation?
A. Severe headache and blurred vision
B. Mild nausea
C. Increased urination
D. Breast enlargement
Correct Answer: A
2026/2027 version/instant pdf
1. A pregnant patient asks when she should begin prenatal care. What is the
nurse’s best response?
A. After the first trimester
B. As soon as pregnancy is suspected
C. During the last month of pregnancy
D. Only if complications occur
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Early prenatal care helps identify risks, monitor maternal and fetal health, provide education, and
prevent complications.
2. Which finding is a positive sign of pregnancy?
A. Nausea and vomiting
B. Missed menstrual period
C. Fetal heart sounds detected by Doppler
D. Breast tenderness
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Positive signs of pregnancy are objective findings that confirm pregnancy, including:
• Fetal heart tones
• Ultrasound visualization of fetus
• Fetal movement palpated by examiner
3. A nurse is teaching a pregnant patient about folic acid. Which statement
indicates understanding?
A. "It helps prevent neural tube defects in the fetus."
B. "It prevents all infections."
C. "It replaces the need for iron."
D. "It stops contractions."
,Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Folic acid taken before and during pregnancy reduces the risk of neural tube defects such as
spina bifida.
4. Which nutritional recommendation is appropriate during pregnancy?
A. Increase intake of protein and essential nutrients
B. Avoid all carbohydrates
C. Eliminate calcium
D. Reduce all fluids
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Pregnancy increases nutritional requirements for fetal growth, maternal tissues, and blood
volume expansion.
5. A pregnant patient reports morning sickness. Which teaching is appropriate?
A. Eat small frequent meals
B. Skip breakfast daily
C. Drink large amounts with meals
D. Remain completely inactive
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Small frequent meals, dry crackers before rising, and avoiding triggers may reduce nausea during
pregnancy.
6. Which symptom during pregnancy should be reported immediately?
A. Mild fatigue
B. Vaginal bleeding
C. Increased appetite
D. Mild back discomfort
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale:
Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy may indicate complications such as miscarriage, placenta
previa, or placental abruption.
7. A nurse is teaching a pregnant patient about fetal movement. Which statement
is correct?
A. "Decreased fetal movement should be reported."
B. "Movement is never important."
C. "Movement stops before delivery."
D. "Only the healthcare provider can assess movement."
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
A decrease in fetal movement may indicate fetal distress and requires evaluation.
8. Which finding may indicate preeclampsia?
A. Low blood pressure
B. Hypertension and proteinuria
C. Increased appetite
D. Decreased body temperature
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Preeclampsia is characterized by:
• Elevated blood pressure
• Protein in urine
• Possible headache, visual changes, and edema
9. A nurse is monitoring a pregnant patient with gestational diabetes. Why is
glucose control important?
A. It reduces risks to mother and fetus
B. It prevents all pregnancy discomforts
C. It eliminates the need for prenatal visits
D. It guarantees a cesarean birth
, Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Poor glucose control increases risks such as macrosomia, birth complications, and newborn
hypoglycemia.
10. Which vaccine is generally recommended during pregnancy?
A. Influenza vaccine (inactivated)
B. Live vaccines only
C. No vaccines are recommended
D. Vaccines after delivery only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
The inactivated influenza vaccine is recommended during pregnancy to protect both mother and
fetus.
11. A nurse explains the purpose of prenatal visits. Which response is correct?
A. "They monitor maternal and fetal health."
B. "They are only needed during labor."
C. "They prevent every complication."
D. "They are optional."
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Prenatal visits allow assessment of fetal growth, maternal health, screening, and education.
12. Which assessment finding during pregnancy requires further evaluation?
A. Severe headache and blurred vision
B. Mild nausea
C. Increased urination
D. Breast enlargement
Correct Answer: A
