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WEST COAST UNIVERSITY NURS 306 – OBSTETRIC
AND MATERNITY NURSING COMPREHENSIVE
PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS AND RATIONALES
2026/27 GRADED A+ | 100% GUARANTEED PASS
Covers Antepartum, Intrapartum, Postpartum, Newborn Care, High-
Risk Pregnancy, Fetal Monitoring, and Maternal Complications
QUESTION 1
A pregnant patient at 38 weeks gestation presents with regular
contractions, ruptured membranes, and cervical dilation of 4 cm. What
phase of labor is the patient in?
A) Latent phase
B) Active phase
C) Transition phase
D) Second stage
Verified Answer: B
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Rationale: The active phase of labor begins at 4-6 cm dilation and is
characterized by regular, stronger contractions and more rapid cervical
change. The latent phase is 0-3 cm. Transition is 7-10 cm. The second
stage begins at full dilation (10 cm) and ends with delivery.
QUESTION 2
A nurse is assessing a newborn 1 minute after birth. The heart rate is 100
bpm, respirations are irregular, muscle tone is flexed, the newborn cries,
and the hands and feet are blue. What Apgar score should be assigned?
A) 5
B) 6
C) 7
D) 8
Verified Answer: C
Rationale: Each category is scored 0, 1, or 2. Heart rate 100 = 1 point.
Respirations irregular = 1 point. Muscle tone flexed = 1 point. Crying =
2 points. Blue hands/feet = 1 point (acrocyanosis). Total = 7. This
indicates the newborn is stable.
QUESTION 3
A patient at 32 weeks gestation presents with vaginal bleeding,
abdominal pain, and a rigid, board-like abdomen. What is the most
likely diagnosis?
A) Placenta previa
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B) Placental abruption
C) Preterm labor
D) Rupture of membranes
Verified Answer: B
Rationale: Placental abruption presents with painful vaginal bleeding, a
rigid abdomen, and uterine tenderness. Placenta previa presents with
painless, bright red bleeding. Preterm labor presents with contractions
but not a rigid abdomen. ROM presents with fluid leakage, not bleeding.
QUESTION 4
A pregnant patient is diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Which
complication is the fetus at risk for?
A) Microsomia
B) Macrosomia
C) Low birth weight
D) Prematurity
Verified Answer: B
Rationale: Gestational diabetes causes fetal hyperglycemia and
hyperinsulinemia, leading to fetal macrosomia (large birth weight).
Other risks include hypoglycemia, respiratory distress, and shoulder
dystocia. Microsomia is not associated with GDM.
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QUESTION 5
A postpartum patient reports a large amount of lochia that soaks a pad in
15 minutes. What is the priority nursing action?
A) Document the finding
B) Increase IV fluids
C) Notify the healthcare provider immediately
D) Administer oxytocin as ordered
Verified Answer: C
Rationale: Heavy bleeding (soaking a pad in 15 minutes) indicates
postpartum hemorrhage and requires immediate provider notification.
Documentation and IV fluids are important but follow notification.
Oxytocin may be needed but requires an order.
QUESTION 6
A nurse is assessing fetal heart tones. The fetal heart rate is 140 bpm
with moderate variability and accelerations. How should this finding be
interpreted?
A) Reassuring
B) Non-reassuring
C) Category I (normal)
D) Category III (abnormal)
Verified Answer: C
WEST COAST UNIVERSITY NURS 306 – OBSTETRIC
AND MATERNITY NURSING COMPREHENSIVE
PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS AND RATIONALES
2026/27 GRADED A+ | 100% GUARANTEED PASS
Covers Antepartum, Intrapartum, Postpartum, Newborn Care, High-
Risk Pregnancy, Fetal Monitoring, and Maternal Complications
QUESTION 1
A pregnant patient at 38 weeks gestation presents with regular
contractions, ruptured membranes, and cervical dilation of 4 cm. What
phase of labor is the patient in?
A) Latent phase
B) Active phase
C) Transition phase
D) Second stage
Verified Answer: B
,2 | Page
Rationale: The active phase of labor begins at 4-6 cm dilation and is
characterized by regular, stronger contractions and more rapid cervical
change. The latent phase is 0-3 cm. Transition is 7-10 cm. The second
stage begins at full dilation (10 cm) and ends with delivery.
QUESTION 2
A nurse is assessing a newborn 1 minute after birth. The heart rate is 100
bpm, respirations are irregular, muscle tone is flexed, the newborn cries,
and the hands and feet are blue. What Apgar score should be assigned?
A) 5
B) 6
C) 7
D) 8
Verified Answer: C
Rationale: Each category is scored 0, 1, or 2. Heart rate 100 = 1 point.
Respirations irregular = 1 point. Muscle tone flexed = 1 point. Crying =
2 points. Blue hands/feet = 1 point (acrocyanosis). Total = 7. This
indicates the newborn is stable.
QUESTION 3
A patient at 32 weeks gestation presents with vaginal bleeding,
abdominal pain, and a rigid, board-like abdomen. What is the most
likely diagnosis?
A) Placenta previa
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B) Placental abruption
C) Preterm labor
D) Rupture of membranes
Verified Answer: B
Rationale: Placental abruption presents with painful vaginal bleeding, a
rigid abdomen, and uterine tenderness. Placenta previa presents with
painless, bright red bleeding. Preterm labor presents with contractions
but not a rigid abdomen. ROM presents with fluid leakage, not bleeding.
QUESTION 4
A pregnant patient is diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Which
complication is the fetus at risk for?
A) Microsomia
B) Macrosomia
C) Low birth weight
D) Prematurity
Verified Answer: B
Rationale: Gestational diabetes causes fetal hyperglycemia and
hyperinsulinemia, leading to fetal macrosomia (large birth weight).
Other risks include hypoglycemia, respiratory distress, and shoulder
dystocia. Microsomia is not associated with GDM.
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QUESTION 5
A postpartum patient reports a large amount of lochia that soaks a pad in
15 minutes. What is the priority nursing action?
A) Document the finding
B) Increase IV fluids
C) Notify the healthcare provider immediately
D) Administer oxytocin as ordered
Verified Answer: C
Rationale: Heavy bleeding (soaking a pad in 15 minutes) indicates
postpartum hemorrhage and requires immediate provider notification.
Documentation and IV fluids are important but follow notification.
Oxytocin may be needed but requires an order.
QUESTION 6
A nurse is assessing fetal heart tones. The fetal heart rate is 140 bpm
with moderate variability and accelerations. How should this finding be
interpreted?
A) Reassuring
B) Non-reassuring
C) Category I (normal)
D) Category III (abnormal)
Verified Answer: C
