SCHOOL OF NURSING AND MIDWIFERY
NUR 352 MATERNAL AND NEWBORN HEALTH NURSING FINAL
EXAMINATION PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST 2026-2027 UPDATE
Instructions: Answer all sixty (60) practice questions. Select the single best option for each
multiple-choice question. Highlighted options indicate correct answers along with verified solutions
and comprehensive rationales.
1. A nurse is assessing a pregnant client at 10 weeks gestation. Which physiological
change in the cardiovascular system should the nurse expect at this stage of
pregnancy?
A) Decreased blood volume
B) Increased stroke volume and cardiac output
C) Marked rise in systemic vascular resistance
D) Significant decrease in total red blood cell mass
Rationale: Cardiac output rises early in pregnancy due to increased stroke volume and plasma expansion,
ensuring adequate uteroplacental perfusion.
2. A client at 32 weeks gestation reports feeling dizzy, lightheaded, and faint whenever
she lies flat on her back. What explanation should the nurse provide?
A) Physiological anemia of pregnancy causes transient cerebral hypoxia
B) The heavy gravid uterus compresses the inferior vena cava, decreasing venous
return
C) Normal progesterone shifts alter arterial blood vessel tone
D) Sudden drops in maternal blood glucose occur during recumbency
Rationale: Lying supine lets the heavy uterus compress the inferior vena cava, reducing venous return to the
heart and causing supine hypotensive syndrome.
3. During a routine prenatal visit at 16 weeks, a client asks when she should expect to
feel her baby move for the first time. What response is most accurate for a primigravida?
A) Around 10 to 12 weeks
B) Around 14 to 15 weeks
C) Around 18 to 20 weeks
D) Around 24 to 26 weeks
Rationale: First-time mothers typically perceive initial fetal movement (quickening) between 18 and 20 weeks
gestation, whereas multiparas feel it slightly earlier.
, 4. Which laboratory finding during the second trimester reflects normal physiological
anemia of pregnancy rather than true iron deficiency?
A) Hemoglobin of 11.0 g/dL and Hematocrit of 33%
B) Hemoglobin of 8.5 g/dL and Hematocrit of 26%
C) Hemoglobin of 14.5 g/dL and Hematocrit of 42%
D) Hemoglobin of 9.0 g/dL and Hematocrit of 28%
Rationale: Plasma expansion expands faster than red cell mass, diluting hemoglobin down to around 11.0 g/dL,
which is considered a normal physiologic shift.
5. A nurse measures fundal height on a pregnant client at 22 weeks gestation. Where
does the nurse expect to locate the uterine fundus?
A) At the level of the pubic symphysis
B) Midway between the pubic symphysis and umbilicus
C) At the level of the umbilicus
D) Midway between the umbilicus and xiphoid process
Rationale: Between 20 and 22 weeks gestation, the uterine fundus reaches the level of the maternal umbilicus.
6. A client in labor has her cervical exam recorded as 6 cm dilated, 80% effaced, and -1
station. How should the nurse interpret the station measurement?
A) The presenting part is 1 cm below the ischial spines
B) The presenting part is 1 cm above the level of the ischial spines
C) The presenting part is fully engaged at the pelvic outlet
D) The cervix is situated 1 cm posterior to the vaginal canal
Rationale: Station measures the presenting part relative to the ischial spines in centimeters; negative numbers
mean the fetus remains above the spines.
7. During electronic fetal monitoring, the nurse notes variable decelerations. What is the
primary underlying cause of this fetal heart rate pattern?
A) Head compression against the cervix
B) Uteroplacental insufficiency
C) Umbilical cord compression
D) Maternal fever and infection
Rationale: Variable decelerations stem from umbilical cord compression, causing abrupt drops and recoveries in
fetal heart rate.
8. A laboring client experiences early decelerations on the fetal monitor. What action
should the nurse take first?
NUR 352 MATERNAL AND NEWBORN HEALTH NURSING FINAL
EXAMINATION PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST 2026-2027 UPDATE
Instructions: Answer all sixty (60) practice questions. Select the single best option for each
multiple-choice question. Highlighted options indicate correct answers along with verified solutions
and comprehensive rationales.
1. A nurse is assessing a pregnant client at 10 weeks gestation. Which physiological
change in the cardiovascular system should the nurse expect at this stage of
pregnancy?
A) Decreased blood volume
B) Increased stroke volume and cardiac output
C) Marked rise in systemic vascular resistance
D) Significant decrease in total red blood cell mass
Rationale: Cardiac output rises early in pregnancy due to increased stroke volume and plasma expansion,
ensuring adequate uteroplacental perfusion.
2. A client at 32 weeks gestation reports feeling dizzy, lightheaded, and faint whenever
she lies flat on her back. What explanation should the nurse provide?
A) Physiological anemia of pregnancy causes transient cerebral hypoxia
B) The heavy gravid uterus compresses the inferior vena cava, decreasing venous
return
C) Normal progesterone shifts alter arterial blood vessel tone
D) Sudden drops in maternal blood glucose occur during recumbency
Rationale: Lying supine lets the heavy uterus compress the inferior vena cava, reducing venous return to the
heart and causing supine hypotensive syndrome.
3. During a routine prenatal visit at 16 weeks, a client asks when she should expect to
feel her baby move for the first time. What response is most accurate for a primigravida?
A) Around 10 to 12 weeks
B) Around 14 to 15 weeks
C) Around 18 to 20 weeks
D) Around 24 to 26 weeks
Rationale: First-time mothers typically perceive initial fetal movement (quickening) between 18 and 20 weeks
gestation, whereas multiparas feel it slightly earlier.
, 4. Which laboratory finding during the second trimester reflects normal physiological
anemia of pregnancy rather than true iron deficiency?
A) Hemoglobin of 11.0 g/dL and Hematocrit of 33%
B) Hemoglobin of 8.5 g/dL and Hematocrit of 26%
C) Hemoglobin of 14.5 g/dL and Hematocrit of 42%
D) Hemoglobin of 9.0 g/dL and Hematocrit of 28%
Rationale: Plasma expansion expands faster than red cell mass, diluting hemoglobin down to around 11.0 g/dL,
which is considered a normal physiologic shift.
5. A nurse measures fundal height on a pregnant client at 22 weeks gestation. Where
does the nurse expect to locate the uterine fundus?
A) At the level of the pubic symphysis
B) Midway between the pubic symphysis and umbilicus
C) At the level of the umbilicus
D) Midway between the umbilicus and xiphoid process
Rationale: Between 20 and 22 weeks gestation, the uterine fundus reaches the level of the maternal umbilicus.
6. A client in labor has her cervical exam recorded as 6 cm dilated, 80% effaced, and -1
station. How should the nurse interpret the station measurement?
A) The presenting part is 1 cm below the ischial spines
B) The presenting part is 1 cm above the level of the ischial spines
C) The presenting part is fully engaged at the pelvic outlet
D) The cervix is situated 1 cm posterior to the vaginal canal
Rationale: Station measures the presenting part relative to the ischial spines in centimeters; negative numbers
mean the fetus remains above the spines.
7. During electronic fetal monitoring, the nurse notes variable decelerations. What is the
primary underlying cause of this fetal heart rate pattern?
A) Head compression against the cervix
B) Uteroplacental insufficiency
C) Umbilical cord compression
D) Maternal fever and infection
Rationale: Variable decelerations stem from umbilical cord compression, causing abrupt drops and recoveries in
fetal heart rate.
8. A laboring client experiences early decelerations on the fetal monitor. What action
should the nurse take first?
