NUR 335 EXAM 2 MATERNAL HEALTH THEORY & APPLICATION
V1 (ARIZONA COLLEGE EXAMINATION COMPLETE QUESTIONS
AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR JUST
RELEASED
1. A laboring client at 6 cm dilation suddenly reports intense rectal
pressure and an urge to push despite incomplete cervical dilation. What
should the nurse do first?
A. Encourage the client to begin bearing down
B. Assess the client's cervix and fetal presenting part
C. Administer the prescribed opioid analgesic
D. Encourage the client to ambulate around the unit
Answer: B
Rationale: Sudden rectal pressure can indicate rapid labor progression,
so cervical assessment helps determine whether pushing is
appropriate.
2. A client receiving oxytocin has contractions occurring every minute
and lasting 100 seconds. Which nursing action is most appropriate?
A. Increase the oxytocin infusion according to protocol
B. Encourage the client to push with each contraction
C. Stop or reduce oxytocin and assess fetal response
D. Place the client supine and continue monitoring
Answer: C
,Rationale: Excessively frequent or prolonged contractions can decrease
uteroplacental perfusion and compromise fetal oxygenation.
3. During electronic fetal monitoring, the nurse observes recurrent late
decelerations accompanying several consecutive contractions. Which
intervention should occur first?
A. Reposition the client laterally
B. Encourage immediate pushing
C. Increase oxytocin administration
D. Perform a vaginal examination immediately
Answer: A
Rationale: Lateral repositioning improves uteroplacental blood flow
and is an immediate intervention for suspected decreased fetal
oxygenation.
4. A fetal monitor demonstrates abrupt decreases in fetal heart rate
occurring at varying times during contractions. Which condition should
the nurse suspect?
A. Uteroplacental insufficiency
B. Umbilical cord compression
C. Maternal hypoglycemia
D. Fetal head compression
Answer: B
Rationale: Variable decelerations commonly result from intermittent
umbilical cord compression during labor.
,5. A client receiving an epidural develops blood pressure of 82/48
mmHg and reports dizziness. Which nursing action has the highest
priority?
A. Place the client in a lateral position and increase intravenous fluids as
prescribed
B. Encourage the client to ambulate until the dizziness resolves
C. Administer additional epidural medication to improve comfort
D. Place the client completely supine to improve circulation
Answer: A
Rationale: Epidural-related sympathetic blockade can cause maternal
hypotension, requiring positioning, fluids, and fetal assessment.
6. A laboring client asks why continuous fetal monitoring is necessary
after receiving an epidural. Which response by the nurse is most
accurate?
A. Epidurals always cause fetal distress during labor
B. Epidurals can cause maternal hypotension that may affect fetal
oxygenation
C. Continuous monitoring prevents every possible obstetric
complication
D. Epidurals directly increase fetal heart rate variability
Answer: B
Rationale: Maternal hypotension following regional anesthesia can
decrease uteroplacental perfusion and alter fetal oxygenation.
, 7. A client at 39 weeks reports contractions that become progressively
stronger, longer, and closer together. Which finding most strongly
indicates true labor?
A. Contractions disappear after hydration
B. Cervical dilation and effacement progress over time
C. Discomfort occurs primarily when the client walks
D. Contractions remain irregular throughout observation
Answer: B
Rationale: Progressive cervical change distinguishes true labor from
false labor contractions.
8. A client in active labor has a baseline fetal heart rate of 140 beats per
minute with moderate variability. How should the nurse interpret this
finding?
A. It indicates reassuring fetal status
B. It indicates persistent fetal hypoxemia
C. It indicates severe fetal bradycardia
D. It indicates imminent placental separation
Answer: A
Rationale: A baseline within the expected range combined with
moderate variability is generally reassuring.
V1 (ARIZONA COLLEGE EXAMINATION COMPLETE QUESTIONS
AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR JUST
RELEASED
1. A laboring client at 6 cm dilation suddenly reports intense rectal
pressure and an urge to push despite incomplete cervical dilation. What
should the nurse do first?
A. Encourage the client to begin bearing down
B. Assess the client's cervix and fetal presenting part
C. Administer the prescribed opioid analgesic
D. Encourage the client to ambulate around the unit
Answer: B
Rationale: Sudden rectal pressure can indicate rapid labor progression,
so cervical assessment helps determine whether pushing is
appropriate.
2. A client receiving oxytocin has contractions occurring every minute
and lasting 100 seconds. Which nursing action is most appropriate?
A. Increase the oxytocin infusion according to protocol
B. Encourage the client to push with each contraction
C. Stop or reduce oxytocin and assess fetal response
D. Place the client supine and continue monitoring
Answer: C
,Rationale: Excessively frequent or prolonged contractions can decrease
uteroplacental perfusion and compromise fetal oxygenation.
3. During electronic fetal monitoring, the nurse observes recurrent late
decelerations accompanying several consecutive contractions. Which
intervention should occur first?
A. Reposition the client laterally
B. Encourage immediate pushing
C. Increase oxytocin administration
D. Perform a vaginal examination immediately
Answer: A
Rationale: Lateral repositioning improves uteroplacental blood flow
and is an immediate intervention for suspected decreased fetal
oxygenation.
4. A fetal monitor demonstrates abrupt decreases in fetal heart rate
occurring at varying times during contractions. Which condition should
the nurse suspect?
A. Uteroplacental insufficiency
B. Umbilical cord compression
C. Maternal hypoglycemia
D. Fetal head compression
Answer: B
Rationale: Variable decelerations commonly result from intermittent
umbilical cord compression during labor.
,5. A client receiving an epidural develops blood pressure of 82/48
mmHg and reports dizziness. Which nursing action has the highest
priority?
A. Place the client in a lateral position and increase intravenous fluids as
prescribed
B. Encourage the client to ambulate until the dizziness resolves
C. Administer additional epidural medication to improve comfort
D. Place the client completely supine to improve circulation
Answer: A
Rationale: Epidural-related sympathetic blockade can cause maternal
hypotension, requiring positioning, fluids, and fetal assessment.
6. A laboring client asks why continuous fetal monitoring is necessary
after receiving an epidural. Which response by the nurse is most
accurate?
A. Epidurals always cause fetal distress during labor
B. Epidurals can cause maternal hypotension that may affect fetal
oxygenation
C. Continuous monitoring prevents every possible obstetric
complication
D. Epidurals directly increase fetal heart rate variability
Answer: B
Rationale: Maternal hypotension following regional anesthesia can
decrease uteroplacental perfusion and alter fetal oxygenation.
, 7. A client at 39 weeks reports contractions that become progressively
stronger, longer, and closer together. Which finding most strongly
indicates true labor?
A. Contractions disappear after hydration
B. Cervical dilation and effacement progress over time
C. Discomfort occurs primarily when the client walks
D. Contractions remain irregular throughout observation
Answer: B
Rationale: Progressive cervical change distinguishes true labor from
false labor contractions.
8. A client in active labor has a baseline fetal heart rate of 140 beats per
minute with moderate variability. How should the nurse interpret this
finding?
A. It indicates reassuring fetal status
B. It indicates persistent fetal hypoxemia
C. It indicates severe fetal bradycardia
D. It indicates imminent placental separation
Answer: A
Rationale: A baseline within the expected range combined with
moderate variability is generally reassuring.
