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NUR 231 EXAM 2 – 2026 GALEN MATERNAL NURSING
COMPLETE (110) CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES.
NUR
Prepare for the NUR 231 Exam 2 – Galen Maternal Nursing with this comprehensive
practice resource designed to strengthen your maternal nursing knowledge and exam
readiness. It features exam-style questions covering pregnancy assessment, prenatal
care, fetal development, maternal adaptations, common pregnancy complications,
patient education, and evidence-based nursing interventions. Use it to reinforce
essential concepts, assess your understanding, and build confidence before test day.
An excellent study aid for Galen nursing students preparing for the NUR 231 Maternal
Nursing Exam 2.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
SECTION 1: PRENATAL COMPLICATIONS & HIGH-RISK PREGNANCY
(Questions 1–20)
Question 1: A nurse is assessing a pregnant woman for signs of
preeclampsia. Which finding should be reported immediately?
A. Mild headache
B. Slight swelling of the ankles
C. Blurred vision
D. Weight gain of 2 pounds in one week
Correct answer: C. Blurred vision
Rationale: Blurred vision is a sign of potential preeclampsia or an impending
hypertensive crisis, which requires immediate attention to prevent
complications such as seizures or stroke.
Question 2: A nurse is caring for a pregnant woman at 28 weeks' gestation
who reports severe headaches and vision changes. What should the nurse do
first?
A. Monitor blood pressure
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B. Take a urine sample for protein
C. Check for edema in the lower extremities
D. Perform a nonstress test
Correct answer: A. Monitor blood pressure
Rationale: Severe headaches and vision changes may indicate preeclampsia.
The nurse should first assess blood pressure, as high readings are a key sign of
this condition.
Question 3: A nurse is caring for a pregnant woman in her third trimester and
notices significant swelling in her face and hands. What should the nurse do?
A. Monitor the woman's blood pressure
B. Provide the woman with fluids
C. Place the woman in a semi-Fowler's position
D. Perform a nonstress test
Correct answer: A. Monitor the woman's blood pressure
Rationale: Swelling in the face and hands can be a sign of preeclampsia, so
the nurse should monitor the woman's blood pressure to assess for potential
complications.
Question 4: What is the most appropriate nursing action for a woman with a
diagnosis of hyperemesis gravidarum?
A. Encourage the woman to drink fluids frequently
B. Monitor the woman's weight
C. Suggest the woman eat small, frequent meals
D. Provide antiemetic medications as prescribed
Correct answer: D. Provide antiemetic medications as prescribed
Rationale: Hyperemesis gravidarum requires medical management, which
may include antiemetic medications and close monitoring for dehydration
and electrolyte imbalances.
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Question 5: A nurse is educating a pregnant woman about nutrition during
pregnancy. Which of the following should the nurse recommend to prevent
neural tube defects?
A. Increase intake of folic acid
B. Increase intake of vitamin D
C. Decrease intake of caffeine
D. Decrease intake of protein
Correct answer: A. Increase intake of folic acid
Rationale: Folic acid is crucial for the prevention of neural tube defects.
Women are advised to take prenatal vitamins that include folic acid.
Question 6: Which of the following is the most important factor in preventing
preterm labor?
A. Regular prenatal care
B. Resting in a left lateral position
C. Taking iron supplements
D. Drinking at least 8 glasses of water per day
Correct answer: A. Regular prenatal care
Rationale: Regular prenatal care is essential for monitoring the health of the
pregnancy and identifying risks that might lead to preterm labor. Early
intervention can significantly reduce the risk of complications.
Question 7: A nurse is caring for a woman at 35 weeks' gestation who is being
monitored for fetal distress. The nurse notices that the fetal heart rate is
decelerating. What is the most likely cause?
A. Umbilical cord compression
B. Uterine rupture
C. Placental abruption
D. Maternal hypotension
Correct answer: A. Umbilical cord compression
Rationale: Decelerations in fetal heart rate are often caused by umbilical cord
compression, which reduces blood flow to the fetus.
, Page 4 of 40
Question 8: Procardia (Nifedipine) is used in preterm labor to:
A. Slow contractions down
B. Induce labor
C. Lower the seizure threshold
D. Soften the cervix
Correct answer: A. Slow contractions down
Rationale: Procardia/Nifedipine is a calcium channel blocker that is also
used in preterm labor to slow contractions down.
Question 9: Magnesium sulfate is used in preterm labor to:
A. Slow contractions and lower the seizure threshold
B. Induce labor
C. Soften the cervix
D. Increase uterine contractions
Correct answer: A. Slow contractions and lower the seizure threshold
Rationale: Magnesium sulfate is used in preterm labor as a muscle relaxer
and lowers the seizure threshold, reducing the chance of seizures.
Question 10: Prostaglandins (e.g., Cervidil, Cytotec) are used for:
A. Slowing contractions in preterm labor
B. Softening the uterus and inducing labor
C. Preventing postpartum hemorrhage
D. Treating preeclampsia
Correct answer: B. Softening the uterus and inducing labor
Rationale: Prostaglandins have effects on ovulation, fertility, changes in the
cervix, and onset of labor. They help soften the uterus (Cervidil/Dinoprostone)
and are used to induce labor (Cytotec/Misoprostol).
SECTION 2: LABOR & DELIVERY (Questions 11–30)
NUR 231 EXAM 2 – 2026 GALEN MATERNAL NURSING
COMPLETE (110) CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES.
NUR
Prepare for the NUR 231 Exam 2 – Galen Maternal Nursing with this comprehensive
practice resource designed to strengthen your maternal nursing knowledge and exam
readiness. It features exam-style questions covering pregnancy assessment, prenatal
care, fetal development, maternal adaptations, common pregnancy complications,
patient education, and evidence-based nursing interventions. Use it to reinforce
essential concepts, assess your understanding, and build confidence before test day.
An excellent study aid for Galen nursing students preparing for the NUR 231 Maternal
Nursing Exam 2.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
SECTION 1: PRENATAL COMPLICATIONS & HIGH-RISK PREGNANCY
(Questions 1–20)
Question 1: A nurse is assessing a pregnant woman for signs of
preeclampsia. Which finding should be reported immediately?
A. Mild headache
B. Slight swelling of the ankles
C. Blurred vision
D. Weight gain of 2 pounds in one week
Correct answer: C. Blurred vision
Rationale: Blurred vision is a sign of potential preeclampsia or an impending
hypertensive crisis, which requires immediate attention to prevent
complications such as seizures or stroke.
Question 2: A nurse is caring for a pregnant woman at 28 weeks' gestation
who reports severe headaches and vision changes. What should the nurse do
first?
A. Monitor blood pressure
, Page 2 of 40
B. Take a urine sample for protein
C. Check for edema in the lower extremities
D. Perform a nonstress test
Correct answer: A. Monitor blood pressure
Rationale: Severe headaches and vision changes may indicate preeclampsia.
The nurse should first assess blood pressure, as high readings are a key sign of
this condition.
Question 3: A nurse is caring for a pregnant woman in her third trimester and
notices significant swelling in her face and hands. What should the nurse do?
A. Monitor the woman's blood pressure
B. Provide the woman with fluids
C. Place the woman in a semi-Fowler's position
D. Perform a nonstress test
Correct answer: A. Monitor the woman's blood pressure
Rationale: Swelling in the face and hands can be a sign of preeclampsia, so
the nurse should monitor the woman's blood pressure to assess for potential
complications.
Question 4: What is the most appropriate nursing action for a woman with a
diagnosis of hyperemesis gravidarum?
A. Encourage the woman to drink fluids frequently
B. Monitor the woman's weight
C. Suggest the woman eat small, frequent meals
D. Provide antiemetic medications as prescribed
Correct answer: D. Provide antiemetic medications as prescribed
Rationale: Hyperemesis gravidarum requires medical management, which
may include antiemetic medications and close monitoring for dehydration
and electrolyte imbalances.
, Page 3 of 40
Question 5: A nurse is educating a pregnant woman about nutrition during
pregnancy. Which of the following should the nurse recommend to prevent
neural tube defects?
A. Increase intake of folic acid
B. Increase intake of vitamin D
C. Decrease intake of caffeine
D. Decrease intake of protein
Correct answer: A. Increase intake of folic acid
Rationale: Folic acid is crucial for the prevention of neural tube defects.
Women are advised to take prenatal vitamins that include folic acid.
Question 6: Which of the following is the most important factor in preventing
preterm labor?
A. Regular prenatal care
B. Resting in a left lateral position
C. Taking iron supplements
D. Drinking at least 8 glasses of water per day
Correct answer: A. Regular prenatal care
Rationale: Regular prenatal care is essential for monitoring the health of the
pregnancy and identifying risks that might lead to preterm labor. Early
intervention can significantly reduce the risk of complications.
Question 7: A nurse is caring for a woman at 35 weeks' gestation who is being
monitored for fetal distress. The nurse notices that the fetal heart rate is
decelerating. What is the most likely cause?
A. Umbilical cord compression
B. Uterine rupture
C. Placental abruption
D. Maternal hypotension
Correct answer: A. Umbilical cord compression
Rationale: Decelerations in fetal heart rate are often caused by umbilical cord
compression, which reduces blood flow to the fetus.
, Page 4 of 40
Question 8: Procardia (Nifedipine) is used in preterm labor to:
A. Slow contractions down
B. Induce labor
C. Lower the seizure threshold
D. Soften the cervix
Correct answer: A. Slow contractions down
Rationale: Procardia/Nifedipine is a calcium channel blocker that is also
used in preterm labor to slow contractions down.
Question 9: Magnesium sulfate is used in preterm labor to:
A. Slow contractions and lower the seizure threshold
B. Induce labor
C. Soften the cervix
D. Increase uterine contractions
Correct answer: A. Slow contractions and lower the seizure threshold
Rationale: Magnesium sulfate is used in preterm labor as a muscle relaxer
and lowers the seizure threshold, reducing the chance of seizures.
Question 10: Prostaglandins (e.g., Cervidil, Cytotec) are used for:
A. Slowing contractions in preterm labor
B. Softening the uterus and inducing labor
C. Preventing postpartum hemorrhage
D. Treating preeclampsia
Correct answer: B. Softening the uterus and inducing labor
Rationale: Prostaglandins have effects on ovulation, fertility, changes in the
cervix, and onset of labor. They help soften the uterus (Cervidil/Dinoprostone)
and are used to induce labor (Cytotec/Misoprostol).
SECTION 2: LABOR & DELIVERY (Questions 11–30)
