NSG 3500 Maternal Health Exam 2 Q&A |
Galen Nursing | 200 Actual Questions with
Correct Answers & Detailed Rationales |
Latest 2026/2027 Edition | Graded A+
Assured Pass
SECTION 1: ANTEPARTUM CARE AND PRENATAL ASSESSMENT (Questions 1–40)
1. A nurse is providing education to a client who is 8 weeks pregnant. The client asks about
expected weight gain. What is the recommended weight gain for a client with a normal pre-
pregnancy BMI (18.5–24.9)?
A. 15–25 lb (6.8–11.3 kg)
B. 25–35 lb (11.3–15.9 kg)
C. 28–40 lb (12.7–18.1 kg)
D. 11–20 lb (5.0–9.1 kg)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The recommended weight gain for a client with a normal BMI is 25–35 lb.
Underweight clients (BMI <18.5) should gain 28–40 lb; overweight clients (BMI 25–29.9) should
gain 15–25 lb; obese clients (BMI ≥30) should gain 11–20 lb.
2. A nurse is assessing a client at 12 weeks gestation. Which physiological change of
pregnancy is expected?
A. Decreased respiratory rate
B. Decreased cardiac output
C. Increased blood volume
D. Decreased glomerular filtration rate
Correct Answer: C
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,Rationale: Blood volume increases by 40–50% during pregnancy, peaking at 32–34 weeks. This
supports fetal perfusion and prepares for blood loss at delivery. Respiratory rate may increase
slightly; cardiac output and GFR increase.
3. A nurse is teaching a client about folic acid supplementation. Which amount is
recommended daily during pregnancy?
A. 200 mcg
B. 400 mcg
C. 600 mcg
D. 1000 mcg
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The recommended daily folic acid intake during pregnancy is 600 mcg to prevent
neural tube defects. Women should begin supplementation before conception.
4. A nurse is assessing a client who is 14 weeks pregnant. Which presumptive sign of
pregnancy is the client most likely to report?
A. Positive pregnancy test
B. Fetal heart tones
C. Amenorrhea
D. Goodell's sign
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Amenorrhea is a presumptive sign (subjective). A positive pregnancy test is a
probable sign; fetal heart tones are a positive sign; Goodell's sign (cervical softening) is a
probable sign.
5. A nurse is auscultating fetal heart tones at a client's 20-week prenatal visit. Where should
the nurse place the Doppler?
A. Above the umbilicus
B. At the level of the umbilicus
C. Below the umbilicus in the midline
D. In the right upper quadrant
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,Correct Answer: C
Rationale: At 20 weeks, the fundus is at the umbilicus; fetal heart tones are best heard below
the umbilicus in the midline.
6. A nurse is providing education about danger signs during pregnancy. Which symptom
should the client report immediately?
A. Nausea in the first trimester
B. Breast tenderness
C. Blurred vision
D. Frequent urination
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Blurred vision may indicate preeclampsia and requires immediate evaluation.
7. A nurse is calculating the estimated date of delivery (EDD) using Naegele's rule for a client
whose LMP was March 10. What is the EDD?
A. December 3
B. December 17
C. January 3
D. January 17
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Naegele's rule: add 7 days to the first day of the LMP and subtract 3 months. March
10 + 7 days = March 17; subtract 3 months = December 17.
8. A nurse is assessing a client at 16 weeks gestation. Which finding is an expected
cardiovascular change?
A. Decreased pulse rate
B. Increased blood pressure
C. Systolic ejection murmur
D. Jugular venous distention
Correct Answer: C
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, Rationale: A systolic ejection murmur is expected due to increased blood volume and cardiac
output.
9. A nurse is teaching a group of prenatal clients about nutrition. Which dietary instruction
should the nurse include?
A. Increase calcium intake to 1000 mg daily
B. Increase iron intake to 27 mg daily
C. Avoid all fish during pregnancy
D. Limit caffeine to 400 mg daily
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Iron requirements increase to 27 mg daily during pregnancy.
10. A nurse is assessing a client at 10 weeks gestation who reports persistent nausea and
vomiting. Which intervention should the nurse recommend?
A. Eat large meals three times daily
B. Drink fluids with meals
C. Eat dry crackers before getting out of bed
D. Avoid all carbohydrates
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Eating dry crackers before getting out of bed helps alleviate morning sickness.
11. A nurse is performing Leopold maneuvers on a client at 38 weeks gestation. What is the
purpose of the first maneuver?
A. To determine fetal presentation
B. To determine fetal position
C. To determine fetal lie
D. To determine fetal engagement
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The first Leopold maneuver determines fetal lie by palpating the fundus.
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Galen Nursing | 200 Actual Questions with
Correct Answers & Detailed Rationales |
Latest 2026/2027 Edition | Graded A+
Assured Pass
SECTION 1: ANTEPARTUM CARE AND PRENATAL ASSESSMENT (Questions 1–40)
1. A nurse is providing education to a client who is 8 weeks pregnant. The client asks about
expected weight gain. What is the recommended weight gain for a client with a normal pre-
pregnancy BMI (18.5–24.9)?
A. 15–25 lb (6.8–11.3 kg)
B. 25–35 lb (11.3–15.9 kg)
C. 28–40 lb (12.7–18.1 kg)
D. 11–20 lb (5.0–9.1 kg)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The recommended weight gain for a client with a normal BMI is 25–35 lb.
Underweight clients (BMI <18.5) should gain 28–40 lb; overweight clients (BMI 25–29.9) should
gain 15–25 lb; obese clients (BMI ≥30) should gain 11–20 lb.
2. A nurse is assessing a client at 12 weeks gestation. Which physiological change of
pregnancy is expected?
A. Decreased respiratory rate
B. Decreased cardiac output
C. Increased blood volume
D. Decreased glomerular filtration rate
Correct Answer: C
P a g e 1 | 67
,Rationale: Blood volume increases by 40–50% during pregnancy, peaking at 32–34 weeks. This
supports fetal perfusion and prepares for blood loss at delivery. Respiratory rate may increase
slightly; cardiac output and GFR increase.
3. A nurse is teaching a client about folic acid supplementation. Which amount is
recommended daily during pregnancy?
A. 200 mcg
B. 400 mcg
C. 600 mcg
D. 1000 mcg
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The recommended daily folic acid intake during pregnancy is 600 mcg to prevent
neural tube defects. Women should begin supplementation before conception.
4. A nurse is assessing a client who is 14 weeks pregnant. Which presumptive sign of
pregnancy is the client most likely to report?
A. Positive pregnancy test
B. Fetal heart tones
C. Amenorrhea
D. Goodell's sign
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Amenorrhea is a presumptive sign (subjective). A positive pregnancy test is a
probable sign; fetal heart tones are a positive sign; Goodell's sign (cervical softening) is a
probable sign.
5. A nurse is auscultating fetal heart tones at a client's 20-week prenatal visit. Where should
the nurse place the Doppler?
A. Above the umbilicus
B. At the level of the umbilicus
C. Below the umbilicus in the midline
D. In the right upper quadrant
P a g e 2 | 67
,Correct Answer: C
Rationale: At 20 weeks, the fundus is at the umbilicus; fetal heart tones are best heard below
the umbilicus in the midline.
6. A nurse is providing education about danger signs during pregnancy. Which symptom
should the client report immediately?
A. Nausea in the first trimester
B. Breast tenderness
C. Blurred vision
D. Frequent urination
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Blurred vision may indicate preeclampsia and requires immediate evaluation.
7. A nurse is calculating the estimated date of delivery (EDD) using Naegele's rule for a client
whose LMP was March 10. What is the EDD?
A. December 3
B. December 17
C. January 3
D. January 17
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Naegele's rule: add 7 days to the first day of the LMP and subtract 3 months. March
10 + 7 days = March 17; subtract 3 months = December 17.
8. A nurse is assessing a client at 16 weeks gestation. Which finding is an expected
cardiovascular change?
A. Decreased pulse rate
B. Increased blood pressure
C. Systolic ejection murmur
D. Jugular venous distention
Correct Answer: C
P a g e 3 | 67
, Rationale: A systolic ejection murmur is expected due to increased blood volume and cardiac
output.
9. A nurse is teaching a group of prenatal clients about nutrition. Which dietary instruction
should the nurse include?
A. Increase calcium intake to 1000 mg daily
B. Increase iron intake to 27 mg daily
C. Avoid all fish during pregnancy
D. Limit caffeine to 400 mg daily
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Iron requirements increase to 27 mg daily during pregnancy.
10. A nurse is assessing a client at 10 weeks gestation who reports persistent nausea and
vomiting. Which intervention should the nurse recommend?
A. Eat large meals three times daily
B. Drink fluids with meals
C. Eat dry crackers before getting out of bed
D. Avoid all carbohydrates
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Eating dry crackers before getting out of bed helps alleviate morning sickness.
11. A nurse is performing Leopold maneuvers on a client at 38 weeks gestation. What is the
purpose of the first maneuver?
A. To determine fetal presentation
B. To determine fetal position
C. To determine fetal lie
D. To determine fetal engagement
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The first Leopold maneuver determines fetal lie by palpating the fundus.
P a g e 4 | 67
