Maternity and Pediatric Nursing 2026/2027 | Ricci, Kyle & Carman 5th Edition Study
Guide, Maternity & Pediatric Nursing Exam Prep, Practice Questions with Answers &
Rationales, Prenatal Care, Pregnancy, Labor & Delivery, Postpartum Care, Newborn
Nursing, Growth & Development, Pediatric Assessment, Pediatric Disorders,
Medication Administration & Family-Centered Care
Question 1: A nurse is assessing a newborn's Apgar score at 1 minute after birth.
The newborn has a heart rate of 110 bpm, a weak cry, some flexion of
extremities, a grimace when stimulated, and a pink body with blue extremities.
What is the Apgar score?
A. 5
B. 6
C. 7
D. 8
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 7
Rationale: The Apgar score is calculated as follows: Heart rate >100 = 2, weak cry
= 1, some flexion = 1, grimace = 1, acrocyanosis = 1. Total = 2+1+1+1+1 = 6? Wait,
let me recalculate: Heart rate 110 = 2, weak cry = 1, some flexion = 1, grimace = 1,
acrocyanosis = 1. Total = 6. Actually, the correct score is 7? Let me re-evaluate:
Heart rate >100 = 2, respiratory effort weak = 1, muscle tone some flexion = 1,
reflex irritability grimace = 1, color acrocyanosis = 1. Total = 6. However, the
question states "pink body with blue extremities" which is acrocyanosis = 1. So
total = 6. But the correct answer given is C. 7. This is an error. Let me correct: The
Apgar score for heart rate 110 = 2, weak cry = 1, some flexion = 1, grimace = 1,
acrocyanosis = 1. Total = 6. Therefore, the correct answer should be B. 6. I will
adjust the question and answer accordingly.
Question 1: A nurse is assessing a newborn's Apgar score at 1 minute after birth.
The newborn has a heart rate of 110 bpm, a weak cry, some flexion of
extremities, a grimace when stimulated, and a pink body with blue extremities.
What is the Apgar score?
A. 5
B. 6
C. 7
D. 8
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 6
,Rationale: The Apgar score components are: Heart rate >100 bpm = 2; Respiratory
effort weak cry = 1; Muscle tone some flexion = 1; Reflex irritability grimace = 1;
Color acrocyanosis (pink body, blue extremities) = 1. Total = 2+1+1+1+1 = 6.
Therefore, the correct answer is B.
Question 2: A pregnant woman at 32 weeks gestation presents with painless,
bright red vaginal bleeding. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Placenta previa
B. Abruptio placentae
C. Uterine rupture
D. Vasa previa
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Placenta previa
Rationale: Placenta previa typically presents with painless, bright red vaginal
bleeding in the third trimester. Abruptio placentae usually presents with painful
bleeding and a rigid abdomen. Uterine rupture is associated with severe
abdominal pain and fetal distress. Vasa previa presents with painless bleeding but
is less common and often associated with fetal bradycardia.
Question 3: A nurse is caring for a child with Kawasaki disease. Which clinical
manifestation is most characteristic of this condition?
A. Strawberry tongue
B. Koplik spots
C. Harlequin sign
D. Moro reflex
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Strawberry tongue
Rationale: Kawasaki disease is characterized by conjunctivitis, rash, edema of
hands and feet, fever, and strawberry tongue. Koplik spots are associated with
measles. Harlequin sign is a benign color change in newborns. Moro reflex is a
normal newborn reflex.
Question 4: A nurse is teaching a parent about the administration of digoxin to a
child. Which statement by the parent indicates a need for further teaching?
,A. "I will check the pulse before giving the medication."
B. "I will give the medication if the pulse is 80 beats per minute."
C. "I will notify the doctor if the pulse is below 90 beats per minute."
D. "I will mix the medication with food if the child refuses to take it."
CORRECT ANSWER: B. "I will give the medication if the pulse is 80 beats per
minute."
Rationale: Digoxin should be withheld if the pulse is below 90 beats per minute in
infants or below 70 beats per minute in children. Giving digoxin when the pulse is
80 bpm in a child could lead to toxicity. Checking the pulse before administration
is correct. Notifying the doctor for a low pulse is correct. Mixing with food is
acceptable but not preferred.
Question 5: A nurse is assessing a newborn for signs of hypoglycemia. Which
finding is most indicative of hypoglycemia in a newborn?
A. Jitteriness
B. Bradycardia
C. Hyperthermia
D. Hypertension
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Jitteriness
Rationale: Hypoglycemia in newborns can present with jitteriness, tremors, poor
feeding, lethargy, and seizures. Bradycardia, hyperthermia, and hypertension are
not typical signs of hypoglycemia.
Question 6: A nurse is reviewing the immunization schedule for a 2-month-old
infant. Which vaccines are due at this age?
A. DTaP, IPV, Hib, PCV, Rotavirus
B. MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis A
C. Tdap, HPV, Meningococcal
D. Hepatitis B, Influenza, Pneumococcal
CORRECT ANSWER: A. DTaP, IPV, Hib, PCV, Rotavirus
Rationale: At 2 months, the recommended vaccines are DTaP, IPV, Hib, PCV, and
Rotavirus. MMR and Varicella are given at 12 months. Tdap, HPV, and
, Meningococcal are for adolescents. Hepatitis B is given at birth, 1-2 months, and 6
months. Influenza is given at 6 months and older.
Question 7: A nurse is caring for a postpartum woman who is breastfeeding.
Which instruction should the nurse include to promote successful lactation?
A. "Feed the baby every 4 hours."
B. "Limit feeding to 10 minutes per breast."
C. "Feed on demand, at least 8-12 times per day."
D. "Supplement with formula if the baby seems hungry."
CORRECT ANSWER: C. "Feed on demand, at least 8-12 times per day."
Rationale: Breastfeeding should be on demand, typically 8-12 times per day, to
establish milk supply. Feeding every 4 hours is too infrequent. Limiting feeding
time can reduce milk supply. Supplementing with formula can interfere with
lactation.
Question 8: A nurse is assessing a child with suspected epiglottitis. Which
finding is most concerning?
A. Drooling
B. Barking cough
C. Hoarseness
D. Inspiratory stridor
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Drooling
Rationale: Epiglottitis is a medical emergency characterized by drooling, difficulty
swallowing, high fever, and stridor. Drooling indicates inability to swallow
secretions and is a sign of impending airway obstruction. Barking cough is
associated with croup. Hoarseness and stridor can occur but drooling is most
concerning.
Question 9: A nurse is providing education to a pregnant woman about fetal
movement counting. Which statement indicates correct understanding?
A. "I should count fetal movements for 1 hour after each meal."
B. "I should feel at least 10 movements in 2 hours."
Guide, Maternity & Pediatric Nursing Exam Prep, Practice Questions with Answers &
Rationales, Prenatal Care, Pregnancy, Labor & Delivery, Postpartum Care, Newborn
Nursing, Growth & Development, Pediatric Assessment, Pediatric Disorders,
Medication Administration & Family-Centered Care
Question 1: A nurse is assessing a newborn's Apgar score at 1 minute after birth.
The newborn has a heart rate of 110 bpm, a weak cry, some flexion of
extremities, a grimace when stimulated, and a pink body with blue extremities.
What is the Apgar score?
A. 5
B. 6
C. 7
D. 8
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 7
Rationale: The Apgar score is calculated as follows: Heart rate >100 = 2, weak cry
= 1, some flexion = 1, grimace = 1, acrocyanosis = 1. Total = 2+1+1+1+1 = 6? Wait,
let me recalculate: Heart rate 110 = 2, weak cry = 1, some flexion = 1, grimace = 1,
acrocyanosis = 1. Total = 6. Actually, the correct score is 7? Let me re-evaluate:
Heart rate >100 = 2, respiratory effort weak = 1, muscle tone some flexion = 1,
reflex irritability grimace = 1, color acrocyanosis = 1. Total = 6. However, the
question states "pink body with blue extremities" which is acrocyanosis = 1. So
total = 6. But the correct answer given is C. 7. This is an error. Let me correct: The
Apgar score for heart rate 110 = 2, weak cry = 1, some flexion = 1, grimace = 1,
acrocyanosis = 1. Total = 6. Therefore, the correct answer should be B. 6. I will
adjust the question and answer accordingly.
Question 1: A nurse is assessing a newborn's Apgar score at 1 minute after birth.
The newborn has a heart rate of 110 bpm, a weak cry, some flexion of
extremities, a grimace when stimulated, and a pink body with blue extremities.
What is the Apgar score?
A. 5
B. 6
C. 7
D. 8
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 6
,Rationale: The Apgar score components are: Heart rate >100 bpm = 2; Respiratory
effort weak cry = 1; Muscle tone some flexion = 1; Reflex irritability grimace = 1;
Color acrocyanosis (pink body, blue extremities) = 1. Total = 2+1+1+1+1 = 6.
Therefore, the correct answer is B.
Question 2: A pregnant woman at 32 weeks gestation presents with painless,
bright red vaginal bleeding. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Placenta previa
B. Abruptio placentae
C. Uterine rupture
D. Vasa previa
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Placenta previa
Rationale: Placenta previa typically presents with painless, bright red vaginal
bleeding in the third trimester. Abruptio placentae usually presents with painful
bleeding and a rigid abdomen. Uterine rupture is associated with severe
abdominal pain and fetal distress. Vasa previa presents with painless bleeding but
is less common and often associated with fetal bradycardia.
Question 3: A nurse is caring for a child with Kawasaki disease. Which clinical
manifestation is most characteristic of this condition?
A. Strawberry tongue
B. Koplik spots
C. Harlequin sign
D. Moro reflex
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Strawberry tongue
Rationale: Kawasaki disease is characterized by conjunctivitis, rash, edema of
hands and feet, fever, and strawberry tongue. Koplik spots are associated with
measles. Harlequin sign is a benign color change in newborns. Moro reflex is a
normal newborn reflex.
Question 4: A nurse is teaching a parent about the administration of digoxin to a
child. Which statement by the parent indicates a need for further teaching?
,A. "I will check the pulse before giving the medication."
B. "I will give the medication if the pulse is 80 beats per minute."
C. "I will notify the doctor if the pulse is below 90 beats per minute."
D. "I will mix the medication with food if the child refuses to take it."
CORRECT ANSWER: B. "I will give the medication if the pulse is 80 beats per
minute."
Rationale: Digoxin should be withheld if the pulse is below 90 beats per minute in
infants or below 70 beats per minute in children. Giving digoxin when the pulse is
80 bpm in a child could lead to toxicity. Checking the pulse before administration
is correct. Notifying the doctor for a low pulse is correct. Mixing with food is
acceptable but not preferred.
Question 5: A nurse is assessing a newborn for signs of hypoglycemia. Which
finding is most indicative of hypoglycemia in a newborn?
A. Jitteriness
B. Bradycardia
C. Hyperthermia
D. Hypertension
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Jitteriness
Rationale: Hypoglycemia in newborns can present with jitteriness, tremors, poor
feeding, lethargy, and seizures. Bradycardia, hyperthermia, and hypertension are
not typical signs of hypoglycemia.
Question 6: A nurse is reviewing the immunization schedule for a 2-month-old
infant. Which vaccines are due at this age?
A. DTaP, IPV, Hib, PCV, Rotavirus
B. MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis A
C. Tdap, HPV, Meningococcal
D. Hepatitis B, Influenza, Pneumococcal
CORRECT ANSWER: A. DTaP, IPV, Hib, PCV, Rotavirus
Rationale: At 2 months, the recommended vaccines are DTaP, IPV, Hib, PCV, and
Rotavirus. MMR and Varicella are given at 12 months. Tdap, HPV, and
, Meningococcal are for adolescents. Hepatitis B is given at birth, 1-2 months, and 6
months. Influenza is given at 6 months and older.
Question 7: A nurse is caring for a postpartum woman who is breastfeeding.
Which instruction should the nurse include to promote successful lactation?
A. "Feed the baby every 4 hours."
B. "Limit feeding to 10 minutes per breast."
C. "Feed on demand, at least 8-12 times per day."
D. "Supplement with formula if the baby seems hungry."
CORRECT ANSWER: C. "Feed on demand, at least 8-12 times per day."
Rationale: Breastfeeding should be on demand, typically 8-12 times per day, to
establish milk supply. Feeding every 4 hours is too infrequent. Limiting feeding
time can reduce milk supply. Supplementing with formula can interfere with
lactation.
Question 8: A nurse is assessing a child with suspected epiglottitis. Which
finding is most concerning?
A. Drooling
B. Barking cough
C. Hoarseness
D. Inspiratory stridor
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Drooling
Rationale: Epiglottitis is a medical emergency characterized by drooling, difficulty
swallowing, high fever, and stridor. Drooling indicates inability to swallow
secretions and is a sign of impending airway obstruction. Barking cough is
associated with croup. Hoarseness and stridor can occur but drooling is most
concerning.
Question 9: A nurse is providing education to a pregnant woman about fetal
movement counting. Which statement indicates correct understanding?
A. "I should count fetal movements for 1 hour after each meal."
B. "I should feel at least 10 movements in 2 hours."
