NSG 3500 Maternal Health Exam 2 Q&A (PDF) | Galen
Nursing | Actual Questions and Correct Answers with
Rationale Latest 2026/2027 Already Graded A+ Assured Pass
1. A nurse is caring for a client in the active phase of labor (Stage 1). The
nurse should expect cervical dilation of which measurement?
A. 0 to 3 cm
B. 4 to 7 cm
C. 8 to 10 cm
D. Full dilation
Answer: B. 4 to 7 cm
Rationale: The active phase of the first stage of labor is characterized by cervical
dilation of 4 to 7 cm. The latent phase is 0–3 cm, and the transition phase is 8–10
cm.
2. A client is experiencing irregular contractions that do not increase in
frequency or intensity with activity. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Admit the client to the labor unit
B. Instruct the client to go home and rest
C. Prepare the client for induction
D. Perform a vaginal exam
Answer: B. Instruct the client to go home and rest
Rationale: These findings are consistent with false labor (Braxton Hicks
contractions). False labor is characterized by irregular contractions that do not
increase in frequency or intensity and often decrease with activity. The client
should be instructed to go home and rest until true labor begins.
,3. The fetal heart rate tracing shows early decelerations. What is the most
appropriate nursing action?
A. Reposition the client to her side
B. Administer oxygen via face mask
C. Continue to monitor and document
D. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
Answer: C. Continue to monitor and document
Rationale: Early decelerations are caused by head compression and are considered
benign. They do not require intervention other than continued monitoring and
documentation.
4. The nurse notes late decelerations on the fetal heart rate tracing. What is
the priority intervention?
A. Increase the IV fluid rate
B. Reposition the mother to her side
C. Prepare for an emergency cesarean section
D. Administer oxygen via non-rebreather mask
Answer: B. Reposition the mother to her side
Rationale: Late decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency. The priority
intervention is to improve placental perfusion, which is best achieved by
repositioning the mother to her side.
5. The nurse notes variable decelerations on the fetal heart rate tracing.
Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
,A. Reposition the mother to her side
B. Administer oxygen
C. Notify the healthcare provider
D. Prepare for amnioinfusion
Answer: A. Reposition the mother to her side
Rationale: Variable decelerations are often caused by cord compression. Changing
the mother's position is the first-line intervention to relieve cord compression.
6. Continuous electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) is indicated for which
patients?
(Select all that apply.)
A. History of stillbirth
B. Preeclampsia/eclampsia
C. Placenta previa/abruptio
D. Multiple gestation
E. Induction of labor with oxytocin
Answer: A, B, C, D, E
Rationale: Continuous EFM is used for high-risk pregnancies or situations where
the risk of fetal compromise is increased, including a history of stillbirth,
preeclampsia/eclampsia, placenta previa/abruption, multiple gestation, prolonged
labor or PROM, and induction of labor with oxytocin.
7. Internal fetal monitoring requires which of the following conditions?
A. Intact membranes
B. Membranes to be ruptured
, C. Cervical dilation of at least 5 cm
D. Maternal consent only
Answer: B. Membranes to be ruptured
Rationale: Internal fetal monitoring, such as a fetal scalp electrode, requires
ruptured membranes for electrode placement on the fetal scalp and usually at least
2 cm of cervical dilation to allow placement of an intrauterine pressure catheter
(IUPC).
8. Intermittent auscultation of the fetal heart rate is recommended for which
type of births?
A. High-risk pregnancies
B. Low-risk and no risk factors
C. All pregnancies regardless of risk
D. Multiple gestations
Answer: B. Low-risk and no risk factors
Rationale: Intermittent auscultation is recommended for low-risk labor without
complications. It requires one-to-one care and a provider skilled in recognizing
fetal well-being and distress.
9. How often should the nurse check the fetal heart rate during the active
phase of labor when using intermittent auscultation?
A. Every 60 minutes
B. Every 30 minutes
C. Every 15 minutes
D. Every 5 minutes
Answer: C. Every 15 minutes
Nursing | Actual Questions and Correct Answers with
Rationale Latest 2026/2027 Already Graded A+ Assured Pass
1. A nurse is caring for a client in the active phase of labor (Stage 1). The
nurse should expect cervical dilation of which measurement?
A. 0 to 3 cm
B. 4 to 7 cm
C. 8 to 10 cm
D. Full dilation
Answer: B. 4 to 7 cm
Rationale: The active phase of the first stage of labor is characterized by cervical
dilation of 4 to 7 cm. The latent phase is 0–3 cm, and the transition phase is 8–10
cm.
2. A client is experiencing irregular contractions that do not increase in
frequency or intensity with activity. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Admit the client to the labor unit
B. Instruct the client to go home and rest
C. Prepare the client for induction
D. Perform a vaginal exam
Answer: B. Instruct the client to go home and rest
Rationale: These findings are consistent with false labor (Braxton Hicks
contractions). False labor is characterized by irregular contractions that do not
increase in frequency or intensity and often decrease with activity. The client
should be instructed to go home and rest until true labor begins.
,3. The fetal heart rate tracing shows early decelerations. What is the most
appropriate nursing action?
A. Reposition the client to her side
B. Administer oxygen via face mask
C. Continue to monitor and document
D. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
Answer: C. Continue to monitor and document
Rationale: Early decelerations are caused by head compression and are considered
benign. They do not require intervention other than continued monitoring and
documentation.
4. The nurse notes late decelerations on the fetal heart rate tracing. What is
the priority intervention?
A. Increase the IV fluid rate
B. Reposition the mother to her side
C. Prepare for an emergency cesarean section
D. Administer oxygen via non-rebreather mask
Answer: B. Reposition the mother to her side
Rationale: Late decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency. The priority
intervention is to improve placental perfusion, which is best achieved by
repositioning the mother to her side.
5. The nurse notes variable decelerations on the fetal heart rate tracing.
Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
,A. Reposition the mother to her side
B. Administer oxygen
C. Notify the healthcare provider
D. Prepare for amnioinfusion
Answer: A. Reposition the mother to her side
Rationale: Variable decelerations are often caused by cord compression. Changing
the mother's position is the first-line intervention to relieve cord compression.
6. Continuous electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) is indicated for which
patients?
(Select all that apply.)
A. History of stillbirth
B. Preeclampsia/eclampsia
C. Placenta previa/abruptio
D. Multiple gestation
E. Induction of labor with oxytocin
Answer: A, B, C, D, E
Rationale: Continuous EFM is used for high-risk pregnancies or situations where
the risk of fetal compromise is increased, including a history of stillbirth,
preeclampsia/eclampsia, placenta previa/abruption, multiple gestation, prolonged
labor or PROM, and induction of labor with oxytocin.
7. Internal fetal monitoring requires which of the following conditions?
A. Intact membranes
B. Membranes to be ruptured
, C. Cervical dilation of at least 5 cm
D. Maternal consent only
Answer: B. Membranes to be ruptured
Rationale: Internal fetal monitoring, such as a fetal scalp electrode, requires
ruptured membranes for electrode placement on the fetal scalp and usually at least
2 cm of cervical dilation to allow placement of an intrauterine pressure catheter
(IUPC).
8. Intermittent auscultation of the fetal heart rate is recommended for which
type of births?
A. High-risk pregnancies
B. Low-risk and no risk factors
C. All pregnancies regardless of risk
D. Multiple gestations
Answer: B. Low-risk and no risk factors
Rationale: Intermittent auscultation is recommended for low-risk labor without
complications. It requires one-to-one care and a provider skilled in recognizing
fetal well-being and distress.
9. How often should the nurse check the fetal heart rate during the active
phase of labor when using intermittent auscultation?
A. Every 60 minutes
B. Every 30 minutes
C. Every 15 minutes
D. Every 5 minutes
Answer: C. Every 15 minutes
