,NUR 204 Final Exam Maternal-Newborn Nursing Questions And
Answers 2026/2027 Jersey College
Q1. Which placental hormone helps maintain the corpus luteum
during early pregnancy so progesterone production continues?
A) Prolactin
B) Human chorionic gonadotropin
C) Oxytocin
D) Follicle-stimulating hormone
Correct Answer: B) Human chorionic gonadotropin
Rationale: Human chorionic gonadotropin maintains the corpus luteum
during early pregnancy, allowing continued progesterone production until the
placenta assumes sufficient hormone production.
Q2. Which function of progesterone is particularly important for
maintenance of pregnancy?
A) Increasing uterine contractility
B) Stimulating ovulation throughout pregnancy
C) Promoting cervical dilation
D) Supporting the endometrium while reducing uterine smooth-muscle
activity
Correct Answer: D) Supporting the endometrium while reducing uterine
smooth-muscle activity
Rationale: Progesterone supports the uterine lining and decreases
myometrial excitability, helping maintain an environment suitable for
pregnancy.
Q3. A pregnant client is heterozygous for an autosomal dominant
disorder. The other parent does not carry the abnormal allele. What
is the probability that each child will inherit the disorder?
A) 50%
B) 25%
C) 75%
D) 100%
Correct Answer: A) 50%
,Rationale: A heterozygous affected parent has one normal and one
abnormal allele, giving each pregnancy a 50% chance of inheriting the
dominant allele.
Q4. Which statement best distinguishes a screening test from a
diagnostic prenatal test?
A) Screening tests determine with certainty whether a disorder is present
B) Diagnostic tests estimate only population-level risk
C) Screening estimates risk, whereas diagnostic testing can provide more
definitive information about a specific condition
D) Screening tests are always invasive
Correct Answer: C) Screening estimates risk, whereas diagnostic testing can
provide more definitive information about a specific condition
Rationale: Screening identifies pregnancies at increased probability for a
condition, while diagnostic testing directly evaluates fetal cells,
chromosomes, genes, or other specific findings.
Q5. Which fetal shunt permits oxygenated blood arriving from the
inferior vena cava to move from the right atrium toward the
systemic circulation while largely bypassing the lungs?
A) Ductus arteriosus
B) Ductus venosus
C) Foramen ovale
D) Umbilical artery
Correct Answer: C) Foramen ovale
Rationale: The foramen ovale directs blood from the right atrium into the
left atrium, helping bypass the high-resistance fetal pulmonary circulation.
Q6. What is the primary role of amniotic fluid during fetal
development?
A) Provide the fetus's entire oxygen supply
B) Cushion the fetus, permit movement, and support temperature stability
and development
C) Replace placental nutrient exchange
D) Prevent all congenital abnormalities
Correct Answer: B) Cushion the fetus, permit movement, and support
temperature stability and development
, Rationale: Amniotic fluid protects against mechanical injury, permits
movement and symmetrical growth, supports lung development, and helps
maintain a stable environment.
Q7. Which finding may occur when amniotic fluid volume is markedly
reduced for an extended period?
A) Excessive fetal movement from increased intrauterine space
B) Maternal hyperglycemia
C) Increased placental hormone secretion
D) Fetal compression and impaired pulmonary development
Correct Answer: D) Fetal compression and impaired pulmonary development
Rationale: Severe oligohydramnios can restrict fetal movement, cause
compression-related abnormalities, and interfere with normal pulmonary
development.
Q8. Why is maternal exposure to certain infections particularly
concerning during early fetal development?
A) Infection during organogenesis may interfere with formation of developing
organs
B) The placenta transmits every maternal infection to the fetus
C) Fetal immunity is fully mature during the first trimester
D) Congenital infection occurs only during labor
Correct Answer: A) Infection during organogenesis may interfere with
formation of developing organs
Rationale: Early gestation is a critical period of differentiation and organ
formation, so some congenital infections can produce major developmental
abnormalities.
CHAPTER 2 — PREGNANCY ADAPTATIONS AND PRENATAL NURSING CARE
Q9. A pregnant client reports occasional light-headedness when
rising quickly from a chair. Which instruction is most appropriate?
A) Restrict oral fluids
B) Change positions gradually and pause before standing
C) Remain on strict bed rest
D) Increase caffeine intake
Correct Answer: B) Change positions gradually and pause before standing
Answers 2026/2027 Jersey College
Q1. Which placental hormone helps maintain the corpus luteum
during early pregnancy so progesterone production continues?
A) Prolactin
B) Human chorionic gonadotropin
C) Oxytocin
D) Follicle-stimulating hormone
Correct Answer: B) Human chorionic gonadotropin
Rationale: Human chorionic gonadotropin maintains the corpus luteum
during early pregnancy, allowing continued progesterone production until the
placenta assumes sufficient hormone production.
Q2. Which function of progesterone is particularly important for
maintenance of pregnancy?
A) Increasing uterine contractility
B) Stimulating ovulation throughout pregnancy
C) Promoting cervical dilation
D) Supporting the endometrium while reducing uterine smooth-muscle
activity
Correct Answer: D) Supporting the endometrium while reducing uterine
smooth-muscle activity
Rationale: Progesterone supports the uterine lining and decreases
myometrial excitability, helping maintain an environment suitable for
pregnancy.
Q3. A pregnant client is heterozygous for an autosomal dominant
disorder. The other parent does not carry the abnormal allele. What
is the probability that each child will inherit the disorder?
A) 50%
B) 25%
C) 75%
D) 100%
Correct Answer: A) 50%
,Rationale: A heterozygous affected parent has one normal and one
abnormal allele, giving each pregnancy a 50% chance of inheriting the
dominant allele.
Q4. Which statement best distinguishes a screening test from a
diagnostic prenatal test?
A) Screening tests determine with certainty whether a disorder is present
B) Diagnostic tests estimate only population-level risk
C) Screening estimates risk, whereas diagnostic testing can provide more
definitive information about a specific condition
D) Screening tests are always invasive
Correct Answer: C) Screening estimates risk, whereas diagnostic testing can
provide more definitive information about a specific condition
Rationale: Screening identifies pregnancies at increased probability for a
condition, while diagnostic testing directly evaluates fetal cells,
chromosomes, genes, or other specific findings.
Q5. Which fetal shunt permits oxygenated blood arriving from the
inferior vena cava to move from the right atrium toward the
systemic circulation while largely bypassing the lungs?
A) Ductus arteriosus
B) Ductus venosus
C) Foramen ovale
D) Umbilical artery
Correct Answer: C) Foramen ovale
Rationale: The foramen ovale directs blood from the right atrium into the
left atrium, helping bypass the high-resistance fetal pulmonary circulation.
Q6. What is the primary role of amniotic fluid during fetal
development?
A) Provide the fetus's entire oxygen supply
B) Cushion the fetus, permit movement, and support temperature stability
and development
C) Replace placental nutrient exchange
D) Prevent all congenital abnormalities
Correct Answer: B) Cushion the fetus, permit movement, and support
temperature stability and development
, Rationale: Amniotic fluid protects against mechanical injury, permits
movement and symmetrical growth, supports lung development, and helps
maintain a stable environment.
Q7. Which finding may occur when amniotic fluid volume is markedly
reduced for an extended period?
A) Excessive fetal movement from increased intrauterine space
B) Maternal hyperglycemia
C) Increased placental hormone secretion
D) Fetal compression and impaired pulmonary development
Correct Answer: D) Fetal compression and impaired pulmonary development
Rationale: Severe oligohydramnios can restrict fetal movement, cause
compression-related abnormalities, and interfere with normal pulmonary
development.
Q8. Why is maternal exposure to certain infections particularly
concerning during early fetal development?
A) Infection during organogenesis may interfere with formation of developing
organs
B) The placenta transmits every maternal infection to the fetus
C) Fetal immunity is fully mature during the first trimester
D) Congenital infection occurs only during labor
Correct Answer: A) Infection during organogenesis may interfere with
formation of developing organs
Rationale: Early gestation is a critical period of differentiation and organ
formation, so some congenital infections can produce major developmental
abnormalities.
CHAPTER 2 — PREGNANCY ADAPTATIONS AND PRENATAL NURSING CARE
Q9. A pregnant client reports occasional light-headedness when
rising quickly from a chair. Which instruction is most appropriate?
A) Restrict oral fluids
B) Change positions gradually and pause before standing
C) Remain on strict bed rest
D) Increase caffeine intake
Correct Answer: B) Change positions gradually and pause before standing
