PN 3003 MATERNAL-PEDIATRIC EXAM 2026 – 200+ REAL
BOARD-STYLE QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALE
Section 1: Antepartum Care (Q1–Q25)
Q1. A nurse is calculating the estimated date of delivery (EDD) for a
client whose last menstrual period began on March 10. Using
Naegele's rule, what is the EDD?
A. December 10
B. December 17
C. December 3
D. December 24
Answer: B
Rationale: Naegele's rule: subtract 3 months from the first day of the LMP
and add 7 days. March 10 − 3 months = December 10; + 7 days =
December 17.
Q2. A client at 12 weeks' gestation asks when she will feel fetal
movement. The nurse should respond:
A. "You should feel it now."
B. "Most women feel it between 16 and 20 weeks."
C. "You will feel it at 28 weeks."
D. "It varies; some feel it at 8 weeks."
Answer: B
Rationale: Quickening (first fetal movement) is typically felt between 16
and 20 weeks in primigravidas and slightly earlier in multigravidas.
,Q3. A nurse is assessing a client at 36 weeks' gestation. Which
finding should be reported immediately?
A. Braxton Hicks contractions
B. Blood pressure 158/98 mm Hg
C. Mild ankle edema
D. Heartburn
Answer: B
Rationale: A blood pressure of 158/98 mm Hg at 36 weeks may indicate
preeclampsia and requires immediate evaluation.
Q4. A client at 10 weeks' gestation reports nausea and vomiting.
Which instruction should the nurse provide?
A. "Eat three large meals daily."
B. "Eat dry crackers before getting out of bed."
C. "Avoid all fluids."
D. "Take aspirin for nausea."
Answer: B
Rationale: Eating dry crackers before rising helps reduce morning
sickness. Small, frequent meals and adequate hydration are
recommended.
Q5. A nurse is teaching a client about folic acid. Which statement
indicates understanding?
A. "I should take 400 mcg daily."
B. "I only need it after delivery."
C. "It prevents gestational diabetes."
D. "It replaces iron."
Answer: A
Rationale: Folic acid 400 mcg daily (4 mg if high risk) is recommended to
prevent neural tube defects.
,Q6. A client is at 28 weeks' gestation. Which test screens for
gestational diabetes?
A. Amniocentesis
B. Glucose challenge test
C. Biophysical profile
D. Chorionic villus sampling
Answer: B
Rationale: The glucose challenge test (1-hour GCT) screens for
gestational diabetes between 24 and 28 weeks.
Q7. A nurse is assessing a client at 20 weeks' gestation. The fundal
height should be at which level?
A. Symphysis pubis
B. Umbilicus
C. Xiphoid process
D. Pelvic brim
Answer: B
Rationale: At 20 weeks, the fundus is typically at the level of the umbilicus.
Fundal height in cm roughly equals weeks of gestation between 20 and 36
weeks.
Q8. A client at 8 weeks' gestation reports cramping and vaginal
bleeding. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Reassure the client
B. Assess the amount of bleeding and pain
C. Tell her to rest
D. Schedule an ultrasound
Answer: B
Rationale: Assess bleeding and pain first to determine the severity. This
may indicate miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.
, Q9. A nurse is teaching a client about prenatal nutrition. Which food
should the client avoid?
A. Pasteurized milk
B. Raw fish
C. Cooked eggs
D. Fresh fruit
Answer: B
Rationale: Raw fish may contain parasites or bacteria (e.g., Listeria).
Pregnant women should avoid raw fish, unpasteurized dairy, and deli
meats.
Q10. A client is Rh-negative and her partner is Rh-positive. Which
medication should the nurse anticipate administering at 28 weeks?
A. Rho(D) immune globulin (RhoGAM)
B. Oxytocin
C. Magnesium sulfate
D. Betamethasone
Answer: A
Rationale: RhoGAM prevents Rh sensitization. It is given at 28 weeks and
within 72 hours of delivery if the newborn is Rh-positive.
Q11. A nurse is assessing a client at 32 weeks' gestation. Which
finding indicates a potential complication?
A. Fetal heart rate 140/min
B. Blood pressure 90/60 mm Hg
C. Visual disturbances and headache
D. Mild back pain
Answer: C
Rationale: Visual disturbances and headache may indicate preeclampsia
and require immediate evaluation.
BOARD-STYLE QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALE
Section 1: Antepartum Care (Q1–Q25)
Q1. A nurse is calculating the estimated date of delivery (EDD) for a
client whose last menstrual period began on March 10. Using
Naegele's rule, what is the EDD?
A. December 10
B. December 17
C. December 3
D. December 24
Answer: B
Rationale: Naegele's rule: subtract 3 months from the first day of the LMP
and add 7 days. March 10 − 3 months = December 10; + 7 days =
December 17.
Q2. A client at 12 weeks' gestation asks when she will feel fetal
movement. The nurse should respond:
A. "You should feel it now."
B. "Most women feel it between 16 and 20 weeks."
C. "You will feel it at 28 weeks."
D. "It varies; some feel it at 8 weeks."
Answer: B
Rationale: Quickening (first fetal movement) is typically felt between 16
and 20 weeks in primigravidas and slightly earlier in multigravidas.
,Q3. A nurse is assessing a client at 36 weeks' gestation. Which
finding should be reported immediately?
A. Braxton Hicks contractions
B. Blood pressure 158/98 mm Hg
C. Mild ankle edema
D. Heartburn
Answer: B
Rationale: A blood pressure of 158/98 mm Hg at 36 weeks may indicate
preeclampsia and requires immediate evaluation.
Q4. A client at 10 weeks' gestation reports nausea and vomiting.
Which instruction should the nurse provide?
A. "Eat three large meals daily."
B. "Eat dry crackers before getting out of bed."
C. "Avoid all fluids."
D. "Take aspirin for nausea."
Answer: B
Rationale: Eating dry crackers before rising helps reduce morning
sickness. Small, frequent meals and adequate hydration are
recommended.
Q5. A nurse is teaching a client about folic acid. Which statement
indicates understanding?
A. "I should take 400 mcg daily."
B. "I only need it after delivery."
C. "It prevents gestational diabetes."
D. "It replaces iron."
Answer: A
Rationale: Folic acid 400 mcg daily (4 mg if high risk) is recommended to
prevent neural tube defects.
,Q6. A client is at 28 weeks' gestation. Which test screens for
gestational diabetes?
A. Amniocentesis
B. Glucose challenge test
C. Biophysical profile
D. Chorionic villus sampling
Answer: B
Rationale: The glucose challenge test (1-hour GCT) screens for
gestational diabetes between 24 and 28 weeks.
Q7. A nurse is assessing a client at 20 weeks' gestation. The fundal
height should be at which level?
A. Symphysis pubis
B. Umbilicus
C. Xiphoid process
D. Pelvic brim
Answer: B
Rationale: At 20 weeks, the fundus is typically at the level of the umbilicus.
Fundal height in cm roughly equals weeks of gestation between 20 and 36
weeks.
Q8. A client at 8 weeks' gestation reports cramping and vaginal
bleeding. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Reassure the client
B. Assess the amount of bleeding and pain
C. Tell her to rest
D. Schedule an ultrasound
Answer: B
Rationale: Assess bleeding and pain first to determine the severity. This
may indicate miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.
, Q9. A nurse is teaching a client about prenatal nutrition. Which food
should the client avoid?
A. Pasteurized milk
B. Raw fish
C. Cooked eggs
D. Fresh fruit
Answer: B
Rationale: Raw fish may contain parasites or bacteria (e.g., Listeria).
Pregnant women should avoid raw fish, unpasteurized dairy, and deli
meats.
Q10. A client is Rh-negative and her partner is Rh-positive. Which
medication should the nurse anticipate administering at 28 weeks?
A. Rho(D) immune globulin (RhoGAM)
B. Oxytocin
C. Magnesium sulfate
D. Betamethasone
Answer: A
Rationale: RhoGAM prevents Rh sensitization. It is given at 28 weeks and
within 72 hours of delivery if the newborn is Rh-positive.
Q11. A nurse is assessing a client at 32 weeks' gestation. Which
finding indicates a potential complication?
A. Fetal heart rate 140/min
B. Blood pressure 90/60 mm Hg
C. Visual disturbances and headache
D. Mild back pain
Answer: C
Rationale: Visual disturbances and headache may indicate preeclampsia
and require immediate evaluation.
