NUR 254 MATERNAL EXAM 3 COMPREHENSIVE |
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | 2026 UPDATED |
100% CORRECT - GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING.
146 Questions with Answers and Detailed Rationales
100 PERCENT GUARANTEED PASS
INSTANT DOWNLOAD ANSWERS INCLUDED
IMPORTANCE OF THIS DOCUMENT
This comprehensive examination preparation guide has been meticulously developed to help you succeed in the
NUR 254 MATERNAL EXAM 3 COMPREHENSIVE | QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | 2026 UPDATED | 100%
CORRECT - GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING.. It contains 146 carefully selected questions that reflect the most
current exam content and testing strategies. Each question is accompanied by a correct answer and a detailed
rationale that explains the underlying pathophysiology, pharmacology, or clinical reasoning.
Self-Assessment – Test your knowledge and Exam Preparation – Familiarize yourself with the
identify areas requiring further question format and content
study areas
Concept Reinforcement – Deepen your Confidence Building – Develop test-taking
understanding through strategies and reduce
evidence-based exam anxiety
rationales
Time Management – Practice answering
questions under simulated
exam conditions
Review Summary 146 Questions
Foundations - Application - NUR 254 Maternal 3 Comprehensive AND 2026 Updated 100 Correct - Galen
College OF Nursing Maternal-newborn Nursing NUR 254 Undergraduate YEAR 3 Baccalaureate Nursing
Prelicensure
All answers with rationales
,Table of Contents
Content Area Questions Key Topics
Antepartum CARE AND Fetal 1-25 Postpartum, Finding, Gestation, Indicates, First
Assessment
Intrapartum CARE AND 26-50 Finding, Weeks Gestation, Receiving, Postpartum, Labor
Labor Management
Postpartum CARE AND 51-75 Weeks Gestation, Labor, Postpartum, Finding, Receiving
Complications
Newborn CARE AND 76-100 Finding, Weeks Gestation, Receiving, Labor, Fetal
Neonatal Assessment
High-risk Pregnancy AND 101-125 Weeks Gestation, Fetal, First, Labor, Anticipate
Obstetric Complications
Pharmacological Therapies 126-146 Finding, Receiving, Weeks Gestation, Magnesium, Preeclampsia
IN Maternal-newborn Nursing
TOTAL 146 All questions include answers and detailed rationales
,Section A - Antepartum CARE AND Fetal Assessment
Q1.
A patient receiving magnesium sulfate for preeclampsia has a serum magnesium level of
8.2 mEq/L. Which assessment finding requires the most immediate intervention?
A. Respiratory rate of 11 breaths/min B. Blood pressure 138/86 mm Hg
C. Urine output 35 mL/hr D. Deep tendon reflexes 2+
Correct: A - Respiratory rate of 11 breaths/min
Rationale:Therapeutic magnesium range is 4–7 mEq/L; a level of 8.2 mEq/L indicates early
toxicity, and a respiratory rate below 12 signals impending respiratory depression requiring
immediate action (stop infusion, prepare calcium gluconate). The other findings are within
acceptable parameters or expected.
Why the other answers are wrong:
B. Blood pressure 138/86 is elevated but not immediately life-threatening compared to
respiratory depression.
C. Urine output of 35 mL/hr exceeds the 30 mL/hr minimum threshold for magnesium safety.
D. Deep tendon reflexes of 2+ are normal; loss of reflexes would indicate toxicity.
Reference: Lowdermilk et al. (2024). Maternity & Women's Health Care, 13th Ed., Ch. 19
Q2.
Which fetal heart rate pattern indicates the need to reposition the patient to a left lateral
position as the first intervention?
A. Variable decelerations with a rapid return B. Prolonged deceleration lasting 45
to baseline seconds
C. Early decelerations occurring with D. Accelerations with fetal movement
contractions
Correct: B - Prolonged deceleration lasting 45 seconds
Rationale:A prolonged deceleration lasting >2 minutes (or 45 seconds in this case
approaching significant) suggests umbilical cord compression or uteroplacental insufficiency;
maternal repositioning is the first-line intervention. Early decelerations are benign,
accelerations are reassuring, and variable decelerations also require repositioning but are
less emergent than prolonged decelerations.
Why the other answers are wrong:
A. Variable decelerations require amnioinfusion or repositioning but are not as immediately
concerning as prolonged decelerations.
C. Early decelerations are benign and require no intervention.
Page 3
, Section A - Antepartum CARE AND Fetal Assessment
D. Accelerations are a reassuring sign, not a deceleration requiring intervention.
Reference: AWHONN (2023). Fetal Heart Monitoring Principles and Practices, 6th Ed.
Q3.
A postpartum patient who delivered 2 hours ago has a boggy uterus and saturated
perineal pad within 15 minutes. After fundal massage, the uterus remains boggy. Which
medication should the nurse anticipate administering first?
A. Methylergonovine B. Carboprost tromethamine
C. Oxytocin D. Misoprostol
Correct: C - Oxytocin
Rationale:Oxytocin is the first-line uterotonic for postpartum hemorrhage due to its rapid
onset and safety profile. Methylergonovine is contraindicated in hypertension, carboprost in
asthma, and misoprostol is typically used when other agents fail or are contraindicated.
Why the other answers are wrong:
A. Methylergonovine is contraindicated in hypertensive patients and is not first-line.
B. Carboprost is contraindicated in asthma and is reserved for refractory cases.
D. Misoprostol is used when other uterotonics are ineffective or contraindicated.
Reference: ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 183 (2023). Postpartum Hemorrhage.
Q4.
A patient at 34 weeks gestation presents with painless, bright red vaginal bleeding. Which
assessment finding is most consistent with placenta previa?
A. Board-like rigid abdomen B. Soft, nontender uterus
C. Uterine tenderness with contractions D. Fetal bradycardia with late decelerations
Correct: B - Soft, nontender uterus
Rationale:Placenta previa classically presents with painless, bright red bleeding and a soft,
nontender uterus. A rigid abdomen suggests abruption, tenderness suggests abruption or
labor, and fetal bradycardia may occur in abruption but is not specific to previa.
Why the other answers are wrong:
A. Board-like rigidity indicates placental abruption, not previa.
C. Uterine tenderness is associated with abruption, not previa.
D. Fetal bradycardia can occur in abruption but is not the hallmark of previa.
Reference: Lowdermilk et al. (2024). Maternity & Women's Health Care, 13th Ed., Ch. 18
Page 4
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | 2026 UPDATED |
100% CORRECT - GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING.
146 Questions with Answers and Detailed Rationales
100 PERCENT GUARANTEED PASS
INSTANT DOWNLOAD ANSWERS INCLUDED
IMPORTANCE OF THIS DOCUMENT
This comprehensive examination preparation guide has been meticulously developed to help you succeed in the
NUR 254 MATERNAL EXAM 3 COMPREHENSIVE | QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | 2026 UPDATED | 100%
CORRECT - GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING.. It contains 146 carefully selected questions that reflect the most
current exam content and testing strategies. Each question is accompanied by a correct answer and a detailed
rationale that explains the underlying pathophysiology, pharmacology, or clinical reasoning.
Self-Assessment – Test your knowledge and Exam Preparation – Familiarize yourself with the
identify areas requiring further question format and content
study areas
Concept Reinforcement – Deepen your Confidence Building – Develop test-taking
understanding through strategies and reduce
evidence-based exam anxiety
rationales
Time Management – Practice answering
questions under simulated
exam conditions
Review Summary 146 Questions
Foundations - Application - NUR 254 Maternal 3 Comprehensive AND 2026 Updated 100 Correct - Galen
College OF Nursing Maternal-newborn Nursing NUR 254 Undergraduate YEAR 3 Baccalaureate Nursing
Prelicensure
All answers with rationales
,Table of Contents
Content Area Questions Key Topics
Antepartum CARE AND Fetal 1-25 Postpartum, Finding, Gestation, Indicates, First
Assessment
Intrapartum CARE AND 26-50 Finding, Weeks Gestation, Receiving, Postpartum, Labor
Labor Management
Postpartum CARE AND 51-75 Weeks Gestation, Labor, Postpartum, Finding, Receiving
Complications
Newborn CARE AND 76-100 Finding, Weeks Gestation, Receiving, Labor, Fetal
Neonatal Assessment
High-risk Pregnancy AND 101-125 Weeks Gestation, Fetal, First, Labor, Anticipate
Obstetric Complications
Pharmacological Therapies 126-146 Finding, Receiving, Weeks Gestation, Magnesium, Preeclampsia
IN Maternal-newborn Nursing
TOTAL 146 All questions include answers and detailed rationales
,Section A - Antepartum CARE AND Fetal Assessment
Q1.
A patient receiving magnesium sulfate for preeclampsia has a serum magnesium level of
8.2 mEq/L. Which assessment finding requires the most immediate intervention?
A. Respiratory rate of 11 breaths/min B. Blood pressure 138/86 mm Hg
C. Urine output 35 mL/hr D. Deep tendon reflexes 2+
Correct: A - Respiratory rate of 11 breaths/min
Rationale:Therapeutic magnesium range is 4–7 mEq/L; a level of 8.2 mEq/L indicates early
toxicity, and a respiratory rate below 12 signals impending respiratory depression requiring
immediate action (stop infusion, prepare calcium gluconate). The other findings are within
acceptable parameters or expected.
Why the other answers are wrong:
B. Blood pressure 138/86 is elevated but not immediately life-threatening compared to
respiratory depression.
C. Urine output of 35 mL/hr exceeds the 30 mL/hr minimum threshold for magnesium safety.
D. Deep tendon reflexes of 2+ are normal; loss of reflexes would indicate toxicity.
Reference: Lowdermilk et al. (2024). Maternity & Women's Health Care, 13th Ed., Ch. 19
Q2.
Which fetal heart rate pattern indicates the need to reposition the patient to a left lateral
position as the first intervention?
A. Variable decelerations with a rapid return B. Prolonged deceleration lasting 45
to baseline seconds
C. Early decelerations occurring with D. Accelerations with fetal movement
contractions
Correct: B - Prolonged deceleration lasting 45 seconds
Rationale:A prolonged deceleration lasting >2 minutes (or 45 seconds in this case
approaching significant) suggests umbilical cord compression or uteroplacental insufficiency;
maternal repositioning is the first-line intervention. Early decelerations are benign,
accelerations are reassuring, and variable decelerations also require repositioning but are
less emergent than prolonged decelerations.
Why the other answers are wrong:
A. Variable decelerations require amnioinfusion or repositioning but are not as immediately
concerning as prolonged decelerations.
C. Early decelerations are benign and require no intervention.
Page 3
, Section A - Antepartum CARE AND Fetal Assessment
D. Accelerations are a reassuring sign, not a deceleration requiring intervention.
Reference: AWHONN (2023). Fetal Heart Monitoring Principles and Practices, 6th Ed.
Q3.
A postpartum patient who delivered 2 hours ago has a boggy uterus and saturated
perineal pad within 15 minutes. After fundal massage, the uterus remains boggy. Which
medication should the nurse anticipate administering first?
A. Methylergonovine B. Carboprost tromethamine
C. Oxytocin D. Misoprostol
Correct: C - Oxytocin
Rationale:Oxytocin is the first-line uterotonic for postpartum hemorrhage due to its rapid
onset and safety profile. Methylergonovine is contraindicated in hypertension, carboprost in
asthma, and misoprostol is typically used when other agents fail or are contraindicated.
Why the other answers are wrong:
A. Methylergonovine is contraindicated in hypertensive patients and is not first-line.
B. Carboprost is contraindicated in asthma and is reserved for refractory cases.
D. Misoprostol is used when other uterotonics are ineffective or contraindicated.
Reference: ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 183 (2023). Postpartum Hemorrhage.
Q4.
A patient at 34 weeks gestation presents with painless, bright red vaginal bleeding. Which
assessment finding is most consistent with placenta previa?
A. Board-like rigid abdomen B. Soft, nontender uterus
C. Uterine tenderness with contractions D. Fetal bradycardia with late decelerations
Correct: B - Soft, nontender uterus
Rationale:Placenta previa classically presents with painless, bright red bleeding and a soft,
nontender uterus. A rigid abdomen suggests abruption, tenderness suggests abruption or
labor, and fetal bradycardia may occur in abruption but is not specific to previa.
Why the other answers are wrong:
A. Board-like rigidity indicates placental abruption, not previa.
C. Uterine tenderness is associated with abruption, not previa.
D. Fetal bradycardia can occur in abruption but is not the hallmark of previa.
Reference: Lowdermilk et al. (2024). Maternity & Women's Health Care, 13th Ed., Ch. 18
Page 4
