PASSPOINT PRO
NUR 272
High-Risk Pregnancy, Maternal & Newborn
Complications
100-Question Practice Exam
Medgar Evers College | Maternal-Child Nursing
100 10 A-D
QUESTIONS FOCUS AREAS CHOICES
QUESTIONS FIRST | ANSWER KEY + DETAILED RATIONALES AT THE END
Priority nursing care, emergency recognition, maternal complications, preterm birth, postpartum hemorrhage, and high-risk
newborn stabilization.
,NUR 272 | HIGH-RISK MATERNAL & NEWBORN COMPLICATIONS
Practice Exam Instructions
Select the single best answer for each question. Complete all 100 questions before opening the answer section if you want to use this
as a timed mock exam. The answer key and detailed explanations begin after Question 100.
Hypertensive Disorders & HELLP Syndrome
1. A client at 31 weeks has blood pressure readings of 146/94 mm Hg and 144/92 mm Hg four hours apart.
Her blood pressure was normal before pregnancy, and she has no proteinuria or severe features. Which
condition is most consistent with these findings?
A. Chronic hypertension
B. Gestational hypertension
C. Preeclampsia with severe features
D. Eclampsia
2. Which blood pressure finding in a pregnant client is considered a severe-range value that requires urgent
evaluation?
A. 138/88 mm Hg
B. 148/96 mm Hg
C. 156/102 mm Hg
D. 164/112 mm Hg
3. A pregnant client with preeclampsia reports a persistent severe headache and blurred vision. What is the
nurse's priority action?
A. Reassure the client that these are common discomforts
B. Notify the obstetric provider immediately and assess for severe features
C. Encourage ambulation to improve circulation
D. Offer a high-sodium snack
4. A client receiving magnesium sulfate for severe preeclampsia has a respiratory rate of 9/min and absent
patellar reflexes. What should the nurse do first?
A. Increase the magnesium infusion
B. Stop the magnesium infusion and call for immediate evaluation
C. Place the client flat in bed
D. Administer oxytocin
5. Which medication should be readily available for a client receiving magnesium sulfate?
A. Calcium gluconate
B. Naloxone
C. Protamine sulfate
D. Vitamin K
6. What is the primary purpose of magnesium sulfate in a client with preeclampsia with severe features?
A. To lower blood glucose
B. To prevent or treat seizures
C. To induce labor
D. To increase platelet production
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, NUR 272 | HIGH-RISK MATERNAL & NEWBORN COMPLICATIONS
7. Which laboratory pattern is most characteristic of HELLP syndrome?
A. Elevated platelets, low liver enzymes, increased hematocrit
B. Hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets
C. Low glucose, low sodium, and low creatinine
D. High platelets, low bilirubin, and low AST
8. A client with preeclampsia develops severe right upper quadrant and epigastric pain. Why is this finding
concerning?
A. It suggests liver involvement and a severe feature
B. It is an expected sign of fetal descent
C. It confirms gestational diabetes
D. It indicates normal uterine stretching
9. During an eclamptic seizure, which nursing action is most appropriate?
A. Restrain the client's arms and legs
B. Insert an object into the client's mouth
C. Turn the client to the side and protect the airway from injury
D. Leave the room to obtain medications
10. Which postpartum statement requires the most urgent follow-up after discharge?
A. My ankles are mildly swollen by evening
B. I have a severe headache with flashing lights in my vision
C. I am tired after waking with the baby
D. My appetite is greater than during labor
Placental Bleeding & Early Pregnancy Emergencies
11. A client at 34 weeks presents with painless, bright red vaginal bleeding. Which condition should the
nurse suspect first?
A. Placental abruption
B. Placenta previa
C. Uterine rupture
D. Chorioamnionitis
12. Which assessment finding is most consistent with placental abruption?
A. Painless bleeding and a soft nontender uterus
B. Painful bleeding with uterine tenderness or rigidity
C. No pain and no change in fetal status
D. Clear fluid leakage without contractions
13. A client is admitted with suspected placenta previa and vaginal bleeding. Which action should the nurse
avoid unless specifically ordered after placental location is known?
A. Applying an external fetal monitor
B. Starting an IV line
C. Performing a digital vaginal examination
D. Obtaining vital signs
PassPoint Pro Page 3
NUR 272
High-Risk Pregnancy, Maternal & Newborn
Complications
100-Question Practice Exam
Medgar Evers College | Maternal-Child Nursing
100 10 A-D
QUESTIONS FOCUS AREAS CHOICES
QUESTIONS FIRST | ANSWER KEY + DETAILED RATIONALES AT THE END
Priority nursing care, emergency recognition, maternal complications, preterm birth, postpartum hemorrhage, and high-risk
newborn stabilization.
,NUR 272 | HIGH-RISK MATERNAL & NEWBORN COMPLICATIONS
Practice Exam Instructions
Select the single best answer for each question. Complete all 100 questions before opening the answer section if you want to use this
as a timed mock exam. The answer key and detailed explanations begin after Question 100.
Hypertensive Disorders & HELLP Syndrome
1. A client at 31 weeks has blood pressure readings of 146/94 mm Hg and 144/92 mm Hg four hours apart.
Her blood pressure was normal before pregnancy, and she has no proteinuria or severe features. Which
condition is most consistent with these findings?
A. Chronic hypertension
B. Gestational hypertension
C. Preeclampsia with severe features
D. Eclampsia
2. Which blood pressure finding in a pregnant client is considered a severe-range value that requires urgent
evaluation?
A. 138/88 mm Hg
B. 148/96 mm Hg
C. 156/102 mm Hg
D. 164/112 mm Hg
3. A pregnant client with preeclampsia reports a persistent severe headache and blurred vision. What is the
nurse's priority action?
A. Reassure the client that these are common discomforts
B. Notify the obstetric provider immediately and assess for severe features
C. Encourage ambulation to improve circulation
D. Offer a high-sodium snack
4. A client receiving magnesium sulfate for severe preeclampsia has a respiratory rate of 9/min and absent
patellar reflexes. What should the nurse do first?
A. Increase the magnesium infusion
B. Stop the magnesium infusion and call for immediate evaluation
C. Place the client flat in bed
D. Administer oxytocin
5. Which medication should be readily available for a client receiving magnesium sulfate?
A. Calcium gluconate
B. Naloxone
C. Protamine sulfate
D. Vitamin K
6. What is the primary purpose of magnesium sulfate in a client with preeclampsia with severe features?
A. To lower blood glucose
B. To prevent or treat seizures
C. To induce labor
D. To increase platelet production
PassPoint Pro Page 2
, NUR 272 | HIGH-RISK MATERNAL & NEWBORN COMPLICATIONS
7. Which laboratory pattern is most characteristic of HELLP syndrome?
A. Elevated platelets, low liver enzymes, increased hematocrit
B. Hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets
C. Low glucose, low sodium, and low creatinine
D. High platelets, low bilirubin, and low AST
8. A client with preeclampsia develops severe right upper quadrant and epigastric pain. Why is this finding
concerning?
A. It suggests liver involvement and a severe feature
B. It is an expected sign of fetal descent
C. It confirms gestational diabetes
D. It indicates normal uterine stretching
9. During an eclamptic seizure, which nursing action is most appropriate?
A. Restrain the client's arms and legs
B. Insert an object into the client's mouth
C. Turn the client to the side and protect the airway from injury
D. Leave the room to obtain medications
10. Which postpartum statement requires the most urgent follow-up after discharge?
A. My ankles are mildly swollen by evening
B. I have a severe headache with flashing lights in my vision
C. I am tired after waking with the baby
D. My appetite is greater than during labor
Placental Bleeding & Early Pregnancy Emergencies
11. A client at 34 weeks presents with painless, bright red vaginal bleeding. Which condition should the
nurse suspect first?
A. Placental abruption
B. Placenta previa
C. Uterine rupture
D. Chorioamnionitis
12. Which assessment finding is most consistent with placental abruption?
A. Painless bleeding and a soft nontender uterus
B. Painful bleeding with uterine tenderness or rigidity
C. No pain and no change in fetal status
D. Clear fluid leakage without contractions
13. A client is admitted with suspected placenta previa and vaginal bleeding. Which action should the nurse
avoid unless specifically ordered after placental location is known?
A. Applying an external fetal monitor
B. Starting an IV line
C. Performing a digital vaginal examination
D. Obtaining vital signs
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