NSG 203 — Maternal-Newborn Nursing exam
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1 A pregnant client at 10 weeks' gestation asks the nurse when the
fetal heart can usually first be detected using a Doppler device. Which
response is most accurate?
A. 4 weeks
B. 6 weeks
C. 10–12 weeks
D. 20 weeks
Answer: C. 10–12 weeks
Rationale: Fetal cardiac activity can often be detected with a Doppler
device around 10–12 weeks of gestation. Earlier detection may be
possible with transvaginal ultrasound, but the timing varies
depending on equipment and gestational age.
, 2. Which hormone is primarily responsible for maintaining the
uterine lining during early pregnancy?
A. Oxytocin
B. Progesterone
C. Prolactin
D. Follicle-stimulating hormone
Answer: B. Progesterone
Rationale: Progesterone maintains the endometrium, supports
implantation, decreases uterine contractility, and helps maintain
pregnancy. During early pregnancy, the corpus luteum produces
progesterone until the placenta becomes the primary source.
3. A nurse is teaching a pregnant client about folic acid
supplementation. Which statement best explains why folic acid is
important?
A. It prevents gestational diabetes.
B. It prevents maternal hypertension.
C. It reduces the risk of neural tube defects.
D. It increases fetal lung maturity.
Answer: C. It reduces the risk of neural tube defects.
,Rationale: Adequate folic acid before conception and during early
pregnancy significantly reduces the risk of neural tube defects such as
spina bifida. Folic acid is therefore an important component of
prenatal nutrition.
4. Which finding is considered a positive sign of pregnancy?
A. Amenorrhea
B. Nausea and vomiting
C. Positive pregnancy test
D. Fetal heart activity detected by Doppler
Answer: D. Fetal heart activity detected by Doppler
Rationale: Positive signs of pregnancy are findings that can be directly
attributed to the fetus, such as fetal heart activity, visualization of the
fetus by ultrasound, and fetal movement palpated by an examiner.
Amenorrhea and nausea are presumptive signs, while a positive
pregnancy test is a probable sign.
5. A pregnant client reports increased urinary frequency during the
first trimester. Which explanation should the nurse provide?
A. The kidneys stop concentrating urine during pregnancy.
B. The enlarging uterus and hormonal changes contribute to urinary
frequency.
, C. The fetus compresses the bladder during the first trimester.
D. Urinary frequency always indicates a urinary tract infection.
Answer: B. The enlarging uterus and hormonal changes contribute to
urinary frequency.
Rationale: Increased urinary frequency is common during pregnancy
because of hormonal changes and increased renal blood flow. As the
uterus enlarges, it can also place pressure on the bladder. Dysuria,
fever, or other symptoms would warrant evaluation for infection.
6. During a prenatal visit, the nurse measures the client's fundal
height. At approximately 20 weeks' gestation, where should the
fundus normally be located?
A. At the symphysis pubis
B. Midway between the symphysis pubis and umbilicus
C. At the level of the umbilicus
D. At the xiphoid process
Answer: C. At the level of the umbilicus
Rationale: At approximately 20 weeks' gestation, the uterine fundus is
typically at the level of the umbilicus. Fundal height in centimeters
after approximately 20 weeks often corresponds roughly to
gestational age, although several factors can affect the measurement.
Questions and Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationale 2027 Q&A| Instant
Download Pdf
1 A pregnant client at 10 weeks' gestation asks the nurse when the
fetal heart can usually first be detected using a Doppler device. Which
response is most accurate?
A. 4 weeks
B. 6 weeks
C. 10–12 weeks
D. 20 weeks
Answer: C. 10–12 weeks
Rationale: Fetal cardiac activity can often be detected with a Doppler
device around 10–12 weeks of gestation. Earlier detection may be
possible with transvaginal ultrasound, but the timing varies
depending on equipment and gestational age.
, 2. Which hormone is primarily responsible for maintaining the
uterine lining during early pregnancy?
A. Oxytocin
B. Progesterone
C. Prolactin
D. Follicle-stimulating hormone
Answer: B. Progesterone
Rationale: Progesterone maintains the endometrium, supports
implantation, decreases uterine contractility, and helps maintain
pregnancy. During early pregnancy, the corpus luteum produces
progesterone until the placenta becomes the primary source.
3. A nurse is teaching a pregnant client about folic acid
supplementation. Which statement best explains why folic acid is
important?
A. It prevents gestational diabetes.
B. It prevents maternal hypertension.
C. It reduces the risk of neural tube defects.
D. It increases fetal lung maturity.
Answer: C. It reduces the risk of neural tube defects.
,Rationale: Adequate folic acid before conception and during early
pregnancy significantly reduces the risk of neural tube defects such as
spina bifida. Folic acid is therefore an important component of
prenatal nutrition.
4. Which finding is considered a positive sign of pregnancy?
A. Amenorrhea
B. Nausea and vomiting
C. Positive pregnancy test
D. Fetal heart activity detected by Doppler
Answer: D. Fetal heart activity detected by Doppler
Rationale: Positive signs of pregnancy are findings that can be directly
attributed to the fetus, such as fetal heart activity, visualization of the
fetus by ultrasound, and fetal movement palpated by an examiner.
Amenorrhea and nausea are presumptive signs, while a positive
pregnancy test is a probable sign.
5. A pregnant client reports increased urinary frequency during the
first trimester. Which explanation should the nurse provide?
A. The kidneys stop concentrating urine during pregnancy.
B. The enlarging uterus and hormonal changes contribute to urinary
frequency.
, C. The fetus compresses the bladder during the first trimester.
D. Urinary frequency always indicates a urinary tract infection.
Answer: B. The enlarging uterus and hormonal changes contribute to
urinary frequency.
Rationale: Increased urinary frequency is common during pregnancy
because of hormonal changes and increased renal blood flow. As the
uterus enlarges, it can also place pressure on the bladder. Dysuria,
fever, or other symptoms would warrant evaluation for infection.
6. During a prenatal visit, the nurse measures the client's fundal
height. At approximately 20 weeks' gestation, where should the
fundus normally be located?
A. At the symphysis pubis
B. Midway between the symphysis pubis and umbilicus
C. At the level of the umbilicus
D. At the xiphoid process
Answer: C. At the level of the umbilicus
Rationale: At approximately 20 weeks' gestation, the uterine fundus is
typically at the level of the umbilicus. Fundal height in centimeters
after approximately 20 weeks often corresponds roughly to
gestational age, although several factors can affect the measurement.
