1|Page
NSG 3500 MATERNAL EXAM 3 REVIEW |
100 ORIGINAL PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS UPDATED 2026/2027 |
DETAILED RATIONALES | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD
Study note: The questions below are original practice questions designed around common
maternal/newborn nursing competencies. They are not official Galen College questions, leaked
exam items, or a verified copy of the course exam, and “100% correct/pass guaranteed” cannot
be represented as a factual claim.
INTRODUCTION
NSG 3500 Maternal Exam 3 typically requires students to apply maternal-newborn nursing
knowledge to complex clinical situations rather than simply recall definitions. This practice set is
designed for nursing students preparing for an advanced maternal-health assessment involving
recognition of complications, prioritization, nursing interventions, fetal assessment, postpartum
care, and newborn considerations.
The questions emphasize application-level clinical judgment. Students are expected to interpret
assessment findings, identify the most urgent problem, distinguish expected findings from
complications, determine appropriate nursing interventions, and evaluate whether an intervention
has been effective. The scenarios also require prioritization using patient safety, maternal
stability, fetal well-being, and timely escalation of care.
Each question contains four options with one best answer followed by a detailed rationale. The
rationales explain both the correct choice and why the alternatives are less appropriate. Use the
set as a study and self-assessment resource: answer each question before reading the rationale,
identify the concept tested, and review areas in which your reasoning was uncertain.
CONTENT AREA OVERVIEW
Study
Content Area Questions Key Topics
Weight
Antepartum Preeclampsia, gestational hypertension,
1–15 15%
Complications diabetes, bleeding
,2|Page
Study
Content Area Questions Key Topics
Weight
Placental disorders, Rh incompatibility,
High-Risk Pregnancy 16–25 10%
infection, complications
FHR patterns, labor progress, fetal
Intrapartum Assessment 26–40 15%
assessment, emergencies
Cord prolapse, uterine rupture, abruption,
Obstetric Emergencies 41–50 10%
hemorrhage
Postpartum Hemorrhage, infection, thromboembolism,
51–65 15%
Complications hypertension
Magnesium sulfate, oxytocin,
Maternal Medications 66–75 10%
antihypertensives, uterotonics
Transition, thermoregulation, glucose,
Newborn Assessment 76–85 10%
respiratory adaptation
Jaundice, hypoglycemia, respiratory distress,
Newborn Complications 86–93 8%
infection
Patient Education & Discharge teaching, warning signs, clinical
94–100 7%
Prioritization judgment
QUESTIONS 1–100
ANTEPARTUM COMPLICATIONS
Q1:
A pregnant patient at 34 weeks' gestation presents with severe frontal headache, visual
disturbances, and right upper-quadrant abdominal pain. Blood pressure is 168/112 mmHg.
Which action should the nurse prioritize?
A) Encourage oral fluids
B) Place the patient in a dark room and reassess in 4 hours
C) Notify the provider promptly and initiate seizure-precaution measures while preparing for
prescribed treatment
D) Encourage ambulation to improve circulation
Rationale: The correct answer is C because severe hypertension accompanied by headache,
visual changes, and right-upper-quadrant pain indicates severe features of preeclampsia and
creates significant maternal and fetal risk. Seizure precautions and prompt escalation are
appropriate. A is insufficient, B delays treatment, and D is inappropriate because the patient
requires stabilization and monitoring.
Q2:
,3|Page
A patient receiving magnesium sulfate for severe preeclampsia has a respiratory rate of 10/min,
absent patellar reflexes, and increasing lethargy. What should the nurse do first?
A) Increase the magnesium infusion
B) Encourage oral fluids
C) Stop the magnesium infusion and notify the provider immediately
D) Place the patient in Trendelenburg position
Rationale: The findings strongly suggest magnesium toxicity. The priority is to stop further
magnesium administration and obtain immediate medical evaluation. Increasing the infusion
would worsen toxicity. Oral fluids and positioning do not address the cause.
Q3:
A pregnant patient with preeclampsia develops a sudden severe epigastric pain followed by
nausea. Which complication should the nurse be particularly concerned about?
A) Hyperemesis gravidarum
B) Placenta previa
C) Hepatic involvement associated with severe preeclampsia/HELLP syndrome
D) Normal third-trimester discomfort
Rationale: Severe epigastric or right-upper-quadrant pain may indicate hepatic involvement,
particularly in HELLP syndrome. It requires urgent evaluation. The other options do not
adequately explain this potentially dangerous symptom.
Q4:
A patient with gestational diabetes asks why glucose monitoring is necessary even though she
feels well. Which response is best?
A) “Symptoms always occur when glucose is elevated.”
B) “Gestational diabetes affects only the mother.”
C) “Glucose can be elevated without symptoms, while uncontrolled hyperglycemia can increase
maternal and fetal complications.”
D) “Monitoring is required only if you develop nausea.”
Rationale: Hyperglycemia may be asymptomatic, yet it can affect maternal and fetal outcomes. A
and D are incorrect because symptoms are not a reliable measure of glucose control. B
incorrectly ignores fetal effects.
Q5:
A pregnant patient with gestational diabetes has consistently elevated fasting glucose despite
following the prescribed meal plan. Which action is most appropriate?
, 4|Page
A) Tell the patient to eliminate all carbohydrates
B) Discontinue glucose monitoring
C) Notify the provider because pharmacologic management may need evaluation
D) Reassure the patient that fasting glucose is unimportant
Rationale: Persistent fasting hyperglycemia despite appropriate lifestyle measures may require
medication or treatment adjustment. Eliminating all carbohydrates is inappropriate, monitoring
should continue, and fasting glucose is clinically relevant.
Q6:
A patient at 30 weeks' gestation reports painless bright-red vaginal bleeding. Which condition
should the nurse suspect?
A) Placental abruption
B) Placenta previa
C) Uterine rupture
D) Preterm labor
Rationale: Painless bright-red bleeding in later pregnancy is classically associated with
placenta previa. Abruption more commonly causes painful bleeding and uterine tenderness.
Uterine rupture and preterm labor do not best explain painless bright-red bleeding.
Q7:
A patient with suspected placenta previa begins experiencing vaginal bleeding. Which
intervention should the nurse avoid?
A) Monitoring maternal vital signs
B) Assessing fetal status
C) Establishing IV access as indicated
D) Performing a digital vaginal examination without appropriate evaluation of placental
location
Rationale: Vaginal examination can provoke significant hemorrhage when placenta previa is
present. Maternal stabilization, fetal assessment, and preparation for treatment are appropriate.
Q8:
A patient at 36 weeks reports sudden severe abdominal pain, uterine tenderness, and dark vaginal
bleeding. Fetal heart rate monitoring shows abnormalities. Which condition is most concerning?
A) Placenta previa
B) Placental abruption
C) Hyperemesis
D) Braxton Hicks contractions
NSG 3500 MATERNAL EXAM 3 REVIEW |
100 ORIGINAL PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS UPDATED 2026/2027 |
DETAILED RATIONALES | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD
Study note: The questions below are original practice questions designed around common
maternal/newborn nursing competencies. They are not official Galen College questions, leaked
exam items, or a verified copy of the course exam, and “100% correct/pass guaranteed” cannot
be represented as a factual claim.
INTRODUCTION
NSG 3500 Maternal Exam 3 typically requires students to apply maternal-newborn nursing
knowledge to complex clinical situations rather than simply recall definitions. This practice set is
designed for nursing students preparing for an advanced maternal-health assessment involving
recognition of complications, prioritization, nursing interventions, fetal assessment, postpartum
care, and newborn considerations.
The questions emphasize application-level clinical judgment. Students are expected to interpret
assessment findings, identify the most urgent problem, distinguish expected findings from
complications, determine appropriate nursing interventions, and evaluate whether an intervention
has been effective. The scenarios also require prioritization using patient safety, maternal
stability, fetal well-being, and timely escalation of care.
Each question contains four options with one best answer followed by a detailed rationale. The
rationales explain both the correct choice and why the alternatives are less appropriate. Use the
set as a study and self-assessment resource: answer each question before reading the rationale,
identify the concept tested, and review areas in which your reasoning was uncertain.
CONTENT AREA OVERVIEW
Study
Content Area Questions Key Topics
Weight
Antepartum Preeclampsia, gestational hypertension,
1–15 15%
Complications diabetes, bleeding
,2|Page
Study
Content Area Questions Key Topics
Weight
Placental disorders, Rh incompatibility,
High-Risk Pregnancy 16–25 10%
infection, complications
FHR patterns, labor progress, fetal
Intrapartum Assessment 26–40 15%
assessment, emergencies
Cord prolapse, uterine rupture, abruption,
Obstetric Emergencies 41–50 10%
hemorrhage
Postpartum Hemorrhage, infection, thromboembolism,
51–65 15%
Complications hypertension
Magnesium sulfate, oxytocin,
Maternal Medications 66–75 10%
antihypertensives, uterotonics
Transition, thermoregulation, glucose,
Newborn Assessment 76–85 10%
respiratory adaptation
Jaundice, hypoglycemia, respiratory distress,
Newborn Complications 86–93 8%
infection
Patient Education & Discharge teaching, warning signs, clinical
94–100 7%
Prioritization judgment
QUESTIONS 1–100
ANTEPARTUM COMPLICATIONS
Q1:
A pregnant patient at 34 weeks' gestation presents with severe frontal headache, visual
disturbances, and right upper-quadrant abdominal pain. Blood pressure is 168/112 mmHg.
Which action should the nurse prioritize?
A) Encourage oral fluids
B) Place the patient in a dark room and reassess in 4 hours
C) Notify the provider promptly and initiate seizure-precaution measures while preparing for
prescribed treatment
D) Encourage ambulation to improve circulation
Rationale: The correct answer is C because severe hypertension accompanied by headache,
visual changes, and right-upper-quadrant pain indicates severe features of preeclampsia and
creates significant maternal and fetal risk. Seizure precautions and prompt escalation are
appropriate. A is insufficient, B delays treatment, and D is inappropriate because the patient
requires stabilization and monitoring.
Q2:
,3|Page
A patient receiving magnesium sulfate for severe preeclampsia has a respiratory rate of 10/min,
absent patellar reflexes, and increasing lethargy. What should the nurse do first?
A) Increase the magnesium infusion
B) Encourage oral fluids
C) Stop the magnesium infusion and notify the provider immediately
D) Place the patient in Trendelenburg position
Rationale: The findings strongly suggest magnesium toxicity. The priority is to stop further
magnesium administration and obtain immediate medical evaluation. Increasing the infusion
would worsen toxicity. Oral fluids and positioning do not address the cause.
Q3:
A pregnant patient with preeclampsia develops a sudden severe epigastric pain followed by
nausea. Which complication should the nurse be particularly concerned about?
A) Hyperemesis gravidarum
B) Placenta previa
C) Hepatic involvement associated with severe preeclampsia/HELLP syndrome
D) Normal third-trimester discomfort
Rationale: Severe epigastric or right-upper-quadrant pain may indicate hepatic involvement,
particularly in HELLP syndrome. It requires urgent evaluation. The other options do not
adequately explain this potentially dangerous symptom.
Q4:
A patient with gestational diabetes asks why glucose monitoring is necessary even though she
feels well. Which response is best?
A) “Symptoms always occur when glucose is elevated.”
B) “Gestational diabetes affects only the mother.”
C) “Glucose can be elevated without symptoms, while uncontrolled hyperglycemia can increase
maternal and fetal complications.”
D) “Monitoring is required only if you develop nausea.”
Rationale: Hyperglycemia may be asymptomatic, yet it can affect maternal and fetal outcomes. A
and D are incorrect because symptoms are not a reliable measure of glucose control. B
incorrectly ignores fetal effects.
Q5:
A pregnant patient with gestational diabetes has consistently elevated fasting glucose despite
following the prescribed meal plan. Which action is most appropriate?
, 4|Page
A) Tell the patient to eliminate all carbohydrates
B) Discontinue glucose monitoring
C) Notify the provider because pharmacologic management may need evaluation
D) Reassure the patient that fasting glucose is unimportant
Rationale: Persistent fasting hyperglycemia despite appropriate lifestyle measures may require
medication or treatment adjustment. Eliminating all carbohydrates is inappropriate, monitoring
should continue, and fasting glucose is clinically relevant.
Q6:
A patient at 30 weeks' gestation reports painless bright-red vaginal bleeding. Which condition
should the nurse suspect?
A) Placental abruption
B) Placenta previa
C) Uterine rupture
D) Preterm labor
Rationale: Painless bright-red bleeding in later pregnancy is classically associated with
placenta previa. Abruption more commonly causes painful bleeding and uterine tenderness.
Uterine rupture and preterm labor do not best explain painless bright-red bleeding.
Q7:
A patient with suspected placenta previa begins experiencing vaginal bleeding. Which
intervention should the nurse avoid?
A) Monitoring maternal vital signs
B) Assessing fetal status
C) Establishing IV access as indicated
D) Performing a digital vaginal examination without appropriate evaluation of placental
location
Rationale: Vaginal examination can provoke significant hemorrhage when placenta previa is
present. Maternal stabilization, fetal assessment, and preparation for treatment are appropriate.
Q8:
A patient at 36 weeks reports sudden severe abdominal pain, uterine tenderness, and dark vaginal
bleeding. Fetal heart rate monitoring shows abnormalities. Which condition is most concerning?
A) Placenta previa
B) Placental abruption
C) Hyperemesis
D) Braxton Hicks contractions
