Maternal-Newborn Nursing | Exam 1: Labor and Birth
N482 - LABOR AND BIRTH | EXAM 1 | QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS - UPDATED VERSION 2026/2027
N482 Exam 1: Labor And Birth
MATERNAL-NEWBORN NURSING
EXAMINATION 1: LABOR AND BIRTH
1. During Leopold maneuvers the nurse palpates a soft, broad, irregular
mass in the fundus and a hard, round, movable part just above the
symphysis pubis. The nurse documents the fetal presentation as which
of the following?
A. Shoulder
B. Cephalic
C. Complete breech
D. Frank breech
ANSWER : B. Cephalic
The soft irregular buttocks sit in the fundus while the hard round head
lies at the inlet, which is a cephalic presentation.
Page 1 of 63
, Maternal-Newborn Nursing | Exam 1: Labor and Birth
2. Which fetal attitude is considered normal and most favorable for
vaginal birth?
A. General flexion with the chin on the chest
B. Moderate extension of the head (military attitude)
C. Complete extension with the face presenting
D. Partial extension with the brow presenting
ANSWER : A. General flexion with the chin on the chest
Flexion allows the smallest head diameter to lead through the pelvis.
3. A vaginal examination reveals the presenting part is at +2 station.
The nurse interprets this as meaning the presenting part is
A. 2 cm below the level of the ischial spines
B. crowning at the vaginal introitus
C. at the level of the pelvic inlet
D. 2 cm above the level of the ischial spines
ANSWER : A. 2 cm below the level of the ischial spines
Positive numbers indicate descent below the ischial spines, which mark
zero station.
4. Which fetal lie is described when the long axis of the fetus lies
perpendicular to the long axis of the mother?
A. Transverse
B. Longitudinal
C. Oblique-longitudinal
D. Vertex
ANSWER : A. Transverse
A transverse lie places the fetus crosswise and usually results in a
shoulder presentation that cannot deliver vaginally.
Page 2 of 63
, Maternal-Newborn Nursing | Exam 1: Labor and Birth
5. Which maternal pelvic type is most favorable for a spontaneous
vaginal birth?
A. Android
B. Anthropoid
C. Gynecoid
D. Platypelloid
ANSWER : C. Gynecoid
The gynecoid pelvis is round with adequate diameters at the inlet,
midpelvis, and outlet.
6. When the fetal head is fully flexed, which diameter presents to the
maternal pelvis?
A. Suboccipitobregmatic
B. Occipitomental
C. Occipitofrontal
D. Submentobregmatic
ANSWER : A. Suboccipitobregmatic
At about 9.5 cm, the suboccipitobregmatic diameter is the smallest
anteroposterior diameter and leads in a well-flexed vertex.
7. The fetus is in a right occiput anterior (ROA) position. Where should
the nurse place the Doppler to best hear the fetal heart rate?
A. Directly over the fundus
B. Left upper quadrant of the maternal abdomen
C. Right lower quadrant of the maternal abdomen
D. Right upper quadrant of the maternal abdomen
ANSWER : C. Right lower quadrant of the maternal abdomen
In vertex presentations the fetal heart is heard best below the umbilicus
on the side of the fetal back.
Page 3 of 63
, Maternal-Newborn Nursing | Exam 1: Labor and Birth
8. The parents ask why their newborn's head looks elongated after a
long labor. The nurse explains this is due to
A. cephalohematoma crossing the suture lines
B. caput succedaneum, a collection of blood beneath the periosteum
C. molding, the overlapping of cranial bones as the head passed through
the pelvis
D. premature closure of the cranial sutures
ANSWER : C. molding, the overlapping of cranial bones as the head
passed through the pelvis
Molding is a normal adaptation that resolves within a few days after
birth.
9. Engagement of the fetal head has occurred when
A. the occiput is visible at the vaginal opening
B. the presenting part is floating above the inlet
C. the head has rotated to an occiput anterior position
D. the biparietal diameter has passed through the pelvic inlet
ANSWER : D. the biparietal diameter has passed through the pelvic
inlet
Engagement corresponds to the widest diameter of the head entering the
inlet, usually at zero station.
10. A laboring client is extremely frightened and tense. Why is reducing
her anxiety a priority?
A. Anxiety has no measurable effect on labor progress
B. Fear causes the cervix to dilate too quickly
C. Anxiety increases oxytocin release and causes tachysystole
D. Elevated catecholamines can decrease uterine contractility and prolong
labor
ANSWER : D. Elevated catecholamines can decrease uterine
contractility and prolong labor
Stress hormones divert blood from the uterus and weaken contractions,
which slows progress.
SECTION 2: ONSET OF LABOR AND TRUE VERSUS FALSE LABOR
Page 4 of 63
N482 - LABOR AND BIRTH | EXAM 1 | QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS - UPDATED VERSION 2026/2027
N482 Exam 1: Labor And Birth
MATERNAL-NEWBORN NURSING
EXAMINATION 1: LABOR AND BIRTH
1. During Leopold maneuvers the nurse palpates a soft, broad, irregular
mass in the fundus and a hard, round, movable part just above the
symphysis pubis. The nurse documents the fetal presentation as which
of the following?
A. Shoulder
B. Cephalic
C. Complete breech
D. Frank breech
ANSWER : B. Cephalic
The soft irregular buttocks sit in the fundus while the hard round head
lies at the inlet, which is a cephalic presentation.
Page 1 of 63
, Maternal-Newborn Nursing | Exam 1: Labor and Birth
2. Which fetal attitude is considered normal and most favorable for
vaginal birth?
A. General flexion with the chin on the chest
B. Moderate extension of the head (military attitude)
C. Complete extension with the face presenting
D. Partial extension with the brow presenting
ANSWER : A. General flexion with the chin on the chest
Flexion allows the smallest head diameter to lead through the pelvis.
3. A vaginal examination reveals the presenting part is at +2 station.
The nurse interprets this as meaning the presenting part is
A. 2 cm below the level of the ischial spines
B. crowning at the vaginal introitus
C. at the level of the pelvic inlet
D. 2 cm above the level of the ischial spines
ANSWER : A. 2 cm below the level of the ischial spines
Positive numbers indicate descent below the ischial spines, which mark
zero station.
4. Which fetal lie is described when the long axis of the fetus lies
perpendicular to the long axis of the mother?
A. Transverse
B. Longitudinal
C. Oblique-longitudinal
D. Vertex
ANSWER : A. Transverse
A transverse lie places the fetus crosswise and usually results in a
shoulder presentation that cannot deliver vaginally.
Page 2 of 63
, Maternal-Newborn Nursing | Exam 1: Labor and Birth
5. Which maternal pelvic type is most favorable for a spontaneous
vaginal birth?
A. Android
B. Anthropoid
C. Gynecoid
D. Platypelloid
ANSWER : C. Gynecoid
The gynecoid pelvis is round with adequate diameters at the inlet,
midpelvis, and outlet.
6. When the fetal head is fully flexed, which diameter presents to the
maternal pelvis?
A. Suboccipitobregmatic
B. Occipitomental
C. Occipitofrontal
D. Submentobregmatic
ANSWER : A. Suboccipitobregmatic
At about 9.5 cm, the suboccipitobregmatic diameter is the smallest
anteroposterior diameter and leads in a well-flexed vertex.
7. The fetus is in a right occiput anterior (ROA) position. Where should
the nurse place the Doppler to best hear the fetal heart rate?
A. Directly over the fundus
B. Left upper quadrant of the maternal abdomen
C. Right lower quadrant of the maternal abdomen
D. Right upper quadrant of the maternal abdomen
ANSWER : C. Right lower quadrant of the maternal abdomen
In vertex presentations the fetal heart is heard best below the umbilicus
on the side of the fetal back.
Page 3 of 63
, Maternal-Newborn Nursing | Exam 1: Labor and Birth
8. The parents ask why their newborn's head looks elongated after a
long labor. The nurse explains this is due to
A. cephalohematoma crossing the suture lines
B. caput succedaneum, a collection of blood beneath the periosteum
C. molding, the overlapping of cranial bones as the head passed through
the pelvis
D. premature closure of the cranial sutures
ANSWER : C. molding, the overlapping of cranial bones as the head
passed through the pelvis
Molding is a normal adaptation that resolves within a few days after
birth.
9. Engagement of the fetal head has occurred when
A. the occiput is visible at the vaginal opening
B. the presenting part is floating above the inlet
C. the head has rotated to an occiput anterior position
D. the biparietal diameter has passed through the pelvic inlet
ANSWER : D. the biparietal diameter has passed through the pelvic
inlet
Engagement corresponds to the widest diameter of the head entering the
inlet, usually at zero station.
10. A laboring client is extremely frightened and tense. Why is reducing
her anxiety a priority?
A. Anxiety has no measurable effect on labor progress
B. Fear causes the cervix to dilate too quickly
C. Anxiety increases oxytocin release and causes tachysystole
D. Elevated catecholamines can decrease uterine contractility and prolong
labor
ANSWER : D. Elevated catecholamines can decrease uterine
contractility and prolong labor
Stress hormones divert blood from the uterus and weaken contractions,
which slows progress.
SECTION 2: ONSET OF LABOR AND TRUE VERSUS FALSE LABOR
Page 4 of 63
