Test Bank for Essentials of Maternity, Newborn & Women’s Health
Nursing 6th Edition by Susan Scott Ricci | Complete Chapters |
2026/2027 Latest Update | Complete Chapter Questions & Answers
with Rationales | Verified Questions & Answers | Graded A+ NCLEX
Section I: Antepartum Care
1. A nurse is teaching a group of pregnant clients about the importance of folic acid during
pregnancy. Which birth defect is folic acid most effective in preventing?
A. Congenital heart defects
B. Neural tube defects
C. Cleft lip and palate
D. Limb abnormalities
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Folic acid supplementation before conception and during early pregnancy
significantly reduces the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly. The
recommended daily allowance during pregnancy is 600 mcg.
2. A pregnant client at 10 weeks' gestation reports nausea and vomiting every morning. Which
nursing recommendation is most appropriate?
A. Drink large amounts of fluid with meals
B. Eat dry crackers before getting out of bed
C. Consume only three large meals per day
D. Avoid all protein-containing foods
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Eating dry crackers before rising and consuming small, frequent meals can help
reduce nausea associated with early pregnancy. High-protein snacks before bedtime can help
maintain blood sugar levels overnight.
3. During a prenatal visit, the nurse identifies Chadwick's sign. Which assessment finding
supports this?
,A. Softening of the uterine isthmus
B. Bluish discoloration of the cervix and vagina
C. Quickening felt by the mother
D. Palpation of fetal movement by the examiner
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Chadwick's sign refers to the bluish discoloration of the cervix and vaginal
mucosa caused by increased vascularity during pregnancy.
4. Which hormone is primarily responsible for maintaining pregnancy during the first trimester?
A. Estrogen
B. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
C. Progesterone
D. Oxytocin
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: hCG supports the corpus luteum, which produces progesterone necessary to
maintain the pregnancy in the early weeks.
5. A nurse is reviewing the menstrual cycle with a group of nursing students. Which hormone
surge triggers ovulation?
A. Estrogen
B. Progesterone
C. Luteinizing hormone (LH)
D. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A sharp surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) levels, occurring approximately 24 to
36 hours before ovulation, is the direct trigger for the release of the mature ovum from the
ovarian follicle.
6. A nurse is assessing a pregnant client during the second trimester. Which finding is
considered a presumptive sign of pregnancy?
,A. Fetal movement palpated by the examiner
B. Amenorrhea
C. Positive pregnancy test
D. Ultrasound visualization of the fetus
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Amenorrhea is a presumptive sign of pregnancy because it is a subjective
symptom experienced by the woman and may have causes other than pregnancy.
7. Which maternal adaptation commonly occurs during pregnancy?
A. Decreased cardiac output
B. Increased cardiac output
C. Decreased blood volume
D. Decreased respiratory rate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cardiac output increases during pregnancy to meet the metabolic demands of
the mother and fetus.
8. A nurse is teaching a pregnant client about iron supplementation. Which statement indicates
understanding?
A. "I should take iron with milk."
B. "I will take iron with orange juice."
C. "Iron should be taken only at bedtime."
D. "Iron is not needed if I eat vegetables."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Vitamin C (found in orange juice) enhances the absorption of iron. Milk and
calcium-containing products inhibit iron absorption.
9. A pregnant client at 28 weeks' gestation reports a sudden onset of severe, unrelenting
abdominal pain with a board-like abdomen. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
, A. Placenta previa
B. Abruptio placentae
C. Uterine rupture
D. Preterm labor
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Abruptio placentae is the premature separation of a normally implanted
placenta. Classic manifestations include sudden, severe, constant abdominal pain, a board-like
or rigid abdomen, and dark red vaginal bleeding.
10. A nurse is assessing a pregnant client at 28 weeks gestation. Which finding should the nurse
report to the provider immediately?
A. Mild ankle edema that resolves with elevation
B. Blood pressure of 138/88 mm Hg on two occasions
C. Occasional Braxton Hicks contractions
D. Increased vaginal discharge that is clear and odorless
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A blood pressure reading of 138/88 mm Hg on two separate occasions in
pregnancy meets criteria for gestational hypertension and requires immediate provider
notification to evaluate for preeclampsia.
11. During a prenatal education class, a client asks about the purpose of folic acid
supplementation. Which response by the nurse is most accurate?
A. It prevents gestational diabetes
B. It reduces the risk of neural tube defects
C. It decreases the likelihood of preterm labor
D. It improves maternal iron absorption
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Folic acid supplementation (400-800 mcg daily) before conception and during
early pregnancy is evidence-based practice to significantly reduce the risk of neural tube defects
such as spina bifida and anencephaly.
Nursing 6th Edition by Susan Scott Ricci | Complete Chapters |
2026/2027 Latest Update | Complete Chapter Questions & Answers
with Rationales | Verified Questions & Answers | Graded A+ NCLEX
Section I: Antepartum Care
1. A nurse is teaching a group of pregnant clients about the importance of folic acid during
pregnancy. Which birth defect is folic acid most effective in preventing?
A. Congenital heart defects
B. Neural tube defects
C. Cleft lip and palate
D. Limb abnormalities
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Folic acid supplementation before conception and during early pregnancy
significantly reduces the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly. The
recommended daily allowance during pregnancy is 600 mcg.
2. A pregnant client at 10 weeks' gestation reports nausea and vomiting every morning. Which
nursing recommendation is most appropriate?
A. Drink large amounts of fluid with meals
B. Eat dry crackers before getting out of bed
C. Consume only three large meals per day
D. Avoid all protein-containing foods
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Eating dry crackers before rising and consuming small, frequent meals can help
reduce nausea associated with early pregnancy. High-protein snacks before bedtime can help
maintain blood sugar levels overnight.
3. During a prenatal visit, the nurse identifies Chadwick's sign. Which assessment finding
supports this?
,A. Softening of the uterine isthmus
B. Bluish discoloration of the cervix and vagina
C. Quickening felt by the mother
D. Palpation of fetal movement by the examiner
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Chadwick's sign refers to the bluish discoloration of the cervix and vaginal
mucosa caused by increased vascularity during pregnancy.
4. Which hormone is primarily responsible for maintaining pregnancy during the first trimester?
A. Estrogen
B. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
C. Progesterone
D. Oxytocin
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: hCG supports the corpus luteum, which produces progesterone necessary to
maintain the pregnancy in the early weeks.
5. A nurse is reviewing the menstrual cycle with a group of nursing students. Which hormone
surge triggers ovulation?
A. Estrogen
B. Progesterone
C. Luteinizing hormone (LH)
D. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A sharp surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) levels, occurring approximately 24 to
36 hours before ovulation, is the direct trigger for the release of the mature ovum from the
ovarian follicle.
6. A nurse is assessing a pregnant client during the second trimester. Which finding is
considered a presumptive sign of pregnancy?
,A. Fetal movement palpated by the examiner
B. Amenorrhea
C. Positive pregnancy test
D. Ultrasound visualization of the fetus
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Amenorrhea is a presumptive sign of pregnancy because it is a subjective
symptom experienced by the woman and may have causes other than pregnancy.
7. Which maternal adaptation commonly occurs during pregnancy?
A. Decreased cardiac output
B. Increased cardiac output
C. Decreased blood volume
D. Decreased respiratory rate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cardiac output increases during pregnancy to meet the metabolic demands of
the mother and fetus.
8. A nurse is teaching a pregnant client about iron supplementation. Which statement indicates
understanding?
A. "I should take iron with milk."
B. "I will take iron with orange juice."
C. "Iron should be taken only at bedtime."
D. "Iron is not needed if I eat vegetables."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Vitamin C (found in orange juice) enhances the absorption of iron. Milk and
calcium-containing products inhibit iron absorption.
9. A pregnant client at 28 weeks' gestation reports a sudden onset of severe, unrelenting
abdominal pain with a board-like abdomen. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
, A. Placenta previa
B. Abruptio placentae
C. Uterine rupture
D. Preterm labor
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Abruptio placentae is the premature separation of a normally implanted
placenta. Classic manifestations include sudden, severe, constant abdominal pain, a board-like
or rigid abdomen, and dark red vaginal bleeding.
10. A nurse is assessing a pregnant client at 28 weeks gestation. Which finding should the nurse
report to the provider immediately?
A. Mild ankle edema that resolves with elevation
B. Blood pressure of 138/88 mm Hg on two occasions
C. Occasional Braxton Hicks contractions
D. Increased vaginal discharge that is clear and odorless
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A blood pressure reading of 138/88 mm Hg on two separate occasions in
pregnancy meets criteria for gestational hypertension and requires immediate provider
notification to evaluate for preeclampsia.
11. During a prenatal education class, a client asks about the purpose of folic acid
supplementation. Which response by the nurse is most accurate?
A. It prevents gestational diabetes
B. It reduces the risk of neural tube defects
C. It decreases the likelihood of preterm labor
D. It improves maternal iron absorption
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Folic acid supplementation (400-800 mcg daily) before conception and during
early pregnancy is evidence-based practice to significantly reduce the risk of neural tube defects
such as spina bifida and anencephaly.
