MATERNAL-NEWBORN NURSING COMPREHENSIVE EXAM REVIEW 2026
/ COMPLETE OB NURSING STUDY GUIDE WITH PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. A 28-year-old primigravida at 10 weeks of gestation presents for her first
comprehensive prenatal visit. She reports mild nausea, breast tenderness,
urinary frequency, and fatigue but denies vaginal bleeding or severe
abdominal pain. Which assessment finding would the nurse recognize as a
normal physiologic change of early pregnancy?
A. Persistent severe hypertension with visual disturbances
B. Increased urinary frequency related to pregnancy-associated changes
C. Vaginal bleeding accompanied by unilateral pelvic pain
D. Continuous vomiting resulting in dehydration
Answer: B
2. A pregnant client at 30 weeks of gestation asks the nurse why she has been
instructed to take a daily prenatal vitamin containing folic acid. Which
explanation best describes the primary purpose of adequate folic acid
intake during pregnancy?
A. It prevents all forms of gestational hypertension
B. It eliminates the need for dietary iron
C. It reduces the risk of fetal neural tube defects
D. It prevents physiologic anemia caused by plasma volume expansion
Answer: C
3. A client who is 9 weeks pregnant reports persistent nausea and vomiting
throughout the day and states that she is unable to retain fluids or food.
Her urine is concentrated, and she has lost several kilograms since
becoming pregnant. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Hyperemesis gravidarum
B. Placenta previa
C. Gestational diabetes mellitus
D. Physiologic morning sickness
pg. 1
,Answer: A
4. During a prenatal appointment, a client at 34 weeks of gestation asks the
nurse how she can distinguish Braxton Hicks contractions from true labor.
Which statement by the client demonstrates appropriate understanding?
A. “True contractions usually disappear when I walk around.”
B. “Braxton Hicks contractions become progressively stronger and closer
together.”
C. “True labor contractions generally become more regular, stronger, and
closer together.”
D. “Braxton Hicks contractions always cause cervical dilation.”
Answer: C
5. A pregnant client at 28 weeks of gestation reports dizziness whenever she
lies flat on her back for an extended period. The nurse explains that the
enlarged uterus can compress major blood vessels when the client is
supine. Which position should the nurse recommend to improve venous
return?
A. Right lateral position with the legs elevated
B. Left lateral position with appropriate support
C. High-Fowler position with both legs dependent
D. Prone position with a pillow beneath the abdomen
Answer: B
6. A client at 24 weeks of gestation has a routine prenatal visit. The nurse
explains that a glucose screening test is commonly performed during the
second trimester because pregnancy can produce progressive insulin
resistance. What condition is the screening intended to identify?
A. Type 1 diabetes mellitus
B. Diabetes insipidus
C. Gestational diabetes mellitus
D. Diabetic ketoacidosis
Answer: C
pg. 2
, 7. A pregnant client with Rh-negative blood type gives birth to an Rh-positive
newborn. The nurse reviews the plan for postpartum administration of an
immune globulin medication. What is the purpose of this medication?
A. To prevent maternal sensitization to Rh-positive red blood cells
B. To stimulate fetal red blood cell production
C. To treat neonatal hyperbilirubinemia
D. To prevent postpartum uterine atony
Answer: A
8. A client at 12 weeks of gestation asks why her healthcare provider is
monitoring her blood pressure at every prenatal appointment even though
she feels well. Which complication is the nurse primarily helping to detect
through regular blood-pressure assessment?
A. Placental abruption
B. Ectopic pregnancy
C. Hyperemesis gravidarum
D. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy
Answer: D
9. A pregnant client at 36 weeks reports a sudden severe headache that does
not improve with rest and is accompanied by blurred vision and epigastric
discomfort. Which nursing action is most appropriate?
A. Reassure the client that these are expected third-trimester symptoms
B. Encourage increased oral intake and reassess at the next routine visit
C. Recognize the symptoms as potentially serious and promptly notify the
healthcare provider
D. Encourage the client to lie supine until the headache resolves
Answer: C
10. A client at 32 weeks of gestation asks why she has developed shortness of
breath while climbing stairs even though she has no chest pain. Which
physiologic pregnancy change contributes to mild exertional dyspnea?
A. Increased oxygen consumption and altered respiratory physiology
pg. 3
, B. Complete obstruction of the pulmonary arteries
C. Decreased maternal blood volume
D. Reduced cardiac output caused by uterine compression
Answer: A
11. A pregnant client asks the nurse which food provides a particularly useful
source of iron during pregnancy. Which selection is most appropriate?
A. White rice with applesauce
B. Lean beef with iron-rich vegetables
C. Gelatin dessert with fruit juice
D. Low-fat yogurt with cucumber
Answer: B
12. A client at 20 weeks of gestation asks the nurse about fetal movement. She
reports that she has recently begun feeling intermittent fluttering
sensations in her abdomen. Which term is used to describe the mother's
first perception of fetal movement?
A. Lightening
B. Engagement
C. Effacement
D. Quickening
Answer: D
13. A pregnant client reports constipation despite drinking fluids and eating
several meals each day. Which nursing recommendation is most
appropriate for uncomplicated pregnancy-related constipation?
A. Increase dietary fiber, fluids, and appropriate physical activity
B. Restrict fluids to decrease intestinal distention
C. Remain on bed rest until bowel movements become regular
D. Take stimulant laxatives every day without provider consultation
Answer: A
pg. 4
/ COMPLETE OB NURSING STUDY GUIDE WITH PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. A 28-year-old primigravida at 10 weeks of gestation presents for her first
comprehensive prenatal visit. She reports mild nausea, breast tenderness,
urinary frequency, and fatigue but denies vaginal bleeding or severe
abdominal pain. Which assessment finding would the nurse recognize as a
normal physiologic change of early pregnancy?
A. Persistent severe hypertension with visual disturbances
B. Increased urinary frequency related to pregnancy-associated changes
C. Vaginal bleeding accompanied by unilateral pelvic pain
D. Continuous vomiting resulting in dehydration
Answer: B
2. A pregnant client at 30 weeks of gestation asks the nurse why she has been
instructed to take a daily prenatal vitamin containing folic acid. Which
explanation best describes the primary purpose of adequate folic acid
intake during pregnancy?
A. It prevents all forms of gestational hypertension
B. It eliminates the need for dietary iron
C. It reduces the risk of fetal neural tube defects
D. It prevents physiologic anemia caused by plasma volume expansion
Answer: C
3. A client who is 9 weeks pregnant reports persistent nausea and vomiting
throughout the day and states that she is unable to retain fluids or food.
Her urine is concentrated, and she has lost several kilograms since
becoming pregnant. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Hyperemesis gravidarum
B. Placenta previa
C. Gestational diabetes mellitus
D. Physiologic morning sickness
pg. 1
,Answer: A
4. During a prenatal appointment, a client at 34 weeks of gestation asks the
nurse how she can distinguish Braxton Hicks contractions from true labor.
Which statement by the client demonstrates appropriate understanding?
A. “True contractions usually disappear when I walk around.”
B. “Braxton Hicks contractions become progressively stronger and closer
together.”
C. “True labor contractions generally become more regular, stronger, and
closer together.”
D. “Braxton Hicks contractions always cause cervical dilation.”
Answer: C
5. A pregnant client at 28 weeks of gestation reports dizziness whenever she
lies flat on her back for an extended period. The nurse explains that the
enlarged uterus can compress major blood vessels when the client is
supine. Which position should the nurse recommend to improve venous
return?
A. Right lateral position with the legs elevated
B. Left lateral position with appropriate support
C. High-Fowler position with both legs dependent
D. Prone position with a pillow beneath the abdomen
Answer: B
6. A client at 24 weeks of gestation has a routine prenatal visit. The nurse
explains that a glucose screening test is commonly performed during the
second trimester because pregnancy can produce progressive insulin
resistance. What condition is the screening intended to identify?
A. Type 1 diabetes mellitus
B. Diabetes insipidus
C. Gestational diabetes mellitus
D. Diabetic ketoacidosis
Answer: C
pg. 2
, 7. A pregnant client with Rh-negative blood type gives birth to an Rh-positive
newborn. The nurse reviews the plan for postpartum administration of an
immune globulin medication. What is the purpose of this medication?
A. To prevent maternal sensitization to Rh-positive red blood cells
B. To stimulate fetal red blood cell production
C. To treat neonatal hyperbilirubinemia
D. To prevent postpartum uterine atony
Answer: A
8. A client at 12 weeks of gestation asks why her healthcare provider is
monitoring her blood pressure at every prenatal appointment even though
she feels well. Which complication is the nurse primarily helping to detect
through regular blood-pressure assessment?
A. Placental abruption
B. Ectopic pregnancy
C. Hyperemesis gravidarum
D. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy
Answer: D
9. A pregnant client at 36 weeks reports a sudden severe headache that does
not improve with rest and is accompanied by blurred vision and epigastric
discomfort. Which nursing action is most appropriate?
A. Reassure the client that these are expected third-trimester symptoms
B. Encourage increased oral intake and reassess at the next routine visit
C. Recognize the symptoms as potentially serious and promptly notify the
healthcare provider
D. Encourage the client to lie supine until the headache resolves
Answer: C
10. A client at 32 weeks of gestation asks why she has developed shortness of
breath while climbing stairs even though she has no chest pain. Which
physiologic pregnancy change contributes to mild exertional dyspnea?
A. Increased oxygen consumption and altered respiratory physiology
pg. 3
, B. Complete obstruction of the pulmonary arteries
C. Decreased maternal blood volume
D. Reduced cardiac output caused by uterine compression
Answer: A
11. A pregnant client asks the nurse which food provides a particularly useful
source of iron during pregnancy. Which selection is most appropriate?
A. White rice with applesauce
B. Lean beef with iron-rich vegetables
C. Gelatin dessert with fruit juice
D. Low-fat yogurt with cucumber
Answer: B
12. A client at 20 weeks of gestation asks the nurse about fetal movement. She
reports that she has recently begun feeling intermittent fluttering
sensations in her abdomen. Which term is used to describe the mother's
first perception of fetal movement?
A. Lightening
B. Engagement
C. Effacement
D. Quickening
Answer: D
13. A pregnant client reports constipation despite drinking fluids and eating
several meals each day. Which nursing recommendation is most
appropriate for uncomplicated pregnancy-related constipation?
A. Increase dietary fiber, fluids, and appropriate physical activity
B. Restrict fluids to decrease intestinal distention
C. Remain on bed rest until bowel movements become regular
D. Take stimulant laxatives every day without provider consultation
Answer: A
pg. 4
