NU 170 Final Exam | NU 170 Maternal-Child
Nursing | Questions and Answers with
Rationales 2026/2027 Update
Question 1
A nurse is calculating the estimated date of delivery (EDD) for a client whose last
normal menstrual period began on March 10. Using Naegele's rule, which date
should the nurse calculate as the EDD?
A) December 17
B) December 10
C) January 17
D) December 3
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Naegele's rule involves taking the first day of the last normal menstrual
period, subtracting 3 calendar months, and adding 7 days. March 10 minus 3
months is December 10, plus 7 days yields December 17.
Question 2
A primigravida at 14 weeks gestation asks when she will first feel fetal movement.
What is the nurse's best response?
A) "You should feel movement by 10 weeks."
B) "Fetal movement begins at 24 weeks for all women."
C) "Most first-time mothers feel fetal movement between 18 and 20 weeks."
D) "You will feel movement only after 30 weeks."
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: Quickening, or the first perception of fetal movement, is typically
experienced by primigravidas around 18 to 20 weeks gestation, whereas
multigravidas may notice it earlier, around 16 to 18 weeks.
Question 3
Which finding during a first prenatal visit requires immediate follow-up by the
nurse?
A) Blood pressure of 110/70 mmHg
B) Mild ankle edema
C) Blood pressure of 158/96 mmHg
D) Weight gain of 2 pounds in the first trimester
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A blood pressure reading of 158/96 mmHg significantly exceeds the
threshold for hypertension in pregnancy (140/90 mmHg or higher) and requires
immediate evaluation to rule out preeclampsia.
Question 4
A nurse is teaching a pregnant client about nutrition. Which statement indicates
that the client understands the teaching regarding caloric intake?
A) "I should double my calorie intake during pregnancy."
B) "I need about 300 extra calories per day during the second and third
trimesters."
C) "I should avoid all dairy products."
D) "I should take 5000 mcg of folic acid daily."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: During the second and third trimesters, a pregnant woman requires an
increase of approximately 300 calories per day to support fetal growth and
maternal tissue changes.
Question 5
,A client at 16 weeks gestation is scheduled for a maternal serum alpha-
fetoprotein (MSAFP) screening. Which condition is this test primarily used to
screen for?
A) Gestational diabetes
B) Neural tube defects
C) Preeclampsia
D) Placenta previa
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: MSAFP is a screening tool used to detect neural tube defects such as
spina bifida and anencephaly, as well as certain abdominal wall defects.
Question 6
A laboring client at 6 cm dilation suddenly develops a prolonged deceleration to
70 bpm lasting 3 minutes. Which intrauterine resuscitation sequence is most
appropriate?
A) Reposition left lateral, administer oxygen, increase IV fluids, and prepare for
amnioinfusion.
B) Stop oxytocin, reposition to left lateral, administer oxygen, and notify the
provider.
C) Administer terbutaline, perform a sterile vaginal exam, and prepare for
immediate delivery.
D) Increase oxytocin to augment labor, place in Trendelenburg, and administer a
fluid bolus.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The priority intervention for a prolonged deceleration includes
discontinuing any oxytocin infusion, turning the client to a side-lying position to
enhance uteroplacental blood flow, administering oxygen via facemask, and
notifying the healthcare provider.
Question 7
, A postpartum client who is formula feeding reports sudden onset of chest pain
and dyspnea. Vital signs show HR 122, BP 98/60, RR 28, SpO2 89% on room air.
Which action should the nurse take first?
A) Administer bromocriptine to suppress lactation.
B) Apply sequential compression devices and encourage ambulation.
C) Initiate oxygen therapy and prepare for emergency diagnostic imaging.
D) Massage the uterus and administer methylergonovine.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: These clinical signs strongly point toward a pulmonary embolism,
which is a life-threatening postpartum complication. The immediate priority is
stabilizing oxygenation and alerting the team for diagnostic confirmation.
Question 8
A newborn at 2 hours of life has a blood glucose level of 32 mg/dL and is
completely asymptomatic. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A) Administer a 10% dextrose IV bolus.
B) Encourage immediate breastfeeding or expressed colostrum feeding.
C) Recheck the blood glucose level in 4 hours.
D) Start continuous feeding via a nasogastric tube.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Asymptomatic hypoglycemia in a term newborn is initially managed
through early feeding (breast milk or formula) to stabilize blood glucose levels. IV
intervention is reserved for symptomatic infants or those failing enteral feeds.
Question 9
A child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia is receiving vincristine chemotherapy.
Which assessment finding requires immediate nursing intervention?
A) Temperature of 38.2 degrees Celsius
B) Complaint of severe jaw pain and constipation
Nursing | Questions and Answers with
Rationales 2026/2027 Update
Question 1
A nurse is calculating the estimated date of delivery (EDD) for a client whose last
normal menstrual period began on March 10. Using Naegele's rule, which date
should the nurse calculate as the EDD?
A) December 17
B) December 10
C) January 17
D) December 3
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Naegele's rule involves taking the first day of the last normal menstrual
period, subtracting 3 calendar months, and adding 7 days. March 10 minus 3
months is December 10, plus 7 days yields December 17.
Question 2
A primigravida at 14 weeks gestation asks when she will first feel fetal movement.
What is the nurse's best response?
A) "You should feel movement by 10 weeks."
B) "Fetal movement begins at 24 weeks for all women."
C) "Most first-time mothers feel fetal movement between 18 and 20 weeks."
D) "You will feel movement only after 30 weeks."
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: Quickening, or the first perception of fetal movement, is typically
experienced by primigravidas around 18 to 20 weeks gestation, whereas
multigravidas may notice it earlier, around 16 to 18 weeks.
Question 3
Which finding during a first prenatal visit requires immediate follow-up by the
nurse?
A) Blood pressure of 110/70 mmHg
B) Mild ankle edema
C) Blood pressure of 158/96 mmHg
D) Weight gain of 2 pounds in the first trimester
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A blood pressure reading of 158/96 mmHg significantly exceeds the
threshold for hypertension in pregnancy (140/90 mmHg or higher) and requires
immediate evaluation to rule out preeclampsia.
Question 4
A nurse is teaching a pregnant client about nutrition. Which statement indicates
that the client understands the teaching regarding caloric intake?
A) "I should double my calorie intake during pregnancy."
B) "I need about 300 extra calories per day during the second and third
trimesters."
C) "I should avoid all dairy products."
D) "I should take 5000 mcg of folic acid daily."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: During the second and third trimesters, a pregnant woman requires an
increase of approximately 300 calories per day to support fetal growth and
maternal tissue changes.
Question 5
,A client at 16 weeks gestation is scheduled for a maternal serum alpha-
fetoprotein (MSAFP) screening. Which condition is this test primarily used to
screen for?
A) Gestational diabetes
B) Neural tube defects
C) Preeclampsia
D) Placenta previa
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: MSAFP is a screening tool used to detect neural tube defects such as
spina bifida and anencephaly, as well as certain abdominal wall defects.
Question 6
A laboring client at 6 cm dilation suddenly develops a prolonged deceleration to
70 bpm lasting 3 minutes. Which intrauterine resuscitation sequence is most
appropriate?
A) Reposition left lateral, administer oxygen, increase IV fluids, and prepare for
amnioinfusion.
B) Stop oxytocin, reposition to left lateral, administer oxygen, and notify the
provider.
C) Administer terbutaline, perform a sterile vaginal exam, and prepare for
immediate delivery.
D) Increase oxytocin to augment labor, place in Trendelenburg, and administer a
fluid bolus.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The priority intervention for a prolonged deceleration includes
discontinuing any oxytocin infusion, turning the client to a side-lying position to
enhance uteroplacental blood flow, administering oxygen via facemask, and
notifying the healthcare provider.
Question 7
, A postpartum client who is formula feeding reports sudden onset of chest pain
and dyspnea. Vital signs show HR 122, BP 98/60, RR 28, SpO2 89% on room air.
Which action should the nurse take first?
A) Administer bromocriptine to suppress lactation.
B) Apply sequential compression devices and encourage ambulation.
C) Initiate oxygen therapy and prepare for emergency diagnostic imaging.
D) Massage the uterus and administer methylergonovine.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: These clinical signs strongly point toward a pulmonary embolism,
which is a life-threatening postpartum complication. The immediate priority is
stabilizing oxygenation and alerting the team for diagnostic confirmation.
Question 8
A newborn at 2 hours of life has a blood glucose level of 32 mg/dL and is
completely asymptomatic. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A) Administer a 10% dextrose IV bolus.
B) Encourage immediate breastfeeding or expressed colostrum feeding.
C) Recheck the blood glucose level in 4 hours.
D) Start continuous feeding via a nasogastric tube.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Asymptomatic hypoglycemia in a term newborn is initially managed
through early feeding (breast milk or formula) to stabilize blood glucose levels. IV
intervention is reserved for symptomatic infants or those failing enteral feeds.
Question 9
A child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia is receiving vincristine chemotherapy.
Which assessment finding requires immediate nursing intervention?
A) Temperature of 38.2 degrees Celsius
B) Complaint of severe jaw pain and constipation
