Maternal-Newborn (OB) Nursing
WEST COAST UNIVERSITY OB NURS 306 – OBSTETRIC
NURSING EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS |
2026/2027
West Coast University OB NURS 306
1. A client with a regular 32-day menstrual cycle asks when she is most
likely to ovulate. The nurse should identify which day of the cycle?
A. Day 14
B. Day 21
C. Day 16
D. Day 18
ANSWER : D. Day 18
Ovulation occurs about 14 days before the next menses, so in a 32-day
cycle it falls near day 18.
2. Which hormone surge directly triggers ovulation?
A. Luteinizing hormone (LH)
B. Estrogen
C. Progesterone
D. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
ANSWER : A. Luteinizing hormone (LH)
The LH surge causes the mature follicle to rupture roughly 24 to 36
hours later.
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, Maternal-Newborn (OB) Nursing
3. A client tracking basal body temperature notes a sustained rise of
about 0.5 to 1.0 degree F. The nurse explains this rise is caused by
which hormone?
A. Human chorionic gonadotropin
B. Progesterone
C. Oxytocin
D. Estrogen
ANSWER : B. Progesterone
Progesterone released by the corpus luteum after ovulation is
thermogenic and raises basal temperature.
4. Fertilization of the ovum normally takes place in which structure?
A. Isthmus of the cervix
B. Surface of the ovary
C. Ampulla of the fallopian tube
D. Fundus of the uterus
ANSWER : C. Ampulla of the fallopian tube
The ampulla, the outer third of the tube, is the usual site where sperm
meets the ovum.
5. Implantation of the blastocyst into the endometrium usually occurs
how long after fertilization?
A. 14 to 16 days
B. 6 to 10 days
C. 20 to 24 days
D. 1 to 2 days
ANSWER : B. 6 to 10 days
The blastocyst burrows into the decidua roughly one week after
fertilization.
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, Maternal-Newborn (OB) Nursing
6. A pregnant client asks when her baby is most vulnerable to
teratogens. The nurse identifies which period?
A. Weeks 12 through 16
B. Weeks 1 and 2 after conception
C. Weeks 3 through 8 after conception
D. Weeks 20 through 24
ANSWER : C. Weeks 3 through 8 after conception
The embryonic period is when organogenesis occurs, making
structures most susceptible to malformation.
7. In fetal circulation, which structure shunts blood from the
pulmonary artery to the aorta?
A. Foramen ovale
B. Ductus venosus
C. Ductus arteriosus
D. Umbilical vein
ANSWER : C. Ductus arteriosus
The ductus arteriosus bypasses the nonfunctioning fetal lungs.
8. During inspection of the umbilical cord after birth, which finding is
expected?
A. One artery and two veins
B. Two arteries and two veins
C. Two arteries and one vein
D. One artery and one vein
ANSWER : C. Two arteries and one vein
A three-vessel cord is normal; a two-vessel cord is associated with
renal and cardiac anomalies.
9. Amniotic fluid analysis reveals a lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio
of 2:1. The nurse interprets this as indicating:
A. Fetal lung maturity
B. Fetal neural tube defect
C. Fetal renal immaturity
D. Risk of fetal hemolytic disease
ANSWER : A. Fetal lung maturity
An L/S ratio of 2:1 or greater indicates adequate surfactant for
extrauterine breathing.
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, Maternal-Newborn (OB) Nursing
10. Which hormone maintains the corpus luteum during early
pregnancy?
A. Relaxin
B. Prolactin
C. Human placental lactogen (hPL)
D. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
ANSWER : D. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
hCG keeps the corpus luteum producing progesterone until the
placenta takes over.
11. Oligohydramnios is most closely associated with which fetal
condition?
A. Anencephaly
B. Esophageal atresia
C. Renal agenesis
D. Maternal diabetes mellitus
ANSWER : C. Renal agenesis
Fetal urine is a major source of amniotic fluid, so absent kidneys
produce low fluid volume.
12. What is the primary function of Wharton's jelly?
A. Protect the umbilical vessels from compression
B. Produce amniotic fluid
C. Supply nutrients to the fetus
D. Secrete placental hormones
ANSWER : A. Protect the umbilical vessels from compression
Wharton's jelly cushions the cord vessels so blood flow is not
obstructed.
13. At approximately what gestational age can fetal heart tones first be
detected with a handheld Doppler?
A. 20 weeks
B. 10 to 12 weeks
C. 16 to 18 weeks
D. 6 weeks
ANSWER : B. 10 to 12 weeks
A Doppler device usually picks up fetal heart tones by the end of the
first trimester.
Page 4 of 53
WEST COAST UNIVERSITY OB NURS 306 – OBSTETRIC
NURSING EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS |
2026/2027
West Coast University OB NURS 306
1. A client with a regular 32-day menstrual cycle asks when she is most
likely to ovulate. The nurse should identify which day of the cycle?
A. Day 14
B. Day 21
C. Day 16
D. Day 18
ANSWER : D. Day 18
Ovulation occurs about 14 days before the next menses, so in a 32-day
cycle it falls near day 18.
2. Which hormone surge directly triggers ovulation?
A. Luteinizing hormone (LH)
B. Estrogen
C. Progesterone
D. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
ANSWER : A. Luteinizing hormone (LH)
The LH surge causes the mature follicle to rupture roughly 24 to 36
hours later.
Page 1 of 53
, Maternal-Newborn (OB) Nursing
3. A client tracking basal body temperature notes a sustained rise of
about 0.5 to 1.0 degree F. The nurse explains this rise is caused by
which hormone?
A. Human chorionic gonadotropin
B. Progesterone
C. Oxytocin
D. Estrogen
ANSWER : B. Progesterone
Progesterone released by the corpus luteum after ovulation is
thermogenic and raises basal temperature.
4. Fertilization of the ovum normally takes place in which structure?
A. Isthmus of the cervix
B. Surface of the ovary
C. Ampulla of the fallopian tube
D. Fundus of the uterus
ANSWER : C. Ampulla of the fallopian tube
The ampulla, the outer third of the tube, is the usual site where sperm
meets the ovum.
5. Implantation of the blastocyst into the endometrium usually occurs
how long after fertilization?
A. 14 to 16 days
B. 6 to 10 days
C. 20 to 24 days
D. 1 to 2 days
ANSWER : B. 6 to 10 days
The blastocyst burrows into the decidua roughly one week after
fertilization.
Page 2 of 53
, Maternal-Newborn (OB) Nursing
6. A pregnant client asks when her baby is most vulnerable to
teratogens. The nurse identifies which period?
A. Weeks 12 through 16
B. Weeks 1 and 2 after conception
C. Weeks 3 through 8 after conception
D. Weeks 20 through 24
ANSWER : C. Weeks 3 through 8 after conception
The embryonic period is when organogenesis occurs, making
structures most susceptible to malformation.
7. In fetal circulation, which structure shunts blood from the
pulmonary artery to the aorta?
A. Foramen ovale
B. Ductus venosus
C. Ductus arteriosus
D. Umbilical vein
ANSWER : C. Ductus arteriosus
The ductus arteriosus bypasses the nonfunctioning fetal lungs.
8. During inspection of the umbilical cord after birth, which finding is
expected?
A. One artery and two veins
B. Two arteries and two veins
C. Two arteries and one vein
D. One artery and one vein
ANSWER : C. Two arteries and one vein
A three-vessel cord is normal; a two-vessel cord is associated with
renal and cardiac anomalies.
9. Amniotic fluid analysis reveals a lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio
of 2:1. The nurse interprets this as indicating:
A. Fetal lung maturity
B. Fetal neural tube defect
C. Fetal renal immaturity
D. Risk of fetal hemolytic disease
ANSWER : A. Fetal lung maturity
An L/S ratio of 2:1 or greater indicates adequate surfactant for
extrauterine breathing.
Page 3 of 53
, Maternal-Newborn (OB) Nursing
10. Which hormone maintains the corpus luteum during early
pregnancy?
A. Relaxin
B. Prolactin
C. Human placental lactogen (hPL)
D. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
ANSWER : D. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
hCG keeps the corpus luteum producing progesterone until the
placenta takes over.
11. Oligohydramnios is most closely associated with which fetal
condition?
A. Anencephaly
B. Esophageal atresia
C. Renal agenesis
D. Maternal diabetes mellitus
ANSWER : C. Renal agenesis
Fetal urine is a major source of amniotic fluid, so absent kidneys
produce low fluid volume.
12. What is the primary function of Wharton's jelly?
A. Protect the umbilical vessels from compression
B. Produce amniotic fluid
C. Supply nutrients to the fetus
D. Secrete placental hormones
ANSWER : A. Protect the umbilical vessels from compression
Wharton's jelly cushions the cord vessels so blood flow is not
obstructed.
13. At approximately what gestational age can fetal heart tones first be
detected with a handheld Doppler?
A. 20 weeks
B. 10 to 12 weeks
C. 16 to 18 weeks
D. 6 weeks
ANSWER : B. 10 to 12 weeks
A Doppler device usually picks up fetal heart tones by the end of the
first trimester.
Page 4 of 53
