1. The nurse is assessing a woman in active labor.
Which finding best indicates true labor?
A. Cervical dilation of 2 cm with regular contractions
B. Contractions every 8 minutes that intensify with
ambulation
C. Bloody show and irregular contractions
D. Discomfort relieved by warm shower
Answer: A. True labor is characterized by cervical change
(dilation/effacement) accompanied by regular,
progressively intense contractions.
2. A G2P1 at 38 weeks reports sudden gush of clear
fluid. The nurse’s priority action is to:
A. Check the fetal heart rate
B. Perform a sterile speculum exam
C. Assess maternal temperature
D. Encourage rest and hydration
Answer: A. An immediate fetal heart rate check screens
for cord prolapse or fetal distress.
3. Which maternal position promotes optimal
uteroplacental perfusion?
A. Supine with slight hip tilt
B. Left lateral recumbent
C. Semi-Fowler’s
D. Trendelenburg
Answer: B. The left lateral position alleviates aortocaval
compression and enhances blood flow to the fetus.
, 4. A patient receiving oxytocin IV infusion begins to
have contractions every minute lasting 90
seconds. The nurse should:
A. Increase the infusion rate
B. Stop the infusion and administer oxygen
C. Notify the provider and decrease the rate
D. Continue current rate and monitor
Answer: C. Tachysystole (excessive uterine activity) can
compromise fetal oxygenation—decrease/stopping
oxytocin is indicated.
5. Which finding is most concerning immediately
postpartum?
A. Lochia rubra with small clots
B. Uterine fundus at the umbilicus
C. Saturation of one pad in 15 minutes
D. Mild perineal pain
Answer: C. Saturation of one pad in less than 15 minutes
suggests postpartum hemorrhage.
6. What is the purpose of a biophysical profile
(BPP)?
A. Evaluate placental size
B. Assess fetal well-being via ultrasound and NST
C. Diagnose congenital anomalies
D. Monitor uterine contractions
Answer: B. A BPP combines ultrasound assessments of
fetal movements, tone, breathing, amniotic fluid volume,
and a nonstress test.
, 7. A woman with preeclampsia reports vision
changes. The nurse knows this may indicate:
A. Magnesium toxicity
B. Worsening cerebral vasospasm
C. Onset of eclampsia
D. Dehydration
Answer: B. Blurred vision or scotomata reflect cerebral
vasospasm and warrant immediate evaluation.
8. Magnesium sulfate is prescribed for a patient with
severe preeclampsia to:
A. Lower blood pressure
B. Prevent seizures
C. Increase urine output
D. Promote labor progression
Answer: B. Magnesium sulfate acts as a central nervous
system depressant to prevent eclamptic seizures.
9. Which finding suggests magnesium toxicity?
A. Deep tendon reflexes of 2+
B. Respiratory rate of 12 breaths/min
C. Urine output of 30 mL/hr
D. Patellar reflex absent
Answer: D. Hyporeflexia or absent reflexes is an early
sign of magnesium toxicity.
10. Rh-negative mother, Rh-positive infant: the
nurse administers Rho(D) immune globulin at:
A. 20 weeks gestation
Which finding best indicates true labor?
A. Cervical dilation of 2 cm with regular contractions
B. Contractions every 8 minutes that intensify with
ambulation
C. Bloody show and irregular contractions
D. Discomfort relieved by warm shower
Answer: A. True labor is characterized by cervical change
(dilation/effacement) accompanied by regular,
progressively intense contractions.
2. A G2P1 at 38 weeks reports sudden gush of clear
fluid. The nurse’s priority action is to:
A. Check the fetal heart rate
B. Perform a sterile speculum exam
C. Assess maternal temperature
D. Encourage rest and hydration
Answer: A. An immediate fetal heart rate check screens
for cord prolapse or fetal distress.
3. Which maternal position promotes optimal
uteroplacental perfusion?
A. Supine with slight hip tilt
B. Left lateral recumbent
C. Semi-Fowler’s
D. Trendelenburg
Answer: B. The left lateral position alleviates aortocaval
compression and enhances blood flow to the fetus.
, 4. A patient receiving oxytocin IV infusion begins to
have contractions every minute lasting 90
seconds. The nurse should:
A. Increase the infusion rate
B. Stop the infusion and administer oxygen
C. Notify the provider and decrease the rate
D. Continue current rate and monitor
Answer: C. Tachysystole (excessive uterine activity) can
compromise fetal oxygenation—decrease/stopping
oxytocin is indicated.
5. Which finding is most concerning immediately
postpartum?
A. Lochia rubra with small clots
B. Uterine fundus at the umbilicus
C. Saturation of one pad in 15 minutes
D. Mild perineal pain
Answer: C. Saturation of one pad in less than 15 minutes
suggests postpartum hemorrhage.
6. What is the purpose of a biophysical profile
(BPP)?
A. Evaluate placental size
B. Assess fetal well-being via ultrasound and NST
C. Diagnose congenital anomalies
D. Monitor uterine contractions
Answer: B. A BPP combines ultrasound assessments of
fetal movements, tone, breathing, amniotic fluid volume,
and a nonstress test.
, 7. A woman with preeclampsia reports vision
changes. The nurse knows this may indicate:
A. Magnesium toxicity
B. Worsening cerebral vasospasm
C. Onset of eclampsia
D. Dehydration
Answer: B. Blurred vision or scotomata reflect cerebral
vasospasm and warrant immediate evaluation.
8. Magnesium sulfate is prescribed for a patient with
severe preeclampsia to:
A. Lower blood pressure
B. Prevent seizures
C. Increase urine output
D. Promote labor progression
Answer: B. Magnesium sulfate acts as a central nervous
system depressant to prevent eclamptic seizures.
9. Which finding suggests magnesium toxicity?
A. Deep tendon reflexes of 2+
B. Respiratory rate of 12 breaths/min
C. Urine output of 30 mL/hr
D. Patellar reflex absent
Answer: D. Hyporeflexia or absent reflexes is an early
sign of magnesium toxicity.
10. Rh-negative mother, Rh-positive infant: the
nurse administers Rho(D) immune globulin at:
A. 20 weeks gestation
