180-Question Mixed Exam with Rationales – Maternity &
Women’s Health Care, 12th Edition (Lowdermilk)
1. A woman at 12 weeks’ gestation asks when fetal heart tones can first be heard with
Doppler. The correct answer is:
A. 6–8 weeks
B. 8–12 weeks
C. 16–20 weeks
D. 20–24 weeks
Correct answer✅✅ B. Rationale: Doppler can typically detect fetal heart tones by
about 8–12 weeks.
2. The best definition of antepartum refers to:
A. Labor process
B. Period of pregnancy before labor
C. Postpartum period
D. Neonatal period
Correct answer✅✅ B. Rationale: Antepartum = before birth/labor.
3. The most reliable sign of true labor is:
A. Braxton Hicks contractions
B. Increased fetal movement
C. Progressive cervical dilation and effacement
D. Sudden weight gain
Correct answer✅✅ C. Rationale: True labor involves cervical change.
,4. A patient with preeclampsia has magnesium sulfate ordered. Primary purpose is to:
A. Lower blood pressure
B. Prevent seizures (eclampsia)
C. Prevent infection
D. Induce labor
Correct answer✅✅ B. Rationale: Magnesium sulfate is anticonvulsant to prevent
eclampsia.
5. Fundal height at 28 weeks should be approximately:
A. 20 cm
B. 24 cm
C. 28 cm
D. 32 cm
Correct answer✅✅ C. Rationale: Fundal height in cm approximates gestational
weeks between 20–36 weeks.
6. The most effective contraceptive method for preventing pregnancy is:
A. Condom
B. Oral contraceptives
C. Injectable progestin
D. Sterilization (tubal ligation/vasectomy)
Correct answer✅✅ D. Rationale: Sterilization provides the highest pregnancy
prevention (permanence).
,7. The APGAR score evaluates all except:
A. Heart rate
B. Respiratory effort
C. Muscle tone
D. Birth weight
Correct answer✅✅ D. Rationale: APGAR assesses appearance, pulse, grimace,
activity, respiration — not weight.
8. A woman at 32 weeks has a positive glucose screen. Next step:
A. Start insulin immediately
B. Order a 3-hour oral glucose tolerance test
C. Reassure and repeat next visit
D. Restrict calories to 1200/day
Correct answer✅✅ B. Rationale: A positive screening calls for diagnostic OGTT.
9. The priority nursing action for shoulder dystocia is:
A. Pull on the fetal head
B. Perform McRoberts maneuver and suprapubic pressure
C. Immediate oxytocin infusion
D. Delay pushing efforts
Correct answer✅✅ B. Rationale: McRoberts and suprapubic pressure help release
the impacted shoulder.
, 10. A lochia progression expected postpartum is:
A. Lochia alba → serosa → rubra
B. Rubra → Serosa → Alba
C. Serosa → rubra → alba
D. No expected pattern
Correct answer✅✅ B. Rationale: Initial rubra (red), then serosa (pink/brown), then
alba (white/yellow).
11. For breastfeeding, the primary benefit of colostrum is:
A. High fat content
B. High immunoglobulin (IgA) content
C. Causes newborn weight gain
D. Delays lactation
Correct answer✅✅ B. Rationale: Colostrum is rich in IgA, providing passive
immunity.
12. The best diagnostic test for group B strep in pregnancy is a:
A. Blood culture at delivery
B. Urine culture at 20 weeks
C. Vaginal-rectal swab at 35–37 weeks
D. Maternal antibody titer
Correct answer✅✅ C. Rationale: GBS screening is recommended at 35–37 weeks
with vaginal-rectal swab.
13. A newborn with a sunken fontanelle is most consistent with:
Women’s Health Care, 12th Edition (Lowdermilk)
1. A woman at 12 weeks’ gestation asks when fetal heart tones can first be heard with
Doppler. The correct answer is:
A. 6–8 weeks
B. 8–12 weeks
C. 16–20 weeks
D. 20–24 weeks
Correct answer✅✅ B. Rationale: Doppler can typically detect fetal heart tones by
about 8–12 weeks.
2. The best definition of antepartum refers to:
A. Labor process
B. Period of pregnancy before labor
C. Postpartum period
D. Neonatal period
Correct answer✅✅ B. Rationale: Antepartum = before birth/labor.
3. The most reliable sign of true labor is:
A. Braxton Hicks contractions
B. Increased fetal movement
C. Progressive cervical dilation and effacement
D. Sudden weight gain
Correct answer✅✅ C. Rationale: True labor involves cervical change.
,4. A patient with preeclampsia has magnesium sulfate ordered. Primary purpose is to:
A. Lower blood pressure
B. Prevent seizures (eclampsia)
C. Prevent infection
D. Induce labor
Correct answer✅✅ B. Rationale: Magnesium sulfate is anticonvulsant to prevent
eclampsia.
5. Fundal height at 28 weeks should be approximately:
A. 20 cm
B. 24 cm
C. 28 cm
D. 32 cm
Correct answer✅✅ C. Rationale: Fundal height in cm approximates gestational
weeks between 20–36 weeks.
6. The most effective contraceptive method for preventing pregnancy is:
A. Condom
B. Oral contraceptives
C. Injectable progestin
D. Sterilization (tubal ligation/vasectomy)
Correct answer✅✅ D. Rationale: Sterilization provides the highest pregnancy
prevention (permanence).
,7. The APGAR score evaluates all except:
A. Heart rate
B. Respiratory effort
C. Muscle tone
D. Birth weight
Correct answer✅✅ D. Rationale: APGAR assesses appearance, pulse, grimace,
activity, respiration — not weight.
8. A woman at 32 weeks has a positive glucose screen. Next step:
A. Start insulin immediately
B. Order a 3-hour oral glucose tolerance test
C. Reassure and repeat next visit
D. Restrict calories to 1200/day
Correct answer✅✅ B. Rationale: A positive screening calls for diagnostic OGTT.
9. The priority nursing action for shoulder dystocia is:
A. Pull on the fetal head
B. Perform McRoberts maneuver and suprapubic pressure
C. Immediate oxytocin infusion
D. Delay pushing efforts
Correct answer✅✅ B. Rationale: McRoberts and suprapubic pressure help release
the impacted shoulder.
, 10. A lochia progression expected postpartum is:
A. Lochia alba → serosa → rubra
B. Rubra → Serosa → Alba
C. Serosa → rubra → alba
D. No expected pattern
Correct answer✅✅ B. Rationale: Initial rubra (red), then serosa (pink/brown), then
alba (white/yellow).
11. For breastfeeding, the primary benefit of colostrum is:
A. High fat content
B. High immunoglobulin (IgA) content
C. Causes newborn weight gain
D. Delays lactation
Correct answer✅✅ B. Rationale: Colostrum is rich in IgA, providing passive
immunity.
12. The best diagnostic test for group B strep in pregnancy is a:
A. Blood culture at delivery
B. Urine culture at 20 weeks
C. Vaginal-rectal swab at 35–37 weeks
D. Maternal antibody titer
Correct answer✅✅ C. Rationale: GBS screening is recommended at 35–37 weeks
with vaginal-rectal swab.
13. A newborn with a sunken fontanelle is most consistent with:
