RNSG 1517 A Maternity Exam | Complete Questions
with Correct Answers and Detailed Rationales - Latest
Update 2026
SECTION 1 – Antepartum Care & Physiology (Q1–35)
Q1. A client at 8 weeks’ gestation reports nausea and vomiting. Which intervention should
the nurse recommend first?
A. Take prenatal vitamins with milk
B. Eat small, frequent meals and avoid an empty stomach
C. Increase fatty foods for energy
D. Lie down immediately after meals
E. Skip breakfast
B. Eat small, frequent meals and avoid an empty stomach
Small, frequent meals help reduce nausea in early pregnancy.
Q2. Which finding is a presumptive sign of pregnancy?
A. Positive pregnancy test
B. Fetal heart tones
C. Amenorrhea and breast tenderness
D. Hegar’s sign
E. Ultrasound visualization
C. Amenorrhea and breast tenderness
These are subjective (presumptive) signs.
Q3. A client at 12 weeks’ gestation asks when she will feel fetal movement. Best response?
A. 6–8 weeks
B. 10–12 weeks
C. 16–20 weeks
D. 24–28 weeks
E. After 32 weeks
,C. 16–20 weeks
Quickening typically occurs mid-second trimester.
Q4. Which laboratory value is expected to increase during normal pregnancy?
A. Hemoglobin
B. Hematocrit
C. Fibrinogen
D. Platelets
E. Blood urea nitrogen
C. Fibrinogen
Pregnancy is a hypercoagulable state; fibrinogen increases.
Q5. A client at 28 weeks reports leg cramps at night. Which instruction is most helpful?
A. Limit calcium intake
B. Stretch calves before bed and dorsiflex foot during cramp
C. Avoid all dairy products
D. Increase caffeine
E. Keep legs straight during sleep
B. Stretch calves before bed and dorsiflex foot during cramp
Stretching and dorsiflexion relieve cramps.
Q6. Which finding at 32 weeks warrants immediate provider notification?
A. Mild ankle edema
B. Blood pressure 150/95 mmHg with headache
C. Increased vaginal discharge
D. Braxton Hicks contractions
E. Fatigue
B. Blood pressure 150/95 mmHg with headache
Suggests possible preeclampsia.
,Q7. A client at 10 weeks asks about weight gain. Which statement is correct for a client with
normal BMI?
A. No gain in first trimester
B. About 1–4.5 lb in first trimester, then ~1 lb/week
C. 10 lb in first trimester
D. No restriction at all
E. Weight loss is recommended
B. About 1–4.5 lb in first trimester, then ~1 lb/week
Guideline-based weight gain pattern.
Q8. Which immunization is safe and recommended during pregnancy?
A. MMR
B. Varicella
C. Inactivated influenza
D. Live attenuated nasal influenza
E. HPV
C. Inactivated influenza
Inactivated flu vaccine is recommended.
Q9. A client at 36 weeks reports shortness of breath when lying flat. Which position should
the nurse suggest?
A. Supine
B. Semi-Fowler’s or left lateral
C. Prone
D. Trendelenburg
E. Right lateral only
B. Semi-Fowler’s or left lateral
Improves diaphragm excursion and venous return.
Q10. Which finding is a probable sign of pregnancy?
, A. Positive urine hCG
B. Enlarged abdomen
C. Fetal movement felt by examiner
D. Chadwick’s sign
E. All of the above
E. All of the above
Probable signs include objective findings like Chadwick’s, uterine changes, and positive
tests.
Q11. A client at 24 weeks is screened for gestational diabetes. Which test is used?
A. Fasting glucose only
B. 1-hour glucose challenge test
C. 3-hour test only
D. HbA1c only
E. Random glucose
B. 1-hour glucose challenge test
Screening typically at 24–28 weeks.
Q12. Which instruction is appropriate for a client with hyperemesis gravidarum?
A. Avoid all fluids
B. Eat dry carbohydrates before rising and sip fluids between meals
C. High-fat meals only
D. Skip prenatal vitamins
E. Lie flat after meals
B. Eat dry carbohydrates before rising and sip fluids between meals
Helps reduce nausea/vomiting.
Q13. A client at 30 weeks reports decreased fetal movement. What is the nurse’s priority
action?
A. Reassure and discharge
B. Instruct kick counts and arrange further assessment (e.g., NST)
with Correct Answers and Detailed Rationales - Latest
Update 2026
SECTION 1 – Antepartum Care & Physiology (Q1–35)
Q1. A client at 8 weeks’ gestation reports nausea and vomiting. Which intervention should
the nurse recommend first?
A. Take prenatal vitamins with milk
B. Eat small, frequent meals and avoid an empty stomach
C. Increase fatty foods for energy
D. Lie down immediately after meals
E. Skip breakfast
B. Eat small, frequent meals and avoid an empty stomach
Small, frequent meals help reduce nausea in early pregnancy.
Q2. Which finding is a presumptive sign of pregnancy?
A. Positive pregnancy test
B. Fetal heart tones
C. Amenorrhea and breast tenderness
D. Hegar’s sign
E. Ultrasound visualization
C. Amenorrhea and breast tenderness
These are subjective (presumptive) signs.
Q3. A client at 12 weeks’ gestation asks when she will feel fetal movement. Best response?
A. 6–8 weeks
B. 10–12 weeks
C. 16–20 weeks
D. 24–28 weeks
E. After 32 weeks
,C. 16–20 weeks
Quickening typically occurs mid-second trimester.
Q4. Which laboratory value is expected to increase during normal pregnancy?
A. Hemoglobin
B. Hematocrit
C. Fibrinogen
D. Platelets
E. Blood urea nitrogen
C. Fibrinogen
Pregnancy is a hypercoagulable state; fibrinogen increases.
Q5. A client at 28 weeks reports leg cramps at night. Which instruction is most helpful?
A. Limit calcium intake
B. Stretch calves before bed and dorsiflex foot during cramp
C. Avoid all dairy products
D. Increase caffeine
E. Keep legs straight during sleep
B. Stretch calves before bed and dorsiflex foot during cramp
Stretching and dorsiflexion relieve cramps.
Q6. Which finding at 32 weeks warrants immediate provider notification?
A. Mild ankle edema
B. Blood pressure 150/95 mmHg with headache
C. Increased vaginal discharge
D. Braxton Hicks contractions
E. Fatigue
B. Blood pressure 150/95 mmHg with headache
Suggests possible preeclampsia.
,Q7. A client at 10 weeks asks about weight gain. Which statement is correct for a client with
normal BMI?
A. No gain in first trimester
B. About 1–4.5 lb in first trimester, then ~1 lb/week
C. 10 lb in first trimester
D. No restriction at all
E. Weight loss is recommended
B. About 1–4.5 lb in first trimester, then ~1 lb/week
Guideline-based weight gain pattern.
Q8. Which immunization is safe and recommended during pregnancy?
A. MMR
B. Varicella
C. Inactivated influenza
D. Live attenuated nasal influenza
E. HPV
C. Inactivated influenza
Inactivated flu vaccine is recommended.
Q9. A client at 36 weeks reports shortness of breath when lying flat. Which position should
the nurse suggest?
A. Supine
B. Semi-Fowler’s or left lateral
C. Prone
D. Trendelenburg
E. Right lateral only
B. Semi-Fowler’s or left lateral
Improves diaphragm excursion and venous return.
Q10. Which finding is a probable sign of pregnancy?
, A. Positive urine hCG
B. Enlarged abdomen
C. Fetal movement felt by examiner
D. Chadwick’s sign
E. All of the above
E. All of the above
Probable signs include objective findings like Chadwick’s, uterine changes, and positive
tests.
Q11. A client at 24 weeks is screened for gestational diabetes. Which test is used?
A. Fasting glucose only
B. 1-hour glucose challenge test
C. 3-hour test only
D. HbA1c only
E. Random glucose
B. 1-hour glucose challenge test
Screening typically at 24–28 weeks.
Q12. Which instruction is appropriate for a client with hyperemesis gravidarum?
A. Avoid all fluids
B. Eat dry carbohydrates before rising and sip fluids between meals
C. High-fat meals only
D. Skip prenatal vitamins
E. Lie flat after meals
B. Eat dry carbohydrates before rising and sip fluids between meals
Helps reduce nausea/vomiting.
Q13. A client at 30 weeks reports decreased fetal movement. What is the nurse’s priority
action?
A. Reassure and discharge
B. Instruct kick counts and arrange further assessment (e.g., NST)
