RNSG 1517 A Maternity Exam | Complete Questions with Correct Answers and Detailed
Rationales - Latest Update 2026
Question 1
• Question: At what point during pregnancy does the fundal height typically reach the
umbilicus?
• Options:
o A) 12 weeks
o B) 16 weeks
o C) 20 weeks
o D) 24 weeks
• Correct Answer: C) 20 weeks
• Rationale: At 20 weeks gestation, the fundus reaches the umbilicus. Fundal height
measured in centimeters from the symphysis pubis to the top of the fundus typically
correlates with the number of weeks of gestation (±2 cm) from 20 to 36 weeks.
Question 2
• Question: The nurse is assessing a client at 12 weeks gestation. Which finding is
consistent with normal pregnancy at this stage?
• Options:
o A) Fundus palpable at the umbilicus
o B) Fundus palpable just above the symphysis pubis
o C) Quickening reported by the client
o D) Braxton Hicks contractions noted
• Correct Answer: B) Fundus palpable just above the symphysis pubis
• Rationale: At 12 weeks, the fundus is palpable just above the symphysis pubis. The
fundus reaches the umbilicus at 20 weeks. Quickening (fetal movement) is typically felt
at 16–20 weeks. Braxton Hicks contractions usually occur in the second and third
trimesters.
Question 3
• Question: A client at 8 weeks gestation reports nausea and vomiting, especially in the
morning. The nurse should recommend:
,RNSG 1517 A Maternity Exam | Complete Questions with Correct Answers and Detailed
Rationales - Latest Update 2026
• Options:
o A) Avoid fluids with meals
o B) Drink fluids between meals
o C) Eat a heavy meal before bedtime
o D) Skip breakfast
• Correct Answer: B) Drink fluids between meals
Question 4
• Question: Chadwick's sign in pregnancy refers to:
• Options:
o A) Softening of the cervix
o B) Bluish-purple discoloration of the vaginal mucosa and cervix
o C) Palpable uterine contractions
o D) Fetal movement felt by the examiner
• Correct Answer: B) Bluish-purple discoloration of the vaginal mucosa and cervix
• Rationale: Chadwick's sign is the bluish-purple coloration of the vaginal mucosa and
cervix due to increased vascularity. It is a probable sign of pregnancy. Goodell's sign is
softening of the cervix. Hegar's sign is softening of the lower uterine segment.
Question 5
• Question: A client at 16 weeks gestation asks if she should be feeling fetal movement.
The nurse should respond:
• Options:
o A) "Most women feel movement by 12 weeks."
o B) "You should feel movement by now; we should assess the fetus."
o C) "Primigravidas often feel movement at 18–20 weeks."
o D) "You won't feel movement until the third trimester."
• Correct Answer: C) "Primigravidas often feel movement at 18–20 weeks."
,RNSG 1517 A Maternity Exam | Complete Questions with Correct Answers and Detailed
Rationales - Latest Update 2026
• Rationale: Quickening (first fetal movement) is typically felt by primigravidas at 18–20
weeks and by multigravidas at 16–18 weeks. Reassuring the client with this information
is appropriate.
Question 6
• Question: Preconception counseling should include folic acid supplementation at what
dose?
• Options:
o A) 0.2 mg/day
o B) 0.4 mg/day
o C) 0.8 mg/day
o D) 4.0 mg/day
• Correct Answer: B) 0.4 mg/day
• Rationale: The CDC recommends 400 mcg (0.4 mg) of folic acid daily for all women of
childbearing age to reduce the risk of neural tube defects. Higher doses (4.0 mg) are
recommended for women with a prior history or high risk of neural tube defects.
Question 7
• Question: Nagele's rule is used to:
• Options:
o A) Determine fetal position
o B) Estimate the expected date of delivery
o C) Calculate weight gain during pregnancy
• Correct Answer: B) Estimate the expected date of delivery (Formula: First day of Last
Menstrual Period + 7 days − 3 months + 1 year)
Question 8
• Question: A pregnant client’s Last Menstrual Period (LMP) began on October 10. Using
Nagele’s rule, what is the estimated date of delivery (EDD)?
• Options:
o A) July 17
, RNSG 1517 A Maternity Exam | Complete Questions with Correct Answers and Detailed
Rationales - Latest Update 2026
o B) July 10
o C) August 17
o D) June 17
• Correct Answer: A) July 17
• Rationale: Nagele's rule calculation: Subtract 3 months from the first day of the LMP,
add 7 days, and add 1 year (October 10 −3 months = July 10; +7 days = July 17).
Question 9
• Question: Which of the following is considered a positive sign of pregnancy?
• Options:
o A) Positive urine pregnancy test
o B) Amenorrhea
o C) Visualisation of the fetus by ultrasound
o D) Breast tenderness
• Correct Answer: C) Visualisation of the fetus by ultrasound
• Rationale: Positive signs of pregnancy are confirmation steps that can only be attributed
to the fetus (ultrasound visualization, fetal heart tones, fetal movement felt by an
examiner). Pregnancy tests and amenorrhea are presumptive or probable signs.
Question 10
• Question: A client at 28 weeks gestation presents with painless, bright red vaginal
bleeding. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
• Options:
o A) Abruptio placentae
o B) Placenta previa
o C) Ectopic pregnancy
o D) Spontaneous abortion
• Correct Answer: B) Placenta previa
Rationales - Latest Update 2026
Question 1
• Question: At what point during pregnancy does the fundal height typically reach the
umbilicus?
• Options:
o A) 12 weeks
o B) 16 weeks
o C) 20 weeks
o D) 24 weeks
• Correct Answer: C) 20 weeks
• Rationale: At 20 weeks gestation, the fundus reaches the umbilicus. Fundal height
measured in centimeters from the symphysis pubis to the top of the fundus typically
correlates with the number of weeks of gestation (±2 cm) from 20 to 36 weeks.
Question 2
• Question: The nurse is assessing a client at 12 weeks gestation. Which finding is
consistent with normal pregnancy at this stage?
• Options:
o A) Fundus palpable at the umbilicus
o B) Fundus palpable just above the symphysis pubis
o C) Quickening reported by the client
o D) Braxton Hicks contractions noted
• Correct Answer: B) Fundus palpable just above the symphysis pubis
• Rationale: At 12 weeks, the fundus is palpable just above the symphysis pubis. The
fundus reaches the umbilicus at 20 weeks. Quickening (fetal movement) is typically felt
at 16–20 weeks. Braxton Hicks contractions usually occur in the second and third
trimesters.
Question 3
• Question: A client at 8 weeks gestation reports nausea and vomiting, especially in the
morning. The nurse should recommend:
,RNSG 1517 A Maternity Exam | Complete Questions with Correct Answers and Detailed
Rationales - Latest Update 2026
• Options:
o A) Avoid fluids with meals
o B) Drink fluids between meals
o C) Eat a heavy meal before bedtime
o D) Skip breakfast
• Correct Answer: B) Drink fluids between meals
Question 4
• Question: Chadwick's sign in pregnancy refers to:
• Options:
o A) Softening of the cervix
o B) Bluish-purple discoloration of the vaginal mucosa and cervix
o C) Palpable uterine contractions
o D) Fetal movement felt by the examiner
• Correct Answer: B) Bluish-purple discoloration of the vaginal mucosa and cervix
• Rationale: Chadwick's sign is the bluish-purple coloration of the vaginal mucosa and
cervix due to increased vascularity. It is a probable sign of pregnancy. Goodell's sign is
softening of the cervix. Hegar's sign is softening of the lower uterine segment.
Question 5
• Question: A client at 16 weeks gestation asks if she should be feeling fetal movement.
The nurse should respond:
• Options:
o A) "Most women feel movement by 12 weeks."
o B) "You should feel movement by now; we should assess the fetus."
o C) "Primigravidas often feel movement at 18–20 weeks."
o D) "You won't feel movement until the third trimester."
• Correct Answer: C) "Primigravidas often feel movement at 18–20 weeks."
,RNSG 1517 A Maternity Exam | Complete Questions with Correct Answers and Detailed
Rationales - Latest Update 2026
• Rationale: Quickening (first fetal movement) is typically felt by primigravidas at 18–20
weeks and by multigravidas at 16–18 weeks. Reassuring the client with this information
is appropriate.
Question 6
• Question: Preconception counseling should include folic acid supplementation at what
dose?
• Options:
o A) 0.2 mg/day
o B) 0.4 mg/day
o C) 0.8 mg/day
o D) 4.0 mg/day
• Correct Answer: B) 0.4 mg/day
• Rationale: The CDC recommends 400 mcg (0.4 mg) of folic acid daily for all women of
childbearing age to reduce the risk of neural tube defects. Higher doses (4.0 mg) are
recommended for women with a prior history or high risk of neural tube defects.
Question 7
• Question: Nagele's rule is used to:
• Options:
o A) Determine fetal position
o B) Estimate the expected date of delivery
o C) Calculate weight gain during pregnancy
• Correct Answer: B) Estimate the expected date of delivery (Formula: First day of Last
Menstrual Period + 7 days − 3 months + 1 year)
Question 8
• Question: A pregnant client’s Last Menstrual Period (LMP) began on October 10. Using
Nagele’s rule, what is the estimated date of delivery (EDD)?
• Options:
o A) July 17
, RNSG 1517 A Maternity Exam | Complete Questions with Correct Answers and Detailed
Rationales - Latest Update 2026
o B) July 10
o C) August 17
o D) June 17
• Correct Answer: A) July 17
• Rationale: Nagele's rule calculation: Subtract 3 months from the first day of the LMP,
add 7 days, and add 1 year (October 10 −3 months = July 10; +7 days = July 17).
Question 9
• Question: Which of the following is considered a positive sign of pregnancy?
• Options:
o A) Positive urine pregnancy test
o B) Amenorrhea
o C) Visualisation of the fetus by ultrasound
o D) Breast tenderness
• Correct Answer: C) Visualisation of the fetus by ultrasound
• Rationale: Positive signs of pregnancy are confirmation steps that can only be attributed
to the fetus (ultrasound visualization, fetal heart tones, fetal movement felt by an
examiner). Pregnancy tests and amenorrhea are presumptive or probable signs.
Question 10
• Question: A client at 28 weeks gestation presents with painless, bright red vaginal
bleeding. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
• Options:
o A) Abruptio placentae
o B) Placenta previa
o C) Ectopic pregnancy
o D) Spontaneous abortion
• Correct Answer: B) Placenta previa
