Maternal Newborn Nursing Study Guide (2026/2027
Syllabus)
100+ Practice Questions with Answers
1. What is the normal fetal heart rate (FHR) range at term?
ANSWER ✓ 110-160 beats per minute.
2. Which hormone is primarily responsible for initiating labor contractions?
ANSWER ✓ Oxytocin.
3. What is the name of the fine, downy hair that covers the fetus during
development?
ANSWER ✓ Lanugo.
4. During which trimester does quickening typically occur?
ANSWER ✓ Second trimester (usually 16-20 weeks).
5. What is the recommended weight gain during pregnancy for a woman with a
normal BMI?
ANSWER ✓ 25-35 pounds (11.5-16 kg).
6. What prenatal test screens for neural tube defects?
ANSWER ✓ Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) screening.
7. What is the classic sign of placenta previa?
ANSWER ✓ Painless, bright red vaginal bleeding in the third trimester.
8. Which position is recommended to alleviate supine hypotension during
pregnancy?
ANSWER ✓ Left lateral position.
9. What is the most common cause of postpartum hemorrhage?
ANSWER ✓ Uterine atony.
10. How is gestational diabetes typically diagnosed?
ANSWER ✓ Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) with abnormal values at 24-28 weeks.
11. What is the Apgar score and when is it assessed?
ANSWER ✓ A quick assessment of newborn transition scored at 1 and 5 minutes after
birth.
, 12. What vitamin supplement is recommended for all women of childbearing age?
ANSWER ✓ Folic acid (400 mcg daily).
13. Which immunization is safe to administer during pregnancy?
ANSWER ✓ Tdap (recommended during each pregnancy, 27-36 weeks).
14. What is the normal duration of the postpartum period?
ANSWER ✓ 6 weeks following delivery.
15. What does the "BUBBLEHE" postpartum assessment acronym stand for?
ANSWER ✓ Breasts, Uterus, Bladder, Bowels, Lochia, Episiotomy, Homan's sign,
Emotional status.
16. What is the normal amount of lochia rubra on the first postpartum day?
ANSWER ✓ Moderate flow (saturating 1 pad per 1-2 hours is normal initially).
17. When should the fundus be located immediately after delivery?
ANSWER ✓ At the umbilicus or slightly below.
18. What is the most common type of ectopic pregnancy?
ANSWER ✓ Tubal pregnancy (approximately 95%).
19. What are the three stages of labor?
ANSWER ✓ First stage (dilation), Second stage (pushing/delivery), Third stage (placental
delivery).
20. What is the normal fetal heart rate variability?
ANSWER ✓ 6-25 beats per minute.
21. What is the purpose of non-stress testing (NST)?
ANSWER ✓ To assess fetal well-being by observing accelerations with fetal movement.
22. What is the normal hemoglobin range during pregnancy?
ANSWER ✓ 11-14 g/dL (slightly lower due to hemodilution).
23. What is the leading cause of maternal mortality in the United States?
ANSWER ✓ Cardiovascular conditions.
24. What does the acronym "TRAP" sequence refer to in twin pregnancy?
ANSWER ✓ Twin Reversed Arterial Perfusion (acardiac twin phenomenon).
25. When does the embryonic period occur?
ANSWER ✓ Weeks 3-8 after fertilization.
Syllabus)
100+ Practice Questions with Answers
1. What is the normal fetal heart rate (FHR) range at term?
ANSWER ✓ 110-160 beats per minute.
2. Which hormone is primarily responsible for initiating labor contractions?
ANSWER ✓ Oxytocin.
3. What is the name of the fine, downy hair that covers the fetus during
development?
ANSWER ✓ Lanugo.
4. During which trimester does quickening typically occur?
ANSWER ✓ Second trimester (usually 16-20 weeks).
5. What is the recommended weight gain during pregnancy for a woman with a
normal BMI?
ANSWER ✓ 25-35 pounds (11.5-16 kg).
6. What prenatal test screens for neural tube defects?
ANSWER ✓ Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) screening.
7. What is the classic sign of placenta previa?
ANSWER ✓ Painless, bright red vaginal bleeding in the third trimester.
8. Which position is recommended to alleviate supine hypotension during
pregnancy?
ANSWER ✓ Left lateral position.
9. What is the most common cause of postpartum hemorrhage?
ANSWER ✓ Uterine atony.
10. How is gestational diabetes typically diagnosed?
ANSWER ✓ Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) with abnormal values at 24-28 weeks.
11. What is the Apgar score and when is it assessed?
ANSWER ✓ A quick assessment of newborn transition scored at 1 and 5 minutes after
birth.
, 12. What vitamin supplement is recommended for all women of childbearing age?
ANSWER ✓ Folic acid (400 mcg daily).
13. Which immunization is safe to administer during pregnancy?
ANSWER ✓ Tdap (recommended during each pregnancy, 27-36 weeks).
14. What is the normal duration of the postpartum period?
ANSWER ✓ 6 weeks following delivery.
15. What does the "BUBBLEHE" postpartum assessment acronym stand for?
ANSWER ✓ Breasts, Uterus, Bladder, Bowels, Lochia, Episiotomy, Homan's sign,
Emotional status.
16. What is the normal amount of lochia rubra on the first postpartum day?
ANSWER ✓ Moderate flow (saturating 1 pad per 1-2 hours is normal initially).
17. When should the fundus be located immediately after delivery?
ANSWER ✓ At the umbilicus or slightly below.
18. What is the most common type of ectopic pregnancy?
ANSWER ✓ Tubal pregnancy (approximately 95%).
19. What are the three stages of labor?
ANSWER ✓ First stage (dilation), Second stage (pushing/delivery), Third stage (placental
delivery).
20. What is the normal fetal heart rate variability?
ANSWER ✓ 6-25 beats per minute.
21. What is the purpose of non-stress testing (NST)?
ANSWER ✓ To assess fetal well-being by observing accelerations with fetal movement.
22. What is the normal hemoglobin range during pregnancy?
ANSWER ✓ 11-14 g/dL (slightly lower due to hemodilution).
23. What is the leading cause of maternal mortality in the United States?
ANSWER ✓ Cardiovascular conditions.
24. What does the acronym "TRAP" sequence refer to in twin pregnancy?
ANSWER ✓ Twin Reversed Arterial Perfusion (acardiac twin phenomenon).
25. When does the embryonic period occur?
ANSWER ✓ Weeks 3-8 after fertilization.
