QUESTION PRACTICE BANK WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS &
RATIONALES
1. A nurse is providing education to a client who is at 8 weeks of
gestation. The client asks when the fetal heartbeat can first be
detected by a Doppler ultrasound device. What is the nurse's best
response?
A. 6-8 weeks
B. 8-10 weeks
C. 10-12 weeks
D. 14-16 weeks
Correct Answer: C Fetal heart tones (FHR) can typically be heard by a
Doppler ultrasound at 10-12 weeks of gestation. Before this, a
transvaginal ultrasound may be used to detect cardiac activity.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who is at 28 weeks of gestation. The
client asks when the nurse will begin measuring her fundal height. The
nurse should explain that this measurement begins after which
gestational age?
A. 8 weeks
B. 10 weeks
C. 12 weeks
D. 16 weeks
Correct Answer: C Fundal height measurements are initiated after 12
weeks of gestation, as the uterus becomes an abdominal organ and can
be palpated above the symphysis pubis.
,3. A nurse is measuring a client's fundal height at 24 weeks of
gestation. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. 18 cm
B. 22 cm
C. 24 cm
D. 26 cm
Correct Answer: C Between 18 and 30 weeks of gestation, the fundal
height in centimeters should approximately equal the gestational age in
weeks.
4. A nurse is reviewing the schedule for maternal serum alpha-
fetoprotein (MSAFP) screening with a client. The nurse should identify
that this test is typically performed at which time during the
pregnancy?
A. 8-10 weeks
B. 12-14 weeks
C. 15-22 weeks
D. 24-28 weeks
Correct Answer: C MSAFP screening is part of the quad screen and is
ideally performed between 15 and 22 weeks of gestation.
5. A nurse is providing teaching to a client about the quad screen. The
nurse should explain that MSAFP is a substance produced by which
part of the fetus?
A. The kidneys
B. The heart
C. The fetal liver
D. The neural tube
,Correct Answer: C Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a protein produced by the
fetal liver and is present in the maternal bloodstream.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who is at 20 weeks of gestation and has
a fundal height measurement of 18 cm. Which of the following is the
most likely interpretation of this finding?
A. The client is measuring larger than expected.
B. The client is measuring smaller than expected.
C. The client is measuring exactly as expected.
D. The measurement is inaccurate and should be repeated.
Correct Answer: B The fundal height should be approximately 20 cm at
20 weeks. An 18 cm measurement suggests the client is measuring
smaller than expected for gestational age, which may indicate
intrauterine growth restriction or other issues.
7. A nurse is discussing the first-trimester screening for chromosomal
abnormalities with a client. This screening typically includes which of
the following?
A. MSAFP and estriol
B. Nuchal translucency ultrasound and maternal serum markers
C. Quad screen and glucose tolerance test
D. Amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling
Correct Answer: B First-trimester screening combines a nuchal
translucency ultrasound with maternal serum markers (PAPP-A and
beta-hCG) to assess the risk of chromosomal anomalies.
8. A client at 16 weeks of gestation asks the nurse if she can feel the
baby move yet. The nurse should inform the client that this sensation,
known as quickening, is most commonly felt at which time?
A. 10-12 weeks
, B. 14-16 weeks
C. 18-20 weeks
D. 24-28 weeks
Correct Answer: C Quickening, or the first perception of fetal
movement, is usually felt by the mother between 18 and 20 weeks of
gestation, though it can be slightly earlier in multiparous women.
9. A nurse is performing a nonstress test (NST) on a client at 36 weeks
of gestation. Which of the following indicates a reactive NST?
A. Two fetal heart rate accelerations of 10 bpm lasting 10 seconds in 20
minutes
B. Two fetal heart rate accelerations of 15 bpm lasting 15 seconds in
20 minutes
C. One fetal heart rate acceleration of 15 bpm lasting 15 seconds in 40
minutes
D. No accelerations but a reassuring baseline variability
Correct Answer: B A reactive NST is defined as two or more fetal heart
rate accelerations of at least 15 beats per minute, lasting at least 15
seconds, within a 20-minute period.
10. A nurse is educating a client about the purpose of a contraction
stress test (CST). The nurse should explain that this test evaluates the
fetus's ability to tolerate which of the following?
A. The stress of labor and uterine contractions
B. The effect of maternal glucose levels
C. The presence of fetal lung maturity
D. The risk of preterm labor