Fall Semester 2025 – Maternity and Pediatric Nursing
Exam Prep | Updated 2025/2026 Comprehensive
Study Pack | 200+ Verified Nursing Practice
Questions with Correct Answers & Detailed
Rationales | Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health
Complete Study Guide for Nursing Students
Question 1
A pregnant woman at 28 weeks gestation presents with elevated blood pressure
and protein in her urine. What is the priority nursing intervention?
A) Monitor fetal heart rate
B) Educate the patient about preeclampsia (Correct Option)
C) Schedule a follow-up appointment
D) Advise increased fluid intake
Rationale: Educating the patient about preeclampsia is crucial for early recognition and
management, which can prevent complications for both mother and baby.
Question 2
A new mother is concerned about her infant's feeding patterns. What information
should the nurse provide regarding breastfeeding?
A) Feed the infant every 4 hours
B) Breastfeed on demand (Correct Option)
C) Limit feedings to 10 minutes
D) Use formula supplements immediately
Rationale: Breastfeeding on demand helps establish a good milk supply and ensures
that the infant receives adequate nutrition according to their needs.
Question 3
A nurse is assessing a newborn. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A) Respiratory rate of 80 breaths per minute (Correct Option)
B) Heart rate of 150 beats per minute
C) Temperature of 98.6°F (37°C)
D) Weight loss of 5% since birth
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 80 breaths per minute is indicative of potential
respiratory distress and requires immediate assessment and intervention.
Question 4
A 6-month-old infant is being introduced to solid foods. Which food should the
nurse recommend first?
,A) Whole milk
B) Iron-fortified cereal (Correct Option)
C) Honey
D) Whole grapes
Rationale: Iron-fortified cereal is recommended as the first solid food because it
provides essential nutrients and is easily digestible for infants.
Question 5
A mother asks the nurse about the purpose of administering Vitamin K to her
newborn. What is the best response?
A) It prevents jaundice
B) It helps with blood clotting (Correct Option)
C) It boosts the immune system
D) It promotes growth
Rationale: Vitamin K is administered to newborns to prevent hemorrhagic disease by
aiding in blood clotting.
Question 6
A pregnant woman is diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Which teaching point
should the nurse emphasize?
A) Monitor blood glucose levels regularly (Correct Option)
B) Avoid carbohydrates entirely
C) Increase physical activity significantly
D) Rely solely on insulin for management
Rationale: Monitoring blood glucose levels is essential for managing gestational
diabetes and ensuring the health of both mother and fetus.
Question 7
A nurse is providing discharge education to a new mother. Which statement
indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "I will place my baby on his back to sleep."
B) "I can start giving my baby juice at 3 months."
C) "Breastfeeding should stop if my baby is fussy." (Correct Option)
D) "I should always support my baby's head."
Rationale: The statement about stopping breastfeeding due to fussiness indicates a
misunderstanding of breastfeeding practices; mothers should be encouraged to
continue breastfeeding.
,Question 8
A child with asthma is experiencing an acute exacerbation. What is the priority
nursing action?
A) Administer a bronchodilator
B) Assess the child’s respiratory status (Correct Option)
C) Encourage the child to relax
D) Administer oral corticosteroids
Rationale: Assessing the child's respiratory status is critical to determine the severity of
the exacerbation and guide further interventions.
Question 9
A mother is concerned about her toddler's nutritional intake. What should the
nurse recommend as the best source of calcium?
A) Red meat
B) Dairy products (Correct Option)
C) Whole grains
D) Leafy green vegetables
Rationale: Dairy products are excellent sources of calcium, which is crucial for the
development of bones and teeth in toddlers.
Question 10
In preparing a 4-year-old child for a procedure, what is the most appropriate
nursing intervention?
A) Explain the procedure using complex medical terms
B) Use play therapy to explain the procedure (Correct Option)
C) Avoid any discussion about the procedure
D) Schedule the procedure without prior explanation
Rationale: Using play therapy helps the child understand the procedure in a comforting
way, reducing anxiety and fear.
Question 11
An adolescent patient expresses feelings of sadness and hopelessness. What is
the nurse's priority action?
A) Suggest they talk to friends
B) Assess for suicidal ideation (Correct Option)
C) Recommend they keep a journal
D) Schedule a follow-up appointment
Rationale: Assessing for suicidal ideation is critical in adolescents who express feelings
of hopelessness, as it can indicate severe depression.
, Question 12
A nurse is caring for a newborn with hyperbilirubinemia. Which intervention is most
important?
A) Encourage early feeding
B) Monitor bilirubin levels (Correct Option)
C) Increase sunlight exposure
D) Administer vitamin K
Rationale: Monitoring bilirubin levels is essential to assess the effectiveness of
treatment and prevent complications such as kernicterus.
Question 13
A child is diagnosed with chickenpox. What should the nurse include in the
teaching plan?
A) Keep the child home until lesions crust over (Correct Option)
B) Encourage school attendance
C) Administer aspirin for fever
D) Avoid all contact with other children
Rationale: Keeping the child home until the lesions crust over prevents the spread of
the virus to others.
Question 14
A mother is concerned about her 10-year-old child's weight. What is the most
appropriate nursing intervention?
A) Encourage calorie restriction
B) Promote healthy eating and physical activity (Correct Option)
C) Suggest weight loss medications
D) Limit all snacks
Rationale: Promoting healthy eating and physical activity fosters a positive approach to
weight management and overall health.
Question 15
A nurse is teaching a pregnant woman about signs of labor. Which sign should be
emphasized as a warning sign?
A) Lightening
B) Vaginal bleeding (Correct Option)
C) Braxton Hicks contractions
D) Increased energy
Exam Prep | Updated 2025/2026 Comprehensive
Study Pack | 200+ Verified Nursing Practice
Questions with Correct Answers & Detailed
Rationales | Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health
Complete Study Guide for Nursing Students
Question 1
A pregnant woman at 28 weeks gestation presents with elevated blood pressure
and protein in her urine. What is the priority nursing intervention?
A) Monitor fetal heart rate
B) Educate the patient about preeclampsia (Correct Option)
C) Schedule a follow-up appointment
D) Advise increased fluid intake
Rationale: Educating the patient about preeclampsia is crucial for early recognition and
management, which can prevent complications for both mother and baby.
Question 2
A new mother is concerned about her infant's feeding patterns. What information
should the nurse provide regarding breastfeeding?
A) Feed the infant every 4 hours
B) Breastfeed on demand (Correct Option)
C) Limit feedings to 10 minutes
D) Use formula supplements immediately
Rationale: Breastfeeding on demand helps establish a good milk supply and ensures
that the infant receives adequate nutrition according to their needs.
Question 3
A nurse is assessing a newborn. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A) Respiratory rate of 80 breaths per minute (Correct Option)
B) Heart rate of 150 beats per minute
C) Temperature of 98.6°F (37°C)
D) Weight loss of 5% since birth
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 80 breaths per minute is indicative of potential
respiratory distress and requires immediate assessment and intervention.
Question 4
A 6-month-old infant is being introduced to solid foods. Which food should the
nurse recommend first?
,A) Whole milk
B) Iron-fortified cereal (Correct Option)
C) Honey
D) Whole grapes
Rationale: Iron-fortified cereal is recommended as the first solid food because it
provides essential nutrients and is easily digestible for infants.
Question 5
A mother asks the nurse about the purpose of administering Vitamin K to her
newborn. What is the best response?
A) It prevents jaundice
B) It helps with blood clotting (Correct Option)
C) It boosts the immune system
D) It promotes growth
Rationale: Vitamin K is administered to newborns to prevent hemorrhagic disease by
aiding in blood clotting.
Question 6
A pregnant woman is diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Which teaching point
should the nurse emphasize?
A) Monitor blood glucose levels regularly (Correct Option)
B) Avoid carbohydrates entirely
C) Increase physical activity significantly
D) Rely solely on insulin for management
Rationale: Monitoring blood glucose levels is essential for managing gestational
diabetes and ensuring the health of both mother and fetus.
Question 7
A nurse is providing discharge education to a new mother. Which statement
indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "I will place my baby on his back to sleep."
B) "I can start giving my baby juice at 3 months."
C) "Breastfeeding should stop if my baby is fussy." (Correct Option)
D) "I should always support my baby's head."
Rationale: The statement about stopping breastfeeding due to fussiness indicates a
misunderstanding of breastfeeding practices; mothers should be encouraged to
continue breastfeeding.
,Question 8
A child with asthma is experiencing an acute exacerbation. What is the priority
nursing action?
A) Administer a bronchodilator
B) Assess the child’s respiratory status (Correct Option)
C) Encourage the child to relax
D) Administer oral corticosteroids
Rationale: Assessing the child's respiratory status is critical to determine the severity of
the exacerbation and guide further interventions.
Question 9
A mother is concerned about her toddler's nutritional intake. What should the
nurse recommend as the best source of calcium?
A) Red meat
B) Dairy products (Correct Option)
C) Whole grains
D) Leafy green vegetables
Rationale: Dairy products are excellent sources of calcium, which is crucial for the
development of bones and teeth in toddlers.
Question 10
In preparing a 4-year-old child for a procedure, what is the most appropriate
nursing intervention?
A) Explain the procedure using complex medical terms
B) Use play therapy to explain the procedure (Correct Option)
C) Avoid any discussion about the procedure
D) Schedule the procedure without prior explanation
Rationale: Using play therapy helps the child understand the procedure in a comforting
way, reducing anxiety and fear.
Question 11
An adolescent patient expresses feelings of sadness and hopelessness. What is
the nurse's priority action?
A) Suggest they talk to friends
B) Assess for suicidal ideation (Correct Option)
C) Recommend they keep a journal
D) Schedule a follow-up appointment
Rationale: Assessing for suicidal ideation is critical in adolescents who express feelings
of hopelessness, as it can indicate severe depression.
, Question 12
A nurse is caring for a newborn with hyperbilirubinemia. Which intervention is most
important?
A) Encourage early feeding
B) Monitor bilirubin levels (Correct Option)
C) Increase sunlight exposure
D) Administer vitamin K
Rationale: Monitoring bilirubin levels is essential to assess the effectiveness of
treatment and prevent complications such as kernicterus.
Question 13
A child is diagnosed with chickenpox. What should the nurse include in the
teaching plan?
A) Keep the child home until lesions crust over (Correct Option)
B) Encourage school attendance
C) Administer aspirin for fever
D) Avoid all contact with other children
Rationale: Keeping the child home until the lesions crust over prevents the spread of
the virus to others.
Question 14
A mother is concerned about her 10-year-old child's weight. What is the most
appropriate nursing intervention?
A) Encourage calorie restriction
B) Promote healthy eating and physical activity (Correct Option)
C) Suggest weight loss medications
D) Limit all snacks
Rationale: Promoting healthy eating and physical activity fosters a positive approach to
weight management and overall health.
Question 15
A nurse is teaching a pregnant woman about signs of labor. Which sign should be
emphasized as a warning sign?
A) Lightening
B) Vaginal bleeding (Correct Option)
C) Braxton Hicks contractions
D) Increased energy
