Maternal-Child Nursing Exam Prep 2026: Questions, Answers, and Rationales

The tension-building phase in an abusive relationship is best described as: A. Period when the batterer shows remorse B. Phase where the batterer shows increasing hostility C. Phase when actual violence occurs D. Phase when the victim initiates conflict Rationale: The tension-building phase is marked by escalating hostility and anger, setting the stage for abuse. Remorse occurs in the honeymoon phase, actual violence occurs during the battering phase, and the victim’s actions do not define this phase. During which phase does actual physical or emotional abuse occur? A. Tension-building phase B. Honeymoon phase C. Battering phase D. Reconciliation phase Rationale: The battering phase is when abuse is enacted. The tension-building phase precedes violence, and the honeymoon or reconciliation phases involve apologies and promises to change. The honeymoon phase of domestic violence is characterized by: A. Escalating hostility B. Remorse and promises of change from the abuser C. Physical aggression D. Denial of abuse Rationale: In the honeymoon phase, the abuser may apologize and express regret. Hostility and violence occur earlier, while denial is a psychological defense. Fetal alcohol syndrome results from: A. Cocaine exposure B. Alcohol exposure during pregnancy C. Nicotine exposure D. Maternal hypertension Rationale: Prenatal alcohol exposure is the cause of FAS. Cocaine and nicotine have other teratogenic effects, and hypertension does not cause FAS. Cocaine use during pregnancy can lead to: A. Miscarriage, preterm labor, and stillbirth B. Increased fetal growth C. Fetal alcohol syndrome D. No adverse effects Rationale: Cocaine use compromises placental blood flow, increasing risk of miscarriage, premature birth, and stillbirth. FAS is caused by alcohol, not cocaine. The Papanicolaou (Pap) test is used for: A. Breast cancer screening B. STD detection only C. Cervical cancer detection via microscopic examination D. Hormonal evaluation Rationale: Pap tests screen for cervical cancer by examining cervical cells microscopically. Other options do not reflect its purpose. Bimanual palpation is performed to: A. Assess pelvic organs physically B. Examine through the rectum C. Detect neurological deficits D. Screen for cervical cancer Rationale: Bimanual palpation uses two hands to examine pelvic organs. Rectovaginal palpation goes through the rectum. Neurological and cancer screenings require different techniques. Rectovaginal palpation is performed through: A. The vagina B. The rectum C. The uterus D. The bladder Rationale: This technique allows the clinician to assess pelvic organs via the rectum. Other options are not part of rectovaginal examination. The Four As procedure is designed to: A. Detect cervical cancer B. Assist with smoking cessation C. Promote fetal growth D. Diagnose substance abuse Rationale: The Four As (Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist) are steps in helping patients quit smoking. It is unrelated to cancer detection or fetal growth. Normal breast development during adolescence is: A. A variation in growth considered normal B. Always abnormal C. Symmetric in all cases D. Determined entirely by exercise Rationale: Adolescent breast growth varies and is typically normal. Symmetry may differ, and exercise does not determine normal development. Client education in nursing involves: A. Performing surgery B. Informing patients about health and procedures C. Diagnosing medical conditions D. Administering medications only Rationale: Client education ensures patients understand care and procedures. Surgery, diagnosis, and medication administration are distinct responsibilities. Active partnership in nursing care means: A. Nurse makes all decisions B. Patient is encouraged to participate in care decisions C. Delegating all care to physicians D. Ignoring patient input Rationale: Active partnership fosters shared decision-making. Sole decision-making by nurse or physician reduces patient autonomy. Relaxation techniques during examinations are used to: A. Replace medical assessments B. Reduce anxiety and promote comfort C. Increase patient stress D. Eliminate the need for education Rationale: Relaxation methods alleviate stress during exams. They do not replace assessments or education. Cocaine abuse increases the risk for: A. Sexually transmitted diseases B. Fetal alcohol syndrome C. Improved fertility D. Complete immunity to infections Rationale: Cocaine use is linked to risky sexual behaviors, raising STD risk. FAS is alcohol-related, and cocaine does not improve fertility or immunity. Older women have reduced fertility because: A. Hormone levels rise dramatically B. Aging ovaries decrease pregnancy chances C. CNS abnormalities increase D. They are immune to complications Rationale: Fertility declines naturally with age due to reduced ovarian reserve. CNS abnormalities or immunity are unrelated to fertility decline. Fetal alcohol syndrome diagnosis requires markers in: A. Respiratory function only B. Maternal stress only C. Three categories: craniofacial, growth, CNS D. Genetic testing only ChatGPT said: Pap test guidelines recommend screening: A. At age 18 regardless of sexual activity B. Starting at age 21 or 3 years after first sexual activity C. Only after age 30 D. Only if symptoms appear Rationale: Cervical cancer screening begins at age 21 or three years post-first sex. Screening earlier or only based on symptoms is not standard practice. Breast examination positions for clinical assessment include: A. Lying down only B. Standing with arms at sides only C. Four positions: standing, arms raised, hands on hips, lying down D. Sitting in a chair only Rationale: Proper breast examination requires multiple positions to detect abnormalities. Using only one position may miss findings. Client education about breast development should: A. Emphasize abnormality as a norm B. Teach adolescents about normal growth variations C. Focus only on pathology D. Ignore physical changes during puberty Rationale: Education helps young women understand normal developmental changes, reducing anxiety. Focusing only on disease or ignoring development is ineffective. Physical examination of young women should include: A. Only vital signs B. Breast examination as part of comprehensive assessment C. Only cardiovascular checks D. No examination until adulthood Rationale: Adolescent assessments include breast examination to monitor development and detect abnormalities. Limiting assessment is incomplete. Empathy in nursing is demonstrated by: A. Blaming patients for their stress B. Ignoring patient concerns C. Acknowledging patient stress without placing blame D. Focusing only on medical tasks Rationale: Empathy validates patient experiences and builds trust. Blaming or ignoring patients undermines care. Prenatal care is important because: A. It is optional unless complications arise B. Only for maternal weight monitoring C. It allows management of maternal and fetal health D. It guarantees avoidance of all pregnancy risks Rationale: Prenatal care identifies and manages risk factors to improve outcomes. It is not optional, nor does it eliminate all risks. Teen pregnancy delays prenatal care due to: A. Overconfidence in knowledge B. Denial, lack of awareness, and fear C. Immediate understanding of pregnancy risks D. Excellent health literacy Rationale: Teens often delay care because of denial, fear, or unawareness. High health literacy or awareness usually promotes timely care. Older adults’ risk behaviors are generally: A. Fewer compared to younger adults B. Higher than in adolescence C. Always leading to chronic disease D. Uniformly identical to teenagers Rationale: Older adults typically engage in fewer risky behaviors than younger populations. Risks vary but are generally lower. Nursing process: Diagnosis involves: A. Identifying patient needs for health promotion and care B. Implementing interventions C. Assessing outcomes D. Planning teaching sessions Rationale: Diagnosis defines patient health issues. Planning, implementation, and evaluation occur in subsequent steps. Nursing process: Implementation involves: A. Evaluating outcomes B. Planning strategies C. Carrying out care plans for patient needs D. Identifying health problems Rationale: Implementation is the active phase of providing nursing care. Diagnosis identifies problems, planning develops strategies, and evaluation assesses effectiveness. Nursing process: Evaluation involves: A. Assessing patient understanding and outcomes B. Performing physical exams C. Identifying problems D. Planning care strategies Rationale: Evaluation measures the success of interventions and patient comprehension. Assessment and planning are separate steps. Client Needs: Health Promotion focuses on: A. Only treating existing disease B. Preventive care, education, and promoting wellness C. Administering medications only D. Legal documentation Rationale: Health promotion emphasizes preventing illness and educating patients. Treatment alone does not address preventive care. Tdap vaccine is recommended: A. Only during childhood B. Every 10 years as a booster in adulthood C. Only if traveling internationally D. Only during pregnancy Rationale: Tdap protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. Adults need a booster every 10 years; special recommendations exist for pregnancy.