NUR 254 Exam 1: Maternal and Pediatrics Galen College
of Nursing Practice Exam 100 Questions with Correct Answers
and Explanations in Italics.
Section 1: Antepartum & Prenatal Care)
Question 1
The nurse is teaching a client who is in the 10th week of pregnancy about morning
sickness. Which of the following should the nurse include in the teaching?
A) Avoid all fluids during meals to prevent nausea
B) Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day
C) Increase intake of spicy and fatty foods to settle the stomach
D) Take antiemetic medication immediately upon waking
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse should teach the client to eat small, frequent meals, avoid spicy and
fatty foods, keep crackers at the bedside to eat before rising, stay hydrated, and avoid an
empty stomach. Ginger and vitamin B6 may help, and severe vomiting (hyperemesis
gravidarum) should be reported .
Question 2
The nurse is teaching a client about symptoms to report during her pregnancy. Which of
the following statements by the client indicates a correct understanding of the teaching?
A) "If I have any fluid leaking from my vagina, I must call the clinic immediately"
B) "I'll report increased frequency of urination"
,C) "Nausea should be reported immediately"
D) "If I feel tired after resting, I should report it immediately"
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Leaking fluid from the vagina may indicate rupture of membranes, which
requires immediate medical evaluation. Increased urination and nausea are common
discomforts of pregnancy. Fatigue after rest may indicate anemia, but leaking fluid is a
more urgent concern .
Question 3
The nurse is preparing to teach a client about the physiological changes that occur
during pregnancy. Which of the following should the nurse teach as an increased
physiological change?
A) Gastrointestinal contractility
B) Blood pressure
C) Cardiac output
D) Respiratory rate
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: During pregnancy, there is a significant increase in maternal cardiac output to
meet the metabolic demands of the mother and the developing fetus. This physiological
adaptation begins early in the first trimester, peaks in the second trimester, and remains
elevated until term. Gastrointestinal contractility typically decreases, leading to symptoms
like constipation, whereas blood pressure remains the same or decreases slightly due to
decreased systemic vascular resistance .
Question 4
The nurse has provided dietary teaching for a pregnant client with iron deficiency
anemia. Which of the following meal options indicates the client understood the
teaching?
,A) Chicken salad sandwich with almonds and raisins
B) Toasted cheese sandwich with celery sticks
C) Red beans with whole-grain and mixed greens
D) Oatmeal, whole wheat toast, and jelly
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Red beans and mixed greens are rich sources of non-heme iron, and pairing
them with whole grains provides added fiber and essential nutrients, promoting iron
absorption. Vitamin C from greens enhances non-heme iron absorption. The other options
contain less iron or lack components to enhance iron absorption .
Question 5
The nurse is talking to a client who is 18 weeks pregnant about preparing her 7-year-old
daughter for the new sibling. Which of the following recommendations is best for the
nurse to make based on the child's age?
A) "Tell your daughter the story of her own birth"
B) "Use your pregnancy as a way to begin basic human sexuality education"
C) "Teach your daughter how to hold and talk to the baby using her favorite doll"
D) "Wait to discuss the birth of the baby until your daughter asks about it"
Correct Answer: C
*Rationale: The best recommendation is to teach the 7-year-old daughter how to hold
and talk to the baby using her favorite doll. This age-appropriate activity helps the child
understand what to expect and practice safe handling of the infant. Involving the child
in preparation and giving her a special role helps reduce sibling rivalry .*
Question 6
The nurse is caring for a pregnant client who is recently diagnosed with pica. Which of
the following hemoglobin levels should the nurse expect to find in the client's chart?
, A) 16 g/dL
B) 8 g/dL
C) 12 g/dL
D) 20 g/dL
Correct Answer: B
*Rationale: Pica is associated with iron deficiency anemia. Normal hemoglobin in
pregnancy is >11 g/dL; 8 g/dL reflects significant anemia. Pica is the craving and
consumption of non-food substances such as clay, dirt, or ice .*
Question 7
The nurse is caring for a primigravida in her third trimester who is experiencing
shortness of breath when walking up stairs. Which of the following statements by the
nurse is appropriate?
A) "You will feel much better once lightening occurs"
B) "You should immediately report this difficulty breathing to your primary care
provider"
C) "If you lie on your left side, it will relieve your shortness of breath"
D) "This would be considered normal during this stage of pregnancy"
Correct Answer: D
*Rationale: Shortness of breath on exertion in the third trimester is normal due to
upward displacement of the diaphragm by the enlarged uterus. If associated with other
symptoms (e.g., chest pain, severe dyspnea at rest), further investigation is needed.
Lightening (fetal descent) may relieve dyspnea but typically occurs 2-4 weeks before
term in primigravidas .*
Question 8
The nurse is caring for a client at 15 weeks gestation who has a nonimmune Rubella
titer. Which of the following actions is appropriate for the nurse to take?
of Nursing Practice Exam 100 Questions with Correct Answers
and Explanations in Italics.
Section 1: Antepartum & Prenatal Care)
Question 1
The nurse is teaching a client who is in the 10th week of pregnancy about morning
sickness. Which of the following should the nurse include in the teaching?
A) Avoid all fluids during meals to prevent nausea
B) Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day
C) Increase intake of spicy and fatty foods to settle the stomach
D) Take antiemetic medication immediately upon waking
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse should teach the client to eat small, frequent meals, avoid spicy and
fatty foods, keep crackers at the bedside to eat before rising, stay hydrated, and avoid an
empty stomach. Ginger and vitamin B6 may help, and severe vomiting (hyperemesis
gravidarum) should be reported .
Question 2
The nurse is teaching a client about symptoms to report during her pregnancy. Which of
the following statements by the client indicates a correct understanding of the teaching?
A) "If I have any fluid leaking from my vagina, I must call the clinic immediately"
B) "I'll report increased frequency of urination"
,C) "Nausea should be reported immediately"
D) "If I feel tired after resting, I should report it immediately"
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Leaking fluid from the vagina may indicate rupture of membranes, which
requires immediate medical evaluation. Increased urination and nausea are common
discomforts of pregnancy. Fatigue after rest may indicate anemia, but leaking fluid is a
more urgent concern .
Question 3
The nurse is preparing to teach a client about the physiological changes that occur
during pregnancy. Which of the following should the nurse teach as an increased
physiological change?
A) Gastrointestinal contractility
B) Blood pressure
C) Cardiac output
D) Respiratory rate
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: During pregnancy, there is a significant increase in maternal cardiac output to
meet the metabolic demands of the mother and the developing fetus. This physiological
adaptation begins early in the first trimester, peaks in the second trimester, and remains
elevated until term. Gastrointestinal contractility typically decreases, leading to symptoms
like constipation, whereas blood pressure remains the same or decreases slightly due to
decreased systemic vascular resistance .
Question 4
The nurse has provided dietary teaching for a pregnant client with iron deficiency
anemia. Which of the following meal options indicates the client understood the
teaching?
,A) Chicken salad sandwich with almonds and raisins
B) Toasted cheese sandwich with celery sticks
C) Red beans with whole-grain and mixed greens
D) Oatmeal, whole wheat toast, and jelly
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Red beans and mixed greens are rich sources of non-heme iron, and pairing
them with whole grains provides added fiber and essential nutrients, promoting iron
absorption. Vitamin C from greens enhances non-heme iron absorption. The other options
contain less iron or lack components to enhance iron absorption .
Question 5
The nurse is talking to a client who is 18 weeks pregnant about preparing her 7-year-old
daughter for the new sibling. Which of the following recommendations is best for the
nurse to make based on the child's age?
A) "Tell your daughter the story of her own birth"
B) "Use your pregnancy as a way to begin basic human sexuality education"
C) "Teach your daughter how to hold and talk to the baby using her favorite doll"
D) "Wait to discuss the birth of the baby until your daughter asks about it"
Correct Answer: C
*Rationale: The best recommendation is to teach the 7-year-old daughter how to hold
and talk to the baby using her favorite doll. This age-appropriate activity helps the child
understand what to expect and practice safe handling of the infant. Involving the child
in preparation and giving her a special role helps reduce sibling rivalry .*
Question 6
The nurse is caring for a pregnant client who is recently diagnosed with pica. Which of
the following hemoglobin levels should the nurse expect to find in the client's chart?
, A) 16 g/dL
B) 8 g/dL
C) 12 g/dL
D) 20 g/dL
Correct Answer: B
*Rationale: Pica is associated with iron deficiency anemia. Normal hemoglobin in
pregnancy is >11 g/dL; 8 g/dL reflects significant anemia. Pica is the craving and
consumption of non-food substances such as clay, dirt, or ice .*
Question 7
The nurse is caring for a primigravida in her third trimester who is experiencing
shortness of breath when walking up stairs. Which of the following statements by the
nurse is appropriate?
A) "You will feel much better once lightening occurs"
B) "You should immediately report this difficulty breathing to your primary care
provider"
C) "If you lie on your left side, it will relieve your shortness of breath"
D) "This would be considered normal during this stage of pregnancy"
Correct Answer: D
*Rationale: Shortness of breath on exertion in the third trimester is normal due to
upward displacement of the diaphragm by the enlarged uterus. If associated with other
symptoms (e.g., chest pain, severe dyspnea at rest), further investigation is needed.
Lightening (fetal descent) may relieve dyspnea but typically occurs 2-4 weeks before
term in primigravidas .*
Question 8
The nurse is caring for a client at 15 weeks gestation who has a nonimmune Rubella
titer. Which of the following actions is appropriate for the nurse to take?
