MATERNITY NURSING EXAM REVIEW
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Question 1 Question CX CX
:
An effective relief measure for primary dysmenorrhea would be to:
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
Choices:
A. Reduce physical activity level until menstruation ceases.
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
B. Begin taking prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors on the first day of the menstrual flow.
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
C. Decrease intake of salt and refined sugar about 1 week before menstruation is about to occur.
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
D. Use barrier methods rather than the oral contraceptive pill (OCP) for birth control.
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
Correct Answer: CX
C. Decrease intake of salt and refined sugar about 1 week before menstruation is about to occur.
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
Rationale:
Staying active is helpful since it facilitates menstrual flow and increases vasodilation to reduce ische
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
mia. Prostaglandin inhibitors should be started a few days before the onset of menstruation. Decreasi
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
ng intake of salt and refined sugar can reduce fluid retention. OCPs are beneficial in relieving primary
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX C
dysmenorrhea as a result of inhibition of ovulation and prostaglandin synthesis.
X CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
Question 2 Question CX CX
:
With regard to dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB), the nurse should be aware that:
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
Choices:
A. It is most commonly caused by anovulation.
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
B. It most often occurs in middle age.
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
C. The diagnosis of DUB should be the first considered for abnormal menstrual bleeding.
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
D. The most effective medical treatment involves steroids.
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
Correct Answer: CX
A. It is most commonly caused by anovulation.
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
Rationale:
Anovulation may occur because of hypothalamic dysfunction or polycystic ovary syndrome. DUB most
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
often occurs when the menstrual cycle is being established or when it draws to a close at menopause.
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX C
XA diagnosis of DUB is made only after all other causes of abnormal menstrual bleeding have been
C X CX C X CX CX C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X CX CX CX CX
ruled out. The most effective medical treatment is oral or intravenous estrogen.
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
Question 3 Question CX CX
:
During a client’s physical examination, the nurse notes that the lower uterine segment is soft on palp
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
ation. The nurse would document this finding as:
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
Choices:
A. Hegar sign
CX CX
B. McDonald sign
CX CX
C. Chadwick sign
CX CX
D. Goodell sign
CX CX
Correct Answer: CX
A. Hegar sign
CX CX
Rationale:
At approximately 6 weeks of gestation, softening and compressibility of the lower uterine segment
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
occur; this is called the Hegar sign. The McDonald sign is not related. The Chadwick sign is a blue-
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX C X CX CX CX
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,violet cervix caused by increased vascularity. Softening of the cervical tip is called
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
the Goodell sign.
CX CX
Question 4 Question CX CX
:
A nurse teaches a pregnant woman about the presumptive, probable, and positive signs of pregnanc
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
y. The woman demonstrates an understanding of the nurse’s instructions if she states that a positive s
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
ign of pregnancy is:
CX CX CX
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,Choices:
A. A positive pregnancy test
CX CX CX CX
B. Fetal movement palpated by the nurse-midwife
CX CX CX CX CX CX
C. Braxton Hicks contractions
CX CX CX
D. Quickening
CX
Correct Answer: CX
B. Fetal movement palpated by the nurse-midwife
CX CX CX CX CX CX
Rationale:
A positive pregnancy test is a probable sign. Positive signs of pregnancy are those attributed to the p
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
resence of a fetus, such as hearing the fetal heartbeat or palpating fetal movement.
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
Braxton Hicks contractions are probable signs. Quickening is a presumptive sign.
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
Question 5 Question CX CX
:
When assessing the fetal heart rate (FHR) of a woman at 30 weeks of gestation, the nurse counts a r
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX C X CX
ate of 82 beats/min. Initially the nurse should:
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
Choices:
A. Recognize that the rate is within normal limits and record it.
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
B. Assess the woman’s radial pulse.
CX CX CX CX CX
C. Notify the physician.
CX CX CX
D. Allow the woman to hear the heartbeat.
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
Correct Answer: CX
C. Notify the physician.
CX CX CX
Rationale:
The expected FHR is 120 to 160 beats/min. The nurse may have inadvertently counted the uteri
C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X CX
ne souffle, which corresponds to the mother’s heartbeat. The physician should be notified if the FHR i
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
s confirmed to be 82 beats/min. Allow the woman to hear the heartbeat as soon as a full assessment is
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
made.
CX
Question 6 Question CX CX
:
The nurse caring for a laboring woman is aware that maternal cardiac output can be increased by:
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
Choices:
A. Change in position
CX CX CX
B. Oxytocin administration
CX CX
C. Regional anesthesia
CX CX
D. Intravenous analgesic
CX CX
Correct Answer: CX
A. Change in position C X C X
Rationale:
Maternal supine hypotension syndrome is caused by the weight and pressure of the gravid ute
C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X CX
rus on the ascending vena cava when the woman is in a supine position. This reduces venous return t
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
o the woman’s heart, as well as cardiac output, and subsequently reduces her blood pressure. The
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX C X C X
nurse can encourage the woman to change positions and avoid the supine position. Oxytocin a
C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X CX CX CX
dministration, regional anesthesia, and intravenous analgesic may reduce CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
maternal cardiac output. CX CX
Question 7 Question CX CX
:
A nurse is reviewing information related to home pregnancy tests so as to prepare for a patient teachi
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
ng session. Which statement by the patient indicates that additional instruction is needed following t
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
he teaching session?
CX CX
Choices:
A. The patient states that she will follow directions as listed on the testing package.
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
B. The patient indicates that a positive result will be seen if there is a color change on the
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
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, applicator.
C. The patient states there is no need for concern as home pregnancy test results are 100% correct.
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
D. The patient can perform the test without any assistance in the home setting.
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
Correct Answer: CX
C. The patient states there is no need for concern as home pregnancy test results are 100% correct.
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
Rationale:
Home pregnancy testing while reliable does not provide 100% correct results. There are other variabl
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
es such as medication history as well as timing of specimen, collection and interpretation that may le
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
ad to inaccurate results. Following directions, noting a color change as a positive result, and being abl
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
e to perform the test without any assistance in the home setting all indicate that the patient has an u
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
nderstanding of the process. CX CX CX
Question 8 Question CX CX
:
The nurse should include which information when teaching a 15-year-
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
old about genital tract infection prevention? (Select all that apply.)
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
Choices:
A. Wear nylon undergarments. CX CX
B. Avoid tight-fitting jeans. C X C X
C. Use floral scented bath salts. CX CX CX CX
D. Decrease sugar intake. CX CX
E. Do not douche. CX CX
F. Limit time spent wearing a wet bathing suit. CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
Correct Answer: CX
B. Avoid tight-fitting jeans. C X C X
D. Decrease sugar intake.
CX CX CX
E. Do not douche.
CX CX CX
F. Limit time spent wearing a wet bathing suit.
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
Rationale:
Wearing nylon undergarments and using floral scented bath salts are not recommended. Avoidi
C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X CX
ng tight-
CX
fitting jeans, decreasing sugar intake, not douching, and limiting time in a wet bathing suit help prev
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
ent genital tract infections.
CX CX CX
Question 9 Question CX CX
:
If exhibited by a pregnant woman, what represents a positive sign of pregnancy?
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
Choices:
A. Morning sickness
CX CX
B. Quickening
CX
C. Positive pregnancy test
CX CX CX
D. Fetal heartbeat auscultated with Doppler/fetoscope
CX CX CX CX CX
Correct Answer: CX
D. Fetal heartbeat auscultated with Doppler/fetoscope
CX CX CX CX CX
Rationale:
Morning sickness and quickening, along with amenorrhea and breast tenderness, are presumpti
C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X CX
ve signs of pregnancy. A positive pregnancy test is a probable sign. Detection of a fetal heartbeat, pal
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
pation of fetal movements and parts by an examiner, and detection of an embryo/fetus with sonogra
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
phic examination are positive signs diagnostic of pregnancy.
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
Question 10 Questio CX CX
n:
A woman is 6 weeks pregnant. She has had a previous spontaneous abortion at 14 weeks of gestati
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
on and a pregnancy that ended at 38 weeks with the birth of a stillborn girl. What is her gravidity and pa
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
rity using the GTPAL system?
CX CX CX CX
messages.downloaded_by
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Question 1 Question CX CX
:
An effective relief measure for primary dysmenorrhea would be to:
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
Choices:
A. Reduce physical activity level until menstruation ceases.
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
B. Begin taking prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors on the first day of the menstrual flow.
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
C. Decrease intake of salt and refined sugar about 1 week before menstruation is about to occur.
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
D. Use barrier methods rather than the oral contraceptive pill (OCP) for birth control.
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
Correct Answer: CX
C. Decrease intake of salt and refined sugar about 1 week before menstruation is about to occur.
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
Rationale:
Staying active is helpful since it facilitates menstrual flow and increases vasodilation to reduce ische
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
mia. Prostaglandin inhibitors should be started a few days before the onset of menstruation. Decreasi
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
ng intake of salt and refined sugar can reduce fluid retention. OCPs are beneficial in relieving primary
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX C
dysmenorrhea as a result of inhibition of ovulation and prostaglandin synthesis.
X CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
Question 2 Question CX CX
:
With regard to dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB), the nurse should be aware that:
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
Choices:
A. It is most commonly caused by anovulation.
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
B. It most often occurs in middle age.
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
C. The diagnosis of DUB should be the first considered for abnormal menstrual bleeding.
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
D. The most effective medical treatment involves steroids.
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
Correct Answer: CX
A. It is most commonly caused by anovulation.
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
Rationale:
Anovulation may occur because of hypothalamic dysfunction or polycystic ovary syndrome. DUB most
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
often occurs when the menstrual cycle is being established or when it draws to a close at menopause.
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX C
XA diagnosis of DUB is made only after all other causes of abnormal menstrual bleeding have been
C X CX C X CX CX C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X CX CX CX CX
ruled out. The most effective medical treatment is oral or intravenous estrogen.
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
Question 3 Question CX CX
:
During a client’s physical examination, the nurse notes that the lower uterine segment is soft on palp
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
ation. The nurse would document this finding as:
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
Choices:
A. Hegar sign
CX CX
B. McDonald sign
CX CX
C. Chadwick sign
CX CX
D. Goodell sign
CX CX
Correct Answer: CX
A. Hegar sign
CX CX
Rationale:
At approximately 6 weeks of gestation, softening and compressibility of the lower uterine segment
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
occur; this is called the Hegar sign. The McDonald sign is not related. The Chadwick sign is a blue-
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX C X CX CX CX
messages.downloaded_by
,violet cervix caused by increased vascularity. Softening of the cervical tip is called
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
the Goodell sign.
CX CX
Question 4 Question CX CX
:
A nurse teaches a pregnant woman about the presumptive, probable, and positive signs of pregnanc
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
y. The woman demonstrates an understanding of the nurse’s instructions if she states that a positive s
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
ign of pregnancy is:
CX CX CX
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,Choices:
A. A positive pregnancy test
CX CX CX CX
B. Fetal movement palpated by the nurse-midwife
CX CX CX CX CX CX
C. Braxton Hicks contractions
CX CX CX
D. Quickening
CX
Correct Answer: CX
B. Fetal movement palpated by the nurse-midwife
CX CX CX CX CX CX
Rationale:
A positive pregnancy test is a probable sign. Positive signs of pregnancy are those attributed to the p
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
resence of a fetus, such as hearing the fetal heartbeat or palpating fetal movement.
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
Braxton Hicks contractions are probable signs. Quickening is a presumptive sign.
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
Question 5 Question CX CX
:
When assessing the fetal heart rate (FHR) of a woman at 30 weeks of gestation, the nurse counts a r
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX C X CX
ate of 82 beats/min. Initially the nurse should:
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
Choices:
A. Recognize that the rate is within normal limits and record it.
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
B. Assess the woman’s radial pulse.
CX CX CX CX CX
C. Notify the physician.
CX CX CX
D. Allow the woman to hear the heartbeat.
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
Correct Answer: CX
C. Notify the physician.
CX CX CX
Rationale:
The expected FHR is 120 to 160 beats/min. The nurse may have inadvertently counted the uteri
C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X CX
ne souffle, which corresponds to the mother’s heartbeat. The physician should be notified if the FHR i
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
s confirmed to be 82 beats/min. Allow the woman to hear the heartbeat as soon as a full assessment is
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
made.
CX
Question 6 Question CX CX
:
The nurse caring for a laboring woman is aware that maternal cardiac output can be increased by:
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
Choices:
A. Change in position
CX CX CX
B. Oxytocin administration
CX CX
C. Regional anesthesia
CX CX
D. Intravenous analgesic
CX CX
Correct Answer: CX
A. Change in position C X C X
Rationale:
Maternal supine hypotension syndrome is caused by the weight and pressure of the gravid ute
C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X CX
rus on the ascending vena cava when the woman is in a supine position. This reduces venous return t
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
o the woman’s heart, as well as cardiac output, and subsequently reduces her blood pressure. The
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX C X C X
nurse can encourage the woman to change positions and avoid the supine position. Oxytocin a
C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X CX CX CX
dministration, regional anesthesia, and intravenous analgesic may reduce CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
maternal cardiac output. CX CX
Question 7 Question CX CX
:
A nurse is reviewing information related to home pregnancy tests so as to prepare for a patient teachi
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
ng session. Which statement by the patient indicates that additional instruction is needed following t
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
he teaching session?
CX CX
Choices:
A. The patient states that she will follow directions as listed on the testing package.
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
B. The patient indicates that a positive result will be seen if there is a color change on the
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
messages.downloaded_by
, applicator.
C. The patient states there is no need for concern as home pregnancy test results are 100% correct.
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
D. The patient can perform the test without any assistance in the home setting.
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
Correct Answer: CX
C. The patient states there is no need for concern as home pregnancy test results are 100% correct.
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
Rationale:
Home pregnancy testing while reliable does not provide 100% correct results. There are other variabl
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
es such as medication history as well as timing of specimen, collection and interpretation that may le
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
ad to inaccurate results. Following directions, noting a color change as a positive result, and being abl
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
e to perform the test without any assistance in the home setting all indicate that the patient has an u
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
nderstanding of the process. CX CX CX
Question 8 Question CX CX
:
The nurse should include which information when teaching a 15-year-
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
old about genital tract infection prevention? (Select all that apply.)
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
Choices:
A. Wear nylon undergarments. CX CX
B. Avoid tight-fitting jeans. C X C X
C. Use floral scented bath salts. CX CX CX CX
D. Decrease sugar intake. CX CX
E. Do not douche. CX CX
F. Limit time spent wearing a wet bathing suit. CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
Correct Answer: CX
B. Avoid tight-fitting jeans. C X C X
D. Decrease sugar intake.
CX CX CX
E. Do not douche.
CX CX CX
F. Limit time spent wearing a wet bathing suit.
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
Rationale:
Wearing nylon undergarments and using floral scented bath salts are not recommended. Avoidi
C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X CX
ng tight-
CX
fitting jeans, decreasing sugar intake, not douching, and limiting time in a wet bathing suit help prev
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
ent genital tract infections.
CX CX CX
Question 9 Question CX CX
:
If exhibited by a pregnant woman, what represents a positive sign of pregnancy?
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
Choices:
A. Morning sickness
CX CX
B. Quickening
CX
C. Positive pregnancy test
CX CX CX
D. Fetal heartbeat auscultated with Doppler/fetoscope
CX CX CX CX CX
Correct Answer: CX
D. Fetal heartbeat auscultated with Doppler/fetoscope
CX CX CX CX CX
Rationale:
Morning sickness and quickening, along with amenorrhea and breast tenderness, are presumpti
C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X C X CX
ve signs of pregnancy. A positive pregnancy test is a probable sign. Detection of a fetal heartbeat, pal
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
pation of fetal movements and parts by an examiner, and detection of an embryo/fetus with sonogra
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
phic examination are positive signs diagnostic of pregnancy.
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
Question 10 Questio CX CX
n:
A woman is 6 weeks pregnant. She has had a previous spontaneous abortion at 14 weeks of gestati
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
on and a pregnancy that ended at 38 weeks with the birth of a stillborn girl. What is her gravidity and pa
CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX CX
rity using the GTPAL system?
CX CX CX CX
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