KAPLAN MATERNAL-NEWBORN NURSING EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
- Antepartum Assessment and Care
- Intrapartum Monitoring and Management
- Postpartum Physiological Assessment
- Postpartum Complications and Interventions
- Newborn Physiological Assessment
- Neonatal Complications and Care
- Pharmacology in Maternity Nursing
- Ethics, Legal Compliance, and Safety
Introduction
This comprehensive assessment evaluates essential competencies
for maternal-newborn nursing practice. The exam measures
knowledge of antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum care,
plus neonatal assessment and management. Questions use
multiple-choice and scenario-based formats requiring
clinical judgment and prioritization skills. Emphasis is
placed on real-world application, critical thinking, and
evidence-based decision-making in obstetric and neonatal
settings. Successful performance demonstrates readiness
for professional practice and certification.
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SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
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A pregnant client at 28 weeks gestation presents with vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain. The nurse suspects placental abruption. Which finding
would most strongly support this diagnosis?
,A. Painless bright red vaginal bleeding
B. Uterine tenderness with a firm, board-like abdomen
C. Mild cramping without uterine changes
D. Fetal heart rate variability with normal baseline
🟢 B. Uterine tenderness with a firm, board-like abdomen
🔴 RATIONALE: Placental abruption presents with painful vaginal bleeding, uterine tenderness, and a rigid, board-like abdomen due to uterine
irritability and concealed hemorrhage. Painless bright red bleeding (option A) suggests placenta previa. Mild cramping without uterine changes
(option C) is not characteristic of abruption.
Which assessment finding in a postpartum client indicates the need for immediate intervention regarding uterine involution?
A. Fundus firm at umbilicus on day 1
B. Fundus boggy and 2 cm above umbilicus
C. Lochia rubra moderate amount on day 2
D. Afterpains during breastfeeding
🟢 B. Fundus boggy and 2 cm above umbilicus
🔴 RATIONALE: A boggy uterus above the umbilicus indicates uterine atony, which can lead to postpartum hemorrhage. Immediate uterine
massage and bladder emptying are required. A firm fundus at the umbilicus (option A) is normal on day 1. Lochia rubra on day 2 (option C) and
afterpains (option D) are normal findings.
A newborn is born at 32 weeks gestation. Which intervention is the priority in the immediate newborn period?
A. Initiate kangaroo care
B. Apply eye prophylaxis
C. Maintain thermoregulation with a radiant warmer
D. Administer vitamin K injection
, 🟢 C. Maintain thermoregulation with a radiant warmer
🔴 RATIONALE: Preterm infants are at high risk for cold stress due to decreased subcutaneous fat and immature thermoregulation. Maintaining
thermoregulation is the immediate priority to prevent hypothermia, hypoglycemia, and respiratory distress. Other interventions (options A, B, D) are
important but not the immediate priority.
During the active phase of labor, the fetal heart rate shows late decelerations. What is the nurse's first action?
A. Prepare for immediate cesarean delivery
B. Administer oxygen at 8-10 L/min via non-rebreather
C. Turn the client to the left lateral position
D. Increase the oxytocin infusion rate
🟢 C. Turn the client to the left lateral position
🔴 RATIONALE: Late decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency. The first action is to reposition the client to the left lateral position to
improve uteroplacental blood flow. Oxygen administration (option B) follows repositioning. Cesarean delivery (option A) may be needed if patterns
don't improve. Increasing oxytocin (option D) would worsen the situation.
A client at 36 weeks gestation presents with severe headache, visual disturbances, and epigastric pain. Blood pressure is 168/110 mmHg. Which
laboratory value is most critical to assess?
A. Hemoglobin
B. Platelet count
C. Serum glucose
D. Thyroid-stimulating hormone
🟢 B. Platelet count
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
- Antepartum Assessment and Care
- Intrapartum Monitoring and Management
- Postpartum Physiological Assessment
- Postpartum Complications and Interventions
- Newborn Physiological Assessment
- Neonatal Complications and Care
- Pharmacology in Maternity Nursing
- Ethics, Legal Compliance, and Safety
Introduction
This comprehensive assessment evaluates essential competencies
for maternal-newborn nursing practice. The exam measures
knowledge of antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum care,
plus neonatal assessment and management. Questions use
multiple-choice and scenario-based formats requiring
clinical judgment and prioritization skills. Emphasis is
placed on real-world application, critical thinking, and
evidence-based decision-making in obstetric and neonatal
settings. Successful performance demonstrates readiness
for professional practice and certification.
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
A pregnant client at 28 weeks gestation presents with vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain. The nurse suspects placental abruption. Which finding
would most strongly support this diagnosis?
,A. Painless bright red vaginal bleeding
B. Uterine tenderness with a firm, board-like abdomen
C. Mild cramping without uterine changes
D. Fetal heart rate variability with normal baseline
🟢 B. Uterine tenderness with a firm, board-like abdomen
🔴 RATIONALE: Placental abruption presents with painful vaginal bleeding, uterine tenderness, and a rigid, board-like abdomen due to uterine
irritability and concealed hemorrhage. Painless bright red bleeding (option A) suggests placenta previa. Mild cramping without uterine changes
(option C) is not characteristic of abruption.
Which assessment finding in a postpartum client indicates the need for immediate intervention regarding uterine involution?
A. Fundus firm at umbilicus on day 1
B. Fundus boggy and 2 cm above umbilicus
C. Lochia rubra moderate amount on day 2
D. Afterpains during breastfeeding
🟢 B. Fundus boggy and 2 cm above umbilicus
🔴 RATIONALE: A boggy uterus above the umbilicus indicates uterine atony, which can lead to postpartum hemorrhage. Immediate uterine
massage and bladder emptying are required. A firm fundus at the umbilicus (option A) is normal on day 1. Lochia rubra on day 2 (option C) and
afterpains (option D) are normal findings.
A newborn is born at 32 weeks gestation. Which intervention is the priority in the immediate newborn period?
A. Initiate kangaroo care
B. Apply eye prophylaxis
C. Maintain thermoregulation with a radiant warmer
D. Administer vitamin K injection
, 🟢 C. Maintain thermoregulation with a radiant warmer
🔴 RATIONALE: Preterm infants are at high risk for cold stress due to decreased subcutaneous fat and immature thermoregulation. Maintaining
thermoregulation is the immediate priority to prevent hypothermia, hypoglycemia, and respiratory distress. Other interventions (options A, B, D) are
important but not the immediate priority.
During the active phase of labor, the fetal heart rate shows late decelerations. What is the nurse's first action?
A. Prepare for immediate cesarean delivery
B. Administer oxygen at 8-10 L/min via non-rebreather
C. Turn the client to the left lateral position
D. Increase the oxytocin infusion rate
🟢 C. Turn the client to the left lateral position
🔴 RATIONALE: Late decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency. The first action is to reposition the client to the left lateral position to
improve uteroplacental blood flow. Oxygen administration (option B) follows repositioning. Cesarean delivery (option A) may be needed if patterns
don't improve. Increasing oxytocin (option D) would worsen the situation.
A client at 36 weeks gestation presents with severe headache, visual disturbances, and epigastric pain. Blood pressure is 168/110 mmHg. Which
laboratory value is most critical to assess?
A. Hemoglobin
B. Platelet count
C. Serum glucose
D. Thyroid-stimulating hormone
🟢 B. Platelet count
