INTRODUCTION TO MATERNITY NURSING LATEST UPDATED 2026-2027 ACTUAL FINAL
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Reproductive anatomy and physiology
Pregnancy physiology and hormonal changes
Antenatal care and prenatal assessment
Labor and delivery processes
Postpartum care and complications
Newborn care and assessment
Maternal-fetal monitoring
High-risk pregnancy management
Breastfeeding and lactation
Ethics and legal compliance in maternity nursing
,Introduction
This comprehensive exam assesses essential knowledge and clinical decision-making skills required for safe
maternity nursing practice. The test features 100 multiple-choice questions with scenario-based items that
emphasize real-world application, critical thinking, and professional judgment. Candidates will encounter
questions covering foundational theory, applied clinical knowledge, regulatory compliance, ethics, and
patient care prioritization. This assessment prepares nursing professionals for actual clinical decisions in
antenatal, labor, postpartum, and newborn care settings, ensuring competence in maternal-newborn
healthcare delivery.
Section One: Questions 1–100
A woman at 28 weeks gestation presents with vaginal bleeding and mild abdominal pain. Upon assessment, the
nurse notes a soft, non-rigid abdomen. What is the most likely cause?
A. Placental abruption
B. Placenta previa
C. Vasa previa
D. Uterine rupture
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Placenta previa typically presents with bright red vaginal bleeding and a soft, non-rigid
abdomen since the placenta covers the cervical opening. Placental abruption presents with a rigid, painful
abdomen, while uterine rupture involves severe pain and rigidity.
,Which hormone is primarily responsible for maintaining the corpus luteum during the first 10 weeks of
pregnancy?
A. Estrogen
B. Progesterone
C. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
D. Luteinizing hormone
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: hCG is produced by the developing placenta and maintains the corpus luteum to produce
progesterone and estrogen until the placenta takes over hormone production at approximately 10 weeks
gestation.
A postpartum woman 2 hours after vaginal delivery has a heart rate of 110 bpm, blood pressure of 90/50
mmHg, and excessive vaginal bleeding. The uterus is boggy on palpation. What is the nurse's FIRST action?
A. Administer IV oxytocin
B. Massage the uterus
C. Insert a Foley catheter
D. Check hemoglobin levels
, 🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Uterine massage is the immediate first intervention for uterine atony and postpartum
hemorrhage. It stimulates uterine contractions to reduce bleeding. Medications like oxytocin are administered
after initial massage.
During which stage of labor does cervical dilation occur from 0 to 10 cm?
A. First stage
B. Second stage
C. Third stage
D. Fourth stage
🟢 Correct answer: A
🔴 RATIONALE: The first stage of labor encompasses cervical dilation from 0 to 10 cm and is divided into
latent (0-3 cm), active (4-7 cm), and transition (8-10 cm) phases. The second stage involves delivery of the baby.
A newborn is assessed at 1 minute after birth with the following: heart rate 120 bpm, weak cry, some flexion of
extremities, grimacing response to stimulation, and body is pink with blue extremities. What is the APGAR
score?
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Reproductive anatomy and physiology
Pregnancy physiology and hormonal changes
Antenatal care and prenatal assessment
Labor and delivery processes
Postpartum care and complications
Newborn care and assessment
Maternal-fetal monitoring
High-risk pregnancy management
Breastfeeding and lactation
Ethics and legal compliance in maternity nursing
,Introduction
This comprehensive exam assesses essential knowledge and clinical decision-making skills required for safe
maternity nursing practice. The test features 100 multiple-choice questions with scenario-based items that
emphasize real-world application, critical thinking, and professional judgment. Candidates will encounter
questions covering foundational theory, applied clinical knowledge, regulatory compliance, ethics, and
patient care prioritization. This assessment prepares nursing professionals for actual clinical decisions in
antenatal, labor, postpartum, and newborn care settings, ensuring competence in maternal-newborn
healthcare delivery.
Section One: Questions 1–100
A woman at 28 weeks gestation presents with vaginal bleeding and mild abdominal pain. Upon assessment, the
nurse notes a soft, non-rigid abdomen. What is the most likely cause?
A. Placental abruption
B. Placenta previa
C. Vasa previa
D. Uterine rupture
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Placenta previa typically presents with bright red vaginal bleeding and a soft, non-rigid
abdomen since the placenta covers the cervical opening. Placental abruption presents with a rigid, painful
abdomen, while uterine rupture involves severe pain and rigidity.
,Which hormone is primarily responsible for maintaining the corpus luteum during the first 10 weeks of
pregnancy?
A. Estrogen
B. Progesterone
C. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
D. Luteinizing hormone
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: hCG is produced by the developing placenta and maintains the corpus luteum to produce
progesterone and estrogen until the placenta takes over hormone production at approximately 10 weeks
gestation.
A postpartum woman 2 hours after vaginal delivery has a heart rate of 110 bpm, blood pressure of 90/50
mmHg, and excessive vaginal bleeding. The uterus is boggy on palpation. What is the nurse's FIRST action?
A. Administer IV oxytocin
B. Massage the uterus
C. Insert a Foley catheter
D. Check hemoglobin levels
, 🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Uterine massage is the immediate first intervention for uterine atony and postpartum
hemorrhage. It stimulates uterine contractions to reduce bleeding. Medications like oxytocin are administered
after initial massage.
During which stage of labor does cervical dilation occur from 0 to 10 cm?
A. First stage
B. Second stage
C. Third stage
D. Fourth stage
🟢 Correct answer: A
🔴 RATIONALE: The first stage of labor encompasses cervical dilation from 0 to 10 cm and is divided into
latent (0-3 cm), active (4-7 cm), and transition (8-10 cm) phases. The second stage involves delivery of the baby.
A newborn is assessed at 1 minute after birth with the following: heart rate 120 bpm, weak cry, some flexion of
extremities, grimacing response to stimulation, and body is pink with blue extremities. What is the APGAR
score?
