Your ultimate nursing study guide — practice, revise, and succeed
with confidence. Pass exams with confidence using this complete
nursing study guide and practice pack.
---
## 🏆 Maternal & Newborn Nursing Practice Questions – Success
Bundle | 2025/2026 NCLEX-Style Prep Guide
---
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is 38 weeks gestation and is experiencing contractions every 3 to 4
minutes. The client's cervical exam reveals 4 cm dilation, 80% effacement, and the fetus is at -1 station.
The nurse should document this as which phase of labor?
A. Latent phase.
B. Active phase.
C. Transition phase.
D. Second stage.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: The active phase of the first stage of labor is characterized by cervical dilation from 4
to 7 cm and more frequent contractions. This is a key distinction in intrapartum nursing. This nursing
exam prep question emphasizes the stages and phases of labor for student success in maternal-newborn
health. The latent phase is 0-3 cm, transition is 8-10 cm, and the second stage begins at full dilation.
2. A nurse is assessing a newborn 5 minutes after birth. The newborn has a heart rate of 130 bpm, a
strong cry, active movement, pink body with blue extremities, and a vigorous cry when stimulated.
What is the newborn's Apgar score?
A. 7.
B. 8.
C. 9.
,D. 10.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: C
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: The Apgar score is based on 5 parameters: Heart rate (2), Respiratory effort (2),
Muscle tone (2), Reflex irritability (2), and Color (1 for acrocyanosis). The score is 2+2+2+2+1 = 9. This is
a foundational assessment in newborn nursing. The other options represent miscalculations of the
Apgar score.
3. A nurse is providing education to a postpartum client about breastfeeding. Which instruction is
correct regarding the frequency of feeding?
A. Feed the newborn on a strict 4-hour schedule.
B. Feed the newborn on demand, approximately every 2 to 3 hours.
C. Feed the newborn only when they cry.
D. Feed the newborn only once during the night.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Breastfeeding should be on demand, typically every 2 to 3 hours, to establish milk
supply and ensure adequate infant nutrition. This nursing study guide emphasizes evidence-based
breastfeeding practices. The other options reflect outdated or incorrect advice.
4. A nurse is assessing a client who is 24 hours postpartum. The client's uterus is firm, midline, and at the
level of the umbilicus. The nurse notes a moderate amount of lochia rubra. Which finding indicates a
potential complication?
A. Firm, midline uterus.
B. Lochia rubra.
C. Uterus at the level of the umbilicus.
D. Saturation of a perineal pad in 30 minutes.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: D
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Saturation of a perineal pad in 30 minutes or less indicates excessive bleeding
(hemorrhage) and is a priority. A firm, midline uterus and lochia rubra are expected findings. This
nursing practice question highlights the assessment of postpartum hemorrhage.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving magnesium sulfate for preeclampsia. Which finding
indicates magnesium toxicity?
,A. Respiratory rate of 16 breaths/min.
B. Urine output of 35 mL/hr.
C. Loss of deep tendon reflexes.
D. Blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: C
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Loss of deep tendon reflexes is an early sign of magnesium toxicity. A respiratory rate
of <12 breaths/min, urine output <30 mL/hr, and absent reflexes are signs of toxicity. This is a critical
safety concept in maternity nursing and a key topic in nursing exam prep. The other options are within
acceptable limits.
6. A nurse is assessing a newborn for signs of hypoglycemia. Which finding is most indicative?
A. Pink skin.
B. Strong cry.
C. Jitteriness.
D. Good muscle tone.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: C
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Jitteriness, lethargy, poor feeding, and hypotonia are signs of neonatal hypoglycemia.
The other findings are normal. This nursing study guide emphasizes the importance of early
identification of hypoglycemia for newborn safety.
7. A client at 20 weeks gestation is scheduled for a glucose tolerance test to screen for gestational
diabetes. Which instruction is correct for this test?
A. Fast for 8-12 hours before the test.
B. Eat a high-carbohydrate meal 2 hours before the test.
C. Drink the glucose solution the day before the test.
D. No fasting is required.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: The client should fast for 8-12 hours before the glucose tolerance test. This ensures
accurate baseline blood glucose levels. This is a standard pre-test instruction.
, 8. A nurse is providing education about the use of a fetal heart rate monitor. A late deceleration is most
commonly caused by:
A. Umbilical cord compression.
B. Head compression.
C. Uteroplacental insufficiency.
D. Fetal movement.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: C
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Late decelerations are caused by uteroplacental insufficiency, leading to fetal
hypoxia. Variable decelerations are caused by cord compression, early decelerations are caused by head
compression, and accelerations are caused by fetal movement. This is a critical distinction in
intrapartum fetal monitoring for nursing exam prep.
9. A nurse is caring for a client who has just given birth. The nurse assesses the client's fundus and finds
it is boggy and deviated to the right. The nurse's priority action is to:
A. Document the finding.
B. Massage the fundus and assist the client to void.
C. Notify the healthcare provider.
D. Administer prescribed oxytocin.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: A boggy, deviated fundus indicates uterine atony and possible bladder distension.
The priority is to massage the fundus to stimulate contraction and assist the client to void to relieve
bladder pressure. This is a critical postpartum assessment and a key nursing practice question.
10. A nurse is assessing a client at 12 weeks gestation. The client asks about the expected weight gain
during pregnancy. Which response is most accurate?
A. "You should not gain any weight during the first trimester."
B. "You should gain 25 to 35 pounds total during pregnancy."
C. "You should gain 1 to 2 pounds per week during the entire pregnancy."
D. "You should gain 5 to 10 pounds during the first trimester."
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
with confidence. Pass exams with confidence using this complete
nursing study guide and practice pack.
---
## 🏆 Maternal & Newborn Nursing Practice Questions – Success
Bundle | 2025/2026 NCLEX-Style Prep Guide
---
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is 38 weeks gestation and is experiencing contractions every 3 to 4
minutes. The client's cervical exam reveals 4 cm dilation, 80% effacement, and the fetus is at -1 station.
The nurse should document this as which phase of labor?
A. Latent phase.
B. Active phase.
C. Transition phase.
D. Second stage.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: The active phase of the first stage of labor is characterized by cervical dilation from 4
to 7 cm and more frequent contractions. This is a key distinction in intrapartum nursing. This nursing
exam prep question emphasizes the stages and phases of labor for student success in maternal-newborn
health. The latent phase is 0-3 cm, transition is 8-10 cm, and the second stage begins at full dilation.
2. A nurse is assessing a newborn 5 minutes after birth. The newborn has a heart rate of 130 bpm, a
strong cry, active movement, pink body with blue extremities, and a vigorous cry when stimulated.
What is the newborn's Apgar score?
A. 7.
B. 8.
C. 9.
,D. 10.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: C
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: The Apgar score is based on 5 parameters: Heart rate (2), Respiratory effort (2),
Muscle tone (2), Reflex irritability (2), and Color (1 for acrocyanosis). The score is 2+2+2+2+1 = 9. This is
a foundational assessment in newborn nursing. The other options represent miscalculations of the
Apgar score.
3. A nurse is providing education to a postpartum client about breastfeeding. Which instruction is
correct regarding the frequency of feeding?
A. Feed the newborn on a strict 4-hour schedule.
B. Feed the newborn on demand, approximately every 2 to 3 hours.
C. Feed the newborn only when they cry.
D. Feed the newborn only once during the night.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Breastfeeding should be on demand, typically every 2 to 3 hours, to establish milk
supply and ensure adequate infant nutrition. This nursing study guide emphasizes evidence-based
breastfeeding practices. The other options reflect outdated or incorrect advice.
4. A nurse is assessing a client who is 24 hours postpartum. The client's uterus is firm, midline, and at the
level of the umbilicus. The nurse notes a moderate amount of lochia rubra. Which finding indicates a
potential complication?
A. Firm, midline uterus.
B. Lochia rubra.
C. Uterus at the level of the umbilicus.
D. Saturation of a perineal pad in 30 minutes.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: D
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Saturation of a perineal pad in 30 minutes or less indicates excessive bleeding
(hemorrhage) and is a priority. A firm, midline uterus and lochia rubra are expected findings. This
nursing practice question highlights the assessment of postpartum hemorrhage.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving magnesium sulfate for preeclampsia. Which finding
indicates magnesium toxicity?
,A. Respiratory rate of 16 breaths/min.
B. Urine output of 35 mL/hr.
C. Loss of deep tendon reflexes.
D. Blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: C
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Loss of deep tendon reflexes is an early sign of magnesium toxicity. A respiratory rate
of <12 breaths/min, urine output <30 mL/hr, and absent reflexes are signs of toxicity. This is a critical
safety concept in maternity nursing and a key topic in nursing exam prep. The other options are within
acceptable limits.
6. A nurse is assessing a newborn for signs of hypoglycemia. Which finding is most indicative?
A. Pink skin.
B. Strong cry.
C. Jitteriness.
D. Good muscle tone.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: C
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Jitteriness, lethargy, poor feeding, and hypotonia are signs of neonatal hypoglycemia.
The other findings are normal. This nursing study guide emphasizes the importance of early
identification of hypoglycemia for newborn safety.
7. A client at 20 weeks gestation is scheduled for a glucose tolerance test to screen for gestational
diabetes. Which instruction is correct for this test?
A. Fast for 8-12 hours before the test.
B. Eat a high-carbohydrate meal 2 hours before the test.
C. Drink the glucose solution the day before the test.
D. No fasting is required.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: The client should fast for 8-12 hours before the glucose tolerance test. This ensures
accurate baseline blood glucose levels. This is a standard pre-test instruction.
, 8. A nurse is providing education about the use of a fetal heart rate monitor. A late deceleration is most
commonly caused by:
A. Umbilical cord compression.
B. Head compression.
C. Uteroplacental insufficiency.
D. Fetal movement.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: C
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Late decelerations are caused by uteroplacental insufficiency, leading to fetal
hypoxia. Variable decelerations are caused by cord compression, early decelerations are caused by head
compression, and accelerations are caused by fetal movement. This is a critical distinction in
intrapartum fetal monitoring for nursing exam prep.
9. A nurse is caring for a client who has just given birth. The nurse assesses the client's fundus and finds
it is boggy and deviated to the right. The nurse's priority action is to:
A. Document the finding.
B. Massage the fundus and assist the client to void.
C. Notify the healthcare provider.
D. Administer prescribed oxytocin.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: A boggy, deviated fundus indicates uterine atony and possible bladder distension.
The priority is to massage the fundus to stimulate contraction and assist the client to void to relieve
bladder pressure. This is a critical postpartum assessment and a key nursing practice question.
10. A nurse is assessing a client at 12 weeks gestation. The client asks about the expected weight gain
during pregnancy. Which response is most accurate?
A. "You should not gain any weight during the first trimester."
B. "You should gain 25 to 35 pounds total during pregnancy."
C. "You should gain 1 to 2 pounds per week during the entire pregnancy."
D. "You should gain 5 to 10 pounds during the first trimester."
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
