NCLEX-RN + NEW YORK RN LICENSURE
MATERNITY PRACTICAL EXAM WITH QUESTION
AND ANSWERS AND RATIONALES WELL
ELABORATED
1. A nurse is teaching a client at 10 weeks' gestation about nutrition. Which
nutrient should the nurse emphasize to reduce the risk of neural tube
defects?
A. Calcium
B. Vitamin C
C. Vitamin D
D. Folic acid
Rationale: Folic acid supplementation before conception and during early
pregnancy significantly reduces the risk of neural tube defects.
2. A pregnant client at 32 weeks reports severe headache, blurred vision, and
epigastric pain. Which condition should the nurse suspect first?
A. Hyperemesis gravidarum
B. Severe preeclampsia
C. Placenta previa
D. Gestational diabetes
Rationale: Severe headache, visual disturbances, and epigastric pain are classic
warning signs of severe preeclampsia.
3. Which finding indicates a reassuring fetal heart rate pattern?
A. Late decelerations
B. Variable decelerations
C. Moderate variability
D. Persistent bradycardia
Rationale: Moderate variability reflects adequate fetal oxygenation and an intact
central nervous system.
, 4. A client in active labor suddenly develops variable fetal heart rate
decelerations. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Increase oxytocin infusion
B. Place the client supine
C. Reposition the client to the left side
D. Prepare for immediate cesarean birth
Rationale: Variable decelerations commonly indicate cord compression.
Repositioning improves cord perfusion.
5. Which maternal hormone maintains pregnancy during the first trimester?
A. Oxytocin
B. Estrogen
C. Progesterone
D. Prolactin
Rationale: Progesterone maintains the uterine lining and suppresses uterine
contractions during early pregnancy.
6. Which finding is expected during pregnancy?
A. Blood pressure of 150/98 mmHg
B. Heavy vaginal bleeding
C. Mild urinary frequency
D. Persistent fever
Rationale: Urinary frequency commonly occurs because of hormonal changes and
uterine pressure on the bladder.
7. A nurse is assessing a client with placenta previa. Which assessment finding
is expected?
A. Severe abdominal pain
B. Rigid abdomen
C. Painless bright red vaginal bleeding
D. Frequent uterine contractions
Rationale: Placenta previa typically presents with painless, bright red vaginal
bleeding.
MATERNITY PRACTICAL EXAM WITH QUESTION
AND ANSWERS AND RATIONALES WELL
ELABORATED
1. A nurse is teaching a client at 10 weeks' gestation about nutrition. Which
nutrient should the nurse emphasize to reduce the risk of neural tube
defects?
A. Calcium
B. Vitamin C
C. Vitamin D
D. Folic acid
Rationale: Folic acid supplementation before conception and during early
pregnancy significantly reduces the risk of neural tube defects.
2. A pregnant client at 32 weeks reports severe headache, blurred vision, and
epigastric pain. Which condition should the nurse suspect first?
A. Hyperemesis gravidarum
B. Severe preeclampsia
C. Placenta previa
D. Gestational diabetes
Rationale: Severe headache, visual disturbances, and epigastric pain are classic
warning signs of severe preeclampsia.
3. Which finding indicates a reassuring fetal heart rate pattern?
A. Late decelerations
B. Variable decelerations
C. Moderate variability
D. Persistent bradycardia
Rationale: Moderate variability reflects adequate fetal oxygenation and an intact
central nervous system.
, 4. A client in active labor suddenly develops variable fetal heart rate
decelerations. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Increase oxytocin infusion
B. Place the client supine
C. Reposition the client to the left side
D. Prepare for immediate cesarean birth
Rationale: Variable decelerations commonly indicate cord compression.
Repositioning improves cord perfusion.
5. Which maternal hormone maintains pregnancy during the first trimester?
A. Oxytocin
B. Estrogen
C. Progesterone
D. Prolactin
Rationale: Progesterone maintains the uterine lining and suppresses uterine
contractions during early pregnancy.
6. Which finding is expected during pregnancy?
A. Blood pressure of 150/98 mmHg
B. Heavy vaginal bleeding
C. Mild urinary frequency
D. Persistent fever
Rationale: Urinary frequency commonly occurs because of hormonal changes and
uterine pressure on the bladder.
7. A nurse is assessing a client with placenta previa. Which assessment finding
is expected?
A. Severe abdominal pain
B. Rigid abdomen
C. Painless bright red vaginal bleeding
D. Frequent uterine contractions
Rationale: Placenta previa typically presents with painless, bright red vaginal
bleeding.
