West Coast University NURS 306 OB Exam 1 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | OB
Q&A | Obstetric Nursing
1. A nurse is teaching a group of pregnant clients about vitamin K for
newborns. Vitamin K is administered to prevent which of the following
conditions?
A) Altered carbohydrate metabolism
B) Hyperbilirubinemia
C) Intracranial hemorrhage
D) Hypoglycemia
Correct Answer: Intracranial hemorrhage
Rationale: Vitamin K is essential for the synthesis of clotting factors in the
liver. Newborns have a relative deficiency of vitamin K, which places them at
risk for hemorrhagic disease of the newborn, including intracranial
hemorrhage. The other options are not directly prevented by vitamin K
administration.
2. A nurse is providing education at a client's first prenatal visit. Which
statement regarding fetal heart rate detection is accurate?
A) "A fetal stethoscope can first detect your baby's heart rate at 22 weeks."
B) "After week 16, we can see if your baby is a boy or a girl."
C) "A Doppler device can detect your baby's heart rate at 12 weeks."
D) "You will first feel the baby move at about 8 weeks."
Correct Answer: "A Doppler device can detect your baby's heart rate at 12
weeks."
Rationale: Fetal heart tones can typically be detected by a Doppler
ultrasound device as early as 10 to 12 weeks of gestation. A fetal
,stethoscope (fetoscope) detects heart tones later, around 18 to 20 weeks,
and quickening is usually felt between 16 and 20 weeks.
3. A nurse is teaching a client at 12 weeks of gestation about manifestations
of potential complications to report. Which of the following should the nurse
include?
A) Facial swelling
B) Urinary frequency
C) White vaginal discharge
D) Intermittent nausea
Correct Answer: Facial swelling
Rationale: Facial swelling (edema) can be a sign of preeclampsia, a serious
hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, and should be reported immediately.
Urinary frequency, white vaginal discharge, and intermittent nausea are
common discomforts of pregnancy and are not typically concerning.
4. A nurse is performing a non-stress test (NST) on a client. Which finding
indicates a reactive, reassuring test?
A) No accelerations in fetal heart rate over 20 minutes
B) Two or more accelerations of at least 15 beats per minute lasting at least
15 seconds within a 20-minute period
C) Persistent late decelerations with contractions
D) Minimal variability with no accelerations
Correct Answer: Two or more accelerations of at least 15 beats per minute
lasting at least 15 seconds within a 20-minute period
,Rationale: A reactive NST is defined by the presence of two or more
accelerations of the fetal heart rate of at least 15 beats per minute above
the baseline, lasting at least 15 seconds, within a 20-minute window. This
indicates adequate fetal oxygenation and a well-functioning autonomic
nervous system.
5. A nurse is interpreting a fetal heart rate tracing and observes a
deceleration that mirrors the contraction, starting at the onset and returning
to baseline by the end of the contraction. How should the nurse document
this finding?
A) Late deceleration
B) Variable deceleration
C) Early deceleration
D) Prolonged deceleration
Correct Answer: Early deceleration
Rationale: An early deceleration is a benign finding caused by fetal head
compression during a contraction. It mirrors the contraction, with the onset,
nadir, and recovery occurring at the same time as the contraction. No
intervention is required, and it is not a sign of fetal distress.
6. A nurse is caring for a client in labor and notes variable decelerations on
the fetal monitor. What is the priority nursing action?
A) Increase the rate of the IV infusion
B) Administer oxygen via face mask
C) Reposition the client
D) Prepare for an immediate cesarean birth
Correct Answer: Reposition the client
, Rationale: Variable decelerations are caused by umbilical cord compression.
The priority nursing action is to reposition the client to relieve pressure on
the cord. Changing the mother's position, particularly to the left lateral
position, can alleviate cord compression and improve fetal perfusion.
7. A nurse is caring for a postpartum client who is 2 hours post-delivery.
Which assessment finding would be most concerning?
A) A firm, midline uterus at the level of the umbilicus
B) Moderate rubra lochia with a fleshy odor
C) Saturation of one perineal pad within 15 minutes
D) A blood pressure of 110/70 mm Hg
Correct Answer: Saturation of one perineal pad within 15 minutes
Rationale: Saturating one perineal pad within 15 minutes is a sign of
excessive bleeding, indicating possible postpartum hemorrhage. A firm,
midline uterus and moderate rubra lochia are expected findings, and a blood
pressure of 110/70 is within normal limits.
8. A nurse is assessing a newborn. Which finding would require immediate
intervention?
A) A heart rate of 140 beats per minute
B) Acrocyanosis of the hands and feet
C) Grunting respirations with nasal flaring
D) A temperature of 98.6°F (37°C)
Correct Answer: Grunting respirations with nasal flaring
Q&A | Obstetric Nursing
1. A nurse is teaching a group of pregnant clients about vitamin K for
newborns. Vitamin K is administered to prevent which of the following
conditions?
A) Altered carbohydrate metabolism
B) Hyperbilirubinemia
C) Intracranial hemorrhage
D) Hypoglycemia
Correct Answer: Intracranial hemorrhage
Rationale: Vitamin K is essential for the synthesis of clotting factors in the
liver. Newborns have a relative deficiency of vitamin K, which places them at
risk for hemorrhagic disease of the newborn, including intracranial
hemorrhage. The other options are not directly prevented by vitamin K
administration.
2. A nurse is providing education at a client's first prenatal visit. Which
statement regarding fetal heart rate detection is accurate?
A) "A fetal stethoscope can first detect your baby's heart rate at 22 weeks."
B) "After week 16, we can see if your baby is a boy or a girl."
C) "A Doppler device can detect your baby's heart rate at 12 weeks."
D) "You will first feel the baby move at about 8 weeks."
Correct Answer: "A Doppler device can detect your baby's heart rate at 12
weeks."
Rationale: Fetal heart tones can typically be detected by a Doppler
ultrasound device as early as 10 to 12 weeks of gestation. A fetal
,stethoscope (fetoscope) detects heart tones later, around 18 to 20 weeks,
and quickening is usually felt between 16 and 20 weeks.
3. A nurse is teaching a client at 12 weeks of gestation about manifestations
of potential complications to report. Which of the following should the nurse
include?
A) Facial swelling
B) Urinary frequency
C) White vaginal discharge
D) Intermittent nausea
Correct Answer: Facial swelling
Rationale: Facial swelling (edema) can be a sign of preeclampsia, a serious
hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, and should be reported immediately.
Urinary frequency, white vaginal discharge, and intermittent nausea are
common discomforts of pregnancy and are not typically concerning.
4. A nurse is performing a non-stress test (NST) on a client. Which finding
indicates a reactive, reassuring test?
A) No accelerations in fetal heart rate over 20 minutes
B) Two or more accelerations of at least 15 beats per minute lasting at least
15 seconds within a 20-minute period
C) Persistent late decelerations with contractions
D) Minimal variability with no accelerations
Correct Answer: Two or more accelerations of at least 15 beats per minute
lasting at least 15 seconds within a 20-minute period
,Rationale: A reactive NST is defined by the presence of two or more
accelerations of the fetal heart rate of at least 15 beats per minute above
the baseline, lasting at least 15 seconds, within a 20-minute window. This
indicates adequate fetal oxygenation and a well-functioning autonomic
nervous system.
5. A nurse is interpreting a fetal heart rate tracing and observes a
deceleration that mirrors the contraction, starting at the onset and returning
to baseline by the end of the contraction. How should the nurse document
this finding?
A) Late deceleration
B) Variable deceleration
C) Early deceleration
D) Prolonged deceleration
Correct Answer: Early deceleration
Rationale: An early deceleration is a benign finding caused by fetal head
compression during a contraction. It mirrors the contraction, with the onset,
nadir, and recovery occurring at the same time as the contraction. No
intervention is required, and it is not a sign of fetal distress.
6. A nurse is caring for a client in labor and notes variable decelerations on
the fetal monitor. What is the priority nursing action?
A) Increase the rate of the IV infusion
B) Administer oxygen via face mask
C) Reposition the client
D) Prepare for an immediate cesarean birth
Correct Answer: Reposition the client
, Rationale: Variable decelerations are caused by umbilical cord compression.
The priority nursing action is to reposition the client to relieve pressure on
the cord. Changing the mother's position, particularly to the left lateral
position, can alleviate cord compression and improve fetal perfusion.
7. A nurse is caring for a postpartum client who is 2 hours post-delivery.
Which assessment finding would be most concerning?
A) A firm, midline uterus at the level of the umbilicus
B) Moderate rubra lochia with a fleshy odor
C) Saturation of one perineal pad within 15 minutes
D) A blood pressure of 110/70 mm Hg
Correct Answer: Saturation of one perineal pad within 15 minutes
Rationale: Saturating one perineal pad within 15 minutes is a sign of
excessive bleeding, indicating possible postpartum hemorrhage. A firm,
midline uterus and moderate rubra lochia are expected findings, and a blood
pressure of 110/70 is within normal limits.
8. A nurse is assessing a newborn. Which finding would require immediate
intervention?
A) A heart rate of 140 beats per minute
B) Acrocyanosis of the hands and feet
C) Grunting respirations with nasal flaring
D) A temperature of 98.6°F (37°C)
Correct Answer: Grunting respirations with nasal flaring
