NSG 3500 EXAM 1 – NURSING PRACTICE:
MATERNAL HEALTH (GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING)
2025–2026 | VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
NSG 3500 Exam 1 – Maternal Health Nursing Practice
PART 1: PRECONCEPTION AND ANTEPARTUM CARE
1. A nurse is providing preconception counseling to a client who is planning to
become pregnant. Which of the following supplements is most important for
preventing neural tube defects?
A) Iron
B) Calcium
C) Folic acid
D) Vitamin D
Correct Answer: C) Folic acid
Rationale: Folic acid supplementation (0.4-0.8 mg daily) before conception and
during early pregnancy significantly reduces the risk of neural tube defects (e.g.,
spina bifida, anencephaly) . This supplementation should ideally begin at least one
month prior to conception .
2. A nurse is assessing a client at 8 weeks gestation. Which of the following
findings is consistent with a normal pregnancy?
,A) Fundal height at the umbilicus
B) Positive Goodell's sign
C) Fetal heart tones audible with a Doppler
D) Quickening
Correct Answer: B) Positive Goodell's sign
Rationale: Goodell's sign (softening of the cervix) is a probable sign of pregnancy
that occurs around 6-8 weeks gestation . Fundal height at the umbilicus is
expected at 20 weeks, not 8 weeks. Fetal heart tones are typically audible by
Doppler at 10-12 weeks. Quickening (fetal movement) is usually felt at 16-20
weeks in primigravidas.
3. A client at 12 weeks gestation asks the nurse about the changes occurring in
her body. The nurse understands that which of the following is an expected
cardiovascular adaptation during pregnancy?
A) Decreased heart rate
B) Decreased cardiac output
C) Increased blood volume
D) Increased peripheral vascular resistance
Correct Answer: C) Increased blood volume
Rationale: Plasma volume increases up to 40-50% during pregnancy, with total
blood volume increasing by 30-50% . This adaptation meets the demands of the
growing fetus and prepares for blood loss at delivery.
4. Which of the following is a presumptive sign of pregnancy?
A) Positive pregnancy test
B) Fetal heart rate heard on Doppler
C) Goodell's sign
D) Nausea and vomiting
,Correct Answer: D) Nausea and vomiting
Rationale: Presumptive signs of pregnancy are subjective and include
nausea/vomiting, breast tenderness, amenorrhea, and fatigue . They are not
definitive and can be caused by other conditions .
5. A client at 16 weeks gestation is being screened for gestational diabetes
mellitus. The nurse should instruct the client that the screening is usually done
between:
A) 10-14 weeks
B) 16-18 weeks
C) 24-28 weeks
D) 32-34 weeks
Correct Answer: C) 24-28 weeks
Rationale: The glucose tolerance test for gestational diabetes is typically
performed between 24 and 28 weeks gestation . Women with risk factors may be
screened earlier in pregnancy .
6. A nurse is assessing a client at 36 weeks gestation. Which finding should be
reported to the healthcare provider immediately?
A) Blood pressure 110/70 mmHg
B) Swelling of the hands and face
C) Heartburn after eating spicy foods
D) Braxton Hicks contractions
Correct Answer: B) Swelling of the hands and face
Rationale: Swelling of the hands and face can be a sign of preeclampsia and
should be reported immediately . Other findings such as mild edema in the lower
extremities may be normal.
, 7. A client at 32 weeks gestation reports feeling dizzy and lightheaded when
lying flat on her back. The nurse recognizes this is likely due to:
A) Anemia
B) Supine hypotensive syndrome
C) Dehydration
D) Hypoglycemia
Correct Answer: B) Supine hypotensive syndrome
Rationale: Supine hypotensive syndrome occurs when the gravid uterus
compresses the inferior vena cava, reducing venous return and cardiac output.
Symptoms include dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, and tachycardia. The client
should be turned to her left side to relieve compression .
8. A client at 14 weeks gestation reports darkening of the skin on her face,
particularly on the cheeks and forehead. The nurse recognizes this as:
A) Linea nigra
B) Striae gravidarum
C) Chloasma (melasma)
D) Spider angiomas
Correct Answer: C) Chloasma (melasma)
Rationale: Chloasma (melasma), the "mask of pregnancy," is a darkening of the
skin on the face caused by increased melanocyte-stimulating hormone . It typically
fades after delivery.
9. A client asks the nurse about exercise during pregnancy. Which
recommendation should the nurse provide?
A) Avoid all exercise during pregnancy
B) Engage in low-impact activities such as walking and swimming
MATERNAL HEALTH (GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING)
2025–2026 | VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
NSG 3500 Exam 1 – Maternal Health Nursing Practice
PART 1: PRECONCEPTION AND ANTEPARTUM CARE
1. A nurse is providing preconception counseling to a client who is planning to
become pregnant. Which of the following supplements is most important for
preventing neural tube defects?
A) Iron
B) Calcium
C) Folic acid
D) Vitamin D
Correct Answer: C) Folic acid
Rationale: Folic acid supplementation (0.4-0.8 mg daily) before conception and
during early pregnancy significantly reduces the risk of neural tube defects (e.g.,
spina bifida, anencephaly) . This supplementation should ideally begin at least one
month prior to conception .
2. A nurse is assessing a client at 8 weeks gestation. Which of the following
findings is consistent with a normal pregnancy?
,A) Fundal height at the umbilicus
B) Positive Goodell's sign
C) Fetal heart tones audible with a Doppler
D) Quickening
Correct Answer: B) Positive Goodell's sign
Rationale: Goodell's sign (softening of the cervix) is a probable sign of pregnancy
that occurs around 6-8 weeks gestation . Fundal height at the umbilicus is
expected at 20 weeks, not 8 weeks. Fetal heart tones are typically audible by
Doppler at 10-12 weeks. Quickening (fetal movement) is usually felt at 16-20
weeks in primigravidas.
3. A client at 12 weeks gestation asks the nurse about the changes occurring in
her body. The nurse understands that which of the following is an expected
cardiovascular adaptation during pregnancy?
A) Decreased heart rate
B) Decreased cardiac output
C) Increased blood volume
D) Increased peripheral vascular resistance
Correct Answer: C) Increased blood volume
Rationale: Plasma volume increases up to 40-50% during pregnancy, with total
blood volume increasing by 30-50% . This adaptation meets the demands of the
growing fetus and prepares for blood loss at delivery.
4. Which of the following is a presumptive sign of pregnancy?
A) Positive pregnancy test
B) Fetal heart rate heard on Doppler
C) Goodell's sign
D) Nausea and vomiting
,Correct Answer: D) Nausea and vomiting
Rationale: Presumptive signs of pregnancy are subjective and include
nausea/vomiting, breast tenderness, amenorrhea, and fatigue . They are not
definitive and can be caused by other conditions .
5. A client at 16 weeks gestation is being screened for gestational diabetes
mellitus. The nurse should instruct the client that the screening is usually done
between:
A) 10-14 weeks
B) 16-18 weeks
C) 24-28 weeks
D) 32-34 weeks
Correct Answer: C) 24-28 weeks
Rationale: The glucose tolerance test for gestational diabetes is typically
performed between 24 and 28 weeks gestation . Women with risk factors may be
screened earlier in pregnancy .
6. A nurse is assessing a client at 36 weeks gestation. Which finding should be
reported to the healthcare provider immediately?
A) Blood pressure 110/70 mmHg
B) Swelling of the hands and face
C) Heartburn after eating spicy foods
D) Braxton Hicks contractions
Correct Answer: B) Swelling of the hands and face
Rationale: Swelling of the hands and face can be a sign of preeclampsia and
should be reported immediately . Other findings such as mild edema in the lower
extremities may be normal.
, 7. A client at 32 weeks gestation reports feeling dizzy and lightheaded when
lying flat on her back. The nurse recognizes this is likely due to:
A) Anemia
B) Supine hypotensive syndrome
C) Dehydration
D) Hypoglycemia
Correct Answer: B) Supine hypotensive syndrome
Rationale: Supine hypotensive syndrome occurs when the gravid uterus
compresses the inferior vena cava, reducing venous return and cardiac output.
Symptoms include dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, and tachycardia. The client
should be turned to her left side to relieve compression .
8. A client at 14 weeks gestation reports darkening of the skin on her face,
particularly on the cheeks and forehead. The nurse recognizes this as:
A) Linea nigra
B) Striae gravidarum
C) Chloasma (melasma)
D) Spider angiomas
Correct Answer: C) Chloasma (melasma)
Rationale: Chloasma (melasma), the "mask of pregnancy," is a darkening of the
skin on the face caused by increased melanocyte-stimulating hormone . It typically
fades after delivery.
9. A client asks the nurse about exercise during pregnancy. Which
recommendation should the nurse provide?
A) Avoid all exercise during pregnancy
B) Engage in low-impact activities such as walking and swimming
