RNSG 1517 – Maternity
Nursing Exam Questions and
Correct Answers with
Rationale 2026
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client at 32 weeks' gestation who reports
a sudden gush of clear fluid from the vagina. What is the nurse's
priority action?
A. Perform a digital vaginal examination.
B. Assess the fetal heart rate.
C. Encourage the client to walk.
D. Administer oxytocin.
Answer: B. Assess the fetal heart rate.
Rationale: A sudden gush of fluid suggests preterm
premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). The priority is
to assess fetal well-being by evaluating the fetal heart rate. A
digital vaginal examination should be avoided unless
specifically indicated because it increases the risk of infection.
Question 2
,A pregnant client at 10 weeks' gestation reports nausea every
morning. Which statement by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. "Skip breakfast to prevent nausea."
B. "Eat small, frequent meals and keep crackers at your
bedside."
C. "Drink large amounts of fluid with meals."
D. "Lie flat after eating."
Answer: B. "Eat small, frequent meals and keep crackers at
your bedside."
Rationale: Eating small, frequent meals and consuming dry
crackers before getting out of bed can help reduce morning
nausea. Large meals and lying flat may worsen symptoms.
Question 3
Which assessment finding is a presumptive sign of pregnancy?
A. Positive fetal heart tones
B. Quickening
C. Ultrasound visualization of the fetus
D. Fetal movement palpated by the examiner
Answer: B. Quickening
Rationale: Quickening (the mother's perception of fetal
movement) is a presumptive sign because it is subjective.
Positive fetal heart tones and ultrasound visualization are
positive signs of pregnancy.
,Question 4
A client at 39 weeks' gestation has contractions every 3
minutes, lasting 60 seconds. The cervix is 8 cm dilated. Which
stage of labor is the client in?
A. Latent phase
B. Active phase of the first stage
C. Transition phase of the first stage
D. Second stage
Answer: C. Transition phase of the first stage
Rationale: The transition phase occurs at approximately 8–10
cm dilation, with strong, frequent contractions.
Question 5
A laboring client suddenly reports severe abdominal pain,
vaginal bleeding, and fetal heart rate decelerations. Which
complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Placenta previa
B. Uterine rupture
C. Hyperemesis gravidarum
D. Gestational diabetes
Answer: B. Uterine rupture
, Rationale: Uterine rupture is an obstetric emergency
characterized by sudden severe pain, abnormal fetal heart rate,
and maternal bleeding. Immediate intervention is required.
Question 6
Which maternal finding requires immediate intervention
during magnesium sulfate therapy?
A. Respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min
B. Blood pressure of 142/90 mmHg
C. Mild flushing
D. Deep tendon reflexes of 2+
Answer: A. Respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min
Rationale: Magnesium sulfate toxicity may cause respiratory
depression. The nurse should stop the infusion, notify the
provider, and prepare to administer calcium gluconate if
prescribed.
Question 7
A postpartum client has a boggy uterus and heavy vaginal
bleeding. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Massage the uterine fundus.
B. Encourage the client to ambulate.
C. Administer pain medication.
D. Place the client in Trendelenburg position.
Nursing Exam Questions and
Correct Answers with
Rationale 2026
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client at 32 weeks' gestation who reports
a sudden gush of clear fluid from the vagina. What is the nurse's
priority action?
A. Perform a digital vaginal examination.
B. Assess the fetal heart rate.
C. Encourage the client to walk.
D. Administer oxytocin.
Answer: B. Assess the fetal heart rate.
Rationale: A sudden gush of fluid suggests preterm
premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). The priority is
to assess fetal well-being by evaluating the fetal heart rate. A
digital vaginal examination should be avoided unless
specifically indicated because it increases the risk of infection.
Question 2
,A pregnant client at 10 weeks' gestation reports nausea every
morning. Which statement by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. "Skip breakfast to prevent nausea."
B. "Eat small, frequent meals and keep crackers at your
bedside."
C. "Drink large amounts of fluid with meals."
D. "Lie flat after eating."
Answer: B. "Eat small, frequent meals and keep crackers at
your bedside."
Rationale: Eating small, frequent meals and consuming dry
crackers before getting out of bed can help reduce morning
nausea. Large meals and lying flat may worsen symptoms.
Question 3
Which assessment finding is a presumptive sign of pregnancy?
A. Positive fetal heart tones
B. Quickening
C. Ultrasound visualization of the fetus
D. Fetal movement palpated by the examiner
Answer: B. Quickening
Rationale: Quickening (the mother's perception of fetal
movement) is a presumptive sign because it is subjective.
Positive fetal heart tones and ultrasound visualization are
positive signs of pregnancy.
,Question 4
A client at 39 weeks' gestation has contractions every 3
minutes, lasting 60 seconds. The cervix is 8 cm dilated. Which
stage of labor is the client in?
A. Latent phase
B. Active phase of the first stage
C. Transition phase of the first stage
D. Second stage
Answer: C. Transition phase of the first stage
Rationale: The transition phase occurs at approximately 8–10
cm dilation, with strong, frequent contractions.
Question 5
A laboring client suddenly reports severe abdominal pain,
vaginal bleeding, and fetal heart rate decelerations. Which
complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Placenta previa
B. Uterine rupture
C. Hyperemesis gravidarum
D. Gestational diabetes
Answer: B. Uterine rupture
, Rationale: Uterine rupture is an obstetric emergency
characterized by sudden severe pain, abnormal fetal heart rate,
and maternal bleeding. Immediate intervention is required.
Question 6
Which maternal finding requires immediate intervention
during magnesium sulfate therapy?
A. Respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min
B. Blood pressure of 142/90 mmHg
C. Mild flushing
D. Deep tendon reflexes of 2+
Answer: A. Respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min
Rationale: Magnesium sulfate toxicity may cause respiratory
depression. The nurse should stop the infusion, notify the
provider, and prepare to administer calcium gluconate if
prescribed.
Question 7
A postpartum client has a boggy uterus and heavy vaginal
bleeding. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Massage the uterine fundus.
B. Encourage the client to ambulate.
C. Administer pain medication.
D. Place the client in Trendelenburg position.
