RNSG 1517 A Maternity Exam | Complete
Questions with Correct Answers and
Detailed Rationales - Latest Update 2026
Question 1
The nursing student is preparing to teach a prenatal class about fetal circulation. Which
statement should be included in the teaching plan?
CORRECT ANSWER:
"Two arteries carry deoxygenated blood from the placenta to the fetus."
Rationale:
The umbilical cord contains two umbilical arteries that carry deoxygenated blood and waste
products from the fetus back to the placenta. The one umbilical vein carries oxygenated blood
and nutrients from the placenta to the fetus.
Question 2
A nursing student is assigned to care for a client in labor. The nursing student instructor asks
the student to describe fetal circulation, specifically the ductus venosus. Which statement is
correct regarding the ductus venosus?
CORRECT ANSWER:
"It connects the umbilical vein to the inferior vena cava."
Rationale:
The ductus venosus allows oxygenated blood from the placenta to bypass the fetal liver and
enter the inferior vena cava.
NCLEX KEY POINT:
Fetal circulation pathways:
• Ductus venosus → Umbilical vein to inferior vena cava
• Foramen ovale → Right atrium to left atrium
, • Ductus arteriosus → Pulmonary artery to aorta
Question 3
A pregnant client tells the clinic nurse that she wants to know the gender of her baby as soon
as it can be determined. The nurse understands that the client should be able to find out the
gender at 12 weeks' gestation because of which factor?
CORRECT ANSWER:
The appearance of the fetal external genitalia
Rationale:
By approximately 12 weeks gestation, fetal external genitalia have developed enough to allow
identification of fetal sex through ultrasound.
Question 4
The nurse is performing an assessment on a client who is at 38 weeks' gestation and notes
that the fetal heart rate is 174 beats/minute. On the basis of this finding, what is the
PRIORITY nursing action?
CORRECT ANSWER:
Notify the health care provider (HCP).
Rationale:
A normal fetal heart rate is 110–160 beats/minute. A rate of 174 beats/minute indicates fetal
tachycardia and requires further evaluation.
Question 5
The nurse is conducting a prenatal class on the female reproductive system. When a client in
the class asks why the fertilized ovum stays in the fallopian tube for 3 days, what is the
nurse's BEST response?
CORRECT ANSWER:
"It promotes the fertilized ovum's normal implantation in the top portion of the uterus."
, Rationale:
The fertilized ovum travels through the fallopian tube while undergoing cell division before
implantation occurs in the uterine endometrium.
Question 6
The nursing instructor asks a nursing student to list the characteristics of the amniotic fluid.
The student responds correctly by listing which as characteristics of amniotic fluid? SELECT
ALL THAT APPLY.
CORRECT ANSWERS:
☑ Allows for fetal movement.
☑ Surrounds, cushions, and protects the fetus.
☑ Maintains the body temperature of the fetus.
☑ Can be used to measure fetal kidney function.
Rationale:
Amniotic fluid:
• Protects against trauma
• Allows fetal movement and musculoskeletal development
• Maintains temperature
• Reflects fetal kidney function through urine production
Question 7
A couple comes to the family planning clinic and asks about sterilization procedures. Which
question by the nurse would determine whether this method of family planning would be
MOST APPROPRIATE?
CORRECT ANSWER:
"Do you plan to have any other children?"
Rationale:
Sterilization is considered a permanent method of contraception. The nurse must determine
whether the couple desires future pregnancies.
Questions with Correct Answers and
Detailed Rationales - Latest Update 2026
Question 1
The nursing student is preparing to teach a prenatal class about fetal circulation. Which
statement should be included in the teaching plan?
CORRECT ANSWER:
"Two arteries carry deoxygenated blood from the placenta to the fetus."
Rationale:
The umbilical cord contains two umbilical arteries that carry deoxygenated blood and waste
products from the fetus back to the placenta. The one umbilical vein carries oxygenated blood
and nutrients from the placenta to the fetus.
Question 2
A nursing student is assigned to care for a client in labor. The nursing student instructor asks
the student to describe fetal circulation, specifically the ductus venosus. Which statement is
correct regarding the ductus venosus?
CORRECT ANSWER:
"It connects the umbilical vein to the inferior vena cava."
Rationale:
The ductus venosus allows oxygenated blood from the placenta to bypass the fetal liver and
enter the inferior vena cava.
NCLEX KEY POINT:
Fetal circulation pathways:
• Ductus venosus → Umbilical vein to inferior vena cava
• Foramen ovale → Right atrium to left atrium
, • Ductus arteriosus → Pulmonary artery to aorta
Question 3
A pregnant client tells the clinic nurse that she wants to know the gender of her baby as soon
as it can be determined. The nurse understands that the client should be able to find out the
gender at 12 weeks' gestation because of which factor?
CORRECT ANSWER:
The appearance of the fetal external genitalia
Rationale:
By approximately 12 weeks gestation, fetal external genitalia have developed enough to allow
identification of fetal sex through ultrasound.
Question 4
The nurse is performing an assessment on a client who is at 38 weeks' gestation and notes
that the fetal heart rate is 174 beats/minute. On the basis of this finding, what is the
PRIORITY nursing action?
CORRECT ANSWER:
Notify the health care provider (HCP).
Rationale:
A normal fetal heart rate is 110–160 beats/minute. A rate of 174 beats/minute indicates fetal
tachycardia and requires further evaluation.
Question 5
The nurse is conducting a prenatal class on the female reproductive system. When a client in
the class asks why the fertilized ovum stays in the fallopian tube for 3 days, what is the
nurse's BEST response?
CORRECT ANSWER:
"It promotes the fertilized ovum's normal implantation in the top portion of the uterus."
, Rationale:
The fertilized ovum travels through the fallopian tube while undergoing cell division before
implantation occurs in the uterine endometrium.
Question 6
The nursing instructor asks a nursing student to list the characteristics of the amniotic fluid.
The student responds correctly by listing which as characteristics of amniotic fluid? SELECT
ALL THAT APPLY.
CORRECT ANSWERS:
☑ Allows for fetal movement.
☑ Surrounds, cushions, and protects the fetus.
☑ Maintains the body temperature of the fetus.
☑ Can be used to measure fetal kidney function.
Rationale:
Amniotic fluid:
• Protects against trauma
• Allows fetal movement and musculoskeletal development
• Maintains temperature
• Reflects fetal kidney function through urine production
Question 7
A couple comes to the family planning clinic and asks about sterilization procedures. Which
question by the nurse would determine whether this method of family planning would be
MOST APPROPRIATE?
CORRECT ANSWER:
"Do you plan to have any other children?"
Rationale:
Sterilization is considered a permanent method of contraception. The nurse must determine
whether the couple desires future pregnancies.
