RNSG 1517 Maternity Comprehensive Practice
Exam 100 Questions with Correct Answers &
Expert Rationales | 2026/2027 Edition
SECTION 1: Antepartum Care (Questions 1-25)
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a client at her first prenatal visit at 10 weeks gestation.
Which finding would be considered a normal physiological change of
pregnancy?
A) Decreased cardiac output
B) Increased respiratory rate
C) Decreased blood volume
D) Decreased glomerular filtration rate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: During pregnancy, the respiratory rate increases slightly due to
the elevated metabolic demands and the enlarging uterus pushing against
the diaphragm. Cardiac output increases (A), not decreases. Blood volume
increases significantly (C) by approximately 40-50% during pregnancy.
Glomerular filtration rate increases (D) by about 50%, not decreases.
Normal physiological changes of pregnancy include increased respiratory
rate, increased cardiac output, increased blood volume, and increased GFR.
Question 2
A nurse is calculating the estimated date of delivery (EDD) using Naegele's
rule for a client whose last menstrual period (LMP) was May 15, 2025.
Which date is the EDD?
,A) February 8, 2026
B) February 22, 2026
C) March 8, 2026
D) March 22, 2026
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Naegele's rule calculates the EDD by subtracting 3 months from
the LMP and adding 7 days. LMP = May 15, 2025. Subtract 3 months =
February 15, 2025. Add 7 days = February 22, 2025. Since the LMP year is
2025, the EDD is February 22, 2026. Option A is incorrect (subtracts 7
days). Option C is incorrect (adds 14 days). Option D is incorrect (adds 7
days to March). Naegele's rule assumes a 28-day menstrual cycle and
conception occurring on day 14.
Question 3
A client at 36 weeks gestation reports she has been experiencing periodic,
painless uterine contractions for the past hour. The nurse should document
these as:
A) Braxton Hicks contractions
B) True labor contractions
C) Preterm labor contractions
D) Hypertonic contractions
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Braxton Hicks contractions are irregular, painless, and
intermittent uterine contractions that occur throughout pregnancy but
become more noticeable in the third trimester. They are often described as
"practice contractions" and do not cause cervical change. True labor
contractions (B) are regular, become more frequent, increase in intensity,
and cause progressive cervical dilation and effacement. Preterm labor (C)
occurs before 37 weeks. Hypertonic contractions (D) are excessive uterine
activity that can compromise fetal oxygenation.
,Question 4
A nurse is performing Leopold's maneuvers on a client at 38 weeks
gestation. The nurse palpates a firm, round mass in the fundus and a
smooth, hard mass above the symphysis pubis. The nurse should document
the fetal presentation as:
A) Cephalic
B) Breech
C) Transverse
D) Oblique
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In Leopold's maneuvers, palpating a firm, round mass (the fetal
head) in the fundus indicates a breech presentation. A smooth, hard mass
(the fetal buttocks) above the symphysis pubis further supports this
finding. In a cephalic presentation (A), the head is felt above the symphysis
pubis and the buttocks are felt in the fundus. Transverse (C) and oblique
(D) presentations involve the fetus lying horizontally or diagonally.
Question 5
A client at 12 weeks gestation reports nausea and vomiting that has been
persistent. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A) Instruct the client to eat small, frequent meals
B) Instruct the client to avoid all fluids
C) Recommend the client lie flat after eating
D) Suggest the client take iron supplements
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Eating small, frequent meals helps manage nausea and vomiting
during pregnancy by preventing an empty stomach and stabilizing blood
glucose levels. Option B is incorrect (avoiding fluids can lead to
, dehydration). Option C is incorrect (lying flat after eating can worsen
nausea). Option D is incorrect (iron supplements can worsen nausea).
Question 6
A nurse is assessing a client at 28 weeks gestation. The fundal height
measurement is 26 cm. Which action should the nurse take?
A) Document the finding as normal
B) Reassess in 2 weeks
C) Notify the healthcare provider
D) Instruct the client to increase fluid intake
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Fundal height in centimeters should roughly correspond to the
weeks of gestation (± 2 cm). At 28 weeks, the expected fundal height is 26-
30 cm. A measurement of 26 cm is at the lower limit of normal but
warrants further evaluation. However, the more important consideration is
that the measurement is 2 cm less than the gestational age, which could
indicate intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), oligohydramnios, or a date
discrepancy. The nurse should notify the healthcare provider for further
assessment. Option A is incorrect (the finding should be evaluated). Option
B is incorrect (delaying assessment is not appropriate). Option D is
incorrect (fluid intake does not affect fundal height).
Question 7
A client at 20 weeks gestation is scheduled for a maternal serum alpha-
fetoprotein (MSAFP) screening. The nurse should explain that this test
screens for:
A) Down syndrome
B) Neural tube defects
Exam 100 Questions with Correct Answers &
Expert Rationales | 2026/2027 Edition
SECTION 1: Antepartum Care (Questions 1-25)
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a client at her first prenatal visit at 10 weeks gestation.
Which finding would be considered a normal physiological change of
pregnancy?
A) Decreased cardiac output
B) Increased respiratory rate
C) Decreased blood volume
D) Decreased glomerular filtration rate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: During pregnancy, the respiratory rate increases slightly due to
the elevated metabolic demands and the enlarging uterus pushing against
the diaphragm. Cardiac output increases (A), not decreases. Blood volume
increases significantly (C) by approximately 40-50% during pregnancy.
Glomerular filtration rate increases (D) by about 50%, not decreases.
Normal physiological changes of pregnancy include increased respiratory
rate, increased cardiac output, increased blood volume, and increased GFR.
Question 2
A nurse is calculating the estimated date of delivery (EDD) using Naegele's
rule for a client whose last menstrual period (LMP) was May 15, 2025.
Which date is the EDD?
,A) February 8, 2026
B) February 22, 2026
C) March 8, 2026
D) March 22, 2026
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Naegele's rule calculates the EDD by subtracting 3 months from
the LMP and adding 7 days. LMP = May 15, 2025. Subtract 3 months =
February 15, 2025. Add 7 days = February 22, 2025. Since the LMP year is
2025, the EDD is February 22, 2026. Option A is incorrect (subtracts 7
days). Option C is incorrect (adds 14 days). Option D is incorrect (adds 7
days to March). Naegele's rule assumes a 28-day menstrual cycle and
conception occurring on day 14.
Question 3
A client at 36 weeks gestation reports she has been experiencing periodic,
painless uterine contractions for the past hour. The nurse should document
these as:
A) Braxton Hicks contractions
B) True labor contractions
C) Preterm labor contractions
D) Hypertonic contractions
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Braxton Hicks contractions are irregular, painless, and
intermittent uterine contractions that occur throughout pregnancy but
become more noticeable in the third trimester. They are often described as
"practice contractions" and do not cause cervical change. True labor
contractions (B) are regular, become more frequent, increase in intensity,
and cause progressive cervical dilation and effacement. Preterm labor (C)
occurs before 37 weeks. Hypertonic contractions (D) are excessive uterine
activity that can compromise fetal oxygenation.
,Question 4
A nurse is performing Leopold's maneuvers on a client at 38 weeks
gestation. The nurse palpates a firm, round mass in the fundus and a
smooth, hard mass above the symphysis pubis. The nurse should document
the fetal presentation as:
A) Cephalic
B) Breech
C) Transverse
D) Oblique
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In Leopold's maneuvers, palpating a firm, round mass (the fetal
head) in the fundus indicates a breech presentation. A smooth, hard mass
(the fetal buttocks) above the symphysis pubis further supports this
finding. In a cephalic presentation (A), the head is felt above the symphysis
pubis and the buttocks are felt in the fundus. Transverse (C) and oblique
(D) presentations involve the fetus lying horizontally or diagonally.
Question 5
A client at 12 weeks gestation reports nausea and vomiting that has been
persistent. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A) Instruct the client to eat small, frequent meals
B) Instruct the client to avoid all fluids
C) Recommend the client lie flat after eating
D) Suggest the client take iron supplements
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Eating small, frequent meals helps manage nausea and vomiting
during pregnancy by preventing an empty stomach and stabilizing blood
glucose levels. Option B is incorrect (avoiding fluids can lead to
, dehydration). Option C is incorrect (lying flat after eating can worsen
nausea). Option D is incorrect (iron supplements can worsen nausea).
Question 6
A nurse is assessing a client at 28 weeks gestation. The fundal height
measurement is 26 cm. Which action should the nurse take?
A) Document the finding as normal
B) Reassess in 2 weeks
C) Notify the healthcare provider
D) Instruct the client to increase fluid intake
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Fundal height in centimeters should roughly correspond to the
weeks of gestation (± 2 cm). At 28 weeks, the expected fundal height is 26-
30 cm. A measurement of 26 cm is at the lower limit of normal but
warrants further evaluation. However, the more important consideration is
that the measurement is 2 cm less than the gestational age, which could
indicate intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), oligohydramnios, or a date
discrepancy. The nurse should notify the healthcare provider for further
assessment. Option A is incorrect (the finding should be evaluated). Option
B is incorrect (delaying assessment is not appropriate). Option D is
incorrect (fluid intake does not affect fundal height).
Question 7
A client at 20 weeks gestation is scheduled for a maternal serum alpha-
fetoprotein (MSAFP) screening. The nurse should explain that this test
screens for:
A) Down syndrome
B) Neural tube defects
