Kaplan Obstetric Nursing Assessment
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Answers ,Plus Explained
Rationales/Expert Verified For Guaranteed
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1. A pregnant client at 32 weeks' gestation reports painless bright red vaginal
bleeding. What is the nurse's priority action?
A) Perform a sterile vaginal exam
B) Assess fetal heart tones
C) Encourage ambulation
D) Prepare for discharge
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Painless third-trimester bleeding suggests placenta previa. Fetal
assessment is the priority to evaluate fetal well-being. Vaginal exams
are contraindicated because they can cause catastrophic hemorrhage.
2. A client at 10 weeks' gestation reports severe nausea and vomiting. What is
the priority concern?
,A) Hyperemesis gravidarum
B) Gestational diabetes
C) Placenta previa
D) Preterm labor
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Excessive vomiting in early pregnancy can lead to dehydration,
electrolyte imbalance, and weight loss, indicating hyperemesis gravidarum. This
requires medical intervention.
3. Which physiological change is primarily responsible for nausea and vomiting
in the first trimester?
A) Increased progesterone causing uterine relaxation
B) Decreased estrogen affecting gastric motility
C) Elevated human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) stimulating the vomiting center
D) Increased blood volume causing gastric distention
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Elevated hCG levels during early pregnancy stimulate the vomiting
center in the brain, leading to nausea and vomiting commonly known as morning
sickness.
4. A nurse is teaching a pregnant client about signs of preeclampsia. Which
symptom should be reported immediately?
A) Mild ankle swelling
B) Occasional headaches
C) Visual disturbances
D) Increased appetite
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Visual disturbances such as blurred vision or seeing spots indicate
,severe preeclampsia and require immediate medical attention due to the risk of
seizures (eclampsia).
5. Which finding is most concerning in a client with preeclampsia?
A) 1+ proteinuria
B) BP 150/90 mmHg
C) Severe headache and visual changes
D) Mild ankle edema
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Severe headache and visual changes are signs of worsening
preeclampsia and possible progression to eclampsia (seizures).
6. Which position is best for a pregnant client experiencing supine
hypotension?
A) Supine
B) Trendelenburg
C) Left lateral
D) High Fowler's
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The left lateral position relieves pressure on the inferior vena cava,
improving venous return and circulation.
7. A client at 28 weeks' gestation presents with bright red vaginal bleeding and
no abdominal pain. The nurse suspects which condition?
A) Placenta previa
B) Placental abruption
C) Vasa previa
D) Uterine rupture
, Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Bright red, painless vaginal bleeding in the second or third trimester is
classic for placenta previa. Placental abruption typically presents with painful
bleeding and uterine tenderness.
8. The nurse is assessing a client at 16 weeks' gestation. Which fundal height
measurement would be expected?
A) At the umbilicus
B) 16 cm above the symphysis pubis
C) 20 cm above the symphysis pubis
D) Below the symphysis pubis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Fundal height in centimeters roughly corresponds to weeks of gestation
from 12 to 36 weeks. At 16 weeks, the fundus is approximately 16 cm above the
symphysis pubis, midway between the symphysis and umbilicus.
9. A client asks the nurse about Braxton Hicks contractions. Which statement
is correct?
A) "They indicate preterm labor."
B) "They are regular and become stronger over time."
C) "They are irregular and usually painless."
D) "They require immediate hospitalization."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Braxton Hicks contractions are irregular, non-painful, and do not cause
cervical dilation. They are often described as a "tightening" sensation and do not
indicate true labor.
10. A pregnant client reports persistent heartburn. Which instruction should
the nurse provide?
Exam With Actual Questions & Verified
Answers ,Plus Explained
Rationales/Expert Verified For Guaranteed
Pass 2026/Latest Update/Instant
Download Pdf
1. A pregnant client at 32 weeks' gestation reports painless bright red vaginal
bleeding. What is the nurse's priority action?
A) Perform a sterile vaginal exam
B) Assess fetal heart tones
C) Encourage ambulation
D) Prepare for discharge
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Painless third-trimester bleeding suggests placenta previa. Fetal
assessment is the priority to evaluate fetal well-being. Vaginal exams
are contraindicated because they can cause catastrophic hemorrhage.
2. A client at 10 weeks' gestation reports severe nausea and vomiting. What is
the priority concern?
,A) Hyperemesis gravidarum
B) Gestational diabetes
C) Placenta previa
D) Preterm labor
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Excessive vomiting in early pregnancy can lead to dehydration,
electrolyte imbalance, and weight loss, indicating hyperemesis gravidarum. This
requires medical intervention.
3. Which physiological change is primarily responsible for nausea and vomiting
in the first trimester?
A) Increased progesterone causing uterine relaxation
B) Decreased estrogen affecting gastric motility
C) Elevated human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) stimulating the vomiting center
D) Increased blood volume causing gastric distention
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Elevated hCG levels during early pregnancy stimulate the vomiting
center in the brain, leading to nausea and vomiting commonly known as morning
sickness.
4. A nurse is teaching a pregnant client about signs of preeclampsia. Which
symptom should be reported immediately?
A) Mild ankle swelling
B) Occasional headaches
C) Visual disturbances
D) Increased appetite
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Visual disturbances such as blurred vision or seeing spots indicate
,severe preeclampsia and require immediate medical attention due to the risk of
seizures (eclampsia).
5. Which finding is most concerning in a client with preeclampsia?
A) 1+ proteinuria
B) BP 150/90 mmHg
C) Severe headache and visual changes
D) Mild ankle edema
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Severe headache and visual changes are signs of worsening
preeclampsia and possible progression to eclampsia (seizures).
6. Which position is best for a pregnant client experiencing supine
hypotension?
A) Supine
B) Trendelenburg
C) Left lateral
D) High Fowler's
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The left lateral position relieves pressure on the inferior vena cava,
improving venous return and circulation.
7. A client at 28 weeks' gestation presents with bright red vaginal bleeding and
no abdominal pain. The nurse suspects which condition?
A) Placenta previa
B) Placental abruption
C) Vasa previa
D) Uterine rupture
, Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Bright red, painless vaginal bleeding in the second or third trimester is
classic for placenta previa. Placental abruption typically presents with painful
bleeding and uterine tenderness.
8. The nurse is assessing a client at 16 weeks' gestation. Which fundal height
measurement would be expected?
A) At the umbilicus
B) 16 cm above the symphysis pubis
C) 20 cm above the symphysis pubis
D) Below the symphysis pubis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Fundal height in centimeters roughly corresponds to weeks of gestation
from 12 to 36 weeks. At 16 weeks, the fundus is approximately 16 cm above the
symphysis pubis, midway between the symphysis and umbilicus.
9. A client asks the nurse about Braxton Hicks contractions. Which statement
is correct?
A) "They indicate preterm labor."
B) "They are regular and become stronger over time."
C) "They are irregular and usually painless."
D) "They require immediate hospitalization."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Braxton Hicks contractions are irregular, non-painful, and do not cause
cervical dilation. They are often described as a "tightening" sensation and do not
indicate true labor.
10. A pregnant client reports persistent heartburn. Which instruction should
the nurse provide?
