NSG 432 Exam 2 questions verified with correct answers and
rationales 2026/2027 version/instant pdf
1. A client in active labor has contractions every 3 minutes lasting 60 seconds. Which assessment
is the priority?
A. Maternal temperature
B. Fetal heart rate
C. Maternal appetite
D. Urine color
Correct answer: B. Fetal heart rate
Rationale: Fetal heart rate monitoring helps identify fetal intolerance to labor.
2. The normal baseline fetal heart rate is:
A. 60–100 bpm
B. 100–120 bpm
C. 110–160 bpm
D. 160–200 bpm
Correct answer: C. 110–160 bpm
Rationale: A baseline of 110–160 bpm is considered normal for a fetus.
3. Early decelerations are usually caused by:
A. Umbilical cord compression
B. Maternal hypotension
C. Fetal head compression
D. Placental insufficiency
Correct answer: C. Fetal head compression
Rationale: Early decelerations mirror contractions and are commonly caused by head
compression.
4. Variable decelerations are most commonly associated with:
A. Fetal head compression
B. Umbilical cord compression
C. Maternal fever
D. Placental aging
Correct answer: B. Umbilical cord compression
Rationale: Cord compression causes abrupt, variable decreases in fetal heart rate.
5. A client receiving oxytocin develops uterine contractions every 1 minute. What is the nurse's
priority action?
A. Increase the oxytocin
B. Stop the oxytocin infusion
,C. Encourage pushing
D. Place the client supine
Correct answer: B. Stop the oxytocin infusion
Rationale: Excessive contractions can reduce uteroplacental perfusion and cause fetal distress.
6. A normal contraction pattern generally includes contractions that are:
A. More than 6 in 10 minutes
B. 2–5 contractions in 10 minutes
C. Continuous without relaxation
D. Less than 10 seconds apart
Correct answer: B. 2–5 contractions in 10 minutes
Rationale: Adequate uterine relaxation between contractions is essential for fetal oxygenation.
7. The first stage of labor ends when:
A. Contractions begin
B. The cervix is completely dilated
C. The placenta is delivered
D. The infant is born
Correct answer: B. The cervix is completely dilated
Rationale: The first stage ends at 10 cm cervical dilation.
8. The second stage of labor begins with:
A. Onset of contractions
B. Cervical effacement
C. Complete cervical dilation
D. Delivery of the placenta
Correct answer: C. Complete cervical dilation
Rationale: The second stage extends from complete dilation to birth of the newborn.
9. The third stage of labor is the period between:
A. Onset of labor and complete dilation
B. Complete dilation and birth
C. Birth and delivery of the placenta
D. Placental delivery and discharge
Correct answer: C. Birth and delivery of the placenta
Rationale: The third stage involves separation and expulsion of the placenta.
10. The fourth stage of labor primarily involves monitoring for:
A. Cervical dilation
B. Postpartum hemorrhage
, C. Fetal descent
D. Placental formation
Correct answer: B. Postpartum hemorrhage
Rationale: The immediate postpartum period is critical for detecting hemorrhage and instability.
11. The most reliable sign that true labor has begun is:
A. Backache
B. Bloody show
C. Progressive cervical dilation and effacement
D. Increased urination
Correct answer: C. Progressive cervical dilation and effacement
Rationale: True labor produces progressive cervical changes.
12. A client reports contractions that stop when she changes position. These are most consistent
with:
A. True labor
B. False labor
C. Transition phase
D. Precipitous labor
Correct answer: B. False labor
Rationale: False labor contractions may decrease with rest, hydration, or position changes.
13. The nurse should instruct a laboring client to use slow-paced breathing primarily to:
A. Increase fetal heart rate
B. Promote relaxation and reduce anxiety
C. Stop cervical dilation
D. Increase contraction frequency
Correct answer: B. Promote relaxation and reduce anxiety
Rationale: Controlled breathing decreases tension and helps the client cope with contractions.
14. Which position generally improves uteroplacental perfusion?
A. Supine
B. Prone
C. Left lateral
D. Lithotomy
Correct answer: C. Left lateral
Rationale: The left lateral position reduces vena cava compression and improves blood flow.
15. A laboring client becomes dizzy and hypotensive while lying supine. The nurse should first:
A. Increase oxytocin
B. Turn the client to a side-lying position
rationales 2026/2027 version/instant pdf
1. A client in active labor has contractions every 3 minutes lasting 60 seconds. Which assessment
is the priority?
A. Maternal temperature
B. Fetal heart rate
C. Maternal appetite
D. Urine color
Correct answer: B. Fetal heart rate
Rationale: Fetal heart rate monitoring helps identify fetal intolerance to labor.
2. The normal baseline fetal heart rate is:
A. 60–100 bpm
B. 100–120 bpm
C. 110–160 bpm
D. 160–200 bpm
Correct answer: C. 110–160 bpm
Rationale: A baseline of 110–160 bpm is considered normal for a fetus.
3. Early decelerations are usually caused by:
A. Umbilical cord compression
B. Maternal hypotension
C. Fetal head compression
D. Placental insufficiency
Correct answer: C. Fetal head compression
Rationale: Early decelerations mirror contractions and are commonly caused by head
compression.
4. Variable decelerations are most commonly associated with:
A. Fetal head compression
B. Umbilical cord compression
C. Maternal fever
D. Placental aging
Correct answer: B. Umbilical cord compression
Rationale: Cord compression causes abrupt, variable decreases in fetal heart rate.
5. A client receiving oxytocin develops uterine contractions every 1 minute. What is the nurse's
priority action?
A. Increase the oxytocin
B. Stop the oxytocin infusion
,C. Encourage pushing
D. Place the client supine
Correct answer: B. Stop the oxytocin infusion
Rationale: Excessive contractions can reduce uteroplacental perfusion and cause fetal distress.
6. A normal contraction pattern generally includes contractions that are:
A. More than 6 in 10 minutes
B. 2–5 contractions in 10 minutes
C. Continuous without relaxation
D. Less than 10 seconds apart
Correct answer: B. 2–5 contractions in 10 minutes
Rationale: Adequate uterine relaxation between contractions is essential for fetal oxygenation.
7. The first stage of labor ends when:
A. Contractions begin
B. The cervix is completely dilated
C. The placenta is delivered
D. The infant is born
Correct answer: B. The cervix is completely dilated
Rationale: The first stage ends at 10 cm cervical dilation.
8. The second stage of labor begins with:
A. Onset of contractions
B. Cervical effacement
C. Complete cervical dilation
D. Delivery of the placenta
Correct answer: C. Complete cervical dilation
Rationale: The second stage extends from complete dilation to birth of the newborn.
9. The third stage of labor is the period between:
A. Onset of labor and complete dilation
B. Complete dilation and birth
C. Birth and delivery of the placenta
D. Placental delivery and discharge
Correct answer: C. Birth and delivery of the placenta
Rationale: The third stage involves separation and expulsion of the placenta.
10. The fourth stage of labor primarily involves monitoring for:
A. Cervical dilation
B. Postpartum hemorrhage
, C. Fetal descent
D. Placental formation
Correct answer: B. Postpartum hemorrhage
Rationale: The immediate postpartum period is critical for detecting hemorrhage and instability.
11. The most reliable sign that true labor has begun is:
A. Backache
B. Bloody show
C. Progressive cervical dilation and effacement
D. Increased urination
Correct answer: C. Progressive cervical dilation and effacement
Rationale: True labor produces progressive cervical changes.
12. A client reports contractions that stop when she changes position. These are most consistent
with:
A. True labor
B. False labor
C. Transition phase
D. Precipitous labor
Correct answer: B. False labor
Rationale: False labor contractions may decrease with rest, hydration, or position changes.
13. The nurse should instruct a laboring client to use slow-paced breathing primarily to:
A. Increase fetal heart rate
B. Promote relaxation and reduce anxiety
C. Stop cervical dilation
D. Increase contraction frequency
Correct answer: B. Promote relaxation and reduce anxiety
Rationale: Controlled breathing decreases tension and helps the client cope with contractions.
14. Which position generally improves uteroplacental perfusion?
A. Supine
B. Prone
C. Left lateral
D. Lithotomy
Correct answer: C. Left lateral
Rationale: The left lateral position reduces vena cava compression and improves blood flow.
15. A laboring client becomes dizzy and hypotensive while lying supine. The nurse should first:
A. Increase oxytocin
B. Turn the client to a side-lying position
