NUR 231
EXAM 1
Maternal Nursing
50 Actual Questions w/Correct Answers
Galen College of Nursing
What you Will Get:
• 50 verified questions
• Correct answers with Rationales.
• Ideal for exam preparation and concept
reinforcement.
,1. The nurse is preparing to teach a client about the physiological changes that
occur during pregnancy. Which of the following should the nurse teach as an
increased physiological change?
A. Gastrointestinal (GI) contractility
B. Blood pressure
C. Cardiac output
Correct Answer: C. Cardiac output
Expert Rationale:
During pregnancy, there is a significant increase in maternal cardiac output to
meet the metabolic demands of the mother and the developing fetus. This
physiological adaptation begins early in the first trimester, peaks in the second
trimester, and remains elevated until term. Gastrointestinal contractility typically
decreases, leading to symptoms like constipation, whereas blood pressure
remains the same or decreases slightly due to decreased systemic vascular
resistance.
2. The nurse has provided dietary teaching for a pregnant client with iron
deficiency anemia. Which of the following meal options indicates the client
understood the teaching?
A. Chicken salad sandwich with almonds and raisins
B. Toasted cheese sandwich with celery sticks
C. Red beans with whole-grain and mixed greens
D. Oatmeal, whole wheat toast and jelly
Correct Answer: C. Red beans with whole-grain and mixed greens
Expert Rationale:
Red beans and mixed greens are rich sources of non-heme iron, and pairing them
with whole grains provides added fiber and essential nutrients, promoting iron
,absorption. Vitamin C from greens enhances non-heme iron absorption. The other
options contain less iron or lack components to enhance iron absorption.
3. The nurse is teaching a client who is in the 10th week of pregnancy about
morning sickness. Which of the following should the nurse include in the
teaching?
A. Avoid all fluids during meals to prevent nausea
B. Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day
C. Increase intake of spicy and fatty foods to settle the stomach
D. Take antiemetic medication immediately upon waking
Correct Answer: B. Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day
Expert Rationale:
The nurse should teach the client to eat small, frequent meals, avoid spicy and
fatty foods, keep crackers at bedside to eat before rising, stay hydrated, and avoid
an empty stomach. Ginger and vitamin B6 may help, and severe vomiting
(hyperemesis gravidarum) should be reported.
4. The nurse is teaching a client about symptoms to report during her pregnancy.
Which of the following statements by the client indicates a correct
understanding of the teaching?
A. “If I have any fluid leaking from my vagina, I must call the clinic immediately”
B. “I’ll report increased frequency of urination”
C. “Nausea should be reported immediately”
D. “If I feel tired after resting, I should report it immediately”
Correct Answer: A. “If I have any fluid leaking from my vagina, I must call the clinic
immediately”
,Expert Rationale:
Sudden or continuous leakage of fluid may indicate rupture of membranes,
increasing the risk for infection or preterm labor, and requires prompt evaluation.
Increased urination and fatigue are common discomforts; nausea is expected in
the first trimester unless severe.
5. The charge nurse is discussing probable signs of pregnancy with a newly hired
nurse. The newly hired nurse correctly identifies which of the following as a
probable sign of pregnancy?
A. Goodell sign
B. Breast tenderness
C. Fetal heart rate (FHR) detected on doppler
D. Negative serum pregnancy test
Correct Answer: A. Goodell sign
Expert Rationale:
A probable sign of pregnancy is an objective finding strongly suggestive of
pregnancy. Goodell sign (softening of the cervix) is a classic probable sign. Breast
tenderness is a presumptive sign, FHR detection is a positive sign, and a negative
pregnancy test rules out pregnancy.
6. The nurse is talking to a client who is 18 weeks pregnant about preparing her
7-year-old daughter for the new sibling. Which of the following
recommendations is best for the nurse to make based on the child’s age?
A. “Tell your daughter the story of her own birth”
B. “Use your pregnancy as a way to begin basic human sexuality”
C. “Teach your daughter how to hold and talk to the baby using her favorite doll”
D. “Wait to discuss the birth of the baby until your daughter asks about it”
, Correct Answer: C. “Teach your daughter how to hold and talk to the baby using
her favorite doll”
Expert Rationale:
School-age children benefit from age-appropriate involvement, which decreases
anxiety and fosters a positive sibling relationship. Demonstrating baby care with a
doll is developmentally appropriate, helping the child understand and practice
new roles.
7. The nurse is caring for a client who states, “I think I am pregnant”. The first
day of the LMP was October 1st. Using Naegele’s rule, the nurse calculates the
EDD to be?
A. September 24
B. August 8
C. June 24
D. July 8
Correct Answer: D. July 8
Expert Rationale:
Naegele’s Rule: Subtract 3 months, add 7 days, and add 1 year to the first day of
LMP. October 1 minus 3 months = July 1; July 1 plus 7 days = July 8; add 1 year =
July 8 of the following year. (Note: Some interpretations may yield September 24 if
using a different calculation method, but standard Naegele’s rule applied to
October 1 yields July 8 of the next year.)
8. The nurse is caring for a pregnant client who is recently diagnosed with pica.
Which of the following Hgb levels should the nurse expect to find in the client’s
chart?
EXAM 1
Maternal Nursing
50 Actual Questions w/Correct Answers
Galen College of Nursing
What you Will Get:
• 50 verified questions
• Correct answers with Rationales.
• Ideal for exam preparation and concept
reinforcement.
,1. The nurse is preparing to teach a client about the physiological changes that
occur during pregnancy. Which of the following should the nurse teach as an
increased physiological change?
A. Gastrointestinal (GI) contractility
B. Blood pressure
C. Cardiac output
Correct Answer: C. Cardiac output
Expert Rationale:
During pregnancy, there is a significant increase in maternal cardiac output to
meet the metabolic demands of the mother and the developing fetus. This
physiological adaptation begins early in the first trimester, peaks in the second
trimester, and remains elevated until term. Gastrointestinal contractility typically
decreases, leading to symptoms like constipation, whereas blood pressure
remains the same or decreases slightly due to decreased systemic vascular
resistance.
2. The nurse has provided dietary teaching for a pregnant client with iron
deficiency anemia. Which of the following meal options indicates the client
understood the teaching?
A. Chicken salad sandwich with almonds and raisins
B. Toasted cheese sandwich with celery sticks
C. Red beans with whole-grain and mixed greens
D. Oatmeal, whole wheat toast and jelly
Correct Answer: C. Red beans with whole-grain and mixed greens
Expert Rationale:
Red beans and mixed greens are rich sources of non-heme iron, and pairing them
with whole grains provides added fiber and essential nutrients, promoting iron
,absorption. Vitamin C from greens enhances non-heme iron absorption. The other
options contain less iron or lack components to enhance iron absorption.
3. The nurse is teaching a client who is in the 10th week of pregnancy about
morning sickness. Which of the following should the nurse include in the
teaching?
A. Avoid all fluids during meals to prevent nausea
B. Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day
C. Increase intake of spicy and fatty foods to settle the stomach
D. Take antiemetic medication immediately upon waking
Correct Answer: B. Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day
Expert Rationale:
The nurse should teach the client to eat small, frequent meals, avoid spicy and
fatty foods, keep crackers at bedside to eat before rising, stay hydrated, and avoid
an empty stomach. Ginger and vitamin B6 may help, and severe vomiting
(hyperemesis gravidarum) should be reported.
4. The nurse is teaching a client about symptoms to report during her pregnancy.
Which of the following statements by the client indicates a correct
understanding of the teaching?
A. “If I have any fluid leaking from my vagina, I must call the clinic immediately”
B. “I’ll report increased frequency of urination”
C. “Nausea should be reported immediately”
D. “If I feel tired after resting, I should report it immediately”
Correct Answer: A. “If I have any fluid leaking from my vagina, I must call the clinic
immediately”
,Expert Rationale:
Sudden or continuous leakage of fluid may indicate rupture of membranes,
increasing the risk for infection or preterm labor, and requires prompt evaluation.
Increased urination and fatigue are common discomforts; nausea is expected in
the first trimester unless severe.
5. The charge nurse is discussing probable signs of pregnancy with a newly hired
nurse. The newly hired nurse correctly identifies which of the following as a
probable sign of pregnancy?
A. Goodell sign
B. Breast tenderness
C. Fetal heart rate (FHR) detected on doppler
D. Negative serum pregnancy test
Correct Answer: A. Goodell sign
Expert Rationale:
A probable sign of pregnancy is an objective finding strongly suggestive of
pregnancy. Goodell sign (softening of the cervix) is a classic probable sign. Breast
tenderness is a presumptive sign, FHR detection is a positive sign, and a negative
pregnancy test rules out pregnancy.
6. The nurse is talking to a client who is 18 weeks pregnant about preparing her
7-year-old daughter for the new sibling. Which of the following
recommendations is best for the nurse to make based on the child’s age?
A. “Tell your daughter the story of her own birth”
B. “Use your pregnancy as a way to begin basic human sexuality”
C. “Teach your daughter how to hold and talk to the baby using her favorite doll”
D. “Wait to discuss the birth of the baby until your daughter asks about it”
, Correct Answer: C. “Teach your daughter how to hold and talk to the baby using
her favorite doll”
Expert Rationale:
School-age children benefit from age-appropriate involvement, which decreases
anxiety and fosters a positive sibling relationship. Demonstrating baby care with a
doll is developmentally appropriate, helping the child understand and practice
new roles.
7. The nurse is caring for a client who states, “I think I am pregnant”. The first
day of the LMP was October 1st. Using Naegele’s rule, the nurse calculates the
EDD to be?
A. September 24
B. August 8
C. June 24
D. July 8
Correct Answer: D. July 8
Expert Rationale:
Naegele’s Rule: Subtract 3 months, add 7 days, and add 1 year to the first day of
LMP. October 1 minus 3 months = July 1; July 1 plus 7 days = July 8; add 1 year =
July 8 of the following year. (Note: Some interpretations may yield September 24 if
using a different calculation method, but standard Naegele’s rule applied to
October 1 yields July 8 of the next year.)
8. The nurse is caring for a pregnant client who is recently diagnosed with pica.
Which of the following Hgb levels should the nurse expect to find in the client’s
chart?
