Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) Practice Exam Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
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Question 1
The primary role of a Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) is to:
A. Provide only surgical obstetric care
B. Provide comprehensive care to women throughout the lifespan,
including pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, and reproductive health
C. Manage only high-risk pregnancies in intensive care units
D. Perform all procedures independently without collaboration
Correct Answer: B. Provide Comprehensive Care to Women
Throughout the Lifespan, Including Pregnancy, Childbirth, Postpartum,
and Reproductive Health
Rationale:
Certified Nurse-Midwives provide primary healthcare services,
reproductive care, prenatal care, labor and birth management,
postpartum care, newborn care, and health education.
Question 2
A CNM caring for a pregnant patient at the first prenatal visit should
prioritize:
A. Determining fetal gender
B. Performing a comprehensive health history and physical assessment
C. Scheduling delivery immediately
D. Starting medications without evaluation
,Correct Answer: B. Performing a Comprehensive Health History and
Physical Assessment
Rationale:
The initial prenatal assessment identifies maternal health conditions,
pregnancy risks, previous obstetric history, and factors affecting
pregnancy outcomes.
Question 3
Which hormone is primarily responsible for maintaining pregnancy
during the early weeks?
A. Estrogen
B. Progesterone
C. Oxytocin
D. Prolactin
Correct Answer: B. Progesterone
Rationale:
Progesterone supports the uterine lining, prevents uterine contractions,
and helps maintain pregnancy.
Question 4
A CNM recognizes that the most accurate indicator of fetal well-being
during labor is:
A. Maternal appetite
B. Continuous assessment of fetal heart rate patterns
,C. Maternal height
D. Weight gain alone
Correct Answer: B. Continuous Assessment of Fetal Heart Rate
Patterns
Rationale:
Fetal heart rate monitoring provides information about fetal
oxygenation and possible distress during labor.
Question 5
Which finding during pregnancy requires immediate evaluation?
A. Mild nausea in the first trimester
B. Vaginal bleeding with abdominal pain
C. Increased appetite
D. Mild fatigue
Correct Answer: B. Vaginal Bleeding With Abdominal Pain
Rationale:
Bleeding accompanied by abdominal pain may indicate complications
such as ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, or placental problems.
Question 6
The purpose of Leopold maneuvers is to:
A. Assess fetal position and presentation
B. Determine maternal blood pressure
, C. Measure cervical dilation
D. Evaluate newborn reflexes
Correct Answer: A. Assess Fetal Position and Presentation
Rationale:
Leopold maneuvers are abdominal palpation techniques used to
determine fetal lie, presentation, position, and engagement.
Question 7
A normal baseline fetal heart rate is approximately:
A. 60–90 beats/minute
B. 110–160 beats/minute
C. 170–220 beats/minute
D. 200–240 beats/minute
Correct Answer: B. 110–160 Beats/Minute
Rationale:
A normal fetal heart rate baseline is typically between 110 and 160
beats per minute.
Question 8
During active labor, cervical dilation usually progresses from:
A. 0 to 3 cm only
B. 6 to 10 cm
C. 10 to 15 cm
D. 12 to 20 cm
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
Question 1
The primary role of a Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) is to:
A. Provide only surgical obstetric care
B. Provide comprehensive care to women throughout the lifespan,
including pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, and reproductive health
C. Manage only high-risk pregnancies in intensive care units
D. Perform all procedures independently without collaboration
Correct Answer: B. Provide Comprehensive Care to Women
Throughout the Lifespan, Including Pregnancy, Childbirth, Postpartum,
and Reproductive Health
Rationale:
Certified Nurse-Midwives provide primary healthcare services,
reproductive care, prenatal care, labor and birth management,
postpartum care, newborn care, and health education.
Question 2
A CNM caring for a pregnant patient at the first prenatal visit should
prioritize:
A. Determining fetal gender
B. Performing a comprehensive health history and physical assessment
C. Scheduling delivery immediately
D. Starting medications without evaluation
,Correct Answer: B. Performing a Comprehensive Health History and
Physical Assessment
Rationale:
The initial prenatal assessment identifies maternal health conditions,
pregnancy risks, previous obstetric history, and factors affecting
pregnancy outcomes.
Question 3
Which hormone is primarily responsible for maintaining pregnancy
during the early weeks?
A. Estrogen
B. Progesterone
C. Oxytocin
D. Prolactin
Correct Answer: B. Progesterone
Rationale:
Progesterone supports the uterine lining, prevents uterine contractions,
and helps maintain pregnancy.
Question 4
A CNM recognizes that the most accurate indicator of fetal well-being
during labor is:
A. Maternal appetite
B. Continuous assessment of fetal heart rate patterns
,C. Maternal height
D. Weight gain alone
Correct Answer: B. Continuous Assessment of Fetal Heart Rate
Patterns
Rationale:
Fetal heart rate monitoring provides information about fetal
oxygenation and possible distress during labor.
Question 5
Which finding during pregnancy requires immediate evaluation?
A. Mild nausea in the first trimester
B. Vaginal bleeding with abdominal pain
C. Increased appetite
D. Mild fatigue
Correct Answer: B. Vaginal Bleeding With Abdominal Pain
Rationale:
Bleeding accompanied by abdominal pain may indicate complications
such as ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, or placental problems.
Question 6
The purpose of Leopold maneuvers is to:
A. Assess fetal position and presentation
B. Determine maternal blood pressure
, C. Measure cervical dilation
D. Evaluate newborn reflexes
Correct Answer: A. Assess Fetal Position and Presentation
Rationale:
Leopold maneuvers are abdominal palpation techniques used to
determine fetal lie, presentation, position, and engagement.
Question 7
A normal baseline fetal heart rate is approximately:
A. 60–90 beats/minute
B. 110–160 beats/minute
C. 170–220 beats/minute
D. 200–240 beats/minute
Correct Answer: B. 110–160 Beats/Minute
Rationale:
A normal fetal heart rate baseline is typically between 110 and 160
beats per minute.
Question 8
During active labor, cervical dilation usually progresses from:
A. 0 to 3 cm only
B. 6 to 10 cm
C. 10 to 15 cm
D. 12 to 20 cm
