MATERNITY EXAM 4 STUDY GUIDE | COMPLETE OBSTETRIC NURSING
EXAM REVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026/2027
What are the normal vital signs for a newborn? - ✔✔Reparations: 30-60
Blood Pressure: 80/46
Blood Sugar: >45 mg/dL
Heart Rate: 110-160
What does normal amniotic fluid look like? - ✔✔Should be clear and may contain vernix.
What does abnormal amniotic fluid look like? - ✔✔Cloudy, yellow, or malodorous fluid.
- May suggest infection.
What are the complications of spontaneous rupture of membranes? - ✔✔- Prolapsed umbilical cord.
- Abruptio placentae.
- Infection.
What is the purpose of Oxytocin? - ✔✔- Responsible for milk let down.
- Causes uterus to contract.
- Induction and augmentation of labor.
- Excretion of urine and promotes fluid retention
What is over-stimulation of uterine contractions? - ✔✔Contractions closer than every 2 minutes,
durations >90 seconds, resting interval <60 seconds.
What can happen if over stimulation of contractions occurs? - ✔✔- Fetal Compromise.
- Uterine Rupture.
- Water Intoxication.
What may cause Oxytocin to be discontinued or rate to be reduced? - ✔✔If the fetal heart rate is out of
the normal range or if there are excessive uterine contractions.
What are the nursing interventions after Oxytocin has been turned off? - ✔✔- Increase the non-
medicated IV fluid; to flush line and get oxytocin out of system.
- Keep the mother off her back; side lying.
- Give the mother oxygen via face mask.
What are the complications of forceps deliveries? - ✔✔- Trauma to the maternal and/or the fetal
tissues.*
- Mother is at risk for lacerations and hematoma in her vagina.
- Infant may have facial bruising, lesions/abrasions, cephalohematoma, intracranial hemorrhage.
- The vacuum may cause chignon.
What is chignon? - ✔✔An area of circular edema, where the vacuum was placed; disappears in a few
days.
, What is Hypertonic Labor Dysfunction and what is the treatment? - ✔✔Frequent contractions, cramp
like, poorly coordinated.
Treatment: mild sedation, tocolytic drugs (stop labor).
What is Hypotonic Labor Dysfunction and what is the treatment? - ✔✔Weak, ineffective contractions;
contractions less frequent and shorter in duration.
Treatment: amniotomy, oxytocin, hydration.
What is a 1st and 2nd degree laceration? - ✔✔Usually uncomplicated and heal quickly because they do
not affect the rectal sphincter.
- 1st Degree: superficial.
- 2nd Degree: vaginal mucosa, perineal, deep tissue of perineum.
What is a 3rd degree laceration? - ✔✔Laceration extends to the rectal sphincter.
What is a 4th degree laceration? - ✔✔Laceration extends completely through the rectal sphincter.
- Will cause incontinence of stool; may or may not be resolved.
When does preterm labor occur and what is the infant most at risk for? - ✔✔- Occurs after 20 weeks
and before 37 weeks.
- Main risk is prematurity of newborn.
What is the drug of choice to stop labor and how is it infused? - ✔✔Magnesium Sulfate IV; given IV this
warm flush with initiation of medication.
What is the therapeutic level of Magnesium Sulfate and what is the antidote for Magnesium Toxicity? -
✔✔- Therapeutic Level: 4-8 mg/dL.
- Antidote: Ca+ Gluconate.
What is the treatment for preterm labor? - ✔✔- Partial bed rest with bathroom privileges.
- Left side-lying position.
- Prepare mom this may be a lengthy activity restriction.
What is the second choice drug used to stop labor contractions? - ✔✔Turbutaline (Brethine).
What are the side effects of Turbutaline (Brethine) and how is it treated? - ✔✔- Side Effects: mom's
heart rate and blood pressure increases.
- Treatment: Propranolol.
What is the purpose of Dexamethasone? - ✔✔Used to assist with fetal lung maturity.
Where does the nurse give an IM injection on a newborn? - ✔✔Vastus Lateralis thigh at a 90° angle.
What is the nurse checking for while palpating the fundus? - ✔✔Firmness, height, and location of the
fundus.
Where should the fundus be located and how big should it be immediately after delivery? - ✔✔Fundus
should be at the midline or below level of umbilicus; should be firm and size of a grapefruit.
EXAM REVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026/2027
What are the normal vital signs for a newborn? - ✔✔Reparations: 30-60
Blood Pressure: 80/46
Blood Sugar: >45 mg/dL
Heart Rate: 110-160
What does normal amniotic fluid look like? - ✔✔Should be clear and may contain vernix.
What does abnormal amniotic fluid look like? - ✔✔Cloudy, yellow, or malodorous fluid.
- May suggest infection.
What are the complications of spontaneous rupture of membranes? - ✔✔- Prolapsed umbilical cord.
- Abruptio placentae.
- Infection.
What is the purpose of Oxytocin? - ✔✔- Responsible for milk let down.
- Causes uterus to contract.
- Induction and augmentation of labor.
- Excretion of urine and promotes fluid retention
What is over-stimulation of uterine contractions? - ✔✔Contractions closer than every 2 minutes,
durations >90 seconds, resting interval <60 seconds.
What can happen if over stimulation of contractions occurs? - ✔✔- Fetal Compromise.
- Uterine Rupture.
- Water Intoxication.
What may cause Oxytocin to be discontinued or rate to be reduced? - ✔✔If the fetal heart rate is out of
the normal range or if there are excessive uterine contractions.
What are the nursing interventions after Oxytocin has been turned off? - ✔✔- Increase the non-
medicated IV fluid; to flush line and get oxytocin out of system.
- Keep the mother off her back; side lying.
- Give the mother oxygen via face mask.
What are the complications of forceps deliveries? - ✔✔- Trauma to the maternal and/or the fetal
tissues.*
- Mother is at risk for lacerations and hematoma in her vagina.
- Infant may have facial bruising, lesions/abrasions, cephalohematoma, intracranial hemorrhage.
- The vacuum may cause chignon.
What is chignon? - ✔✔An area of circular edema, where the vacuum was placed; disappears in a few
days.
, What is Hypertonic Labor Dysfunction and what is the treatment? - ✔✔Frequent contractions, cramp
like, poorly coordinated.
Treatment: mild sedation, tocolytic drugs (stop labor).
What is Hypotonic Labor Dysfunction and what is the treatment? - ✔✔Weak, ineffective contractions;
contractions less frequent and shorter in duration.
Treatment: amniotomy, oxytocin, hydration.
What is a 1st and 2nd degree laceration? - ✔✔Usually uncomplicated and heal quickly because they do
not affect the rectal sphincter.
- 1st Degree: superficial.
- 2nd Degree: vaginal mucosa, perineal, deep tissue of perineum.
What is a 3rd degree laceration? - ✔✔Laceration extends to the rectal sphincter.
What is a 4th degree laceration? - ✔✔Laceration extends completely through the rectal sphincter.
- Will cause incontinence of stool; may or may not be resolved.
When does preterm labor occur and what is the infant most at risk for? - ✔✔- Occurs after 20 weeks
and before 37 weeks.
- Main risk is prematurity of newborn.
What is the drug of choice to stop labor and how is it infused? - ✔✔Magnesium Sulfate IV; given IV this
warm flush with initiation of medication.
What is the therapeutic level of Magnesium Sulfate and what is the antidote for Magnesium Toxicity? -
✔✔- Therapeutic Level: 4-8 mg/dL.
- Antidote: Ca+ Gluconate.
What is the treatment for preterm labor? - ✔✔- Partial bed rest with bathroom privileges.
- Left side-lying position.
- Prepare mom this may be a lengthy activity restriction.
What is the second choice drug used to stop labor contractions? - ✔✔Turbutaline (Brethine).
What are the side effects of Turbutaline (Brethine) and how is it treated? - ✔✔- Side Effects: mom's
heart rate and blood pressure increases.
- Treatment: Propranolol.
What is the purpose of Dexamethasone? - ✔✔Used to assist with fetal lung maturity.
Where does the nurse give an IM injection on a newborn? - ✔✔Vastus Lateralis thigh at a 90° angle.
What is the nurse checking for while palpating the fundus? - ✔✔Firmness, height, and location of the
fundus.
Where should the fundus be located and how big should it be immediately after delivery? - ✔✔Fundus
should be at the midline or below level of umbilicus; should be firm and size of a grapefruit.
