MATERNITY EXAM 4 STUDY GUIDE | COMPLETE MATERNAL-NEWBORN NURSING
EXAM REVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026/2027
A woman received a subarachnoid block before delivery. In order to prevent the associated side effect of
this type of anesthesia, the nurse would include in the teaching plan that the patient should: - ANS
✔✔Lie flat on her back for several hours.
After the physician discussed general anesthesia with a woman in labor, the nurse determines the
woman understood the explanation when she says food and fluids are restricted for several hours prior
to delivery to prevent: - ANS ✔✔Vomiting and aspiration
A woman in labor has had an epidural block for pain relief. The nurse will be assessing carefully for the
associated side effect of: - ANS ✔✔marked hypotension
The initial nursing action immediately after an epidural block is initiated for a laboring woman would be
to: - ANS ✔✔Measure the womans blood pressure
A nurse instructs a womans labor coach to comfort her by firmly pressing on her lower back. This
technique is called: - ANS ✔✔Sacral pressure
The massage technique that stimulates the large-diameter fibers in order to block impulses from the
small-diameter fibers is - ANS ✔✔Effleurage
A woman in the transition phase of labor requests a narcotic analgesic medication for pain relief. The
nurse explains that giving a narcotic analgesic medication at this stage of labor will: - ANS ✔✔Results in
respiratory depression to the newborn
A woman who is 6 cm dilated has the urge to push. The nurse would instruct the woman to: - ANS
✔✔Blow in short breaths during the contraction
The nurse who encourages the gate control theory of pain control would advise a woman in labor and
her partner to use which nonpharmacological method of pain management? - ANS ✔✔massage
The nurse discussing nonpharmacological forms of pain relief will focus on methods of:
Select all that apply. - ANS ✔✔Skin stimulation
Diversion and distraction
Breathing techniques
1. The nurse reviews for the childbirth preparation class the rationales for labor induction, which are: -
ANS ✔✔Maternal diabetes
, Placental insufficiency
A woman 2 weeks past her expected delivery date who is receiving an oxytocin infusion to induce labor
begins to have contractions every 90 seconds. The nurse's initial action should be to: - ANS ✔✔Stop the
oxytocin infusion.
While caring for a laboring woman, the nurse notices a pattern of variable decelerations in fetal heart
rate with uterine contractions. The nurses initial action is: - ANS ✔✔Reposition the woman on her side.
During a strenuous labor, the woman asks for some pain remedy for the sudden pain between her
scapulae which seems to occur with every breath she takes. The nurse should: - ANS ✔✔Notify the
charge nurse immediately
A woman 2 weeks past her expected delivery date who is receiving an oxytocin infusion to induce labor
begins to have contractions every 90 seconds. The nurse's initial action should be to: - ANS ✔✔Stop the
oxytocin infusion.
15. A pulsating structure is felt during a vaginal examination of a woman in labor. To prevent
compression of a prolapsed cord, the nurse would position the woman: - ANS ✔✔On her back with her
head lower than the rest of her body
When a hypotonic labor dysfunction occurs in a patient who is dilated to 5 cm with membranes intact,
the nurse informs the patient that the physician most likely will: - ANS ✔✔Perform an amniotomy
Following an amniotomy, the nursing assessment that should be reported immediately is: - ANS
✔✔Amniotic fluid is watery and pale green
A woman who is 33 weeks pregnant is admitted to the obstetrical unit because her membranes ruptured
spontaneously. She must be closely observed for signs of: - ANS ✔✔chorioamnionitis
A pregnant womans membranes ruptured prematurely at 34 weeks. She will be discharged to her home
for the next few weeks. The nurse planning discharge instructions would teach the woman to: - ANS
✔✔Notify her obstetrician for a temperature above 37.8 C.
The nurse is preparing a list of self-care instructions for a postpartum client who has been diagnosed
with mastitis. Which instructions should be included on the list? Select all that apply. - ANS ✔✔Rest
during the acute phase.
Wear a supportive, nonunderwire bra.
Maintain a fluid intake of at least 3000 mL.
Continue to breastfeed if the breasts are not too sore.
EXAM REVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026/2027
A woman received a subarachnoid block before delivery. In order to prevent the associated side effect of
this type of anesthesia, the nurse would include in the teaching plan that the patient should: - ANS
✔✔Lie flat on her back for several hours.
After the physician discussed general anesthesia with a woman in labor, the nurse determines the
woman understood the explanation when she says food and fluids are restricted for several hours prior
to delivery to prevent: - ANS ✔✔Vomiting and aspiration
A woman in labor has had an epidural block for pain relief. The nurse will be assessing carefully for the
associated side effect of: - ANS ✔✔marked hypotension
The initial nursing action immediately after an epidural block is initiated for a laboring woman would be
to: - ANS ✔✔Measure the womans blood pressure
A nurse instructs a womans labor coach to comfort her by firmly pressing on her lower back. This
technique is called: - ANS ✔✔Sacral pressure
The massage technique that stimulates the large-diameter fibers in order to block impulses from the
small-diameter fibers is - ANS ✔✔Effleurage
A woman in the transition phase of labor requests a narcotic analgesic medication for pain relief. The
nurse explains that giving a narcotic analgesic medication at this stage of labor will: - ANS ✔✔Results in
respiratory depression to the newborn
A woman who is 6 cm dilated has the urge to push. The nurse would instruct the woman to: - ANS
✔✔Blow in short breaths during the contraction
The nurse who encourages the gate control theory of pain control would advise a woman in labor and
her partner to use which nonpharmacological method of pain management? - ANS ✔✔massage
The nurse discussing nonpharmacological forms of pain relief will focus on methods of:
Select all that apply. - ANS ✔✔Skin stimulation
Diversion and distraction
Breathing techniques
1. The nurse reviews for the childbirth preparation class the rationales for labor induction, which are: -
ANS ✔✔Maternal diabetes
, Placental insufficiency
A woman 2 weeks past her expected delivery date who is receiving an oxytocin infusion to induce labor
begins to have contractions every 90 seconds. The nurse's initial action should be to: - ANS ✔✔Stop the
oxytocin infusion.
While caring for a laboring woman, the nurse notices a pattern of variable decelerations in fetal heart
rate with uterine contractions. The nurses initial action is: - ANS ✔✔Reposition the woman on her side.
During a strenuous labor, the woman asks for some pain remedy for the sudden pain between her
scapulae which seems to occur with every breath she takes. The nurse should: - ANS ✔✔Notify the
charge nurse immediately
A woman 2 weeks past her expected delivery date who is receiving an oxytocin infusion to induce labor
begins to have contractions every 90 seconds. The nurse's initial action should be to: - ANS ✔✔Stop the
oxytocin infusion.
15. A pulsating structure is felt during a vaginal examination of a woman in labor. To prevent
compression of a prolapsed cord, the nurse would position the woman: - ANS ✔✔On her back with her
head lower than the rest of her body
When a hypotonic labor dysfunction occurs in a patient who is dilated to 5 cm with membranes intact,
the nurse informs the patient that the physician most likely will: - ANS ✔✔Perform an amniotomy
Following an amniotomy, the nursing assessment that should be reported immediately is: - ANS
✔✔Amniotic fluid is watery and pale green
A woman who is 33 weeks pregnant is admitted to the obstetrical unit because her membranes ruptured
spontaneously. She must be closely observed for signs of: - ANS ✔✔chorioamnionitis
A pregnant womans membranes ruptured prematurely at 34 weeks. She will be discharged to her home
for the next few weeks. The nurse planning discharge instructions would teach the woman to: - ANS
✔✔Notify her obstetrician for a temperature above 37.8 C.
The nurse is preparing a list of self-care instructions for a postpartum client who has been diagnosed
with mastitis. Which instructions should be included on the list? Select all that apply. - ANS ✔✔Rest
during the acute phase.
Wear a supportive, nonunderwire bra.
Maintain a fluid intake of at least 3000 mL.
Continue to breastfeed if the breasts are not too sore.