NUR 231 MATERNAL NURSING
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. A nurse is calculating a client’s expected date of delivery (EDD) using Naegele’s rule. The
client’s last menstrual period (LMP) began on March 10th. Which date should the nurse
provide?
A. December 3rd
B. December 17th
C. January 17th
D. December 10th
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Naegele’s rule is calculated by subtracting 3 months from the
first day of the LMP and adding 7 days and 1 year. March 10 - 3 months = December 10 + 7
days = December 17.
2. A client is 16 weeks pregnant and has a GTPAL of 3-1-0-1-1. How should the nurse interpret
this data?
A. The client has had 3 pregnancies, 1 preterm birth, and 1 living child.
,B. The client has had 3 term births and 1 preterm birth.
C. The client has had 2 previous pregnancies and is currently pregnant for the third time.
D. The client has had 3 pregnancies, 1 term birth, 0 preterm, 1 abortion, and 1 living child.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: GTPAL: G(Gravida)=3 (current + 2 past), T(Term)=1,
P(Preterm)=0, A(Abortion/Miscarriage)=1, L(Living)=1.
3. Which of the following is considered a positive sign of pregnancy?
A. Positive serum pregnancy test
B. Chadwick’s sign
C. Amenorrhea
D. Fetal heart tones heard by Doppler
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Positive signs are definitive proof of pregnancy: fetal heart
sounds, visualization of fetus by ultrasound, or palpation of fetal movement by an
examiner. Pregnancy tests are probable signs.
4. A nurse is teaching a pregnant client about Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) screening. The nurse
explains that this test is primarily used to detect which of the following?
A. Gestational diabetes
B. Fetal lung maturity
, C. Group B Streptococcus
D. Neural tube defects
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: AFP screening is used to identify neural tube defects (high
levels) or chromosomal abnormalities like Down syndrome (low levels).
5. A client at 30 weeks gestation reports sudden, painless, bright red vaginal bleeding. Which
condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Abruptio placentae
B. Placenta previa
C. Cervical insufficiency
D. Preterm labor
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Placenta previa is characterized by painless, bright red vaginal
bleeding in the second or third trimester. Abruptio placentae usually involves painful, dark
red bleeding.
6. What is the priority nursing intervention for a client receiving Magnesium Sulfate for
preeclampsia who has a respiratory rate of 10/min and absent patellar reflexes?
A. Increase IV fluid rate
B. Notify the provider
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. A nurse is calculating a client’s expected date of delivery (EDD) using Naegele’s rule. The
client’s last menstrual period (LMP) began on March 10th. Which date should the nurse
provide?
A. December 3rd
B. December 17th
C. January 17th
D. December 10th
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Naegele’s rule is calculated by subtracting 3 months from the
first day of the LMP and adding 7 days and 1 year. March 10 - 3 months = December 10 + 7
days = December 17.
2. A client is 16 weeks pregnant and has a GTPAL of 3-1-0-1-1. How should the nurse interpret
this data?
A. The client has had 3 pregnancies, 1 preterm birth, and 1 living child.
,B. The client has had 3 term births and 1 preterm birth.
C. The client has had 2 previous pregnancies and is currently pregnant for the third time.
D. The client has had 3 pregnancies, 1 term birth, 0 preterm, 1 abortion, and 1 living child.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: GTPAL: G(Gravida)=3 (current + 2 past), T(Term)=1,
P(Preterm)=0, A(Abortion/Miscarriage)=1, L(Living)=1.
3. Which of the following is considered a positive sign of pregnancy?
A. Positive serum pregnancy test
B. Chadwick’s sign
C. Amenorrhea
D. Fetal heart tones heard by Doppler
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Positive signs are definitive proof of pregnancy: fetal heart
sounds, visualization of fetus by ultrasound, or palpation of fetal movement by an
examiner. Pregnancy tests are probable signs.
4. A nurse is teaching a pregnant client about Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) screening. The nurse
explains that this test is primarily used to detect which of the following?
A. Gestational diabetes
B. Fetal lung maturity
, C. Group B Streptococcus
D. Neural tube defects
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: AFP screening is used to identify neural tube defects (high
levels) or chromosomal abnormalities like Down syndrome (low levels).
5. A client at 30 weeks gestation reports sudden, painless, bright red vaginal bleeding. Which
condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Abruptio placentae
B. Placenta previa
C. Cervical insufficiency
D. Preterm labor
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Placenta previa is characterized by painless, bright red vaginal
bleeding in the second or third trimester. Abruptio placentae usually involves painful, dark
red bleeding.
6. What is the priority nursing intervention for a client receiving Magnesium Sulfate for
preeclampsia who has a respiratory rate of 10/min and absent patellar reflexes?
A. Increase IV fluid rate
B. Notify the provider
