2026 | 100 Questions & Answers with
Detailed Rationales | Complete Exam
Prep & Study Guide
1. A nurse is assessing a client who is in the first trimester of pregnancy.
Which finding should the nurse expect?
A. Quickening
B. Positive fetal movement
C. Urinary frequency
D. Dependent edema
Answer: Urinary frequency
Rationale: Urinary frequency is common during the first trimester because the
enlarging uterus and increased blood flow to the pelvic region place pressure on
the bladder. Quickening and fetal movement are generally experienced later in
pregnancy.
2. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who is planning to become
pregnant. Which supplement should the nurse recommend?
A. Calcium
B. Folic acid
,C. Vitamin K
D. Vitamin E
Answer: Folic acid
Rationale: Folic acid supplementation before conception and during early
pregnancy helps reduce the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who is 12 weeks pregnant. Which finding
should the nurse expect?
A. Fundus at the umbilicus
B. Fundus just above the symphysis pubis
C. Fundus at the xiphoid process
D. Fundus below the symphysis pubis
Answer: Fundus just above the symphysis pubis
Rationale: At approximately 12 weeks of pregnancy, the uterus becomes
palpable just above the symphysis pubis. The fundus reaches the umbilicus at
approximately 20 weeks.
4. A nurse is teaching a pregnant client about foods that are good sources of
iron. Which food should the nurse recommend?
A. White rice
B. Apples
C. Lean red meat
D. Cottage cheese
Answer: Lean red meat
Rationale: Lean red meat is an excellent source of heme iron, which is readily
absorbed by the body and helps support increased maternal blood volume and
fetal development.
5. A nurse is assessing a pregnant client who reports nausea and vomiting in
the morning. Which instruction should the nurse provide?
,A. Eat three large meals daily.
B. Drink fluids with meals.
C. Eat dry crackers before getting out of bed.
D. Avoid eating carbohydrates.
Answer: Eat dry crackers before getting out of bed.
Rationale: Eating dry crackers or another bland food before rising can help
decrease nausea associated with morning sickness. Small, frequent meals are
also recommended.
6. A nurse is assessing a client in labor. Which finding indicates true labor?
A. Contractions decrease with walking.
B. Contractions are irregular.
C. Cervical dilation occurs.
D. Pain is relieved by hydration.
Answer: Cervical dilation occurs.
Rationale: True labor causes progressive cervical dilation and effacement along
with regular contractions that increase in frequency, duration, and intensity.
7. A nurse is caring for a client receiving oxytocin during labor. Which
assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Contractions every 2 minutes lasting 90 seconds
B. Maternal pulse of 88/min
C. Temperature of 37.1°C (98.8°F)
D. Fetal heart rate of 140/min
Answer: Contractions every 2 minutes lasting 90 seconds
Rationale: Frequent, prolonged contractions can indicate uterine tachysystole,
which can reduce uteroplacental perfusion and cause fetal compromise.
Oxytocin should be stopped and the client assessed promptly.
, 8. A nurse is assessing fetal heart rate during labor. Which baseline rate is
within the expected range?
A. 80/min
B. 105/min
C. 140/min
D. 175/min
Answer: 140/min
Rationale: A normal baseline fetal heart rate is generally 110 to 160/min. Rates
below or above this range can indicate fetal compromise depending on the
clinical situation.
9. A nurse is caring for a client experiencing late fetal heart rate decelerations.
What is the priority nursing action?
A. Place the client supine.
B. Reposition the client to the side.
C. Increase oxytocin infusion.
D. Encourage pushing.
Answer: Reposition the client to the side.
Rationale: Late decelerations are associated with uteroplacental insufficiency.
Side-lying positioning improves uteroplacental blood flow and is an initial
intervention.
10.A nurse is caring for a client immediately after delivery. Which assessment
is the priority?
A. Maternal appetite
B. Fundal tone and vaginal bleeding
C. Breast size
D. Urinary frequency
Answer: Fundal tone and vaginal bleeding