OB/NB SU Exam 1 Questions and Verified
Answers with Rationale | Latest Edition
2026/2027
QUESTION 1
A pregnant client at 10 weeks gestation visits the prenatal clinic
and expresses concern about having to urinate constantly, asking
if this is normal. Which of the following responses by the nurse
is most appropriate?
A. Having to urinate so often is annoying. I suggest that you
watch how much fluid you are drinking and limit it.
B. You should not be urinating this frequently now; it usually
stops by the time you are eight weeks pregnant. Is there anything
else bothering you?
C. By the time you are 12 weeks pregnant, this frequent
urination should no longer be a problem, but it is likely to return
toward the end of your pregnancy.
D. Women having their second child generally do not have
frequent urination. Are you experiencing any burning
sensations?
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE:
,During the first trimester, increased hCG levels and uterine
enlargement put pressure on the bladder, causing urinary
frequency. This symptom typically subsides during the second
trimester when the uterus rises out of the pelvis, but it returns in
the third trimester due to lightening and engagement of the
presenting part pressing on the bladder. Restricting fluids is
contraindicated as hydration is vital during pregnancy.
QUESTION 2
A nurse is assessing a postpartum client immediately following
a vaginal delivery and notes three classic signs of placental
separation. Which of the following findings indicate that the
placenta has separated?
A. The uterus falls, blood gushes, and the umbilical cord
shortens.
B. The uterus rises upward, a gush of dark blood occurs, and the
umbilical cord lengthens.
C. The uterus remains boggy, bright red bleeding increases
continuously, and the cord retracts.
D. The uterus becomes disk-shaped, no blood is observed, and
the cord pulls inward.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE:
The three classic signs of placental separation include a change
in the shape of the uterus from discoid to globular and rising
upward in the abdomen, a sudden gush or trickle of blood, and
,apparent lengthening of the umbilical cord outside the vagina.
Recognizing these signs prevents excessive traction on the cord,
which could cause uterine inversion.
QUESTION 3
A nurse is caring for a laboring client who has an epidural
catheter placed for pain management. Which of the following
nursing interventions is the highest priority following the
initiation of epidural anesthesia?
A. Monitor maternal blood pressure frequently for hypotension.
B. Place the client flat on her back to encourage uterine
perfusion.
C. Limit intravenous fluid administration to prevent fluid
overload.
D. Encourage the client to ambulate immediately to speed up
labor.
CORRECT ANSWER: A
RATIONALE:
Sympathetic blockade caused by epidural anesthesia frequently
leads to maternal vasodilation and subsequent hypotension,
which can severely compromise uteroplacental perfusion and
cause non-reassuring fetal heart rate patterns. Frequent blood
pressure monitoring and pre-hydration with IV fluids are
standard preventative measures. The client must remain
positioned laterally rather than supine to avoid vena cava
compression.
, QUESTION 4
A nurse is teaching a postpartum client about the physiology of
lactation. The client asks what hormone is primarily responsible
for milk letdown or ejection reflex during breastfeeding. Which
hormone should the nurse identify?
A. Estrogen
B. Progesterone
C. Prolactin
D. Oxytocin
CORRECT ANSWER: D
RATIONALE:
Oxytocin is released from the posterior pituitary gland in
response to infant suckling, triggering the contraction of
myoepithelial cells surrounding the mammary alveoli to eject
milk down the ducts. Prolactin, secreted by the anterior pituitary,
is responsible for milk synthesis and production, while estrogen
and progesterone govern breast tissue development during
pregnancy.
QUESTION 5
A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client with
gestational hypertension who is prescribed an infusion of
oxytocin for labor augmentation. Which of the following
findings serves as a contraindication for starting this
medication?
Answers with Rationale | Latest Edition
2026/2027
QUESTION 1
A pregnant client at 10 weeks gestation visits the prenatal clinic
and expresses concern about having to urinate constantly, asking
if this is normal. Which of the following responses by the nurse
is most appropriate?
A. Having to urinate so often is annoying. I suggest that you
watch how much fluid you are drinking and limit it.
B. You should not be urinating this frequently now; it usually
stops by the time you are eight weeks pregnant. Is there anything
else bothering you?
C. By the time you are 12 weeks pregnant, this frequent
urination should no longer be a problem, but it is likely to return
toward the end of your pregnancy.
D. Women having their second child generally do not have
frequent urination. Are you experiencing any burning
sensations?
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE:
,During the first trimester, increased hCG levels and uterine
enlargement put pressure on the bladder, causing urinary
frequency. This symptom typically subsides during the second
trimester when the uterus rises out of the pelvis, but it returns in
the third trimester due to lightening and engagement of the
presenting part pressing on the bladder. Restricting fluids is
contraindicated as hydration is vital during pregnancy.
QUESTION 2
A nurse is assessing a postpartum client immediately following
a vaginal delivery and notes three classic signs of placental
separation. Which of the following findings indicate that the
placenta has separated?
A. The uterus falls, blood gushes, and the umbilical cord
shortens.
B. The uterus rises upward, a gush of dark blood occurs, and the
umbilical cord lengthens.
C. The uterus remains boggy, bright red bleeding increases
continuously, and the cord retracts.
D. The uterus becomes disk-shaped, no blood is observed, and
the cord pulls inward.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE:
The three classic signs of placental separation include a change
in the shape of the uterus from discoid to globular and rising
upward in the abdomen, a sudden gush or trickle of blood, and
,apparent lengthening of the umbilical cord outside the vagina.
Recognizing these signs prevents excessive traction on the cord,
which could cause uterine inversion.
QUESTION 3
A nurse is caring for a laboring client who has an epidural
catheter placed for pain management. Which of the following
nursing interventions is the highest priority following the
initiation of epidural anesthesia?
A. Monitor maternal blood pressure frequently for hypotension.
B. Place the client flat on her back to encourage uterine
perfusion.
C. Limit intravenous fluid administration to prevent fluid
overload.
D. Encourage the client to ambulate immediately to speed up
labor.
CORRECT ANSWER: A
RATIONALE:
Sympathetic blockade caused by epidural anesthesia frequently
leads to maternal vasodilation and subsequent hypotension,
which can severely compromise uteroplacental perfusion and
cause non-reassuring fetal heart rate patterns. Frequent blood
pressure monitoring and pre-hydration with IV fluids are
standard preventative measures. The client must remain
positioned laterally rather than supine to avoid vena cava
compression.
, QUESTION 4
A nurse is teaching a postpartum client about the physiology of
lactation. The client asks what hormone is primarily responsible
for milk letdown or ejection reflex during breastfeeding. Which
hormone should the nurse identify?
A. Estrogen
B. Progesterone
C. Prolactin
D. Oxytocin
CORRECT ANSWER: D
RATIONALE:
Oxytocin is released from the posterior pituitary gland in
response to infant suckling, triggering the contraction of
myoepithelial cells surrounding the mammary alveoli to eject
milk down the ducts. Prolactin, secreted by the anterior pituitary,
is responsible for milk synthesis and production, while estrogen
and progesterone govern breast tissue development during
pregnancy.
QUESTION 5
A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client with
gestational hypertension who is prescribed an infusion of
oxytocin for labor augmentation. Which of the following
findings serves as a contraindication for starting this
medication?
