Galen College NSG 3500 Exam 2 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Maternal Health
Q&A | Maternal Health Nursing
1. A nurse is preparing to admit a patient in early labor. What is the longest
stage of labor?
A) Second stage
B) Third stage
C) First stage
D) Fourth stage
Correct Answer: First stage
Rationale: The first stage of labor is the longest stage, beginning with the
onset of regular uterine contractions and ending with full cervical dilation at
10 cm. It is divided into the latent, active, and transition phases. The second
stage ends with delivery of the fetus, and the third stage ends with delivery
of the placenta.
2. A patient asks the nurse about the signs of true labor. Which of the
following is a characteristic of true labor?
A) Contractions that decrease in intensity with walking
B) Contractions that are felt in the lower abdomen only
C) Progressive cervical dilation and effacement
D) Contractions that are irregular in frequency
Correct Answer: Progressive cervical dilation and effacement
Rationale: The hallmark of true labor is progressive cervical dilation and
effacement. Contractions are regular, increase in intensity with walking, and
are felt in the lower back and abdomen. False labor contractions are irregular
and do not cause cervical changes.
,3. A nurse is assessing a patient in the active phase of the first stage of
labor. Which finding is consistent with this phase?
A) Cervical dilation of 2 cm
B) Contractions occurring every 10 minutes
C) Cervical dilation of 6 cm with moderate to strong contractions
D) Cervical dilation of 9 cm with strong contractions
Correct Answer: Cervical dilation of 6 cm with moderate to strong
contractions
Rationale: The active phase of the first stage is characterized by cervical
dilation from 4 to 8 cm, with moderate to strong contractions occurring every
2 to 5 minutes and lasting 45 to 60 seconds. The latent phase is 0-3 cm, and
transition is 8-10 cm.
4. A patient is in the transition phase of labor. The nurse notes that the
patient is becoming irritable and feels an intense urge to push. What is the
most appropriate nursing action?
A) Encourage the patient to push with the urge
B) Instruct the patient to pant or blow through the urge to push
C) Administer pain medication
D) Prepare for an emergency cesarean section
Correct Answer: Instruct the patient to pant or blow through the urge to push
Rationale: During the transition phase (8-10 cm), the patient may feel an
overwhelming urge to push before the cervix is fully dilated. Pushing
prematurely can cause cervical edema and injury. The nurse should instruct
,the patient to pant or blow through the urge to push until the cervix is fully
dilated.
5. A nurse is assessing a patient's contractions. The patient reports that her
contractions are "in my back and then wrap around to the front." This is a
classic description of:
A) Braxton Hicks contractions
B) Contractions of true labor
C) Contractions of false labor
D) Hypertonic uterine contractions
Correct Answer: Contractions of true labor
Rationale: True labor contractions are often felt in the lower back and radiate
to the abdomen. Braxton Hicks contractions are felt in the abdomen only and
do not cause cervical change. Hypertonic contractions are too frequent and
ineffective.
6. A patient asks the nurse why vaginal exams during labor are limited. The
best response is:
A) "They are uncomfortable for the patient."
B) "They may cause bleeding."
C) "They can introduce bacteria and increase the risk of infection."
D) "They increase contractions."
Correct Answer: "They can introduce bacteria and increase the risk of
infection."
Rationale: Vaginal exams during labor should be limited to reduce the risk of
introducing bacteria into the birth canal, which can lead to infection. Exams
, should be performed only when necessary to assess cervical dilation,
effacement, and fetal station, using strict aseptic technique.
7. A nurse is auscultating the fetal heart rate (FHR) for a patient in the latent
phase of labor. According to current guidelines, how often should the nurse
check the FHR intermittently?
A) Every 15 minutes
B) Every 30 minutes
C) Every 60 minutes
D) Every 5 minutes
Correct Answer: Every 60 minutes
Rationale: For intermittent auscultation in the latent phase of labor, the FHR
should be checked every 60 minutes. In the active phase, it should be
checked every 30 minutes, and during the second stage, every 15 minutes.
8. A nurse is using continuous electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) for a patient.
Continuous EFM is indicated for which of the following patients? (Select all
that apply.)
A) Patient with a history of stillbirth
B) Patient with a multiple gestation
C) Patient with preeclampsia
D) Patient with a low-risk pregnancy
Correct Answer: A, B, and C
Rationale: Continuous electronic fetal monitoring is indicated for high-risk
pregnancies, including those with a history of stillbirth, multiple gestations,
Q&A | Maternal Health Nursing
1. A nurse is preparing to admit a patient in early labor. What is the longest
stage of labor?
A) Second stage
B) Third stage
C) First stage
D) Fourth stage
Correct Answer: First stage
Rationale: The first stage of labor is the longest stage, beginning with the
onset of regular uterine contractions and ending with full cervical dilation at
10 cm. It is divided into the latent, active, and transition phases. The second
stage ends with delivery of the fetus, and the third stage ends with delivery
of the placenta.
2. A patient asks the nurse about the signs of true labor. Which of the
following is a characteristic of true labor?
A) Contractions that decrease in intensity with walking
B) Contractions that are felt in the lower abdomen only
C) Progressive cervical dilation and effacement
D) Contractions that are irregular in frequency
Correct Answer: Progressive cervical dilation and effacement
Rationale: The hallmark of true labor is progressive cervical dilation and
effacement. Contractions are regular, increase in intensity with walking, and
are felt in the lower back and abdomen. False labor contractions are irregular
and do not cause cervical changes.
,3. A nurse is assessing a patient in the active phase of the first stage of
labor. Which finding is consistent with this phase?
A) Cervical dilation of 2 cm
B) Contractions occurring every 10 minutes
C) Cervical dilation of 6 cm with moderate to strong contractions
D) Cervical dilation of 9 cm with strong contractions
Correct Answer: Cervical dilation of 6 cm with moderate to strong
contractions
Rationale: The active phase of the first stage is characterized by cervical
dilation from 4 to 8 cm, with moderate to strong contractions occurring every
2 to 5 minutes and lasting 45 to 60 seconds. The latent phase is 0-3 cm, and
transition is 8-10 cm.
4. A patient is in the transition phase of labor. The nurse notes that the
patient is becoming irritable and feels an intense urge to push. What is the
most appropriate nursing action?
A) Encourage the patient to push with the urge
B) Instruct the patient to pant or blow through the urge to push
C) Administer pain medication
D) Prepare for an emergency cesarean section
Correct Answer: Instruct the patient to pant or blow through the urge to push
Rationale: During the transition phase (8-10 cm), the patient may feel an
overwhelming urge to push before the cervix is fully dilated. Pushing
prematurely can cause cervical edema and injury. The nurse should instruct
,the patient to pant or blow through the urge to push until the cervix is fully
dilated.
5. A nurse is assessing a patient's contractions. The patient reports that her
contractions are "in my back and then wrap around to the front." This is a
classic description of:
A) Braxton Hicks contractions
B) Contractions of true labor
C) Contractions of false labor
D) Hypertonic uterine contractions
Correct Answer: Contractions of true labor
Rationale: True labor contractions are often felt in the lower back and radiate
to the abdomen. Braxton Hicks contractions are felt in the abdomen only and
do not cause cervical change. Hypertonic contractions are too frequent and
ineffective.
6. A patient asks the nurse why vaginal exams during labor are limited. The
best response is:
A) "They are uncomfortable for the patient."
B) "They may cause bleeding."
C) "They can introduce bacteria and increase the risk of infection."
D) "They increase contractions."
Correct Answer: "They can introduce bacteria and increase the risk of
infection."
Rationale: Vaginal exams during labor should be limited to reduce the risk of
introducing bacteria into the birth canal, which can lead to infection. Exams
, should be performed only when necessary to assess cervical dilation,
effacement, and fetal station, using strict aseptic technique.
7. A nurse is auscultating the fetal heart rate (FHR) for a patient in the latent
phase of labor. According to current guidelines, how often should the nurse
check the FHR intermittently?
A) Every 15 minutes
B) Every 30 minutes
C) Every 60 minutes
D) Every 5 minutes
Correct Answer: Every 60 minutes
Rationale: For intermittent auscultation in the latent phase of labor, the FHR
should be checked every 60 minutes. In the active phase, it should be
checked every 30 minutes, and during the second stage, every 15 minutes.
8. A nurse is using continuous electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) for a patient.
Continuous EFM is indicated for which of the following patients? (Select all
that apply.)
A) Patient with a history of stillbirth
B) Patient with a multiple gestation
C) Patient with preeclampsia
D) Patient with a low-risk pregnancy
Correct Answer: A, B, and C
Rationale: Continuous electronic fetal monitoring is indicated for high-risk
pregnancies, including those with a history of stillbirth, multiple gestations,
