BSN Maternal-Child Nursing Examination
Practice Questions & [Verified Answers],
Plus Explained Rationales|2026 Latest
Update| Instant Download PDF
1. A nurse is assessing a pregnant client at 32 weeks of gestation.
Which finding requires the most immediate follow-up?
A. Urinary frequency
B. Mild ankle edema at the end of the day
C. Blood pressure of 168/110 mm Hg with headache
D. Occasional Braxton Hicks contractions
Answer: C. Blood pressure of 168/110 mm Hg with headache
Rationale: Severe hypertension accompanied by headache is a critical
finding suggestive of severe preeclampsia. The client is at increased
risk for cerebral hemorrhage, seizures, placental abruption, and other
complications. Immediate assessment and intervention are required.
2. A pregnant client asks why folic acid is prescribed during pregnancy.
Which response by the nurse is most accurate?
A. It prevents gestational diabetes.
B. It reduces the risk of neural tube defects.
C. It prevents maternal hypertension.
D. It increases fetal lung maturity.
Answer: B. It reduces the risk of neural tube defects.
1|Page
,Rationale: Folic acid is essential for fetal neural tube development.
Adequate folate intake before conception and during early pregnancy
significantly reduces the risk of neural tube defects such as spina
bifida and anencephaly.
3. A client at 30 weeks of gestation reports painless, bright-red vaginal
bleeding. Which complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Placental abruption
B. Placenta previa
C. Preterm labor
D. Uterine rupture
Answer: B. Placenta previa
Rationale: Placenta previa commonly presents with sudden, painless,
bright-red vaginal bleeding during the second or third trimester.
Digital vaginal examination should be avoided until placenta previa
has been excluded because manipulation may cause severe
hemorrhage.
4. A client with suspected placental abruption reports severe
abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding. Which additional finding would
the nurse anticipate?
A. Soft, nontender uterus
B. Rigid, tender uterus
C. Painless uterine enlargement
D. Complete absence of contractions
Answer: B. Rigid, tender uterus
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,Rationale: Placental abruption involves premature separation of the
placenta and typically causes painful vaginal bleeding, uterine
tenderness, increased uterine tone, and abdominal or back pain.
Concealed bleeding may occur, so the visible blood loss can
underestimate the severity.
5. A nurse is teaching a pregnant client about fetal movement
monitoring. Which statement indicates appropriate understanding?
A. “I should report a significant decrease in my baby’s usual movement
pattern.”
B. “Fetal movement normally stops during the final month.”
C. “I only need to count movements if I have abdominal pain.”
D. “Movement is not affected by fetal sleep cycles.”
Answer: A. “I should report a significant decrease in my baby’s usual
movement pattern.”
Rationale: A significant reduction in fetal movement can indicate fetal
compromise and requires evaluation. Fetal movement varies with
fetal sleep cycles, but a substantial change from the established
pattern should be reported promptly.
6. A client receiving magnesium sulfate for severe preeclampsia has a
respiratory rate of 10/min and absent deep tendon reflexes. What is
the nurse’s priority action?
A. Increase the magnesium sulfate infusion.
B. Administer calcium gluconate as prescribed.
C. Encourage oral fluids.
D. Place the client in a sitting position.
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, Answer: B. Administer calcium gluconate as prescribed.
Rationale: Respiratory depression and loss of deep tendon reflexes are
signs of magnesium toxicity. Calcium gluconate is the antidote for
magnesium toxicity. The infusion should also be stopped or held
according to the clinical protocol and provider orders.
7. A woman in active labor has a fetal heart rate tracing showing
recurrent late decelerations. Which intervention should the nurse
implement first?
A. Place the client in a supine position.
B. Reposition the client laterally.
C. Encourage pushing.
D. Increase the oxytocin infusion.
Answer: B. Reposition the client laterally.
Rationale: Recurrent late decelerations suggest uteroplacental
insufficiency. Lateral repositioning can improve uterine blood flow and
fetal oxygenation. Oxytocin should generally be reduced or
discontinued when excessive uterine stimulation contributes to fetal
compromise.
8. A fetal monitor shows recurrent variable decelerations during
labor. Which nursing intervention is appropriate?
A. Reposition the client.
B. Administer additional oxytocin.
C. Place the client flat on the back.
D. Encourage prolonged pushing.
Answer: A. Reposition the client.
4|Page
Practice Questions & [Verified Answers],
Plus Explained Rationales|2026 Latest
Update| Instant Download PDF
1. A nurse is assessing a pregnant client at 32 weeks of gestation.
Which finding requires the most immediate follow-up?
A. Urinary frequency
B. Mild ankle edema at the end of the day
C. Blood pressure of 168/110 mm Hg with headache
D. Occasional Braxton Hicks contractions
Answer: C. Blood pressure of 168/110 mm Hg with headache
Rationale: Severe hypertension accompanied by headache is a critical
finding suggestive of severe preeclampsia. The client is at increased
risk for cerebral hemorrhage, seizures, placental abruption, and other
complications. Immediate assessment and intervention are required.
2. A pregnant client asks why folic acid is prescribed during pregnancy.
Which response by the nurse is most accurate?
A. It prevents gestational diabetes.
B. It reduces the risk of neural tube defects.
C. It prevents maternal hypertension.
D. It increases fetal lung maturity.
Answer: B. It reduces the risk of neural tube defects.
1|Page
,Rationale: Folic acid is essential for fetal neural tube development.
Adequate folate intake before conception and during early pregnancy
significantly reduces the risk of neural tube defects such as spina
bifida and anencephaly.
3. A client at 30 weeks of gestation reports painless, bright-red vaginal
bleeding. Which complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Placental abruption
B. Placenta previa
C. Preterm labor
D. Uterine rupture
Answer: B. Placenta previa
Rationale: Placenta previa commonly presents with sudden, painless,
bright-red vaginal bleeding during the second or third trimester.
Digital vaginal examination should be avoided until placenta previa
has been excluded because manipulation may cause severe
hemorrhage.
4. A client with suspected placental abruption reports severe
abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding. Which additional finding would
the nurse anticipate?
A. Soft, nontender uterus
B. Rigid, tender uterus
C. Painless uterine enlargement
D. Complete absence of contractions
Answer: B. Rigid, tender uterus
2|Page
,Rationale: Placental abruption involves premature separation of the
placenta and typically causes painful vaginal bleeding, uterine
tenderness, increased uterine tone, and abdominal or back pain.
Concealed bleeding may occur, so the visible blood loss can
underestimate the severity.
5. A nurse is teaching a pregnant client about fetal movement
monitoring. Which statement indicates appropriate understanding?
A. “I should report a significant decrease in my baby’s usual movement
pattern.”
B. “Fetal movement normally stops during the final month.”
C. “I only need to count movements if I have abdominal pain.”
D. “Movement is not affected by fetal sleep cycles.”
Answer: A. “I should report a significant decrease in my baby’s usual
movement pattern.”
Rationale: A significant reduction in fetal movement can indicate fetal
compromise and requires evaluation. Fetal movement varies with
fetal sleep cycles, but a substantial change from the established
pattern should be reported promptly.
6. A client receiving magnesium sulfate for severe preeclampsia has a
respiratory rate of 10/min and absent deep tendon reflexes. What is
the nurse’s priority action?
A. Increase the magnesium sulfate infusion.
B. Administer calcium gluconate as prescribed.
C. Encourage oral fluids.
D. Place the client in a sitting position.
3|Page
, Answer: B. Administer calcium gluconate as prescribed.
Rationale: Respiratory depression and loss of deep tendon reflexes are
signs of magnesium toxicity. Calcium gluconate is the antidote for
magnesium toxicity. The infusion should also be stopped or held
according to the clinical protocol and provider orders.
7. A woman in active labor has a fetal heart rate tracing showing
recurrent late decelerations. Which intervention should the nurse
implement first?
A. Place the client in a supine position.
B. Reposition the client laterally.
C. Encourage pushing.
D. Increase the oxytocin infusion.
Answer: B. Reposition the client laterally.
Rationale: Recurrent late decelerations suggest uteroplacental
insufficiency. Lateral repositioning can improve uterine blood flow and
fetal oxygenation. Oxytocin should generally be reduced or
discontinued when excessive uterine stimulation contributes to fetal
compromise.
8. A fetal monitor shows recurrent variable decelerations during
labor. Which nursing intervention is appropriate?
A. Reposition the client.
B. Administer additional oxytocin.
C. Place the client flat on the back.
D. Encourage prolonged pushing.
Answer: A. Reposition the client.
4|Page
