BSN3A Maternal-Newborn Nursing Exam
Practice Questions & [Verified Answers],
Plus Explained Rationales|2026 Latest
Update| Instant Download PDF
1. A nurse is assessing a client at 10 weeks' gestation. Which finding is
considered a positive sign of pregnancy?
A. Amenorrhea
B. Positive pregnancy test
C. Fetal heart tones heard by Doppler
D. Breast tenderness
Answer: C. Fetal heart tones heard by Doppler
Rationale: Fetal heart tones are a positive sign of pregnancy because
they provide direct evidence of a fetus. Amenorrhea and breast
changes are presumptive signs, while a positive pregnancy test is a
probable sign.
2. Which nutrient is especially important during pregnancy to reduce
the risk of neural tube defects?
A. Vitamin C
B. Folic acid
C. Vitamin D
D. Vitamin K
Answer: B. Folic acid
1|Page
,Rationale: Adequate folic acid intake before conception and during
early pregnancy helps prevent neural tube defects such as spina bifida
and anencephaly.
3. A pregnant client asks why iron supplementation is prescribed.
Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. "Iron prevents gestational diabetes."
B. "Iron supports increased maternal red blood cell production."
C. "Iron prevents hypertension during pregnancy."
D. "Iron promotes fetal lung maturation."
Answer: B. Iron supports increased maternal red blood cell
production.
Rationale: Maternal blood volume increases substantially during
pregnancy, increasing the need for iron to support hemoglobin
synthesis and prevent iron-deficiency anemia.
4. A client at 34 weeks' gestation reports painless vaginal bleeding.
Which condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Abruptio placentae
B. Placenta previa
C. Ectopic pregnancy
D. Uterine rupture
Answer: B. Placenta previa
Rationale: Placenta previa commonly presents with sudden, painless,
bright-red vaginal bleeding during the second half of pregnancy.
Vaginal examination should be avoided until placenta previa has been
ruled out.
2|Page
,5. A client at 36 weeks' gestation reports severe abdominal pain
accompanied by dark vaginal bleeding and a rigid uterus. Which
complication is most likely?
A. Placenta previa
B. Abruptio placentae
C. Hydatidiform mole
D. Cervical insufficiency
Answer: B. Abruptio placentae
Rationale: Placental abruption typically causes painful vaginal
bleeding, uterine tenderness or rigidity, and abdominal or back pain.
The bleeding may be concealed behind the placenta.
6. Which assessment finding in a pregnant client is most concerning
for preeclampsia?
A. Mild ankle edema at the end of the day
B. Increased appetite
C. Severe headache with visual disturbances
D. Urinary frequency
Answer: C. Severe headache with visual disturbances
Rationale: Severe headache and visual disturbances are warning signs
of severe preeclampsia and possible cerebral involvement. They
require prompt assessment and intervention.
3|Page
, 7. A client receiving magnesium sulfate for severe preeclampsia has
absent deep tendon reflexes and a respiratory rate of 10/min. What
should the nurse do first?
A. Increase the magnesium infusion
B. Place the client in a supine position
C. Stop the magnesium sulfate infusion
D. Encourage oral fluids
Answer: C. Stop the magnesium sulfate infusion
Rationale: Absent reflexes and respiratory depression are signs of
magnesium toxicity. The infusion should be stopped and the provider
notified; calcium gluconate may be prescribed as the antidote.
8. Which medication is commonly used as an antidote for magnesium
sulfate toxicity?
A. Naloxone
B. Protamine sulfate
C. Calcium gluconate
D. Vitamin K
Answer: C. Calcium gluconate
Rationale: Calcium gluconate antagonizes the effects of magnesium
and is the standard antidote for significant magnesium sulfate
toxicity.
9. A pregnant client with gestational diabetes asks why blood glucose
control is important. Which response is best?
4|Page
Practice Questions & [Verified Answers],
Plus Explained Rationales|2026 Latest
Update| Instant Download PDF
1. A nurse is assessing a client at 10 weeks' gestation. Which finding is
considered a positive sign of pregnancy?
A. Amenorrhea
B. Positive pregnancy test
C. Fetal heart tones heard by Doppler
D. Breast tenderness
Answer: C. Fetal heart tones heard by Doppler
Rationale: Fetal heart tones are a positive sign of pregnancy because
they provide direct evidence of a fetus. Amenorrhea and breast
changes are presumptive signs, while a positive pregnancy test is a
probable sign.
2. Which nutrient is especially important during pregnancy to reduce
the risk of neural tube defects?
A. Vitamin C
B. Folic acid
C. Vitamin D
D. Vitamin K
Answer: B. Folic acid
1|Page
,Rationale: Adequate folic acid intake before conception and during
early pregnancy helps prevent neural tube defects such as spina bifida
and anencephaly.
3. A pregnant client asks why iron supplementation is prescribed.
Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. "Iron prevents gestational diabetes."
B. "Iron supports increased maternal red blood cell production."
C. "Iron prevents hypertension during pregnancy."
D. "Iron promotes fetal lung maturation."
Answer: B. Iron supports increased maternal red blood cell
production.
Rationale: Maternal blood volume increases substantially during
pregnancy, increasing the need for iron to support hemoglobin
synthesis and prevent iron-deficiency anemia.
4. A client at 34 weeks' gestation reports painless vaginal bleeding.
Which condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Abruptio placentae
B. Placenta previa
C. Ectopic pregnancy
D. Uterine rupture
Answer: B. Placenta previa
Rationale: Placenta previa commonly presents with sudden, painless,
bright-red vaginal bleeding during the second half of pregnancy.
Vaginal examination should be avoided until placenta previa has been
ruled out.
2|Page
,5. A client at 36 weeks' gestation reports severe abdominal pain
accompanied by dark vaginal bleeding and a rigid uterus. Which
complication is most likely?
A. Placenta previa
B. Abruptio placentae
C. Hydatidiform mole
D. Cervical insufficiency
Answer: B. Abruptio placentae
Rationale: Placental abruption typically causes painful vaginal
bleeding, uterine tenderness or rigidity, and abdominal or back pain.
The bleeding may be concealed behind the placenta.
6. Which assessment finding in a pregnant client is most concerning
for preeclampsia?
A. Mild ankle edema at the end of the day
B. Increased appetite
C. Severe headache with visual disturbances
D. Urinary frequency
Answer: C. Severe headache with visual disturbances
Rationale: Severe headache and visual disturbances are warning signs
of severe preeclampsia and possible cerebral involvement. They
require prompt assessment and intervention.
3|Page
, 7. A client receiving magnesium sulfate for severe preeclampsia has
absent deep tendon reflexes and a respiratory rate of 10/min. What
should the nurse do first?
A. Increase the magnesium infusion
B. Place the client in a supine position
C. Stop the magnesium sulfate infusion
D. Encourage oral fluids
Answer: C. Stop the magnesium sulfate infusion
Rationale: Absent reflexes and respiratory depression are signs of
magnesium toxicity. The infusion should be stopped and the provider
notified; calcium gluconate may be prescribed as the antidote.
8. Which medication is commonly used as an antidote for magnesium
sulfate toxicity?
A. Naloxone
B. Protamine sulfate
C. Calcium gluconate
D. Vitamin K
Answer: C. Calcium gluconate
Rationale: Calcium gluconate antagonizes the effects of magnesium
and is the standard antidote for significant magnesium sulfate
toxicity.
9. A pregnant client with gestational diabetes asks why blood glucose
control is important. Which response is best?
4|Page
