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PERINATAL NURSING EXAM LATEST VERSION
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026 EDITION
PERINATAL NURSING EXAM — 250 Practice Questions
1. A nurse is providing education to a client who is at 12 weeks of gestation. Which
statement by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. "I should feel my baby move by 16 weeks of pregnancy."
B. "I will have an ultrasound done at 28 weeks to check for birth defects."
C. "I should expect to have my blood pressure checked once each trimester."
D. "I should gain 10 pounds during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy."
Answer: A. Rationale: A primigravida typically feels fetal movement (quickening)
between 16-22 weeks. A multigravida may feel movement as early as 14 weeks.
Ultrasounds for anatomy are typically done at 18-22 weeks. Blood pressure is checked
at every prenatal visit. Recommended weight gain in the first trimester is 2-4 pounds.
2. A nurse is assessing a client at 28 weeks of gestation. Which finding is most
concerning?
A. Fundal height of 26 cm.
B. Blood pressure of 110/70 mm Hg.
C. Weight gain of 2 pounds in 1 week.
D. Fetal heart rate of 140 beats per minute.
Answer: C. Rationale: Weight gain of more than 2 pounds in 1 week may indicate fluid
retention and could be a sign of preeclampsia. Fundal height should be approximately
equal to weeks of gestation (28 weeks = 28 cm). 110/70 is a normal blood pressure. 140
bpm is a normal fetal heart rate.
3. A nurse is teaching a client about prenatal nutrition. Which instruction is most
important?
A. "Avoid all fish during pregnancy."
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B. "Take a folic acid supplement of 400 mcg daily."
C. "Increase caloric intake by 1,000 calories per day."
D. "Avoid all caffeine during pregnancy."
Answer: B. Rationale: Folic acid supplementation (400-800 mcg) is critical during
pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects. Clients should avoid high-mercury fish but
can eat low-mercury fish. Caloric intake should increase by about 300 calories per day.
Caffeine should be limited but not necessarily avoided completely.
4. A nurse is assessing a client at 36 weeks of gestation. Which finding would the
nurse report to the healthcare provider?
A. Fundal height of 34 cm.
B. Blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg.
C. Fetal heart rate of 145 beats per minute.
D. Weight gain of 1 pound in 1 week.
Answer: B. Rationale: A blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg is elevated and may indicate
preeclampsia. Fundal height of 34 cm at 36 weeks is within 2 cm of expected. 145 bpm
is a normal fetal heart rate. 1 pound weight gain in 1 week is within normal limits.
5. A nurse is teaching a client about the signs of preterm labor. Which symptom
should the client report immediately?
A. Mild, irregular uterine contractions.
B. A sudden gush of clear fluid from the vagina.
C. Regular uterine contractions every 10 minutes or more frequently.
D. An increase in vaginal discharge that is clear and odorless.
Answer: C. Rationale: Regular uterine contractions before 37 weeks of gestation are a
sign of preterm labor and require immediate evaluation. A sudden gush of fluid is also a
sign of rupture of membranes, but regular contractions are the classic sign of labor.
6. A nurse is assessing a client who is 24 weeks pregnant. Which finding is
expected?
A. Colostrum expressed from the breasts.
B. Braxton-Hicks contractions.
C. Fetal movement felt by the mother.
D. All of the above.
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Answer: D. Rationale: At 24 weeks, colostrum may be expressed, Braxton-Hicks
contractions may be felt, and fetal movement (quickening) should be felt.
7. A nurse is providing teaching to a client about the importance of folic acid. Which
statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. "Folic acid is important for preventing birth defects of the brain and spine."
B. "Folic acid is important for preventing gestational diabetes."
C. "Folic acid is important for preventing preeclampsia."
D. "Folic acid is important for preventing preterm labor."
Answer: A. Rationale: Folic acid is critical for neural tube development, preventing
defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly.
8. A nurse is assessing a client at 20 weeks of gestation. Which finding is most
concerning?
A. Fundal height of 20 cm.
B. Weight gain of 5 pounds.
C. Blood pressure of 150/95 mm Hg.
D. Fetal heart rate of 155 beats per minute.
Answer: C. Rationale: Blood pressure of 150/95 mm Hg is elevated and may indicate
gestational hypertension or preeclampsia. Fundal height of 20 cm is expected at 20
weeks. Weight gain of 5 pounds is within normal limits. 155 bpm is a normal fetal heart
rate.
9. A nurse is teaching a client about prenatal testing. Which test is used to screen
for gestational diabetes?
A. Quadruple screen.
B. One-hour glucose tolerance test.
C. Amniocentesis.
D. Chorionic villus sampling.
Answer: B. Rationale: The one-hour glucose tolerance test is used to screen for
gestational diabetes. The quadruple screen is used for genetic screening.
Amniocentesis and CVS are used for genetic diagnosis.
10. A nurse is assessing a client who is 32 weeks pregnant. Which finding is
expected?
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A. Fundal height of 28 cm.
B. Fundal height of 32 cm.
C. Fundal height of 36 cm.
D. Fundal height of 40 cm.
Answer: B. Rationale: Fundal height should be approximately equal to weeks of
gestation (32 weeks = 32 cm).
11. A nurse is providing teaching to a client about exercise during pregnancy. Which
instruction is most appropriate?
A. "Avoid exercise during pregnancy."
B. "Exercise should be limited to 15 minutes per day."
C. "You should exercise to the point of exhaustion."
D. "Exercise helps maintain fitness and may reduce the risk of gestational diabetes."
Answer: D. Rationale: Exercise during pregnancy has many benefits and is encouraged,
unless contraindicated. Clients should not exercise to exhaustion.
12. A nurse is assessing a client who is 16 weeks pregnant. Which finding is
expected?
A. Fundal height at the symphysis pubis.
B. Fundal height at the umbilicus.
C. Fundal height midway between the symphysis pubis and umbilicus.
D. Fundal height at the xiphoid process.
Answer: C. Rationale: At 16 weeks, the fundus is midway between the symphysis pubis
and the umbilicus. It reaches the umbilicus at 20 weeks.
13. A nurse is teaching a client about signs of normal pregnancy. Which finding is
expected in the first trimester?
A. Colostrum.
B. Braxton-Hicks contractions.
C. Nausea and vomiting.
D. Lightening.
PERINATAL NURSING EXAM LATEST VERSION
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026 EDITION
PERINATAL NURSING EXAM — 250 Practice Questions
1. A nurse is providing education to a client who is at 12 weeks of gestation. Which
statement by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. "I should feel my baby move by 16 weeks of pregnancy."
B. "I will have an ultrasound done at 28 weeks to check for birth defects."
C. "I should expect to have my blood pressure checked once each trimester."
D. "I should gain 10 pounds during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy."
Answer: A. Rationale: A primigravida typically feels fetal movement (quickening)
between 16-22 weeks. A multigravida may feel movement as early as 14 weeks.
Ultrasounds for anatomy are typically done at 18-22 weeks. Blood pressure is checked
at every prenatal visit. Recommended weight gain in the first trimester is 2-4 pounds.
2. A nurse is assessing a client at 28 weeks of gestation. Which finding is most
concerning?
A. Fundal height of 26 cm.
B. Blood pressure of 110/70 mm Hg.
C. Weight gain of 2 pounds in 1 week.
D. Fetal heart rate of 140 beats per minute.
Answer: C. Rationale: Weight gain of more than 2 pounds in 1 week may indicate fluid
retention and could be a sign of preeclampsia. Fundal height should be approximately
equal to weeks of gestation (28 weeks = 28 cm). 110/70 is a normal blood pressure. 140
bpm is a normal fetal heart rate.
3. A nurse is teaching a client about prenatal nutrition. Which instruction is most
important?
A. "Avoid all fish during pregnancy."
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B. "Take a folic acid supplement of 400 mcg daily."
C. "Increase caloric intake by 1,000 calories per day."
D. "Avoid all caffeine during pregnancy."
Answer: B. Rationale: Folic acid supplementation (400-800 mcg) is critical during
pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects. Clients should avoid high-mercury fish but
can eat low-mercury fish. Caloric intake should increase by about 300 calories per day.
Caffeine should be limited but not necessarily avoided completely.
4. A nurse is assessing a client at 36 weeks of gestation. Which finding would the
nurse report to the healthcare provider?
A. Fundal height of 34 cm.
B. Blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg.
C. Fetal heart rate of 145 beats per minute.
D. Weight gain of 1 pound in 1 week.
Answer: B. Rationale: A blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg is elevated and may indicate
preeclampsia. Fundal height of 34 cm at 36 weeks is within 2 cm of expected. 145 bpm
is a normal fetal heart rate. 1 pound weight gain in 1 week is within normal limits.
5. A nurse is teaching a client about the signs of preterm labor. Which symptom
should the client report immediately?
A. Mild, irregular uterine contractions.
B. A sudden gush of clear fluid from the vagina.
C. Regular uterine contractions every 10 minutes or more frequently.
D. An increase in vaginal discharge that is clear and odorless.
Answer: C. Rationale: Regular uterine contractions before 37 weeks of gestation are a
sign of preterm labor and require immediate evaluation. A sudden gush of fluid is also a
sign of rupture of membranes, but regular contractions are the classic sign of labor.
6. A nurse is assessing a client who is 24 weeks pregnant. Which finding is
expected?
A. Colostrum expressed from the breasts.
B. Braxton-Hicks contractions.
C. Fetal movement felt by the mother.
D. All of the above.
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Answer: D. Rationale: At 24 weeks, colostrum may be expressed, Braxton-Hicks
contractions may be felt, and fetal movement (quickening) should be felt.
7. A nurse is providing teaching to a client about the importance of folic acid. Which
statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. "Folic acid is important for preventing birth defects of the brain and spine."
B. "Folic acid is important for preventing gestational diabetes."
C. "Folic acid is important for preventing preeclampsia."
D. "Folic acid is important for preventing preterm labor."
Answer: A. Rationale: Folic acid is critical for neural tube development, preventing
defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly.
8. A nurse is assessing a client at 20 weeks of gestation. Which finding is most
concerning?
A. Fundal height of 20 cm.
B. Weight gain of 5 pounds.
C. Blood pressure of 150/95 mm Hg.
D. Fetal heart rate of 155 beats per minute.
Answer: C. Rationale: Blood pressure of 150/95 mm Hg is elevated and may indicate
gestational hypertension or preeclampsia. Fundal height of 20 cm is expected at 20
weeks. Weight gain of 5 pounds is within normal limits. 155 bpm is a normal fetal heart
rate.
9. A nurse is teaching a client about prenatal testing. Which test is used to screen
for gestational diabetes?
A. Quadruple screen.
B. One-hour glucose tolerance test.
C. Amniocentesis.
D. Chorionic villus sampling.
Answer: B. Rationale: The one-hour glucose tolerance test is used to screen for
gestational diabetes. The quadruple screen is used for genetic screening.
Amniocentesis and CVS are used for genetic diagnosis.
10. A nurse is assessing a client who is 32 weeks pregnant. Which finding is
expected?
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A. Fundal height of 28 cm.
B. Fundal height of 32 cm.
C. Fundal height of 36 cm.
D. Fundal height of 40 cm.
Answer: B. Rationale: Fundal height should be approximately equal to weeks of
gestation (32 weeks = 32 cm).
11. A nurse is providing teaching to a client about exercise during pregnancy. Which
instruction is most appropriate?
A. "Avoid exercise during pregnancy."
B. "Exercise should be limited to 15 minutes per day."
C. "You should exercise to the point of exhaustion."
D. "Exercise helps maintain fitness and may reduce the risk of gestational diabetes."
Answer: D. Rationale: Exercise during pregnancy has many benefits and is encouraged,
unless contraindicated. Clients should not exercise to exhaustion.
12. A nurse is assessing a client who is 16 weeks pregnant. Which finding is
expected?
A. Fundal height at the symphysis pubis.
B. Fundal height at the umbilicus.
C. Fundal height midway between the symphysis pubis and umbilicus.
D. Fundal height at the xiphoid process.
Answer: C. Rationale: At 16 weeks, the fundus is midway between the symphysis pubis
and the umbilicus. It reaches the umbilicus at 20 weeks.
13. A nurse is teaching a client about signs of normal pregnancy. Which finding is
expected in the first trimester?
A. Colostrum.
B. Braxton-Hicks contractions.
C. Nausea and vomiting.
D. Lightening.
