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MCKINNEY EVOLVE RESOURCES FOR MATERNAL-CHILD
NURSING EXAM LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2026 EDITION
McKinney Evolve Resources for Maternal-Child Nursing Exam
250 Questions with Detailed Rationales
Based on the 5th/6th Edition, Chapters 1-55
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF MATERNAL, WOMEN'S HEALTH, AND CHILD HEALTH
NURSING (Questions 1-20)
Question 1
Which factor significantly contributed to the shift from home births to hospital
births in the early 20th century?
A) Puerperal sepsis was identified as a risk factor in labor
B) The development of forceps and other obstetric instruments
C) The availability of anesthesia and improved surgical techniques
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Rationale: The shift from home to hospital births was influenced by multiple factors,
including the identification of puerperal sepsis as a risk, the development of obstetric
instruments like forceps, and improved anesthesia and surgical techniques that made
hospital birth safer for mothers and babies.
Question 2
According to the American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics, which
statement reflects a core ethical responsibility of the maternal-child nurse?
A) The nurse should always follow physician orders without question
B) The nurse should practice with compassion and respect for the inherent dignity of
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every patient
C) The nurse should prioritize hospital policy over patient preferences
D) The nurse should avoid involvement in ethical dilemmas
Answer: B
Rationale: The ANA Code of Ethics states that nurses should practice with compassion
and respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and unique attributes of every person. This is
a fundamental ethical responsibility in all nursing practice, including maternal-child
nursing.
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a patient who refuses a routine fetal monitoring strip. What is
the nurse's first action?
A) Document the refusal in the nurse's notes
B) Consult the patient's family for support
C) Notify the healthcare provider of the situation
D) Make a referral to the hospital ethics committee
Answer: C
Rationale: Patients have the right to refuse treatment. The provider should be notified
immediately to ensure the patient understands the rationale and possible
consequences of refusal. Documentation should occur, but notification is the priority.
Question 4
Which situation reflects a potential ethical dilemma for the nurse?
A) A nurse administers analgesics to a patient with cancer as ordered
B) A neonatal nurse provides care to a newborn with a defect incompatible with life
C) A labor nurse, whose religion opposes abortion, is asked to assist with an elective
abortion
D) A postpartum nurse provides adoption information to a new mother
Answer: C
Rationale: An ethical dilemma exists when the nurse is asked to assist with a
procedure that conflicts with personal moral beliefs. The other situations do not contain
elements of conflict for the nurse.
Question 5
The leading cause of death in children 1 to 4 years of age in the United States is:
A) Premature birth
B) Congenital anomalies
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C) Accidental death (unintentional injury)
D) Respiratory tract illness
Answer: C
Rationale: Although rates have dropped, unintentional injury (accidents) remains the
leading cause of death for children aged 1 to 19. Other options contribute to morbidity
and mortality but are not the leading cause.
Question 6
Which statement is true regarding incident (occurrence) reports?
A) The report assures the legal department that no problem exists
B) Incident reports are a permanent part of the patient's chart
C) The nurse's notes should contain "Incident report filed"
D) This report is a form of documentation of an event that may result in legal action
Answer: D
Rationale: An incident report is used when something occurs that might result in legal
action, such as a patient fall or medication error. Incident reports are not part of the
patient's chart and should not be referenced in the nurse's notes.
Question 7
The fastest growing group of homeless people is:
A) Men and women preparing for retirement
B) Migrant workers
C) Single women and their children
D) Intravenous (IV) substance abusers
Answer: C
Rationale: Pregnancy and birth, especially for a teenager, are important contributing
factors for becoming homeless. Single women and their children are the fastest growing
group of homeless people.
Question 8
A nurse wishes to work to reduce infant mortality in the United States. Which
activity would most likely achieve this goal?
A) Creating pamphlets in several different languages
B) Assisting women to enroll in Medicaid by their third trimester
C) Volunteering to provide prenatal care at community centers
D) Working as an intake counselor at a women's shelter
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Answer: C
Rationale: Prenatal care is vital to reducing infant mortality. The greatest effect would
come from assisting women to get consistent prenatal care, particularly in low-income
areas.
Question 9
Minors are not considered capable of giving informed consent. Which statement
about consent for minors is accurate?
A) Minors can never provide consent for their own healthcare
B) Exceptions exist for obtaining treatment for drug abuse, STDs, or birth control in most
states
C) Parents must always consent to all treatment for minors
D) Minors over age 16 can provide their own consent
Answer: B
Rationale: Minors are generally not considered capable of giving informed consent.
However, exceptions exist in most states for obtaining treatment for drug abuse,
sexually transmitted diseases, or birth control.
Question 10
One characteristic of clinical pathways is that they:
A) Are developed and implemented by nurses only
B) Are used primarily in the pediatric setting
C) Set specific time lines for sequencing interventions
D) Are part of the nursing process
Answer: C
Rationale: Clinical pathways are standardized, interdisciplinary plans of care that
identify patient outcomes, specify time lines to achieve those outcomes, and direct
appropriate interventions. They are not part of the nursing process but can be used in
conjunction with it.
Question 11
A nurse is providing care to a patient from a different cultural background. The child
consistently refuses to eat the food on the tray. What assumption is most likely
accurate?
A) The child is a picky eater
B) The child needs less food because of bed rest
MCKINNEY EVOLVE RESOURCES FOR MATERNAL-CHILD
NURSING EXAM LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2026 EDITION
McKinney Evolve Resources for Maternal-Child Nursing Exam
250 Questions with Detailed Rationales
Based on the 5th/6th Edition, Chapters 1-55
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF MATERNAL, WOMEN'S HEALTH, AND CHILD HEALTH
NURSING (Questions 1-20)
Question 1
Which factor significantly contributed to the shift from home births to hospital
births in the early 20th century?
A) Puerperal sepsis was identified as a risk factor in labor
B) The development of forceps and other obstetric instruments
C) The availability of anesthesia and improved surgical techniques
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Rationale: The shift from home to hospital births was influenced by multiple factors,
including the identification of puerperal sepsis as a risk, the development of obstetric
instruments like forceps, and improved anesthesia and surgical techniques that made
hospital birth safer for mothers and babies.
Question 2
According to the American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics, which
statement reflects a core ethical responsibility of the maternal-child nurse?
A) The nurse should always follow physician orders without question
B) The nurse should practice with compassion and respect for the inherent dignity of
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every patient
C) The nurse should prioritize hospital policy over patient preferences
D) The nurse should avoid involvement in ethical dilemmas
Answer: B
Rationale: The ANA Code of Ethics states that nurses should practice with compassion
and respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and unique attributes of every person. This is
a fundamental ethical responsibility in all nursing practice, including maternal-child
nursing.
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a patient who refuses a routine fetal monitoring strip. What is
the nurse's first action?
A) Document the refusal in the nurse's notes
B) Consult the patient's family for support
C) Notify the healthcare provider of the situation
D) Make a referral to the hospital ethics committee
Answer: C
Rationale: Patients have the right to refuse treatment. The provider should be notified
immediately to ensure the patient understands the rationale and possible
consequences of refusal. Documentation should occur, but notification is the priority.
Question 4
Which situation reflects a potential ethical dilemma for the nurse?
A) A nurse administers analgesics to a patient with cancer as ordered
B) A neonatal nurse provides care to a newborn with a defect incompatible with life
C) A labor nurse, whose religion opposes abortion, is asked to assist with an elective
abortion
D) A postpartum nurse provides adoption information to a new mother
Answer: C
Rationale: An ethical dilemma exists when the nurse is asked to assist with a
procedure that conflicts with personal moral beliefs. The other situations do not contain
elements of conflict for the nurse.
Question 5
The leading cause of death in children 1 to 4 years of age in the United States is:
A) Premature birth
B) Congenital anomalies
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C) Accidental death (unintentional injury)
D) Respiratory tract illness
Answer: C
Rationale: Although rates have dropped, unintentional injury (accidents) remains the
leading cause of death for children aged 1 to 19. Other options contribute to morbidity
and mortality but are not the leading cause.
Question 6
Which statement is true regarding incident (occurrence) reports?
A) The report assures the legal department that no problem exists
B) Incident reports are a permanent part of the patient's chart
C) The nurse's notes should contain "Incident report filed"
D) This report is a form of documentation of an event that may result in legal action
Answer: D
Rationale: An incident report is used when something occurs that might result in legal
action, such as a patient fall or medication error. Incident reports are not part of the
patient's chart and should not be referenced in the nurse's notes.
Question 7
The fastest growing group of homeless people is:
A) Men and women preparing for retirement
B) Migrant workers
C) Single women and their children
D) Intravenous (IV) substance abusers
Answer: C
Rationale: Pregnancy and birth, especially for a teenager, are important contributing
factors for becoming homeless. Single women and their children are the fastest growing
group of homeless people.
Question 8
A nurse wishes to work to reduce infant mortality in the United States. Which
activity would most likely achieve this goal?
A) Creating pamphlets in several different languages
B) Assisting women to enroll in Medicaid by their third trimester
C) Volunteering to provide prenatal care at community centers
D) Working as an intake counselor at a women's shelter
, Page 4 of 79
Answer: C
Rationale: Prenatal care is vital to reducing infant mortality. The greatest effect would
come from assisting women to get consistent prenatal care, particularly in low-income
areas.
Question 9
Minors are not considered capable of giving informed consent. Which statement
about consent for minors is accurate?
A) Minors can never provide consent for their own healthcare
B) Exceptions exist for obtaining treatment for drug abuse, STDs, or birth control in most
states
C) Parents must always consent to all treatment for minors
D) Minors over age 16 can provide their own consent
Answer: B
Rationale: Minors are generally not considered capable of giving informed consent.
However, exceptions exist in most states for obtaining treatment for drug abuse,
sexually transmitted diseases, or birth control.
Question 10
One characteristic of clinical pathways is that they:
A) Are developed and implemented by nurses only
B) Are used primarily in the pediatric setting
C) Set specific time lines for sequencing interventions
D) Are part of the nursing process
Answer: C
Rationale: Clinical pathways are standardized, interdisciplinary plans of care that
identify patient outcomes, specify time lines to achieve those outcomes, and direct
appropriate interventions. They are not part of the nursing process but can be used in
conjunction with it.
Question 11
A nurse is providing care to a patient from a different cultural background. The child
consistently refuses to eat the food on the tray. What assumption is most likely
accurate?
A) The child is a picky eater
B) The child needs less food because of bed rest
