NUR 230 MATERNAL-NEWBORN
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM (1-4)
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A patient’s last menstrual period began on May 10th. Using Naegele’s rule, what is the
estimated date of delivery (EDD)?
A. January 17th
B. February 3rd
C. February 10th
D. February 17th
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Naegele’s rule calculates EDD by subtracting 3 months from the
LMP and adding 7 days (and one year). May 10 minus 3 months is February 10, plus 7 days
is February 17.
2. Which of the following is considered a positive sign of pregnancy?
A. Amenorrhea
B. Positive serum HCG test
C. Goodell’s sign
,D. Fetal heart tones heard by Doppler
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Positive signs are objective and can only be attributed to a fetus:
fetal heart sounds, visualization by ultrasound, or palpation of movement by a clinician.
Amenorrhea is presumptive; HCG and Goodell’s are probable.
3. During a non-stress test (NST), the nurse notes two accelerations of 15 bpm above baseline
lasting 15 seconds within a 20-minute period. How should this be documented?
A. Non-reactive
B. Reactive
C. Negative
D. Unsatisfactory
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A reactive NST is defined by two or more accelerations of at
least 15 bpm lasting at least 15 seconds within a 20-minute window for a term fetus.
4. A nurse observes late decelerations on the fetal monitor strip. What is the physiological
cause of this pattern?
A. Uteroplacental insufficiency
B. Fetal head compression
C. Umbilical cord compression
, D. Fetal sleep cycle
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Late decelerations are caused by uteroplacental insufficiency
and require immediate intervention to improve oxygenation. Variable decelerations relate
to cord compression, and early decelerations relate to head compression.
5. A woman is in the second stage of labor. Which clinical finding best describes this stage?
A. Full dilation to birth of the infant
B. Delivery of the placenta
C. Dilation from 0 cm to 10 cm
D. The first 2 hours of recovery
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The second stage of labor begins with complete cervical dilation
(10 cm) and ends with the birth of the baby.
6. Which medication is the primary choice for preventing and treating postpartum
hemorrhage due to uterine atony?
A. Magnesium Sulfate
B. Betamethasone
C. Terbutaline
D. Oxytocin (Pitocin)
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM (1-4)
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A patient’s last menstrual period began on May 10th. Using Naegele’s rule, what is the
estimated date of delivery (EDD)?
A. January 17th
B. February 3rd
C. February 10th
D. February 17th
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Naegele’s rule calculates EDD by subtracting 3 months from the
LMP and adding 7 days (and one year). May 10 minus 3 months is February 10, plus 7 days
is February 17.
2. Which of the following is considered a positive sign of pregnancy?
A. Amenorrhea
B. Positive serum HCG test
C. Goodell’s sign
,D. Fetal heart tones heard by Doppler
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Positive signs are objective and can only be attributed to a fetus:
fetal heart sounds, visualization by ultrasound, or palpation of movement by a clinician.
Amenorrhea is presumptive; HCG and Goodell’s are probable.
3. During a non-stress test (NST), the nurse notes two accelerations of 15 bpm above baseline
lasting 15 seconds within a 20-minute period. How should this be documented?
A. Non-reactive
B. Reactive
C. Negative
D. Unsatisfactory
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A reactive NST is defined by two or more accelerations of at
least 15 bpm lasting at least 15 seconds within a 20-minute window for a term fetus.
4. A nurse observes late decelerations on the fetal monitor strip. What is the physiological
cause of this pattern?
A. Uteroplacental insufficiency
B. Fetal head compression
C. Umbilical cord compression
, D. Fetal sleep cycle
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Late decelerations are caused by uteroplacental insufficiency
and require immediate intervention to improve oxygenation. Variable decelerations relate
to cord compression, and early decelerations relate to head compression.
5. A woman is in the second stage of labor. Which clinical finding best describes this stage?
A. Full dilation to birth of the infant
B. Delivery of the placenta
C. Dilation from 0 cm to 10 cm
D. The first 2 hours of recovery
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The second stage of labor begins with complete cervical dilation
(10 cm) and ends with the birth of the baby.
6. Which medication is the primary choice for preventing and treating postpartum
hemorrhage due to uterine atony?
A. Magnesium Sulfate
B. Betamethasone
C. Terbutaline
D. Oxytocin (Pitocin)
