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NU 170 EXAM 2: HIGH-YIELD MATERNAL-CHILD NURSING EXAM
LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026 EDITION
NU 170 EXAM 2: High-Yield Maternal-Child Nursing Practice Questions with
Rationales
SECTION 1: PEDIATRIC ENDOCRINE AND METABOLIC DISORDERS (Questions
1-30)
1. The nurse is reinforcing teaching with the mother of a 2-month-old infant who has
been prescribed levothyroxine. Which instruction should the nurse include in the
teaching?
A. "Give the medication with meals for better absorption."
B. "The medication may take up to 3 weeks for full effect."
C. "Stop giving the medication once symptoms improve."
D. "Do not breastfeed while on this medication."
Answer: B. "The medication may take up to 3 weeks for full effect."
Rationale: Levothyroxine requires several weeks to reach a therapeutic effect in infants.
Administering with meals can reduce absorption, so it is typically given on an empty
stomach. The medication is usually lifelong and compatible with breastfeeding .
2. The mother of a 6-year-old child with Type 1 diabetes calls, reporting the child is sick
and is concerned about glucose control. What should the nurse instruct?
A. "Reduce insulin dose until the child feels better."
B. "Check glucose levels more often."
C. "Stop all diabetes medications during illness."
D. "Limit fluid intake to prevent swelling."
Answer: B. "Check glucose levels more often."
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Rationale: Illness can increase blood glucose levels due to stress hormones; more frequent
monitoring allows timely management. Insulin should generally not be stopped during illness
unless advised .
3. A child with well-controlled Type 1 diabetes is admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis
(DKA). The nurse suspects the episode was triggered by:
A. The presence of infection
B. Missing a meal
C. Excessive exercise the day before
D. New insulin regimen
Answer: A. The presence of infection
Rationale: Infection is a common precipitating factor for DKA due to increased stress
hormones leading to hyperglycemia and ketosis .
4. The nurse is reinforcing teaching with a child with Type 1 diabetes about exercise.
Which statement indicates understanding?
A. "I should not exercise because it will lower my blood sugar too much."
B. "I should check my blood sugar before and after exercise."
C. "I should eat a large meal before exercise."
D. "I do not need to check my blood sugar on days I exercise."
Answer: B. "I should check my blood sugar before and after exercise."
Rationale: Blood glucose monitoring before and after exercise is essential to prevent
hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. Urine protein checks are not necessary prior to exercise
and do not provide immediate information about glycemic status .
5. A child with newly diagnosed Type 1 diabetes is being discharged. Which statement
by the parent indicates understanding of the illness?
A. "My child will outgrow this condition."
B. "This condition requires lifelong insulin therapy."
C. "Diet alone will control this condition."
D. "Oral medications will replace insulin in a few years."
Answer: B. "This condition requires lifelong insulin therapy."
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Rationale: Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition requiring lifelong insulin therapy. It
cannot be outgrown, managed by diet alone, or treated with oral medications. Understanding
this is essential for adherence to treatment .
6. The nurse is assessing a child with suspected diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Which
finding is most consistent with this condition?
A. Fruity breath odor and Kussmaul respirations
B. Polyuria and polydipsia only
C. Bradycardia and hypotension
D. Respiratory depression and lethargy
Answer: A. Fruity breath odor and Kussmaul respirations
Rationale: DKA presents with fruity breath odor (acetone), Kussmaul respirations (deep,
rapid breathing), hyperglycemia, and ketosis. This is a medical emergency requiring
immediate intervention with IV fluids and insulin .
SECTION 2: PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASES (Questions 7-30)
7. The nurse is caring for a child with measles (rubeola). The nurse should place the
child in which type of transmission-based precautions?
A. Contact precautions
B. Droplet precautions
C. Airborne precautions
D. Standard precautions
Answer: C. Airborne precautions
Rationale: Measles virus is highly contagious through airborne particles; strict airborne
precautions are essential to prevent transmission. Measles virus can remain suspended in the
air for up to 2 hours after an infected person leaves the room .
8. The nurse is caring for a child with chickenpox (varicella). Which type of precautions
should the nurse implement?
A. Airborne and contact precautions
B. Droplet precautions only
C. Standard precautions only
D. Strict isolation
Answer: A. Airborne and contact precautions
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Rationale: Varicella (chickenpox) is highly contagious through both airborne transmission
(droplet nuclei) and direct contact with vesicular fluid. Both airborne and contact
precautions are required to prevent transmission .
9. The nurse has just reinforced teaching about active and passive immunity. Which
statement by a parent indicates correct understanding?
A. "Active immunity is inherited from my parents."
B. "Passive immunity develops when my child produces antibodies."
C. "Active immunity develops in my child by producing antibodies to specific organisms."
D. "Passive immunity lasts a lifetime."
Answer: C. "Active immunity develops in my child by producing antibodies to specific
organisms."
Rationale: Active immunity involves antibody production by the individual's immune system
after exposure to an antigen. Passive immunity comes from receiving antibodies from another
source and is temporary .
10. A child with pertussis (whooping cough) is admitted to the pediatric unit. The nurse
should place the child in which type of precautions?
A. Contact precautions
B. Droplet precautions
C. Airborne precautions
D. Standard precautions
Answer: B. Droplet precautions
Rationale: Pertussis is transmitted via respiratory droplets and requires droplet precautions.
The characteristic cough is highly infectious, and transmission occurs through close contact
with respiratory secretions .
11. The nurse is assessing a child with a suspected urinary tract infection. The nurse
should anticipate which finding?
A. Increased urinary output
B. Suprapubic pain and dysuria
C. Hyperactivity and insomnia
D. Clear, odorless urine
Answer: B. Suprapubic pain and dysuria
NU 170 EXAM 2: HIGH-YIELD MATERNAL-CHILD NURSING EXAM
LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026 EDITION
NU 170 EXAM 2: High-Yield Maternal-Child Nursing Practice Questions with
Rationales
SECTION 1: PEDIATRIC ENDOCRINE AND METABOLIC DISORDERS (Questions
1-30)
1. The nurse is reinforcing teaching with the mother of a 2-month-old infant who has
been prescribed levothyroxine. Which instruction should the nurse include in the
teaching?
A. "Give the medication with meals for better absorption."
B. "The medication may take up to 3 weeks for full effect."
C. "Stop giving the medication once symptoms improve."
D. "Do not breastfeed while on this medication."
Answer: B. "The medication may take up to 3 weeks for full effect."
Rationale: Levothyroxine requires several weeks to reach a therapeutic effect in infants.
Administering with meals can reduce absorption, so it is typically given on an empty
stomach. The medication is usually lifelong and compatible with breastfeeding .
2. The mother of a 6-year-old child with Type 1 diabetes calls, reporting the child is sick
and is concerned about glucose control. What should the nurse instruct?
A. "Reduce insulin dose until the child feels better."
B. "Check glucose levels more often."
C. "Stop all diabetes medications during illness."
D. "Limit fluid intake to prevent swelling."
Answer: B. "Check glucose levels more often."
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Rationale: Illness can increase blood glucose levels due to stress hormones; more frequent
monitoring allows timely management. Insulin should generally not be stopped during illness
unless advised .
3. A child with well-controlled Type 1 diabetes is admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis
(DKA). The nurse suspects the episode was triggered by:
A. The presence of infection
B. Missing a meal
C. Excessive exercise the day before
D. New insulin regimen
Answer: A. The presence of infection
Rationale: Infection is a common precipitating factor for DKA due to increased stress
hormones leading to hyperglycemia and ketosis .
4. The nurse is reinforcing teaching with a child with Type 1 diabetes about exercise.
Which statement indicates understanding?
A. "I should not exercise because it will lower my blood sugar too much."
B. "I should check my blood sugar before and after exercise."
C. "I should eat a large meal before exercise."
D. "I do not need to check my blood sugar on days I exercise."
Answer: B. "I should check my blood sugar before and after exercise."
Rationale: Blood glucose monitoring before and after exercise is essential to prevent
hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. Urine protein checks are not necessary prior to exercise
and do not provide immediate information about glycemic status .
5. A child with newly diagnosed Type 1 diabetes is being discharged. Which statement
by the parent indicates understanding of the illness?
A. "My child will outgrow this condition."
B. "This condition requires lifelong insulin therapy."
C. "Diet alone will control this condition."
D. "Oral medications will replace insulin in a few years."
Answer: B. "This condition requires lifelong insulin therapy."
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Rationale: Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition requiring lifelong insulin therapy. It
cannot be outgrown, managed by diet alone, or treated with oral medications. Understanding
this is essential for adherence to treatment .
6. The nurse is assessing a child with suspected diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Which
finding is most consistent with this condition?
A. Fruity breath odor and Kussmaul respirations
B. Polyuria and polydipsia only
C. Bradycardia and hypotension
D. Respiratory depression and lethargy
Answer: A. Fruity breath odor and Kussmaul respirations
Rationale: DKA presents with fruity breath odor (acetone), Kussmaul respirations (deep,
rapid breathing), hyperglycemia, and ketosis. This is a medical emergency requiring
immediate intervention with IV fluids and insulin .
SECTION 2: PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASES (Questions 7-30)
7. The nurse is caring for a child with measles (rubeola). The nurse should place the
child in which type of transmission-based precautions?
A. Contact precautions
B. Droplet precautions
C. Airborne precautions
D. Standard precautions
Answer: C. Airborne precautions
Rationale: Measles virus is highly contagious through airborne particles; strict airborne
precautions are essential to prevent transmission. Measles virus can remain suspended in the
air for up to 2 hours after an infected person leaves the room .
8. The nurse is caring for a child with chickenpox (varicella). Which type of precautions
should the nurse implement?
A. Airborne and contact precautions
B. Droplet precautions only
C. Standard precautions only
D. Strict isolation
Answer: A. Airborne and contact precautions
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Rationale: Varicella (chickenpox) is highly contagious through both airborne transmission
(droplet nuclei) and direct contact with vesicular fluid. Both airborne and contact
precautions are required to prevent transmission .
9. The nurse has just reinforced teaching about active and passive immunity. Which
statement by a parent indicates correct understanding?
A. "Active immunity is inherited from my parents."
B. "Passive immunity develops when my child produces antibodies."
C. "Active immunity develops in my child by producing antibodies to specific organisms."
D. "Passive immunity lasts a lifetime."
Answer: C. "Active immunity develops in my child by producing antibodies to specific
organisms."
Rationale: Active immunity involves antibody production by the individual's immune system
after exposure to an antigen. Passive immunity comes from receiving antibodies from another
source and is temporary .
10. A child with pertussis (whooping cough) is admitted to the pediatric unit. The nurse
should place the child in which type of precautions?
A. Contact precautions
B. Droplet precautions
C. Airborne precautions
D. Standard precautions
Answer: B. Droplet precautions
Rationale: Pertussis is transmitted via respiratory droplets and requires droplet precautions.
The characteristic cough is highly infectious, and transmission occurs through close contact
with respiratory secretions .
11. The nurse is assessing a child with a suspected urinary tract infection. The nurse
should anticipate which finding?
A. Increased urinary output
B. Suprapubic pain and dysuria
C. Hyperactivity and insomnia
D. Clear, odorless urine
Answer: B. Suprapubic pain and dysuria
