WGU D235 – Maternal-Newborn
Nursing Exam Questions With Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf.
1. A nurse is assessing a client at 34 weeks of gestation. Which finding
should the nurse recognize as a potential sign of preeclampsia?
A. Urinary frequency
B. Mild dependent ankle edema
C. Blood pressure of 168/110 mm Hg
D. Increased appetite
Answer: C. Blood pressure of 168/110 mm Hg
Severe hypertension, defined as a systolic blood pressure of at least 160
mm Hg or a diastolic blood pressure of at least 110 mm Hg, is a
concerning finding in pregnancy and may indicate severe preeclampsia.
Immediate evaluation is necessary because uncontrolled maternal
hypertension increases the risk of stroke, placental abruption, fetal
growth restriction, and seizures. Mild dependent edema and urinary
frequency can occur normally during pregnancy.
2. A client at 30 weeks of gestation reports painless, bright-red vaginal
bleeding. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
,A. Placental abruption
B. Placenta previa
C. Preterm labor
D. Uterine rupture
Answer: B. Placenta previa
Placenta previa occurs when the placenta implants near or over the
cervical opening and classically presents with painless, bright-red
vaginal bleeding during the second half of pregnancy. Vaginal
examinations should generally be avoided until placenta previa has
been excluded because manipulation can precipitate severe
hemorrhage. Placental abruption typically causes painful bleeding
accompanied by uterine tenderness or rigidity.
3. A nurse is caring for a client receiving magnesium sulfate for severe
preeclampsia. Which assessment finding requires immediate
intervention?
A. Respiratory rate of 10/min
B. Urine output of 45 mL/hr
C. Patellar reflexes of 2+
D. Blood pressure of 144/90 mm Hg
Answer: A. Respiratory rate of 10/min
Magnesium sulfate is administered to prevent and treat eclamptic
seizures. Respiratory depression is a serious manifestation of
magnesium toxicity and requires immediate attention. Other signs of
toxicity include absent deep tendon reflexes and decreased urine output.
Calcium gluconate is the antidote for significant magnesium toxicity.
,4. A pregnant client asks why folic acid is important during pregnancy.
Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. "It prevents maternal hypertension."
B. "It helps prevent neural tube defects in the fetus."
C. "It prevents gestational diabetes."
D. "It increases fetal lung maturity."
Answer: B. "It helps prevent neural tube defects in the fetus."
Folic acid is essential for normal neural tube development. Adequate
folate intake before conception and during early pregnancy significantly
reduces the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida and
anencephaly. Folic acid does not directly prevent hypertension,
gestational diabetes, or fetal respiratory distress.
5. A nurse is teaching a pregnant client about fetal movement
monitoring. Which instruction is appropriate?
A. "You should expect fetal movement to stop during the third
trimester."
B. "Report a significant decrease in your baby's usual movement
pattern."
C. "Fetal movement is only important during the first trimester."
D. "You should count movements only when you are physically active."
Answer: B. "Report a significant decrease in your baby's usual
movement pattern."
, Fetal movement is an important indicator of fetal well-being. A
noticeable decrease from the fetus's established movement pattern can
indicate compromised oxygenation or another problem and should be
evaluated promptly. Movement often becomes more noticeable as
pregnancy progresses, although the type of movement may change
near term.
6. A client in labor has contractions occurring every 2 minutes and
lasting 90 seconds. The fetal heart rate shows recurrent late
decelerations. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Encourage the client to push
B. Place the client in a lateral position
C. Increase the oxytocin infusion
D. Prepare the client for discharge
Answer: B. Place the client in a lateral position
Recurrent late decelerations suggest uteroplacental insufficiency and
reduced fetal oxygenation. Initial intrauterine resuscitation measures
include repositioning the client, typically to a lateral position, stopping
or reducing oxytocin when appropriate, administering oxygen according
to institutional protocol, and evaluating maternal blood pressure and
uterine activity. Increasing oxytocin could worsen uterine stimulation
and fetal compromise.
7. A nurse is assessing a fetal heart rate tracing. Which baseline fetal
heart rate is considered within the expected range?
Nursing Exam Questions With Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf.
1. A nurse is assessing a client at 34 weeks of gestation. Which finding
should the nurse recognize as a potential sign of preeclampsia?
A. Urinary frequency
B. Mild dependent ankle edema
C. Blood pressure of 168/110 mm Hg
D. Increased appetite
Answer: C. Blood pressure of 168/110 mm Hg
Severe hypertension, defined as a systolic blood pressure of at least 160
mm Hg or a diastolic blood pressure of at least 110 mm Hg, is a
concerning finding in pregnancy and may indicate severe preeclampsia.
Immediate evaluation is necessary because uncontrolled maternal
hypertension increases the risk of stroke, placental abruption, fetal
growth restriction, and seizures. Mild dependent edema and urinary
frequency can occur normally during pregnancy.
2. A client at 30 weeks of gestation reports painless, bright-red vaginal
bleeding. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
,A. Placental abruption
B. Placenta previa
C. Preterm labor
D. Uterine rupture
Answer: B. Placenta previa
Placenta previa occurs when the placenta implants near or over the
cervical opening and classically presents with painless, bright-red
vaginal bleeding during the second half of pregnancy. Vaginal
examinations should generally be avoided until placenta previa has
been excluded because manipulation can precipitate severe
hemorrhage. Placental abruption typically causes painful bleeding
accompanied by uterine tenderness or rigidity.
3. A nurse is caring for a client receiving magnesium sulfate for severe
preeclampsia. Which assessment finding requires immediate
intervention?
A. Respiratory rate of 10/min
B. Urine output of 45 mL/hr
C. Patellar reflexes of 2+
D. Blood pressure of 144/90 mm Hg
Answer: A. Respiratory rate of 10/min
Magnesium sulfate is administered to prevent and treat eclamptic
seizures. Respiratory depression is a serious manifestation of
magnesium toxicity and requires immediate attention. Other signs of
toxicity include absent deep tendon reflexes and decreased urine output.
Calcium gluconate is the antidote for significant magnesium toxicity.
,4. A pregnant client asks why folic acid is important during pregnancy.
Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. "It prevents maternal hypertension."
B. "It helps prevent neural tube defects in the fetus."
C. "It prevents gestational diabetes."
D. "It increases fetal lung maturity."
Answer: B. "It helps prevent neural tube defects in the fetus."
Folic acid is essential for normal neural tube development. Adequate
folate intake before conception and during early pregnancy significantly
reduces the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida and
anencephaly. Folic acid does not directly prevent hypertension,
gestational diabetes, or fetal respiratory distress.
5. A nurse is teaching a pregnant client about fetal movement
monitoring. Which instruction is appropriate?
A. "You should expect fetal movement to stop during the third
trimester."
B. "Report a significant decrease in your baby's usual movement
pattern."
C. "Fetal movement is only important during the first trimester."
D. "You should count movements only when you are physically active."
Answer: B. "Report a significant decrease in your baby's usual
movement pattern."
, Fetal movement is an important indicator of fetal well-being. A
noticeable decrease from the fetus's established movement pattern can
indicate compromised oxygenation or another problem and should be
evaluated promptly. Movement often becomes more noticeable as
pregnancy progresses, although the type of movement may change
near term.
6. A client in labor has contractions occurring every 2 minutes and
lasting 90 seconds. The fetal heart rate shows recurrent late
decelerations. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Encourage the client to push
B. Place the client in a lateral position
C. Increase the oxytocin infusion
D. Prepare the client for discharge
Answer: B. Place the client in a lateral position
Recurrent late decelerations suggest uteroplacental insufficiency and
reduced fetal oxygenation. Initial intrauterine resuscitation measures
include repositioning the client, typically to a lateral position, stopping
or reducing oxytocin when appropriate, administering oxygen according
to institutional protocol, and evaluating maternal blood pressure and
uterine activity. Increasing oxytocin could worsen uterine stimulation
and fetal compromise.
7. A nurse is assessing a fetal heart rate tracing. Which baseline fetal
heart rate is considered within the expected range?
