NUR 231 Maternal Nursing Exam 3 Comprehensive Practice … 2026 Update • Verified Answers
✓ VERIFIED • 2026 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NUR 231 Maternal Nursing Exam 3 Comprehensive
Practice 2026 UPDATE
Actual Exam Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations)
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Full Rationales
Status: Verified & Updated for 2026
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 1
,NUR 231 Maternal Nursing Exam 3 Comprehensive Practice … 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A nurse is assessing a client who is at 32 weeks of gestation and reports painless vaginal
bleeding. Which of the following conditions should the nurse suspect?
A. Abruptio placentae
B. Placenta previa
C. Ectopic pregnancy
D. Molar pregnancy
Answer: B
Rationale: Placenta previa is characterized by painless, bright red vaginal bleeding during the second or third
trimester. Abruptio placentae usually presents with painful bleeding and board-like abdominal rigidity. Applying
this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
2. Which of the following medications is administered to a newborn within 1 to 2 hours of birth
to prevent ophthalmia neonatorum?
A. Vitamin K (Phytonadione)
B. Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment
C. Hepatitis B vaccine
D. Nystatin
Answer: B
Rationale: Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment is required by law in the US to prevent blindness caused by
Neisseria gonorrhoeae or Chlamydia trachomatis contracted during birth. Applying this knowledge in clinical
settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
3. A nurse is caring for a client in the first stage of labor and notes a fetal heart rate (FHR)
pattern of early decelerations. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Administer oxygen via non-rebreather mask
B. Turn the client to the left side-lying position
C. Prepare for an emergency cesarean birth
D. Document the finding and continue to monitor
Answer: D
Rationale: Early decelerations are caused by fetal head compression and are considered a reassuring sign.
They do not require intervention other than continued monitoring. This is an important clinical concept because
selecting the correct answer (D) requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing
implications.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 2
, NUR 231 Maternal Nursing Exam 3 Comprehensive Practice … 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. A client is receiving magnesium sulfate for preeclampsia. The nurse should identify which of
the following findings as an indication of magnesium toxicity?
A. Hyperreflexia (4+ deep tendon reflexes)
B. Urine output of 40 mL/hr
C. Respiratory rate of 10/min
D. Blood pressure of 150/90 mmHg
Answer: C
Rationale: Signs of magnesium toxicity include a respiratory rate less than 12/min, loss of deep tendon
reflexes, and decreased urine output (less than 30 mL/hr). Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to
prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education. Exam questions often test the
ability to distinguish this concept from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
5. A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a postpartum client who is breastfeeding. Which
of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. I will wash my nipples with soap and water before each feeding.
B. I will apply a few drops of breast milk to my nipples after feeding.
C. I will feed my baby every 4 to 5 hours.
D. I will drink 1 liter of fluid per day to maintain milk supply.
Answer: B
Rationale: Applying breast milk to the nipples after feeding helps prevent cracking and promotes healing. Soap
should be avoided as it can be drying. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from
closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical
settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
6. Which fetal heart rate pattern is associated with uteroplacental insufficiency?
A. Late decelerations
B. Early decelerations
C. Variable decelerations
D. Accelerations
Answer: A
Rationale: Late decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency and are non-reassuring, requiring immediate
intervention such as oxygen administration and maternal repositioning. This is an important clinical concept
because selecting the correct answer (A) requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical
nursing implications.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 3
✓ VERIFIED • 2026 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NUR 231 Maternal Nursing Exam 3 Comprehensive
Practice 2026 UPDATE
Actual Exam Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations)
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Full Rationales
Status: Verified & Updated for 2026
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 1
,NUR 231 Maternal Nursing Exam 3 Comprehensive Practice … 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A nurse is assessing a client who is at 32 weeks of gestation and reports painless vaginal
bleeding. Which of the following conditions should the nurse suspect?
A. Abruptio placentae
B. Placenta previa
C. Ectopic pregnancy
D. Molar pregnancy
Answer: B
Rationale: Placenta previa is characterized by painless, bright red vaginal bleeding during the second or third
trimester. Abruptio placentae usually presents with painful bleeding and board-like abdominal rigidity. Applying
this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
2. Which of the following medications is administered to a newborn within 1 to 2 hours of birth
to prevent ophthalmia neonatorum?
A. Vitamin K (Phytonadione)
B. Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment
C. Hepatitis B vaccine
D. Nystatin
Answer: B
Rationale: Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment is required by law in the US to prevent blindness caused by
Neisseria gonorrhoeae or Chlamydia trachomatis contracted during birth. Applying this knowledge in clinical
settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
3. A nurse is caring for a client in the first stage of labor and notes a fetal heart rate (FHR)
pattern of early decelerations. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Administer oxygen via non-rebreather mask
B. Turn the client to the left side-lying position
C. Prepare for an emergency cesarean birth
D. Document the finding and continue to monitor
Answer: D
Rationale: Early decelerations are caused by fetal head compression and are considered a reassuring sign.
They do not require intervention other than continued monitoring. This is an important clinical concept because
selecting the correct answer (D) requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing
implications.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 2
, NUR 231 Maternal Nursing Exam 3 Comprehensive Practice … 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. A client is receiving magnesium sulfate for preeclampsia. The nurse should identify which of
the following findings as an indication of magnesium toxicity?
A. Hyperreflexia (4+ deep tendon reflexes)
B. Urine output of 40 mL/hr
C. Respiratory rate of 10/min
D. Blood pressure of 150/90 mmHg
Answer: C
Rationale: Signs of magnesium toxicity include a respiratory rate less than 12/min, loss of deep tendon
reflexes, and decreased urine output (less than 30 mL/hr). Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to
prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education. Exam questions often test the
ability to distinguish this concept from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
5. A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a postpartum client who is breastfeeding. Which
of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. I will wash my nipples with soap and water before each feeding.
B. I will apply a few drops of breast milk to my nipples after feeding.
C. I will feed my baby every 4 to 5 hours.
D. I will drink 1 liter of fluid per day to maintain milk supply.
Answer: B
Rationale: Applying breast milk to the nipples after feeding helps prevent cracking and promotes healing. Soap
should be avoided as it can be drying. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from
closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical
settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
6. Which fetal heart rate pattern is associated with uteroplacental insufficiency?
A. Late decelerations
B. Early decelerations
C. Variable decelerations
D. Accelerations
Answer: A
Rationale: Late decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency and are non-reassuring, requiring immediate
intervention such as oxygen administration and maternal repositioning. This is an important clinical concept
because selecting the correct answer (A) requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical
nursing implications.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 3
