NUR 231 Exam 2 – Galen Maternal Nursing Comprehensive Q… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
✓ VERIFIED • 2026 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NUR 231 Exam 2 – Galen Maternal Nursing
Comprehensive Quiz 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 Exam 2 – Galen Maternal Nursing Comprehensive Q… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A nurse is assessing a client at 34 weeks gestation who reports a sudden onset of painful
vaginal bleeding. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Placenta previa
B. Preterm labor
C. Cervical insufficiency
D. Abruptio placentae
Answer: D
Rationale: Abruptio placentae is characterized by painful vaginal bleeding and uterine tenderness, whereas
placenta previa is typically characterized by painless bright red bleeding. Recognizing this principle allows the
nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education.
2. Which fetal heart rate pattern is associated with uteroplacental insufficiency?
A. Early decelerations
B. Variable decelerations
C. Accelerations
D. Late decelerations
Answer: D
Rationale: Late decelerations are caused by uteroplacental insufficiency and require immediate nursing
intervention such as repositioning the mother and providing oxygen. This is an important clinical concept
because selecting the correct answer (D) requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical
nursing implications. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and
provide accurate patient education.
3. A nurse is caring for a client receiving Magnesium Sulfate for preeclampsia. Which finding
would indicate magnesium toxicity?
A. Respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min
B. Increased urine output
C. Hyperreflexia
D. Blood pressure of 150/95 mmHg
Answer: A
Rationale: Signs of magnesium toxicity include respiratory depression (less than 12/min), loss of deep tendon
reflexes, and decreased urinary output. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe,
evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes. 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 2
, NUR 231 Exam 2 – Galen Maternal Nursing Comprehensive Q… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. What is the primary purpose of administering Vitamin K to a newborn shortly after birth?
A. To promote blood clotting and prevent hemorrhage
B. To stimulate the production of red blood cells
C. To prevent ophthalmia neonatorum
D. To enhance the newborn’s immune system
Answer: A
Rationale: Newborns are born with low levels of Vitamin K due to a sterile gut; Vitamin K is administered to
prevent Vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB). 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.
5. A client in active labor has an internal fetal monitor showing variable decelerations. What is
the nurse’s priority action?
A. Increase the IV fluid rate
B. Change the client’s position
C. Administer oxygen via non-rebreather mask
D. Prepare for a cesarean section
Answer: B
Rationale: Variable decelerations are caused by umbilical cord compression. The priority is to change the
mother’s position to relieve pressure on the cord. 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. During the first stage of labor, the ‘Transition Phase’ is characterized by a cervical dilation of:
A. 8 to 10 cm
B. 4 to 7 cm
C. 0 to 3 cm
D. 10 cm to birth
Answer: A
Rationale: The first stage of labor has three phases: Latent (0-3cm), Active (4-7cm), and Transition (8-10cm).
Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient
outcomes. 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 Exam 2 – Galen Maternal Nursing
Comprehensive Quiz 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 Exam 2 – Galen Maternal Nursing Comprehensive Q… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A nurse is assessing a client at 34 weeks gestation who reports a sudden onset of painful
vaginal bleeding. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Placenta previa
B. Preterm labor
C. Cervical insufficiency
D. Abruptio placentae
Answer: D
Rationale: Abruptio placentae is characterized by painful vaginal bleeding and uterine tenderness, whereas
placenta previa is typically characterized by painless bright red bleeding. Recognizing this principle allows the
nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education.
2. Which fetal heart rate pattern is associated with uteroplacental insufficiency?
A. Early decelerations
B. Variable decelerations
C. Accelerations
D. Late decelerations
Answer: D
Rationale: Late decelerations are caused by uteroplacental insufficiency and require immediate nursing
intervention such as repositioning the mother and providing oxygen. This is an important clinical concept
because selecting the correct answer (D) requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical
nursing implications. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and
provide accurate patient education.
3. A nurse is caring for a client receiving Magnesium Sulfate for preeclampsia. Which finding
would indicate magnesium toxicity?
A. Respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min
B. Increased urine output
C. Hyperreflexia
D. Blood pressure of 150/95 mmHg
Answer: A
Rationale: Signs of magnesium toxicity include respiratory depression (less than 12/min), loss of deep tendon
reflexes, and decreased urinary output. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe,
evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes. 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 2
, NUR 231 Exam 2 – Galen Maternal Nursing Comprehensive Q… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. What is the primary purpose of administering Vitamin K to a newborn shortly after birth?
A. To promote blood clotting and prevent hemorrhage
B. To stimulate the production of red blood cells
C. To prevent ophthalmia neonatorum
D. To enhance the newborn’s immune system
Answer: A
Rationale: Newborns are born with low levels of Vitamin K due to a sterile gut; Vitamin K is administered to
prevent Vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB). 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.
5. A client in active labor has an internal fetal monitor showing variable decelerations. What is
the nurse’s priority action?
A. Increase the IV fluid rate
B. Change the client’s position
C. Administer oxygen via non-rebreather mask
D. Prepare for a cesarean section
Answer: B
Rationale: Variable decelerations are caused by umbilical cord compression. The priority is to change the
mother’s position to relieve pressure on the cord. 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. During the first stage of labor, the ‘Transition Phase’ is characterized by a cervical dilation of:
A. 8 to 10 cm
B. 4 to 7 cm
C. 0 to 3 cm
D. 10 cm to birth
Answer: A
Rationale: The first stage of labor has three phases: Latent (0-3cm), Active (4-7cm), and Transition (8-10cm).
Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient
outcomes. 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
