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NSG 3500 EXAM 2 – MATERNITY (GALEN COLLEGE OF
NURSING) EXAM LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2026 EDITION
NSG 3500 Exam 2 – Maternity (Galen College of Nursing)
250 Practice Questions with Rationales
INTRODUCTION: UNDERSTANDING NSG 3500 EXAM 2
NSG 3500 Exam 2 focuses on antepartum assessment, intrapartum fetal
monitoring, labor and delivery complications, high-risk pregnancy conditions,
and evidence-based nursing interventions
SECTION 1: FETAL HEART RATE MONITORING (Questions 1-40)
1. A nurse is monitoring a client in labor and notes a fetal heart rate pattern with
variable decelerations. Which of the following is the most likely cause?
A. Head compression
B. Uteroplacental insufficiency
C. Fetal hypoxia
D. Umbilical cord compression
Answer: D. Umbilical cord compression
Rationale: Variable decelerations are typically caused by umbilical cord compression.
Using the VEAL CHOP mnemonic: Variable = Cord compression. Head compression
causes early decelerations, and uteroplacental insufficiency causes late decelerations .
2. Which of the following interventions is the priority for a nurse when late
decelerations are observed on the fetal monitor?
A. Perform a vaginal exam
B. Increase the IV pitocin rate
C. Assist the client into a side-lying position
D. Administer oxygen via nasal cannula at 2 L/min
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Answer: C. Assist the client into a side-lying position
Rationale: The priority intervention for late decelerations is to improve placental
perfusion, which is best achieved by repositioning the mother to her side. Late
decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency. Use the mnemonic POOF: Position
(side-lying), Oxygen, Oxytocin stopped, Fluids increased .
3. The nurse notes that the fetal heart rate has late decelerations. What is the
nurse's priority action?
A. Increase the oxytocin infusion
B. Place the client in the left lateral position
C. Encourage the client to push with contractions
D. Check for cord prolapse
Answer: B. Place the client in the left lateral position
Rationale: Late decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency; repositioning to the
left lateral side improves blood flow and oxygenation. Left lateral positioning increases
placental perfusion .
4. A client in labor is experiencing variable decelerations in fetal heart rate. What is
the most likely cause and appropriate nursing intervention?
A. Umbilical cord compression; change maternal position and administer oxygen
B. Uteroplacental insufficiency; administer terbutaline
C. Head compression; continue to monitor
D. Normal finding; no intervention needed
Answer: A. Umbilical cord compression; change maternal position and administer
oxygen
Rationale: Variable decelerations are caused by umbilical cord compression. Nursing
interventions include repositioning the mother, administering oxygen (10 L), stopping
Pitocin if infusing, and notifying the provider. The VEAL CHOP mnemonic helps identify
the cause .
5. According to the VEAL CHOP mnemonic, what does "L" represent?
A. Late decelerations = Placental insufficiency
B. Late decelerations = Head compression
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C. Late decelerations = Cord compression
D. Late decelerations = Oxygenation
Answer: A. Late decelerations = Placental insufficiency
Rationale: VEAL CHOP stands for: Variable = Cord compression, Early = Head
compression, Accelerations = OK, Late = Placental insufficiency. This mnemonic helps
nurses quickly identify the cause of FHR decelerations .
6. What do accelerations in fetal heart rate indicate?
A. Fetal distress
B. Uteroplacental insufficiency
C. Reassuring fetal well-being
D. Umbilical cord compression
Answer: C. Reassuring fetal well-being
Rationale: Accelerations in fetal heart rate are a reassuring sign of fetal well-being. They
indicate adequate oxygenation and an intact autonomic nervous system. The "A" in VEAL
CHOP stands for "OK" .
7. A nurse is monitoring a client in labor. The fetal heart rate shows early
decelerations. What is the appropriate nursing action?
A. Change maternal position immediately
B. Administer oxygen via face mask
C. Continue to monitor and document
D. Prepare for cesarean section
Answer: C. Continue to monitor and document
Rationale: Early decelerations are caused by head compression and are benign. No
intervention is required; the nurse should continue to monitor and document the
pattern. The baby's heart rate mirrors the contraction and stays within normal limits .
8. What is the normal baseline fetal heart rate?
A. 80-100 bpm
B. 100-120 bpm
C. 110-160 bpm
D. 120-180 bpm
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Answer: C. 110-160 bpm
Rationale: The normal fetal heart rate baseline is 110-160 beats per minute. A baseline
rate is considered changed if the alteration persists for more than 15 minutes.
Prematurity, maternal anxiety, and maternal fever may increase the baseline rate .
9. A client's fetal heart rate tracing shows late decelerations. The nurse should
implement which interventions? (Select all that apply)
A. Turn the mother onto her side
B. Stop Pitocin if infusing
C. Administer 10 L of oxygen
D. Encourage the mother to push
Answer: A, B, C
Rationale: Interventions for late decelerations include repositioning the mother (side-
lying), stopping Pitocin, administering oxygen (10 L), maintaining IV access, and
notifying the provider. The mother should NOT be encouraged to push during late
decelerations .
10. The nurse is assessing the fetal heart rate and notes prolonged decelerations.
What should the nurse do?
A. Continue to monitor as this is expected
B. Change maternal position and notify the provider
C. Administer pain medication
D. Encourage the mother to push
Answer: B. Change maternal position and notify the provider
Rationale: Prolonged decelerations are not a good sign and require immediate
intervention. The nurse should change the maternal position, assess for cord prolapse,
and notify the provider promptly .
11. A nurse is teaching a client about electronic fetal monitoring. Which statement
by the client indicates understanding?
A. "The monitor tracks the baby's heart rhythm like an EKG."
B. "The monitor shows the baby's heart rate and my contractions."
C. "The monitor will tell me when to push."
D. "The monitor is only used during the second stage of labor."
NSG 3500 EXAM 2 – MATERNITY (GALEN COLLEGE OF
NURSING) EXAM LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2026 EDITION
NSG 3500 Exam 2 – Maternity (Galen College of Nursing)
250 Practice Questions with Rationales
INTRODUCTION: UNDERSTANDING NSG 3500 EXAM 2
NSG 3500 Exam 2 focuses on antepartum assessment, intrapartum fetal
monitoring, labor and delivery complications, high-risk pregnancy conditions,
and evidence-based nursing interventions
SECTION 1: FETAL HEART RATE MONITORING (Questions 1-40)
1. A nurse is monitoring a client in labor and notes a fetal heart rate pattern with
variable decelerations. Which of the following is the most likely cause?
A. Head compression
B. Uteroplacental insufficiency
C. Fetal hypoxia
D. Umbilical cord compression
Answer: D. Umbilical cord compression
Rationale: Variable decelerations are typically caused by umbilical cord compression.
Using the VEAL CHOP mnemonic: Variable = Cord compression. Head compression
causes early decelerations, and uteroplacental insufficiency causes late decelerations .
2. Which of the following interventions is the priority for a nurse when late
decelerations are observed on the fetal monitor?
A. Perform a vaginal exam
B. Increase the IV pitocin rate
C. Assist the client into a side-lying position
D. Administer oxygen via nasal cannula at 2 L/min
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Answer: C. Assist the client into a side-lying position
Rationale: The priority intervention for late decelerations is to improve placental
perfusion, which is best achieved by repositioning the mother to her side. Late
decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency. Use the mnemonic POOF: Position
(side-lying), Oxygen, Oxytocin stopped, Fluids increased .
3. The nurse notes that the fetal heart rate has late decelerations. What is the
nurse's priority action?
A. Increase the oxytocin infusion
B. Place the client in the left lateral position
C. Encourage the client to push with contractions
D. Check for cord prolapse
Answer: B. Place the client in the left lateral position
Rationale: Late decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency; repositioning to the
left lateral side improves blood flow and oxygenation. Left lateral positioning increases
placental perfusion .
4. A client in labor is experiencing variable decelerations in fetal heart rate. What is
the most likely cause and appropriate nursing intervention?
A. Umbilical cord compression; change maternal position and administer oxygen
B. Uteroplacental insufficiency; administer terbutaline
C. Head compression; continue to monitor
D. Normal finding; no intervention needed
Answer: A. Umbilical cord compression; change maternal position and administer
oxygen
Rationale: Variable decelerations are caused by umbilical cord compression. Nursing
interventions include repositioning the mother, administering oxygen (10 L), stopping
Pitocin if infusing, and notifying the provider. The VEAL CHOP mnemonic helps identify
the cause .
5. According to the VEAL CHOP mnemonic, what does "L" represent?
A. Late decelerations = Placental insufficiency
B. Late decelerations = Head compression
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C. Late decelerations = Cord compression
D. Late decelerations = Oxygenation
Answer: A. Late decelerations = Placental insufficiency
Rationale: VEAL CHOP stands for: Variable = Cord compression, Early = Head
compression, Accelerations = OK, Late = Placental insufficiency. This mnemonic helps
nurses quickly identify the cause of FHR decelerations .
6. What do accelerations in fetal heart rate indicate?
A. Fetal distress
B. Uteroplacental insufficiency
C. Reassuring fetal well-being
D. Umbilical cord compression
Answer: C. Reassuring fetal well-being
Rationale: Accelerations in fetal heart rate are a reassuring sign of fetal well-being. They
indicate adequate oxygenation and an intact autonomic nervous system. The "A" in VEAL
CHOP stands for "OK" .
7. A nurse is monitoring a client in labor. The fetal heart rate shows early
decelerations. What is the appropriate nursing action?
A. Change maternal position immediately
B. Administer oxygen via face mask
C. Continue to monitor and document
D. Prepare for cesarean section
Answer: C. Continue to monitor and document
Rationale: Early decelerations are caused by head compression and are benign. No
intervention is required; the nurse should continue to monitor and document the
pattern. The baby's heart rate mirrors the contraction and stays within normal limits .
8. What is the normal baseline fetal heart rate?
A. 80-100 bpm
B. 100-120 bpm
C. 110-160 bpm
D. 120-180 bpm
, Page 4 of 76
Answer: C. 110-160 bpm
Rationale: The normal fetal heart rate baseline is 110-160 beats per minute. A baseline
rate is considered changed if the alteration persists for more than 15 minutes.
Prematurity, maternal anxiety, and maternal fever may increase the baseline rate .
9. A client's fetal heart rate tracing shows late decelerations. The nurse should
implement which interventions? (Select all that apply)
A. Turn the mother onto her side
B. Stop Pitocin if infusing
C. Administer 10 L of oxygen
D. Encourage the mother to push
Answer: A, B, C
Rationale: Interventions for late decelerations include repositioning the mother (side-
lying), stopping Pitocin, administering oxygen (10 L), maintaining IV access, and
notifying the provider. The mother should NOT be encouraged to push during late
decelerations .
10. The nurse is assessing the fetal heart rate and notes prolonged decelerations.
What should the nurse do?
A. Continue to monitor as this is expected
B. Change maternal position and notify the provider
C. Administer pain medication
D. Encourage the mother to push
Answer: B. Change maternal position and notify the provider
Rationale: Prolonged decelerations are not a good sign and require immediate
intervention. The nurse should change the maternal position, assess for cord prolapse,
and notify the provider promptly .
11. A nurse is teaching a client about electronic fetal monitoring. Which statement
by the client indicates understanding?
A. "The monitor tracks the baby's heart rhythm like an EKG."
B. "The monitor shows the baby's heart rate and my contractions."
C. "The monitor will tell me when to push."
D. "The monitor is only used during the second stage of labor."
