Maternity and Pediatric Nursing Exam P a g e | 1
Maternity and Pediatric Nursing Test Bank 1 for
5th Edition by SUSAN RICCI, TERRI KYLE and
SUSAN CARMAN isbn-9781975220419
Which nursing intervention is most helpful in relieving postpartum uterine contractions or
"afterpains?"
a. Lying prone with a pillow on the abdomen
b. Using a breast pump
c. Massaging the abdomen
d. Giving oxytocic medications –
Correct Answer :a. Lying prone with a pillow on the abdomen
P a g e 1 | 220
, Maternity and Pediatric Nursing Exam P a g e | 2
Lying prone (A) keeps the fundus contracted and is especially useful with multiparas, who
commonly experience afterpains due to lack of uterine tone.
A multigravida client arrives at the labor and delivery unit and tells the nurse that her bag of
water has broken. The nurse identifies the presence of meconium fluid on the perineum and
determines the fetal heart rate is between 140 to 150 beats/minute. What action should the
nurse implement next?
a. Ccmplete a sterile vaginal exam
b. Take maternal temperature every 2 hours
c. Prepare for an immediate cesarean birth
d. Obtain sterile suction equipment –
Correct Answer :a. Complete a sterile vaginal exam
A vaginal exam (A) should be performed after the rupture of membranes to determine the
presence of a prolapsed cord.
When explaining "postpartum blues" to a client who is 1 day postpartum, which symptoms
should the nurse include in the teaching plan? (Select all that apply.)
a. Mood swings
b. Panic attacks
c. Tearfulness
d. Decreased need for sleep
e. Disinterest in the infant –
P a g e 2 | 220
, Maternity and Pediatric Nursing Exam P a g e | 3
Correct Answer :a. Mood swings
c. Tearfulness
"Postpartum blues" is a common emotional response related to the rapid decrease in
placental hormones after delivery and include mood swings (A), tearfulness (C), feeling low,
emotional, and fatigued.
A client at 30-weeks gestation, complaining of pressure over the pubic area, is admitted for
observation. She is contracting irregularly and demonstrates underlying uterine irritability.
Vaginal examination reveals that her cervix is closed, thick, and high. Based on these data,
which intervention should the nurse implement first?
a. Provide oral hydration
b. Have a complete blood count (CBC) drawn
c. Obtain a specimen for urine analysis
d. Place the client on strict bedrest –
Correct Answer :c. Obtain a specimen for urine analysis
Obtaining a urine analysis (C) should be done first because preterm clients with uterine
irritability and contractions are often suffering from a urinary tract infection, and this should
be ruled out first.
A client in active labor complains of cramps in her leg. What intervention should the nurse
implement?
a. Ask the client if she takes a daily calcium tablet
b. Extend the leg and dorsiflex the foot
P a g e 3 | 220
, Maternity and Pediatric Nursing Exam P a g e | 4
c. Lower the leg off the side of the bed
d. Elevate the leg above the heart –
Correct Answer :b. Extend the leg and dorsiflex the foot
Dorsiflexing the foot by puching the sole of the foot forward or by stnading (if the client is
capable) (B), and putting the heel of the foot on the floor is the best means of relieving leg
cramps.
The nurse is caring for a woman with a previously diagnosed heart disease who is in the
second stage of labor. Which assessment findings are of greatest concern?
a. edema, basilar rales, and an irregular pulse
b. Increased urinary output, and tachycardia
c. Shortness of breath, bradycardia, and hypertension
d. Regular heart rate, and hypertension
- Correct Answer :a. Edema, basilar rales, and an irregular pulse
Edema, basilar rales, and an irregular pulse (A) indicate cardiac decompensation and require
immediate intervention.
The nurse is teaching a woman how to use her basal body temperature (BBT) pattern as a
tool to assist her in conceiving a child. Which temperature pattern indicates the occurrence of
ovulation, and therefor, the best time for intercourse to ensure conception?
a. Between the time the temperature falls and rises
b. Between 36 and 48 hours after the temperature rises
c. When the temperature falls and remains low for 36 hours
P a g e 4 | 220
Maternity and Pediatric Nursing Test Bank 1 for
5th Edition by SUSAN RICCI, TERRI KYLE and
SUSAN CARMAN isbn-9781975220419
Which nursing intervention is most helpful in relieving postpartum uterine contractions or
"afterpains?"
a. Lying prone with a pillow on the abdomen
b. Using a breast pump
c. Massaging the abdomen
d. Giving oxytocic medications –
Correct Answer :a. Lying prone with a pillow on the abdomen
P a g e 1 | 220
, Maternity and Pediatric Nursing Exam P a g e | 2
Lying prone (A) keeps the fundus contracted and is especially useful with multiparas, who
commonly experience afterpains due to lack of uterine tone.
A multigravida client arrives at the labor and delivery unit and tells the nurse that her bag of
water has broken. The nurse identifies the presence of meconium fluid on the perineum and
determines the fetal heart rate is between 140 to 150 beats/minute. What action should the
nurse implement next?
a. Ccmplete a sterile vaginal exam
b. Take maternal temperature every 2 hours
c. Prepare for an immediate cesarean birth
d. Obtain sterile suction equipment –
Correct Answer :a. Complete a sterile vaginal exam
A vaginal exam (A) should be performed after the rupture of membranes to determine the
presence of a prolapsed cord.
When explaining "postpartum blues" to a client who is 1 day postpartum, which symptoms
should the nurse include in the teaching plan? (Select all that apply.)
a. Mood swings
b. Panic attacks
c. Tearfulness
d. Decreased need for sleep
e. Disinterest in the infant –
P a g e 2 | 220
, Maternity and Pediatric Nursing Exam P a g e | 3
Correct Answer :a. Mood swings
c. Tearfulness
"Postpartum blues" is a common emotional response related to the rapid decrease in
placental hormones after delivery and include mood swings (A), tearfulness (C), feeling low,
emotional, and fatigued.
A client at 30-weeks gestation, complaining of pressure over the pubic area, is admitted for
observation. She is contracting irregularly and demonstrates underlying uterine irritability.
Vaginal examination reveals that her cervix is closed, thick, and high. Based on these data,
which intervention should the nurse implement first?
a. Provide oral hydration
b. Have a complete blood count (CBC) drawn
c. Obtain a specimen for urine analysis
d. Place the client on strict bedrest –
Correct Answer :c. Obtain a specimen for urine analysis
Obtaining a urine analysis (C) should be done first because preterm clients with uterine
irritability and contractions are often suffering from a urinary tract infection, and this should
be ruled out first.
A client in active labor complains of cramps in her leg. What intervention should the nurse
implement?
a. Ask the client if she takes a daily calcium tablet
b. Extend the leg and dorsiflex the foot
P a g e 3 | 220
, Maternity and Pediatric Nursing Exam P a g e | 4
c. Lower the leg off the side of the bed
d. Elevate the leg above the heart –
Correct Answer :b. Extend the leg and dorsiflex the foot
Dorsiflexing the foot by puching the sole of the foot forward or by stnading (if the client is
capable) (B), and putting the heel of the foot on the floor is the best means of relieving leg
cramps.
The nurse is caring for a woman with a previously diagnosed heart disease who is in the
second stage of labor. Which assessment findings are of greatest concern?
a. edema, basilar rales, and an irregular pulse
b. Increased urinary output, and tachycardia
c. Shortness of breath, bradycardia, and hypertension
d. Regular heart rate, and hypertension
- Correct Answer :a. Edema, basilar rales, and an irregular pulse
Edema, basilar rales, and an irregular pulse (A) indicate cardiac decompensation and require
immediate intervention.
The nurse is teaching a woman how to use her basal body temperature (BBT) pattern as a
tool to assist her in conceiving a child. Which temperature pattern indicates the occurrence of
ovulation, and therefor, the best time for intercourse to ensure conception?
a. Between the time the temperature falls and rises
b. Between 36 and 48 hours after the temperature rises
c. When the temperature falls and remains low for 36 hours
P a g e 4 | 220
