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KAPLAN PREGNANCY & PRENATAL NURSING
ASSESSMENT 2026/2027 COMPLETE (100) CURRENT
TESTING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
DETAILED RATIONALES.
NURSING
Prepare for the Kaplan Pregnancy & Prenatal Nursing Assessment with a focused
study resource covering essential concepts in prenatal and maternal nursing care. It
supports review of pregnancy assessment, fetal development, prenatal visits, health
promotion, nutrition, common pregnancy changes, patient education, and nursing
interventions. Use the material to reinforce key knowledge, strengthen clinical
reasoning, and identify areas that may require additional review. This resource is best
suited for nursing students and NCLEX candidates preparing for pregnancy and
prenatal nursing assessments.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY OF PREGNANCY
1. A nurse is teaching a prenatal class about the female reproductive
system. Which structure is responsible for the production of estrogen and
progesterone during the first trimester of pregnancy?
A) Corpus luteum
B) Placenta
C) Anterior pituitary
D) Ovarian follicle
Answer: A) Corpus luteum
Rationale: During the first trimester, the corpus luteum produces
estrogen and progesterone to maintain the pregnancy. The placenta takes
over hormone production around 8-12 weeks of gestation. The anterior
pituitary produces FSH and LH, and the ovarian follicle produces estrogen
prior to ovulation.
, Page 2 of 47
2. A nurse is explaining the process of fertilization to a client. Where does
fertilization typically occur?
A) Uterus
B) Cervix
C) Fallopian tube (ampulla)
D) Ovary
Answer: C) Fallopian tube (ampulla)
Rationale: Fertilization typically occurs in the ampulla (outer third) of the
fallopian tube. The sperm travels through the cervix, uterus, and into the
fallopian tube to meet the ovum. Implantation occurs in the uterus. The
ovary releases the ovum, and the cervix is the lower portion of the uterus.
3. A nurse is assessing a pregnant client at 10 weeks gestation. The nurse
expects the fundus to be at which location?
A) At the level of the umbilicus
B) Just above the symphysis pubis
C) Halfway between the symphysis pubis and the umbilicus
D) At the xiphoid process
Answer: B) Just above the symphysis pubis
Rationale: At 10-12 weeks gestation, the fundus is just above the
symphysis pubis. The fundus reaches the umbilicus at approximately 20-
22 weeks. By 36 weeks, the fundus is near the xiphoid process. The
halfway point between the symphysis pubis and umbilicus is around 16
weeks.
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4. A nurse is reviewing the expected weight gain during pregnancy with a
client who has a normal pre-pregnancy BMI. What is the recommended
total weight gain?
A) 15-25 pounds
B) 25-35 pounds
C) 28-40 pounds
D) 11-20 pounds
Answer: B) 25-35 pounds
Rationale: For a woman with a normal pre-pregnancy BMI (18.5-24.9), the
recommended total weight gain is 25-35 pounds. Underweight women
(BMI < 18.5) should gain 28-40 pounds. Overweight women (BMI 25-29.9)
should gain 15-25 pounds. Obese women (BMI ≥ 30) should gain 11-20
pounds.
5. A nurse is assessing a client at 16 weeks gestation. The client reports
feeling fluttering movements in her lower abdomen. The nurse should
document this as:
A) Ballottement
B) Quickening
C) Lightening
D) Braxton Hicks contractions
Answer: B) Quickening
Rationale: Quickening is the first perception of fetal movement by the
mother, typically felt between 16-20 weeks of gestation. Ballottement is
the rebound of the fetus against the examiner's fingers on palpation.
Lightening is the descent of the fetal head into the pelvis, and Braxton
Hicks contractions are irregular uterine contractions.
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6. A nurse is teaching a prenatal class about the changes that occur
during pregnancy. Which cardiovascular change is expected during
pregnancy?
A) Decreased blood volume
B) Decreased cardiac output
C) Increased heart rate
D) Increased blood pressure in the first trimester
Answer: C) Increased heart rate
Rationale: During pregnancy, the heart rate increases by 10-15 beats per
minute. Blood volume increases by 40-50%, cardiac output increases by
30-50%, and blood pressure typically decreases in the first and second
trimesters due to peripheral vasodilation.
7. A nurse is assessing a pregnant client at 30 weeks gestation. The nurse
notes that the client is experiencing supine hypotension. Which
intervention should the nurse implement?
A) Place the client in the supine position with legs elevated
B) Turn the client to the left lateral position
C) Place the client in the Trendelenburg position
D) Administer IV fluids
Answer: B) Turn the client to the left lateral position
Rationale: Supine hypotension occurs when the gravid uterus
compresses the inferior vena cava, reducing venous return and cardiac
output. Turning the client to the left lateral position relieves compression
of the vena cava and restores blood flow. This is the priority intervention.
8. A nurse is explaining the physiological changes of pregnancy to a client.
Which respiratory change is expected during pregnancy?
KAPLAN PREGNANCY & PRENATAL NURSING
ASSESSMENT 2026/2027 COMPLETE (100) CURRENT
TESTING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
DETAILED RATIONALES.
NURSING
Prepare for the Kaplan Pregnancy & Prenatal Nursing Assessment with a focused
study resource covering essential concepts in prenatal and maternal nursing care. It
supports review of pregnancy assessment, fetal development, prenatal visits, health
promotion, nutrition, common pregnancy changes, patient education, and nursing
interventions. Use the material to reinforce key knowledge, strengthen clinical
reasoning, and identify areas that may require additional review. This resource is best
suited for nursing students and NCLEX candidates preparing for pregnancy and
prenatal nursing assessments.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY OF PREGNANCY
1. A nurse is teaching a prenatal class about the female reproductive
system. Which structure is responsible for the production of estrogen and
progesterone during the first trimester of pregnancy?
A) Corpus luteum
B) Placenta
C) Anterior pituitary
D) Ovarian follicle
Answer: A) Corpus luteum
Rationale: During the first trimester, the corpus luteum produces
estrogen and progesterone to maintain the pregnancy. The placenta takes
over hormone production around 8-12 weeks of gestation. The anterior
pituitary produces FSH and LH, and the ovarian follicle produces estrogen
prior to ovulation.
, Page 2 of 47
2. A nurse is explaining the process of fertilization to a client. Where does
fertilization typically occur?
A) Uterus
B) Cervix
C) Fallopian tube (ampulla)
D) Ovary
Answer: C) Fallopian tube (ampulla)
Rationale: Fertilization typically occurs in the ampulla (outer third) of the
fallopian tube. The sperm travels through the cervix, uterus, and into the
fallopian tube to meet the ovum. Implantation occurs in the uterus. The
ovary releases the ovum, and the cervix is the lower portion of the uterus.
3. A nurse is assessing a pregnant client at 10 weeks gestation. The nurse
expects the fundus to be at which location?
A) At the level of the umbilicus
B) Just above the symphysis pubis
C) Halfway between the symphysis pubis and the umbilicus
D) At the xiphoid process
Answer: B) Just above the symphysis pubis
Rationale: At 10-12 weeks gestation, the fundus is just above the
symphysis pubis. The fundus reaches the umbilicus at approximately 20-
22 weeks. By 36 weeks, the fundus is near the xiphoid process. The
halfway point between the symphysis pubis and umbilicus is around 16
weeks.
, Page 3 of 47
4. A nurse is reviewing the expected weight gain during pregnancy with a
client who has a normal pre-pregnancy BMI. What is the recommended
total weight gain?
A) 15-25 pounds
B) 25-35 pounds
C) 28-40 pounds
D) 11-20 pounds
Answer: B) 25-35 pounds
Rationale: For a woman with a normal pre-pregnancy BMI (18.5-24.9), the
recommended total weight gain is 25-35 pounds. Underweight women
(BMI < 18.5) should gain 28-40 pounds. Overweight women (BMI 25-29.9)
should gain 15-25 pounds. Obese women (BMI ≥ 30) should gain 11-20
pounds.
5. A nurse is assessing a client at 16 weeks gestation. The client reports
feeling fluttering movements in her lower abdomen. The nurse should
document this as:
A) Ballottement
B) Quickening
C) Lightening
D) Braxton Hicks contractions
Answer: B) Quickening
Rationale: Quickening is the first perception of fetal movement by the
mother, typically felt between 16-20 weeks of gestation. Ballottement is
the rebound of the fetus against the examiner's fingers on palpation.
Lightening is the descent of the fetal head into the pelvis, and Braxton
Hicks contractions are irregular uterine contractions.
, Page 4 of 47
6. A nurse is teaching a prenatal class about the changes that occur
during pregnancy. Which cardiovascular change is expected during
pregnancy?
A) Decreased blood volume
B) Decreased cardiac output
C) Increased heart rate
D) Increased blood pressure in the first trimester
Answer: C) Increased heart rate
Rationale: During pregnancy, the heart rate increases by 10-15 beats per
minute. Blood volume increases by 40-50%, cardiac output increases by
30-50%, and blood pressure typically decreases in the first and second
trimesters due to peripheral vasodilation.
7. A nurse is assessing a pregnant client at 30 weeks gestation. The nurse
notes that the client is experiencing supine hypotension. Which
intervention should the nurse implement?
A) Place the client in the supine position with legs elevated
B) Turn the client to the left lateral position
C) Place the client in the Trendelenburg position
D) Administer IV fluids
Answer: B) Turn the client to the left lateral position
Rationale: Supine hypotension occurs when the gravid uterus
compresses the inferior vena cava, reducing venous return and cardiac
output. Turning the client to the left lateral position relieves compression
of the vena cava and restores blood flow. This is the priority intervention.
8. A nurse is explaining the physiological changes of pregnancy to a client.
Which respiratory change is expected during pregnancy?
