,NUR 254 EXAM 1 Maternal & Pediatric Nursing Questions And
Answers 2026/2027 Galen College
Q1. Which term refers to the number of times a woman has been
pregnant, regardless of the outcome?
A) Gravidity
B) Parity
C) Viability
D) Gestation
Correct Answer: A) Gravidity
Rationale: Gravidity is the total number of pregnancies a woman has
experienced, regardless of whether the pregnancies resulted in birth,
miscarriage, or another outcome.
Q2. Which finding is considered a positive sign of pregnancy?
A) Amenorrhea
B) Nausea
C) Fetal heart activity identified by ultrasound
D) Breast tenderness
Correct Answer: C) Fetal heart activity identified by ultrasound
Rationale: Positive signs of pregnancy are findings that can be attributed
directly to the fetus, such as visualization of the fetus or fetal heart activity.
Amenorrhea, nausea, and breast changes are presumptive findings.
Q3. A pregnant client asks why constipation occurs more frequently
during pregnancy. Which explanation is most accurate?
A) Blood glucose decreases substantially during pregnancy
B) Gastrointestinal motility decreases during pregnancy
C) Gastric acid production stops during pregnancy
D) The small intestine becomes shorter
Correct Answer: B) Gastrointestinal motility decreases during pregnancy
Rationale: Hormonal and mechanical changes during pregnancy can slow
gastrointestinal motility, contributing to constipation.
Q4. Which cardiovascular change is expected during pregnancy?
A) Decreased circulating blood volume
B) Decreased cardiac output
,C) Increased cardiac output
D) Persistent severe hypertension
Correct Answer: C) Increased cardiac output
Rationale: Blood volume and cardiac output increase during pregnancy to
support maternal tissues and uteroplacental circulation.
Q5. Which urinary finding during pregnancy requires additional
evaluation rather than being considered a normal physiologic
change?
A) Urinary frequency
B) Mild increase in glomerular filtration rate
C) Urinary stasis
D) Proteinuria
Correct Answer: D) Proteinuria
Rationale: Urinary frequency and changes in renal function can occur
normally during pregnancy, whereas significant proteinuria can indicate a
pathologic condition and requires evaluation.
Q6. Which physiologic change contributes to shortness of breath
during later pregnancy?
A) Elevation of the diaphragm
B) Complete loss of lung capacity
C) Decreased oxygen consumption
D) Permanent airway obstruction
Correct Answer: A) Elevation of the diaphragm
Rationale: As the uterus enlarges, the diaphragm is displaced upward.
Combined with increased oxygen demands, this can contribute to the
sensation of dyspnea.
Q7. Which nutrient is especially important during pregnancy
because of increased maternal and fetal blood-cell production?
A) Vitamin K
B) Iron
C) Sodium
D) Vitamin E
Correct Answer: B) Iron
, Rationale: Iron requirements increase during pregnancy because iron is
needed for expanding maternal red-cell mass and fetal development.
Adequate intake helps prevent iron-deficiency anemia.
Q8. Which instruction is appropriate for a pregnant client
experiencing nausea and vomiting?
A) Skip breakfast every day
B) Eat one very large meal each evening
C) Eat small, frequent meals
D) Avoid all fluids
Correct Answer: C) Eat small, frequent meals
Rationale: Small, frequent meals can reduce nausea by preventing an
empty stomach and limiting gastric distention.
Q9. A pregnant client asks why heartburn is occurring more
frequently. Which explanation is most appropriate?
A) Pregnancy causes permanent gastric obstruction
B) Hormonal changes and displacement of the stomach can promote reflux
C) The pancreas stops producing digestive enzymes
D) Pregnancy completely eliminates intestinal motility
Correct Answer: B) Hormonal changes and displacement of the stomach can
promote reflux
Rationale: Pregnancy-related hormonal changes reduce gastrointestinal
motility and relax smooth muscle, while the enlarging uterus alters
abdominal anatomy, promoting reflux and heartburn.
Q10. Which musculoskeletal change is expected during pregnancy?
A) Forward shift in the center of gravity
B) Complete fixation of pelvic joints
C) Decreased lumbar curvature
D) Permanent loss of muscle tone
Correct Answer: A) Forward shift in the center of gravity
Rationale: The enlarging uterus shifts the center of gravity forward,
contributing to increased lumbar curvature and changes in gait and posture.
Q11. Which finding represents quickening?
Answers 2026/2027 Galen College
Q1. Which term refers to the number of times a woman has been
pregnant, regardless of the outcome?
A) Gravidity
B) Parity
C) Viability
D) Gestation
Correct Answer: A) Gravidity
Rationale: Gravidity is the total number of pregnancies a woman has
experienced, regardless of whether the pregnancies resulted in birth,
miscarriage, or another outcome.
Q2. Which finding is considered a positive sign of pregnancy?
A) Amenorrhea
B) Nausea
C) Fetal heart activity identified by ultrasound
D) Breast tenderness
Correct Answer: C) Fetal heart activity identified by ultrasound
Rationale: Positive signs of pregnancy are findings that can be attributed
directly to the fetus, such as visualization of the fetus or fetal heart activity.
Amenorrhea, nausea, and breast changes are presumptive findings.
Q3. A pregnant client asks why constipation occurs more frequently
during pregnancy. Which explanation is most accurate?
A) Blood glucose decreases substantially during pregnancy
B) Gastrointestinal motility decreases during pregnancy
C) Gastric acid production stops during pregnancy
D) The small intestine becomes shorter
Correct Answer: B) Gastrointestinal motility decreases during pregnancy
Rationale: Hormonal and mechanical changes during pregnancy can slow
gastrointestinal motility, contributing to constipation.
Q4. Which cardiovascular change is expected during pregnancy?
A) Decreased circulating blood volume
B) Decreased cardiac output
,C) Increased cardiac output
D) Persistent severe hypertension
Correct Answer: C) Increased cardiac output
Rationale: Blood volume and cardiac output increase during pregnancy to
support maternal tissues and uteroplacental circulation.
Q5. Which urinary finding during pregnancy requires additional
evaluation rather than being considered a normal physiologic
change?
A) Urinary frequency
B) Mild increase in glomerular filtration rate
C) Urinary stasis
D) Proteinuria
Correct Answer: D) Proteinuria
Rationale: Urinary frequency and changes in renal function can occur
normally during pregnancy, whereas significant proteinuria can indicate a
pathologic condition and requires evaluation.
Q6. Which physiologic change contributes to shortness of breath
during later pregnancy?
A) Elevation of the diaphragm
B) Complete loss of lung capacity
C) Decreased oxygen consumption
D) Permanent airway obstruction
Correct Answer: A) Elevation of the diaphragm
Rationale: As the uterus enlarges, the diaphragm is displaced upward.
Combined with increased oxygen demands, this can contribute to the
sensation of dyspnea.
Q7. Which nutrient is especially important during pregnancy
because of increased maternal and fetal blood-cell production?
A) Vitamin K
B) Iron
C) Sodium
D) Vitamin E
Correct Answer: B) Iron
, Rationale: Iron requirements increase during pregnancy because iron is
needed for expanding maternal red-cell mass and fetal development.
Adequate intake helps prevent iron-deficiency anemia.
Q8. Which instruction is appropriate for a pregnant client
experiencing nausea and vomiting?
A) Skip breakfast every day
B) Eat one very large meal each evening
C) Eat small, frequent meals
D) Avoid all fluids
Correct Answer: C) Eat small, frequent meals
Rationale: Small, frequent meals can reduce nausea by preventing an
empty stomach and limiting gastric distention.
Q9. A pregnant client asks why heartburn is occurring more
frequently. Which explanation is most appropriate?
A) Pregnancy causes permanent gastric obstruction
B) Hormonal changes and displacement of the stomach can promote reflux
C) The pancreas stops producing digestive enzymes
D) Pregnancy completely eliminates intestinal motility
Correct Answer: B) Hormonal changes and displacement of the stomach can
promote reflux
Rationale: Pregnancy-related hormonal changes reduce gastrointestinal
motility and relax smooth muscle, while the enlarging uterus alters
abdominal anatomy, promoting reflux and heartburn.
Q10. Which musculoskeletal change is expected during pregnancy?
A) Forward shift in the center of gravity
B) Complete fixation of pelvic joints
C) Decreased lumbar curvature
D) Permanent loss of muscle tone
Correct Answer: A) Forward shift in the center of gravity
Rationale: The enlarging uterus shifts the center of gravity forward,
contributing to increased lumbar curvature and changes in gait and posture.
Q11. Which finding represents quickening?
