NUR 3300
EXAM 3
High-Yield Qs & Verified Answers
with Rationales
Nursing Practice II
William Paterson University
This Exam Features:
This document includes 50 high-yield Exam questions with
verified answers and detailed rationales for Exam 3 of NUR
3300 at the William Paterson University. It is designed to help
students quickly review and reinforce core concepts likely to
appear on assessments. The structured Q&A format supports focused exam
preparation and strengthens clinical reasoning and test-taking skills.
,3.1 A 33-year-old client has been progressing slowly through an unusually long
labor. The nurse assesses the fetal scalp pH and determines it is 7.26. How should
the nurse explain this result to the client when asked what it means?
A. “It shows severe fetal acidosis; we need an emergency birth.”
B. “It is borderline and means your baby is in serious danger.”
C. “Reassuring; it is associated with normal acid-base balance.”
D. “It proves your labor must stop immediately.”
Answer: C. “Reassuring; it is associated with normal acid-base balance.”
Expert Rationale: A fetal scalp pH ≥7.25 is generally considered reassuring and
consistent with adequate fetal oxygenation, so labor can safely continue with usual
monitoring.
3.2 The nursing instructor is teaching a session on the birth process. During which
stage does the woman's cardiac output increase 80% above the pre-labor level?
A. During the latent phase of labor
B. During the active pushing stage
C. Immediately after birth
D. During the third stage of labor
Answer: C. Immediately after birth
Expert Rationale: Right after delivery, relief of vena cava compression and
autotransfusion from the contracted uterus cause a sharp rise in cardiac output—up
to ~80% above pre-labor values—requiring close maternal monitoring.
3.3 A 24-year-old primigravida client at 39 weeks' gestation presents to the OB unit
concerned she is in labor. Which assessment findings will lead the nurse to
determine the client is in true labor?
A. Irregular contractions that stop with rest and hydration
B. Contractions only in the abdomen without cervical change
C. The client reports back pain, and the cervix is effacing and dilating.
D. Contractions every 20 minutes with a closed cervix
, Answer: C. The client reports back pain, and the cervix is effacing and dilating.
Expert Rationale: True labor is confirmed by progressive cervical effacement and
dilation with regular contractions, often felt in the back and radiating forward.
3.4 The nurse is monitoring a client who is in active labor. The nurse will carefully
monitor which phase of the involuntary uterine contraction to ensure the fetus is
progressing adequately?
A. Increment
B. Acme
C. Decrement
D. Relaxation
Answer: D. Relaxation
Expert Rationale: Adequate uterine relaxation between contractions is necessary to
restore uteroplacental blood flow. Poor relaxation risks fetal hypoxia and distress.
3.5 A primigravida client at 39 weeks' gestation calls the OB unit questioning the
nurse about being in labor. Which response should the nurse prioritiẓe?
A. “Come to the hospital immediately.”
B. “Ask the woman to describe why she believes that she is in labor.”
C. “You’re not in labor if your water hasn’t broken.”
D. “Wait until the pain is unbearable before coming in.”
Answer: B. “Ask the woman to describe why she believes that she is in labor.”
Expert Rationale: Open-ended assessment helps differentiate true from false labor
based on contraction pattern, pain characteristics, and any vaginal discharge or
fluid leakage.
3.6 A pregnant client arrives to the clinic for a prenatal visit appearing
uncomfortable. During the assessment, the nurse determines the client is
experiencing fairly strong contractions at 12:05 p.m., 12:10 p.m., 12:15 p.m., and
12:20 p.m. What can the nurse conclude from these findings?
A. The contractions are every 10 minutes.
EXAM 3
High-Yield Qs & Verified Answers
with Rationales
Nursing Practice II
William Paterson University
This Exam Features:
This document includes 50 high-yield Exam questions with
verified answers and detailed rationales for Exam 3 of NUR
3300 at the William Paterson University. It is designed to help
students quickly review and reinforce core concepts likely to
appear on assessments. The structured Q&A format supports focused exam
preparation and strengthens clinical reasoning and test-taking skills.
,3.1 A 33-year-old client has been progressing slowly through an unusually long
labor. The nurse assesses the fetal scalp pH and determines it is 7.26. How should
the nurse explain this result to the client when asked what it means?
A. “It shows severe fetal acidosis; we need an emergency birth.”
B. “It is borderline and means your baby is in serious danger.”
C. “Reassuring; it is associated with normal acid-base balance.”
D. “It proves your labor must stop immediately.”
Answer: C. “Reassuring; it is associated with normal acid-base balance.”
Expert Rationale: A fetal scalp pH ≥7.25 is generally considered reassuring and
consistent with adequate fetal oxygenation, so labor can safely continue with usual
monitoring.
3.2 The nursing instructor is teaching a session on the birth process. During which
stage does the woman's cardiac output increase 80% above the pre-labor level?
A. During the latent phase of labor
B. During the active pushing stage
C. Immediately after birth
D. During the third stage of labor
Answer: C. Immediately after birth
Expert Rationale: Right after delivery, relief of vena cava compression and
autotransfusion from the contracted uterus cause a sharp rise in cardiac output—up
to ~80% above pre-labor values—requiring close maternal monitoring.
3.3 A 24-year-old primigravida client at 39 weeks' gestation presents to the OB unit
concerned she is in labor. Which assessment findings will lead the nurse to
determine the client is in true labor?
A. Irregular contractions that stop with rest and hydration
B. Contractions only in the abdomen without cervical change
C. The client reports back pain, and the cervix is effacing and dilating.
D. Contractions every 20 minutes with a closed cervix
, Answer: C. The client reports back pain, and the cervix is effacing and dilating.
Expert Rationale: True labor is confirmed by progressive cervical effacement and
dilation with regular contractions, often felt in the back and radiating forward.
3.4 The nurse is monitoring a client who is in active labor. The nurse will carefully
monitor which phase of the involuntary uterine contraction to ensure the fetus is
progressing adequately?
A. Increment
B. Acme
C. Decrement
D. Relaxation
Answer: D. Relaxation
Expert Rationale: Adequate uterine relaxation between contractions is necessary to
restore uteroplacental blood flow. Poor relaxation risks fetal hypoxia and distress.
3.5 A primigravida client at 39 weeks' gestation calls the OB unit questioning the
nurse about being in labor. Which response should the nurse prioritiẓe?
A. “Come to the hospital immediately.”
B. “Ask the woman to describe why she believes that she is in labor.”
C. “You’re not in labor if your water hasn’t broken.”
D. “Wait until the pain is unbearable before coming in.”
Answer: B. “Ask the woman to describe why she believes that she is in labor.”
Expert Rationale: Open-ended assessment helps differentiate true from false labor
based on contraction pattern, pain characteristics, and any vaginal discharge or
fluid leakage.
3.6 A pregnant client arrives to the clinic for a prenatal visit appearing
uncomfortable. During the assessment, the nurse determines the client is
experiencing fairly strong contractions at 12:05 p.m., 12:10 p.m., 12:15 p.m., and
12:20 p.m. What can the nurse conclude from these findings?
A. The contractions are every 10 minutes.
