7th Edition
• Author(s)Shannon Perry
,Below is an original 20-item NCLEX-style MCQ bank for Part 1:
Maternity Nursing, Unit 1: Introduction to Maternity Nursing, focused
on 21st-century maternity nursing, advances in maternal-infant care,
health disparities, contemporary issues and trends, and trends in
nursing practice. The source instructions require original items and
MCQs with four options and rationales.
Question 1
Question:
A nurse working in a maternity clinic wants to provide care that
reflects a 21st-century approach to maternity nursing. Which action
best demonstrates this approach?
A. Encourage the patient to follow a standardized care plan used for
all pregnant patients.
B. Include the patient in decisions about care after explaining
available options and risks.
C. Limit family participation to prevent interference with nursing care.
D. Focus primarily on physical findings during prenatal visits.
Correct Answer: B. Include the patient in decisions about care after
explaining available options and risks.
Rationale:
Contemporary maternity nursing emphasizes patient-centered,
evidence-informed care and shared decision-making. The nurse
supports autonomy by ensuring the patient understands reasonable
options and participates in decisions affecting pregnancy and birth.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:
A. Standardized protocols promote consistency but should not replace
,individualized care.
B. Correct because shared decision-making is a central feature of
contemporary patient-centered maternity care.
C. Family participation may be valuable when desired by the patient
and appropriate to the situation.
D. Maternity nursing addresses psychosocial, cultural, educational,
and family needs as well as physical health.
Question 2
Question:
A pregnant patient says, “I am not comfortable with the
recommended procedure, but I feel like I have to agree because the
nurse said it is what most patients do.” Which nursing response is
most appropriate?
A. “Most patients benefit from the procedure, so it is reasonable to
proceed.”
B. “The provider has recommended it, so you should follow the
recommendation.”
C. “Let’s discuss your concerns and make sure you understand your
options before deciding.”
D. “You can refuse, but that may delay your treatment.”
Correct Answer: C. “Let’s discuss your concerns and make sure you
understand your options before deciding.”
Rationale:
Respect for autonomy requires that patients receive understandable
information and have an opportunity to make informed choices
, without coercion. The nurse should identify barriers to understanding
and support informed decision-making.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:
A. Popularity does not determine whether a procedure is appropriate
for an individual patient.
B. A provider recommendation does not remove the patient's right to
participate in decisions.
C. Correct because it supports informed, voluntary decision-making.
D. Although refusal may sometimes affect care plans, leading with a
consequence can feel coercive rather than supportive.
Question 3
Question:
A community health nurse is reviewing maternal outcomes for a local
population. Which finding most clearly indicates a health disparity?
A. Pregnant patients receive different prenatal screening tests based
on clinical indications.
B. Patients in one racial or socioeconomic group experience
substantially worse maternal outcomes despite comparable access to
needed clinical services.
C. Some patients prefer different positions during labor.
D. Some families choose different infant-feeding methods.
Correct Answer: B. Patients in one racial or socioeconomic group
experience substantially worse maternal outcomes despite
comparable access to needed clinical services.