,NSG 222 Exam 3 Family Nursing Questions And Answers 2026/2027
Herzing University
Q1. A pregnant client at 9 weeks' gestation reports vaginal bleeding and
lower abdominal cramping. Which action is the nurse's priority?
A) Tell the client that spotting is expected during early pregnancy.
B) Assess the amount and characteristics of the bleeding.
C) Encourage increased oral fluid intake.
D) Schedule a routine prenatal appointment.
Correct Answer: B) Assess the amount and characteristics of the bleeding.
Rationale: Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy requires assessment to
determine severity, possible pregnancy complications, and the need for
urgent intervention.
Q2. Which finding is most concerning for an ectopic pregnancy?
A) Painless vaginal spotting at 10 weeks
B) Bilateral breast tenderness
C) Unilateral abdominal pain with vaginal bleeding
D) Increased urinary frequency
Correct Answer: C) Unilateral abdominal pain with vaginal bleeding
Rationale: Ectopic pregnancy commonly presents with abdominal or pelvic
pain and vaginal bleeding and can progress to rupture and hemorrhage.
Q3. Which history increases a client's risk for ectopic pregnancy?
A) Previous pelvic inflammatory disease
B) Previous uncomplicated vaginal birth
C) Iron-deficiency anemia
D) Gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy
Correct Answer: A) Previous pelvic inflammatory disease
Rationale: Pelvic inflammatory disease can damage the fallopian tubes and
interfere with normal movement of the fertilized ovum, increasing ectopic
pregnancy risk.
Q4. A client with suspected ectopic pregnancy suddenly develops severe
abdominal pain, shoulder pain, and weakness. Which complication should the
nurse suspect?
A) Hyperemesis gravidarum
B) Placenta previa
C) Tubal rupture with internal hemorrhage
D) Gestational hypertension
Correct Answer: C) Tubal rupture with internal hemorrhage
Rationale: Sudden severe pain, shoulder pain, weakness, and possible
, hemodynamic instability can indicate rupture and significant intra-abdominal
bleeding.
Q5. Which finding is most characteristic of placenta previa?
A) Painful vaginal bleeding with a rigid abdomen
B) Painless bright-red vaginal bleeding
C) Severe nausea and vomiting
D) Unilateral abdominal pain
Correct Answer: B) Painless bright-red vaginal bleeding
Rationale: Placenta previa classically causes painless bright-red bleeding
because the placenta overlies or approaches the cervical opening.
Q6. A pregnant client with suspected placenta previa has vaginal bleeding.
Which intervention should the nurse avoid?
A) Monitoring maternal vital signs
B) Assessing fetal heart rate
C) Performing a digital vaginal examination
D) Quantifying blood loss
Correct Answer: C) Performing a digital vaginal examination
Rationale: A vaginal examination can disrupt the placenta and cause severe
hemorrhage when placenta previa is present or suspected.
Q7. Which finding is more consistent with abruptio placentae than placenta
previa?
A) Painless bleeding
B) Soft, nontender uterus
C) Painful bleeding with uterine tenderness
D) Bleeding beginning after intercourse
Correct Answer: C) Painful bleeding with uterine tenderness
Rationale: Placental abruption commonly causes painful bleeding, uterine
tenderness, and increased uterine tone.
Q8. A client with abruptio placentae develops increasing abdominal pain and
a firm, rigid uterus. What is the nurse's priority concern?
A) Maternal and fetal compromise from hemorrhage
B) Normal progression of labor
C) Mild dehydration
D) Physiologic pregnancy discomfort
Correct Answer: A) Maternal and fetal compromise from hemorrhage
Rationale: Placental separation can cause significant maternal blood loss
and reduced placental perfusion to the fetus.
Herzing University
Q1. A pregnant client at 9 weeks' gestation reports vaginal bleeding and
lower abdominal cramping. Which action is the nurse's priority?
A) Tell the client that spotting is expected during early pregnancy.
B) Assess the amount and characteristics of the bleeding.
C) Encourage increased oral fluid intake.
D) Schedule a routine prenatal appointment.
Correct Answer: B) Assess the amount and characteristics of the bleeding.
Rationale: Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy requires assessment to
determine severity, possible pregnancy complications, and the need for
urgent intervention.
Q2. Which finding is most concerning for an ectopic pregnancy?
A) Painless vaginal spotting at 10 weeks
B) Bilateral breast tenderness
C) Unilateral abdominal pain with vaginal bleeding
D) Increased urinary frequency
Correct Answer: C) Unilateral abdominal pain with vaginal bleeding
Rationale: Ectopic pregnancy commonly presents with abdominal or pelvic
pain and vaginal bleeding and can progress to rupture and hemorrhage.
Q3. Which history increases a client's risk for ectopic pregnancy?
A) Previous pelvic inflammatory disease
B) Previous uncomplicated vaginal birth
C) Iron-deficiency anemia
D) Gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy
Correct Answer: A) Previous pelvic inflammatory disease
Rationale: Pelvic inflammatory disease can damage the fallopian tubes and
interfere with normal movement of the fertilized ovum, increasing ectopic
pregnancy risk.
Q4. A client with suspected ectopic pregnancy suddenly develops severe
abdominal pain, shoulder pain, and weakness. Which complication should the
nurse suspect?
A) Hyperemesis gravidarum
B) Placenta previa
C) Tubal rupture with internal hemorrhage
D) Gestational hypertension
Correct Answer: C) Tubal rupture with internal hemorrhage
Rationale: Sudden severe pain, shoulder pain, weakness, and possible
, hemodynamic instability can indicate rupture and significant intra-abdominal
bleeding.
Q5. Which finding is most characteristic of placenta previa?
A) Painful vaginal bleeding with a rigid abdomen
B) Painless bright-red vaginal bleeding
C) Severe nausea and vomiting
D) Unilateral abdominal pain
Correct Answer: B) Painless bright-red vaginal bleeding
Rationale: Placenta previa classically causes painless bright-red bleeding
because the placenta overlies or approaches the cervical opening.
Q6. A pregnant client with suspected placenta previa has vaginal bleeding.
Which intervention should the nurse avoid?
A) Monitoring maternal vital signs
B) Assessing fetal heart rate
C) Performing a digital vaginal examination
D) Quantifying blood loss
Correct Answer: C) Performing a digital vaginal examination
Rationale: A vaginal examination can disrupt the placenta and cause severe
hemorrhage when placenta previa is present or suspected.
Q7. Which finding is more consistent with abruptio placentae than placenta
previa?
A) Painless bleeding
B) Soft, nontender uterus
C) Painful bleeding with uterine tenderness
D) Bleeding beginning after intercourse
Correct Answer: C) Painful bleeding with uterine tenderness
Rationale: Placental abruption commonly causes painful bleeding, uterine
tenderness, and increased uterine tone.
Q8. A client with abruptio placentae develops increasing abdominal pain and
a firm, rigid uterus. What is the nurse's priority concern?
A) Maternal and fetal compromise from hemorrhage
B) Normal progression of labor
C) Mild dehydration
D) Physiologic pregnancy discomfort
Correct Answer: A) Maternal and fetal compromise from hemorrhage
Rationale: Placental separation can cause significant maternal blood loss
and reduced placental perfusion to the fetus.
