NU 170
Exam 2 Maternal-Child Nursing Comprehensive
Review
Exam Review • High-Yield Practice
UPDATE
Actual Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Clinical Rationales
Practice Questions with Rationales
Galen College of Nursing
NU 170
✓ 100% Verified Answers
✓ Complete Rationales Included
Exam (elaborations)
Instant PDF Download • Ready for Study
,NU 170 Exam 2 Maternal-Child Nursing Comprehensive Review 2026/2027 UPDATED – Galen
College
1. A nurse is caring for a client receiving magnesium sulfate for preeclampsia. Which finding
should the nurse prioritize as a sign of magnesium toxicity?
A. Blood pressure 150/96 mmHg
B. Respiratory rate of 16 breaths/min
C. Urine output of 40 mL/hr
D. Deep tendon reflexes of 0 or 1+
Answer: D
Rationale: Magnesium sulfate is a CNS depressant. Loss of deep tendon reflexes (DTRs) is
an early sign of toxicity. Respiratory depression (usually below 12) and oliguria are also
signs, but B is the most immediate clinical indicator here.
2. A client at 32 weeks gestation presents with painless, bright red vaginal bleeding. Which
procedure is strictly contraindicated?
A. External fetal monitoring
B. Transabdominal ultrasound
C. Digital vaginal examination
D. Venous access initiation
, Answer: C
Rationale: Painless bright red bleeding is indicative of placenta previa. A digital vaginal
exam can perforate the placenta, leading to catastrophic maternal and fetal hemorrhage.
Ultrasound must confirm placental location first.
3. Which laboratory finding is diagnostic of HELLP syndrome in a patient with severe
preeclampsia?
A. Elevated Hemoglobin and Hematocrit
B. Decreased liver enzymes (AST/ALT)
C. Serum creatinine of 0.8 mg/dL
D. Platelet count of 75,000/mm3
Answer: D
Rationale: HELLP stands for Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, and Low Platelets. A
platelet count below 100,000/mm3 is a primary diagnostic criterion for HELLP syndrome.
4. A nurse notes late decelerations on the fetal heart rate monitor. What is the physiological
cause of this pattern?
A. Uteroplacental insufficiency
B. Fetal head compression
C. Umbilical cord compression
D. Fetal CNS maturity
Exam 2 Maternal-Child Nursing Comprehensive
Review
Exam Review • High-Yield Practice
UPDATE
Actual Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Clinical Rationales
Practice Questions with Rationales
Galen College of Nursing
NU 170
✓ 100% Verified Answers
✓ Complete Rationales Included
Exam (elaborations)
Instant PDF Download • Ready for Study
,NU 170 Exam 2 Maternal-Child Nursing Comprehensive Review 2026/2027 UPDATED – Galen
College
1. A nurse is caring for a client receiving magnesium sulfate for preeclampsia. Which finding
should the nurse prioritize as a sign of magnesium toxicity?
A. Blood pressure 150/96 mmHg
B. Respiratory rate of 16 breaths/min
C. Urine output of 40 mL/hr
D. Deep tendon reflexes of 0 or 1+
Answer: D
Rationale: Magnesium sulfate is a CNS depressant. Loss of deep tendon reflexes (DTRs) is
an early sign of toxicity. Respiratory depression (usually below 12) and oliguria are also
signs, but B is the most immediate clinical indicator here.
2. A client at 32 weeks gestation presents with painless, bright red vaginal bleeding. Which
procedure is strictly contraindicated?
A. External fetal monitoring
B. Transabdominal ultrasound
C. Digital vaginal examination
D. Venous access initiation
, Answer: C
Rationale: Painless bright red bleeding is indicative of placenta previa. A digital vaginal
exam can perforate the placenta, leading to catastrophic maternal and fetal hemorrhage.
Ultrasound must confirm placental location first.
3. Which laboratory finding is diagnostic of HELLP syndrome in a patient with severe
preeclampsia?
A. Elevated Hemoglobin and Hematocrit
B. Decreased liver enzymes (AST/ALT)
C. Serum creatinine of 0.8 mg/dL
D. Platelet count of 75,000/mm3
Answer: D
Rationale: HELLP stands for Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, and Low Platelets. A
platelet count below 100,000/mm3 is a primary diagnostic criterion for HELLP syndrome.
4. A nurse notes late decelerations on the fetal heart rate monitor. What is the physiological
cause of this pattern?
A. Uteroplacental insufficiency
B. Fetal head compression
C. Umbilical cord compression
D. Fetal CNS maturity
