NU 170
Maternal-Child Nursing Advanced Exam 3
Exam 3 • Practice Questions & Rationales
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Actual Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Clinical Rationales
Practice Questions with Rationales
Galen College of Nursing
NU 170
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,NU 170 Maternal-Child Nursing Advanced Exam 3 2026/2027 UPDATED – Galen
1. A client at 34 weeks gestation is receiving Magnesium Sulfate for pre-eclampsia. The nurse
notes the client has absent deep tendon reflexes (DTRs) and a respiratory rate of 10
breaths/min. Which is the priority action?
A. Stop the Magnesium Sulfate infusion immediately
B. Administer Calcium Gluconate IV push
C. Decrease the infusion rate by half
D. Notify the provider to obtain a serum magnesium level
Answer: A
Rationale: The client is showing signs of Magnesium toxicity (respiratory depression and
loss of DTRs). The first and most critical action is to stop the infusion to prevent further
toxicity before administering the antagonist.
2. While monitoring a fetal heart rate (FHR) tracing, the nurse observes a decrease in FHR that
begins after the peak of the contraction and returns to baseline after the contraction ends.
Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Increase the rate of the oxytocin infusion
B. Perform a vaginal exam to check for cord prolapse
C. Change the mother’s position to lateral
, D. Prepare for immediate forceps delivery
Answer: C
Rationale: These are late decelerations, indicating uteroplacental insufficiency. The first
intervention is to improve placental perfusion by turning the mother to her side (left or
right).
3. A postpartum nurse is caring for a client who had a vaginal delivery 2 hours ago. The nurse
notes the fundus is firm, midline, but the client is experiencing heavy, bright red bleeding.
What should the nurse suspect?
A. Uterine atony
B. Retained placental fragments
C. Laceration of the birth canal
D. Disseminated intravascular coagulation
Answer: C
Rationale: If the fundus is firm (not boggy) and midline, uterine atony is unlikely. Bright
red bleeding in the presence of a firm fundus is a classic sign of a cervical or vaginal
laceration.
4. Which assessment finding in a newborn 12 hours after birth should be reported to the
provider immediately?
A. Acrocyanosis of the hands and feet
Maternal-Child Nursing Advanced Exam 3
Exam 3 • Practice Questions & Rationales
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 Maternal-Child Nursing Advanced Exam 3 2026/2027 UPDATED – Galen
1. A client at 34 weeks gestation is receiving Magnesium Sulfate for pre-eclampsia. The nurse
notes the client has absent deep tendon reflexes (DTRs) and a respiratory rate of 10
breaths/min. Which is the priority action?
A. Stop the Magnesium Sulfate infusion immediately
B. Administer Calcium Gluconate IV push
C. Decrease the infusion rate by half
D. Notify the provider to obtain a serum magnesium level
Answer: A
Rationale: The client is showing signs of Magnesium toxicity (respiratory depression and
loss of DTRs). The first and most critical action is to stop the infusion to prevent further
toxicity before administering the antagonist.
2. While monitoring a fetal heart rate (FHR) tracing, the nurse observes a decrease in FHR that
begins after the peak of the contraction and returns to baseline after the contraction ends.
Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Increase the rate of the oxytocin infusion
B. Perform a vaginal exam to check for cord prolapse
C. Change the mother’s position to lateral
, D. Prepare for immediate forceps delivery
Answer: C
Rationale: These are late decelerations, indicating uteroplacental insufficiency. The first
intervention is to improve placental perfusion by turning the mother to her side (left or
right).
3. A postpartum nurse is caring for a client who had a vaginal delivery 2 hours ago. The nurse
notes the fundus is firm, midline, but the client is experiencing heavy, bright red bleeding.
What should the nurse suspect?
A. Uterine atony
B. Retained placental fragments
C. Laceration of the birth canal
D. Disseminated intravascular coagulation
Answer: C
Rationale: If the fundus is firm (not boggy) and midline, uterine atony is unlikely. Bright
red bleeding in the presence of a firm fundus is a classic sign of a cervical or vaginal
laceration.
4. Which assessment finding in a newborn 12 hours after birth should be reported to the
provider immediately?
A. Acrocyanosis of the hands and feet
