NSG 3500 Exam 2 – Maternal Health 2026/2027 | Galen College of
Nursing | Actual Questions & Detailed Rationales
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Labor & Delivery Part I
Physiology and onset of labor
Stages of labor, maternal assessment, fetal presentation and positioning
Labor & Delivery Part II
Electronic fetal monitoring
Pain management, medications, induction and augmentation
Labor & Delivery Part III
Complications and emergency intrapartum care
Operative birth, cesarean birth and assisted vaginal birth
Third and fourth stages, postpartum transition and hemorrhage
Integrated clinical judgment and priority nursing care
LABOR & DELIVERY PART I
Q1
A nulliparous client at 39 weeks reports regular contractions every 5 minutes that
have increased in intensity over the past 3 hours. Which finding best supports
that the client is experiencing true labor?
A. Contractions decrease with ambulation
B. Contractions cause progressive cervical dilation
C. Contractions are relieved by oral hydration
D. Contractions remain irregular
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: True labor produces regular contractions that result in progressive
cervical dilation and effacement. Braxton Hicks contractions are generally
irregular and may decrease with rest, hydration, or changes in activity.
Q2
The nurse explains that the first stage of labor ends when:
A. The fetus is delivered
B. The placenta is delivered
C. The cervix reaches 10 cm dilation
D. The membranes rupture
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The first stage begins with true labor and ends with complete cervical
dilation at 10 cm. The second stage begins at complete dilation and ends with
birth of the newborn.
Q3
Which finding is characteristic of the latent phase of the first stage of labor?
A. Complete cervical dilation
B. Mild-to-moderate contractions with gradual cervical change
C. Birth of the fetus
D. Placental separation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: During latent labor, contractions are generally less intense and cervical
dilation progresses gradually. Complete dilation marks the end of the first stage,
not the latent phase.
Q4
,A client is 8 cm dilated and experiencing strong contractions every 2 minutes.
Which phase of labor is the client most likely experiencing?
A. Latent
B. Active
C. Transition
D. Second stage
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Transition is the final portion of the first stage and occurs from
approximately 8 to 10 cm. It is typically associated with frequent, strong
contractions and rapid cervical change.
Q5
The second stage of labor begins when:
A. Regular contractions begin
B. The membranes rupture
C. The cervix is completely dilated
D. The placenta separates
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The second stage begins at 10 cm cervical dilation and ends with birth
of the newborn. The client may then begin pushing when appropriate.
Q6
The third stage of labor is the period between:
A. Onset of contractions and 10-cm dilation
B. Complete dilation and birth of the newborn
C. Birth of the newborn and delivery of the placenta
D. Placental delivery and maternal discharge
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: The third stage begins after birth of the newborn and ends with
delivery of the placenta. The nurse closely monitors for placental separation and
postpartum hemorrhage during this period.
Q7
The fourth stage of labor primarily involves:
A. Cervical dilation
B. Fetal descent
C. Immediate postpartum recovery and stabilization
D. Placental implantation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The fourth stage is the immediate recovery period after placental
delivery. Assessment focuses on maternal vital signs, uterine tone, lochia, bladder
status, pain, and signs of hemorrhage.
Q8
Which finding indicates cervical effacement?
A. Opening of the cervix
B. Thinning and shortening of the cervix
C. Descent of the fetal head
D. Rotation of the fetal shoulders
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Effacement refers to thinning and shortening of the cervix and is
expressed as a percentage from 0% to 100%. Dilation refers to cervical opening
and is measured in centimeters.
Q9
Nursing | Actual Questions & Detailed Rationales
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Labor & Delivery Part I
Physiology and onset of labor
Stages of labor, maternal assessment, fetal presentation and positioning
Labor & Delivery Part II
Electronic fetal monitoring
Pain management, medications, induction and augmentation
Labor & Delivery Part III
Complications and emergency intrapartum care
Operative birth, cesarean birth and assisted vaginal birth
Third and fourth stages, postpartum transition and hemorrhage
Integrated clinical judgment and priority nursing care
LABOR & DELIVERY PART I
Q1
A nulliparous client at 39 weeks reports regular contractions every 5 minutes that
have increased in intensity over the past 3 hours. Which finding best supports
that the client is experiencing true labor?
A. Contractions decrease with ambulation
B. Contractions cause progressive cervical dilation
C. Contractions are relieved by oral hydration
D. Contractions remain irregular
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: True labor produces regular contractions that result in progressive
cervical dilation and effacement. Braxton Hicks contractions are generally
irregular and may decrease with rest, hydration, or changes in activity.
Q2
The nurse explains that the first stage of labor ends when:
A. The fetus is delivered
B. The placenta is delivered
C. The cervix reaches 10 cm dilation
D. The membranes rupture
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The first stage begins with true labor and ends with complete cervical
dilation at 10 cm. The second stage begins at complete dilation and ends with
birth of the newborn.
Q3
Which finding is characteristic of the latent phase of the first stage of labor?
A. Complete cervical dilation
B. Mild-to-moderate contractions with gradual cervical change
C. Birth of the fetus
D. Placental separation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: During latent labor, contractions are generally less intense and cervical
dilation progresses gradually. Complete dilation marks the end of the first stage,
not the latent phase.
Q4
,A client is 8 cm dilated and experiencing strong contractions every 2 minutes.
Which phase of labor is the client most likely experiencing?
A. Latent
B. Active
C. Transition
D. Second stage
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Transition is the final portion of the first stage and occurs from
approximately 8 to 10 cm. It is typically associated with frequent, strong
contractions and rapid cervical change.
Q5
The second stage of labor begins when:
A. Regular contractions begin
B. The membranes rupture
C. The cervix is completely dilated
D. The placenta separates
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The second stage begins at 10 cm cervical dilation and ends with birth
of the newborn. The client may then begin pushing when appropriate.
Q6
The third stage of labor is the period between:
A. Onset of contractions and 10-cm dilation
B. Complete dilation and birth of the newborn
C. Birth of the newborn and delivery of the placenta
D. Placental delivery and maternal discharge
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: The third stage begins after birth of the newborn and ends with
delivery of the placenta. The nurse closely monitors for placental separation and
postpartum hemorrhage during this period.
Q7
The fourth stage of labor primarily involves:
A. Cervical dilation
B. Fetal descent
C. Immediate postpartum recovery and stabilization
D. Placental implantation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The fourth stage is the immediate recovery period after placental
delivery. Assessment focuses on maternal vital signs, uterine tone, lochia, bladder
status, pain, and signs of hemorrhage.
Q8
Which finding indicates cervical effacement?
A. Opening of the cervix
B. Thinning and shortening of the cervix
C. Descent of the fetal head
D. Rotation of the fetal shoulders
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Effacement refers to thinning and shortening of the cervix and is
expressed as a percentage from 0% to 100%. Dilation refers to cervical opening
and is measured in centimeters.
Q9
