,NUR 231 Exams 1-4 | Childbearing & Child Caring Family (2026) Q&A |
Galen
1. A nurse is calculating the estimated date of delivery (EDC) for a client whose last menstrual
period (LMP) began on June 10. Using Nägele's rule, what is the correct EDC?
A) March 3
B) March 17
C) April 10
D) April 17
Correct Answer: March 17
Rationale: Nägele's rule calculates EDC by subtracting 3 months from the first day of the LMP,
adding 7 days, and adding 1 year. Starting from June 10, subtracting 3 months gives March 10;
adding 7 days results in March 17 . March 3 is incorrect, and April dates are too late.
2. A client at 32 weeks' gestation is experiencing irregular, painless uterine contractions that
subside with walking. Which term best describes these contractions?
A) Preterm labor
B) Braxton Hicks
C) True labor
D) Cervical effacement
Correct Answer: Braxton Hicks
Rationale: Braxton Hicks contractions are irregular, painless, and often described as "annoying"
rather than painful; they typically subside with activity or walking . They are considered a
probable sign of pregnancy and can begin after the 4th month. Preterm labor contractions are
regular and increase in intensity; true labor contractions cause progressive cervical change.
,3. A pregnant woman reports amenorrhea, nausea, vomiting, and breast tenderness. How
would the nurse classify these findings in relation to pregnancy signs?
A) Positive signs
B) Probable signs
C) Presumptive signs
D) Diagnostic signs
Correct Answer: Presumptive signs
Rationale: Presumptive signs are subjective and possible indicators of pregnancy that could also
have other causes. Examples include amenorrhea, nausea and vomiting, breast tenderness,
fatigue, and urinary frequency . These are not definitive proof of pregnancy. Probable signs are
objective (e.g., Goodell's sign), and positive signs (e.g., fetal heartbeat) are definitive.
4. During a prenatal examination, the nurse notes a bluish discoloration of the client's cervix and
vagina. This finding is most consistent with:
A) Goodell's sign
B) Hegar's sign
C) Chadwick's sign
D) Ballottement
Correct Answer: Chadwick's sign
Rationale: Chadwick's sign is a bluish or purplish discoloration of the cervix, vagina, and vulva
due to increased vascularity and blood flow, typically observable by the 6th to 8th week of
pregnancy . Goodell's sign is softening of the cervix; Hegar's sign is softening of the lower
uterine segment; ballottement is passive movement of the fetus.
, 5. A nurse is assessing a client at 18 weeks' gestation. The provider uses a technique to palpate
the fetus by bouncing it gently and feeling it rebound. This technique is known as:
A) Leopold's maneuver
B) Ballottement
C) Fundal height measurement
D) Quickening
Correct Answer: Ballottement
Rationale: Ballottement involves a gentle upward tap on the cervix or uterus to cause the fetus
to float upward and then rebound, which can be felt by the examiner . This technique is
typically effective between 16 and 18 weeks of gestation. Quickening is the mother's perception
of fetal movement.
6. Which of the following is considered a positive sign of pregnancy?
A) Positive pregnancy test
B) Chadwick's sign
C) Fetal heartbeat on Doppler
D) Goodell's sign
Correct Answer: Fetal heartbeat on Doppler
Rationale: Positive signs are definitive indicators of pregnancy and are directly attributable to
the fetus. Examples include visualization of the fetus on ultrasound, detection of fetal heart
tones (by Doppler at approximately 10 weeks), and palpation of fetal parts . Positive pregnancy
tests and cervical changes are probable or presumptive signs.
Galen
1. A nurse is calculating the estimated date of delivery (EDC) for a client whose last menstrual
period (LMP) began on June 10. Using Nägele's rule, what is the correct EDC?
A) March 3
B) March 17
C) April 10
D) April 17
Correct Answer: March 17
Rationale: Nägele's rule calculates EDC by subtracting 3 months from the first day of the LMP,
adding 7 days, and adding 1 year. Starting from June 10, subtracting 3 months gives March 10;
adding 7 days results in March 17 . March 3 is incorrect, and April dates are too late.
2. A client at 32 weeks' gestation is experiencing irregular, painless uterine contractions that
subside with walking. Which term best describes these contractions?
A) Preterm labor
B) Braxton Hicks
C) True labor
D) Cervical effacement
Correct Answer: Braxton Hicks
Rationale: Braxton Hicks contractions are irregular, painless, and often described as "annoying"
rather than painful; they typically subside with activity or walking . They are considered a
probable sign of pregnancy and can begin after the 4th month. Preterm labor contractions are
regular and increase in intensity; true labor contractions cause progressive cervical change.
,3. A pregnant woman reports amenorrhea, nausea, vomiting, and breast tenderness. How
would the nurse classify these findings in relation to pregnancy signs?
A) Positive signs
B) Probable signs
C) Presumptive signs
D) Diagnostic signs
Correct Answer: Presumptive signs
Rationale: Presumptive signs are subjective and possible indicators of pregnancy that could also
have other causes. Examples include amenorrhea, nausea and vomiting, breast tenderness,
fatigue, and urinary frequency . These are not definitive proof of pregnancy. Probable signs are
objective (e.g., Goodell's sign), and positive signs (e.g., fetal heartbeat) are definitive.
4. During a prenatal examination, the nurse notes a bluish discoloration of the client's cervix and
vagina. This finding is most consistent with:
A) Goodell's sign
B) Hegar's sign
C) Chadwick's sign
D) Ballottement
Correct Answer: Chadwick's sign
Rationale: Chadwick's sign is a bluish or purplish discoloration of the cervix, vagina, and vulva
due to increased vascularity and blood flow, typically observable by the 6th to 8th week of
pregnancy . Goodell's sign is softening of the cervix; Hegar's sign is softening of the lower
uterine segment; ballottement is passive movement of the fetus.
, 5. A nurse is assessing a client at 18 weeks' gestation. The provider uses a technique to palpate
the fetus by bouncing it gently and feeling it rebound. This technique is known as:
A) Leopold's maneuver
B) Ballottement
C) Fundal height measurement
D) Quickening
Correct Answer: Ballottement
Rationale: Ballottement involves a gentle upward tap on the cervix or uterus to cause the fetus
to float upward and then rebound, which can be felt by the examiner . This technique is
typically effective between 16 and 18 weeks of gestation. Quickening is the mother's perception
of fetal movement.
6. Which of the following is considered a positive sign of pregnancy?
A) Positive pregnancy test
B) Chadwick's sign
C) Fetal heartbeat on Doppler
D) Goodell's sign
Correct Answer: Fetal heartbeat on Doppler
Rationale: Positive signs are definitive indicators of pregnancy and are directly attributable to
the fetus. Examples include visualization of the fetus on ultrasound, detection of fetal heart
tones (by Doppler at approximately 10 weeks), and palpation of fetal parts . Positive pregnancy
tests and cervical changes are probable or presumptive signs.
