1
NSG 3500 EXAM 2 2026/2027 | NURSING PRACTICE –
MATERNAL HEALTH | 40 VERIFIED Q&A | DETAILED
RATIONALES | PASS GUARANTEED – A+ GRADED
SECTION 1: STAGES OF LABOR – Questions 1-10
Q1: First Stage of Labor
The first stage of labor begins with which of the following events?
A. Full cervical dilation
B. Delivery of the placenta
C. Onset of true labor contractions
D. Rupture of membranes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The first stage of labor begins with the onset of true labor contractions and ends with full
cervical dilation at 10 cm. Full dilation marks the transition to the second stage. Rupture of
membranes can occur at any point and is not the defining start of labor .
Q2: Longest Stage of Labor
A nurse is preparing to admit a patient in early labor. What is the longest stage of labor?
A. Second stage
B. Third stage
C. First stage
D. Fourth stage
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The first stage of labor is the longest stage, beginning with the onset of regular uterine
contractions and ending with full cervical dilation at 10 cm. It is divided into the latent, active, and
transition phases .
Q3: Latent Phase Contractions
During the latent phase of the first stage of labor, contractions are typically:
A. 2-3 minutes apart, lasting 60-90 seconds
B. 5-10 minutes apart, lasting 30-45 seconds
C. 1-2 minutes apart, lasting 90 seconds
D. Irregular and unpredictable
Correct Answer: B
, 2
Rationale: The latent phase is characterized by mild contractions occurring every 5 to 10 minutes
and lasting 30 to 45 seconds, with cervical dilation of 1 to 3 cm. Contractions become more frequent
and intense in the active and transition phases .
Q4: Active Phase Progression
A nurse is assessing a laboring patient in the active phase. Which finding indicates that the patient is
progressing through this phase?
A. Cervical dilation from 4 to 7 cm
B. Contractions every 10 minutes
C. Cervical dilation of 8 cm
D. Maternal talkativeness and engagement
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The active phase is characterized by cervical dilation progressing from 4 to 8 cm with
moderate to strong contractions every 2 to 5 minutes. Cervical dilation of 8 cm indicates the
transition phase. Talkativeness is more typical of the latent phase .
Q5: Transition Phase Urge to Push
A laboring patient in the transition phase reports an overwhelming urge to push. The nurse should
first:
A. Encourage the patient to push with each contraction
B. Perform a cervical examination to determine dilation
C. Administer pain medication
D. Coach the patient to take slow, deep breaths
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The urge to push can occur before full dilation (10 cm). The nurse must first perform a
cervical examination to confirm complete dilation before allowing pushing. Pushing before full
dilation can cause cervical edema and injury .
Q6: Second Stage of Labor
Which of the following is a characteristic of the second stage of labor?
A. Delivery of the placenta
B. Complete cervical dilation to birth of the baby
C. Recovery period immediately after birth
D. Onset of true labor contractions
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The second stage of labor begins with complete cervical dilation (10 cm) and ends with
the birth of the baby. The third stage involves placental delivery, and the fourth stage is the
immediate recovery period .
NSG 3500 EXAM 2 2026/2027 | NURSING PRACTICE –
MATERNAL HEALTH | 40 VERIFIED Q&A | DETAILED
RATIONALES | PASS GUARANTEED – A+ GRADED
SECTION 1: STAGES OF LABOR – Questions 1-10
Q1: First Stage of Labor
The first stage of labor begins with which of the following events?
A. Full cervical dilation
B. Delivery of the placenta
C. Onset of true labor contractions
D. Rupture of membranes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The first stage of labor begins with the onset of true labor contractions and ends with full
cervical dilation at 10 cm. Full dilation marks the transition to the second stage. Rupture of
membranes can occur at any point and is not the defining start of labor .
Q2: Longest Stage of Labor
A nurse is preparing to admit a patient in early labor. What is the longest stage of labor?
A. Second stage
B. Third stage
C. First stage
D. Fourth stage
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The first stage of labor is the longest stage, beginning with the onset of regular uterine
contractions and ending with full cervical dilation at 10 cm. It is divided into the latent, active, and
transition phases .
Q3: Latent Phase Contractions
During the latent phase of the first stage of labor, contractions are typically:
A. 2-3 minutes apart, lasting 60-90 seconds
B. 5-10 minutes apart, lasting 30-45 seconds
C. 1-2 minutes apart, lasting 90 seconds
D. Irregular and unpredictable
Correct Answer: B
, 2
Rationale: The latent phase is characterized by mild contractions occurring every 5 to 10 minutes
and lasting 30 to 45 seconds, with cervical dilation of 1 to 3 cm. Contractions become more frequent
and intense in the active and transition phases .
Q4: Active Phase Progression
A nurse is assessing a laboring patient in the active phase. Which finding indicates that the patient is
progressing through this phase?
A. Cervical dilation from 4 to 7 cm
B. Contractions every 10 minutes
C. Cervical dilation of 8 cm
D. Maternal talkativeness and engagement
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The active phase is characterized by cervical dilation progressing from 4 to 8 cm with
moderate to strong contractions every 2 to 5 minutes. Cervical dilation of 8 cm indicates the
transition phase. Talkativeness is more typical of the latent phase .
Q5: Transition Phase Urge to Push
A laboring patient in the transition phase reports an overwhelming urge to push. The nurse should
first:
A. Encourage the patient to push with each contraction
B. Perform a cervical examination to determine dilation
C. Administer pain medication
D. Coach the patient to take slow, deep breaths
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The urge to push can occur before full dilation (10 cm). The nurse must first perform a
cervical examination to confirm complete dilation before allowing pushing. Pushing before full
dilation can cause cervical edema and injury .
Q6: Second Stage of Labor
Which of the following is a characteristic of the second stage of labor?
A. Delivery of the placenta
B. Complete cervical dilation to birth of the baby
C. Recovery period immediately after birth
D. Onset of true labor contractions
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The second stage of labor begins with complete cervical dilation (10 cm) and ends with
the birth of the baby. The third stage involves placental delivery, and the fourth stage is the
immediate recovery period .
