Galen College of Nursing | NU 170: Maternal-Child Nursing Exam 3
GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING
NU 170: MATERNAL-CHILD NURSING
EXAM 3 ACTUAL EXAMINATION (50 QUESTIONS)
STUDENT NAME: ____________________________ STUDENT ID: __________________
DATE: ________________________ SCORE: ______ / 50 (PASSING: 78%)
Question 1. A nurse in a prenatal clinic is reviewing the standard prenatal visit schedule with a
primigravid patient at 10 weeks gestation. Which statement by the patient indicates a correct
understanding of prenatal visit frequency?
A. "I will come in every month until 28 weeks, then every 2 to 3 weeks until 36 weeks, and weekly after
37 weeks."
B. "I will come in every 2 weeks until 28 weeks, and then every week until delivery."
C. "I will come in every 4 weeks until 36 weeks, and then every 2 weeks until delivery."
D. "I will come in monthly until 36 weeks, and then twice a week until I give birth."
✔ Correct Answer: Option A
Rationale: Standard prenatal care for an uncomplicated pregnancy dictates visits every 4 weeks (monthly) from
conception through 28 weeks gestation, every 2 to 3 weeks from 29 through 36 weeks gestation, and weekly from 37
weeks gestation until birth (full term).
Question 2. A patient reports that the first day of her last normal menstrual period (LNMP) was October
10. Using Nägele's rule, what is her estimated date of delivery (EDD)?
A. July 10
B. July 3
C. July 17
D. June 17
✔ Correct Answer: Option C
Rationale: Nägele's rule calculates the estimated date of delivery (EDD) by determining the first day of the last
normal menstrual period (LNMP), counting backward 3 months, and adding 7 days. Subtracting 3 months from
October 10 yields July 10; adding 7 days results in July 17.
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, Galen College of Nursing | NU 170: Maternal-Child Nursing Exam 3
Question 3. A nurse is taking an obstetrical history from a pregnant client. Which definition correctly
describes the term "Para"?
A. Total number of pregnancies regardless of duration or outcome
B. Number of deliveries occurring after the age of viability (after 20 weeks gestation)
C. Number of pregnancy terminations occurring prior to 20 weeks gestation
D. Number of living children currently residing with the mother
✔ Correct Answer: Option B
Rationale: Para refers to the number of deliveries after the age of viability (after 20 weeks gestation). Gravida refers
to total pregnancies, Abortion refers to terminations before 20 weeks, and Living refers to currently living children.
Question 4. A woman is pregnant for the fourth time. She has a history of one delivery at 39 weeks, one
delivery at 31 weeks, and one spontaneous abortion at 12 weeks. All born infants are currently living.
How should the nurse document her obstetrical history using GTPAL?
A. G3 T2 P0 A1 L2
B. G4 T2 P0 A0 L2
C. G4 T1 P2 A0 L1
D. G4 T1 P1 A1 L2
✔ Correct Answer: Option D
Rationale: Gravida (G) = 4 (current pregnancy + 3 prior). Term (T) = 1 (delivery after 37 weeks, at 39 weeks). Preterm
(P) = 1 (delivery between 20 and 37 weeks, at 31 weeks). Abortion (A) = 1 (terminated before 20 weeks, at 12 weeks).
Living (L) = 2 (both born infants are living). Thus, G4 T1 P1 A1 L2.
Question 5. A patient at 18 weeks gestation reports feeling subtle flutterings in her lower abdomen. The
nurse documents this finding as quickening. How is quickening categorized among the signs of
pregnancy?
A. Presumptive sign
B. Positive sign
C. Probable sign
D. Diagnostic sign
✔ Correct Answer: Option A
Rationale: Quickening (fetal movement felt by the mother at 16–20 weeks or 4–5 months) is a presumptive sign of
pregnancy. Presumptive signs are subjective S/S common during pregnancy that indicate possible pregnancy but
cannot be quantified or used for definite diagnosis.
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, Galen College of Nursing | NU 170: Maternal-Child Nursing Exam 3
Question 6. During a pelvic examination, the healthcare provider notes a softening of the cervix and
vagina caused by increased vascular congestion produced by estrogen. How should the nurse document
this finding?
A. Chadwick's sign
B. Goodell's sign
C. Hegar's sign
D. McDonald's sign
✔ Correct Answer: Option B
Rationale: Goodell's sign is the softening of the cervix and vagina caused by increased blood flow and vascular
congestion produced by estrogen. Chadwick's sign is a bluish tint to the cervix, and Hegar's sign is softening of the
lower uterine segment. All are probable signs.
Question 7. A nurse is assessing a pregnant client in her second trimester. Which physiological
cardiovascular change is considered normal during pregnancy?
A. Blood volume decreases by 20% while systolic blood pressure increases by 30 mmHg
B. Pulse rate decreases by 15 beats/min to compensate for cardiac enlargement
C. Blood volume increases by 45% and pulse rate increases by 10 to 15 beats/min
D. Clotting factor levels decrease, significantly increasing the risk for acute hemorrhage
✔ Correct Answer: Option C
Rationale: Normal physiological changes in the cardiovascular system during pregnancy include a gradual blood
volume increase of 45%, an increase in pulse rate of 10–15 beats/min, and elevated levels of clotting factors (which
increases the risk for blood clots). Blood pressure should remain normal.
Question 8. A nurse is providing nutritional counseling to a preconception client. The nurse emphasizes
adequate intake of folic acid to prevent which fetal development complication?
A. Fetal heart block
B. Renal agenesis
C. Gastrointestinal atresia
D. Brain and spine defects
✔ Correct Answer: Option D
Rationale: Folic acid is essential prior to and during pregnancy because it helps form the fetal brain and spine
(preventing neural tube defects). Food sources include nuts, eggs, dark green leafy vegetables, peas, and legumes.
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GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING
NU 170: MATERNAL-CHILD NURSING
EXAM 3 ACTUAL EXAMINATION (50 QUESTIONS)
STUDENT NAME: ____________________________ STUDENT ID: __________________
DATE: ________________________ SCORE: ______ / 50 (PASSING: 78%)
Question 1. A nurse in a prenatal clinic is reviewing the standard prenatal visit schedule with a
primigravid patient at 10 weeks gestation. Which statement by the patient indicates a correct
understanding of prenatal visit frequency?
A. "I will come in every month until 28 weeks, then every 2 to 3 weeks until 36 weeks, and weekly after
37 weeks."
B. "I will come in every 2 weeks until 28 weeks, and then every week until delivery."
C. "I will come in every 4 weeks until 36 weeks, and then every 2 weeks until delivery."
D. "I will come in monthly until 36 weeks, and then twice a week until I give birth."
✔ Correct Answer: Option A
Rationale: Standard prenatal care for an uncomplicated pregnancy dictates visits every 4 weeks (monthly) from
conception through 28 weeks gestation, every 2 to 3 weeks from 29 through 36 weeks gestation, and weekly from 37
weeks gestation until birth (full term).
Question 2. A patient reports that the first day of her last normal menstrual period (LNMP) was October
10. Using Nägele's rule, what is her estimated date of delivery (EDD)?
A. July 10
B. July 3
C. July 17
D. June 17
✔ Correct Answer: Option C
Rationale: Nägele's rule calculates the estimated date of delivery (EDD) by determining the first day of the last
normal menstrual period (LNMP), counting backward 3 months, and adding 7 days. Subtracting 3 months from
October 10 yields July 10; adding 7 days results in July 17.
Page 1
, Galen College of Nursing | NU 170: Maternal-Child Nursing Exam 3
Question 3. A nurse is taking an obstetrical history from a pregnant client. Which definition correctly
describes the term "Para"?
A. Total number of pregnancies regardless of duration or outcome
B. Number of deliveries occurring after the age of viability (after 20 weeks gestation)
C. Number of pregnancy terminations occurring prior to 20 weeks gestation
D. Number of living children currently residing with the mother
✔ Correct Answer: Option B
Rationale: Para refers to the number of deliveries after the age of viability (after 20 weeks gestation). Gravida refers
to total pregnancies, Abortion refers to terminations before 20 weeks, and Living refers to currently living children.
Question 4. A woman is pregnant for the fourth time. She has a history of one delivery at 39 weeks, one
delivery at 31 weeks, and one spontaneous abortion at 12 weeks. All born infants are currently living.
How should the nurse document her obstetrical history using GTPAL?
A. G3 T2 P0 A1 L2
B. G4 T2 P0 A0 L2
C. G4 T1 P2 A0 L1
D. G4 T1 P1 A1 L2
✔ Correct Answer: Option D
Rationale: Gravida (G) = 4 (current pregnancy + 3 prior). Term (T) = 1 (delivery after 37 weeks, at 39 weeks). Preterm
(P) = 1 (delivery between 20 and 37 weeks, at 31 weeks). Abortion (A) = 1 (terminated before 20 weeks, at 12 weeks).
Living (L) = 2 (both born infants are living). Thus, G4 T1 P1 A1 L2.
Question 5. A patient at 18 weeks gestation reports feeling subtle flutterings in her lower abdomen. The
nurse documents this finding as quickening. How is quickening categorized among the signs of
pregnancy?
A. Presumptive sign
B. Positive sign
C. Probable sign
D. Diagnostic sign
✔ Correct Answer: Option A
Rationale: Quickening (fetal movement felt by the mother at 16–20 weeks or 4–5 months) is a presumptive sign of
pregnancy. Presumptive signs are subjective S/S common during pregnancy that indicate possible pregnancy but
cannot be quantified or used for definite diagnosis.
Page 2
, Galen College of Nursing | NU 170: Maternal-Child Nursing Exam 3
Question 6. During a pelvic examination, the healthcare provider notes a softening of the cervix and
vagina caused by increased vascular congestion produced by estrogen. How should the nurse document
this finding?
A. Chadwick's sign
B. Goodell's sign
C. Hegar's sign
D. McDonald's sign
✔ Correct Answer: Option B
Rationale: Goodell's sign is the softening of the cervix and vagina caused by increased blood flow and vascular
congestion produced by estrogen. Chadwick's sign is a bluish tint to the cervix, and Hegar's sign is softening of the
lower uterine segment. All are probable signs.
Question 7. A nurse is assessing a pregnant client in her second trimester. Which physiological
cardiovascular change is considered normal during pregnancy?
A. Blood volume decreases by 20% while systolic blood pressure increases by 30 mmHg
B. Pulse rate decreases by 15 beats/min to compensate for cardiac enlargement
C. Blood volume increases by 45% and pulse rate increases by 10 to 15 beats/min
D. Clotting factor levels decrease, significantly increasing the risk for acute hemorrhage
✔ Correct Answer: Option C
Rationale: Normal physiological changes in the cardiovascular system during pregnancy include a gradual blood
volume increase of 45%, an increase in pulse rate of 10–15 beats/min, and elevated levels of clotting factors (which
increases the risk for blood clots). Blood pressure should remain normal.
Question 8. A nurse is providing nutritional counseling to a preconception client. The nurse emphasizes
adequate intake of folic acid to prevent which fetal development complication?
A. Fetal heart block
B. Renal agenesis
C. Gastrointestinal atresia
D. Brain and spine defects
✔ Correct Answer: Option D
Rationale: Folic acid is essential prior to and during pregnancy because it helps form the fetal brain and spine
(preventing neural tube defects). Food sources include nuts, eggs, dark green leafy vegetables, peas, and legumes.
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