,NSG3332/NSG 3332 Exam 2 | Maternal-Infant
Nursing Care | South College | Q & A | 2026/2027
Edition (PDF)
1. A laboring patient has regular contractions every 4 minutes, and cervical dilation
has progressed from 3 cm to 5 cm. Which finding best confirms true labor?
A) Progressive cervical dilation and effacement
B) Contractions that disappear with walking
C) Irregular contractions without cervical change
D) Discomfort limited to the abdomen
Correct Answer: Progressive cervical dilation and effacement
Rationale: True labor produces regular uterine contractions accompanied by progressive
cervical dilation and effacement. False labor may cause discomfort, but contractions
generally remain irregular and do not result in continuing cervical change.
2. Which fetal presentation is most favorable for vaginal birth?
A) Shoulder
B) Breech
C) Face
D) Cephalic vertex
Correct Answer: Cephalic vertex
Rationale: A flexed vertex presentation places the smallest effective fetal head diameter
through the maternal pelvis and is generally the most favorable presentation for vaginal
delivery.
3. Fetal station of 0 indicates that the presenting part is:
A) Above the pelvic inlet.
B) Crowning at the vaginal opening.
C) Five centimeters below the ischial spines.
D) Level with the maternal ischial spines.
Correct Answer: Level with the maternal ischial spines.
Rationale: Station describes descent of the presenting fetal part in relation to the ischial
spines. Zero station means the presenting part is at the level of the spines and is considered
engaged.
4. Effacement refers to:
A) Descent of the fetus.
, B) Thinning and shortening of the cervix.
C) Opening of the cervix in centimeters.
D) Rotation of the fetal head.
Correct Answer: Thinning and shortening of the cervix.
Rationale: Effacement describes cervical shortening and thinning and is expressed as a
percentage. Dilation refers to opening of the cervix from 0 to 10 cm.
5. Which finding marks the beginning of the second stage of labor?
A) Complete cervical dilation
B) Rupture of membranes
C) Onset of contractions
D) Delivery of the placenta
Correct Answer: Complete cervical dilation
Rationale: The second stage of labor begins when the cervix reaches 10 cm dilation and
ends with birth of the newborn.
6. The third stage of labor extends from:
A) Onset of contractions to full dilation.
B) Birth of the newborn to delivery of the placenta.
C) Placental delivery through the first postpartum hour.
D) Full dilation to birth.
Correct Answer: Birth of the newborn to delivery of the placenta.
Rationale: The third stage begins after the newborn is delivered and ends when the
placenta is expelled.
7. Which process represents fetal descent through the maternal pelvis?
A) Effacement
B) Dilation
C) Movement of the presenting part downward through the birth canal
D) Placental separation
Correct Answer: Movement of the presenting part downward through the birth canal
Rationale: Descent refers to progressive movement of the presenting fetal part through the
pelvis and birth canal.
8. During labor, the nurse notes rupture of membranes followed by a sudden
prolonged fetal bradycardia. What is the priority concern?
A) Maternal hypoglycemia
B) Fetal sleep cycle
Nursing Care | South College | Q & A | 2026/2027
Edition (PDF)
1. A laboring patient has regular contractions every 4 minutes, and cervical dilation
has progressed from 3 cm to 5 cm. Which finding best confirms true labor?
A) Progressive cervical dilation and effacement
B) Contractions that disappear with walking
C) Irregular contractions without cervical change
D) Discomfort limited to the abdomen
Correct Answer: Progressive cervical dilation and effacement
Rationale: True labor produces regular uterine contractions accompanied by progressive
cervical dilation and effacement. False labor may cause discomfort, but contractions
generally remain irregular and do not result in continuing cervical change.
2. Which fetal presentation is most favorable for vaginal birth?
A) Shoulder
B) Breech
C) Face
D) Cephalic vertex
Correct Answer: Cephalic vertex
Rationale: A flexed vertex presentation places the smallest effective fetal head diameter
through the maternal pelvis and is generally the most favorable presentation for vaginal
delivery.
3. Fetal station of 0 indicates that the presenting part is:
A) Above the pelvic inlet.
B) Crowning at the vaginal opening.
C) Five centimeters below the ischial spines.
D) Level with the maternal ischial spines.
Correct Answer: Level with the maternal ischial spines.
Rationale: Station describes descent of the presenting fetal part in relation to the ischial
spines. Zero station means the presenting part is at the level of the spines and is considered
engaged.
4. Effacement refers to:
A) Descent of the fetus.
, B) Thinning and shortening of the cervix.
C) Opening of the cervix in centimeters.
D) Rotation of the fetal head.
Correct Answer: Thinning and shortening of the cervix.
Rationale: Effacement describes cervical shortening and thinning and is expressed as a
percentage. Dilation refers to opening of the cervix from 0 to 10 cm.
5. Which finding marks the beginning of the second stage of labor?
A) Complete cervical dilation
B) Rupture of membranes
C) Onset of contractions
D) Delivery of the placenta
Correct Answer: Complete cervical dilation
Rationale: The second stage of labor begins when the cervix reaches 10 cm dilation and
ends with birth of the newborn.
6. The third stage of labor extends from:
A) Onset of contractions to full dilation.
B) Birth of the newborn to delivery of the placenta.
C) Placental delivery through the first postpartum hour.
D) Full dilation to birth.
Correct Answer: Birth of the newborn to delivery of the placenta.
Rationale: The third stage begins after the newborn is delivered and ends when the
placenta is expelled.
7. Which process represents fetal descent through the maternal pelvis?
A) Effacement
B) Dilation
C) Movement of the presenting part downward through the birth canal
D) Placental separation
Correct Answer: Movement of the presenting part downward through the birth canal
Rationale: Descent refers to progressive movement of the presenting fetal part through the
pelvis and birth canal.
8. During labor, the nurse notes rupture of membranes followed by a sudden
prolonged fetal bradycardia. What is the priority concern?
A) Maternal hypoglycemia
B) Fetal sleep cycle
