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MATERNITY AND PEDIATRIC NURSING 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS DETAILED RATIONALES GRADED A+
Question 1.
A nurse is calculating the estimated date of delivery for a client whose last
menstrual period began on March 15. Using Naegele's rule, which date should the
nurse document?
A) December 15
B) December 22
C) December 8
D) December 29
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Naegele's rule subtracts 3 months and adds 7 days to the first day of the last
menstrual period. March 15 minus 3 months is December 15, plus 7 days equals
December 22.
Question 2.
A nurse is reviewing a client's obstetric history documented as GTPAL: G4 T2 P1 A1
L3. Which interpretation is most accurate?
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A) 4 pregnancies, 2 term births, 1 preterm birth, 1 abortion, 3 living children
B) 4 deliveries, 2 term births, 1 preterm birth, 1 abortion, 3 living children
C) 4 pregnancies, 2 preterm births, 1 term birth, 1 abortion, 3 living children
D) 3 pregnancies, 2 term births, 1 preterm birth, 1 abortion, 3 living children
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: GTPAL stands for Gravida (total pregnancies), Term births, Preterm births,
Abortions, and Living children. G4 T2 P1 A1 L3 indicates 4 pregnancies, 2 term births, 1
preterm birth, 1 abortion, and 3 living children.
Question 3.
A nurse is performing an initial prenatal assessment on a client at 10 weeks
gestation. Which laboratory test should the nurse prioritize to determine the
client's blood type and Rh status?
A) Complete blood count
B) Blood type and Rh factor
C) Urinalysis
D) Rubella titer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Blood type and Rh factor are essential initial prenatal laboratory tests
because Rh incompatibility between mother and fetus can lead to hemolytic disease of
the newborn. Rh-negative mothers receive RhoGAM at 28 weeks and within 72 hours
after birth.
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Question 4.
A nurse is teaching a pregnant client about the purpose of a glucose tolerance test
scheduled at 24 to 28 weeks gestation. Which explanation by the nurse is most
accurate?
A) "This test determines if you have iron-deficiency anemia."
B) "This test screens for gestational diabetes by measuring how your body processes
sugar."
C) "This test checks your baby's lung maturity."
D) "This test evaluates your kidney function."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The glucose tolerance test screens for gestational diabetes, which typically
develops between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation. Gestational diabetes increases the risk
of macrosomia, birth trauma, and neonatal hypoglycemia.
Question 5.
A nurse is assessing a pregnant client at 32 weeks gestation and measures the
fundal height. Which measurement should the nurse expect to find?
A) 22 cm
B) 28 cm
C) 32 cm
D) 40 cm
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Between 20 and 36 weeks of gestation, fundal height in centimeters
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approximately equals the gestational age in weeks. At 32 weeks, the fundal height
should measure approximately 32 cm.
Question 6.
A pregnant client at 36 weeks gestation reports a sudden gush of clear fluid from
the vagina. Which nursing action is the priority?
A) Encourage the client to drink fluids and rest
B) Assess the fetal heart rate and check for cord prolapse
C) Prepare the client for an immediate cesarean delivery
D) Ask the client to perform a Valsalva maneuver
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Spontaneous rupture of membranes at 36 weeks requires immediate
assessment of the fetal heart rate and evaluation for umbilical cord prolapse. Cord
prolapse is an obstetric emergency that can compromise fetal oxygenation.
Question 7.
A nurse is assessing a client at 12 weeks gestation and notes a bluish-purple
discoloration of the cervix and vagina. Which probable sign of pregnancy is the
nurse observing?
A) Goodell's sign
B) Hegar's sign
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MATERNITY AND PEDIATRIC NURSING 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS DETAILED RATIONALES GRADED A+
Question 1.
A nurse is calculating the estimated date of delivery for a client whose last
menstrual period began on March 15. Using Naegele's rule, which date should the
nurse document?
A) December 15
B) December 22
C) December 8
D) December 29
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Naegele's rule subtracts 3 months and adds 7 days to the first day of the last
menstrual period. March 15 minus 3 months is December 15, plus 7 days equals
December 22.
Question 2.
A nurse is reviewing a client's obstetric history documented as GTPAL: G4 T2 P1 A1
L3. Which interpretation is most accurate?
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,Page 2 of 140
A) 4 pregnancies, 2 term births, 1 preterm birth, 1 abortion, 3 living children
B) 4 deliveries, 2 term births, 1 preterm birth, 1 abortion, 3 living children
C) 4 pregnancies, 2 preterm births, 1 term birth, 1 abortion, 3 living children
D) 3 pregnancies, 2 term births, 1 preterm birth, 1 abortion, 3 living children
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: GTPAL stands for Gravida (total pregnancies), Term births, Preterm births,
Abortions, and Living children. G4 T2 P1 A1 L3 indicates 4 pregnancies, 2 term births, 1
preterm birth, 1 abortion, and 3 living children.
Question 3.
A nurse is performing an initial prenatal assessment on a client at 10 weeks
gestation. Which laboratory test should the nurse prioritize to determine the
client's blood type and Rh status?
A) Complete blood count
B) Blood type and Rh factor
C) Urinalysis
D) Rubella titer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Blood type and Rh factor are essential initial prenatal laboratory tests
because Rh incompatibility between mother and fetus can lead to hemolytic disease of
the newborn. Rh-negative mothers receive RhoGAM at 28 weeks and within 72 hours
after birth.
2|Page
,Page 3 of 140
Question 4.
A nurse is teaching a pregnant client about the purpose of a glucose tolerance test
scheduled at 24 to 28 weeks gestation. Which explanation by the nurse is most
accurate?
A) "This test determines if you have iron-deficiency anemia."
B) "This test screens for gestational diabetes by measuring how your body processes
sugar."
C) "This test checks your baby's lung maturity."
D) "This test evaluates your kidney function."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The glucose tolerance test screens for gestational diabetes, which typically
develops between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation. Gestational diabetes increases the risk
of macrosomia, birth trauma, and neonatal hypoglycemia.
Question 5.
A nurse is assessing a pregnant client at 32 weeks gestation and measures the
fundal height. Which measurement should the nurse expect to find?
A) 22 cm
B) 28 cm
C) 32 cm
D) 40 cm
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Between 20 and 36 weeks of gestation, fundal height in centimeters
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approximately equals the gestational age in weeks. At 32 weeks, the fundal height
should measure approximately 32 cm.
Question 6.
A pregnant client at 36 weeks gestation reports a sudden gush of clear fluid from
the vagina. Which nursing action is the priority?
A) Encourage the client to drink fluids and rest
B) Assess the fetal heart rate and check for cord prolapse
C) Prepare the client for an immediate cesarean delivery
D) Ask the client to perform a Valsalva maneuver
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Spontaneous rupture of membranes at 36 weeks requires immediate
assessment of the fetal heart rate and evaluation for umbilical cord prolapse. Cord
prolapse is an obstetric emergency that can compromise fetal oxygenation.
Question 7.
A nurse is assessing a client at 12 weeks gestation and notes a bluish-purple
discoloration of the cervix and vagina. Which probable sign of pregnancy is the
nurse observing?
A) Goodell's sign
B) Hegar's sign
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