NR 327 Maternal Exam 1 with 200 Questions and
Answers; Chamberlain College of Nursing
Which statement best describes the changes that occur during the fetal period of
development? - Maturation of organ systems
An expectant mother says to the nurse, "When my sister's baby was born, it was
covered in a cheese-like coating. What is the purpose of this coating?" The correct
response by the nurse is to explain that the purpose of vernix caseosa is to - protect the
fetal skin from amniotic fluid.
An expectant mother, diagnosed with oligohydramnios, asks the nurse what this
condition means for the baby. Which statement should the nurse provide for the
patient? - Oligohydramnios can cause poor fetal lung development.
The nurse is conducting a staff in-service on multifetal pregnancy. Which statement
regarding dizygotic twin development should the nurse include in the teaching session?
- Dizygotic twins arise from two fertilized ova and may be the same sex or different
sexes.
An infant is diagnosed with fetal anemia. Which information would support this clinical
diagnosis? - Passive immunity
The nurse is explaining the function of the placenta to a pregnant patient. Which
statement indicates to the nurse that further clarification is necessary? - "The placenta
helps maintain a stable temperature for my baby."
The nurse is assessing a newborn immediately after birth. After assigning the first Apgar
score of 9, the nurse notes two vessels in the umbilical cord. What is the nurse's next
action? - Assess for other abnormalities of the infant.
A pregnant patient asks the nurse how her baby gets oxygen to breathe. What is the
nurse's best response? - "Oxygen-rich blood is delivered through the umbilical vein to
the baby."
An expectant father asks the nurse, "Which part of the mature sperm contains the male
chromosome?" What is the correct response by the nurse? - The head of the sperm
One of the assessments performed in the birth room is checking the umbilical cord for
blood vessels. Which finding is considered to be within normal limits? - Two arteries and
one vein
,What is the purpose of the ovum's zona pellucida? - Prevents multiple sperm from
fertilizing the ovum
The nurse is explaining the process of cell division during the preembryonic period to a
group of nursing students. Which statement best describes the characteristics of the
morula? - Solid ball composed of the first cells formed after fertilization
The upper uterus is the best place for the fertilized ovum to implant due to which
anatomical adaptation? - Developing baby is best nourished.
Some of the embryo's intestines remain within the umbilical cord during the embryonic
period because the - abdomen is too small to contain all the organs while they are
developing.
A patient who is 16 weeks pregnant with her first baby asks how long it will be before
she feels the baby move. Which is the nurse's best answer? - "Within the next month
you should start to feel fluttering sensations."
During vital sign assessment of a pregnant patient in her third trimester, the patient
complains of feeling faint, dizzy, and agitated. Which nursing intervention is most
appropriate? - Have the patient turn to her left side and recheck her blood pressure in 5
minutes.
A pregnant woman has come to the emergency department with complaints of nasal
congestion and epistaxis. Which is the correct interpretation of these symptoms by the
health care provider? - Estrogen causes increased blood supply to the mucous
membranes and can result in congestion and nosebleeds.
While providing education to a primiparous patient regarding the normal changes of
pregnancy, what is an important information for the nurse to share regarding Braxton
Hicks contractions? - These occur throughout pregnancy, but you may not feel them
until the third trimester.
What is the physiologic reason for vascular volume increasing by 40% to 60% during
pregnancy? - Provides adequate perfusion of the placenta
Physiologic anemia often occurs during pregnancy due to - dilution of hemoglobin
concentration.
Which finding is a positive sign of pregnancy? - Visualization of fetus by ultrasound
A patient in her first trimester complains of nausea and vomiting. The patient asks, "Why
is this happening?" What is the nurse's best response? - "It may be due to changes in
hormones."
, A patient in her first trimester complains of nausea and vomiting. The patient asks, "Why
is this happening?" What is the nurse's best response? - "It may be due to changes in
hormones."
The patient has just learned that she is pregnant and overhears the gynecologist saying
that she has a positive Chadwick's sign. When the patient asks the nurse what this
means, how would the nurse respond? - "This sign occurs normally in pregnancy, when
estrogen causes increased blood flow in the area of the cervix."
An expected change during pregnancy is a darkly pigmented vertical midabdominal line.
The nurse recognizes this alteration as - linea nigra.
What is the best explanation that the nurse can provide to a patient who is concerned
that she has "pseudoanemia" of pregnancy? - Inform her that because of the
pregnancy, her blood volume has increased, leading to a substantial dilution effect on
her serum blood levels, and that most women experience this condition.
Which physiologic finding is consistent with normal pregnancy? - Cardiac output
increases during pregnancy.
A pregnant woman complains of frequent heartburn. The patient states that she has
never had these symptoms before and wonders why this is happening now. The most
appropriate response by the nurse is to - explain to the patient that physiologic changes
caused by the pregnancy make her more likely to experience these types of symptoms.
Which physiologic adaptation of pregnancy may lead to increased constipation during
the pregnancy? - Decreased motility in the intestines
Which physiologic findings related to gallbladder function may lead to the development
of gallstones during pregnancy? - Prolonged emptying time
Which of these findings would indicate a potential complication related to renal function
during pregnancy? - Increase in serum creatinine level
A pregnant woman notices that she is beginning to develop dark skin patches on her
face. She denies using any different type of facial products as a cleansing solution or
makeup. What would the priority nursing intervention be in response to this situation? -
Let the patient know that this is a common finding that occurs during pregnancy.
A patient reports to the clinic nurse that she has not had a period in over 12 weeks, she
is tired, and her breasts are sore all of the time. The patient's urine test is positive for
hCG. What is the correct nursing action related to this information? - Determine if there
are any factors that might prohibit her from seeking medical care.
Answers; Chamberlain College of Nursing
Which statement best describes the changes that occur during the fetal period of
development? - Maturation of organ systems
An expectant mother says to the nurse, "When my sister's baby was born, it was
covered in a cheese-like coating. What is the purpose of this coating?" The correct
response by the nurse is to explain that the purpose of vernix caseosa is to - protect the
fetal skin from amniotic fluid.
An expectant mother, diagnosed with oligohydramnios, asks the nurse what this
condition means for the baby. Which statement should the nurse provide for the
patient? - Oligohydramnios can cause poor fetal lung development.
The nurse is conducting a staff in-service on multifetal pregnancy. Which statement
regarding dizygotic twin development should the nurse include in the teaching session?
- Dizygotic twins arise from two fertilized ova and may be the same sex or different
sexes.
An infant is diagnosed with fetal anemia. Which information would support this clinical
diagnosis? - Passive immunity
The nurse is explaining the function of the placenta to a pregnant patient. Which
statement indicates to the nurse that further clarification is necessary? - "The placenta
helps maintain a stable temperature for my baby."
The nurse is assessing a newborn immediately after birth. After assigning the first Apgar
score of 9, the nurse notes two vessels in the umbilical cord. What is the nurse's next
action? - Assess for other abnormalities of the infant.
A pregnant patient asks the nurse how her baby gets oxygen to breathe. What is the
nurse's best response? - "Oxygen-rich blood is delivered through the umbilical vein to
the baby."
An expectant father asks the nurse, "Which part of the mature sperm contains the male
chromosome?" What is the correct response by the nurse? - The head of the sperm
One of the assessments performed in the birth room is checking the umbilical cord for
blood vessels. Which finding is considered to be within normal limits? - Two arteries and
one vein
,What is the purpose of the ovum's zona pellucida? - Prevents multiple sperm from
fertilizing the ovum
The nurse is explaining the process of cell division during the preembryonic period to a
group of nursing students. Which statement best describes the characteristics of the
morula? - Solid ball composed of the first cells formed after fertilization
The upper uterus is the best place for the fertilized ovum to implant due to which
anatomical adaptation? - Developing baby is best nourished.
Some of the embryo's intestines remain within the umbilical cord during the embryonic
period because the - abdomen is too small to contain all the organs while they are
developing.
A patient who is 16 weeks pregnant with her first baby asks how long it will be before
she feels the baby move. Which is the nurse's best answer? - "Within the next month
you should start to feel fluttering sensations."
During vital sign assessment of a pregnant patient in her third trimester, the patient
complains of feeling faint, dizzy, and agitated. Which nursing intervention is most
appropriate? - Have the patient turn to her left side and recheck her blood pressure in 5
minutes.
A pregnant woman has come to the emergency department with complaints of nasal
congestion and epistaxis. Which is the correct interpretation of these symptoms by the
health care provider? - Estrogen causes increased blood supply to the mucous
membranes and can result in congestion and nosebleeds.
While providing education to a primiparous patient regarding the normal changes of
pregnancy, what is an important information for the nurse to share regarding Braxton
Hicks contractions? - These occur throughout pregnancy, but you may not feel them
until the third trimester.
What is the physiologic reason for vascular volume increasing by 40% to 60% during
pregnancy? - Provides adequate perfusion of the placenta
Physiologic anemia often occurs during pregnancy due to - dilution of hemoglobin
concentration.
Which finding is a positive sign of pregnancy? - Visualization of fetus by ultrasound
A patient in her first trimester complains of nausea and vomiting. The patient asks, "Why
is this happening?" What is the nurse's best response? - "It may be due to changes in
hormones."
, A patient in her first trimester complains of nausea and vomiting. The patient asks, "Why
is this happening?" What is the nurse's best response? - "It may be due to changes in
hormones."
The patient has just learned that she is pregnant and overhears the gynecologist saying
that she has a positive Chadwick's sign. When the patient asks the nurse what this
means, how would the nurse respond? - "This sign occurs normally in pregnancy, when
estrogen causes increased blood flow in the area of the cervix."
An expected change during pregnancy is a darkly pigmented vertical midabdominal line.
The nurse recognizes this alteration as - linea nigra.
What is the best explanation that the nurse can provide to a patient who is concerned
that she has "pseudoanemia" of pregnancy? - Inform her that because of the
pregnancy, her blood volume has increased, leading to a substantial dilution effect on
her serum blood levels, and that most women experience this condition.
Which physiologic finding is consistent with normal pregnancy? - Cardiac output
increases during pregnancy.
A pregnant woman complains of frequent heartburn. The patient states that she has
never had these symptoms before and wonders why this is happening now. The most
appropriate response by the nurse is to - explain to the patient that physiologic changes
caused by the pregnancy make her more likely to experience these types of symptoms.
Which physiologic adaptation of pregnancy may lead to increased constipation during
the pregnancy? - Decreased motility in the intestines
Which physiologic findings related to gallbladder function may lead to the development
of gallstones during pregnancy? - Prolonged emptying time
Which of these findings would indicate a potential complication related to renal function
during pregnancy? - Increase in serum creatinine level
A pregnant woman notices that she is beginning to develop dark skin patches on her
face. She denies using any different type of facial products as a cleansing solution or
makeup. What would the priority nursing intervention be in response to this situation? -
Let the patient know that this is a common finding that occurs during pregnancy.
A patient reports to the clinic nurse that she has not had a period in over 12 weeks, she
is tired, and her breasts are sore all of the time. The patient's urine test is positive for
hCG. What is the correct nursing action related to this information? - Determine if there
are any factors that might prohibit her from seeking medical care.
