1. Which of the following is the most important consideration for the nurse when providing
prenatal care to a pregnant woman in her first trimester?
• A) Fetal heart rate monitoring
• B) Assessing for signs of gestational hypertension
• C) Teaching the patient about nutrition and weight gain
• D) Assessing for signs of preterm labor
• Answer: C
Rationale: Early prenatal visits focus on educating the patient about proper nutrition and
weight gain to ensure healthy fetal development and maternal health.
2. A patient in her first trimester asks about the purpose of prenatal vitamins. What is the
nurse's best response?
• A) "They help prevent morning sickness."
• B) "They ensure that your baby will be born with a healthy weight."
• C) "They provide nutrients that support your baby's growth, such as folic acid."
• D) "They help regulate your blood pressure during pregnancy."
• Answer: C
Rationale: Prenatal vitamins, especially folic acid, are crucial in preventing neural tube
defects and supporting the healthy growth of the fetus.
3. Which of the following assessments is a priority during the first prenatal visit?
• A) Measurement of maternal fundal height
• B) Establishing the estimated date of delivery (EDD)
• C) Assessment of fetal heart rate
• D) Measuring maternal blood pressure
• Answer: B
Rationale: Determining the EDD helps guide the timing of prenatal testing and
assessments.
4. A patient at 28 weeks gestation is concerned about swelling in her ankles. The nurse
should respond by:
• A) Recommending an increase in physical activity to reduce the swelling
• B) Advising the patient to elevate her feet and avoid standing for prolonged periods
• C) Suggesting that she wear tight socks to help the swelling
• D) Recommending a low-sodium diet to prevent the swelling
• Answer: B
Rationale: Mild swelling in the lower extremities is common in pregnancy, especially in
the second and third trimesters. Elevating the feet helps reduce swelling.
5. Which statement by the patient indicates understanding of the nurse’s teaching
regarding prenatal care?
, • A) "I should avoid all physical activity to protect my pregnancy."
• B) "I need to gain weight gradually to support my baby's growth."
• C) "I should limit my visits to the doctor to save time and money."
• D) "I will stop taking prenatal vitamins as soon as I feel better."
• Answer: B
Rationale: Gradual weight gain is important for the health of both the mother and fetus.
It should follow the recommendations provided by the healthcare provider.
6. The nurse is reviewing the lab results of a pregnant patient. Which of the following
findings would require immediate follow-up?
• A) Hemoglobin level of 11 g/dL
• B) Blood pressure of 130/85 mmHg
• C) Blood glucose level of 120 mg/dL after fasting
• D) Positive urine protein test result
• Answer: D
Rationale: A positive urine protein test could indicate preeclampsia, a serious pregnancy
complication that requires further evaluation.
7. At 12 weeks gestation, the nurse assesses the patient for risk factors for gestational
diabetes. Which of the following is a risk factor for this condition?
• A) Age less than 25 years
• B) History of obesity
• C) History of hypothyroidism
• D) No history of diabetes in the family
• Answer: B
Rationale: Obesity is a significant risk factor for gestational diabetes, as it can impair
insulin sensitivity.
8. The nurse is caring for a pregnant patient who is 30 weeks gestation and reports vaginal
bleeding. The nurse should first:
• A) Ask the patient about any recent sexual activity
• B) Check the fetal heart rate
• C) Perform a vaginal exam to assess the source of bleeding
• D) Obtain a complete blood count (CBC)
• Answer: B
Rationale: Fetal heart rate monitoring should be performed first to assess fetal well-
being before proceeding with further assessments.
9. A nurse is teaching a pregnant woman about the symptoms of preterm labor. Which
statement indicates a need for further teaching?
• A) "I should call my healthcare provider if I have lower back pain or cramps."
• B) "It is important to track any changes in vaginal discharge."
, • C) "I should not be concerned about contractions until they are regular and painful."
• D) "I should seek care immediately if I notice a decrease in fetal movement."
• Answer: C
Rationale: Preterm labor can be characterized by early contractions that may not be
painful but should still be reported to the healthcare provider.
10. Which of the following is a common discomfort during the second trimester of
pregnancy?
• A) Nausea and vomiting
• B) Back pain
• C) Heartburn
• D) Hemorrhoids
• Answer: B
Rationale: Back pain is common during the second trimester as the body adapts to the
growing fetus.
11. The nurse is reviewing the results of a 28-week gestation patient’s blood glucose
screening. Which result would be considered abnormal and require further testing?
• A) 90 mg/dL
• B) 140 mg/dL
• C) 160 mg/dL
• D) 180 mg/dL
• Answer: C
Rationale: A blood glucose level of 160 mg/dL is elevated and indicates the need for
further testing, such as a glucose tolerance test, to assess for gestational diabetes.
12. Which of the following is a common warning sign of a miscarriage that a pregnant
woman should report to her healthcare provider?
• A) Spotting or light bleeding
• B) Severe cramping or abdominal pain
• C) Breast tenderness
• D) Increased fatigue
• Answer: B
Rationale: Severe cramping or abdominal pain, along with bleeding, could indicate a
miscarriage, and it is important to report these symptoms to a healthcare provider
immediately.
13. A pregnant woman at 34 weeks gestation presents with complaints of severe headaches,
visual disturbances, and swelling of the hands and face. Which of the following is the
priority action?
prenatal care to a pregnant woman in her first trimester?
• A) Fetal heart rate monitoring
• B) Assessing for signs of gestational hypertension
• C) Teaching the patient about nutrition and weight gain
• D) Assessing for signs of preterm labor
• Answer: C
Rationale: Early prenatal visits focus on educating the patient about proper nutrition and
weight gain to ensure healthy fetal development and maternal health.
2. A patient in her first trimester asks about the purpose of prenatal vitamins. What is the
nurse's best response?
• A) "They help prevent morning sickness."
• B) "They ensure that your baby will be born with a healthy weight."
• C) "They provide nutrients that support your baby's growth, such as folic acid."
• D) "They help regulate your blood pressure during pregnancy."
• Answer: C
Rationale: Prenatal vitamins, especially folic acid, are crucial in preventing neural tube
defects and supporting the healthy growth of the fetus.
3. Which of the following assessments is a priority during the first prenatal visit?
• A) Measurement of maternal fundal height
• B) Establishing the estimated date of delivery (EDD)
• C) Assessment of fetal heart rate
• D) Measuring maternal blood pressure
• Answer: B
Rationale: Determining the EDD helps guide the timing of prenatal testing and
assessments.
4. A patient at 28 weeks gestation is concerned about swelling in her ankles. The nurse
should respond by:
• A) Recommending an increase in physical activity to reduce the swelling
• B) Advising the patient to elevate her feet and avoid standing for prolonged periods
• C) Suggesting that she wear tight socks to help the swelling
• D) Recommending a low-sodium diet to prevent the swelling
• Answer: B
Rationale: Mild swelling in the lower extremities is common in pregnancy, especially in
the second and third trimesters. Elevating the feet helps reduce swelling.
5. Which statement by the patient indicates understanding of the nurse’s teaching
regarding prenatal care?
, • A) "I should avoid all physical activity to protect my pregnancy."
• B) "I need to gain weight gradually to support my baby's growth."
• C) "I should limit my visits to the doctor to save time and money."
• D) "I will stop taking prenatal vitamins as soon as I feel better."
• Answer: B
Rationale: Gradual weight gain is important for the health of both the mother and fetus.
It should follow the recommendations provided by the healthcare provider.
6. The nurse is reviewing the lab results of a pregnant patient. Which of the following
findings would require immediate follow-up?
• A) Hemoglobin level of 11 g/dL
• B) Blood pressure of 130/85 mmHg
• C) Blood glucose level of 120 mg/dL after fasting
• D) Positive urine protein test result
• Answer: D
Rationale: A positive urine protein test could indicate preeclampsia, a serious pregnancy
complication that requires further evaluation.
7. At 12 weeks gestation, the nurse assesses the patient for risk factors for gestational
diabetes. Which of the following is a risk factor for this condition?
• A) Age less than 25 years
• B) History of obesity
• C) History of hypothyroidism
• D) No history of diabetes in the family
• Answer: B
Rationale: Obesity is a significant risk factor for gestational diabetes, as it can impair
insulin sensitivity.
8. The nurse is caring for a pregnant patient who is 30 weeks gestation and reports vaginal
bleeding. The nurse should first:
• A) Ask the patient about any recent sexual activity
• B) Check the fetal heart rate
• C) Perform a vaginal exam to assess the source of bleeding
• D) Obtain a complete blood count (CBC)
• Answer: B
Rationale: Fetal heart rate monitoring should be performed first to assess fetal well-
being before proceeding with further assessments.
9. A nurse is teaching a pregnant woman about the symptoms of preterm labor. Which
statement indicates a need for further teaching?
• A) "I should call my healthcare provider if I have lower back pain or cramps."
• B) "It is important to track any changes in vaginal discharge."
, • C) "I should not be concerned about contractions until they are regular and painful."
• D) "I should seek care immediately if I notice a decrease in fetal movement."
• Answer: C
Rationale: Preterm labor can be characterized by early contractions that may not be
painful but should still be reported to the healthcare provider.
10. Which of the following is a common discomfort during the second trimester of
pregnancy?
• A) Nausea and vomiting
• B) Back pain
• C) Heartburn
• D) Hemorrhoids
• Answer: B
Rationale: Back pain is common during the second trimester as the body adapts to the
growing fetus.
11. The nurse is reviewing the results of a 28-week gestation patient’s blood glucose
screening. Which result would be considered abnormal and require further testing?
• A) 90 mg/dL
• B) 140 mg/dL
• C) 160 mg/dL
• D) 180 mg/dL
• Answer: C
Rationale: A blood glucose level of 160 mg/dL is elevated and indicates the need for
further testing, such as a glucose tolerance test, to assess for gestational diabetes.
12. Which of the following is a common warning sign of a miscarriage that a pregnant
woman should report to her healthcare provider?
• A) Spotting or light bleeding
• B) Severe cramping or abdominal pain
• C) Breast tenderness
• D) Increased fatigue
• Answer: B
Rationale: Severe cramping or abdominal pain, along with bleeding, could indicate a
miscarriage, and it is important to report these symptoms to a healthcare provider
immediately.
13. A pregnant woman at 34 weeks gestation presents with complaints of severe headaches,
visual disturbances, and swelling of the hands and face. Which of the following is the
priority action?
