Maternal–Newborn Nursing NCLEX-Style Practice Questions-
NSG 3500:
Galen College of Nursing, the NSG 3500 course—titled
Nursing Practice: Maternal Health—Exam 1,2 3 & 4
Competency Performance Exam (CPE)
Description: Focuses on holistic nursing care of women and
their families during the childbearing years, including
antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum periods, and care of the
newborn.
Assessments:
Exam 1: Female reproductive system, prenatal care.
Exam 2: Labor and delivery processes, pain management.
Exam 3: Postpartum care, newborn assessment.
Exam 4: High-risk pregnancies, neonatal complications.
CPEs: Clinical evaluations in maternal health settings.
Prenatal Care
1. A 24-year-old primigravida at 10 weeks’ gestation presents
for her first prenatal visit. She asks about appropriate
weight gain during pregnancy. Which recommendation by
the nurse is most accurate for her body mass index (BMI)
of 22? (Difficulty: Easy)
, A. Gain 15–25 pounds throughout pregnancy.
B. Gain 25–35 pounds throughout pregnancy.
C. Gain 35–45 pounds throughout pregnancy.
D. Gain 10–15 pounds throughout pregnancy.
Correct answer: B. Gain 25–35 pounds throughout pregnancy.
Rationale:
• According to the Institute of Medicine (IOM) 2020 guidelines
and ACOG recommendations, a pregnant woman with a normal
BMI (18.5–24.9) should aim to gain 25–35 lb (11.5–16 kg) over
the course of pregnancy to support fetal growth while
minimizing maternal complications (ACOG, 2024).
Incorrect options:
• A (15–25 lb) is recommended for women who are overweight
(BMI 25–29.9), not normal BMI (Mosby’s NCLEX-RN Review,
2024).
• C (35–45 lb) is for underweight women (BMI < 18.5) to ensure
adequate fetal nutrition (ACOG, 2024).
• D (10–15 lb) is too low for a normal BMI and appropriate only
for obese women (BMI ≥ 30) (WHO recommendations, 2023).
References: ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 200 (2024); Mosby’s
NCLEX-RN Review (2024).
2. A 32-year-old multigravida at 28 weeks’ gestation with
gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) controlled by diet asks
which snack is most appropriate at bedtime. Which choice
should the nurse recommend? (Difficulty: Moderate)
A. 1 cup of orange juice and 2 graham crackers.
, B. 1 cup of low-fat milk and 1 slice of whole-grain toast.
C. ½ cup of chocolate pudding.
D. 1 cup of fruit-flavored yogurt.
Correct answer: B. 1 cup of low-fat milk and 1 slice of whole-
grain toast.
Rationale:
• Bedtime snack for GDM should combine protein and complex
carbohydrates to prevent nocturnal hypoglycemia while
minimizing postprandial hyperglycemia (ADA Standards of
Medical Care in Diabetes, 2024). Low-fat milk provides protein,
while whole-grain toast offers slow-release carbohydrates.
Incorrect options:
• A (orange juice and graham crackers) is high in simple sugars
and could cause a spike in blood glucose (CDC gestational
diabetes guidelines, 2023).
• C (chocolate pudding) is high in simple carbohydrates and
saturated fat, potentially worsening glycemic control.
• D (fruit-flavored yogurt) often contains added sugars; less
predictable for glycemic control.
References: American Diabetes Association (ADA) Standards
(2024); AWHONN Nursing Care Guidelines (2022).
3. A 29-year-old at 16 weeks’ gestation reports persistent
nausea and vomiting interfering with daily activities. She
has lost 5% of her pre-pregnancy weight. Which initial
intervention should the nurse suggest? (Difficulty:
Moderate)
, A. Begin a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) for
total parenteral nutrition.
B. Take oral pyridoxine (vitamin B₆) and doxylamine at
bedtime.
C. Start ondansetron 8 mg intravenously every 8 hours.
D. Consume three square meals daily with no snacks.
Correct answer: B. Take oral pyridoxine (vitamin B₆) and
doxylamine at bedtime.
Rationale:
• First-line treatment for hyperemesis gravidarum/morning
sickness per ACOG is vitamin B₆ with doxylamine, which is safer
and evidence-based to reduce nausea and vomiting (ACOG,
2023). Initiate conservative measures before pharmacologic
antiemetics or parenteral nutrition.
Incorrect options:
• A (PICC/TPN) is only indicated in severe cases with > 5%
weight loss and ketonuria that fail outpatient management
(WHO, 2023). This patient may improve with initial
conservative therapy.
• C (IV ondansetron) is a second-line pharmacologic agent if
vitamin B₆/doxylamine fails, and not first-line.
• D (three square meals) may exacerbate nausea; small,
frequent meals or snacks are recommended.
References: ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 189 (2023); WHO
Recommendations on Maternal Nutrition (2023).
NSG 3500:
Galen College of Nursing, the NSG 3500 course—titled
Nursing Practice: Maternal Health—Exam 1,2 3 & 4
Competency Performance Exam (CPE)
Description: Focuses on holistic nursing care of women and
their families during the childbearing years, including
antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum periods, and care of the
newborn.
Assessments:
Exam 1: Female reproductive system, prenatal care.
Exam 2: Labor and delivery processes, pain management.
Exam 3: Postpartum care, newborn assessment.
Exam 4: High-risk pregnancies, neonatal complications.
CPEs: Clinical evaluations in maternal health settings.
Prenatal Care
1. A 24-year-old primigravida at 10 weeks’ gestation presents
for her first prenatal visit. She asks about appropriate
weight gain during pregnancy. Which recommendation by
the nurse is most accurate for her body mass index (BMI)
of 22? (Difficulty: Easy)
, A. Gain 15–25 pounds throughout pregnancy.
B. Gain 25–35 pounds throughout pregnancy.
C. Gain 35–45 pounds throughout pregnancy.
D. Gain 10–15 pounds throughout pregnancy.
Correct answer: B. Gain 25–35 pounds throughout pregnancy.
Rationale:
• According to the Institute of Medicine (IOM) 2020 guidelines
and ACOG recommendations, a pregnant woman with a normal
BMI (18.5–24.9) should aim to gain 25–35 lb (11.5–16 kg) over
the course of pregnancy to support fetal growth while
minimizing maternal complications (ACOG, 2024).
Incorrect options:
• A (15–25 lb) is recommended for women who are overweight
(BMI 25–29.9), not normal BMI (Mosby’s NCLEX-RN Review,
2024).
• C (35–45 lb) is for underweight women (BMI < 18.5) to ensure
adequate fetal nutrition (ACOG, 2024).
• D (10–15 lb) is too low for a normal BMI and appropriate only
for obese women (BMI ≥ 30) (WHO recommendations, 2023).
References: ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 200 (2024); Mosby’s
NCLEX-RN Review (2024).
2. A 32-year-old multigravida at 28 weeks’ gestation with
gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) controlled by diet asks
which snack is most appropriate at bedtime. Which choice
should the nurse recommend? (Difficulty: Moderate)
A. 1 cup of orange juice and 2 graham crackers.
, B. 1 cup of low-fat milk and 1 slice of whole-grain toast.
C. ½ cup of chocolate pudding.
D. 1 cup of fruit-flavored yogurt.
Correct answer: B. 1 cup of low-fat milk and 1 slice of whole-
grain toast.
Rationale:
• Bedtime snack for GDM should combine protein and complex
carbohydrates to prevent nocturnal hypoglycemia while
minimizing postprandial hyperglycemia (ADA Standards of
Medical Care in Diabetes, 2024). Low-fat milk provides protein,
while whole-grain toast offers slow-release carbohydrates.
Incorrect options:
• A (orange juice and graham crackers) is high in simple sugars
and could cause a spike in blood glucose (CDC gestational
diabetes guidelines, 2023).
• C (chocolate pudding) is high in simple carbohydrates and
saturated fat, potentially worsening glycemic control.
• D (fruit-flavored yogurt) often contains added sugars; less
predictable for glycemic control.
References: American Diabetes Association (ADA) Standards
(2024); AWHONN Nursing Care Guidelines (2022).
3. A 29-year-old at 16 weeks’ gestation reports persistent
nausea and vomiting interfering with daily activities. She
has lost 5% of her pre-pregnancy weight. Which initial
intervention should the nurse suggest? (Difficulty:
Moderate)
, A. Begin a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) for
total parenteral nutrition.
B. Take oral pyridoxine (vitamin B₆) and doxylamine at
bedtime.
C. Start ondansetron 8 mg intravenously every 8 hours.
D. Consume three square meals daily with no snacks.
Correct answer: B. Take oral pyridoxine (vitamin B₆) and
doxylamine at bedtime.
Rationale:
• First-line treatment for hyperemesis gravidarum/morning
sickness per ACOG is vitamin B₆ with doxylamine, which is safer
and evidence-based to reduce nausea and vomiting (ACOG,
2023). Initiate conservative measures before pharmacologic
antiemetics or parenteral nutrition.
Incorrect options:
• A (PICC/TPN) is only indicated in severe cases with > 5%
weight loss and ketonuria that fail outpatient management
(WHO, 2023). This patient may improve with initial
conservative therapy.
• C (IV ondansetron) is a second-line pharmacologic agent if
vitamin B₆/doxylamine fails, and not first-line.
• D (three square meals) may exacerbate nausea; small,
frequent meals or snacks are recommended.
References: ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 189 (2023); WHO
Recommendations on Maternal Nutrition (2023).
