Chapter 12 NCLEX Questions (Maternity-
Newborn Nursing) and solutions 2025
A 25-year-old client at 18 weeks' gestation has returned to the clinic for her second prenatal
visit. Her initial pulse was 60. The nurse can expect her pulse to be _______ bpm at term. - Answer 70-
75.
Rationale: The pulse can increase by 10-15 bpm at term
A nurse is teaching a prenatal client about cardiovascular changes during pregnancy. The
client asks the nurse why she becomes dizzy when getting out of a chair or out of bed. What
rationale should the nurse provide as to the cause of this dizziness during pregnancy?
a. Decreased absorption of hemoglobin in the blood.
b. Increased production of fibrinogen and plasma.
c. Decreased production of estrogen and progesterone.
d. Increased blood volume in the lower extremities. - Answer Increased blood volume in the lower
extremities.
Rationale: Increased blood volume in the lower legs can make the pregnant woman prone to
postural hypotension. Hormones, fibrinogen, plasma production, and hemoglobin are not related to
orthostatic hypotension.
A nurse is assessing a prenatal client's cardiovascular function. When should the nurse expect
this client's cardiac output (CO) to begin rising?
a. 8-10 weeks.
b. 12-18 weeks.
c. 31-38 weeks.
d. 20-24 weeks. - Answer 8-10 weeks.
Rationale: Since cardiac output (CO) begins to rise early in pregnancy, 8-10 weeks is the best
, answer. 12-18, 20-24, and 31-38 weeks are too late.
A nurse is teaching a group of first-trimester prenatal clients about the discomforts of
pregnancy. A client asks the nurse, "What causes my nausea and vomiting?" The nurse responds
indicating which of the following as contributing factors to first-trimester emesis? Select all that
apply.
a. Alterations in carbohydrate metabolism.
b. Elevated human chorionic gonadotropin.
c. Prostaglandins.
d. Alterations in taste and smell.
e. Estrogen. - Answer Elevated human chorionic gonadotropin.
Alterations in carbohydrate metabolism.
Alterations in taste and smell.
Rationale: Nausea and vomiting are common during the first trimester because of elevated
human chorionic gonadotropin levels and changed carbohydrate metabolism. Estrogen stimulates the
growth of the uterus and breast tissue. Prostaglandins stimulate uterine contractions.
A nurse is researching the topic of edema during pregnancy. Which physiologic mechanism
contributes to fluid retention?
a. Decreased nitrogen retention.
b. Increased level of steroid sex hormones.
c. Decreased intracapillary pressure and permeability.
d. Increased serum protein. - Answer Increased level of steroid sex hormones.
Rationale: Increased water retention, a basic alteration of pregnancy, is caused by several
interrelated factors. The increased level of steroid sex hormones affects sodium and fluid
retention. The lowered serum protein also influences fluid balance, as do increased intracapillary
pressure and permeability. Nitrogen retention does not influence fluid balance.
Newborn Nursing) and solutions 2025
A 25-year-old client at 18 weeks' gestation has returned to the clinic for her second prenatal
visit. Her initial pulse was 60. The nurse can expect her pulse to be _______ bpm at term. - Answer 70-
75.
Rationale: The pulse can increase by 10-15 bpm at term
A nurse is teaching a prenatal client about cardiovascular changes during pregnancy. The
client asks the nurse why she becomes dizzy when getting out of a chair or out of bed. What
rationale should the nurse provide as to the cause of this dizziness during pregnancy?
a. Decreased absorption of hemoglobin in the blood.
b. Increased production of fibrinogen and plasma.
c. Decreased production of estrogen and progesterone.
d. Increased blood volume in the lower extremities. - Answer Increased blood volume in the lower
extremities.
Rationale: Increased blood volume in the lower legs can make the pregnant woman prone to
postural hypotension. Hormones, fibrinogen, plasma production, and hemoglobin are not related to
orthostatic hypotension.
A nurse is assessing a prenatal client's cardiovascular function. When should the nurse expect
this client's cardiac output (CO) to begin rising?
a. 8-10 weeks.
b. 12-18 weeks.
c. 31-38 weeks.
d. 20-24 weeks. - Answer 8-10 weeks.
Rationale: Since cardiac output (CO) begins to rise early in pregnancy, 8-10 weeks is the best
, answer. 12-18, 20-24, and 31-38 weeks are too late.
A nurse is teaching a group of first-trimester prenatal clients about the discomforts of
pregnancy. A client asks the nurse, "What causes my nausea and vomiting?" The nurse responds
indicating which of the following as contributing factors to first-trimester emesis? Select all that
apply.
a. Alterations in carbohydrate metabolism.
b. Elevated human chorionic gonadotropin.
c. Prostaglandins.
d. Alterations in taste and smell.
e. Estrogen. - Answer Elevated human chorionic gonadotropin.
Alterations in carbohydrate metabolism.
Alterations in taste and smell.
Rationale: Nausea and vomiting are common during the first trimester because of elevated
human chorionic gonadotropin levels and changed carbohydrate metabolism. Estrogen stimulates the
growth of the uterus and breast tissue. Prostaglandins stimulate uterine contractions.
A nurse is researching the topic of edema during pregnancy. Which physiologic mechanism
contributes to fluid retention?
a. Decreased nitrogen retention.
b. Increased level of steroid sex hormones.
c. Decreased intracapillary pressure and permeability.
d. Increased serum protein. - Answer Increased level of steroid sex hormones.
Rationale: Increased water retention, a basic alteration of pregnancy, is caused by several
interrelated factors. The increased level of steroid sex hormones affects sodium and fluid
retention. The lowered serum protein also influences fluid balance, as do increased intracapillary
pressure and permeability. Nitrogen retention does not influence fluid balance.
