Maternal Nursing Exam
Vasectomy Patient Information - Requires surgery, not immediately effective (use backup
method for several weeks until sperm count is zero).
Vernix Caseosa - A creamy white substance that protects fetal skin.
Visits in the 3rd trimester - Every 2 weeks until 36 weeks, then weekly.
Vitamin K administration to newborns - Prevents bleeding by supporting clotting factor
synthesis, which newborns cannot produce adequately in the first week. Given IM within 1 hour
of birth.
Warm blanket and hat - Additional measures to maintain a newborn's body temperature after
birth.
Warning signs of postpartum depression - Persistent sadness, loss of interest, guilt,
sleep/appetite changes, withdrawal, and thoughts of harming self or baby.
Weighing pads (1g = 1mL), measuring clots, and using calibrated collection devices - Methods to
measure blood loss accurately postpartum.
When fully dilated (10 cm) and has urge - The appropriate time to instruct a mother to begin
pushing during labor.
,1st Trimester Milestones - Heart begins beating by week 5-6, neural tube closes by week 6, all
major organs begin forming, fetus is ~2.5 inches by week 12.
2nd Stage of Labor - Begins with full dilation (10 cm) and ends with the birth of the baby.
Encourage pushing, monitor FHR and maternal vitals.
2nd Trimester Changes - Fetal gender can be seen on ultrasound around 16-20 weeks,
quickening is felt, lanugo and vernix develop, bones harden, fetus grows to ~14 inches.
3rd Stage of Labor - Focus of care is delivery of the placenta. Observe for signs of placental
separation and monitor for hemorrhage.
3rd Trimester Changes - Rapid weight gain (avg. 6-8 lbs), lung surfactant production begins by 36
weeks, eyes open and close, fetus responds to light, sound, and pain, assumes head-down
position.
4 Ts of postpartum hemorrhage causes - Tone (atony), Tissue (retained placenta), Trauma
(laceration), Thrombin (coagulopathy).
4th Stage of Labor - Initial postpartum recovery period. Monitor fundus, lochia, vital signs,
bladder status, and bonding.
Absent variability - Undetectable amplitude; non-reassuring - may indicate hypoxia.
Accelerations in FHR - Abrupt increase of greater than or equal to 15 bpm for greater than or
equal to 15 seconds (greater than or equal to 32 weeks); indicates fetal well-being.
, Active Phase of Labor - Cervix dilates from 4-7 cm. Contractions become regular, stronger, and
more frequent. Discomfort increases.
Advantages and Disadvantages of the Implant - Advantages: Long-term (up to 3 years), low
maintenance. Disadvantages: Irregular bleeding, hormonal side effects.
Advantages of Natural Family Planning - No hormonal side effects, encourages body awareness,
no medication or device required, accepted by most religions.
Amniocentesis - Performed after 15 weeks. Used to detect genetic disorders, fetal lung maturity,
or infection. Involves withdrawing amniotic fluid with a needle.
Amniotomy assessment - Fetal Heart Rate (FHR) should be assessed immediately for at least 1
minute, watching for cord prolapse or decelerations.
Antibody screen - A test to detect harmful antibodies in the blood.
APGAR score - Assesses Appearance (color), Pulse, Grimace (reflex), Activity (muscle tone), and
Respirations. Each scored 0-2 for a total of up to 10.
aPTT - Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time
Assess fundus, monitor lochia, check vital signs, assess for hypovolemic shock, monitor urine
output - Priority assessment interventions for postpartum hemorrhage.
Ballard Score - A scoring tool used to estimate gestational age based on neuromuscular and
physical maturity of the newborn.
Vasectomy Patient Information - Requires surgery, not immediately effective (use backup
method for several weeks until sperm count is zero).
Vernix Caseosa - A creamy white substance that protects fetal skin.
Visits in the 3rd trimester - Every 2 weeks until 36 weeks, then weekly.
Vitamin K administration to newborns - Prevents bleeding by supporting clotting factor
synthesis, which newborns cannot produce adequately in the first week. Given IM within 1 hour
of birth.
Warm blanket and hat - Additional measures to maintain a newborn's body temperature after
birth.
Warning signs of postpartum depression - Persistent sadness, loss of interest, guilt,
sleep/appetite changes, withdrawal, and thoughts of harming self or baby.
Weighing pads (1g = 1mL), measuring clots, and using calibrated collection devices - Methods to
measure blood loss accurately postpartum.
When fully dilated (10 cm) and has urge - The appropriate time to instruct a mother to begin
pushing during labor.
,1st Trimester Milestones - Heart begins beating by week 5-6, neural tube closes by week 6, all
major organs begin forming, fetus is ~2.5 inches by week 12.
2nd Stage of Labor - Begins with full dilation (10 cm) and ends with the birth of the baby.
Encourage pushing, monitor FHR and maternal vitals.
2nd Trimester Changes - Fetal gender can be seen on ultrasound around 16-20 weeks,
quickening is felt, lanugo and vernix develop, bones harden, fetus grows to ~14 inches.
3rd Stage of Labor - Focus of care is delivery of the placenta. Observe for signs of placental
separation and monitor for hemorrhage.
3rd Trimester Changes - Rapid weight gain (avg. 6-8 lbs), lung surfactant production begins by 36
weeks, eyes open and close, fetus responds to light, sound, and pain, assumes head-down
position.
4 Ts of postpartum hemorrhage causes - Tone (atony), Tissue (retained placenta), Trauma
(laceration), Thrombin (coagulopathy).
4th Stage of Labor - Initial postpartum recovery period. Monitor fundus, lochia, vital signs,
bladder status, and bonding.
Absent variability - Undetectable amplitude; non-reassuring - may indicate hypoxia.
Accelerations in FHR - Abrupt increase of greater than or equal to 15 bpm for greater than or
equal to 15 seconds (greater than or equal to 32 weeks); indicates fetal well-being.
, Active Phase of Labor - Cervix dilates from 4-7 cm. Contractions become regular, stronger, and
more frequent. Discomfort increases.
Advantages and Disadvantages of the Implant - Advantages: Long-term (up to 3 years), low
maintenance. Disadvantages: Irregular bleeding, hormonal side effects.
Advantages of Natural Family Planning - No hormonal side effects, encourages body awareness,
no medication or device required, accepted by most religions.
Amniocentesis - Performed after 15 weeks. Used to detect genetic disorders, fetal lung maturity,
or infection. Involves withdrawing amniotic fluid with a needle.
Amniotomy assessment - Fetal Heart Rate (FHR) should be assessed immediately for at least 1
minute, watching for cord prolapse or decelerations.
Antibody screen - A test to detect harmful antibodies in the blood.
APGAR score - Assesses Appearance (color), Pulse, Grimace (reflex), Activity (muscle tone), and
Respirations. Each scored 0-2 for a total of up to 10.
aPTT - Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time
Assess fundus, monitor lochia, check vital signs, assess for hypovolemic shock, monitor urine
output - Priority assessment interventions for postpartum hemorrhage.
Ballard Score - A scoring tool used to estimate gestational age based on neuromuscular and
physical maturity of the newborn.
