Final Exam Study Guide NURS 3600 Maternity Questions and Answers Fully Solved Latest 2025-2026
Teratogenic drugs - AnswersDrugs like isotretinoin and ACE inhibitors that can cause congenital defects
and must be avoided during pregnancy.
Causes of congenital malformations - AnswersIncludes genetic factors, infections (TORCH), teratogens,
alcohol, drugs, uncontrolled diabetes, and radiation exposure.
Home pregnancy test - AnswersDetects hCG in urine; use first morning urine for accuracy and follow
instructions carefully.
Fundal height - AnswersMeasures fetal growth; at 20 weeks, it's at the umbilicus and generally
corresponds with gestational age in cm after 20 weeks.
Decreased growth in fundal height - AnswersMay indicate IUGR or oligohydramnios.
Increased growth in fundal height - AnswersMay suggest macrosomia or polyhydramnios.
Teenage pregnancy - AnswersProvide support, discuss prenatal care importance, and assess for
nutritional, emotional, and social support needs.
Estimated date of delivery (EDD) - AnswersUse Nägele's Rule: First day of LMP + 7 days - 3 months + 1
year.
Hormones in pregnancy - AnswersEstrogen & progesterone support pregnancy; hCG maintains corpus
luteum; FSH stimulates follicle growth in early cycle.
Anemia in pregnancy - AnswersCommon condition; monitor Hgb & Hct; teach iron-rich diet and iron
supplement adherence.
Pregnancy cardiac medications - AnswersAvoid ACE inhibitors and warfarin; beta-blockers and
methyldopa are considered safer alternatives.
TORCH infections - AnswersIncludes Toxoplasmosis, Other (syphilis), Rubella, CMV, Herpes; can cause
serious fetal harm.
PROM - premature rupture of membranes - AnswersIncreases infection risk (chorioamnionitis) and
preterm labor; monitor temp and signs of infection.
Amniocentesis risks - AnswersIncludes infection, miscarriage, Rh sensitization, and preterm labor;
monitor fetal heart rate and contractions post-procedure.
Fetal monitoring in the third trimester - AnswersNon-stress test, biophysical profile, and contraction
stress test assess fetal well-being and placental function.
Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) - AnswersHigh levels may indicate neural tube defects; low
levels may indicate Down syndrome.
, Prioritizing return calls in OB care - AnswersPrioritize signs of preterm labor, bleeding, decreased fetal
movement, or severe headaches indicating preeclampsia.
Lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio - AnswersL/S ratio ≥ 2:1 suggests fetal lung maturity; used when
preterm delivery is likely.
Labor & bladder assessment in triage - AnswersA full bladder may impede labor progress and fetal
descent; encourage voiding regularly.
Parental attachment - AnswersEarly skin-to-skin and bonding behaviors like gazing and holding indicate
attachment.
Placental delivery & oxytocin - AnswersOxytocin promotes uterine contractions and prevents
postpartum hemorrhage after placenta delivery.
Epidural anesthesia nursing management - AnswersMonitor for hypotension, fetal bradycardia, and
assess bladder; provide fluid bolus before placement.
Pain during labor and birth - AnswersEducate about pain relief options (pharmacologic and
nonpharmacologic) and support patient preferences.
Fetal heart rate - AnswersNormal FHR is 110-160 bpm.
Normal FHR - Answers110-160 bpm.
Bradycardia - Answers<110 bpm.
Tachycardia - Answers>160 bpm.
True labor - AnswersRegular contractions, cervical change, discomfort in back to front.
False labor - AnswersIrregular contractions, no cervical change.
Station during labor - AnswersIndicates fetal descent into the pelvis; 0 is at ischial spines; +3 is crowning.
Cervical dilation - AnswersRanges from 0 (closed) to 10 cm (complete); assessed during vaginal exam.
Infant head shapes from delivery - AnswersMolding and caput succedaneum are normal and resolve;
monitor for cephalohematoma.
Rh incompatibility - AnswersOccurs if Rh- mother is exposed to Rh+ fetal blood; prevent with RhoGAM
at 28 weeks and postpartum if needed.
Induction of labor - AnswersUse of oxytocin or mechanical methods; ensure fetal well-being and cervical
readiness (Bishop score).
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) - AnswersScreen at 35-37 weeks; positive women receive intrapartum
antibiotics (penicillin) to prevent neonatal infection.
Teratogenic drugs - AnswersDrugs like isotretinoin and ACE inhibitors that can cause congenital defects
and must be avoided during pregnancy.
Causes of congenital malformations - AnswersIncludes genetic factors, infections (TORCH), teratogens,
alcohol, drugs, uncontrolled diabetes, and radiation exposure.
Home pregnancy test - AnswersDetects hCG in urine; use first morning urine for accuracy and follow
instructions carefully.
Fundal height - AnswersMeasures fetal growth; at 20 weeks, it's at the umbilicus and generally
corresponds with gestational age in cm after 20 weeks.
Decreased growth in fundal height - AnswersMay indicate IUGR or oligohydramnios.
Increased growth in fundal height - AnswersMay suggest macrosomia or polyhydramnios.
Teenage pregnancy - AnswersProvide support, discuss prenatal care importance, and assess for
nutritional, emotional, and social support needs.
Estimated date of delivery (EDD) - AnswersUse Nägele's Rule: First day of LMP + 7 days - 3 months + 1
year.
Hormones in pregnancy - AnswersEstrogen & progesterone support pregnancy; hCG maintains corpus
luteum; FSH stimulates follicle growth in early cycle.
Anemia in pregnancy - AnswersCommon condition; monitor Hgb & Hct; teach iron-rich diet and iron
supplement adherence.
Pregnancy cardiac medications - AnswersAvoid ACE inhibitors and warfarin; beta-blockers and
methyldopa are considered safer alternatives.
TORCH infections - AnswersIncludes Toxoplasmosis, Other (syphilis), Rubella, CMV, Herpes; can cause
serious fetal harm.
PROM - premature rupture of membranes - AnswersIncreases infection risk (chorioamnionitis) and
preterm labor; monitor temp and signs of infection.
Amniocentesis risks - AnswersIncludes infection, miscarriage, Rh sensitization, and preterm labor;
monitor fetal heart rate and contractions post-procedure.
Fetal monitoring in the third trimester - AnswersNon-stress test, biophysical profile, and contraction
stress test assess fetal well-being and placental function.
Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) - AnswersHigh levels may indicate neural tube defects; low
levels may indicate Down syndrome.
, Prioritizing return calls in OB care - AnswersPrioritize signs of preterm labor, bleeding, decreased fetal
movement, or severe headaches indicating preeclampsia.
Lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio - AnswersL/S ratio ≥ 2:1 suggests fetal lung maturity; used when
preterm delivery is likely.
Labor & bladder assessment in triage - AnswersA full bladder may impede labor progress and fetal
descent; encourage voiding regularly.
Parental attachment - AnswersEarly skin-to-skin and bonding behaviors like gazing and holding indicate
attachment.
Placental delivery & oxytocin - AnswersOxytocin promotes uterine contractions and prevents
postpartum hemorrhage after placenta delivery.
Epidural anesthesia nursing management - AnswersMonitor for hypotension, fetal bradycardia, and
assess bladder; provide fluid bolus before placement.
Pain during labor and birth - AnswersEducate about pain relief options (pharmacologic and
nonpharmacologic) and support patient preferences.
Fetal heart rate - AnswersNormal FHR is 110-160 bpm.
Normal FHR - Answers110-160 bpm.
Bradycardia - Answers<110 bpm.
Tachycardia - Answers>160 bpm.
True labor - AnswersRegular contractions, cervical change, discomfort in back to front.
False labor - AnswersIrregular contractions, no cervical change.
Station during labor - AnswersIndicates fetal descent into the pelvis; 0 is at ischial spines; +3 is crowning.
Cervical dilation - AnswersRanges from 0 (closed) to 10 cm (complete); assessed during vaginal exam.
Infant head shapes from delivery - AnswersMolding and caput succedaneum are normal and resolve;
monitor for cephalohematoma.
Rh incompatibility - AnswersOccurs if Rh- mother is exposed to Rh+ fetal blood; prevent with RhoGAM
at 28 weeks and postpartum if needed.
Induction of labor - AnswersUse of oxytocin or mechanical methods; ensure fetal well-being and cervical
readiness (Bishop score).
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) - AnswersScreen at 35-37 weeks; positive women receive intrapartum
antibiotics (penicillin) to prevent neonatal infection.
