Fall Semester September 2025/2026 | NACE Care of
the Childbearing Family | 200+ Verified Practice
Questions with Answers & Detailed Rationales |
Comprehensive Maternal & Newborn Nursing Test
Bank | Exam Prep for RN, BSN, and Nursing Bridge
Programs
1. A pregnant woman at 28 weeks gestation presents with complaints of
swelling in her feet and hands. What should the nurse assess first?
A) Fetal heart rate
B) Blood pressure
C) Urine output
D) Weight gain
Answer: B - "Blood pressure."
RATIONALE: Swelling can indicate potential hypertension or preeclampsia, so
assessing blood pressure is critical.
2. During a prenatal visit, a client asks about the importance of folic acid. What
is the best response?
A) It helps with weight gain.
B) It reduces the risk of neural tube defects.
C) It improves fetal heart rate.
D) It minimizes morning sickness.
Answer: B - "It reduces the risk of neural tube defects."
RATIONALE: Folic acid is crucial for fetal neural development and helps prevent
defects.
3. A nurse is teaching a pregnant woman about warning signs during
pregnancy. Which sign should she emphasize as urgent?
A) Mild cramping
B) Occasional headaches
C) Visual disturbances
D) Increased fatigue
Answer: C - "Visual disturbances."
RATIONALE: Visual disturbances can indicate preeclampsia and require immediate
medical attention.
4. A 32-week pregnant woman is experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions.
What should the nurse advise her?
, A) To go to the hospital immediately
B) To stay hydrated and rest
C) To ignore them completely
D) To increase physical activity
Answer: B - "To stay hydrated and rest."
RATIONALE: Braxton Hicks contractions are normal; hydration and rest can help
alleviate discomfort.
5. During a routine prenatal checkup, the nurse notes a decrease in fetal
movement by the mother at 30 weeks. What is the priority nursing action?
A) Schedule a follow-up appointment
B) Provide education about fetal activity
C) Assess fetal heart rate
D) Encourage the mother to eat something
Answer: C - "Assess fetal heart rate."
RATIONALE: A decrease in fetal movement can indicate potential distress, so
immediate assessment is critical.
6. A client in labor is asking about pain relief options. Which option should the
nurse discuss first?
A) Epidural anesthesia
B) Breathing techniques
C) Intravenous analgesics
D) Acupressure
Answer: B - "Breathing techniques."
RATIONALE: Non-pharmacological methods like breathing techniques should be
discussed first as they empower the mother and can be very effective.
7. What is the primary purpose of monitoring uterine contractions during
labor?
A) To predict the delivery date
B) To assess fetal positioning
C) To evaluate labor progress
D) To determine maternal hydration
Answer: C - "To evaluate labor progress."
RATIONALE: Monitoring contractions helps assess the effectiveness of labor and
progress towards delivery.
, 8. A nurse is caring for a postpartum client who had a cesarean delivery. What
is the priority nursing intervention?
A) Promote ambulation
B) Assess the surgical site
C) Provide pain management
D) Educate about breastfeeding
Answer: C - "Provide pain management."
RATIONALE: Adequate pain control is essential for recovery and promotes ambulation
and overall well-being.
9. Which of the following is a normal finding in a newborn during the first 24
hours of life?
A) Jaundice
B) Weight loss of 10%
C) Heart rate of 160 bpm
D) Respiratory rate of 50 breaths/min
Answer: C - "Heart rate of 160 bpm."
RATIONALE: A heart rate of 160 bpm is within the normal range for a newborn, while
significant jaundice and excessive weight loss are concerning.
10. A mother is concerned about her newborn's feeding routine. What is the
nurse's best advice regarding breastfeeding frequency?
A) Every 4 hours
B) On demand
C) Every 2 hours
D) Every 6 hours
Answer: B - "On demand."
RATIONALE: Newborns should be breastfed on demand to ensure adequate nutrition
and promote bonding.
11. A postpartum client expresses feelings of sadness and anxiety. What is the
most appropriate nursing intervention?
A) Encourage her to focus on the baby
B) Assess for potential postpartum depression
C) Suggest she take more rest
D) Provide her with educational materials
Answer: B - "Assess for potential postpartum depression."
RATIONALE: It’s important to evaluate mental health, as postpartum depression
requires intervention.
, 12. During a prenatal class, a woman asks about exercise during pregnancy.
What should the nurse emphasize?
A) Avoid all physical activity
B) Engage in high-impact sports
C) Consult a provider before starting any exercise
D) Only exercise in the third trimester
Answer: C - "Consult a provider before starting any exercise."
RATIONALE: While exercise is beneficial, it should be individualized based on the
woman's health status and pregnancy.
13. What is the most critical assessment for a nurse to perform on a woman in
active labor?
A) Maternal vital signs
B) Fetal heart rate
C) Contraction pattern
D) Pain level
Answer: B - "Fetal heart rate."
RATIONALE: Continuous monitoring of the fetal heart rate is essential to assess fetal
well-being during labor.
14. A mother with diabetes is about to deliver. What is the priority nursing
intervention during delivery?
A) Monitor blood glucose levels
B) Educate about infant feeding
C) Assess for signs of distress
D) Promote skin-to-skin contact
Answer: A - "Monitor blood glucose levels."
RATIONALE: Blood glucose levels can fluctuate significantly during labor, requiring
careful monitoring to prevent complications.
15. A client is being discharged after a vaginal delivery. What information should
the nurse provide regarding lochia?
A) It will stop immediately after delivery.
B) It will gradually decrease in amount and change color.
C) It should be bright red for 2 weeks.
D) It indicates an infection if it is yellow.
the Childbearing Family | 200+ Verified Practice
Questions with Answers & Detailed Rationales |
Comprehensive Maternal & Newborn Nursing Test
Bank | Exam Prep for RN, BSN, and Nursing Bridge
Programs
1. A pregnant woman at 28 weeks gestation presents with complaints of
swelling in her feet and hands. What should the nurse assess first?
A) Fetal heart rate
B) Blood pressure
C) Urine output
D) Weight gain
Answer: B - "Blood pressure."
RATIONALE: Swelling can indicate potential hypertension or preeclampsia, so
assessing blood pressure is critical.
2. During a prenatal visit, a client asks about the importance of folic acid. What
is the best response?
A) It helps with weight gain.
B) It reduces the risk of neural tube defects.
C) It improves fetal heart rate.
D) It minimizes morning sickness.
Answer: B - "It reduces the risk of neural tube defects."
RATIONALE: Folic acid is crucial for fetal neural development and helps prevent
defects.
3. A nurse is teaching a pregnant woman about warning signs during
pregnancy. Which sign should she emphasize as urgent?
A) Mild cramping
B) Occasional headaches
C) Visual disturbances
D) Increased fatigue
Answer: C - "Visual disturbances."
RATIONALE: Visual disturbances can indicate preeclampsia and require immediate
medical attention.
4. A 32-week pregnant woman is experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions.
What should the nurse advise her?
, A) To go to the hospital immediately
B) To stay hydrated and rest
C) To ignore them completely
D) To increase physical activity
Answer: B - "To stay hydrated and rest."
RATIONALE: Braxton Hicks contractions are normal; hydration and rest can help
alleviate discomfort.
5. During a routine prenatal checkup, the nurse notes a decrease in fetal
movement by the mother at 30 weeks. What is the priority nursing action?
A) Schedule a follow-up appointment
B) Provide education about fetal activity
C) Assess fetal heart rate
D) Encourage the mother to eat something
Answer: C - "Assess fetal heart rate."
RATIONALE: A decrease in fetal movement can indicate potential distress, so
immediate assessment is critical.
6. A client in labor is asking about pain relief options. Which option should the
nurse discuss first?
A) Epidural anesthesia
B) Breathing techniques
C) Intravenous analgesics
D) Acupressure
Answer: B - "Breathing techniques."
RATIONALE: Non-pharmacological methods like breathing techniques should be
discussed first as they empower the mother and can be very effective.
7. What is the primary purpose of monitoring uterine contractions during
labor?
A) To predict the delivery date
B) To assess fetal positioning
C) To evaluate labor progress
D) To determine maternal hydration
Answer: C - "To evaluate labor progress."
RATIONALE: Monitoring contractions helps assess the effectiveness of labor and
progress towards delivery.
, 8. A nurse is caring for a postpartum client who had a cesarean delivery. What
is the priority nursing intervention?
A) Promote ambulation
B) Assess the surgical site
C) Provide pain management
D) Educate about breastfeeding
Answer: C - "Provide pain management."
RATIONALE: Adequate pain control is essential for recovery and promotes ambulation
and overall well-being.
9. Which of the following is a normal finding in a newborn during the first 24
hours of life?
A) Jaundice
B) Weight loss of 10%
C) Heart rate of 160 bpm
D) Respiratory rate of 50 breaths/min
Answer: C - "Heart rate of 160 bpm."
RATIONALE: A heart rate of 160 bpm is within the normal range for a newborn, while
significant jaundice and excessive weight loss are concerning.
10. A mother is concerned about her newborn's feeding routine. What is the
nurse's best advice regarding breastfeeding frequency?
A) Every 4 hours
B) On demand
C) Every 2 hours
D) Every 6 hours
Answer: B - "On demand."
RATIONALE: Newborns should be breastfed on demand to ensure adequate nutrition
and promote bonding.
11. A postpartum client expresses feelings of sadness and anxiety. What is the
most appropriate nursing intervention?
A) Encourage her to focus on the baby
B) Assess for potential postpartum depression
C) Suggest she take more rest
D) Provide her with educational materials
Answer: B - "Assess for potential postpartum depression."
RATIONALE: It’s important to evaluate mental health, as postpartum depression
requires intervention.
, 12. During a prenatal class, a woman asks about exercise during pregnancy.
What should the nurse emphasize?
A) Avoid all physical activity
B) Engage in high-impact sports
C) Consult a provider before starting any exercise
D) Only exercise in the third trimester
Answer: C - "Consult a provider before starting any exercise."
RATIONALE: While exercise is beneficial, it should be individualized based on the
woman's health status and pregnancy.
13. What is the most critical assessment for a nurse to perform on a woman in
active labor?
A) Maternal vital signs
B) Fetal heart rate
C) Contraction pattern
D) Pain level
Answer: B - "Fetal heart rate."
RATIONALE: Continuous monitoring of the fetal heart rate is essential to assess fetal
well-being during labor.
14. A mother with diabetes is about to deliver. What is the priority nursing
intervention during delivery?
A) Monitor blood glucose levels
B) Educate about infant feeding
C) Assess for signs of distress
D) Promote skin-to-skin contact
Answer: A - "Monitor blood glucose levels."
RATIONALE: Blood glucose levels can fluctuate significantly during labor, requiring
careful monitoring to prevent complications.
15. A client is being discharged after a vaginal delivery. What information should
the nurse provide regarding lochia?
A) It will stop immediately after delivery.
B) It will gradually decrease in amount and change color.
C) It should be bright red for 2 weeks.
D) It indicates an infection if it is yellow.
