Perinatal Nursing Questions With Complete Answers| Sure to Pass| Graded A+| latest Version 2025/2026

1. Nurses on a psychiatric unit have secluded a client with bipolar I disorder, manic episode, who was throwing objects. What is the most important intervention after giving PRN medication? ANSWER: Evaluate the client’s progress toward self control. Rationale: Improvement in self-control is essential before reducing restraints or seclusion. 2. Tokophobia ANSWER: Fear of childbirth – women may opt for a c section to avoid vaginal delivery. 3. A married woman arrives in the ER with swollen eyes and a bruise on her neck, reporting domestic violence. How does the nurse expect the husband to behave? ANSWER: Charming. Rationale: Abusers often act charming in public to mask abusive tendencies. 4. Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) ANSWER: Occurs in up to 10% of pregnancies, leading cause of infant morbidity and mortality. • Can occur anytime. • No growth or a drop-off in growth. 5. An adolescent presents with pinpoint pupils, respiratory depression, cyanosis, and needle marks. Which drug is most likely being abused? ANSWER: Narcotics (opioids). Rationale: Opioids cause constricted pupils, respiratory depression, and cyanosis. 6. Late deceleration physiology ANSWER: Uteroplacental insufficiency → possible fetal hypoxia and acidemia. Causes include hypertension disorders, post-term pregnancy, hemorrhage, maternal hypoxia, tachysystole. 7. Perinatal compass nursing model ANSWER: • Relationship-based care. • Interprofessional collaboration. • Evidence-informed practice. • Quality and safety. 8. A nurse is caring for a client who has abruptly stopped taking a barbiturate. What withdrawal complication may occur? ANSWER: Seizures. Rationale: Seizures are a serious effect of abrupt barbiturate withdrawal. 9. HELPERR mnemonic (shoulder dystocia) ANSWER: • Help (call for help) • Evaluate for episiotomy • Legs into McRoberts position • Pressure (suprapubic) • Enter maneuvers • Remove posterior arm • Roll onto all fours 10. Thiamine (vitamin B1) and niacin (vitamin B3) are prescribed for a client with alcoholism. Which body function do they support? ANSWER: Neuronal activity. Rationale: They help convert glucose to energy, supporting nerve activity. 11. Anxiety, diaphoresis, and psychomotor agitation after 14 hours in hospital post-MVA. What is this related to? ANSWER: Alcohol withdrawal. Rationale: Autonomic hyperactivity during withdrawal causes anxiety, diaphoresis, and increased motor activity. 12. Early deceleration classification ANSWER: Normal, always recovered by end of contraction, not associated with hypoxia, no interventions required. 13. Shoulder dystocia signs ANSWER: Difficulty delivering face/chin, head tightly applied to vulva, failure of restitution, shoulders not descending. 14. A client with Wernicke encephalopathy associated with Korsakoff syndrome. What is prescribed? ANSWER: Intramuscular thiamine. Rationale: Thiamine is necessary for glucose metabolism; prevents neuronal damage. 15. Preeclampsia ANSWER: New onset hypertension after 30 weeks, with/without proteinuria, plus multisystem involvement (e.g., thrombocytopenia). 16. A client admitted for cocaine withdrawal — what is the primary concern? ANSWER: Risk for self-injury. Rationale: Clients are more likely to hurt themselves during withdrawal. 17. Prolonged decelerations greater than 3 minutes – physiology ANSWER: Related to tachysystole, severe cord compression, maternal hypotension, seizures, or rapid fetal descent. 18. Optimal timing of delivery for preeclampsia ANSWER: At or beyond 37 weeks, or between 34–37 weeks with severe features. 19. Post-Birth warning signs (mnemonic: POST-BIRTH) ANSWER: • Pain in chest • Obstructed breathing • Seizures • Thoughts of self-harm or baby harm • Bleeding (pad/hour, clots) • Incision not healing • Red/swollen leg • Temperature ≥100.4 • Headache not improving 20. A sexual assault victim prescribed alprazolam for agitation. When should the nurse administer? ANSWER: When the client requests it. Rationale: Restores a sense of control to the client after trauma.