NSG 3500 – Nursing Practice: Maternal Health (Exam
3)NSG 3500 – Exam 3 Maternal Health (Questions 1–100)
All answers verified with updated 2025–2026 nursing
exam standards and NCLEX-RN frameworks.
Verified Original Practice-Based Q&A | 2025–2026 Edition
1. A nurse is caring for a client in active labor. The fetal heart rate (FHR)
shows late decelerations. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Increase the oxytocin infusion
B. Place the client in left lateral position
C. Encourage the client to push with contractions
D. Check for cord prolapse
Answer: B
Rationale: Late decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency; repositioning to the left
lateral side improves blood flow and oxygenation.
2. A client at 36 weeks gestation reports a sudden gush of fluid from the
vagina. What should the nurse do first?
A. Check fetal heart tones
B. Perform a vaginal exam
C. Notify the provider
D. Test the fluid with nitrazine paper
Answer: A
Rationale: The priority after rupture of membranes is to assess fetal well-being and rule out
cord prolapse by checking FHR.
,3. A nurse teaches a client about signs of preeclampsia. Which symptom
should the client report immediately?
A. Swelling of feet at the end of the day
B. Headache and blurred vision
C. Nausea after eating
D. Mild backache
Answer: B
Rationale: Headache and blurred vision are signs of CNS involvement and possible
progression to eclampsia.
4. A postpartum client complains of perineal pain and pressure. The nurse
notes a firm fundus and moderate vaginal bleeding. What is the likely
cause?
A. Uterine atony
B. Vaginal hematoma
C. Retained placental fragments
D. Endometritis
Answer: B
Rationale: A firm uterus with localized pain and swelling suggests a hematoma rather than
uterine atony.
5. A client is in the fourth stage of labor. The nurse notes excessive lochia
rubra and a boggy fundus. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Apply ice to perineum
B. Massage the fundus
C. Increase oral fluids
D. Notify the physician immediately
Answer: B
Rationale: A boggy fundus indicates uterine atony; fundal massage promotes contraction and
prevents hemorrhage.
6. A nurse prepares to administer magnesium sulfate for preeclampsia.
Which finding requires immediate intervention?
, A. Deep tendon reflexes 2+
B. Respiratory rate 10/min
C. Urine output 40 mL/hr
D. BP 150/90 mmHg
Answer: B
Rationale: Respiratory depression (<12/min) indicates magnesium toxicity — stop infusion and
administer calcium gluconate.
7. A nurse caring for a postpartum client notes foul-smelling lochia and
uterine tenderness. Which condition is suspected?
A. Mastitis
B. Endometritis
C. Cystitis
D. Thrombophlebitis
Answer: B
Rationale: Foul odor and uterine tenderness postpartum indicate uterine infection
(endometritis).
8. The nurse teaches a client about iron supplementation during pregnancy.
Which statement shows correct understanding?
A. “I’ll take iron with milk to help absorption.”
B. “I should take iron on an empty stomach with vitamin C.”
C. “I’ll take my iron with tea.”
D. “I’ll stop iron if it causes constipation.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Iron absorption increases with vitamin C and decreases with dairy or caffeine.
9. A client at 32 weeks gestation complains of painless bright red vaginal
bleeding. What should the nurse suspect?
A. Placenta previa
B. Placental abruption
C. Cervical laceration
D. Threatened abortion
Answer: A
Rationale: Painless bright red bleeding in late pregnancy is characteristic of placenta previa.
3)NSG 3500 – Exam 3 Maternal Health (Questions 1–100)
All answers verified with updated 2025–2026 nursing
exam standards and NCLEX-RN frameworks.
Verified Original Practice-Based Q&A | 2025–2026 Edition
1. A nurse is caring for a client in active labor. The fetal heart rate (FHR)
shows late decelerations. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Increase the oxytocin infusion
B. Place the client in left lateral position
C. Encourage the client to push with contractions
D. Check for cord prolapse
Answer: B
Rationale: Late decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency; repositioning to the left
lateral side improves blood flow and oxygenation.
2. A client at 36 weeks gestation reports a sudden gush of fluid from the
vagina. What should the nurse do first?
A. Check fetal heart tones
B. Perform a vaginal exam
C. Notify the provider
D. Test the fluid with nitrazine paper
Answer: A
Rationale: The priority after rupture of membranes is to assess fetal well-being and rule out
cord prolapse by checking FHR.
,3. A nurse teaches a client about signs of preeclampsia. Which symptom
should the client report immediately?
A. Swelling of feet at the end of the day
B. Headache and blurred vision
C. Nausea after eating
D. Mild backache
Answer: B
Rationale: Headache and blurred vision are signs of CNS involvement and possible
progression to eclampsia.
4. A postpartum client complains of perineal pain and pressure. The nurse
notes a firm fundus and moderate vaginal bleeding. What is the likely
cause?
A. Uterine atony
B. Vaginal hematoma
C. Retained placental fragments
D. Endometritis
Answer: B
Rationale: A firm uterus with localized pain and swelling suggests a hematoma rather than
uterine atony.
5. A client is in the fourth stage of labor. The nurse notes excessive lochia
rubra and a boggy fundus. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Apply ice to perineum
B. Massage the fundus
C. Increase oral fluids
D. Notify the physician immediately
Answer: B
Rationale: A boggy fundus indicates uterine atony; fundal massage promotes contraction and
prevents hemorrhage.
6. A nurse prepares to administer magnesium sulfate for preeclampsia.
Which finding requires immediate intervention?
, A. Deep tendon reflexes 2+
B. Respiratory rate 10/min
C. Urine output 40 mL/hr
D. BP 150/90 mmHg
Answer: B
Rationale: Respiratory depression (<12/min) indicates magnesium toxicity — stop infusion and
administer calcium gluconate.
7. A nurse caring for a postpartum client notes foul-smelling lochia and
uterine tenderness. Which condition is suspected?
A. Mastitis
B. Endometritis
C. Cystitis
D. Thrombophlebitis
Answer: B
Rationale: Foul odor and uterine tenderness postpartum indicate uterine infection
(endometritis).
8. The nurse teaches a client about iron supplementation during pregnancy.
Which statement shows correct understanding?
A. “I’ll take iron with milk to help absorption.”
B. “I should take iron on an empty stomach with vitamin C.”
C. “I’ll take my iron with tea.”
D. “I’ll stop iron if it causes constipation.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Iron absorption increases with vitamin C and decreases with dairy or caffeine.
9. A client at 32 weeks gestation complains of painless bright red vaginal
bleeding. What should the nurse suspect?
A. Placenta previa
B. Placental abruption
C. Cervical laceration
D. Threatened abortion
Answer: A
Rationale: Painless bright red bleeding in late pregnancy is characteristic of placenta previa.
