NUR 254 – Exam 1 real (Version A) | Maternal–
Newborn Nursing Full Exam with Answers &
Rationales | Updated 2025–2026 | 100% Complete
Study Guide
Overview
This comprehensive NUR 254 – Maternal–Newborn Nursing Exam 1 study guide covers
essential antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum, and newborn concepts aligned with the
2025/2026 curriculum and latest NCLEX-RN blueprint.
Designed for nursing students preparing for unit exams or final Maternal–Newborn tests, this
resource includes:
Maternal–Newborn Nursing: Pregnancy, Prenatal, and Perinatal Care
Question 1
The nurse is preparing to teach a client about the cardiovascular changes that occur
during pregnancy.
Which of the following decreases or remains unchanged?
a. Heart rate
b. Blood pressure
c. Cardiac output
d. Blood volume
Rationale:
During mid-pregnancy, systemic vascular resistance decreases due to
progesterone-induced vessel relaxation, causing a slight drop or no change in blood
pressure even though blood volume and cardiac output rise.
,Question 2
The nurse has provided dietary teaching for a pregnant client who has iron-
deficiency anemia.
Which meal option indicates that the teaching has been effective?
a. Grilled steak, creamed spinach, and an apple
b. Baked chicken breast and macaroni salad
c. Oatmeal, whole-wheat toast, and jelly
d. Grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup
Rationale:
Red meat supplies heme iron; spinach provides non-heme iron; and the vitamin C
in the apple enhances iron absorption. Together they improve hemoglobin levels in
anemia.
Question 3
The nurse is caring for a client who is pregnant.
The first day of the last menstrual period (LMP) was October 11.
Using Naegele’s rule, the nurse calculates the estimated date of delivery (EDD)
to be:
a. June 4
b. July 4
c. July 18
d. June 18
Rationale:
Naegele’s rule = LMP + 1 year – 3 months + 7 days → October 11 → July 18
(EDD).
This assumes a 28-day cycle.
Question 4
, The nurse is caring for a pregnant client recently diagnosed with pica.
Which hemoglobin (Hgb) level should the nurse expect to find in the client’s
chart?
a. 37 g/dL
b. 9 g/dL
c. 12 g/dL
d. 16 g/dL
Rationale:
Pica (eating non-food items) often signals iron-deficiency anemia.
Normal Hgb in pregnancy = ≈11–13 g/dL; 9 g/dL indicates moderate anemia
requiring nutritional and iron therapy.
Maternal–Newborn Nursing | Pregnancy, Antepartum, and Intrapartum Care
Questions 5–20
Question 5
A nurse is teaching a client in her first trimester about relief of nausea and
vomiting. Which statement by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
a. “I’ll eat dry crackers before getting out of bed.”
b. “I’ll avoid strong odors when possible.”
c. “I’ll drink large glasses of water with my meals.”
d. “I’ll eat small, frequent meals during the day.”
Rationale:
Fluids taken with meals may increase gastric distention and worsen nausea. Clients
should drink fluids between meals instead.
Question 6
A pregnant client at 28 weeks gestation complains of leg cramps at night. The
nurse should advise the client to:
Newborn Nursing Full Exam with Answers &
Rationales | Updated 2025–2026 | 100% Complete
Study Guide
Overview
This comprehensive NUR 254 – Maternal–Newborn Nursing Exam 1 study guide covers
essential antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum, and newborn concepts aligned with the
2025/2026 curriculum and latest NCLEX-RN blueprint.
Designed for nursing students preparing for unit exams or final Maternal–Newborn tests, this
resource includes:
Maternal–Newborn Nursing: Pregnancy, Prenatal, and Perinatal Care
Question 1
The nurse is preparing to teach a client about the cardiovascular changes that occur
during pregnancy.
Which of the following decreases or remains unchanged?
a. Heart rate
b. Blood pressure
c. Cardiac output
d. Blood volume
Rationale:
During mid-pregnancy, systemic vascular resistance decreases due to
progesterone-induced vessel relaxation, causing a slight drop or no change in blood
pressure even though blood volume and cardiac output rise.
,Question 2
The nurse has provided dietary teaching for a pregnant client who has iron-
deficiency anemia.
Which meal option indicates that the teaching has been effective?
a. Grilled steak, creamed spinach, and an apple
b. Baked chicken breast and macaroni salad
c. Oatmeal, whole-wheat toast, and jelly
d. Grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup
Rationale:
Red meat supplies heme iron; spinach provides non-heme iron; and the vitamin C
in the apple enhances iron absorption. Together they improve hemoglobin levels in
anemia.
Question 3
The nurse is caring for a client who is pregnant.
The first day of the last menstrual period (LMP) was October 11.
Using Naegele’s rule, the nurse calculates the estimated date of delivery (EDD)
to be:
a. June 4
b. July 4
c. July 18
d. June 18
Rationale:
Naegele’s rule = LMP + 1 year – 3 months + 7 days → October 11 → July 18
(EDD).
This assumes a 28-day cycle.
Question 4
, The nurse is caring for a pregnant client recently diagnosed with pica.
Which hemoglobin (Hgb) level should the nurse expect to find in the client’s
chart?
a. 37 g/dL
b. 9 g/dL
c. 12 g/dL
d. 16 g/dL
Rationale:
Pica (eating non-food items) often signals iron-deficiency anemia.
Normal Hgb in pregnancy = ≈11–13 g/dL; 9 g/dL indicates moderate anemia
requiring nutritional and iron therapy.
Maternal–Newborn Nursing | Pregnancy, Antepartum, and Intrapartum Care
Questions 5–20
Question 5
A nurse is teaching a client in her first trimester about relief of nausea and
vomiting. Which statement by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
a. “I’ll eat dry crackers before getting out of bed.”
b. “I’ll avoid strong odors when possible.”
c. “I’ll drink large glasses of water with my meals.”
d. “I’ll eat small, frequent meals during the day.”
Rationale:
Fluids taken with meals may increase gastric distention and worsen nausea. Clients
should drink fluids between meals instead.
Question 6
A pregnant client at 28 weeks gestation complains of leg cramps at night. The
nurse should advise the client to:
