COMPLETE (2026) EXAM Questions and Answers (Verified Answers) (Latest Update
2026) Graded A+
1. What uterine contraction phase describes when the muscle is shortening and the
cervix is opening?
A) Resting
B) Active
C) Latent
D) Transitional
Rationale: The active phase is when contractions become stronger, more regular, and the
cervix dilates more rapidly.
2. Which sign is considered a “probable” sign of pregnancy?
A) Fetal heartbeat detected by Doppler
B) Goodell’s sign (softening of the cervix)
C) Fetal movement felt by the mother
D) Ultrasound visualizing the fetus
Rationale: Goodell’s sign is a change a clinician can observe or feel and is classified as a
probable sign; positive signs are definitive (e.g., heartbeat on Doppler or ultrasound).
3. During labor, the nurse monitors the fetal heart rate and notes early decelerations.
What is the most likely cause?
A) Cord compression
B) Head compression
C) Uteroplacental insufficiency
D) Maternal hypotension
Rationale: Early decelerations are typically caused by head compression during
contractions and mirror the contraction pattern.
4. Which pain management technique is non-pharmacologic during labor?
A) Epidural anesthesia
B) Nitrous oxide
C) Narcotic analgesics
D) Hydrotherapy (water immersion)
Rationale: Hydrotherapy is a non-drug method to help manage pain by relaxing muscles
and reducing discomfort.
5. What is the purpose of external fetal monitoring?
A) Diagnose congenital fetal anomalies
, B) Assess fetal heart rate and uterine activity
C) Measure fetal weight
D) Determine fetal gender
Rationale: External monitoring helps observe the fetal heart rate (FHR) and contraction
patterns during labor to assess fetal well-being.
6. A pregnant woman at 36 weeks’ gestation is diagnosed with preeclampsia. Which
finding would the nurse expect?
A) Hyperglycemia
B) Proteinuria and hypertension
C) Bradycardia
D) Hypotension
Rationale: Preeclampsia is characterized by high blood pressure and protein in the urine
(proteinuria) after 20 weeks of gestation.
7. Which statement about placental circulation is correct?
A) Maternal blood and fetal blood mix in the intervillous space
B) Oxygenated blood from the placenta goes to the fetus via the umbilical vein
C) Fetal blood returns to the placenta in the umbilical vein
D) The placenta does not filter any substances
Rationale: Oxygen-rich blood travels from the placenta to the fetus via the umbilical
vein; maternal and fetal blood do not mix directly.
8. What is “effacement” of the cervix?
A) The dilation of the cervix
B) The thinning of the cervix
C) The descent of the fetus
D) The rupture of membranes
Rationale: Effacement refers to the cervix becoming thinner (measured in percentages)
as labor progresses.
9. Which of the following is a risk factor for placental abruption?
A) Post-term pregnancy
B) Trauma (e.g., car accident)
C) Low blood pressure
D) Hypoglycemia
Rationale: Trauma, hypertension, and substance abuse (e.g., cocaine) are among risk
factors for placental abruption (premature separation of the placenta).
10. Which of these is the priority nursing action immediately after the birth of a
newborn?