Chapter 11: Nursing Care During Pregnancy
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse caring for the newly pregnant woman would advise her that ideally prenatal care
should begin at what time?
a. Prenatal care should begin before the
first missed menstrual period.
b. Prenatal care should begin after the
first missed menstrual period.
c. Prenatal care should begin after the
second missed menstrual period.
d. Prenatal care should begin after the
third missed menstrual period.
ANS: B
Prenatal care ideally should begin soon after the first missed menstrual period. Regular
prenatal visits offer opportunities to ensure the health of the expectant mother and her infant.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 226 OBJ: Nursing Process: Planning
2. A woman arrives at the clinic for a pregnancy test. The first day of her last menstrual period
(LMP) was February 14, 2012. What would be her baby's expected date of birth (EDB)?
a. May 21, 2012
b. November 7, 2013
c. November 21, 2012
d. May 2, 2013
ANS: C
Using Nägele’s rule, November 21, 2012, is the correct EDB. The EDB is calculated by
subtracting 3 months from the first day of the LMP and adding 7 days + 1 year to the day of the
LMP. Therefore, with an LMP of February 14, 2012: February 14, 2012 - 3 months = November
14, 2011 + 7 days = November 21, 2011 + 1 year = November 21, 2012.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 227
OBJ: Nursing Process: Assessment
3. For which women would prenatal testing for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) be
recommended?
, a. All women, regardless of risk factors
b. A woman who has had more than one
sexual partner
c. A woman who has had a sexually
transmitted infection
d. A woman who is monogamous with
her partner
ANS: A
Testing for the antibody to HIV is strongly recommended for all pregnant women, regardless of
risk factors. The incidence of perinatal transmission from an HIV-positive mother to her fetus
ranges from 25 to 35%. Women who test positive for HIV can then be treated.
DIF: Cognitive Level: ComprehensionREF: p. 239 | Box 11-1 OBJ:
Nursing Process: Planning
4. Which symptom is considered a first-trimester warning sign and should be reported
immediately by the pregnant woman to her health care provider?
a. Nausea with occasional vomiting
b. Fatigue
c. Urinary frequency
d. Vaginal bleeding
ANS: D
Signs and symptoms that must be reported include severe vomiting, fever and chills, burning on
urination, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and vaginal bleeding. These symptoms may be signs
of potential complications of the pregnancy. Nausea with occasional vomiting, fatigue, and
urinary frequency are normal first-trimester complaints. Although they may be worrisome or
annoying to the mother, they usually are not indications of pregnancy problems.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 240 | Table 11-2
OBJ: Nursing Process: Planning
5. A pregnant woman at 10 weeks of gestation jogs three or four times per week. Which is true
about exercise during pregnancy?
, a. There is no need to modify exercise
regimes at any time during pregnancy.
b. Exercising is contraindicated during
the third trimester of pregnancy.
c. Exercise routines may need to be
modified as pregnancy progresses.
d. Walking is recommended during
pregnancy, not jogging.
ANS: C
Pregnant women should be advised that they may have to modify their exercise later in
pregnancy. The nurse should inform the woman that she may need to reduce her exercise level
as the pregnancy progresses. Physical activity brings about a feeling of well-being in pregnant
women. It improves circulation, promotes relaxation and rest, and counteracts boredom.
Simple measures should be initiated to prevent injuries, such as warm-up and stretching
exercises to prepare the joints for more strenuous exercise.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 247 |Patient Teaching OBJ:
Nursing Process: Planning
6. Which blood pressure (BP) finding during the second trimester indicates a risk for
hypertension?
a. Baseline BP 120/80, current BP
126/85
b. Baseline BP 100/70, current BP
140/90
c. Baseline BP 140/85, current BP
130/80
d. Baseline BP 110/60, current BP
110/60
ANS: B
A systolic BP (SBP) of 140 mm Hg or more and a diastolic BP (DBP) of 90 mm Hg or more, based
on the average of at least two measurements, suggest the presence of hypertension. A slight
increase in BP of 126/85 does not meet the criteria for concern. Although the baseline BP is
worrisome (an absolute systolic BP of 140 mm Hg or higher or a diastolic BP of 90 mm Hg or
higher suggests hypertension), the subsequent pressures have decreased, not increased. The
BP of 110/60 is within normal limits for both values and is not a concern.
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse caring for the newly pregnant woman would advise her that ideally prenatal care
should begin at what time?
a. Prenatal care should begin before the
first missed menstrual period.
b. Prenatal care should begin after the
first missed menstrual period.
c. Prenatal care should begin after the
second missed menstrual period.
d. Prenatal care should begin after the
third missed menstrual period.
ANS: B
Prenatal care ideally should begin soon after the first missed menstrual period. Regular
prenatal visits offer opportunities to ensure the health of the expectant mother and her infant.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 226 OBJ: Nursing Process: Planning
2. A woman arrives at the clinic for a pregnancy test. The first day of her last menstrual period
(LMP) was February 14, 2012. What would be her baby's expected date of birth (EDB)?
a. May 21, 2012
b. November 7, 2013
c. November 21, 2012
d. May 2, 2013
ANS: C
Using Nägele’s rule, November 21, 2012, is the correct EDB. The EDB is calculated by
subtracting 3 months from the first day of the LMP and adding 7 days + 1 year to the day of the
LMP. Therefore, with an LMP of February 14, 2012: February 14, 2012 - 3 months = November
14, 2011 + 7 days = November 21, 2011 + 1 year = November 21, 2012.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 227
OBJ: Nursing Process: Assessment
3. For which women would prenatal testing for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) be
recommended?
, a. All women, regardless of risk factors
b. A woman who has had more than one
sexual partner
c. A woman who has had a sexually
transmitted infection
d. A woman who is monogamous with
her partner
ANS: A
Testing for the antibody to HIV is strongly recommended for all pregnant women, regardless of
risk factors. The incidence of perinatal transmission from an HIV-positive mother to her fetus
ranges from 25 to 35%. Women who test positive for HIV can then be treated.
DIF: Cognitive Level: ComprehensionREF: p. 239 | Box 11-1 OBJ:
Nursing Process: Planning
4. Which symptom is considered a first-trimester warning sign and should be reported
immediately by the pregnant woman to her health care provider?
a. Nausea with occasional vomiting
b. Fatigue
c. Urinary frequency
d. Vaginal bleeding
ANS: D
Signs and symptoms that must be reported include severe vomiting, fever and chills, burning on
urination, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and vaginal bleeding. These symptoms may be signs
of potential complications of the pregnancy. Nausea with occasional vomiting, fatigue, and
urinary frequency are normal first-trimester complaints. Although they may be worrisome or
annoying to the mother, they usually are not indications of pregnancy problems.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 240 | Table 11-2
OBJ: Nursing Process: Planning
5. A pregnant woman at 10 weeks of gestation jogs three or four times per week. Which is true
about exercise during pregnancy?
, a. There is no need to modify exercise
regimes at any time during pregnancy.
b. Exercising is contraindicated during
the third trimester of pregnancy.
c. Exercise routines may need to be
modified as pregnancy progresses.
d. Walking is recommended during
pregnancy, not jogging.
ANS: C
Pregnant women should be advised that they may have to modify their exercise later in
pregnancy. The nurse should inform the woman that she may need to reduce her exercise level
as the pregnancy progresses. Physical activity brings about a feeling of well-being in pregnant
women. It improves circulation, promotes relaxation and rest, and counteracts boredom.
Simple measures should be initiated to prevent injuries, such as warm-up and stretching
exercises to prepare the joints for more strenuous exercise.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 247 |Patient Teaching OBJ:
Nursing Process: Planning
6. Which blood pressure (BP) finding during the second trimester indicates a risk for
hypertension?
a. Baseline BP 120/80, current BP
126/85
b. Baseline BP 100/70, current BP
140/90
c. Baseline BP 140/85, current BP
130/80
d. Baseline BP 110/60, current BP
110/60
ANS: B
A systolic BP (SBP) of 140 mm Hg or more and a diastolic BP (DBP) of 90 mm Hg or more, based
on the average of at least two measurements, suggest the presence of hypertension. A slight
increase in BP of 126/85 does not meet the criteria for concern. Although the baseline BP is
worrisome (an absolute systolic BP of 140 mm Hg or higher or a diastolic BP of 90 mm Hg or
higher suggests hypertension), the subsequent pressures have decreased, not increased. The
BP of 110/60 is within normal limits for both values and is not a concern.
