NCLEX Exam Maternity & Pediatric Nursing Study Guide 2026 PDF for PN
and RN Students | Prenatal Care, Labor and Delivery Nursing, Postpartum
Complications, Newborn Assessment, Growth and Development
Milestones, Pediatric Disorders, Immunization Schedules, Family-
Centered Care, and Patient Safety | Comprehensive NCLEX Maternal-Child
Nursing Preparation for Clinical Confidence and Exam Success
Question 1
Which of the following is the most critical assessment for a newborn immediately
after birth?
A. Apgar score
B. Birth weight
C. Length measurement
D. Maternal history
Correct Option: A. Apgar score
Rationale: The Apgar score evaluates a newborn’s physical condition immediately after
birth. It assesses heart rate, breathing, muscle tone, response to stimuli, and skin color,
which are crucial for determining the need for immediate medical intervention.
Question 2
What is the appropriate age for a child to receive their first dose of the measles,
mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine?
A. 6 months
B. 12 months
C. 18 months
D. 24 months
Correct Option: B. 12 months
Rationale: The MMR vaccine is typically administered to children at 12 months of age.
This timing ensures that the child receives effective immunity against these diseases
after maternal antibodies wane.
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a postpartum patient experiencing excessive vaginal bleeding.
What is the priority nursing intervention?
A. Notify the healthcare provider
B. Assess the fundus for firmness
C. Administer IV fluids
D. Document the findings
,Correct Option: B. Assess the fundus for firmness
Rationale: Assessing the fundus is a priority intervention as a firm fundus can indicate
that the bleeding is due to uterine atony. This should be addressed immediately to
prevent further complications.
Question 4
Which of the following developmental milestones should a 6-month-old infant be
able to achieve?
A. Walks independently
B. Sits without support
C. Says “mama” or “dada”
D. Stacks two blocks
Correct Option: B. Sits without support
Rationale: A 6-month-old should be able to sit without support, which is a key
developmental milestone in gross motor skills. Other milestones mentioned typically
occur at later ages.
Question 5
What is the most important dietary consideration for a pregnant woman in her
second trimester?
A. Increase protein intake
B. Limit carbohydrates
C. Decrease calorie intake
D. Avoid fats
Correct Option: A. Increase protein intake
Rationale: Increased protein intake is crucial during the second trimester for fetal
growth and development, as well as for the maintenance of maternal tissues.
Question 6
What is the primary purpose of prenatal vitamins?
A. To induce labor
B. To prevent gestational diabetes
C. To ensure adequate nutrient intake
D. To alleviate morning sickness
Correct Option: C. To ensure adequate nutrient intake
,Rationale: Prenatal vitamins provide essential nutrients, such as folic acid, iron, and
calcium, which are vital for the health of the mother and fetus.
Question 7
Which of the following signs might indicate that a child has croup?
A. High fever
B. Barking cough
C. Wheezing
D. Diarrhea
Correct Option: B. Barking cough
Rationale: A barking cough is a hallmark sign of croup, typically associated with viral
infection and laryngeal inflammation.
Question 8
At what age should a child be able to ride a tricycle?
A. 2 years
B. 3 years
C. 4 years
D. 5 years
Correct Option: B. 3 years
Rationale: Most children can ride a tricycle by the age of 3, marking an important gross
motor development milestone.
Question 9
Which abnormal finding is most concerning in a newborn?
A. Acrocyanosis
B. Jaundice on the second day of life
C. Skin peeling
D. Reflexive grasp
Correct Option: B. Jaundice on the second day of life
Rationale: Jaundice appearing on the second day is concerning as it may indicate
pathological conditions such as hemolytic disease or liver dysfunction.
Question 10
, Which type of developmental assessment tool is commonly used to evaluate a
child's developmental milestones?
A. Denver II
B. Achenbach System
C. Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales
D. Mullen Scales of Early Learning
Correct Option: A. Denver II
Rationale: The Denver II is a widely used tool to assess the developmental progress of
children up to 6 years of age.
Question 11
What is the recommended weight gain for a woman of normal weight during
pregnancy?
A. 15-25 pounds
B. 25-35 pounds
C. 30-40 pounds
D. 40-50 pounds
Correct Option: B. 25-35 pounds
Rationale: The recommended weight gain for women of normal pre-pregnancy weight is
25-35 pounds, supporting healthy fetal growth.
Question 12
What is the primary purpose of the Apgar scoring system?
A. To assess maternal health
B. To evaluate newborn health immediately after birth
C. To determine the need for vaccinations
D. To gauge gestational age
Correct Option: B. To evaluate newborn health immediately after birth
Rationale: The Apgar score assesses the health of newborns at birth, determining their
need for immediate medical intervention.
Question 13
A postpartum woman is experiencing severe headache and visual disturbances.
What condition should the nurse suspect?
and RN Students | Prenatal Care, Labor and Delivery Nursing, Postpartum
Complications, Newborn Assessment, Growth and Development
Milestones, Pediatric Disorders, Immunization Schedules, Family-
Centered Care, and Patient Safety | Comprehensive NCLEX Maternal-Child
Nursing Preparation for Clinical Confidence and Exam Success
Question 1
Which of the following is the most critical assessment for a newborn immediately
after birth?
A. Apgar score
B. Birth weight
C. Length measurement
D. Maternal history
Correct Option: A. Apgar score
Rationale: The Apgar score evaluates a newborn’s physical condition immediately after
birth. It assesses heart rate, breathing, muscle tone, response to stimuli, and skin color,
which are crucial for determining the need for immediate medical intervention.
Question 2
What is the appropriate age for a child to receive their first dose of the measles,
mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine?
A. 6 months
B. 12 months
C. 18 months
D. 24 months
Correct Option: B. 12 months
Rationale: The MMR vaccine is typically administered to children at 12 months of age.
This timing ensures that the child receives effective immunity against these diseases
after maternal antibodies wane.
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a postpartum patient experiencing excessive vaginal bleeding.
What is the priority nursing intervention?
A. Notify the healthcare provider
B. Assess the fundus for firmness
C. Administer IV fluids
D. Document the findings
,Correct Option: B. Assess the fundus for firmness
Rationale: Assessing the fundus is a priority intervention as a firm fundus can indicate
that the bleeding is due to uterine atony. This should be addressed immediately to
prevent further complications.
Question 4
Which of the following developmental milestones should a 6-month-old infant be
able to achieve?
A. Walks independently
B. Sits without support
C. Says “mama” or “dada”
D. Stacks two blocks
Correct Option: B. Sits without support
Rationale: A 6-month-old should be able to sit without support, which is a key
developmental milestone in gross motor skills. Other milestones mentioned typically
occur at later ages.
Question 5
What is the most important dietary consideration for a pregnant woman in her
second trimester?
A. Increase protein intake
B. Limit carbohydrates
C. Decrease calorie intake
D. Avoid fats
Correct Option: A. Increase protein intake
Rationale: Increased protein intake is crucial during the second trimester for fetal
growth and development, as well as for the maintenance of maternal tissues.
Question 6
What is the primary purpose of prenatal vitamins?
A. To induce labor
B. To prevent gestational diabetes
C. To ensure adequate nutrient intake
D. To alleviate morning sickness
Correct Option: C. To ensure adequate nutrient intake
,Rationale: Prenatal vitamins provide essential nutrients, such as folic acid, iron, and
calcium, which are vital for the health of the mother and fetus.
Question 7
Which of the following signs might indicate that a child has croup?
A. High fever
B. Barking cough
C. Wheezing
D. Diarrhea
Correct Option: B. Barking cough
Rationale: A barking cough is a hallmark sign of croup, typically associated with viral
infection and laryngeal inflammation.
Question 8
At what age should a child be able to ride a tricycle?
A. 2 years
B. 3 years
C. 4 years
D. 5 years
Correct Option: B. 3 years
Rationale: Most children can ride a tricycle by the age of 3, marking an important gross
motor development milestone.
Question 9
Which abnormal finding is most concerning in a newborn?
A. Acrocyanosis
B. Jaundice on the second day of life
C. Skin peeling
D. Reflexive grasp
Correct Option: B. Jaundice on the second day of life
Rationale: Jaundice appearing on the second day is concerning as it may indicate
pathological conditions such as hemolytic disease or liver dysfunction.
Question 10
, Which type of developmental assessment tool is commonly used to evaluate a
child's developmental milestones?
A. Denver II
B. Achenbach System
C. Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales
D. Mullen Scales of Early Learning
Correct Option: A. Denver II
Rationale: The Denver II is a widely used tool to assess the developmental progress of
children up to 6 years of age.
Question 11
What is the recommended weight gain for a woman of normal weight during
pregnancy?
A. 15-25 pounds
B. 25-35 pounds
C. 30-40 pounds
D. 40-50 pounds
Correct Option: B. 25-35 pounds
Rationale: The recommended weight gain for women of normal pre-pregnancy weight is
25-35 pounds, supporting healthy fetal growth.
Question 12
What is the primary purpose of the Apgar scoring system?
A. To assess maternal health
B. To evaluate newborn health immediately after birth
C. To determine the need for vaccinations
D. To gauge gestational age
Correct Option: B. To evaluate newborn health immediately after birth
Rationale: The Apgar score assesses the health of newborns at birth, determining their
need for immediate medical intervention.
Question 13
A postpartum woman is experiencing severe headache and visual disturbances.
What condition should the nurse suspect?
