Maternity & Pediatric Nursing —Questions And
Answers 2026
1. What is the normal range for fetal heart rate?
A. 110–160 beats per minute
The normal fetal heart rate range between 110 and 160 bpm
indicates good fetal well-being.
2. Which hormone maintains the endometrium for pregnancy?
A. Progesterone
Progesterone prevents uterine contractions and supports early
pregnancy.
3. What is the first stage of labor?
B. Onset of regular contractions to full cervical dilation
The first stage begins with regular contractions and ends at 10 cm
dilation.
4. A nurse assessing a newborn 1 minute after birth uses the Apgar
score. Which is evaluated?
C. Heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, reflex irritability, skin
color
These five criteria make up the Apgar score.
5. Normal respiratory rate for a newborn is:
,B. 30–60 breaths per minute
Newborns normally breathe faster than adults.
6. What is the primary function of surfactant?
A. Reduces alveolar surface tension
Surfactant prevents alveolar collapse and improves gas exchange.
7. Which vitamin is recommended for pregnant women to prevent
neural tube defects?
A. Folic acid
Folic acid before and during early pregnancy reduces neural tube
defects.
8. A postpartum patient complains of heavy bleeding with clots.
The nurse suspects:
C. Uterine atony
Uterine atony is the most common cause of postpartum hemorrhage.
9. A child with dehydration will show:
B. Sunken eyes and dry mucous membranes
These are common signs of dehydration in children.
10. What is the priority intervention for a baby in respiratory
distress?
A. Provide oxygen support
Oxygen support is essential to maintain adequate oxygenation.
, 11. The most accurate method for measuring newborn temperature
is:
C. Rectal
Rectal temperature is the most accurate, unless contraindicated.
12. Which stage of labor includes delivery of the placenta?
B. Third stage
Third stage ends with placental expulsion.
13. A common sign of preeclampsia is:
A. High blood pressure and proteinuria
These are hallmark signs of preeclampsia.
14. Which immunization is given at birth?
A. Hepatitis B vaccine
The first dose of Hep B is often given before hospital discharge.
15. The best indicator of adequate hydration in a child is:
C. Urine output
Urine output reflects hydration status more accurately than thirst.
16. The purpose of a contraction stress test (CST) is to:
B. Evaluate fetal tolerance to stress
CST assesses how the fetus responds to uterine contractions.
17. A newborn with jaundice requires monitoring for:
Answers 2026
1. What is the normal range for fetal heart rate?
A. 110–160 beats per minute
The normal fetal heart rate range between 110 and 160 bpm
indicates good fetal well-being.
2. Which hormone maintains the endometrium for pregnancy?
A. Progesterone
Progesterone prevents uterine contractions and supports early
pregnancy.
3. What is the first stage of labor?
B. Onset of regular contractions to full cervical dilation
The first stage begins with regular contractions and ends at 10 cm
dilation.
4. A nurse assessing a newborn 1 minute after birth uses the Apgar
score. Which is evaluated?
C. Heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, reflex irritability, skin
color
These five criteria make up the Apgar score.
5. Normal respiratory rate for a newborn is:
,B. 30–60 breaths per minute
Newborns normally breathe faster than adults.
6. What is the primary function of surfactant?
A. Reduces alveolar surface tension
Surfactant prevents alveolar collapse and improves gas exchange.
7. Which vitamin is recommended for pregnant women to prevent
neural tube defects?
A. Folic acid
Folic acid before and during early pregnancy reduces neural tube
defects.
8. A postpartum patient complains of heavy bleeding with clots.
The nurse suspects:
C. Uterine atony
Uterine atony is the most common cause of postpartum hemorrhage.
9. A child with dehydration will show:
B. Sunken eyes and dry mucous membranes
These are common signs of dehydration in children.
10. What is the priority intervention for a baby in respiratory
distress?
A. Provide oxygen support
Oxygen support is essential to maintain adequate oxygenation.
, 11. The most accurate method for measuring newborn temperature
is:
C. Rectal
Rectal temperature is the most accurate, unless contraindicated.
12. Which stage of labor includes delivery of the placenta?
B. Third stage
Third stage ends with placental expulsion.
13. A common sign of preeclampsia is:
A. High blood pressure and proteinuria
These are hallmark signs of preeclampsia.
14. Which immunization is given at birth?
A. Hepatitis B vaccine
The first dose of Hep B is often given before hospital discharge.
15. The best indicator of adequate hydration in a child is:
C. Urine output
Urine output reflects hydration status more accurately than thirst.
16. The purpose of a contraction stress test (CST) is to:
B. Evaluate fetal tolerance to stress
CST assesses how the fetus responds to uterine contractions.
17. A newborn with jaundice requires monitoring for:
