NCLEX Maternal Newborn Questions and
Answers 2026 | NCLEX Maternity Nursing
Practice Questions with Rationales |
Maternal Newborn Exam Review
1. A nurse is assessing a client at 32 weeks’ gestation who
reports sudden painless vaginal bleeding. Which condition
should the nurse suspect?
A. Placental abruption
B. Placenta Previa
C. Ectopic pregnancy
D. Uterine rupture
Answer: B. Placenta Previa
Rationale: Placenta Previa commonly presents with painless bright red vaginal bleeding during
the third trimester.
2. A postpartum client has a boggy uterus and heavy vaginal
bleeding. What is the nurse’s first action?
A. Notify the provider
B. Massage the fundus
C. Administer pain medication
D. Encourage ambulation
Answer: B. Massage the fundus
Rationale: A boggy uterus indicates uterine atony, and fundal massage helps stimulate uterine
contraction.
3. Which finding is an early sign of preeclampsia?
,A. Proteinuria
B. Fever
C. Vaginal bleeding
D. Bradycardia
Answer: A. Proteinuria
Rationale: Proteinuria and hypertension are classic findings of preeclampsia.
4. A nurse is teaching a pregnant client about fetal
movement counting. Which statement indicates
understanding?
A. “I should feel at least 10 movements within 2 hours.”
B. “Fetal movement decreases after 20 weeks.”
C. “Kick counts are unnecessary in pregnancy.”
D. “I should count movements only during labor.”
Answer: A. “I should feel at least 10 movements within 2 hours.”
Rationale: Fetal kick counts help assess fetal well-being.
5. A client in labor suddenly reports severe abdominal pain
and absent fetal heart tones. Which complication should the
nurse suspect?
A. Placenta Previa
B. Uterine rupture
C. Hyperemesis gravidarum
D. Gestational diabetes
Answer: B. Uterine rupture
Rationale: Uterine rupture presents with sudden pain and fetal distress.
, 6. Which maternal finding requires immediate intervention
during magnesium sulfate therapy?
A. Respiratory rate 10/min
B. Blood pressure 140/90 mmHg
C. Urine output 40 mL/hr.
D. Pulse 88/min
Answer: A. Respiratory rate 10/min
Rationale: Respiratory depression is a sign of magnesium toxicity.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with gestational diabetes.
Which fetal complication is associated with this disorder?
A. Low birth weight
B. Macrosomia
C. Microcephaly
D. Cleft palate
Answer: B. Macrosomia
Rationale: Maternal hyperglycemia causes excessive fetal growth.
8. Which instruction should the nurse provide to a
postpartum breastfeeding client?
A. “Feed the newborn every 2 to 3 hours.”
B. “Breastfeeding should stop during engorgement.”
C. “Formula is required after each feeding.”
D. “Limit fluid intake while breastfeeding.”
Answer: A. “Feed the newborn every 2 to 3 hours.”
Rationale: Frequent feeding promotes milk production and prevents engorgement.
Answers 2026 | NCLEX Maternity Nursing
Practice Questions with Rationales |
Maternal Newborn Exam Review
1. A nurse is assessing a client at 32 weeks’ gestation who
reports sudden painless vaginal bleeding. Which condition
should the nurse suspect?
A. Placental abruption
B. Placenta Previa
C. Ectopic pregnancy
D. Uterine rupture
Answer: B. Placenta Previa
Rationale: Placenta Previa commonly presents with painless bright red vaginal bleeding during
the third trimester.
2. A postpartum client has a boggy uterus and heavy vaginal
bleeding. What is the nurse’s first action?
A. Notify the provider
B. Massage the fundus
C. Administer pain medication
D. Encourage ambulation
Answer: B. Massage the fundus
Rationale: A boggy uterus indicates uterine atony, and fundal massage helps stimulate uterine
contraction.
3. Which finding is an early sign of preeclampsia?
,A. Proteinuria
B. Fever
C. Vaginal bleeding
D. Bradycardia
Answer: A. Proteinuria
Rationale: Proteinuria and hypertension are classic findings of preeclampsia.
4. A nurse is teaching a pregnant client about fetal
movement counting. Which statement indicates
understanding?
A. “I should feel at least 10 movements within 2 hours.”
B. “Fetal movement decreases after 20 weeks.”
C. “Kick counts are unnecessary in pregnancy.”
D. “I should count movements only during labor.”
Answer: A. “I should feel at least 10 movements within 2 hours.”
Rationale: Fetal kick counts help assess fetal well-being.
5. A client in labor suddenly reports severe abdominal pain
and absent fetal heart tones. Which complication should the
nurse suspect?
A. Placenta Previa
B. Uterine rupture
C. Hyperemesis gravidarum
D. Gestational diabetes
Answer: B. Uterine rupture
Rationale: Uterine rupture presents with sudden pain and fetal distress.
, 6. Which maternal finding requires immediate intervention
during magnesium sulfate therapy?
A. Respiratory rate 10/min
B. Blood pressure 140/90 mmHg
C. Urine output 40 mL/hr.
D. Pulse 88/min
Answer: A. Respiratory rate 10/min
Rationale: Respiratory depression is a sign of magnesium toxicity.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with gestational diabetes.
Which fetal complication is associated with this disorder?
A. Low birth weight
B. Macrosomia
C. Microcephaly
D. Cleft palate
Answer: B. Macrosomia
Rationale: Maternal hyperglycemia causes excessive fetal growth.
8. Which instruction should the nurse provide to a
postpartum breastfeeding client?
A. “Feed the newborn every 2 to 3 hours.”
B. “Breastfeeding should stop during engorgement.”
C. “Formula is required after each feeding.”
D. “Limit fluid intake while breastfeeding.”
Answer: A. “Feed the newborn every 2 to 3 hours.”
Rationale: Frequent feeding promotes milk production and prevents engorgement.
