OB Maternity Nursing Exam Questions(2026 Updated) with correct
answers and rationales
1.
A pregnant woman at 10 weeks gestation reports nausea and vomiting. Which intervention
should the nurse prioritize?
A. Encourage high-fat meals
B. Give large meals three times daily
C. Recommend small, frequent meals
D. Restrict fluid intake
Answer: C
Rationale: Small, frequent meals reduce gastric irritation and help control nausea in early
pregnancy.
2.
Which hormone is responsible for maintaining the uterine lining during pregnancy?
A. Estrogen
B. Progesterone
C. Oxytocin
D. Prolactin
Answer: B
Rationale: Progesterone maintains the endometrium and prevents uterine contractions.
3.
A pregnant client at 28 weeks presents with painless vaginal bleeding. The nurse suspects:
A. Placenta previa
B. Abruptio placentae
C. Ectopic pregnancy
D. Uterine rupture
Answer: A
Rationale: Placenta previa typically presents with painless bright red bleeding in the third
trimester.
,4.
Which finding is a sign of preeclampsia?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypertension and proteinuria
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Low urine output only
Answer: B
Rationale: Preeclampsia is characterized by hypertension and protein in urine after 20 weeks
gestation.
5.
What is the first stage of labor?
A. Delivery of placenta
B. Full cervical dilation
C. Onset of contractions to full dilation
D. Crowning
Answer: C
Rationale: The first stage begins with true labor contractions and ends at 10 cm dilation.
6.
Which fetal heart rate range is considered normal?
A. 80–100 bpm
B. 100–120 bpm
C. 110–160 bpm
D. 160–180 bpm
Answer: C
Rationale: Normal fetal heart rate is 110–160 bpm.
7.
A postpartum woman is at risk for hemorrhage if:
A. Fundus is firm and midline
, B. Bladder is full
C. Lochia is scant
D. Blood pressure is normal
Answer: B
Rationale: A full bladder displaces the uterus and prevents contraction, increasing bleeding
risk.
8.
The most reliable sign of pregnancy is:
A. Nausea
B. Breast tenderness
C. Fetal heartbeat
D. Amenorrhea
Answer: C
Rationale: Fetal heartbeat is a definitive (positive) sign of pregnancy.
9.
Which vitamin is most important for preventing neural tube defects?
A. Vitamin C
B. Vitamin D
C. Folic acid
D. Vitamin A
Answer: C
Rationale: Folic acid prevents neural tube defects like spina bifida.
10.
A client in labor has late decelerations. The nurse should first:
A. Increase oxytocin
B. Turn the client to left side
C. Prepare for C-section
D. Give pain medication
answers and rationales
1.
A pregnant woman at 10 weeks gestation reports nausea and vomiting. Which intervention
should the nurse prioritize?
A. Encourage high-fat meals
B. Give large meals three times daily
C. Recommend small, frequent meals
D. Restrict fluid intake
Answer: C
Rationale: Small, frequent meals reduce gastric irritation and help control nausea in early
pregnancy.
2.
Which hormone is responsible for maintaining the uterine lining during pregnancy?
A. Estrogen
B. Progesterone
C. Oxytocin
D. Prolactin
Answer: B
Rationale: Progesterone maintains the endometrium and prevents uterine contractions.
3.
A pregnant client at 28 weeks presents with painless vaginal bleeding. The nurse suspects:
A. Placenta previa
B. Abruptio placentae
C. Ectopic pregnancy
D. Uterine rupture
Answer: A
Rationale: Placenta previa typically presents with painless bright red bleeding in the third
trimester.
,4.
Which finding is a sign of preeclampsia?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypertension and proteinuria
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Low urine output only
Answer: B
Rationale: Preeclampsia is characterized by hypertension and protein in urine after 20 weeks
gestation.
5.
What is the first stage of labor?
A. Delivery of placenta
B. Full cervical dilation
C. Onset of contractions to full dilation
D. Crowning
Answer: C
Rationale: The first stage begins with true labor contractions and ends at 10 cm dilation.
6.
Which fetal heart rate range is considered normal?
A. 80–100 bpm
B. 100–120 bpm
C. 110–160 bpm
D. 160–180 bpm
Answer: C
Rationale: Normal fetal heart rate is 110–160 bpm.
7.
A postpartum woman is at risk for hemorrhage if:
A. Fundus is firm and midline
, B. Bladder is full
C. Lochia is scant
D. Blood pressure is normal
Answer: B
Rationale: A full bladder displaces the uterus and prevents contraction, increasing bleeding
risk.
8.
The most reliable sign of pregnancy is:
A. Nausea
B. Breast tenderness
C. Fetal heartbeat
D. Amenorrhea
Answer: C
Rationale: Fetal heartbeat is a definitive (positive) sign of pregnancy.
9.
Which vitamin is most important for preventing neural tube defects?
A. Vitamin C
B. Vitamin D
C. Folic acid
D. Vitamin A
Answer: C
Rationale: Folic acid prevents neural tube defects like spina bifida.
10.
A client in labor has late decelerations. The nurse should first:
A. Increase oxytocin
B. Turn the client to left side
C. Prepare for C-section
D. Give pain medication
