NUR 254 FINAL EXAM Practice Questions Maternal &
Pediatric Nursing – Galen College of Nursing 100 Questions
with Correct Answers and Explanations in Italics.
Section 1: Antepartum & Prenatal Care
Question 1
The nurse is teaching a client who is 8 weeks pregnant about signs of potential
pregnancy complications. Which statement by the client indicates a need for further
teaching?
A) "I will call my provider if I have any bright red vaginal bleeding"
B) "I will report any severe abdominal pain or cramping"
C) "I will call my provider if I have nausea and vomiting that prevents me from keeping
any food or fluids down"
D) "I will call my provider if I have a gush of fluid from my vagina after 20 weeks"
Correct Answer: D
*Rationale: A gush of fluid from the vagina at any gestation after 14-16 weeks should be
reported. The client incorrectly states waiting until after 20 weeks. Other statements are
correct: bleeding, severe pain, and hyperemesis should be reported promptly .*
Question 2
A client at 10 weeks gestation asks the nurse about the expected pattern of weight gain
during pregnancy. Which response by the nurse is most accurate?
,A) "You should gain most of your weight during the first trimester"
B) "Weight gain is typically 1-2 pounds per month during the first trimester, then 0.5-1
pound per week during the second and third trimesters"
C) "You should not gain any weight during the first trimester"
D) "Weight gain should be evenly distributed at 1 pound per week throughout
pregnancy"
Correct Answer: B
*Rationale: Expected weight gain pattern: first trimester (0-5 lbs total, about 1-2 lbs per
month), second and third trimesters (0.5-1 lb per week). Total gain depends on
prepregnancy BMI .*
Question 3
The nurse is assessing a client at 16 weeks gestation. The client reports feeling
"fluttering" sensations in her lower abdomen. The nurse documents this as:
A) Braxton-Hicks contractions
B) Lightening
C) Quickening
D) Ballottement
Correct Answer: C
*Rationale: Quickening is the first perception of fetal movement, typically felt at 18-20
weeks in primigravidas and 14-16 weeks in multigravidas. The "fluttering" sensation is
characteristic of early fetal movements .*
Question 4
A client's obstetrical history includes: one term vaginal delivery, one preterm delivery at
34 weeks, and one miscarriage at 12 weeks. She currently has two living children. What
is the correct GTPAL?
,A) G=3, T=1, P=1, A=1, L=2
B) G=4, T=1, P=1, A=1, L=2
C) G=3, T=1, P=0, A=2, L=2
D) G=4, T=0, P=2, A=1, L=2
Correct Answer: A
*Rationale: Gravida: 3 (total pregnancies). Term: 1 (one delivery at 37+ weeks). Preterm:
1 (34-week delivery). Abortions: 1 (12-week miscarriage). Living: 2 .*
Question 5
The nurse is teaching a prenatal class about folic acid supplementation. Which
statement by a participant indicates understanding?
A) "Folic acid helps prevent neural tube defects in my baby"
B) "I only need to take folic acid during the third trimester"
C) "Folic acid will prevent me from developing preeclampsia"
D) "I can get enough folic acid from drinking orange juice alone"
Correct Answer: A
*Rationale: Folic acid (400-800 mcg daily) reduces the risk of neural tube defects (spina
bifida, anencephaly). Supplementation should begin before conception and continue
throughout pregnancy .*
Question 6
A client's last menstrual period began on June 10. Using Naegele's rule, what is the
estimated date of birth?
A) March 3
B) March 17
C) March 24
D) April 17
, Correct Answer: B
*Rationale: Naegele's rule: subtract 3 months from LMP (June → March), add 7 days (10
+ 7 = 17), add 1 year → March 17 .*
Question 7
The nurse is assessing a client at 12 weeks gestation. Where should the nurse place the
Doppler device to auscultate fetal heart tones?
A) Above the umbilicus
B) In the suprapubic area
C) At the maternal right upper quadrant
D) At the left costal margin
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: At 12 weeks, the fundus is just above the pubic symphysis, so fetal heart tones
are auscultated in the suprapubic area .
Question 8
The nurse is teaching a client about the signs of pregnancy. Which finding is a positive
sign of pregnancy?
A) Positive pregnancy test
B) Chadwick sign
C) Visualization of the fetus on ultrasound
D) Nausea and vomiting
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Positive signs of pregnancy confirm pregnancy and include ultrasound
visualization of the fetus, auscultation of fetal heart tones, and examiner palpation of fetal
movements .
Pediatric Nursing – Galen College of Nursing 100 Questions
with Correct Answers and Explanations in Italics.
Section 1: Antepartum & Prenatal Care
Question 1
The nurse is teaching a client who is 8 weeks pregnant about signs of potential
pregnancy complications. Which statement by the client indicates a need for further
teaching?
A) "I will call my provider if I have any bright red vaginal bleeding"
B) "I will report any severe abdominal pain or cramping"
C) "I will call my provider if I have nausea and vomiting that prevents me from keeping
any food or fluids down"
D) "I will call my provider if I have a gush of fluid from my vagina after 20 weeks"
Correct Answer: D
*Rationale: A gush of fluid from the vagina at any gestation after 14-16 weeks should be
reported. The client incorrectly states waiting until after 20 weeks. Other statements are
correct: bleeding, severe pain, and hyperemesis should be reported promptly .*
Question 2
A client at 10 weeks gestation asks the nurse about the expected pattern of weight gain
during pregnancy. Which response by the nurse is most accurate?
,A) "You should gain most of your weight during the first trimester"
B) "Weight gain is typically 1-2 pounds per month during the first trimester, then 0.5-1
pound per week during the second and third trimesters"
C) "You should not gain any weight during the first trimester"
D) "Weight gain should be evenly distributed at 1 pound per week throughout
pregnancy"
Correct Answer: B
*Rationale: Expected weight gain pattern: first trimester (0-5 lbs total, about 1-2 lbs per
month), second and third trimesters (0.5-1 lb per week). Total gain depends on
prepregnancy BMI .*
Question 3
The nurse is assessing a client at 16 weeks gestation. The client reports feeling
"fluttering" sensations in her lower abdomen. The nurse documents this as:
A) Braxton-Hicks contractions
B) Lightening
C) Quickening
D) Ballottement
Correct Answer: C
*Rationale: Quickening is the first perception of fetal movement, typically felt at 18-20
weeks in primigravidas and 14-16 weeks in multigravidas. The "fluttering" sensation is
characteristic of early fetal movements .*
Question 4
A client's obstetrical history includes: one term vaginal delivery, one preterm delivery at
34 weeks, and one miscarriage at 12 weeks. She currently has two living children. What
is the correct GTPAL?
,A) G=3, T=1, P=1, A=1, L=2
B) G=4, T=1, P=1, A=1, L=2
C) G=3, T=1, P=0, A=2, L=2
D) G=4, T=0, P=2, A=1, L=2
Correct Answer: A
*Rationale: Gravida: 3 (total pregnancies). Term: 1 (one delivery at 37+ weeks). Preterm:
1 (34-week delivery). Abortions: 1 (12-week miscarriage). Living: 2 .*
Question 5
The nurse is teaching a prenatal class about folic acid supplementation. Which
statement by a participant indicates understanding?
A) "Folic acid helps prevent neural tube defects in my baby"
B) "I only need to take folic acid during the third trimester"
C) "Folic acid will prevent me from developing preeclampsia"
D) "I can get enough folic acid from drinking orange juice alone"
Correct Answer: A
*Rationale: Folic acid (400-800 mcg daily) reduces the risk of neural tube defects (spina
bifida, anencephaly). Supplementation should begin before conception and continue
throughout pregnancy .*
Question 6
A client's last menstrual period began on June 10. Using Naegele's rule, what is the
estimated date of birth?
A) March 3
B) March 17
C) March 24
D) April 17
, Correct Answer: B
*Rationale: Naegele's rule: subtract 3 months from LMP (June → March), add 7 days (10
+ 7 = 17), add 1 year → March 17 .*
Question 7
The nurse is assessing a client at 12 weeks gestation. Where should the nurse place the
Doppler device to auscultate fetal heart tones?
A) Above the umbilicus
B) In the suprapubic area
C) At the maternal right upper quadrant
D) At the left costal margin
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: At 12 weeks, the fundus is just above the pubic symphysis, so fetal heart tones
are auscultated in the suprapubic area .
Question 8
The nurse is teaching a client about the signs of pregnancy. Which finding is a positive
sign of pregnancy?
A) Positive pregnancy test
B) Chadwick sign
C) Visualization of the fetus on ultrasound
D) Nausea and vomiting
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Positive signs of pregnancy confirm pregnancy and include ultrasound
visualization of the fetus, auscultation of fetal heart tones, and examiner palpation of fetal
movements .
