MATERNAL NEWBORN NURSING
PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026
Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is at 38 weeks of gestation and reports
regular uterine contractions every 4 minutes lasting 60 seconds. Which finding is
the best indicator that the client is in true labor?
A. Contractions decrease with walking
B. Cervical dilation and effacement are progressing
C. The client reports intermittent back pain only
D. Membranes remain intact
CORRECT ANSWER: B — Cervical dilation and effacement are progressing
RATIONALE: The hallmark of true labor is progressive cervical dilation and effacement
accompanied by regular, increasingly intense uterine contractions. False labor does not produce
progressive cervical change.
2. During the first stage of labor, which assessment finding requires the nurse's
immediate intervention?
A. Maternal pulse of 88 beats/minute
B. Fetal heart rate of 170 beats/minute persisting for 10 minutes
C. Cervical dilation of 6 cm
D. Moderate contraction pain
CORRECT ANSWER: B — Fetal heart rate of 170 beats/minute persisting for 10 minutes
RATIONALE: Persistent fetal tachycardia may indicate fetal hypoxia, maternal fever, or
infection and requires prompt evaluation and intervention.
3. A postpartum client saturates one perineal pad within 15 minutes and the
uterus feels boggy. What should the nurse do first?
,A. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
B. Massage the uterine fundus
C. Prepare the client for surgery
D. Encourage oral fluids
CORRECT ANSWER: B — Massage the uterine fundus
RATIONALE: A boggy uterus suggests uterine atony, the leading cause of postpartum
hemorrhage. Fundal massage is the priority nursing intervention to stimulate uterine contraction.
4. Which maternal hormone is primarily responsible for maintaining pregnancy
during the early weeks?
A. Oxytocin
B. Progesterone
C. Prolactin
D. Estrogen
CORRECT ANSWER: B — Progesterone
RATIONALE: Progesterone maintains the uterine lining, suppresses uterine contractions, and
supports early pregnancy until placental hormone production is established.
5. Which finding is considered a presumptive sign of pregnancy?
A. Positive fetal heart tones
B. Chadwick's sign
C. Visualization of the fetus by ultrasound
D. Fetal movement palpated by the examiner
CORRECT ANSWER: B — Chadwick's sign
RATIONALE: Chadwick's sign, a bluish discoloration of the cervix and vagina, is a presumptive
sign of pregnancy because it can occur with conditions other than pregnancy.
6. A nurse is teaching a pregnant client about nutrition. Which nutrient is
essential for preventing neural tube defects?
A. Calcium
B. Iron
, C. Folic acid
D. Vitamin D
CORRECT ANSWER: C — Folic acid
RATIONALE: Adequate folic acid intake before conception and during early pregnancy
significantly reduces the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida.
7. Which finding in a newborn requires immediate nursing intervention?
A. Respiratory rate of 68 breaths/minute with nasal flaring
B. Heart rate of 140 beats/minute
C. Axillary temperature of 36.8°C (98.2°F)
D. Presence of vernix caseosa
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Respiratory rate of 68 breaths/minute with nasal flaring
RATIONALE: Tachypnea accompanied by nasal flaring is a sign of respiratory distress and
requires immediate assessment and intervention.
8. A nurse is assessing a newborn 2 hours after birth. Which finding is expected?
A. Central cyanosis
B. Acrocyanosis of the hands and feet
C. Absent Moro reflex
D. Persistent grunting
CORRECT ANSWER: B — Acrocyanosis of the hands and feet
RATIONALE: Acrocyanosis is a common, normal finding during the first 24–48 hours after birth
due to immature peripheral circulation.
9. Which action by the nurse best promotes maternal-newborn bonding
immediately after birth?
A. Delay skin-to-skin contact until after the newborn's bath
B. Encourage immediate skin-to-skin contact when the newborn is stable
C. Separate the newborn for observation for the first two hours
D. Feed the newborn in the nursery before returning to the mother
PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026
Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is at 38 weeks of gestation and reports
regular uterine contractions every 4 minutes lasting 60 seconds. Which finding is
the best indicator that the client is in true labor?
A. Contractions decrease with walking
B. Cervical dilation and effacement are progressing
C. The client reports intermittent back pain only
D. Membranes remain intact
CORRECT ANSWER: B — Cervical dilation and effacement are progressing
RATIONALE: The hallmark of true labor is progressive cervical dilation and effacement
accompanied by regular, increasingly intense uterine contractions. False labor does not produce
progressive cervical change.
2. During the first stage of labor, which assessment finding requires the nurse's
immediate intervention?
A. Maternal pulse of 88 beats/minute
B. Fetal heart rate of 170 beats/minute persisting for 10 minutes
C. Cervical dilation of 6 cm
D. Moderate contraction pain
CORRECT ANSWER: B — Fetal heart rate of 170 beats/minute persisting for 10 minutes
RATIONALE: Persistent fetal tachycardia may indicate fetal hypoxia, maternal fever, or
infection and requires prompt evaluation and intervention.
3. A postpartum client saturates one perineal pad within 15 minutes and the
uterus feels boggy. What should the nurse do first?
,A. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
B. Massage the uterine fundus
C. Prepare the client for surgery
D. Encourage oral fluids
CORRECT ANSWER: B — Massage the uterine fundus
RATIONALE: A boggy uterus suggests uterine atony, the leading cause of postpartum
hemorrhage. Fundal massage is the priority nursing intervention to stimulate uterine contraction.
4. Which maternal hormone is primarily responsible for maintaining pregnancy
during the early weeks?
A. Oxytocin
B. Progesterone
C. Prolactin
D. Estrogen
CORRECT ANSWER: B — Progesterone
RATIONALE: Progesterone maintains the uterine lining, suppresses uterine contractions, and
supports early pregnancy until placental hormone production is established.
5. Which finding is considered a presumptive sign of pregnancy?
A. Positive fetal heart tones
B. Chadwick's sign
C. Visualization of the fetus by ultrasound
D. Fetal movement palpated by the examiner
CORRECT ANSWER: B — Chadwick's sign
RATIONALE: Chadwick's sign, a bluish discoloration of the cervix and vagina, is a presumptive
sign of pregnancy because it can occur with conditions other than pregnancy.
6. A nurse is teaching a pregnant client about nutrition. Which nutrient is
essential for preventing neural tube defects?
A. Calcium
B. Iron
, C. Folic acid
D. Vitamin D
CORRECT ANSWER: C — Folic acid
RATIONALE: Adequate folic acid intake before conception and during early pregnancy
significantly reduces the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida.
7. Which finding in a newborn requires immediate nursing intervention?
A. Respiratory rate of 68 breaths/minute with nasal flaring
B. Heart rate of 140 beats/minute
C. Axillary temperature of 36.8°C (98.2°F)
D. Presence of vernix caseosa
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Respiratory rate of 68 breaths/minute with nasal flaring
RATIONALE: Tachypnea accompanied by nasal flaring is a sign of respiratory distress and
requires immediate assessment and intervention.
8. A nurse is assessing a newborn 2 hours after birth. Which finding is expected?
A. Central cyanosis
B. Acrocyanosis of the hands and feet
C. Absent Moro reflex
D. Persistent grunting
CORRECT ANSWER: B — Acrocyanosis of the hands and feet
RATIONALE: Acrocyanosis is a common, normal finding during the first 24–48 hours after birth
due to immature peripheral circulation.
9. Which action by the nurse best promotes maternal-newborn bonding
immediately after birth?
A. Delay skin-to-skin contact until after the newborn's bath
B. Encourage immediate skin-to-skin contact when the newborn is stable
C. Separate the newborn for observation for the first two hours
D. Feed the newborn in the nursery before returning to the mother
