HONDROS NUR 205 EXAM 3 – MATERNAL-NEWBORN ASSESSMENT STUDY
GUIDE | TESTBANK | PRACTICE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS | EXAM PREPARATION |
ADVANCED REVIEW | COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM | LATEST UPDATE
2026/2027
Examiner:
Hondros College of Nursing
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Antepartum Maternal Assessment
2. Fetal Assessment and Surveillance
3. Intrapartum Nursing Assessment
4. Maternal Physiologic Adaptations
5. Labor and Birth Complications
6. Postpartum Maternal Assessment
7. Newborn Transition and Adaptation
8. Comprehensive Newborn Physical Assessment
9. Neonatal Safety and Family Education
10. Clinical Judgment and Prioritization in Maternal-Newborn Nursing
MATERNAL ASSESSMENT || FETAL SURVEILLANCE || LEOPOLD MANEUVERS ||
LABOR PROGRESSION || CERVICAL CHANGE || UTERINE CONTRACTIONS || FETAL
HEART RATE || POSTPARTUM HEMORRHAGE || LOCHIA || FUNDAL ASSESSMENT ||
NEWBORN TRANSITION || APGAR SCORING || THERMOREGULATION || NEONATAL
REFLEXES || BREASTFEEDING || FAMILY-CENTERED CARE || CLINICAL JUDGMENT ||
PRIORITIZATION || SAFETY || NURSING MANAGEMENT
QUESTION 1.
A laboring client at 40 weeks' gestation develops recurrent late decelerations despite
maternal repositioning. The uterus is soft between contractions, maternal blood
pressure is stable, and oxytocin is infusing. Which nursing action is the highest
priority?
,A. Discontinue the oxytocin infusion and notify the provider.
B. Increase the oxytocin rate to shorten labor.
C. Encourage the client to begin pushing.
D. Delay intervention until a full 20-minute tracing is obtained.
Correct Answer: A. Discontinue the oxytocin infusion and notify the provider.
Explanation: Recurrent late decelerations suggest uteroplacental insufficiency and
require immediate intrauterine resuscitative measures. Stopping oxytocin reduces
uterine stimulation and may improve fetal oxygenation. Increasing oxytocin or
encouraging pushing may worsen fetal compromise, while delaying intervention
risks progressive fetal hypoxia.
────────────────────────────────────────
QUESTION 2.
During a postpartum assessment 8 hours after a vaginal birth, the nurse notes a
boggy uterine fundus displaced to the right with moderate lochia rubra. Which
intervention should be performed first?
A. Notify the obstetric provider immediately.
B. Assist the client to empty her bladder.
C. Administer an opioid analgesic.
D. Prepare the client for an ultrasound.
Correct Answer: B. Assist the client to empty her bladder.
Explanation: A full bladder commonly displaces the uterus and contributes to
uterine atony. Emptying the bladder often allows the uterus to return to the midline
and contract effectively. Provider notification or imaging may become necessary if
the uterus remains boggy after appropriate nursing interventions.
────────────────────────────────────────
QUESTION 3.
,A term newborn is 2 minutes old with a heart rate of 110 beats/min, irregular
respirations with a weak cry, some flexion of the extremities, grimacing with
stimulation, and acrocyanosis. What is the most appropriate Apgar score?
A. 5
B. 6
C. 7
D. 8
Correct Answer: C. 7.
Explanation: The infant receives 2 points for heart rate, 1 for respiratory effort, 1 for
muscle tone, 1 for reflex irritability, and 2? Actually acrocyanosis earns 1 point for
appearance, yielding a total score of 7. This score reflects a newborn transitioning
appropriately while requiring routine supportive care rather than extensive
resuscitation.
────────────────────────────────────────
QUESTION 4.
A client at 34 weeks' gestation reports severe headache, blurred vision, and epigastric
pain. Blood pressure is 170/112 mm Hg, and deep tendon reflexes are 4+. Which
assessment finding most strongly indicates worsening disease?
A. Trace dependent edema
B. Weight gain of 0.5 kg over one week
C. Hyperactive reflexes with ankle clonus
D. Fetal movement perceived every hour
Correct Answer: C. Hyperactive reflexes with ankle clonus.
Explanation: Hyperreflexia and clonus indicate increasing neuromuscular irritability
associated with severe preeclampsia and heightened seizure risk. The remaining
findings are either less significant or reassuring compared with evidence suggesting
imminent eclampsia.
, ────────────────────────────────────────
QUESTION 5.
While performing Leopold maneuvers, the nurse palpates a firm, round, freely
movable structure in the uterine fundus and a broad, irregular mass in the lower
uterine segment. Which fetal presentation is most consistent with these findings?
A. Cephalic presentation
B. Shoulder presentation
C. Breech presentation
D. Transverse lie
Correct Answer: C. Breech presentation.
Explanation: The fetal head is firm, round, and ballotable. When the head is
palpated in the fundus and the softer buttocks occupy the lower uterine segment,
the fetus is presenting breech. Accurate interpretation of Leopold maneuvers assists
with planning intrapartum care.
────────────────────────────────────────
QUESTION 6.
A postpartum client saturates one perineal pad in 15 minutes despite a firm uterine
fundus. Which condition should the nurse suspect first?
A. Uterine inversion
B. Cervical or vaginal laceration
C. Retained placental fragments
D. Bladder distention
Correct Answer: B. Cervical or vaginal laceration.
Explanation: Continued heavy bleeding despite a firm, well-contracted uterus
strongly suggests trauma to the birth canal. Uterine atony is less likely because the
GUIDE | TESTBANK | PRACTICE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS | EXAM PREPARATION |
ADVANCED REVIEW | COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM | LATEST UPDATE
2026/2027
Examiner:
Hondros College of Nursing
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Antepartum Maternal Assessment
2. Fetal Assessment and Surveillance
3. Intrapartum Nursing Assessment
4. Maternal Physiologic Adaptations
5. Labor and Birth Complications
6. Postpartum Maternal Assessment
7. Newborn Transition and Adaptation
8. Comprehensive Newborn Physical Assessment
9. Neonatal Safety and Family Education
10. Clinical Judgment and Prioritization in Maternal-Newborn Nursing
MATERNAL ASSESSMENT || FETAL SURVEILLANCE || LEOPOLD MANEUVERS ||
LABOR PROGRESSION || CERVICAL CHANGE || UTERINE CONTRACTIONS || FETAL
HEART RATE || POSTPARTUM HEMORRHAGE || LOCHIA || FUNDAL ASSESSMENT ||
NEWBORN TRANSITION || APGAR SCORING || THERMOREGULATION || NEONATAL
REFLEXES || BREASTFEEDING || FAMILY-CENTERED CARE || CLINICAL JUDGMENT ||
PRIORITIZATION || SAFETY || NURSING MANAGEMENT
QUESTION 1.
A laboring client at 40 weeks' gestation develops recurrent late decelerations despite
maternal repositioning. The uterus is soft between contractions, maternal blood
pressure is stable, and oxytocin is infusing. Which nursing action is the highest
priority?
,A. Discontinue the oxytocin infusion and notify the provider.
B. Increase the oxytocin rate to shorten labor.
C. Encourage the client to begin pushing.
D. Delay intervention until a full 20-minute tracing is obtained.
Correct Answer: A. Discontinue the oxytocin infusion and notify the provider.
Explanation: Recurrent late decelerations suggest uteroplacental insufficiency and
require immediate intrauterine resuscitative measures. Stopping oxytocin reduces
uterine stimulation and may improve fetal oxygenation. Increasing oxytocin or
encouraging pushing may worsen fetal compromise, while delaying intervention
risks progressive fetal hypoxia.
────────────────────────────────────────
QUESTION 2.
During a postpartum assessment 8 hours after a vaginal birth, the nurse notes a
boggy uterine fundus displaced to the right with moderate lochia rubra. Which
intervention should be performed first?
A. Notify the obstetric provider immediately.
B. Assist the client to empty her bladder.
C. Administer an opioid analgesic.
D. Prepare the client for an ultrasound.
Correct Answer: B. Assist the client to empty her bladder.
Explanation: A full bladder commonly displaces the uterus and contributes to
uterine atony. Emptying the bladder often allows the uterus to return to the midline
and contract effectively. Provider notification or imaging may become necessary if
the uterus remains boggy after appropriate nursing interventions.
────────────────────────────────────────
QUESTION 3.
,A term newborn is 2 minutes old with a heart rate of 110 beats/min, irregular
respirations with a weak cry, some flexion of the extremities, grimacing with
stimulation, and acrocyanosis. What is the most appropriate Apgar score?
A. 5
B. 6
C. 7
D. 8
Correct Answer: C. 7.
Explanation: The infant receives 2 points for heart rate, 1 for respiratory effort, 1 for
muscle tone, 1 for reflex irritability, and 2? Actually acrocyanosis earns 1 point for
appearance, yielding a total score of 7. This score reflects a newborn transitioning
appropriately while requiring routine supportive care rather than extensive
resuscitation.
────────────────────────────────────────
QUESTION 4.
A client at 34 weeks' gestation reports severe headache, blurred vision, and epigastric
pain. Blood pressure is 170/112 mm Hg, and deep tendon reflexes are 4+. Which
assessment finding most strongly indicates worsening disease?
A. Trace dependent edema
B. Weight gain of 0.5 kg over one week
C. Hyperactive reflexes with ankle clonus
D. Fetal movement perceived every hour
Correct Answer: C. Hyperactive reflexes with ankle clonus.
Explanation: Hyperreflexia and clonus indicate increasing neuromuscular irritability
associated with severe preeclampsia and heightened seizure risk. The remaining
findings are either less significant or reassuring compared with evidence suggesting
imminent eclampsia.
, ────────────────────────────────────────
QUESTION 5.
While performing Leopold maneuvers, the nurse palpates a firm, round, freely
movable structure in the uterine fundus and a broad, irregular mass in the lower
uterine segment. Which fetal presentation is most consistent with these findings?
A. Cephalic presentation
B. Shoulder presentation
C. Breech presentation
D. Transverse lie
Correct Answer: C. Breech presentation.
Explanation: The fetal head is firm, round, and ballotable. When the head is
palpated in the fundus and the softer buttocks occupy the lower uterine segment,
the fetus is presenting breech. Accurate interpretation of Leopold maneuvers assists
with planning intrapartum care.
────────────────────────────────────────
QUESTION 6.
A postpartum client saturates one perineal pad in 15 minutes despite a firm uterine
fundus. Which condition should the nurse suspect first?
A. Uterine inversion
B. Cervical or vaginal laceration
C. Retained placental fragments
D. Bladder distention
Correct Answer: B. Cervical or vaginal laceration.
Explanation: Continued heavy bleeding despite a firm, well-contracted uterus
strongly suggests trauma to the birth canal. Uterine atony is less likely because the
