Professional Nursing Practice (2026) Q&A
1. Which finding is characteristic of placenta previa?
A) Painless bright red vaginal bleeding
B) Painful dark red bleeding
C) Hypertonic uterine contractions
D) Absent fetal heart tones
Correct Answer: Painless bright red vaginal bleeding
Rationale: Placenta previa, where the placenta covers the cervical os, typically
presents with sudden, painless, bright red bleeding in the third trimester.
Vaginal exams must be avoided because they can precipitate severe
hemorrhage. Painful dark bleeding suggests placental abruption.
2. When caring for a client with suspected placenta previa, the priority nursing
action is to:
A) Prepare for immediate delivery
B) Refrain from performing a vaginal examination and notify the provider
C) Perform a sterile vaginal exam to assess dilation
D) Administer oxytocin
Correct Answer: Refrain from performing a vaginal examination and notify the
provider
,Rationale: A vaginal exam could disrupt the placenta and cause life‑threatening
hemorrhage. The nurse must not insert anything into the vagina and should
alert the provider immediately. Immediate delivery may be necessary later, but
the first step is to avoid aggravating the bleed.
3. According to the VEAL CHOP mnemonic, variable decelerations in fetal heart
rate are caused by:
A) Head compression
B) Placental insufficiency
C) Cord compression
D) Fetal movement
Correct Answer: Cord compression
Rationale: Variable decelerations (V) correspond to Cord compression (C). Early
decelerations (E) are from Head compression (H). Late decelerations (L) are from
Placental insufficiency (P). Accelerations (A) indicate an Okay (O) status.
4. The nurse interprets late decelerations on the fetal monitor. The underlying
cause is:
A) Cord compression
B) Maternal hyperventilation
C) Fetal sleep
D) Placental insufficiency
Correct Answer: Placental insufficiency
, Rationale: Late decelerations (L) are associated with Placental insufficiency (P)
in the VEAL CHOP mnemonic. They reflect decreased oxygen supply to the fetus
due to reduced placental perfusion, often requiring prompt intervention.
5. RhoGAM is administered to an Rh‑negative mother at 28 weeks gestation to
prevent:
A) Alloimmunization to Rh‑positive fetal blood
B) Hemolytic disease in the current pregnancy
C) Maternal hypertension
D) Preterm labor
Correct Answer: Alloimmunization to Rh‑positive fetal blood
Rationale: RhoGAM contains anti‑Rh antibodies that destroy fetal Rh‑positive
RBCs entering the maternal circulation, preventing the mother from producing
her own antibodies. It protects future Rh‑positive babies from hemolytic
disease.
6. A nurse is reviewing lab results for a client on warfarin. Which INR value is
within the therapeutic range?
A) 1.0
B) 2.5
C) 3.8
D) 0.8
Correct Answer: 2.5