PRN1500 – MATERNAL & CHILD NURSING MIDTERM
PRACTICE EXAM — EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026|2027 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which hormone maintains the uterine lining and prevents menstruation
during early pregnancy?
A. Estrogen
B. Progesterone
C. Oxytocin
D. Prolactin
Answer: B
Progesterone is produced by the corpus luteum (and later the placenta) and
maintains the endometrium to support pregnancy.
2. The normal range for fetal heart rate (FHR) in term fetus is:
A. 60–100 bpm
B. 100–140 bpm
C. 110–160 bpm
D. 160–200 bpm
Answer: C
110–160 bpm is the accepted normal baseline fetal heart rate for a term
fetus.
3. Which of the following is a sign of placental abruptio (abruption
placentae)?
A. Painless bright red bleeding
B. Sudden severe abdominal pain with uterine tenderness and dark
bleeding
C. No bleeding, only fetal movement reduction
D. Gradual painless bleeding in late pregnancy
Answer: B
, Abruptio placentae typically presents with sudden severe pain, a
tender/firm uterus, and dark (concealed) bleeding.
4. What is the primary action of oxytocin in labor?
A. Soften the cervix
B. Stimulate uterine contractions
C. Prevent hemorrhage by vasoconstriction only
D. Increase maternal blood glucose
Answer: B
Oxytocin stimulates uterine smooth muscle contraction and is used to
induce/augment labor and control postpartum bleeding.
5. A nonstress test (NST) is reactive if:
A. No accelerations are present
B. There are two or more accelerations of FHR ≥15 bpm lasting ≥15 seconds
in 20 minutes (term)
C. Baseline FHR is <110 bpm
D. There are repetitive late decelerations
Answer: B
A reactive NST requires two accelerations (≥15 bpm for ≥15 sec) within 20
minutes for a term fetus, indicating fetal well-being.
6. Which condition is characterized by hypertension after 20 weeks gestation
with proteinuria or end-organ dysfunction?
A. Gestational hypertension
B. Preeclampsia
C. Eclampsia
D. Chronic hypertension
Answer: B
Preeclampsia is new-onset hypertension after 20 weeks accompanied by
proteinuria or signs of end-organ dysfunction.
7. First-line treatment for severe preeclampsia to prevent seizures is:
A. Magnesium sulfate
B. Diazepam
C. Phenytoin
D. Calcium gluconate
, Answer: A
Magnesium sulfate is the drug of choice for seizure prophylaxis in severe
preeclampsia/eclampsia.
8. A positive contraction stress test (CST) indicates:
A. Normal fetal oxygenation
B. Presence of late decelerations with contractions — possible fetal
compromise
C. Reactive NST
D. Accelerations with fetal movement
Answer: B
A positive CST shows late decelerations with contractions, suggesting
uteroplacental insufficiency and potential fetal compromise.
9. The best position to measure the fundal height is:
A. Supine with head elevated slightly
B. Left lateral only
C. Standing upright
D. Prone
Answer: A
Fundal height is measured with the patient supine and slightly head-
elevated to avoid supine hypotension and to palpate the uterus properly.
10. Lochia that is bright red and heavy, with clots, on postpartum day 2 is
called:
A. Lochia alba
B. Lochia serosa
C. Lochia rubra
D. Lochia scant
Answer: C
Lochia rubra is the early postpartum discharge (bright red) occurring in the
first few days after birth.
11. The APGAR score assesses newborn status at:
A. 1 and 5 minutes after birth
B. 10 and 20 minutes after birth
C. During pregnancy to predict labor
PRACTICE EXAM — EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026|2027 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which hormone maintains the uterine lining and prevents menstruation
during early pregnancy?
A. Estrogen
B. Progesterone
C. Oxytocin
D. Prolactin
Answer: B
Progesterone is produced by the corpus luteum (and later the placenta) and
maintains the endometrium to support pregnancy.
2. The normal range for fetal heart rate (FHR) in term fetus is:
A. 60–100 bpm
B. 100–140 bpm
C. 110–160 bpm
D. 160–200 bpm
Answer: C
110–160 bpm is the accepted normal baseline fetal heart rate for a term
fetus.
3. Which of the following is a sign of placental abruptio (abruption
placentae)?
A. Painless bright red bleeding
B. Sudden severe abdominal pain with uterine tenderness and dark
bleeding
C. No bleeding, only fetal movement reduction
D. Gradual painless bleeding in late pregnancy
Answer: B
, Abruptio placentae typically presents with sudden severe pain, a
tender/firm uterus, and dark (concealed) bleeding.
4. What is the primary action of oxytocin in labor?
A. Soften the cervix
B. Stimulate uterine contractions
C. Prevent hemorrhage by vasoconstriction only
D. Increase maternal blood glucose
Answer: B
Oxytocin stimulates uterine smooth muscle contraction and is used to
induce/augment labor and control postpartum bleeding.
5. A nonstress test (NST) is reactive if:
A. No accelerations are present
B. There are two or more accelerations of FHR ≥15 bpm lasting ≥15 seconds
in 20 minutes (term)
C. Baseline FHR is <110 bpm
D. There are repetitive late decelerations
Answer: B
A reactive NST requires two accelerations (≥15 bpm for ≥15 sec) within 20
minutes for a term fetus, indicating fetal well-being.
6. Which condition is characterized by hypertension after 20 weeks gestation
with proteinuria or end-organ dysfunction?
A. Gestational hypertension
B. Preeclampsia
C. Eclampsia
D. Chronic hypertension
Answer: B
Preeclampsia is new-onset hypertension after 20 weeks accompanied by
proteinuria or signs of end-organ dysfunction.
7. First-line treatment for severe preeclampsia to prevent seizures is:
A. Magnesium sulfate
B. Diazepam
C. Phenytoin
D. Calcium gluconate
, Answer: A
Magnesium sulfate is the drug of choice for seizure prophylaxis in severe
preeclampsia/eclampsia.
8. A positive contraction stress test (CST) indicates:
A. Normal fetal oxygenation
B. Presence of late decelerations with contractions — possible fetal
compromise
C. Reactive NST
D. Accelerations with fetal movement
Answer: B
A positive CST shows late decelerations with contractions, suggesting
uteroplacental insufficiency and potential fetal compromise.
9. The best position to measure the fundal height is:
A. Supine with head elevated slightly
B. Left lateral only
C. Standing upright
D. Prone
Answer: A
Fundal height is measured with the patient supine and slightly head-
elevated to avoid supine hypotension and to palpate the uterus properly.
10. Lochia that is bright red and heavy, with clots, on postpartum day 2 is
called:
A. Lochia alba
B. Lochia serosa
C. Lochia rubra
D. Lochia scant
Answer: C
Lochia rubra is the early postpartum discharge (bright red) occurring in the
first few days after birth.
11. The APGAR score assesses newborn status at:
A. 1 and 5 minutes after birth
B. 10 and 20 minutes after birth
C. During pregnancy to predict labor
