2026 Maternal–Newborn Nursing
Practice Assessment B Clinical
Readiness Examination
Questions, Correct Answers, and
Rationales
1. A nurse assesses a woman at 39 weeks of gestation who
reports regular contractions every 5 minutes lasting 60
seconds. Which finding confirms true labor?
A. Contractions stop with walking.
B. Cervix remains unchanged.
C. Progressive cervical dilation and effacement.
D. Fetal movement decreases.
Answer: C. Progressive cervical dilation and effacement.
Rationale: True labor is confirmed by regular contractions that
produce cervical dilation and effacement.
2. During the first prenatal visit, which laboratory test
identifies Rh incompatibility risk?
,A. Hemoglobin level
B. Rubella titer
C. Urinalysis
D. Blood type and Rh factor
Answer: D. Blood type and Rh factor.
Rationale: Determining maternal blood type and Rh status
identifies mothers at risk for Rh incompatibility.
3. Which maternal position best improves uteroplacental
blood flow during labor?
A. Supine
B. Prone
C. Left lateral position
D. Trendelenburg
Answer: C. Left lateral position.
Rationale: The left lateral position reduces vena cava
compression and improves placental perfusion.
4. Which finding is an expected sign of placental separation?
A. Maternal hypotension
B. Sudden gush of blood
,C. Loss of fetal station
D. Bradycardia
Answer: B. Sudden gush of blood.
Rationale: A sudden gush of blood, cord lengthening, and a firm
rising uterus indicate placental separation.
5. A postpartum client has a boggy uterus. What is the nurse's
priority action?
A. Administer analgesics.
B. Encourage breastfeeding later.
C. Massage the uterine fundus.
D. Insert a urinary catheter immediately.
Answer: C. Massage the uterine fundus.
Rationale: Fundal massage promotes uterine contraction and
reduces postpartum hemorrhage.
6. Which fetal heart rate is considered reassuring?
A. 95 beats/min
B. 140 beats/min
C. 170 beats/min
D. 190 beats/min
Answer: B. 140 beats/min.
, Rationale: A normal fetal heart rate ranges from 110 to 160
beats/min.
7. Which finding suggests preeclampsia?
A. Mild ankle edema only
B. Blood pressure 110/70 mm Hg
C. Blood pressure 150/96 mm Hg with proteinuria
D. Pulse 78 beats/min
Answer: C. Blood pressure 150/96 mm Hg with proteinuria.
Rationale: Hypertension with proteinuria after 20 weeks of
gestation is characteristic of preeclampsia.
8. Which medication is commonly administered to prevent
neonatal ophthalmia?
A. Vitamin K
B. Hepatitis B vaccine
C. Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment
D. Ampicillin
Answer: C. Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment.
Rationale: Erythromycin ointment helps prevent neonatal eye
infection caused by gonococcal exposure.
Practice Assessment B Clinical
Readiness Examination
Questions, Correct Answers, and
Rationales
1. A nurse assesses a woman at 39 weeks of gestation who
reports regular contractions every 5 minutes lasting 60
seconds. Which finding confirms true labor?
A. Contractions stop with walking.
B. Cervix remains unchanged.
C. Progressive cervical dilation and effacement.
D. Fetal movement decreases.
Answer: C. Progressive cervical dilation and effacement.
Rationale: True labor is confirmed by regular contractions that
produce cervical dilation and effacement.
2. During the first prenatal visit, which laboratory test
identifies Rh incompatibility risk?
,A. Hemoglobin level
B. Rubella titer
C. Urinalysis
D. Blood type and Rh factor
Answer: D. Blood type and Rh factor.
Rationale: Determining maternal blood type and Rh status
identifies mothers at risk for Rh incompatibility.
3. Which maternal position best improves uteroplacental
blood flow during labor?
A. Supine
B. Prone
C. Left lateral position
D. Trendelenburg
Answer: C. Left lateral position.
Rationale: The left lateral position reduces vena cava
compression and improves placental perfusion.
4. Which finding is an expected sign of placental separation?
A. Maternal hypotension
B. Sudden gush of blood
,C. Loss of fetal station
D. Bradycardia
Answer: B. Sudden gush of blood.
Rationale: A sudden gush of blood, cord lengthening, and a firm
rising uterus indicate placental separation.
5. A postpartum client has a boggy uterus. What is the nurse's
priority action?
A. Administer analgesics.
B. Encourage breastfeeding later.
C. Massage the uterine fundus.
D. Insert a urinary catheter immediately.
Answer: C. Massage the uterine fundus.
Rationale: Fundal massage promotes uterine contraction and
reduces postpartum hemorrhage.
6. Which fetal heart rate is considered reassuring?
A. 95 beats/min
B. 140 beats/min
C. 170 beats/min
D. 190 beats/min
Answer: B. 140 beats/min.
, Rationale: A normal fetal heart rate ranges from 110 to 160
beats/min.
7. Which finding suggests preeclampsia?
A. Mild ankle edema only
B. Blood pressure 110/70 mm Hg
C. Blood pressure 150/96 mm Hg with proteinuria
D. Pulse 78 beats/min
Answer: C. Blood pressure 150/96 mm Hg with proteinuria.
Rationale: Hypertension with proteinuria after 20 weeks of
gestation is characteristic of preeclampsia.
8. Which medication is commonly administered to prevent
neonatal ophthalmia?
A. Vitamin K
B. Hepatitis B vaccine
C. Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment
D. Ampicillin
Answer: C. Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment.
Rationale: Erythromycin ointment helps prevent neonatal eye
infection caused by gonococcal exposure.
