RNSG 1517 A Maternity Exam | Complete Questions with Correct
Answers and Detailed Rationales - Latest Update 2026/2027
Question 1
At what point during pregnancy does the fundal height typically reach
the umbilicus?
A. 12 weeks
B. 16 weeks
C. 20 weeks
D. 24 weeks
Correct Answer: C. 20 weeks
Detailed Rationale: At 20 weeks gestation, the fundus reaches the
umbilicus. Fundal height measured in centimeters from the symphysis
pubis to the top of the fundus typically correlates with the number of
weeks of gestation (plus or minus 2 cm) from 20-36 weeks.
Question 2
The nurse is assessing a client at 12 weeks gestation. Which finding is
consistent with normal pregnancy at this stage?
A. Fundus palpable at the umbilicus
B. Uterus palpable just above the symphysis pubis
C. Quickening clearly felt by the mother
D. Colostrum actively leaking in large amounts
Correct Answer: B. Uterus palpable just above the symphysis pubis
,Detailed Rationale: At 12 weeks gestation, the uterus rises out of the
pelvis and becomes palpable just above the symphysis pubis. The
fundus reaches the umbilicus at 20 weeks.
Question 3
A pregnant client states that her last menstrual period began on May
10. Using Nagele's rule, what is the estimated date of birth (EDB)?
A. February 17
B. February 3
C. March 17
D. January 17
Correct Answer: A. February 17
Detailed Rationale: Nagele's rule calculates the estimated date of birth
by taking the first day of the last menstrual period, subtracting 3
months, and adding 7 days. May 10 minus 3 months is February 10, plus
7 days equals February 17.
Question 4
Which of the following findings is considered a positive (definitive) sign
of pregnancy?
A. Amenorrhea
B. Chadwick's sign
C. Auscultation of fetal heart tones by a health care provider
D. Breast tenderness and enlargement
,Correct Answer: C. Auscultation of fetal heart tones by a health care
provider
Detailed Rationale: Positive signs of pregnancy are objective signs
attributable only to the fetus, such as visualization of the fetus on
ultrasound, fetal heart tones auscultated by a provider, and fetal
movement felt by an examiner. Amenorrhea is a presumptive sign, and
Chadwick's sign is a probable sign.
Question 5
A nurse is explaining physiological anemia of pregnancy to a client at 28
weeks gestation. What is the primary cause of this condition?
A. Decreased dietary iron intake
B. Greater increase in plasma volume relative to red blood cell mass
C. Increased destruction of red blood cells by the placenta
D. Suppression of bone marrow activity by progesterone
Correct Answer: B. Greater increase in plasma volume relative to red
blood cell mass
Detailed Rationale: Plasma volume increases by 40% to 50% during
pregnancy, while red blood cell mass increases by only 20% to 30%. This
disproportionate increase leads to hemodilution, known as
physiological anemia of pregnancy.
Question 6
A client at 28 weeks gestation is scheduled for a 1-hour oral glucose
tolerance test. The blood glucose result is 145 mg/dL. How should the
nurse interpret this finding?
, A. Normal finding requiring no further action
B. Abnormal screening result requiring a 3-hour oral glucose tolerance
test
C. Diagnostic confirmation of gestational diabetes mellitus
D. Severe maternal hypoglycemia
Correct Answer: B. Abnormal screening result requiring a 3-hour oral
glucose tolerance test
Detailed Rationale: A blood glucose level of 130 to 140 mg/dL or higher
on a 1-hour oral glucose tolerance test is considered a positive
screening result that requires a diagnostic 3-hour oral glucose tolerance
test to confirm gestational diabetes.
Question 7
Which vitamin supplement is essential to recommend to a woman
before conception and during early pregnancy to reduce the risk of
neural tube defects?
A. Vitamin A
B. Folic acid (Vitamin B9)
C. Vitamin C
D. Vitamin D
Correct Answer: B. Folic acid (Vitamin B9)
Detailed Rationale: Adequate intake of folic acid prior to conception
and through the first trimester is vital for preventing neural tube defects
such as spina bifida and anencephaly.
Answers and Detailed Rationales - Latest Update 2026/2027
Question 1
At what point during pregnancy does the fundal height typically reach
the umbilicus?
A. 12 weeks
B. 16 weeks
C. 20 weeks
D. 24 weeks
Correct Answer: C. 20 weeks
Detailed Rationale: At 20 weeks gestation, the fundus reaches the
umbilicus. Fundal height measured in centimeters from the symphysis
pubis to the top of the fundus typically correlates with the number of
weeks of gestation (plus or minus 2 cm) from 20-36 weeks.
Question 2
The nurse is assessing a client at 12 weeks gestation. Which finding is
consistent with normal pregnancy at this stage?
A. Fundus palpable at the umbilicus
B. Uterus palpable just above the symphysis pubis
C. Quickening clearly felt by the mother
D. Colostrum actively leaking in large amounts
Correct Answer: B. Uterus palpable just above the symphysis pubis
,Detailed Rationale: At 12 weeks gestation, the uterus rises out of the
pelvis and becomes palpable just above the symphysis pubis. The
fundus reaches the umbilicus at 20 weeks.
Question 3
A pregnant client states that her last menstrual period began on May
10. Using Nagele's rule, what is the estimated date of birth (EDB)?
A. February 17
B. February 3
C. March 17
D. January 17
Correct Answer: A. February 17
Detailed Rationale: Nagele's rule calculates the estimated date of birth
by taking the first day of the last menstrual period, subtracting 3
months, and adding 7 days. May 10 minus 3 months is February 10, plus
7 days equals February 17.
Question 4
Which of the following findings is considered a positive (definitive) sign
of pregnancy?
A. Amenorrhea
B. Chadwick's sign
C. Auscultation of fetal heart tones by a health care provider
D. Breast tenderness and enlargement
,Correct Answer: C. Auscultation of fetal heart tones by a health care
provider
Detailed Rationale: Positive signs of pregnancy are objective signs
attributable only to the fetus, such as visualization of the fetus on
ultrasound, fetal heart tones auscultated by a provider, and fetal
movement felt by an examiner. Amenorrhea is a presumptive sign, and
Chadwick's sign is a probable sign.
Question 5
A nurse is explaining physiological anemia of pregnancy to a client at 28
weeks gestation. What is the primary cause of this condition?
A. Decreased dietary iron intake
B. Greater increase in plasma volume relative to red blood cell mass
C. Increased destruction of red blood cells by the placenta
D. Suppression of bone marrow activity by progesterone
Correct Answer: B. Greater increase in plasma volume relative to red
blood cell mass
Detailed Rationale: Plasma volume increases by 40% to 50% during
pregnancy, while red blood cell mass increases by only 20% to 30%. This
disproportionate increase leads to hemodilution, known as
physiological anemia of pregnancy.
Question 6
A client at 28 weeks gestation is scheduled for a 1-hour oral glucose
tolerance test. The blood glucose result is 145 mg/dL. How should the
nurse interpret this finding?
, A. Normal finding requiring no further action
B. Abnormal screening result requiring a 3-hour oral glucose tolerance
test
C. Diagnostic confirmation of gestational diabetes mellitus
D. Severe maternal hypoglycemia
Correct Answer: B. Abnormal screening result requiring a 3-hour oral
glucose tolerance test
Detailed Rationale: A blood glucose level of 130 to 140 mg/dL or higher
on a 1-hour oral glucose tolerance test is considered a positive
screening result that requires a diagnostic 3-hour oral glucose tolerance
test to confirm gestational diabetes.
Question 7
Which vitamin supplement is essential to recommend to a woman
before conception and during early pregnancy to reduce the risk of
neural tube defects?
A. Vitamin A
B. Folic acid (Vitamin B9)
C. Vitamin C
D. Vitamin D
Correct Answer: B. Folic acid (Vitamin B9)
Detailed Rationale: Adequate intake of folic acid prior to conception
and through the first trimester is vital for preventing neural tube defects
such as spina bifida and anencephaly.
