Maternal-Newborn Nursing Exam Review 2026: 100
Practice Questions, Answers & Rationales
1. A pregnant client at 34 weeks reports a severe headache and blurred vision. What is
the nurse’s priority action?
A. Encourage the client to rest
B. Assess blood pressure and other signs of preeclampsia
C. Provide a high-protein snack
D. Reassure the client that these symptoms are normal
Answer: B
Rationale: Severe headache and visual disturbances are warning signs of severe
preeclampsia. The nurse should promptly assess blood pressure and maternal/fetal
status.
2. A client with preeclampsia is receiving magnesium sulfate. Which finding requires
immediate intervention?
A. Respiratory rate of 10/min
B. Urine output of 45 mL/hr
C. Patellar reflexes 2+
D. Blood pressure of 142/90 mmHg
Answer: A
Rationale: Respiratory depression can indicate magnesium toxicity. Magnesium sulfate
should be stopped according to protocol and the provider notified. Calcium gluconate is
the antidote.
3. Which finding is most characteristic of placenta previa?
A. Severe abdominal pain with rigid uterus
B. Painless bright-red vaginal bleeding
C. Severe headache and hypertension
D. Dark vaginal bleeding with uterine tenderness
Answer: B
,Rationale: Placenta previa classically presents with painless, bright-red vaginal
bleeding. Vaginal examination should be avoided until placenta location is confirmed.
4. Which finding is most consistent with abruptio placentae?
A. Painless bleeding
B. Soft, nontender uterus
C. Painful vaginal bleeding and uterine tenderness
D. Increased fetal movement
Answer: C
Rationale: Abruptio placentae involves premature placental separation and commonly
causes abdominal pain, uterine tenderness, and vaginal bleeding.
5. A laboring client has recurrent late fetal heart-rate decelerations. What should the
nurse do first?
A. Place the client in a supine position
B. Reposition the client and assess uterine activity
C. Encourage pushing
D. Increase the oxytocin infusion
Answer: B
Rationale: Late decelerations suggest uteroplacental insufficiency. Repositioning,
typically to a lateral position, is an immediate nursing intervention while further
assessment and interventions are initiated.
6. Variable fetal heart-rate decelerations are most commonly associated with:
A. Head compression
B. Uteroplacental insufficiency
C. Umbilical cord compression
D. Maternal fever
Answer: C
Rationale: Variable decelerations are caused by intermittent umbilical cord
compression.
7. Early fetal heart-rate decelerations are usually caused by:
, A. Head compression
B. Placental insufficiency
C. Umbilical cord prolapse
D. Maternal hypotension
Answer: A
Rationale: Early decelerations occur as the fetal head is compressed during
contractions and are generally considered benign when they occur appropriately with
contractions.
8. A postpartum client’s uterus is boggy and displaced to the right. What is the nurse’s
priority action?
A. Encourage ambulation
B. Assess the bladder and assist the client to void
C. Place the client in Trendelenburg position
D. Apply an ice pack to the perineum
Answer: B
Rationale: A full bladder can displace the uterus and interfere with uterine contraction,
increasing bleeding. Helping the client empty the bladder can promote uterine firmness.
9. Which postpartum finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Lochia rubra during the first postpartum days
B. Mild uterine cramping during breastfeeding
C. Saturating a perineal pad rapidly with bright-red blood
D. Mild fatigue
Answer: C
Rationale: Excessive postpartum bleeding can indicate postpartum hemorrhage and
requires immediate assessment and intervention.
10. Which condition is the most common cause of early postpartum hemorrhage?
A. Uterine atony
B. Hypertension
C. Hyperemesis gravidarum
Practice Questions, Answers & Rationales
1. A pregnant client at 34 weeks reports a severe headache and blurred vision. What is
the nurse’s priority action?
A. Encourage the client to rest
B. Assess blood pressure and other signs of preeclampsia
C. Provide a high-protein snack
D. Reassure the client that these symptoms are normal
Answer: B
Rationale: Severe headache and visual disturbances are warning signs of severe
preeclampsia. The nurse should promptly assess blood pressure and maternal/fetal
status.
2. A client with preeclampsia is receiving magnesium sulfate. Which finding requires
immediate intervention?
A. Respiratory rate of 10/min
B. Urine output of 45 mL/hr
C. Patellar reflexes 2+
D. Blood pressure of 142/90 mmHg
Answer: A
Rationale: Respiratory depression can indicate magnesium toxicity. Magnesium sulfate
should be stopped according to protocol and the provider notified. Calcium gluconate is
the antidote.
3. Which finding is most characteristic of placenta previa?
A. Severe abdominal pain with rigid uterus
B. Painless bright-red vaginal bleeding
C. Severe headache and hypertension
D. Dark vaginal bleeding with uterine tenderness
Answer: B
,Rationale: Placenta previa classically presents with painless, bright-red vaginal
bleeding. Vaginal examination should be avoided until placenta location is confirmed.
4. Which finding is most consistent with abruptio placentae?
A. Painless bleeding
B. Soft, nontender uterus
C. Painful vaginal bleeding and uterine tenderness
D. Increased fetal movement
Answer: C
Rationale: Abruptio placentae involves premature placental separation and commonly
causes abdominal pain, uterine tenderness, and vaginal bleeding.
5. A laboring client has recurrent late fetal heart-rate decelerations. What should the
nurse do first?
A. Place the client in a supine position
B. Reposition the client and assess uterine activity
C. Encourage pushing
D. Increase the oxytocin infusion
Answer: B
Rationale: Late decelerations suggest uteroplacental insufficiency. Repositioning,
typically to a lateral position, is an immediate nursing intervention while further
assessment and interventions are initiated.
6. Variable fetal heart-rate decelerations are most commonly associated with:
A. Head compression
B. Uteroplacental insufficiency
C. Umbilical cord compression
D. Maternal fever
Answer: C
Rationale: Variable decelerations are caused by intermittent umbilical cord
compression.
7. Early fetal heart-rate decelerations are usually caused by:
, A. Head compression
B. Placental insufficiency
C. Umbilical cord prolapse
D. Maternal hypotension
Answer: A
Rationale: Early decelerations occur as the fetal head is compressed during
contractions and are generally considered benign when they occur appropriately with
contractions.
8. A postpartum client’s uterus is boggy and displaced to the right. What is the nurse’s
priority action?
A. Encourage ambulation
B. Assess the bladder and assist the client to void
C. Place the client in Trendelenburg position
D. Apply an ice pack to the perineum
Answer: B
Rationale: A full bladder can displace the uterus and interfere with uterine contraction,
increasing bleeding. Helping the client empty the bladder can promote uterine firmness.
9. Which postpartum finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Lochia rubra during the first postpartum days
B. Mild uterine cramping during breastfeeding
C. Saturating a perineal pad rapidly with bright-red blood
D. Mild fatigue
Answer: C
Rationale: Excessive postpartum bleeding can indicate postpartum hemorrhage and
requires immediate assessment and intervention.
10. Which condition is the most common cause of early postpartum hemorrhage?
A. Uterine atony
B. Hypertension
C. Hyperemesis gravidarum
