NUR 231 Exam 3 - Maternal Nursing 2026 UPDATED 2026 Update • Verified Answers
✓ VERIFIED • 2026 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NUR 231 Exam 3 - Maternal Nursing 2026 UPDATED
Actual Exam Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations)
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Full Rationales
Status: Verified & Updated for 2026
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 1
,NUR 231 Exam 3 - Maternal Nursing 2026 UPDATED 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A nurse is assessing a client in the active phase of labor. The client’s cervix is dilated to 5
cm, and the contractions are every 3 to 4 minutes. Which stage and phase of labor is the client
experiencing?
A. First stage, latent phase
B. Second stage, active phase
C. First stage, active phase
D. Third stage, latent phase
Answer: C
Rationale: The first stage of labor is divided into latent (0-3 cm), active (4-7 cm), and transition (8-10 cm)
phases. A dilation of 5 cm falls within the active phase. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports
safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes. This is an important clinical concept because
selecting the correct answer (C) requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing
implications.
2. Which fetal heart rate pattern is considered reassuring and indicates fetal well-being?
A. Late decelerations
B. Variable decelerations
C. Accelerations
D. Early decelerations
Answer: C
Rationale: Accelerations are brief, temporary increases in the FHR and are a reassuring sign of fetal
well-being and an intact central nervous system. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe,
evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes. This is an important clinical concept because
selecting the correct answer (C) requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing
implications.
3. A client at 34 weeks gestation presents with sudden, painless vaginal bleeding. What is the
most likely diagnosis?
A. Placental abruption
B. Preterm labor
C. Placenta previa
D. Uterine rupture
Answer: C
Rationale: Placenta previa is characterized by painless, bright red vaginal bleeding in the second or third
trimester. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related distractors,
making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe,
evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 2
, NUR 231 Exam 3 - Maternal Nursing 2026 UPDATED 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. Which medication is the antidote for magnesium sulfate toxicity?
A. Terbutaline
B. Naloxone
C. Calcium gluconate
D. Oxytocin
Answer: C
Rationale: Calcium gluconate is the specific antidote to reverse the effects of magnesium sulfate toxicity, such
as respiratory depression. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related
distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports
safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who is 2 hours postpartum and has a boggy uterus that is
displaced to the right. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Administer oxytocin
B. Massage the fundus
C. Notify the provider
D. Assist the client to void
Answer: D
Rationale: A uterus displaced to the right is usually caused by a full bladder. Assisting the client to void allows
the uterus to return to the midline and contract effectively. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to
prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education.
6. What is the primary purpose of administering Vitamin K (phytonadione) to a newborn?
A. To prevent ophthalmia neonatorum
B. To promote blood clotting and prevent hemorrhage
C. To stimulate red blood cell production
D. To treat neonatal jaundice
Answer: B
Rationale: Newborns are born with low levels of Vitamin K because it does not cross the placenta easily and
the sterile gut hasn’t produced it yet. It is given to prevent hemorrhagic disease. This is an important clinical
concept because selecting the correct answer (B) requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the
practical nursing implications.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 3
✓ VERIFIED • 2026 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NUR 231 Exam 3 - Maternal Nursing 2026 UPDATED
Actual Exam Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations)
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Full Rationales
Status: Verified & Updated for 2026
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 1
,NUR 231 Exam 3 - Maternal Nursing 2026 UPDATED 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A nurse is assessing a client in the active phase of labor. The client’s cervix is dilated to 5
cm, and the contractions are every 3 to 4 minutes. Which stage and phase of labor is the client
experiencing?
A. First stage, latent phase
B. Second stage, active phase
C. First stage, active phase
D. Third stage, latent phase
Answer: C
Rationale: The first stage of labor is divided into latent (0-3 cm), active (4-7 cm), and transition (8-10 cm)
phases. A dilation of 5 cm falls within the active phase. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports
safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes. This is an important clinical concept because
selecting the correct answer (C) requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing
implications.
2. Which fetal heart rate pattern is considered reassuring and indicates fetal well-being?
A. Late decelerations
B. Variable decelerations
C. Accelerations
D. Early decelerations
Answer: C
Rationale: Accelerations are brief, temporary increases in the FHR and are a reassuring sign of fetal
well-being and an intact central nervous system. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe,
evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes. This is an important clinical concept because
selecting the correct answer (C) requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing
implications.
3. A client at 34 weeks gestation presents with sudden, painless vaginal bleeding. What is the
most likely diagnosis?
A. Placental abruption
B. Preterm labor
C. Placenta previa
D. Uterine rupture
Answer: C
Rationale: Placenta previa is characterized by painless, bright red vaginal bleeding in the second or third
trimester. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related distractors,
making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe,
evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 2
, NUR 231 Exam 3 - Maternal Nursing 2026 UPDATED 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. Which medication is the antidote for magnesium sulfate toxicity?
A. Terbutaline
B. Naloxone
C. Calcium gluconate
D. Oxytocin
Answer: C
Rationale: Calcium gluconate is the specific antidote to reverse the effects of magnesium sulfate toxicity, such
as respiratory depression. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related
distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports
safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who is 2 hours postpartum and has a boggy uterus that is
displaced to the right. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Administer oxytocin
B. Massage the fundus
C. Notify the provider
D. Assist the client to void
Answer: D
Rationale: A uterus displaced to the right is usually caused by a full bladder. Assisting the client to void allows
the uterus to return to the midline and contract effectively. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to
prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education.
6. What is the primary purpose of administering Vitamin K (phytonadione) to a newborn?
A. To prevent ophthalmia neonatorum
B. To promote blood clotting and prevent hemorrhage
C. To stimulate red blood cell production
D. To treat neonatal jaundice
Answer: B
Rationale: Newborns are born with low levels of Vitamin K because it does not cross the placenta easily and
the sterile gut hasn’t produced it yet. It is given to prevent hemorrhagic disease. This is an important clinical
concept because selecting the correct answer (B) requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the
practical nursing implications.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 3
