NUR 231 Maternal Nursing Exam 3 Practice 2026 UPDATE 2026 Update • Verified Answers
✓ VERIFIED • 2026 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NUR 231 Maternal Nursing Exam 3 Practice 2026
UPDATE
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 Maternal Nursing Exam 3 Practice 2026 UPDATE 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A nurse is assessing a newborn at 1 minute after birth. The newborn has a heart rate of 110
bpm, a slow/weak cry, some flexion of the extremities, grimace when stimulated, and a
completely pink body. What is the APGAR score?
A. 5
B. 7
C. 6
D. 8
Answer: B
Rationale: Heart rate > 100 (2), slow/weak cry (1), some flexion (1), grimace (1), and pink body (2) equals 7.
Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate
patient education. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related
distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
2. Which medication is considered the antidote for Magnesium Sulfate toxicity?
A. Naloxone
B. Hydralazine
C. Terbutaline
D. Calcium Gluconate
Answer: D
Rationale: Calcium Gluconate is the specific antagonist used 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.
3. A client in labor is experiencing late decelerations on the fetal monitor. Which action should
the nurse take first?
A. Increase the IV Pitocin rate
B. Assist the client to a side-lying position
C. Perform a vaginal exam
D. Prepare for immediate forceps delivery
Answer: B
Rationale: Late decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency. The priority is to improve oxygenation by
turning the mother to her side. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate
complications, and provide accurate patient education. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this
concept from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 2
, NUR 231 Maternal Nursing Exam 3 Practice 2026 UPDATE 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. A nurse is caring for a client who is at 32 weeks of gestation and has a prescription for
betamethasone. What is the primary purpose of this medication?
A. To stop uterine contractions
B. To promote fetal lung maturity
C. To treat maternal hypertension
D. To prevent neonatal group B strep infection
Answer: B
Rationale: Betamethasone is a corticosteroid given to women in preterm labor to stimulate surfactant
production and improve fetal lung maturity. 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 (B) requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing
implications.
5. Which assessment finding is most indicative of a diagnosis of Preeclampsia?
A. Hypertension and proteinuria
B. Hypotension and bradycardia
C. Glucosuria and increased thirst
D. Weight loss and decreased deep tendon reflexes
Answer: A
Rationale: Preeclampsia is classically defined by the new onset of hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks
of gestation. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide
accurate patient education. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related
distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
6. During the third stage of labor, what is the nurse primarily monitoring for?
A. Cervical dilation to 10 cm
B. Fetal descent through the birth canal
C. Placental separation and expulsion
D. Neonatal thermoregulation
Answer: C
Rationale: The third stage of labor begins after the birth of the baby and ends with the delivery of the placenta.
Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate
patient education. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related
distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 3
✓ VERIFIED • 2026 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NUR 231 Maternal Nursing Exam 3 Practice 2026
UPDATE
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 Maternal Nursing Exam 3 Practice 2026 UPDATE 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A nurse is assessing a newborn at 1 minute after birth. The newborn has a heart rate of 110
bpm, a slow/weak cry, some flexion of the extremities, grimace when stimulated, and a
completely pink body. What is the APGAR score?
A. 5
B. 7
C. 6
D. 8
Answer: B
Rationale: Heart rate > 100 (2), slow/weak cry (1), some flexion (1), grimace (1), and pink body (2) equals 7.
Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate
patient education. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related
distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
2. Which medication is considered the antidote for Magnesium Sulfate toxicity?
A. Naloxone
B. Hydralazine
C. Terbutaline
D. Calcium Gluconate
Answer: D
Rationale: Calcium Gluconate is the specific antagonist used 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.
3. A client in labor is experiencing late decelerations on the fetal monitor. Which action should
the nurse take first?
A. Increase the IV Pitocin rate
B. Assist the client to a side-lying position
C. Perform a vaginal exam
D. Prepare for immediate forceps delivery
Answer: B
Rationale: Late decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency. The priority is to improve oxygenation by
turning the mother to her side. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate
complications, and provide accurate patient education. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this
concept from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 2
, NUR 231 Maternal Nursing Exam 3 Practice 2026 UPDATE 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. A nurse is caring for a client who is at 32 weeks of gestation and has a prescription for
betamethasone. What is the primary purpose of this medication?
A. To stop uterine contractions
B. To promote fetal lung maturity
C. To treat maternal hypertension
D. To prevent neonatal group B strep infection
Answer: B
Rationale: Betamethasone is a corticosteroid given to women in preterm labor to stimulate surfactant
production and improve fetal lung maturity. 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 (B) requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing
implications.
5. Which assessment finding is most indicative of a diagnosis of Preeclampsia?
A. Hypertension and proteinuria
B. Hypotension and bradycardia
C. Glucosuria and increased thirst
D. Weight loss and decreased deep tendon reflexes
Answer: A
Rationale: Preeclampsia is classically defined by the new onset of hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks
of gestation. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide
accurate patient education. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related
distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
6. During the third stage of labor, what is the nurse primarily monitoring for?
A. Cervical dilation to 10 cm
B. Fetal descent through the birth canal
C. Placental separation and expulsion
D. Neonatal thermoregulation
Answer: C
Rationale: The third stage of labor begins after the birth of the baby and ends with the delivery of the placenta.
Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate
patient education. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related
distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 3
