NUR 231 Exam 2 – Maternal Nursing (2026) UPDATE 2026 Update • Verified Answers
✓ VERIFIED • 2026 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NUR 231 Exam 2 – Maternal Nursing (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 Exam 2 – Maternal Nursing (2026) UPDATE 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A nurse is assessing a client at 10 weeks gestation who reports bluish-purple discoloration
of the cervix and vaginal mucosa. How should the nurse document this finding?
A. Goodell’s sign
B. Hegar’s sign
C. Ballottement
D. Chadwick’s sign
Answer: D
Rationale: Chadwick’s sign is the bluish-purple discoloration of the cervix and vaginal mucosa due to
increased vascularity. Goodell’s is softening of the cervix, and Hegar’s is softening of the lower uterine
segment. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide
accurate patient education.
2. A patient in labor is experiencing variable decelerations on the fetal heart rate monitor.
Which of the following is the most likely cause?
A. Head compression
B. Uteroplacental insufficiency
C. Umbilical cord compression
D. Fetal sleep cycle
Answer: C
Rationale: According to the VEAL CHOP mnemonic, Variable decelerations are caused by Cord compression.
Head compression causes Early decelerations, and Uteroplacental insufficiency causes Late decelerations.
Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate
patient education.
3. Which medication is considered the antidote for Magnesium Sulfate toxicity?
A. Calcium Gluconate
B. Naloxone
C. Terbutaline
D. Oxytocin
Answer: A
Rationale: Calcium Gluconate is the specific antagonist for magnesium and is kept at the bedside when
Magnesium Sulfate is being administered to reverse respiratory depression or cardiac arrest. 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 2 – Maternal Nursing (2026) UPDATE 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. A postpartum nurse is assessing a client 2 hours after delivery. The fundus is boggy and
displaced to the right. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Massage the fundus until firm
B. Administer Oxytocin IV
C. Notify the healthcare provider
D. Assist the client to void
Answer: D
Rationale: A fundus displaced to the right usually indicates a distended bladder. Assisting the client to void or
catheterizing them will allow the uterus to contract properly. Massage is for a boggy fundus, but displacement
specifically points to the bladder. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based
practice and improves patient outcomes.
5. A client at 32 weeks gestation presents with painless, bright red vaginal bleeding. Which
condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Abruptio placentae
B. Molar pregnancy
C. Placenta previa
D. Preterm labor
Answer: C
Rationale: Painless, bright red vaginal bleeding is the classic sign of placenta previa. Abruptio placentae
usually involves painful, dark red bleeding and uterine board-like rigidity. Recognizing this principle allows the
nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education.
6. Using Naegele’s Rule, calculate the estimated date of delivery (EDD) for a client whose last
menstrual period (LMP) began on March 10.
A. December 3
B. December 10
C. December 17
D. for a client whose last menstrual period (LMP) began on March 10.
Answer: C
Rationale: Naegele’s Rule: Subtract 3 months from the LMP, add 7 days, and add 1 year. March 10 minus 3
months = Dec 10. Dec 10 plus 7 days = Dec 17. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the
correct answer (C) requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate
patient education.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 3
✓ VERIFIED • 2026 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NUR 231 Exam 2 – Maternal Nursing (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 Exam 2 – Maternal Nursing (2026) UPDATE 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A nurse is assessing a client at 10 weeks gestation who reports bluish-purple discoloration
of the cervix and vaginal mucosa. How should the nurse document this finding?
A. Goodell’s sign
B. Hegar’s sign
C. Ballottement
D. Chadwick’s sign
Answer: D
Rationale: Chadwick’s sign is the bluish-purple discoloration of the cervix and vaginal mucosa due to
increased vascularity. Goodell’s is softening of the cervix, and Hegar’s is softening of the lower uterine
segment. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide
accurate patient education.
2. A patient in labor is experiencing variable decelerations on the fetal heart rate monitor.
Which of the following is the most likely cause?
A. Head compression
B. Uteroplacental insufficiency
C. Umbilical cord compression
D. Fetal sleep cycle
Answer: C
Rationale: According to the VEAL CHOP mnemonic, Variable decelerations are caused by Cord compression.
Head compression causes Early decelerations, and Uteroplacental insufficiency causes Late decelerations.
Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate
patient education.
3. Which medication is considered the antidote for Magnesium Sulfate toxicity?
A. Calcium Gluconate
B. Naloxone
C. Terbutaline
D. Oxytocin
Answer: A
Rationale: Calcium Gluconate is the specific antagonist for magnesium and is kept at the bedside when
Magnesium Sulfate is being administered to reverse respiratory depression or cardiac arrest. 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 2 – Maternal Nursing (2026) UPDATE 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. A postpartum nurse is assessing a client 2 hours after delivery. The fundus is boggy and
displaced to the right. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Massage the fundus until firm
B. Administer Oxytocin IV
C. Notify the healthcare provider
D. Assist the client to void
Answer: D
Rationale: A fundus displaced to the right usually indicates a distended bladder. Assisting the client to void or
catheterizing them will allow the uterus to contract properly. Massage is for a boggy fundus, but displacement
specifically points to the bladder. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based
practice and improves patient outcomes.
5. A client at 32 weeks gestation presents with painless, bright red vaginal bleeding. Which
condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Abruptio placentae
B. Molar pregnancy
C. Placenta previa
D. Preterm labor
Answer: C
Rationale: Painless, bright red vaginal bleeding is the classic sign of placenta previa. Abruptio placentae
usually involves painful, dark red bleeding and uterine board-like rigidity. Recognizing this principle allows the
nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education.
6. Using Naegele’s Rule, calculate the estimated date of delivery (EDD) for a client whose last
menstrual period (LMP) began on March 10.
A. December 3
B. December 10
C. December 17
D. for a client whose last menstrual period (LMP) began on March 10.
Answer: C
Rationale: Naegele’s Rule: Subtract 3 months from the LMP, add 7 days, and add 1 year. March 10 minus 3
months = Dec 10. Dec 10 plus 7 days = Dec 17. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the
correct answer (C) requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate
patient education.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 3
