NUR 231 Maternal Nursing Exam 2 Practice 2026 UPDATE 2026 Update • Verified Answers
✓ VERIFIED • 2026 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NUR 231 Maternal Nursing Exam 2 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 2 Practice 2026 UPDATE 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A nurse is monitoring a client receiving Magnesium Sulfate for preeclampsia. Which finding
should the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A. Urinary output of 40 mL per hour
B. Deep tendon reflexes of 2+
C. Respiratory rate of 10 breaths per minute
D. Occasional fetal movement
Answer: C
Rationale: A respiratory rate below 12 per minute is a sign of magnesium toxicity and requires immediate
intervention, including stopping the infusion and notifying the provider. Exam questions often test the ability to
distinguish this concept from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
2. A nurse observes late decelerations on the fetal heart rate monitor. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take first?
A. Reposition the client to a lateral position
B. Apply oxygen at 8 to 10 liters via non-rebreather mask
C. Increase the rate of the maintenance IV fluid
D. Prepare for an immediate vaginal delivery
Answer: A
Rationale: The first action for late decelerations, which indicate uteroplacental insufficiency, is to turn the client
to the side to improve blood flow to the placenta. 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. When assessing a postpartum client 2 hours after delivery, the nurse finds the fundus is
boggy and displaced to the right. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Perform a vigorous fundal massage
B. Administer oxytocin as prescribed
C. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
D. Assist the client to the bathroom to void
Answer: D
Rationale: A displaced fundus to the right usually indicates a full bladder, which prevents the uterus from
contracting efficiently. The client should void first. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the
correct answer (D) 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 2
, NUR 231 Maternal Nursing Exam 2 Practice 2026 UPDATE 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. A pregnant client at 16 weeks gestation is scheduled for an Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)
screening. The nurse explains that this test screens for which of the following?
A. Neural tube defects
B. Group B Streptococcus
C. Fetal lung maturity
D. Gestational diabetes
Answer: A
Rationale: AFP is a screening tool used to identify neural tube defects (high levels) or chromosomal
abnormalities like Down syndrome (low levels). This is an important clinical concept because selecting the
correct answer (A) 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.
5. Which of the following findings is the most definitive indicator of true labor?
A. Rupture of membranes
B. Regular contractions every 5 minutes
C. Cervical dilation and effacement
D. Passage of the mucus plug
Answer: C
Rationale: True labor is defined by progressive cervical changes, including dilation and effacement, regardless
of contraction frequency. 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. A client at 32 weeks gestation presents with painless, bright red vaginal bleeding. Which
condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Placenta previa
B. Abruptio placentae
C. Ectopic pregnancy
D. Preterm labor
Answer: A
Rationale: Painless, bright red vaginal bleeding in the second or third trimester is the classic sign of placenta
previa. 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 2 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 2 Practice 2026 UPDATE 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A nurse is monitoring a client receiving Magnesium Sulfate for preeclampsia. Which finding
should the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A. Urinary output of 40 mL per hour
B. Deep tendon reflexes of 2+
C. Respiratory rate of 10 breaths per minute
D. Occasional fetal movement
Answer: C
Rationale: A respiratory rate below 12 per minute is a sign of magnesium toxicity and requires immediate
intervention, including stopping the infusion and notifying the provider. Exam questions often test the ability to
distinguish this concept from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
2. A nurse observes late decelerations on the fetal heart rate monitor. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take first?
A. Reposition the client to a lateral position
B. Apply oxygen at 8 to 10 liters via non-rebreather mask
C. Increase the rate of the maintenance IV fluid
D. Prepare for an immediate vaginal delivery
Answer: A
Rationale: The first action for late decelerations, which indicate uteroplacental insufficiency, is to turn the client
to the side to improve blood flow to the placenta. 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. When assessing a postpartum client 2 hours after delivery, the nurse finds the fundus is
boggy and displaced to the right. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Perform a vigorous fundal massage
B. Administer oxytocin as prescribed
C. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
D. Assist the client to the bathroom to void
Answer: D
Rationale: A displaced fundus to the right usually indicates a full bladder, which prevents the uterus from
contracting efficiently. The client should void first. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the
correct answer (D) 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 2
, NUR 231 Maternal Nursing Exam 2 Practice 2026 UPDATE 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. A pregnant client at 16 weeks gestation is scheduled for an Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)
screening. The nurse explains that this test screens for which of the following?
A. Neural tube defects
B. Group B Streptococcus
C. Fetal lung maturity
D. Gestational diabetes
Answer: A
Rationale: AFP is a screening tool used to identify neural tube defects (high levels) or chromosomal
abnormalities like Down syndrome (low levels). This is an important clinical concept because selecting the
correct answer (A) 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.
5. Which of the following findings is the most definitive indicator of true labor?
A. Rupture of membranes
B. Regular contractions every 5 minutes
C. Cervical dilation and effacement
D. Passage of the mucus plug
Answer: C
Rationale: True labor is defined by progressive cervical changes, including dilation and effacement, regardless
of contraction frequency. 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. A client at 32 weeks gestation presents with painless, bright red vaginal bleeding. Which
condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Placenta previa
B. Abruptio placentae
C. Ectopic pregnancy
D. Preterm labor
Answer: A
Rationale: Painless, bright red vaginal bleeding in the second or third trimester is the classic sign of placenta
previa. 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
