NUR 231 Maternal Nursing Exam 1 Practice 2026 UPDATE 2026 Update • Verified Answers
✓ VERIFIED • 2026 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NUR 231 Maternal Nursing Exam 1 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 1 Practice 2026 UPDATE 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A woman is at 28 weeks of gestation. During her prenatal visit, the nurse notes she has
gained 10 lbs in the last 2 weeks and has a blood pressure of 150/96 mmHg. What is the priority
nursing action?
A. Recheck the blood pressure in one hour
B. Instruct the patient to increase fluid intake
C. Assess the patient for a history of diabetes
D. Check for protein in the urine
Answer: D
Rationale: Sudden weight gain and elevated blood pressure after 20 weeks gestation are clinical signs of
preeclampsia. Checking the urine for protein is a key diagnostic step for this condition. This is an important
clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (D) requires understanding both the pathophysiology and
the practical nursing implications.
2. According to Naegele’s Rule, if a woman’s last menstrual period (LMP) began on February
10, what is her estimated date of delivery (EDD)?
A. November 10
B. December 17
C. November 17
D. ?
Answer: C
Rationale: Naegele’s rule calculates the EDD by subtracting 3 months from the first day of the LMP and adding
7 days and one year. Feb 10 - 3 months = Nov 10; Nov 10 + 7 days = Nov 17. Recognizing this principle allows
the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education.
3. Which sign of pregnancy is considered a ‘positive’ sign, rather than presumptive or
probable?
A. Amenorrhea
B. Positive pregnancy test
C. Fetal heart tones heard via Doppler
D. Chadwick’s sign
Answer: C
Rationale: Positive signs of pregnancy are those that can only be attributed to the presence of a fetus, such as
fetal heart tones, ultrasound visualization, or palpable fetal movement by a clinician. 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 1 Practice 2026 UPDATE 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. What is the primary purpose of the amniotic fluid?
A. To provide fetal nutrition
B. To protect the fetus from mechanical injury
C. To facilitate gas exchange
D. To produce maternal hormones
Answer: B
Rationale: Amniotic fluid acts as a cushion to protect the fetus from trauma, helps maintain a constant body
temperature, and allows for symmetrical growth and movement. 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 pregnant woman in her second trimester complains of dizziness and feeling faint when
lying on her back. What should the nurse recommend?
A. Increase caffeine intake
B. Turn onto her left side
C. Take slow, deep breaths
D. Elevate her legs above her heart
Answer: B
Rationale: Supine hypotensive syndrome occurs when the heavy uterus compresses the inferior vena cava.
Turning the patient to her side (preferably the left) relieves the pressure and improves cardiac output. Exam
questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related distractors, making a clear
rationale essential for mastery.
6. Which hormone is responsible for maintaining the endometrial lining during early pregnancy
until the placenta takes over?
A. Estrogen
B. Progesterone
C. Human placental lactogen (hPL)
D. Oxytocin
Answer: B
Rationale: Progesterone, initially produced by the corpus luteum, is essential for maintaining the pregnancy by
relaxing uterine smooth muscle and maintaining the endometrium. 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 Maternal Nursing Exam 1 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 1 Practice 2026 UPDATE 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A woman is at 28 weeks of gestation. During her prenatal visit, the nurse notes she has
gained 10 lbs in the last 2 weeks and has a blood pressure of 150/96 mmHg. What is the priority
nursing action?
A. Recheck the blood pressure in one hour
B. Instruct the patient to increase fluid intake
C. Assess the patient for a history of diabetes
D. Check for protein in the urine
Answer: D
Rationale: Sudden weight gain and elevated blood pressure after 20 weeks gestation are clinical signs of
preeclampsia. Checking the urine for protein is a key diagnostic step for this condition. This is an important
clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (D) requires understanding both the pathophysiology and
the practical nursing implications.
2. According to Naegele’s Rule, if a woman’s last menstrual period (LMP) began on February
10, what is her estimated date of delivery (EDD)?
A. November 10
B. December 17
C. November 17
D. ?
Answer: C
Rationale: Naegele’s rule calculates the EDD by subtracting 3 months from the first day of the LMP and adding
7 days and one year. Feb 10 - 3 months = Nov 10; Nov 10 + 7 days = Nov 17. Recognizing this principle allows
the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education.
3. Which sign of pregnancy is considered a ‘positive’ sign, rather than presumptive or
probable?
A. Amenorrhea
B. Positive pregnancy test
C. Fetal heart tones heard via Doppler
D. Chadwick’s sign
Answer: C
Rationale: Positive signs of pregnancy are those that can only be attributed to the presence of a fetus, such as
fetal heart tones, ultrasound visualization, or palpable fetal movement by a clinician. 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 1 Practice 2026 UPDATE 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. What is the primary purpose of the amniotic fluid?
A. To provide fetal nutrition
B. To protect the fetus from mechanical injury
C. To facilitate gas exchange
D. To produce maternal hormones
Answer: B
Rationale: Amniotic fluid acts as a cushion to protect the fetus from trauma, helps maintain a constant body
temperature, and allows for symmetrical growth and movement. 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 pregnant woman in her second trimester complains of dizziness and feeling faint when
lying on her back. What should the nurse recommend?
A. Increase caffeine intake
B. Turn onto her left side
C. Take slow, deep breaths
D. Elevate her legs above her heart
Answer: B
Rationale: Supine hypotensive syndrome occurs when the heavy uterus compresses the inferior vena cava.
Turning the patient to her side (preferably the left) relieves the pressure and improves cardiac output. Exam
questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related distractors, making a clear
rationale essential for mastery.
6. Which hormone is responsible for maintaining the endometrial lining during early pregnancy
until the placenta takes over?
A. Estrogen
B. Progesterone
C. Human placental lactogen (hPL)
D. Oxytocin
Answer: B
Rationale: Progesterone, initially produced by the corpus luteum, is essential for maintaining the pregnancy by
relaxing uterine smooth muscle and maintaining the endometrium. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse
to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 3
