NUR2513 MATERNAL-CHILD NURSING
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM PREP
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A nurse is assessing a pregnant client at 34 weeks gestation who reports a sudden onset of
severe abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding. The uterus is rigid and tender to touch. Which
condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Placenta previa
B. Placental abruption
C. Uterine rupture
D. Ectopic pregnancy
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Placental abruption is characterized by painful vaginal bleeding
and a rigid, board-like abdomen, whereas placenta previa is typically characterized by
painless, bright red bleeding.
2. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving Magnesium Sulfate for preeclampsia. Which
of the following findings should the nurse prioritize as a sign of toxicity?
A. Deep tendon reflexes 2+
,B. Urinary output of 40 mL/hr
C. Blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg
D. Respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Magnesium sulfate toxicity causes central nervous system
depression, leading to decreased respiratory rate (below 12), loss of deep tendon reflexes,
and oliguria.
3. Using Naegele’s rule, calculate the estimated date of delivery (EDD) for a client whose last
menstrual period began on March 10.
A. December 17
B. December 3
C. December 10
D. January 17
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Naegele’s rule: Subtract 3 months, add 7 days, and add 1 year to
the first day of the LMP. March 10 minus 3 months is December 10, plus 7 days is
December 17.
, 4. A nurse is evaluating an electronic fetal monitor strip and notes a pattern of fetal heart
rate decelerations that begin after the peak of the contraction and return to baseline after
the contraction ends. What is the appropriate nursing action?
A. Continue to monitor as this is a normal finding
B. Perform a vaginal exam to check for cord prolapse
C. Apply oxygen via non-rebreather mask and reposition the client to the side
D. Increase the rate of the oxytocin infusion
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Late decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency. Priority
interventions include lateral positioning, oxygen, and discontinuing oxytocin if running.
5. A newborn has an APGAR score of 4 at 1 minute. Which of the following actions should the
nurse take first?
A. Assign the 5-minute APGAR score
B. Initiate resuscitative measures including positive pressure ventilation
C. Stimulate the infant by rubbing the back
D. Place the infant skin-to-skin with the mother
Answer: B
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM PREP
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A nurse is assessing a pregnant client at 34 weeks gestation who reports a sudden onset of
severe abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding. The uterus is rigid and tender to touch. Which
condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Placenta previa
B. Placental abruption
C. Uterine rupture
D. Ectopic pregnancy
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Placental abruption is characterized by painful vaginal bleeding
and a rigid, board-like abdomen, whereas placenta previa is typically characterized by
painless, bright red bleeding.
2. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving Magnesium Sulfate for preeclampsia. Which
of the following findings should the nurse prioritize as a sign of toxicity?
A. Deep tendon reflexes 2+
,B. Urinary output of 40 mL/hr
C. Blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg
D. Respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Magnesium sulfate toxicity causes central nervous system
depression, leading to decreased respiratory rate (below 12), loss of deep tendon reflexes,
and oliguria.
3. Using Naegele’s rule, calculate the estimated date of delivery (EDD) for a client whose last
menstrual period began on March 10.
A. December 17
B. December 3
C. December 10
D. January 17
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Naegele’s rule: Subtract 3 months, add 7 days, and add 1 year to
the first day of the LMP. March 10 minus 3 months is December 10, plus 7 days is
December 17.
, 4. A nurse is evaluating an electronic fetal monitor strip and notes a pattern of fetal heart
rate decelerations that begin after the peak of the contraction and return to baseline after
the contraction ends. What is the appropriate nursing action?
A. Continue to monitor as this is a normal finding
B. Perform a vaginal exam to check for cord prolapse
C. Apply oxygen via non-rebreather mask and reposition the client to the side
D. Increase the rate of the oxytocin infusion
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Late decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency. Priority
interventions include lateral positioning, oxygen, and discontinuing oxytocin if running.
5. A newborn has an APGAR score of 4 at 1 minute. Which of the following actions should the
nurse take first?
A. Assign the 5-minute APGAR score
B. Initiate resuscitative measures including positive pressure ventilation
C. Stimulate the infant by rubbing the back
D. Place the infant skin-to-skin with the mother
Answer: B
