Page 1 of 60
NSG 3500 (GALEN) MATERNITY EXAM 2 – 2026/2027
COMPLETE (150) CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES.
MATERNITY
Prepare effectively for the NSG 3500 (Galen) Maternity Exam 2 with this focused study
resource. It supports review of antepartum care, pregnancy and fetal development,
labor and delivery, maternal assessment, newborn care, and common maternity
complications. Use the material to reinforce your knowledge, review high-yield topics,
and identify areas that may require additional study. This resource is suited for Galen
nursing students, maternity nursing learners, and candidates preparing for the NSG
3500 Maternity Exam 1.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
SECTION 1: FETAL HEART RATE MONITORING (Questions 1–25)
Question 1:
A nurse is monitoring a client in labor and notes a fetal heart rate pattern with
variable decelerations. Which of the following is the most likely cause?
A) Head compression
B) Uteroplacental insufficiency
C) Fetal hypoxia
D) Umbilical cord compression
Answer: D
Rationale: Variable decelerations are typically caused by umbilical cord
compression. Using the VEAL CHOP mnemonic: Variable = Cord
compression. Head compression causes early decelerations, and
uteroplacental insufficiency causes late decelerations.
Question 2:
Which of the following interventions is the priority for a nurse when late
decelerations are observed on the fetal monitor?
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A) Perform a vaginal exam
B) Increase the IV Pitocin rate
C) Assist the client into a side-lying position
D) Administer oxygen via nasal cannula at 2 L/min
Answer: C
Rationale: The priority intervention for late decelerations is to improve
placental perfusion, which is best achieved by repositioning the mother to her
side. Late decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency. Use the
mnemonic POOF: Position (side-lying), Oxygen, Oxytocin stopped, Fluids
increased.
Question 3:
The nurse notes that the fetal heart rate has late decelerations. What is the
nurse's priority action?
A) Increase the oxytocin infusion
B) Place the client in the left lateral position
C) Encourage the client to push with contractions
D) Check for cord prolapse
Answer: B
Rationale: Late decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency;
repositioning to the left lateral side improves blood flow and oxygenation. Left
lateral positioning increases placental perfusion.
Question 4:
A client in labor is experiencing variable decelerations in fetal heart rate. What
is the most likely cause and appropriate nursing intervention?
A) Umbilical cord compression; change maternal position and administer
oxygen
B) Uteroplacental insufficiency; administer terbutaline
C) Head compression; continue to monitor
D) Normal finding; no intervention needed
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Answer: A
Rationale: Variable decelerations are caused by umbilical cord compression.
Nursing interventions include repositioning the mother, administering oxygen,
and sometimes amnioinfusion.
Question 5:
Early decelerations in fetal heart rate are caused by:
A) Umbilical cord compression
B) Head compression
C) Uteroplacental insufficiency
D) Fetal hypoxia
Answer: B
Rationale: Early decelerations are caused by head compression during
contractions. They are benign and mirror the contraction pattern. The VEAL
CHOP mnemonic confirms: Early = Head compression.
Question 6:
A nurse is reviewing electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) tracings. Which pattern
indicates a reassuring fetal status?
A) Late decelerations
B) Variable decelerations
C) Accelerations with fetal movement
D) Prolonged decelerations
Answer: C
Rationale: Accelerations with fetal movement are a reassuring sign of fetal
well-being. Late decelerations, variable decelerations, and prolonged
decelerations are non-reassuring patterns.
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Question 7:
The nurse is caring for a client whose fetal heart rate tracing shows minimal
variability. Which of the following factors could contribute to this finding?
A) Fetal movement
B) Maternal fever
C) Fetal sleep cycle
D) Uterine contractions
Answer: C
Rationale: Fetal sleep cycles can cause minimal variability for 20-40 minutes.
Other causes include fetal acidosis, central nervous system depressants, and
prematurity. Maternal fever typically causes increased variability.
Question 8:
A client is receiving oxytocin for induction of labor. The fetal heart rate tracing
shows a prolonged deceleration lasting 3 minutes. What is the nurse's priority
action?
A) Increase the oxytocin infusion
B) Discontinue the oxytocin infusion
C) Perform a vaginal exam
D) Administer terbutaline
Answer: B
Rationale: Prolonged decelerations lasting more than 2 minutes indicate fetal
distress. The priority is to discontinue the oxytocin infusion to reduce uterine
activity and improve placental perfusion.
Question 9:
Which of the following fetal heart rate patterns is most concerning and
requires immediate intervention?
A) Early decelerations
B) Moderate variability
NSG 3500 (GALEN) MATERNITY EXAM 2 – 2026/2027
COMPLETE (150) CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES.
MATERNITY
Prepare effectively for the NSG 3500 (Galen) Maternity Exam 2 with this focused study
resource. It supports review of antepartum care, pregnancy and fetal development,
labor and delivery, maternal assessment, newborn care, and common maternity
complications. Use the material to reinforce your knowledge, review high-yield topics,
and identify areas that may require additional study. This resource is suited for Galen
nursing students, maternity nursing learners, and candidates preparing for the NSG
3500 Maternity Exam 1.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
SECTION 1: FETAL HEART RATE MONITORING (Questions 1–25)
Question 1:
A nurse is monitoring a client in labor and notes a fetal heart rate pattern with
variable decelerations. Which of the following is the most likely cause?
A) Head compression
B) Uteroplacental insufficiency
C) Fetal hypoxia
D) Umbilical cord compression
Answer: D
Rationale: Variable decelerations are typically caused by umbilical cord
compression. Using the VEAL CHOP mnemonic: Variable = Cord
compression. Head compression causes early decelerations, and
uteroplacental insufficiency causes late decelerations.
Question 2:
Which of the following interventions is the priority for a nurse when late
decelerations are observed on the fetal monitor?
, Page 2 of 60
A) Perform a vaginal exam
B) Increase the IV Pitocin rate
C) Assist the client into a side-lying position
D) Administer oxygen via nasal cannula at 2 L/min
Answer: C
Rationale: The priority intervention for late decelerations is to improve
placental perfusion, which is best achieved by repositioning the mother to her
side. Late decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency. Use the
mnemonic POOF: Position (side-lying), Oxygen, Oxytocin stopped, Fluids
increased.
Question 3:
The nurse notes that the fetal heart rate has late decelerations. What is the
nurse's priority action?
A) Increase the oxytocin infusion
B) Place the client in the left lateral position
C) Encourage the client to push with contractions
D) Check for cord prolapse
Answer: B
Rationale: Late decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency;
repositioning to the left lateral side improves blood flow and oxygenation. Left
lateral positioning increases placental perfusion.
Question 4:
A client in labor is experiencing variable decelerations in fetal heart rate. What
is the most likely cause and appropriate nursing intervention?
A) Umbilical cord compression; change maternal position and administer
oxygen
B) Uteroplacental insufficiency; administer terbutaline
C) Head compression; continue to monitor
D) Normal finding; no intervention needed
, Page 3 of 60
Answer: A
Rationale: Variable decelerations are caused by umbilical cord compression.
Nursing interventions include repositioning the mother, administering oxygen,
and sometimes amnioinfusion.
Question 5:
Early decelerations in fetal heart rate are caused by:
A) Umbilical cord compression
B) Head compression
C) Uteroplacental insufficiency
D) Fetal hypoxia
Answer: B
Rationale: Early decelerations are caused by head compression during
contractions. They are benign and mirror the contraction pattern. The VEAL
CHOP mnemonic confirms: Early = Head compression.
Question 6:
A nurse is reviewing electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) tracings. Which pattern
indicates a reassuring fetal status?
A) Late decelerations
B) Variable decelerations
C) Accelerations with fetal movement
D) Prolonged decelerations
Answer: C
Rationale: Accelerations with fetal movement are a reassuring sign of fetal
well-being. Late decelerations, variable decelerations, and prolonged
decelerations are non-reassuring patterns.
, Page 4 of 60
Question 7:
The nurse is caring for a client whose fetal heart rate tracing shows minimal
variability. Which of the following factors could contribute to this finding?
A) Fetal movement
B) Maternal fever
C) Fetal sleep cycle
D) Uterine contractions
Answer: C
Rationale: Fetal sleep cycles can cause minimal variability for 20-40 minutes.
Other causes include fetal acidosis, central nervous system depressants, and
prematurity. Maternal fever typically causes increased variability.
Question 8:
A client is receiving oxytocin for induction of labor. The fetal heart rate tracing
shows a prolonged deceleration lasting 3 minutes. What is the nurse's priority
action?
A) Increase the oxytocin infusion
B) Discontinue the oxytocin infusion
C) Perform a vaginal exam
D) Administer terbutaline
Answer: B
Rationale: Prolonged decelerations lasting more than 2 minutes indicate fetal
distress. The priority is to discontinue the oxytocin infusion to reduce uterine
activity and improve placental perfusion.
Question 9:
Which of the following fetal heart rate patterns is most concerning and
requires immediate intervention?
A) Early decelerations
B) Moderate variability
