,1. A 26-year-old pregnant woman at her 18-week prenatal visit asks what a
"ballottement" test is. The nurse correctly explains it as:
A. Fetal heart tones heard with a Doppler
B. The fetus rebounding within the uterus when tapped by the examiner
C. Visualization of the fetus by ultrasound
D. Movement of the fetus felt by the mother
Correct Answer:
B. The fetus rebounding within the uterus when tapped by the examiner
Rationale
: Ballottement is a probable sign of pregnancy in which the fetus rebounds against
the examiner's fingers after the cervix or uterus is tapped.
2. Which physiological change during pregnancy is responsible for the
development of supine hypotensive syndrome in the second half of gestation?
A. Increased cardiac output
B. Decreased blood volume
C. Compression of the vena cava by the gravid uterus
D. Increased peripheral vascular resistance
Correct Answer:
C. Compression of the vena cava by the gravid uterus
Rationale:
When a pregnant woman lies supine, the enlarged uterus can compress the
inferior vena cava, reducing venous return to the heart and causing hypotension,
dizziness, and pallor.
,3. A pregnant woman reports burning in her chest after meals. The nurse explains
that this is due to slowed gastrointestinal motility from:
A. Estrogen
B. Human chorionic gonadotropin
C. Relaxin
D. Progesterone
Correct Answer:
D. Progesterone
Rationale:
Increased progesterone relaxes smooth muscle and slows gastrointestinal
motility. It also relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter, contributing to heartburn.
4. Which of the following makes pregnant women more susceptible to urinary
tract infections?
A. Increased bladder capacity
B. Urinary stasis from ureteral dilation
C. Increased renal filtration only
D. Decreased progesterone levels
Correct Answer:
B. Urinary stasis from ureteral dilation
Rationale:
Progesterone causes relaxation and dilation of the urinary tract, resulting in
urinary stasis, which promotes bacterial growth and increases the risk of UTIs.
, 5. A nurse is educating a pregnant client during her second trimester about
expected cardiovascular changes. Which statement by the client indicates a
correct understanding?
A. "My blood pressure will always increase during pregnancy."
B. "My heart rate will decrease significantly."
C. "My blood pressure may stay the same or decrease a little due to changes in
my blood vessels."
D. "My blood volume will decrease throughout pregnancy."
Correct Answer:
C. "My blood pressure may stay the same or decrease a little due to changes in
my blood vessels."
Rationale
: Peripheral vasodilation during pregnancy can cause a slight decrease in blood
pressure, particularly during the second trimester.
6. A pregnant client at 30 weeks gestation becomes lightheaded and dizzy while
lying flat for a routine ultrasound. Her skin is pale, and her blood pressure is 90/58
mm Hg. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Administer oxygen
B. Raise the client's legs
C. Reposition the client onto her left side
D. Encourage the client to drink fluids
Correct Answer
: C. Reposition the client onto her left side
"ballottement" test is. The nurse correctly explains it as:
A. Fetal heart tones heard with a Doppler
B. The fetus rebounding within the uterus when tapped by the examiner
C. Visualization of the fetus by ultrasound
D. Movement of the fetus felt by the mother
Correct Answer:
B. The fetus rebounding within the uterus when tapped by the examiner
Rationale
: Ballottement is a probable sign of pregnancy in which the fetus rebounds against
the examiner's fingers after the cervix or uterus is tapped.
2. Which physiological change during pregnancy is responsible for the
development of supine hypotensive syndrome in the second half of gestation?
A. Increased cardiac output
B. Decreased blood volume
C. Compression of the vena cava by the gravid uterus
D. Increased peripheral vascular resistance
Correct Answer:
C. Compression of the vena cava by the gravid uterus
Rationale:
When a pregnant woman lies supine, the enlarged uterus can compress the
inferior vena cava, reducing venous return to the heart and causing hypotension,
dizziness, and pallor.
,3. A pregnant woman reports burning in her chest after meals. The nurse explains
that this is due to slowed gastrointestinal motility from:
A. Estrogen
B. Human chorionic gonadotropin
C. Relaxin
D. Progesterone
Correct Answer:
D. Progesterone
Rationale:
Increased progesterone relaxes smooth muscle and slows gastrointestinal
motility. It also relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter, contributing to heartburn.
4. Which of the following makes pregnant women more susceptible to urinary
tract infections?
A. Increased bladder capacity
B. Urinary stasis from ureteral dilation
C. Increased renal filtration only
D. Decreased progesterone levels
Correct Answer:
B. Urinary stasis from ureteral dilation
Rationale:
Progesterone causes relaxation and dilation of the urinary tract, resulting in
urinary stasis, which promotes bacterial growth and increases the risk of UTIs.
, 5. A nurse is educating a pregnant client during her second trimester about
expected cardiovascular changes. Which statement by the client indicates a
correct understanding?
A. "My blood pressure will always increase during pregnancy."
B. "My heart rate will decrease significantly."
C. "My blood pressure may stay the same or decrease a little due to changes in
my blood vessels."
D. "My blood volume will decrease throughout pregnancy."
Correct Answer:
C. "My blood pressure may stay the same or decrease a little due to changes in
my blood vessels."
Rationale
: Peripheral vasodilation during pregnancy can cause a slight decrease in blood
pressure, particularly during the second trimester.
6. A pregnant client at 30 weeks gestation becomes lightheaded and dizzy while
lying flat for a routine ultrasound. Her skin is pale, and her blood pressure is 90/58
mm Hg. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Administer oxygen
B. Raise the client's legs
C. Reposition the client onto her left side
D. Encourage the client to drink fluids
Correct Answer
: C. Reposition the client onto her left side
