NUR 231
Exam 3 Childbearing & Child Caring Family
Exam 3 • Practice Questions & Rationales
UPDATE
Actual Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Clinical Rationales
Practice Questions with Rationales
Galen College of Nursing
NUR 231
✓ 100% Verified Answers
✓ Complete Rationales Included
Exam (elaborations)
Instant PDF Download • Ready for Study
,NUR 231 Exam 3: Childbearing & Child Caring Family 2026/2027 UPDATE – Galen
1. A nurse is caring for a patient at 36 weeks gestation diagnosed with severe preeclampsia.
Which clinical finding would most likely indicate the progression to HELLP syndrome?
A. Elevated serum creatinine and decreased BUN
B. Low platelet count and elevated liver enzymes
C. Increased hemoglobin and hematocrit levels
D. Hyperreflexia and presence of clonus
Answer: B
Rationale: HELLP syndrome is characterized by Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, and
Low Platelets. Low platelet counts and elevated liver enzymes (AST/ALT) are diagnostic
hallmarks.
2. A client in active labor experiences a sudden onset of sharp abdominal pain followed by a
cessation of uterine contractions. The nurse notes a loss of fetal station. Which complication
is most likely occurring?
A. Placental abruption
B. Placenta previa
C. Uterine rupture
D. Amniotic fluid embolism
, Answer: C
Rationale: Uterine rupture often presents with sudden sharp pain, cessation of
contractions, and the recession of the presenting part (loss of station).
3. A patient is receiving Magnesium Sulfate for seizure prophylaxis in preeclampsia. The nurse
notes the patient has a respiratory rate of 10 breaths per minute and absent deep tendon
reflexes. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Decrease the infusion rate by half
B. Discontinue the Magnesium Sulfate infusion immediately
C. Notify the provider to request a serum magnesium level
D. Administer Calcium Gluconate intravenously
Answer: B
Rationale: The first priority in magnesium toxicity (respiratory depression and absent
DTRs) is to stop the infusion to prevent further toxicity before administering the
antagonist.
4. Which fetal heart rate pattern should the nurse identify as indicating umbilical cord
compression?
A. Early decelerations
B. Late decelerations
C. Variable decelerations
Exam 3 Childbearing & Child Caring Family
Exam 3 • Practice Questions & Rationales
UPDATE
Actual Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Clinical Rationales
Practice Questions with Rationales
Galen College of Nursing
NUR 231
✓ 100% Verified Answers
✓ Complete Rationales Included
Exam (elaborations)
Instant PDF Download • Ready for Study
,NUR 231 Exam 3: Childbearing & Child Caring Family 2026/2027 UPDATE – Galen
1. A nurse is caring for a patient at 36 weeks gestation diagnosed with severe preeclampsia.
Which clinical finding would most likely indicate the progression to HELLP syndrome?
A. Elevated serum creatinine and decreased BUN
B. Low platelet count and elevated liver enzymes
C. Increased hemoglobin and hematocrit levels
D. Hyperreflexia and presence of clonus
Answer: B
Rationale: HELLP syndrome is characterized by Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, and
Low Platelets. Low platelet counts and elevated liver enzymes (AST/ALT) are diagnostic
hallmarks.
2. A client in active labor experiences a sudden onset of sharp abdominal pain followed by a
cessation of uterine contractions. The nurse notes a loss of fetal station. Which complication
is most likely occurring?
A. Placental abruption
B. Placenta previa
C. Uterine rupture
D. Amniotic fluid embolism
, Answer: C
Rationale: Uterine rupture often presents with sudden sharp pain, cessation of
contractions, and the recession of the presenting part (loss of station).
3. A patient is receiving Magnesium Sulfate for seizure prophylaxis in preeclampsia. The nurse
notes the patient has a respiratory rate of 10 breaths per minute and absent deep tendon
reflexes. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Decrease the infusion rate by half
B. Discontinue the Magnesium Sulfate infusion immediately
C. Notify the provider to request a serum magnesium level
D. Administer Calcium Gluconate intravenously
Answer: B
Rationale: The first priority in magnesium toxicity (respiratory depression and absent
DTRs) is to stop the infusion to prevent further toxicity before administering the
antagonist.
4. Which fetal heart rate pattern should the nurse identify as indicating umbilical cord
compression?
A. Early decelerations
B. Late decelerations
C. Variable decelerations
