NURSG 125 N144 - EXAM 2 - PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
Maternal and Fetal Physiology
Antepartum Assessment and Care
Intrapartum Nursing Management
Postpartum Complications and Care
Newborn Assessment and Transition
Women's Health and Reproductive Disorders
Endocrine Regulation and Feedback
Ethics and Legal Considerations in Nursing
Introduction
The purpose of this assessment is to evaluate the nursing student's mastery of essential concepts
in maternal-child health and endocrine regulation. The examination assesses foundational
knowledge, applied clinical judgment, and the ability to prioritize safe nursing interventions in
diverse scenarios. Questions are structured as multiple-choice items requiring critical thinking
and decision-making. A strong emphasis is placed on real-world application, including
recognizing complications, interpreting assessment data, and adhering to professional standards
and legal requirements.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1-100
1. A nurse is reviewing the function of the placenta with a group of nursing students. Which
statement accurately describes the role of the placenta in fetal oxygenation?
A. The fetal lungs perform gas exchange in utero, exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide.
B. Oxygen is actively transported from the maternal bloodstream across the placental
membrane.
C. 🟢 The placenta provides oxygen to the fetus and excretes carbon dioxide into the maternal
bloodstream.
D. Oxygen-rich blood is delivered to the fetus through the umbilical artery.
,🔴 RATIONALE: The placenta is the organ of respiration for the fetus. It facilitates the exchange
of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the maternal and fetal bloodstreams. Fetal lungs do not
function for gas exchange in utero. The umbilical artery carries deoxygenated blood from the
fetus to the placenta, while the umbilical vein carries oxygenated blood back to the fetus.
2. A client in the first trimester asks the nurse, "What is the most effective way to prevent
pregnancy?" Which response by the nurse is most accurate?
A. "Using a condom during every sexual encounter is the most effective method."
B. 🟢 "Abstaining from sexual intercourse is the most effective way to prevent pregnancy."
C. "Taking oral contraceptive pills daily provides the highest level of protection."
D. "The withdrawal method is highly effective when performed correctly."
🔴 RATIONALE: Abstinence is the only method that is 100% effective in preventing pregnancy.
While other methods like condoms and oral contraceptives have high efficacy rates, they are
subject to user error or failure. The withdrawal method is significantly less effective than barrier
or hormonal methods.
3. A 24-year-old client at 38 weeks of gestation is admitted to the labor unit. The nurse notes
that the client's membranes have been ruptured for 18 hours. Which assessment finding
requires the nurse's immediate intervention?
A. The fetal heart rate baseline is 140 beats per minute.
B. 🟢 The client's temperature is 38.3°C (101°F).
C. The client reports feeling mild, irregular contractions.
D. The amniotic fluid is clear and odorless.
🔴 RATIONALE: Rupture of membranes for more than 18 hours places the client at risk for
chorioamnionitis (intrauterine infection). A maternal fever is a classic sign of infection and
requires immediate notification of the provider and initiation of prescribed antibiotics. Clear
fluid, a normal fetal heart rate, and mild contractions are expected findings.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who is 2 days postpartum. The client reports soaking a peripad
in less than 15 minutes. Upon assessment, the nurse notes a boggy uterus that is displaced
to the right of the umbilicus. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Massage the uterine fundus firmly until it becomes firm.
B. 🟢 Perform a urinary bladder assessment and assist the client to void.
,C. Administer an oxytocin medication as prescribed.
D. Document the findings and reassess the client in 30 minutes.
🔴 RATIONALE: A boggy uterus that is displaced to the right is a classic sign of a distended
bladder, which prevents the uterus from contracting effectively. The priority nursing action is to
empty the bladder, which will allow the uterus to contract and reduce bleeding. Massaging the
fundus is not the first step when a full bladder is suspected.
5. A newborn is 1 hour old. The nurse notes the infant has a respiratory rate of 70 breaths per
minute, nasal flaring, and intercostal retractions. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Place the newborn under a radiant warmer.
B. Obtain a heel stick for a blood glucose level.
C. 🟢 Continue to monitor the newborn's respiratory status closely.
D. Administer supplemental oxygen via a face mask.
🔴 RATIONALE: A respiratory rate of 70, nasal flaring, and retractions in a 1-hour-old newborn
may indicate transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) or respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).
The initial nursing action is to continue close monitoring and assessment. The provider should
be notified if the signs persist or worsen. Oxygen is only administered based on provider
orders and oxygen saturation levels.
6. A client is scheduled for a non-stress test (NST). The nurse explains that the purpose of this
test is to:
A. Assess for the presence of fetal anomalies.
B. Measure the amount of amniotic fluid.
C. 🟢 Evaluate fetal well-being by monitoring the fetal heart rate in response to fetal
movement.
D. Determine the fetal position within the uterus.
🔴 RATIONALE: A non-stress test is a non-invasive test used to evaluate fetal oxygenation and
well-being. It works on the principle that a healthy fetus will have an accelerations in heart rate
with movement. It does not assess for anomalies, fluid volume, or position.
7. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results for a client at 32 weeks of gestation. The client's
1-hour glucose challenge test result is 145 mg/dL. What is the nurse's next action?
, A. Notify the provider immediately for a diagnosis of gestational diabetes.
B. 🟢 Instruct the client to schedule a 3-hour glucose tolerance test.
C. Provide education on a strict carbohydrate-free diet.
D. Reassure the client that the result is within normal limits.
🔴 RATIONALE: A 1-hour glucose challenge test result of 140 mg/dL or higher is considered
abnormal and requires follow-up testing with a 3-hour glucose tolerance test (GTT) for a
definitive diagnosis of gestational diabetes. The nurse should not diagnose or provide
treatment before the diagnostic test is completed.
8. A client who is 36 weeks pregnant presents with a sudden onset of painless, bright red
vaginal bleeding. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Placental abruption
B. 🟢 Placenta previa
C. Uterine rupture
D. Cervical insufficiency
🔴 RATIONALE: Painless, bright red vaginal bleeding in the third trimester is the classic
presentation of placenta previa. In contrast, placental abruption typically presents with painful,
dark red bleeding and a rigid, tender uterus.
9. A nurse is providing education to a client who is 10 weeks postpartum and has been
diagnosed with mastitis. Which instruction should the nurse include?
A. "Stop breastfeeding from the affected breast until the infection resolves."
B. 🟢 "Continue to breastfeed or pump from the affected breast to promote drainage."
C. "Apply warm compresses to the breast before feeding."
D. "Wear a tight-fitting bra to suppress milk production."
🔴 RATIONALE: Continuing to breastfeed or pump from the affected breast is essential for
emptying the breast and preventing further milk stasis, which can worsen the infection. Warm
compresses are also helpful. Stopping breastfeeding abruptly can lead to worsening infection.
A supportive, not tight, bra is recommended.
10. A newborn is noted to have a bluish discoloration of the hands and feet, but a pink trunk.
The nurse should document this finding as:
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
Maternal and Fetal Physiology
Antepartum Assessment and Care
Intrapartum Nursing Management
Postpartum Complications and Care
Newborn Assessment and Transition
Women's Health and Reproductive Disorders
Endocrine Regulation and Feedback
Ethics and Legal Considerations in Nursing
Introduction
The purpose of this assessment is to evaluate the nursing student's mastery of essential concepts
in maternal-child health and endocrine regulation. The examination assesses foundational
knowledge, applied clinical judgment, and the ability to prioritize safe nursing interventions in
diverse scenarios. Questions are structured as multiple-choice items requiring critical thinking
and decision-making. A strong emphasis is placed on real-world application, including
recognizing complications, interpreting assessment data, and adhering to professional standards
and legal requirements.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1-100
1. A nurse is reviewing the function of the placenta with a group of nursing students. Which
statement accurately describes the role of the placenta in fetal oxygenation?
A. The fetal lungs perform gas exchange in utero, exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide.
B. Oxygen is actively transported from the maternal bloodstream across the placental
membrane.
C. 🟢 The placenta provides oxygen to the fetus and excretes carbon dioxide into the maternal
bloodstream.
D. Oxygen-rich blood is delivered to the fetus through the umbilical artery.
,🔴 RATIONALE: The placenta is the organ of respiration for the fetus. It facilitates the exchange
of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the maternal and fetal bloodstreams. Fetal lungs do not
function for gas exchange in utero. The umbilical artery carries deoxygenated blood from the
fetus to the placenta, while the umbilical vein carries oxygenated blood back to the fetus.
2. A client in the first trimester asks the nurse, "What is the most effective way to prevent
pregnancy?" Which response by the nurse is most accurate?
A. "Using a condom during every sexual encounter is the most effective method."
B. 🟢 "Abstaining from sexual intercourse is the most effective way to prevent pregnancy."
C. "Taking oral contraceptive pills daily provides the highest level of protection."
D. "The withdrawal method is highly effective when performed correctly."
🔴 RATIONALE: Abstinence is the only method that is 100% effective in preventing pregnancy.
While other methods like condoms and oral contraceptives have high efficacy rates, they are
subject to user error or failure. The withdrawal method is significantly less effective than barrier
or hormonal methods.
3. A 24-year-old client at 38 weeks of gestation is admitted to the labor unit. The nurse notes
that the client's membranes have been ruptured for 18 hours. Which assessment finding
requires the nurse's immediate intervention?
A. The fetal heart rate baseline is 140 beats per minute.
B. 🟢 The client's temperature is 38.3°C (101°F).
C. The client reports feeling mild, irregular contractions.
D. The amniotic fluid is clear and odorless.
🔴 RATIONALE: Rupture of membranes for more than 18 hours places the client at risk for
chorioamnionitis (intrauterine infection). A maternal fever is a classic sign of infection and
requires immediate notification of the provider and initiation of prescribed antibiotics. Clear
fluid, a normal fetal heart rate, and mild contractions are expected findings.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who is 2 days postpartum. The client reports soaking a peripad
in less than 15 minutes. Upon assessment, the nurse notes a boggy uterus that is displaced
to the right of the umbilicus. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Massage the uterine fundus firmly until it becomes firm.
B. 🟢 Perform a urinary bladder assessment and assist the client to void.
,C. Administer an oxytocin medication as prescribed.
D. Document the findings and reassess the client in 30 minutes.
🔴 RATIONALE: A boggy uterus that is displaced to the right is a classic sign of a distended
bladder, which prevents the uterus from contracting effectively. The priority nursing action is to
empty the bladder, which will allow the uterus to contract and reduce bleeding. Massaging the
fundus is not the first step when a full bladder is suspected.
5. A newborn is 1 hour old. The nurse notes the infant has a respiratory rate of 70 breaths per
minute, nasal flaring, and intercostal retractions. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Place the newborn under a radiant warmer.
B. Obtain a heel stick for a blood glucose level.
C. 🟢 Continue to monitor the newborn's respiratory status closely.
D. Administer supplemental oxygen via a face mask.
🔴 RATIONALE: A respiratory rate of 70, nasal flaring, and retractions in a 1-hour-old newborn
may indicate transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) or respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).
The initial nursing action is to continue close monitoring and assessment. The provider should
be notified if the signs persist or worsen. Oxygen is only administered based on provider
orders and oxygen saturation levels.
6. A client is scheduled for a non-stress test (NST). The nurse explains that the purpose of this
test is to:
A. Assess for the presence of fetal anomalies.
B. Measure the amount of amniotic fluid.
C. 🟢 Evaluate fetal well-being by monitoring the fetal heart rate in response to fetal
movement.
D. Determine the fetal position within the uterus.
🔴 RATIONALE: A non-stress test is a non-invasive test used to evaluate fetal oxygenation and
well-being. It works on the principle that a healthy fetus will have an accelerations in heart rate
with movement. It does not assess for anomalies, fluid volume, or position.
7. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results for a client at 32 weeks of gestation. The client's
1-hour glucose challenge test result is 145 mg/dL. What is the nurse's next action?
, A. Notify the provider immediately for a diagnosis of gestational diabetes.
B. 🟢 Instruct the client to schedule a 3-hour glucose tolerance test.
C. Provide education on a strict carbohydrate-free diet.
D. Reassure the client that the result is within normal limits.
🔴 RATIONALE: A 1-hour glucose challenge test result of 140 mg/dL or higher is considered
abnormal and requires follow-up testing with a 3-hour glucose tolerance test (GTT) for a
definitive diagnosis of gestational diabetes. The nurse should not diagnose or provide
treatment before the diagnostic test is completed.
8. A client who is 36 weeks pregnant presents with a sudden onset of painless, bright red
vaginal bleeding. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Placental abruption
B. 🟢 Placenta previa
C. Uterine rupture
D. Cervical insufficiency
🔴 RATIONALE: Painless, bright red vaginal bleeding in the third trimester is the classic
presentation of placenta previa. In contrast, placental abruption typically presents with painful,
dark red bleeding and a rigid, tender uterus.
9. A nurse is providing education to a client who is 10 weeks postpartum and has been
diagnosed with mastitis. Which instruction should the nurse include?
A. "Stop breastfeeding from the affected breast until the infection resolves."
B. 🟢 "Continue to breastfeed or pump from the affected breast to promote drainage."
C. "Apply warm compresses to the breast before feeding."
D. "Wear a tight-fitting bra to suppress milk production."
🔴 RATIONALE: Continuing to breastfeed or pump from the affected breast is essential for
emptying the breast and preventing further milk stasis, which can worsen the infection. Warm
compresses are also helpful. Stopping breastfeeding abruptly can lead to worsening infection.
A supportive, not tight, bra is recommended.
10. A newborn is noted to have a bluish discoloration of the hands and feet, but a pink trunk.
The nurse should document this finding as:
