NU171 / NU 171 Maternal
Child Nursing | Theory
Notes
Q1. What is the purpose of a non-stress test (NST) in pregnancy?
A1. It evaluates fetal well-being by monitoring the fetal heart rate (FHR) response to
fetal movement. A reactive NST shows at least two accelerations in 20 minutes,
reassuring of good oxygenation.
Q2. What are signs of preeclampsia?
A2. Hypertension (≥140/90 mmHg), proteinuria, and edema. Severe cases may show
headache, blurred vision, epigastric pain, and hyperreflexia.
Q3. What is the nursing priority in a patient with placenta previa?
A3. Avoid vaginal exams, maintain bedrest, monitor bleeding and fetal heart tones,
prepare for possible C-section.
Q4. What condition is characterized by painless vaginal bleeding in the 2nd or 3rd
trimester?
A4. Placenta previa.
Q5. What condition is characterized by painful vaginal bleeding with rigid abdomen?
A5. Placental abruption (abruptio placentae).
Intrapartum (Labor & Delivery)
,Q6. What are the “Four P’s” of labor?
A6.
Passenger (fetus/placenta),
Passageway (birth canal),
Powers (contractions/pushing),
Psyche (emotional state of mother).
Q7. What does early deceleration on fetal monitoring indicate?
A7. Head compression → benign finding, no intervention needed.
Q8. What does late deceleration indicate?
A8. Uteroplacental insufficiency → requires interventions: position change (left side),
oxygen, IV fluids, stop oxytocin, notify provider.
Q9. What are the stages of labor?
A9.
First stage – cervical dilation and effacement (latent, active, transition phases).
Second stage – full dilation to birth.
Third stage – delivery of placenta.
Fourth stage – recovery and stabilization.
Q10. During epidural anesthesia, what is the main nursing concern?
A10. Hypotension → prevent with pre-hydration and monitor BP closely.
, Postpartum Care
Q11. What are the 5 components of a postpartum uterine assessment (“BUBBLE-
HE”) ?
A11. Breasts, Uterus, Bladder, Bowels, Lochia, Episiotomy, Homan’s sign (DVT),
Emotions.
Q12. What is lochia and its normal progression?
A12. Vaginal discharge after birth:
Lochia rubra (red, 1–3 days),
Lochia serosa (pink/brown, 4–10 days),
Lochia alba (white/yellow, 10+ days up to 6 weeks).
Q13. What is the priority nursing intervention if the uterus is boggy after birth?
A13. Massage the fundus until firm, monitor for hemorrhage, ensure bladder is
empty.
Q14. What are signs of postpartum hemorrhage?
A14. Saturating pad in <1 hour, boggy uterus, tachycardia, hypotension, large clots.
First-line treatment: fundal massage and oxytocin.
Q15. What are signs of postpartum infection (endometritis)?
A15. Fever, foul-smelling lochia, uterine tenderness, malaise.
Newborn Care
Q16. What are the normal vital signs of a newborn?
A16. HR: 110–160 bpm, RR: 30–60 breaths/min, Temp: 36.5–37.5°C (97.7–99.5°F).
Child Nursing | Theory
Notes
Q1. What is the purpose of a non-stress test (NST) in pregnancy?
A1. It evaluates fetal well-being by monitoring the fetal heart rate (FHR) response to
fetal movement. A reactive NST shows at least two accelerations in 20 minutes,
reassuring of good oxygenation.
Q2. What are signs of preeclampsia?
A2. Hypertension (≥140/90 mmHg), proteinuria, and edema. Severe cases may show
headache, blurred vision, epigastric pain, and hyperreflexia.
Q3. What is the nursing priority in a patient with placenta previa?
A3. Avoid vaginal exams, maintain bedrest, monitor bleeding and fetal heart tones,
prepare for possible C-section.
Q4. What condition is characterized by painless vaginal bleeding in the 2nd or 3rd
trimester?
A4. Placenta previa.
Q5. What condition is characterized by painful vaginal bleeding with rigid abdomen?
A5. Placental abruption (abruptio placentae).
Intrapartum (Labor & Delivery)
,Q6. What are the “Four P’s” of labor?
A6.
Passenger (fetus/placenta),
Passageway (birth canal),
Powers (contractions/pushing),
Psyche (emotional state of mother).
Q7. What does early deceleration on fetal monitoring indicate?
A7. Head compression → benign finding, no intervention needed.
Q8. What does late deceleration indicate?
A8. Uteroplacental insufficiency → requires interventions: position change (left side),
oxygen, IV fluids, stop oxytocin, notify provider.
Q9. What are the stages of labor?
A9.
First stage – cervical dilation and effacement (latent, active, transition phases).
Second stage – full dilation to birth.
Third stage – delivery of placenta.
Fourth stage – recovery and stabilization.
Q10. During epidural anesthesia, what is the main nursing concern?
A10. Hypotension → prevent with pre-hydration and monitor BP closely.
, Postpartum Care
Q11. What are the 5 components of a postpartum uterine assessment (“BUBBLE-
HE”) ?
A11. Breasts, Uterus, Bladder, Bowels, Lochia, Episiotomy, Homan’s sign (DVT),
Emotions.
Q12. What is lochia and its normal progression?
A12. Vaginal discharge after birth:
Lochia rubra (red, 1–3 days),
Lochia serosa (pink/brown, 4–10 days),
Lochia alba (white/yellow, 10+ days up to 6 weeks).
Q13. What is the priority nursing intervention if the uterus is boggy after birth?
A13. Massage the fundus until firm, monitor for hemorrhage, ensure bladder is
empty.
Q14. What are signs of postpartum hemorrhage?
A14. Saturating pad in <1 hour, boggy uterus, tachycardia, hypotension, large clots.
First-line treatment: fundal massage and oxytocin.
Q15. What are signs of postpartum infection (endometritis)?
A15. Fever, foul-smelling lochia, uterine tenderness, malaise.
Newborn Care
Q16. What are the normal vital signs of a newborn?
A16. HR: 110–160 bpm, RR: 30–60 breaths/min, Temp: 36.5–37.5°C (97.7–99.5°F).
