Maternity and Pediatric Nursing
5th Edition
• Author(s)Susan Scott Ricci; Terri Kyle; Susan Carman
• PublisherPublished by Wolters Kluwer Health Copyright©
2025
• Print ISBN: 9781975220419
TEST BANK
Chapter 1: The History of Maternal and
Newborn Health and Health Care
A nursing student is researching the historical impact of the
Sheppard-Towner Act of 1921. Which statement best describes
the primary outcome of this legislation?
A. It mandated compulsory sterilization for individuals with
hereditary mental disorders.
B. It provided federal funding for states to establish prenatal and
child health centers.
C. It established the Title V program, which provides grants for
services for children with special needs.
D. It was the first law to legalize abortion in the United States
under specific circumstances.
,Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct: The Sheppard-Towner Act (1921) was the first
federal legislation to provide funds to support state-run
prenatal and child health centers, significantly reducing
maternal and infant mortality by providing public health
education and nursing care.
• Incorrect A: This describes the eugenics movement, which
was separate from the Sheppard-Towner Act.
• Incorrect C: The Title V program was established under
the Social Security Act of 1935, which came later.
• Incorrect D: This describes aspects of Roe v. Wade (1973),
which occurred decades later.
Teaching Point: Sheppard-Towner was a landmark act
providing the first federal funds for maternal-infant health.
Citation: Ricci, Kyle, Carman (2021). Maternity and
Pediatric Nursing, 5th Ed., Chapter 1: The History of
Maternal and Newborn Health and Health Care.
2. Chapter 1, The History of Child Health and Child Health
Care
A pediatric nurse is explaining the evolution of child health care
to a family. Which 19th-century advancement was most critical
in reducing mortality from infectious diseases in children?
A. The discovery of antibiotics like penicillin.
B. The development of vaccines and the emphasis on sanitation.
C. The passage of laws prohibiting child labor.
D. The establishment of the Special Supplemental Nutrition
Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
,Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct: In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the
development of vaccines (e.g., smallpox) and public health
measures focusing on sanitation were the primary drivers in
reducing childhood mortality from infections, predating
antibiotics.
• Incorrect A: Penicillin was not widely available until the
mid-20th century.
• Incorrect C: While child labor laws improved children's
welfare, they did not directly cause a sharp decline in
infectious disease mortality.
• Incorrect D: The WIC program was established in the
1970s.
Teaching Point: Vaccines and sanitation were the
cornerstone of early infectious disease control in children.
Citation: Ricci, Kyle, Carman (2021). Maternity and
Pediatric Nursing, 5th Ed., Chapter 1: The History of Child
Health and Child Health Care.
3. Chapter 1, Mortality
When reviewing national health statistics, a nurse recognizes
that which measure is considered the most sensitive indicator of
a nation's overall health status?
A. Maternal mortality rate
B. Infant mortality rate
C. Child mortality rate (ages 1-14)
D. Life expectancy at birth
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
, • Correct: The infant mortality rate is widely regarded as the
most sensitive indicator of a population's health because it
reflects the overall status of maternal health, quality of and
access to prenatal care, socioeconomic conditions, and
public health practices.
• Incorrect A: Maternal mortality is a crucial indicator but is
less common than infant mortality and thus less sensitive
for broad population health.
• Incorrect C: Child mortality is important but does not
capture the vulnerabilities of the first year of life.
• Incorrect D: Life expectancy is a general indicator but is
influenced by many factors in adulthood.
Teaching Point: Infant mortality rate best reflects a
country's health status due to its link to multiple
socioeconomic and healthcare factors.
Citation: Ricci, Kyle, Carman (2021). Maternity and
Pediatric Nursing, 5th Ed., Chapter 1: Mortality.
4. Chapter 1, Morbidity
A school nurse is planning a health promotion program for
adolescents. Based on current morbidity data, which topic
should be the primary focus?
A. Prevention of congenital heart defects
B. Prevention of unintentional injuries and violence
C. Management of acute infectious diseases
D. Screening for neurodegenerative disorders
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct: For adolescents, the leading causes of morbidity
(illness and injury) are preventable issues such as motor
5th Edition
• Author(s)Susan Scott Ricci; Terri Kyle; Susan Carman
• PublisherPublished by Wolters Kluwer Health Copyright©
2025
• Print ISBN: 9781975220419
TEST BANK
Chapter 1: The History of Maternal and
Newborn Health and Health Care
A nursing student is researching the historical impact of the
Sheppard-Towner Act of 1921. Which statement best describes
the primary outcome of this legislation?
A. It mandated compulsory sterilization for individuals with
hereditary mental disorders.
B. It provided federal funding for states to establish prenatal and
child health centers.
C. It established the Title V program, which provides grants for
services for children with special needs.
D. It was the first law to legalize abortion in the United States
under specific circumstances.
,Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct: The Sheppard-Towner Act (1921) was the first
federal legislation to provide funds to support state-run
prenatal and child health centers, significantly reducing
maternal and infant mortality by providing public health
education and nursing care.
• Incorrect A: This describes the eugenics movement, which
was separate from the Sheppard-Towner Act.
• Incorrect C: The Title V program was established under
the Social Security Act of 1935, which came later.
• Incorrect D: This describes aspects of Roe v. Wade (1973),
which occurred decades later.
Teaching Point: Sheppard-Towner was a landmark act
providing the first federal funds for maternal-infant health.
Citation: Ricci, Kyle, Carman (2021). Maternity and
Pediatric Nursing, 5th Ed., Chapter 1: The History of
Maternal and Newborn Health and Health Care.
2. Chapter 1, The History of Child Health and Child Health
Care
A pediatric nurse is explaining the evolution of child health care
to a family. Which 19th-century advancement was most critical
in reducing mortality from infectious diseases in children?
A. The discovery of antibiotics like penicillin.
B. The development of vaccines and the emphasis on sanitation.
C. The passage of laws prohibiting child labor.
D. The establishment of the Special Supplemental Nutrition
Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
,Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct: In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the
development of vaccines (e.g., smallpox) and public health
measures focusing on sanitation were the primary drivers in
reducing childhood mortality from infections, predating
antibiotics.
• Incorrect A: Penicillin was not widely available until the
mid-20th century.
• Incorrect C: While child labor laws improved children's
welfare, they did not directly cause a sharp decline in
infectious disease mortality.
• Incorrect D: The WIC program was established in the
1970s.
Teaching Point: Vaccines and sanitation were the
cornerstone of early infectious disease control in children.
Citation: Ricci, Kyle, Carman (2021). Maternity and
Pediatric Nursing, 5th Ed., Chapter 1: The History of Child
Health and Child Health Care.
3. Chapter 1, Mortality
When reviewing national health statistics, a nurse recognizes
that which measure is considered the most sensitive indicator of
a nation's overall health status?
A. Maternal mortality rate
B. Infant mortality rate
C. Child mortality rate (ages 1-14)
D. Life expectancy at birth
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
, • Correct: The infant mortality rate is widely regarded as the
most sensitive indicator of a population's health because it
reflects the overall status of maternal health, quality of and
access to prenatal care, socioeconomic conditions, and
public health practices.
• Incorrect A: Maternal mortality is a crucial indicator but is
less common than infant mortality and thus less sensitive
for broad population health.
• Incorrect C: Child mortality is important but does not
capture the vulnerabilities of the first year of life.
• Incorrect D: Life expectancy is a general indicator but is
influenced by many factors in adulthood.
Teaching Point: Infant mortality rate best reflects a
country's health status due to its link to multiple
socioeconomic and healthcare factors.
Citation: Ricci, Kyle, Carman (2021). Maternity and
Pediatric Nursing, 5th Ed., Chapter 1: Mortality.
4. Chapter 1, Morbidity
A school nurse is planning a health promotion program for
adolescents. Based on current morbidity data, which topic
should be the primary focus?
A. Prevention of congenital heart defects
B. Prevention of unintentional injuries and violence
C. Management of acute infectious diseases
D. Screening for neurodegenerative disorders
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct: For adolescents, the leading causes of morbidity
(illness and injury) are preventable issues such as motor
