Maternal and Child Health Nursing Exam Guide
2025/2026 | 500+ Practice Questions, Test Bank
with Application-Based Problems, Practice Exams,
Detailed Rationales & Verified Answers for
NCLEX, RN, BSN, and Nursing Students Preparing
for Maternity & Pediatric Success
QUESTION 1
Case: A pregnant patient in her second trimester reports increased fatigue and occasional
dizziness. What should the nurse assess first?
A) Blood pressure
B) Hemoglobin levels (Correct Option)
C) Fetal heart rate
D) Urine output
RATIONALE :Fatigue and dizziness in a pregnant patient may indicate anemia, which is
common in pregnancy. Assessing hemoglobin levels can help identify if anemia is a contributing
factor.
QUESTION 2
Case: A new mother is concerned about her infant’s feeding patterns. What is the most
appropriate response by the nurse?
A) “You should feed your baby solid foods now.”
B) “Breastfeeding should be on a strict schedule.”
C) “Feed your baby on demand for the first few months.” (Correct Option)
D) “Formula feeding is better than breastfeeding.”
RATIONALE :Infants should be fed on demand, especially in the first few months, to ensure
they receive adequate nutrition and to help establish breastfeeding.
QUESTION 3
Case: A nurse is teaching a prenatal class about nutrition during pregnancy. Which food should
be emphasized for its high iron content?
A) Milk
B) Red meat (Correct Option)
C) Bread
D) Apples
RATIONALE :Red meat is a rich source of heme iron, which is more readily absorbed by the
body compared to non-heme iron found in plant sources.
QUESTION 4
Case: A postpartum patient is experiencing heavy bleeding. What is the priority nursing
intervention?
A) Administer pain relief
B) Assess fundal height and firmness (Correct Option)
C) Provide emotional support
,Maternal and Child Health Nursing Exam Guide
2025/2026 | 500+ Practice Questions, Test Bank
with Application-Based Problems, Practice Exams,
Detailed Rationales & Verified Answers for
NCLEX, RN, BSN, and Nursing Students Preparing
for Maternity & Pediatric Success
D) Encourage ambulation
,Maternal and Child Health Nursing Exam Guide
2025/2026 | 500+ Practice Questions, Test Bank
with Application-Based Problems, Practice Exams,
Detailed Rationales & Verified Answers for
NCLEX, RN, BSN, and Nursing Students Preparing
for Maternity & Pediatric Success
RATIONALE :Assessing fundal height and firmness helps determine if the bleeding is due to
uterine atony, which is a common cause of postpartum hemorrhage.
QUESTION 5
Case: A nurse is caring for a 3-month-old infant who is being evaluated for failure to thrive.
What assessment finding is most concerning?
A) Significant weight loss (Correct Option)
B) Decreased appetite
C) Lack of social smiling
D) Infrequent stooling
RATIONALE :Significant weight loss is a critical indicator of failure to thrive and requires
immediate intervention.
QUESTION 6
Case: A mother is concerned about her toddler's refusal to eat vegetables. What is the best
nursing response?
A) “You should force your child to eat them.”
B) “Try offering vegetables only at dinner.”
C) “It’s common for toddlers to be picky eaters; keep offering them.” (Correct Option)
D) “Give your child a vitamin supplement instead.”
RATIONALE :It is normal for toddlers to have food preferences and to be picky. Encouraging a
variety of foods without pressure is the best approach.
QUESTION 7
Case: A pregnant woman asks about safe exercise during pregnancy. What is the most
appropriate recommendation?
A) “Avoid all forms of exercise.”
B) “Low-impact activities like walking or swimming are great.” (Correct Option)
C) “You can lift heavy weights if you feel comfortable.”
D) “Only exercise in the second trimester.”
RATIONALE :Low-impact activities are generally safe and beneficial during pregnancy, helping
to improve overall health and manage weight gain.
QUESTION 8
Case: A nurse is assessing a newborn immediately after birth. What is the priority assessment?
A) Check for congenital anomalies
, Maternal and Child Health Nursing Exam Guide
2025/2026 | 500+ Practice Questions, Test Bank
with Application-Based Problems, Practice Exams,
Detailed Rationales & Verified Answers for
NCLEX, RN, BSN, and Nursing Students Preparing
for Maternity & Pediatric Success
B) Assess respiratory effort (Correct Option)
C) Monitor blood glucose levels
D) Weigh the infant
RATIONALE :Assessing respiratory effort is the priority to ensure the newborn is breathing
adequately, as immediate respiratory support may be necessary.
2025/2026 | 500+ Practice Questions, Test Bank
with Application-Based Problems, Practice Exams,
Detailed Rationales & Verified Answers for
NCLEX, RN, BSN, and Nursing Students Preparing
for Maternity & Pediatric Success
QUESTION 1
Case: A pregnant patient in her second trimester reports increased fatigue and occasional
dizziness. What should the nurse assess first?
A) Blood pressure
B) Hemoglobin levels (Correct Option)
C) Fetal heart rate
D) Urine output
RATIONALE :Fatigue and dizziness in a pregnant patient may indicate anemia, which is
common in pregnancy. Assessing hemoglobin levels can help identify if anemia is a contributing
factor.
QUESTION 2
Case: A new mother is concerned about her infant’s feeding patterns. What is the most
appropriate response by the nurse?
A) “You should feed your baby solid foods now.”
B) “Breastfeeding should be on a strict schedule.”
C) “Feed your baby on demand for the first few months.” (Correct Option)
D) “Formula feeding is better than breastfeeding.”
RATIONALE :Infants should be fed on demand, especially in the first few months, to ensure
they receive adequate nutrition and to help establish breastfeeding.
QUESTION 3
Case: A nurse is teaching a prenatal class about nutrition during pregnancy. Which food should
be emphasized for its high iron content?
A) Milk
B) Red meat (Correct Option)
C) Bread
D) Apples
RATIONALE :Red meat is a rich source of heme iron, which is more readily absorbed by the
body compared to non-heme iron found in plant sources.
QUESTION 4
Case: A postpartum patient is experiencing heavy bleeding. What is the priority nursing
intervention?
A) Administer pain relief
B) Assess fundal height and firmness (Correct Option)
C) Provide emotional support
,Maternal and Child Health Nursing Exam Guide
2025/2026 | 500+ Practice Questions, Test Bank
with Application-Based Problems, Practice Exams,
Detailed Rationales & Verified Answers for
NCLEX, RN, BSN, and Nursing Students Preparing
for Maternity & Pediatric Success
D) Encourage ambulation
,Maternal and Child Health Nursing Exam Guide
2025/2026 | 500+ Practice Questions, Test Bank
with Application-Based Problems, Practice Exams,
Detailed Rationales & Verified Answers for
NCLEX, RN, BSN, and Nursing Students Preparing
for Maternity & Pediatric Success
RATIONALE :Assessing fundal height and firmness helps determine if the bleeding is due to
uterine atony, which is a common cause of postpartum hemorrhage.
QUESTION 5
Case: A nurse is caring for a 3-month-old infant who is being evaluated for failure to thrive.
What assessment finding is most concerning?
A) Significant weight loss (Correct Option)
B) Decreased appetite
C) Lack of social smiling
D) Infrequent stooling
RATIONALE :Significant weight loss is a critical indicator of failure to thrive and requires
immediate intervention.
QUESTION 6
Case: A mother is concerned about her toddler's refusal to eat vegetables. What is the best
nursing response?
A) “You should force your child to eat them.”
B) “Try offering vegetables only at dinner.”
C) “It’s common for toddlers to be picky eaters; keep offering them.” (Correct Option)
D) “Give your child a vitamin supplement instead.”
RATIONALE :It is normal for toddlers to have food preferences and to be picky. Encouraging a
variety of foods without pressure is the best approach.
QUESTION 7
Case: A pregnant woman asks about safe exercise during pregnancy. What is the most
appropriate recommendation?
A) “Avoid all forms of exercise.”
B) “Low-impact activities like walking or swimming are great.” (Correct Option)
C) “You can lift heavy weights if you feel comfortable.”
D) “Only exercise in the second trimester.”
RATIONALE :Low-impact activities are generally safe and beneficial during pregnancy, helping
to improve overall health and manage weight gain.
QUESTION 8
Case: A nurse is assessing a newborn immediately after birth. What is the priority assessment?
A) Check for congenital anomalies
, Maternal and Child Health Nursing Exam Guide
2025/2026 | 500+ Practice Questions, Test Bank
with Application-Based Problems, Practice Exams,
Detailed Rationales & Verified Answers for
NCLEX, RN, BSN, and Nursing Students Preparing
for Maternity & Pediatric Success
B) Assess respiratory effort (Correct Option)
C) Monitor blood glucose levels
D) Weigh the infant
RATIONALE :Assessing respiratory effort is the priority to ensure the newborn is breathing
adequately, as immediate respiratory support may be necessary.
