Maternal Health | Galen College
This comprehensive review and verified Q&A resource is designed for Galen College nursing
students preparing for the NSG 3500 Exam 4 (2025/2026 Edition). The guide focuses on
maternal health nursing concepts, including prenatal assessment, intrapartum and postpartum
care, neonatal adaptation, obstetric complications, and patient education. Each question is
verified for accuracy and aligned with the latest 2025/2026 nursing standards and NCLEX-style
format, ensuring thorough preparation for clinical practice and examination success.
Overview
This test bank includes 50 questions covering key maternal health domains: prenatal
assessment (15 questions), intrapartum care (15 questions), postpartum care (10 questions),
neonatal adaptation (5 questions), and obstetric complications (5 questions). The content aligns
with Galen College of Nursing’s NSG 3500 course outcomes and current maternal health
standards, emphasizing evidence-based practice, clinical judgment, and patient safety.
Answer Format
All correct answers are highlighted in bold green, with detailed rationales that strengthen
clinical judgment, critical thinking, and safe nursing care practices.
Questions 1–50
Prenatal Assessment (15 Questions)
1. A pregnant patient at 12 weeks gestation reports mild spotting. What is the
priority nursing action?
a) Encourage bedrest without assessment
b) Assess the amount and notify the provider
c) Administer pain medication
d) Ignore the spotting
Answer: b) Assess the amount and notify the provider
Rationale: Spotting in early pregnancy may indicate a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy,
requiring assessment and provider notification.
2. A patient at 20 weeks gestation has a fundal height of 18 cm. What is the priority
nursing action?
a) Ignore the measurement
b) Document and notify the provider
c) Restrict fluids
d) Encourage ambulation
Answer: b) Document and notify the provider
, Rationale: A fundal height less than expected may indicate intrauterine growth restriction,
requiring provider evaluation.
3. A pregnant patient has a blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg at 28 weeks. What is
the priority nursing action?
a) Ignore the blood pressure
b) Assess for preeclampsia symptoms and notify the provider
c) Administer diuretics
d) Encourage a high-sodium diet
Answer: b) Assess for preeclampsia symptoms and notify the provider
Rationale: Elevated blood pressure may indicate preeclampsia, requiring immediate assessment
for symptoms like headache or edema.
4. A patient at 16 weeks gestation reports no fetal movement. What is the priority
nursing response?
a) Reassure the patient that this is normal
b) Assess fetal heart tones
c) Administer oxygen
d) Restrict fluids
Answer: a) Reassure the patient that this is normal
Rationale: Fetal movement is typically felt between 18–25 weeks; absence at 16 weeks is normal
but requires reassurance.
5. A pregnant patient is Rh-negative. What is the priority nursing intervention?
a) Administer RhoGAM at 28 weeks
b) Ignore Rh status
c) Restrict prenatal visits
d) Administer iron supplements
Answer: a) Administer RhoGAM at 28 weeks
Rationale: RhoGAM prevents Rh isoimmunization in Rh-negative mothers, typically given at 28
weeks.
6. A patient at 24 weeks gestation has a 15% increase in weight gain. What is the
priority nursing action?
a) Encourage a low-calorie diet
b) Assess for edema and notify the provider
c) Ignore the weight gain
d) Restrict fluids
Answer: b) Assess for edema and notify the provider
Rationale: Excessive weight gain may indicate fluid retention or preeclampsia, requiring
assessment.
7. A pregnant patient reports nausea and vomiting at 10 weeks gestation. What is
the priority nursing intervention?
a) Restrict all oral intake
b) Provide dietary education and antiemetics as prescribed
c) Administer IV fluids immediately