RNSG 1517 A Maternity Final Exam Complete
Questions With Correct Answers And Detailed
Rationales – Latest Update 2026
SECTION 1: ANTEPARTUM CARE & NORMAL PREGNANCY
(Questions 1–20)
1. A patient at 10 weeks gestation tells the nurse she has
been experiencing nausea and vomiting every morning.
Which of the following is the most appropriate nursing
intervention?
A) Advise the patient to eat a large meal before bedtime
B) Encourage the patient to eat dry crackers before getting out of
bed
C) Recommend that the patient drink large amounts of fluid with
meals
D) Suggest that the patient avoid eating until the nausea subsides
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Eating dry crackers or toast before getting out of bed
in the morning helps reduce nausea by preventing hypoglycemia
and settling the stomach. Small, frequent meals are recommended
rather than large meals. Fluids should be taken between meals
rather than with meals to avoid gastric distension. Delaying
eating can worsen hypoglycemia and nausea.
,2. A pregnant patient asks the nurse when she can expect to
feel the baby move. The nurse should explain that quickening
typically occurs:
A) 8 to 10 weeks gestation
B) 12 to 14 weeks gestation
C) 16 to 20 weeks gestation
D) 24 to 28 weeks gestation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Quickening, the mother's first perception of fetal
movement, is typically felt between 16 and 20 weeks gestation.
Primigravidas often feel movement later (closer to 20 weeks),
while multigravidas may feel it as early as 16 weeks. This is
considered a probable sign of pregnancy.
3. A nurse is calculating the estimated date of delivery (EDD)
using Naegele's rule for a patient whose last menstrual
period (LMP) began on March 10. Which of the following is
the correct EDD?
A) December 3
B) December 17
C) January 3
D) January 17
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Naegele's rule: subtract 3 months from the first day of
the LMP and add 7 days. March 10 → subtract 3 months =
December 10 → add 7 days = December 17. The year is adjusted
as needed, and the calculation assumes a 280-day (40-week)
gestation.
4. A patient at 28 weeks gestation has a fundal height
measurement of 26 cm. The nurse should:
A) Document this as a normal finding
B) Notify the healthcare provider immediately
C) Re-measure in 2 weeks
D) Instruct the patient to increase caloric intake
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Between approximately 20 and 34 weeks of gestation,
fundal height in centimeters roughly equals gestational age in
weeks, with a variation of ±2 cm considered normal. At 28 weeks,
a fundal height of 26–30 cm is within normal range. Significant
discrepancies may warrant further evaluation for fetal growth
restriction or macrosomia.
5. Which of the following is classified as a positive sign of
pregnancy?
A) Amenorrhea
B) Positive serum hCG
, C) Fetal heartbeat heard by Doppler
D) Chadwick's sign
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Positive signs of pregnancy are those that can only be
attributed to the presence of a fetus: fetal heartbeat heard by
Doppler or fetoscope, visualization of the fetus by ultrasound, and
palpation of fetal movements by an examiner. Amenorrhea is a
presumptive sign (subjective). Positive serum hCG and
Chadwick's sign are probable signs (objective but not definitive).
6. The nurse is assessing a patient at 12 weeks gestation.
Which of the following findings would be considered
abnormal and warrant further investigation?
A) Breast tenderness
B) Urinary frequency
C) Vaginal bleeding
D) Fatigue
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy is always
considered abnormal and requires immediate evaluation. It may
indicate miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, placenta previa, or other
complications. Breast tenderness, urinary frequency, and fatigue
are common discomforts of early pregnancy related to hormonal
changes and increased metabolic demands.
Questions With Correct Answers And Detailed
Rationales – Latest Update 2026
SECTION 1: ANTEPARTUM CARE & NORMAL PREGNANCY
(Questions 1–20)
1. A patient at 10 weeks gestation tells the nurse she has
been experiencing nausea and vomiting every morning.
Which of the following is the most appropriate nursing
intervention?
A) Advise the patient to eat a large meal before bedtime
B) Encourage the patient to eat dry crackers before getting out of
bed
C) Recommend that the patient drink large amounts of fluid with
meals
D) Suggest that the patient avoid eating until the nausea subsides
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Eating dry crackers or toast before getting out of bed
in the morning helps reduce nausea by preventing hypoglycemia
and settling the stomach. Small, frequent meals are recommended
rather than large meals. Fluids should be taken between meals
rather than with meals to avoid gastric distension. Delaying
eating can worsen hypoglycemia and nausea.
,2. A pregnant patient asks the nurse when she can expect to
feel the baby move. The nurse should explain that quickening
typically occurs:
A) 8 to 10 weeks gestation
B) 12 to 14 weeks gestation
C) 16 to 20 weeks gestation
D) 24 to 28 weeks gestation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Quickening, the mother's first perception of fetal
movement, is typically felt between 16 and 20 weeks gestation.
Primigravidas often feel movement later (closer to 20 weeks),
while multigravidas may feel it as early as 16 weeks. This is
considered a probable sign of pregnancy.
3. A nurse is calculating the estimated date of delivery (EDD)
using Naegele's rule for a patient whose last menstrual
period (LMP) began on March 10. Which of the following is
the correct EDD?
A) December 3
B) December 17
C) January 3
D) January 17
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Naegele's rule: subtract 3 months from the first day of
the LMP and add 7 days. March 10 → subtract 3 months =
December 10 → add 7 days = December 17. The year is adjusted
as needed, and the calculation assumes a 280-day (40-week)
gestation.
4. A patient at 28 weeks gestation has a fundal height
measurement of 26 cm. The nurse should:
A) Document this as a normal finding
B) Notify the healthcare provider immediately
C) Re-measure in 2 weeks
D) Instruct the patient to increase caloric intake
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Between approximately 20 and 34 weeks of gestation,
fundal height in centimeters roughly equals gestational age in
weeks, with a variation of ±2 cm considered normal. At 28 weeks,
a fundal height of 26–30 cm is within normal range. Significant
discrepancies may warrant further evaluation for fetal growth
restriction or macrosomia.
5. Which of the following is classified as a positive sign of
pregnancy?
A) Amenorrhea
B) Positive serum hCG
, C) Fetal heartbeat heard by Doppler
D) Chadwick's sign
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Positive signs of pregnancy are those that can only be
attributed to the presence of a fetus: fetal heartbeat heard by
Doppler or fetoscope, visualization of the fetus by ultrasound, and
palpation of fetal movements by an examiner. Amenorrhea is a
presumptive sign (subjective). Positive serum hCG and
Chadwick's sign are probable signs (objective but not definitive).
6. The nurse is assessing a patient at 12 weeks gestation.
Which of the following findings would be considered
abnormal and warrant further investigation?
A) Breast tenderness
B) Urinary frequency
C) Vaginal bleeding
D) Fatigue
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy is always
considered abnormal and requires immediate evaluation. It may
indicate miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, placenta previa, or other
complications. Breast tenderness, urinary frequency, and fatigue
are common discomforts of early pregnancy related to hormonal
changes and increased metabolic demands.
