RNSG 1517 A Maternity Exam | Complete Questions
with Correct Answers and Detailed Rationales - Latest
Update 2026
Section: SECTION 1: NORMAL PREGNANCY
Question 1:
· Question: At what point during pregnancy does the fundal height typically reach
the umbilicus?
· Options:
· A) 12 weeks
· B) 16 weeks
· C) 20 weeks
· D) 24 weeks
· Answer: C) 20 weeks
· Rationale: At 20 weeks gestation, the fundus reaches the umbilicus. Fundal height
measured in centimeters from the symphysis pubis to the top of the fundus
typically correlates with the number of weeks of gestation (plus or minus 2 cm)
from 20-36 weeks.
Question 2:
,· Question: The nurse is assessing a client at 12 weeks gestation. Which finding is
consistent with normal pregnancy at this stage?
A)Fundus palpable at the umbilicus
B) Fundus palpable just above the symphysis pubis
C) Quickening reported by the client
D) Braxton Hicks contractions noted
Answer: B) Fundus palpable just above the symphysis pubis
Rationale: At 12 weeks, the fundus is palpable just above the symphysis pubis. The
fundus reaches the umbilicus at 20 weeks. Quickening (fetal movement) is
typically felt at 16-20 weeks. Braxton Hicks contractions may occur in the second
and third trimesters.
3. A client at 8 weeks gestation reports nausea and vomiting, especially in the
morning. The nurse should recommend:
A) Avoid fluids with meals
B) Drink fluids between meals
C) Eat a heavy meal before bedtime
D) Skip breakfast
Answer: B) Drink fluids between meals
,Rationale: To manage nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy, clients should drink
fluids between meals rather than with meals to avoid gastric distension. Eating
small, frequent meals and avoiding fatty/spicy foods is also recommended.
4. Chadwick's sign in pregnancy refers to:
A) Softening of the cervix
B) Bluish-purple discoloration of the vaginal mucosa and cervix
C) Palpable uterine contractions
D) Fetal movement felt by the examiner
Answer: B) Bluish-purple discoloration of the vaginal mucosa and cervix
Rationale: Chadwick's sign is the bluish-purple coloration of the vaginal mucosa
and cervix due to increased vascularity. It is a probable sign of pregnancy.
Goodell's sign is softening of the cervix. Hegar's sign is softening of the lower
uterine segment.
5. A client at 16 weeks gestation asks if she should be feeling fetal movement. The
nurse should respond:
A) "Most women feel movement by 12 weeks."
B) "You should feel movement by now; we should assess the fetus."
C) "Primigravidas often feel movement at 18-20 weeks."
D) "You won't feel movement until the third trimester."
Answer: C) “Primigravidas often feel movement at 18-20 weeks.”
, Rationale: Quickening (first fetal movement) is typically felt by primigravidas at
18-20 weeks and by multigravidas at 16-18 weeks. Reassuring the client with this
information is appropriate.
6. Preconception counseling should include folic acid supplementation at what
dose?
A) 0.2 mg/day
B) 0.4 mg/day
C) 0.8 mg/day
D) 4.0 mg/day
Answer: B) 0.4 mg/day
Rationale: The CDC recommends 400 mcg (0.4 mg) of folic acid daily for all
women of childbearing age to reduce the risk of neural tube defects. Higher doses
(4.0 mg) are recommended for women with a history of neural tube defects.
7. Nagele’s rule is used to:
A) Determine fetal position
B) Estimate the expected date of delivery
C) Calculate weight gain during pregnancy
with Correct Answers and Detailed Rationales - Latest
Update 2026
Section: SECTION 1: NORMAL PREGNANCY
Question 1:
· Question: At what point during pregnancy does the fundal height typically reach
the umbilicus?
· Options:
· A) 12 weeks
· B) 16 weeks
· C) 20 weeks
· D) 24 weeks
· Answer: C) 20 weeks
· Rationale: At 20 weeks gestation, the fundus reaches the umbilicus. Fundal height
measured in centimeters from the symphysis pubis to the top of the fundus
typically correlates with the number of weeks of gestation (plus or minus 2 cm)
from 20-36 weeks.
Question 2:
,· Question: The nurse is assessing a client at 12 weeks gestation. Which finding is
consistent with normal pregnancy at this stage?
A)Fundus palpable at the umbilicus
B) Fundus palpable just above the symphysis pubis
C) Quickening reported by the client
D) Braxton Hicks contractions noted
Answer: B) Fundus palpable just above the symphysis pubis
Rationale: At 12 weeks, the fundus is palpable just above the symphysis pubis. The
fundus reaches the umbilicus at 20 weeks. Quickening (fetal movement) is
typically felt at 16-20 weeks. Braxton Hicks contractions may occur in the second
and third trimesters.
3. A client at 8 weeks gestation reports nausea and vomiting, especially in the
morning. The nurse should recommend:
A) Avoid fluids with meals
B) Drink fluids between meals
C) Eat a heavy meal before bedtime
D) Skip breakfast
Answer: B) Drink fluids between meals
,Rationale: To manage nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy, clients should drink
fluids between meals rather than with meals to avoid gastric distension. Eating
small, frequent meals and avoiding fatty/spicy foods is also recommended.
4. Chadwick's sign in pregnancy refers to:
A) Softening of the cervix
B) Bluish-purple discoloration of the vaginal mucosa and cervix
C) Palpable uterine contractions
D) Fetal movement felt by the examiner
Answer: B) Bluish-purple discoloration of the vaginal mucosa and cervix
Rationale: Chadwick's sign is the bluish-purple coloration of the vaginal mucosa
and cervix due to increased vascularity. It is a probable sign of pregnancy.
Goodell's sign is softening of the cervix. Hegar's sign is softening of the lower
uterine segment.
5. A client at 16 weeks gestation asks if she should be feeling fetal movement. The
nurse should respond:
A) "Most women feel movement by 12 weeks."
B) "You should feel movement by now; we should assess the fetus."
C) "Primigravidas often feel movement at 18-20 weeks."
D) "You won't feel movement until the third trimester."
Answer: C) “Primigravidas often feel movement at 18-20 weeks.”
, Rationale: Quickening (first fetal movement) is typically felt by primigravidas at
18-20 weeks and by multigravidas at 16-18 weeks. Reassuring the client with this
information is appropriate.
6. Preconception counseling should include folic acid supplementation at what
dose?
A) 0.2 mg/day
B) 0.4 mg/day
C) 0.8 mg/day
D) 4.0 mg/day
Answer: B) 0.4 mg/day
Rationale: The CDC recommends 400 mcg (0.4 mg) of folic acid daily for all
women of childbearing age to reduce the risk of neural tube defects. Higher doses
(4.0 mg) are recommended for women with a history of neural tube defects.
7. Nagele’s rule is used to:
A) Determine fetal position
B) Estimate the expected date of delivery
C) Calculate weight gain during pregnancy
