NUR 230 EXAM 2 — 100-QUESTION
PRACTICE EXAM
OB/PEDS | QUESTIONS, CORRECT ANSWERS &
RATIONALES | 2026/2027 REVIEW
SECTION 1 — INTRAPARTUM CARE & STAGES OF
LABOR
1.
A client is experiencing regular uterine contractions with progressive cervical dilation. Which
process is occurring?
A. Involution
B. Labor
C. Lactogenesis
D. Ovulation
Correct Answer: B. Labor
Rationale: True labor involves regular contractions that produce progressive cervical
effacement and dilation.
2.
Which finding best distinguishes true labor from false labor?
A. Contractions decrease with walking
B. Contractions remain irregular
C. Progressive cervical dilation occurs
D. Discomfort is relieved by hydration
Correct Answer: C. Progressive cervical dilation occurs
Rationale: True labor produces progressive cervical changes, whereas false labor generally
does not.
3.
,Which stage of labor begins with true labor and ends when the cervix is completely dilated?
A. First stage
B. Second stage
C. Third stage
D. Fourth stage
Correct Answer: A. First stage
Rationale: The first stage begins with true labor and ends with complete cervical dilation.
4.
The second stage of labor begins with:
A. Onset of contractions
B. Complete cervical dilation
C. Delivery of the placenta
D. Uterine involution
Correct Answer: B. Complete cervical dilation
Rationale: The second stage begins at complete cervical dilation and ends with birth of the
newborn.
5.
The third stage of labor extends from:
A. Onset of contractions to 5 cm dilation
B. Complete dilation to birth
C. Birth of the newborn to delivery of the placenta
D. Placental delivery to discharge
Correct Answer: C. Birth of the newborn to delivery of the placenta
Rationale: The third stage involves separation and delivery of the placenta.
6.
The fourth stage of labor primarily involves:
A. Cervical dilation
B. Immediate postpartum recovery
C. Fetal descent
D. Placental implantation
,Correct Answer: B. Immediate postpartum recovery
Rationale: The fourth stage is the early recovery period after placental delivery when the nurse
closely monitors maternal stability and bleeding.
7.
Which sequence correctly identifies the stages of labor?
A. Dilation, birth, placental delivery, recovery
B. Birth, dilation, recovery, placental delivery
C. Recovery, dilation, birth, placental delivery
D. Placental delivery, birth, dilation, recovery
Correct Answer: A. Dilation, birth, placental delivery, recovery
Rationale: Labor progresses through cervical dilation, birth of the fetus, delivery of the placenta,
and early postpartum recovery.
8.
Which cervical finding indicates the client is approaching the end of the first stage of labor?
A. 1 cm dilation
B. 3 cm dilation
C. 6 cm dilation
D. 10 cm dilation
Correct Answer: D. 10 cm dilation
Rationale: Complete cervical dilation is 10 cm and marks the beginning of the second stage.
9.
What does cervical effacement describe?
A. Cervical opening
B. Thinning and shortening of the cervix
C. Fetal rotation
D. Placental separation
Correct Answer: B. Thinning and shortening of the cervix
Rationale: Effacement is the progressive thinning and shortening of the cervix during labor.
10.
, What does cervical dilation describe?
A. Thinning of the cervix
B. Opening of the cervical os
C. Fetal station
D. Placental attachment
Correct Answer: B. Opening of the cervical os
Rationale: Dilation refers to the opening of the cervix, measured in centimeters from 0 to 10 cm.
SECTION 2 — FETAL ASSESSMENT DURING LABOR
11.
Which fetal heart rate baseline is generally considered reassuring for a term fetus?
A. 60 beats/min
B. 90 beats/min
C. 120 beats/min
D. 190 beats/min
Correct Answer: C. 120 beats/min
Rationale: A typical fetal heart rate baseline is approximately 110–160 beats/min.
12.
Which fetal heart rate finding is most concerning?
A. Moderate variability
B. Baseline of 140 beats/min
C. Recurrent late decelerations
D. Accelerations with fetal movement
Correct Answer: C. Recurrent late decelerations
Rationale: Recurrent late decelerations can indicate uteroplacental insufficiency and require
prompt evaluation and intervention.
13.
Variable decelerations are most commonly associated with:
PRACTICE EXAM
OB/PEDS | QUESTIONS, CORRECT ANSWERS &
RATIONALES | 2026/2027 REVIEW
SECTION 1 — INTRAPARTUM CARE & STAGES OF
LABOR
1.
A client is experiencing regular uterine contractions with progressive cervical dilation. Which
process is occurring?
A. Involution
B. Labor
C. Lactogenesis
D. Ovulation
Correct Answer: B. Labor
Rationale: True labor involves regular contractions that produce progressive cervical
effacement and dilation.
2.
Which finding best distinguishes true labor from false labor?
A. Contractions decrease with walking
B. Contractions remain irregular
C. Progressive cervical dilation occurs
D. Discomfort is relieved by hydration
Correct Answer: C. Progressive cervical dilation occurs
Rationale: True labor produces progressive cervical changes, whereas false labor generally
does not.
3.
,Which stage of labor begins with true labor and ends when the cervix is completely dilated?
A. First stage
B. Second stage
C. Third stage
D. Fourth stage
Correct Answer: A. First stage
Rationale: The first stage begins with true labor and ends with complete cervical dilation.
4.
The second stage of labor begins with:
A. Onset of contractions
B. Complete cervical dilation
C. Delivery of the placenta
D. Uterine involution
Correct Answer: B. Complete cervical dilation
Rationale: The second stage begins at complete cervical dilation and ends with birth of the
newborn.
5.
The third stage of labor extends from:
A. Onset of contractions to 5 cm dilation
B. Complete dilation to birth
C. Birth of the newborn to delivery of the placenta
D. Placental delivery to discharge
Correct Answer: C. Birth of the newborn to delivery of the placenta
Rationale: The third stage involves separation and delivery of the placenta.
6.
The fourth stage of labor primarily involves:
A. Cervical dilation
B. Immediate postpartum recovery
C. Fetal descent
D. Placental implantation
,Correct Answer: B. Immediate postpartum recovery
Rationale: The fourth stage is the early recovery period after placental delivery when the nurse
closely monitors maternal stability and bleeding.
7.
Which sequence correctly identifies the stages of labor?
A. Dilation, birth, placental delivery, recovery
B. Birth, dilation, recovery, placental delivery
C. Recovery, dilation, birth, placental delivery
D. Placental delivery, birth, dilation, recovery
Correct Answer: A. Dilation, birth, placental delivery, recovery
Rationale: Labor progresses through cervical dilation, birth of the fetus, delivery of the placenta,
and early postpartum recovery.
8.
Which cervical finding indicates the client is approaching the end of the first stage of labor?
A. 1 cm dilation
B. 3 cm dilation
C. 6 cm dilation
D. 10 cm dilation
Correct Answer: D. 10 cm dilation
Rationale: Complete cervical dilation is 10 cm and marks the beginning of the second stage.
9.
What does cervical effacement describe?
A. Cervical opening
B. Thinning and shortening of the cervix
C. Fetal rotation
D. Placental separation
Correct Answer: B. Thinning and shortening of the cervix
Rationale: Effacement is the progressive thinning and shortening of the cervix during labor.
10.
, What does cervical dilation describe?
A. Thinning of the cervix
B. Opening of the cervical os
C. Fetal station
D. Placental attachment
Correct Answer: B. Opening of the cervical os
Rationale: Dilation refers to the opening of the cervix, measured in centimeters from 0 to 10 cm.
SECTION 2 — FETAL ASSESSMENT DURING LABOR
11.
Which fetal heart rate baseline is generally considered reassuring for a term fetus?
A. 60 beats/min
B. 90 beats/min
C. 120 beats/min
D. 190 beats/min
Correct Answer: C. 120 beats/min
Rationale: A typical fetal heart rate baseline is approximately 110–160 beats/min.
12.
Which fetal heart rate finding is most concerning?
A. Moderate variability
B. Baseline of 140 beats/min
C. Recurrent late decelerations
D. Accelerations with fetal movement
Correct Answer: C. Recurrent late decelerations
Rationale: Recurrent late decelerations can indicate uteroplacental insufficiency and require
prompt evaluation and intervention.
13.
Variable decelerations are most commonly associated with:
