Maternity and Pediatric Nursing 4th
Edition exam (2026) ACTUAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (MULTIPLE
CHOICES) WITH RATIONALES|| LATEST
UPDATE 2026
1. A pregnant client asks why folic acid is important during pregnancy. The
nurse’s best response is that folic acid helps prevent:
A. Preterm labor
B. Low birth weight
C. Neural tube defects
D. Gestational hypertension
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Folic acid is essential for neural tube development and prevents defects such as spina
bifida.
2. Which newborn assessment finding requires immediate nursing intervention?
A. Acrocyanosis
B. Respiratory rate of 72 breaths/min
C. Vernix caseosa
D. Startle reflex
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A respiratory rate above 60 indicates respiratory distress in a newborn.
3. A pregnant client at 37 weeks presents with painless bright-red vaginal
bleeding. The nurse suspects:
,A. Abruptio placentae
B. Uterine rupture
C. Placenta previa
D. Preterm labor
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Placenta previa causes painless bleeding in late pregnancy.
4. The priority nursing action during a tonic-clonic seizure in a child is to:
A. Insert an oral airway
B. Restrain the child
C. Turn the child to the side
D. Administer IV medication
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Side-lying positioning prevents aspiration and maintains airway patency.
5. Which vaccine is contraindicated during pregnancy?
A. Influenza (inactivated)
B. Tdap
C. Hepatitis B
D. MMR
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: MMR is a live vaccine and should not be given during pregnancy.
6. Jaundice appearing within the first 24 hours of life is classified as:
A. Physiologic jaundice
B. Breast milk jaundice
C. Pathologic jaundice
D. Normal newborn transition
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Jaundice in the first 24 hours is abnormal and requires evaluation.
,7. A client with preeclampsia is at greatest risk for developing:
A. Infection
B. Seizures
C. Hemorrhage
D. Hypoglycemia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Preeclampsia can progress to eclampsia, characterized by seizures.
8. Which developmental milestone is expected in a 9-month-old infant?
A. Walking independently
B. Sitting without support
C. Speaking two-word phrases
D. Riding a tricycle
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: By 9 months, infants should sit independently.
9. Lochia rubra normally lasts for:
A. 1–2 days
B. 3–4 days
C. 7–10 days
D. 2 weeks
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lochia rubra typically lasts 3–4 days postpartum.
10. Which sign is most concerning in a newborn?
A. Sneezing
B. Nasal flaring
C. Periodic breathing
D. Hiccups
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nasal flaring is a sign of respiratory distress.
, 11. The best intervention for a child with croup is:
A. Cool mist humidification
B. Antibiotics
C. Chest physiotherapy
D. Antihistamines
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Humidified air helps reduce airway swelling in croup.
12. Which finding best indicates effective breastfeeding?
A. Infant sleeps immediately after feeds
B. Six or more wet diapers daily
C. Feeding lasts less than 10 minutes
D. Mother reports nipple soreness
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Adequate urine output indicates sufficient intake.
13. The Apgar score evaluates:
A. Long-term neurological outcome
B. Immediate newborn adaptation
C. Risk of infection
D. Gestational age
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Apgar score assesses adaptation at 1 and 5 minutes after birth.
14. The priority nursing intervention for postpartum hemorrhage is:
A. Administer oxytocin
B. Massage the uterine fundus
C. Encourage breastfeeding
D. Check vital signs
Edition exam (2026) ACTUAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (MULTIPLE
CHOICES) WITH RATIONALES|| LATEST
UPDATE 2026
1. A pregnant client asks why folic acid is important during pregnancy. The
nurse’s best response is that folic acid helps prevent:
A. Preterm labor
B. Low birth weight
C. Neural tube defects
D. Gestational hypertension
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Folic acid is essential for neural tube development and prevents defects such as spina
bifida.
2. Which newborn assessment finding requires immediate nursing intervention?
A. Acrocyanosis
B. Respiratory rate of 72 breaths/min
C. Vernix caseosa
D. Startle reflex
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A respiratory rate above 60 indicates respiratory distress in a newborn.
3. A pregnant client at 37 weeks presents with painless bright-red vaginal
bleeding. The nurse suspects:
,A. Abruptio placentae
B. Uterine rupture
C. Placenta previa
D. Preterm labor
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Placenta previa causes painless bleeding in late pregnancy.
4. The priority nursing action during a tonic-clonic seizure in a child is to:
A. Insert an oral airway
B. Restrain the child
C. Turn the child to the side
D. Administer IV medication
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Side-lying positioning prevents aspiration and maintains airway patency.
5. Which vaccine is contraindicated during pregnancy?
A. Influenza (inactivated)
B. Tdap
C. Hepatitis B
D. MMR
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: MMR is a live vaccine and should not be given during pregnancy.
6. Jaundice appearing within the first 24 hours of life is classified as:
A. Physiologic jaundice
B. Breast milk jaundice
C. Pathologic jaundice
D. Normal newborn transition
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Jaundice in the first 24 hours is abnormal and requires evaluation.
,7. A client with preeclampsia is at greatest risk for developing:
A. Infection
B. Seizures
C. Hemorrhage
D. Hypoglycemia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Preeclampsia can progress to eclampsia, characterized by seizures.
8. Which developmental milestone is expected in a 9-month-old infant?
A. Walking independently
B. Sitting without support
C. Speaking two-word phrases
D. Riding a tricycle
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: By 9 months, infants should sit independently.
9. Lochia rubra normally lasts for:
A. 1–2 days
B. 3–4 days
C. 7–10 days
D. 2 weeks
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lochia rubra typically lasts 3–4 days postpartum.
10. Which sign is most concerning in a newborn?
A. Sneezing
B. Nasal flaring
C. Periodic breathing
D. Hiccups
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nasal flaring is a sign of respiratory distress.
, 11. The best intervention for a child with croup is:
A. Cool mist humidification
B. Antibiotics
C. Chest physiotherapy
D. Antihistamines
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Humidified air helps reduce airway swelling in croup.
12. Which finding best indicates effective breastfeeding?
A. Infant sleeps immediately after feeds
B. Six or more wet diapers daily
C. Feeding lasts less than 10 minutes
D. Mother reports nipple soreness
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Adequate urine output indicates sufficient intake.
13. The Apgar score evaluates:
A. Long-term neurological outcome
B. Immediate newborn adaptation
C. Risk of infection
D. Gestational age
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Apgar score assesses adaptation at 1 and 5 minutes after birth.
14. The priority nursing intervention for postpartum hemorrhage is:
A. Administer oxytocin
B. Massage the uterine fundus
C. Encourage breastfeeding
D. Check vital signs
