NSG 3500 – Nursing Practice: Maternal Health (Exam
3)NSG 3500 – Exam 3 Maternal Health (Questions 1–100)
All answers verified with Rationale updated 2025–2026
nursing exam standards and NCLEX-RN frameworks.
1. A nurse is caring for a client in active labor. The fetal heart rate
(FHR) shows late decelerations. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Increase the oxytocin infusion
B. Place the client in left lateral position
C. Encourage the client to push with contractions
D. Check for cord prolapse
Answer: B
Rationale: Late decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency; repositioning to the
left lateral side improves blood flow and oxygenation.
2. A client at 36 weeks gestation reports a sudden gush of fluid from
the vagina. What should the nurse do first?
A. Check fetal heart tones
B. Perform a vaginal exam
C. Notify the provider
D. Test the fluid with nitrazine paper
Answer: A
Rationale: The priority after rupture of membranes is to assess fetal well-being and rule
out cord prolapse by checking FHR.
,
,3. A nurse teaches a client about signs of preeclampsia. Which
symptom should the client report immediately?
A. Swelling of feet at the end of the day
B. Headache and blurred vision
C. Nausea after eating
D. Mild backache
Answer: B
Rationale: Headache and blurred vision are signs of CNS involvement and possible
progression to eclampsia.
4. A postpartum client complains of perineal pain and pressure. The
nurse notes a firm fundus and moderate vaginal bleeding. What is the
likely cause?
A. Uterine atony
B. Vaginal hematoma
C. Retained placental fragments
D. Endometritis
Answer: B
Rationale: A firm uterus with localized pain and swelling suggests a hematoma rather than
uterine atony.
5. A client is in the fourth stage of labor. The nurse notes excessive
lochia rubra and a boggy fundus. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Apply ice to perineum
B. Massage the fundus
C. Increase oral fluids
D. Notify the physician immediately
Answer: B
Rationale: A boggy fundus indicates uterine atony; fundal massage promotes contraction
and prevents hemorrhage.
, 6. A nurse prepares to administer magnesium sulfate for
preeclampsia. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
3)NSG 3500 – Exam 3 Maternal Health (Questions 1–100)
All answers verified with Rationale updated 2025–2026
nursing exam standards and NCLEX-RN frameworks.
1. A nurse is caring for a client in active labor. The fetal heart rate
(FHR) shows late decelerations. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Increase the oxytocin infusion
B. Place the client in left lateral position
C. Encourage the client to push with contractions
D. Check for cord prolapse
Answer: B
Rationale: Late decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency; repositioning to the
left lateral side improves blood flow and oxygenation.
2. A client at 36 weeks gestation reports a sudden gush of fluid from
the vagina. What should the nurse do first?
A. Check fetal heart tones
B. Perform a vaginal exam
C. Notify the provider
D. Test the fluid with nitrazine paper
Answer: A
Rationale: The priority after rupture of membranes is to assess fetal well-being and rule
out cord prolapse by checking FHR.
,
,3. A nurse teaches a client about signs of preeclampsia. Which
symptom should the client report immediately?
A. Swelling of feet at the end of the day
B. Headache and blurred vision
C. Nausea after eating
D. Mild backache
Answer: B
Rationale: Headache and blurred vision are signs of CNS involvement and possible
progression to eclampsia.
4. A postpartum client complains of perineal pain and pressure. The
nurse notes a firm fundus and moderate vaginal bleeding. What is the
likely cause?
A. Uterine atony
B. Vaginal hematoma
C. Retained placental fragments
D. Endometritis
Answer: B
Rationale: A firm uterus with localized pain and swelling suggests a hematoma rather than
uterine atony.
5. A client is in the fourth stage of labor. The nurse notes excessive
lochia rubra and a boggy fundus. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Apply ice to perineum
B. Massage the fundus
C. Increase oral fluids
D. Notify the physician immediately
Answer: B
Rationale: A boggy fundus indicates uterine atony; fundal massage promotes contraction
and prevents hemorrhage.
, 6. A nurse prepares to administer magnesium sulfate for
preeclampsia. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
