NURSING NUR 254 EXAM 4 EXAMINATION
STUDY GUIDE 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS
◉ Probable signs of pregnancy. Answer: EXAMINER OBJECTIVE
FINDING
-Hegar's sign
-Goodell's sign
-Chadwick's sign
-Positive pregnancy test
-Braxton hicks contractions
-Ballotment
◉ Hegar's sign. Answer: softening of the lower uterine segment
◉ Goodell's sign. Answer: softening of the cervix
◉ Chadwick's sign. Answer: Bluish-purple coloration of the vaginal
mucosa and cervix
,◉ ballotment. Answer: Rebounding of the fetus against the
examiner's finger on palpation. When the examiner taps the cervix,
the fetus floats upward in the amniotic fluid.
◉ Positive signs of pregnancy. Answer: -hearing fetal heart sounds
-Visualization of the fetus
-feeling of fetal movement by examiner
◉ Gravida. Answer: total number of pregnancies
◉ Para. Answer: number of pregnancies 20 weeks or >
◉ Term. Answer: 37-40+ weeks (posterm 42+ weeks)
◉ Preterm. Answer: 20-36 6/7 weeks
◉ Abortion. Answer: prior to 20 weeks
◉ Living. Answer: Number of living children
◉ Naegle's rule - estimate due date. Answer: LMP - 3 months + 7
days
,◉ Fetal Assessment. Answer: -10-12 weeks: Fetal heart rate ( 110-
160)
-20 weeks: Uterine height (symphysis pubis to the top of the fundus
in cm should equal gestational age +/-2)
-20 weeks: Fetal movement (once mother feels fetal movement,
should feel fetal movement every day increasingly)
◉ Cardiac changes in pregnancy. Answer: -Increased blood volume
(40-50%)
***results in physiological anemia
-Increased cardiac output (30-50%)
***increased HR (10-20bpm)
-Blood pressure stays the same or slightly decreases
-Increased clotting factors
-Decreased venous return
, ◉ Respiratory changes in pregnancy. Answer: -Increased incidence
of nasal congestion, voice change, and epistaxis due to increased
vascular
-Increased O2 needs due to increased metabolic rate
***Increased respiratory rate
***Increased body temp
-Ligaments of the rib cage relax due to relaxin
-Diaphragm is displaced by the growing uterus
◉ gastrointestinal changes in pregnacy. Answer: -GI system slows
down (due to progesterone)
***constipation & heartburn
-N/V in the first trimester due to (Increased HCG)
-hyperemesis graviduriam (last entire pregnancy)
-change to taste & smell
-ptyalism (excessive salivation)
STUDY GUIDE 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS
◉ Probable signs of pregnancy. Answer: EXAMINER OBJECTIVE
FINDING
-Hegar's sign
-Goodell's sign
-Chadwick's sign
-Positive pregnancy test
-Braxton hicks contractions
-Ballotment
◉ Hegar's sign. Answer: softening of the lower uterine segment
◉ Goodell's sign. Answer: softening of the cervix
◉ Chadwick's sign. Answer: Bluish-purple coloration of the vaginal
mucosa and cervix
,◉ ballotment. Answer: Rebounding of the fetus against the
examiner's finger on palpation. When the examiner taps the cervix,
the fetus floats upward in the amniotic fluid.
◉ Positive signs of pregnancy. Answer: -hearing fetal heart sounds
-Visualization of the fetus
-feeling of fetal movement by examiner
◉ Gravida. Answer: total number of pregnancies
◉ Para. Answer: number of pregnancies 20 weeks or >
◉ Term. Answer: 37-40+ weeks (posterm 42+ weeks)
◉ Preterm. Answer: 20-36 6/7 weeks
◉ Abortion. Answer: prior to 20 weeks
◉ Living. Answer: Number of living children
◉ Naegle's rule - estimate due date. Answer: LMP - 3 months + 7
days
,◉ Fetal Assessment. Answer: -10-12 weeks: Fetal heart rate ( 110-
160)
-20 weeks: Uterine height (symphysis pubis to the top of the fundus
in cm should equal gestational age +/-2)
-20 weeks: Fetal movement (once mother feels fetal movement,
should feel fetal movement every day increasingly)
◉ Cardiac changes in pregnancy. Answer: -Increased blood volume
(40-50%)
***results in physiological anemia
-Increased cardiac output (30-50%)
***increased HR (10-20bpm)
-Blood pressure stays the same or slightly decreases
-Increased clotting factors
-Decreased venous return
, ◉ Respiratory changes in pregnancy. Answer: -Increased incidence
of nasal congestion, voice change, and epistaxis due to increased
vascular
-Increased O2 needs due to increased metabolic rate
***Increased respiratory rate
***Increased body temp
-Ligaments of the rib cage relax due to relaxin
-Diaphragm is displaced by the growing uterus
◉ gastrointestinal changes in pregnacy. Answer: -GI system slows
down (due to progesterone)
***constipation & heartburn
-N/V in the first trimester due to (Increased HCG)
-hyperemesis graviduriam (last entire pregnancy)
-change to taste & smell
-ptyalism (excessive salivation)
