Galen College of Nursing
NUR 254 Maternal & Pediatric Nursing
Complete Exam Study Guide: Exams 1, 2, 3 & 4
About This Resource
This comprehensive study guide contains 250 verified questions and detailed
rationales covering all four exams for NUR 254 Maternal & Pediatric Nursing. Each
exam section is organized by topic and includes questions that reflect the most
current content tested at Galen College.
Exam Structure:
• Exam 1: Foundations of Maternal-Child Nursing, Reproductive Anatomy &
Physiology, Fetal Development, Antepartum Care
• Exam 2: Intrapartum Care, Labor & Delivery, Postpartum Care, Newborn Assessment
• Exam 3: Pediatric Growth & Development, Pediatric Health Assessment, Pediatric
Respiratory & Cardiovascular Disorders
• Exam 4: Pediatric Infectious Diseases, GI & Renal Disorders, Neurologic Disorders,
Pediatric Emergencies
, EXAM 1: FOUNDATIONS, ANTEPARTUM, AND FETAL
DEVELOPMENT
*(Questions 1-65)*
1. A nurse is teaching a group of adolescents about the menstrual cycle. Which
statement accurately describes ovulation?
• A) Ovulation occurs 14 days before the onset of the next menstrual period
• B) Ovulation occurs on day 14 of every woman's cycle
• C) Ovulation occurs at the beginning of the proliferative phase
• D) Ovulation occurs during the secretory phase
Answer: A) Ovulation occurs 14 days before the onset of the next menstrual
period
Expert Rationale: Ovulation occurs approximately 14 days before the next
menstrual period, regardless of cycle length. The luteal phase is relatively fixed at 14
days, while the follicular phase varies. This timing is important for fertility awareness
and family planning .
2. A pregnant patient asks about the function of the amniotic fluid. Which response
by the nurse is correct?
• A) "Amniotic fluid provides nutrients for the fetus"
• B) "Amniotic fluid cushions the fetus and maintains temperature"
• C) "Amniotic fluid is primarily waste product from the fetus"
• D) "Amniotic fluid prevents fetal movement"
Answer: B) "Amniotic fluid cushions the fetus and maintains temperature"
, Expert Rationale: Amniotic fluid provides multiple functions: cushions the fetus
from trauma, maintains a constant temperature, allows fetal movement, prevents
umbilical cord compression, and has antibacterial properties. Nutrients are provided
through the placenta, not amniotic fluid .
3. A nurse is assessing a patient at 12 weeks gestation. Which finding requires
immediate follow-up?
• A) Frequent urination
• B) Breast tenderness
• C) Nausea and vomiting
• D) Severe headache with blurred vision
Answer: D) Severe headache with blurred vision
Expert Rationale: Severe headache with blurred vision in pregnancy may indicate
preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, or other serious conditions requiring
immediate evaluation. Frequent urination, breast tenderness, and nausea are
common early pregnancy symptoms .
4. The nurse is calculating the estimated date of delivery (EDD) using Naegele's rule.
The patient's last menstrual period (LMP) was May 15, 2026. What is the EDD?
• A) February 8, 2027
• B) February 22, 2027
• C) March 8, 2027
• D) March 22, 2027
Answer: B) February 22, 2027
Expert Rationale: Naegele's rule: add 7 days to the first day of the LMP, subtract
3 months, and add 1 year. May 15 + 7 days = May 22; subtract 3 months = February
22; add 1 year = February 22, 2027 .
, 5. A patient at 8 weeks gestation reports frequent urination. The nurse explains this is
due to:
• A) Increased glomerular filtration rate and pressure of the enlarging uterus
• B) Decreased fluid intake
• C) Urinary tract infection
• D) Decreased bladder capacity
Answer: A) Increased glomerular filtration rate and pressure of the enlarging
uterus
Expert Rationale: Frequent urination in early pregnancy results from increased
glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and the enlarging uterus pressing on the bladder. As
the uterus grows upward after 12 weeks, pressure on the bladder decreases, then
returns later in pregnancy .
6. A patient is prescribed folic acid during pregnancy. The nurse explains that folic
acid primarily prevents:
• A) Iron deficiency anemia
• B) Neural tube defects
• C) Gestational diabetes
• D) Preeclampsia
Answer: B) Neural tube defects
Expert Rationale: Folic acid (folate) supplementation before conception and
during early pregnancy significantly reduces the risk of neural tube defects (spina
bifida, anencephaly). The recommended dose is 400-800 mcg daily; higher doses for
patients with previous affected pregnancies .
7. The nurse is teaching a patient about signs of pregnancy. Which finding is
considered a presumptive sign?
• A) Positive pregnancy test
• B) Fetal heart tones heard by Doppler
• C) Amenorrhea
• D) Ultrasound visualization of fetus
NUR 254 Maternal & Pediatric Nursing
Complete Exam Study Guide: Exams 1, 2, 3 & 4
About This Resource
This comprehensive study guide contains 250 verified questions and detailed
rationales covering all four exams for NUR 254 Maternal & Pediatric Nursing. Each
exam section is organized by topic and includes questions that reflect the most
current content tested at Galen College.
Exam Structure:
• Exam 1: Foundations of Maternal-Child Nursing, Reproductive Anatomy &
Physiology, Fetal Development, Antepartum Care
• Exam 2: Intrapartum Care, Labor & Delivery, Postpartum Care, Newborn Assessment
• Exam 3: Pediatric Growth & Development, Pediatric Health Assessment, Pediatric
Respiratory & Cardiovascular Disorders
• Exam 4: Pediatric Infectious Diseases, GI & Renal Disorders, Neurologic Disorders,
Pediatric Emergencies
, EXAM 1: FOUNDATIONS, ANTEPARTUM, AND FETAL
DEVELOPMENT
*(Questions 1-65)*
1. A nurse is teaching a group of adolescents about the menstrual cycle. Which
statement accurately describes ovulation?
• A) Ovulation occurs 14 days before the onset of the next menstrual period
• B) Ovulation occurs on day 14 of every woman's cycle
• C) Ovulation occurs at the beginning of the proliferative phase
• D) Ovulation occurs during the secretory phase
Answer: A) Ovulation occurs 14 days before the onset of the next menstrual
period
Expert Rationale: Ovulation occurs approximately 14 days before the next
menstrual period, regardless of cycle length. The luteal phase is relatively fixed at 14
days, while the follicular phase varies. This timing is important for fertility awareness
and family planning .
2. A pregnant patient asks about the function of the amniotic fluid. Which response
by the nurse is correct?
• A) "Amniotic fluid provides nutrients for the fetus"
• B) "Amniotic fluid cushions the fetus and maintains temperature"
• C) "Amniotic fluid is primarily waste product from the fetus"
• D) "Amniotic fluid prevents fetal movement"
Answer: B) "Amniotic fluid cushions the fetus and maintains temperature"
, Expert Rationale: Amniotic fluid provides multiple functions: cushions the fetus
from trauma, maintains a constant temperature, allows fetal movement, prevents
umbilical cord compression, and has antibacterial properties. Nutrients are provided
through the placenta, not amniotic fluid .
3. A nurse is assessing a patient at 12 weeks gestation. Which finding requires
immediate follow-up?
• A) Frequent urination
• B) Breast tenderness
• C) Nausea and vomiting
• D) Severe headache with blurred vision
Answer: D) Severe headache with blurred vision
Expert Rationale: Severe headache with blurred vision in pregnancy may indicate
preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, or other serious conditions requiring
immediate evaluation. Frequent urination, breast tenderness, and nausea are
common early pregnancy symptoms .
4. The nurse is calculating the estimated date of delivery (EDD) using Naegele's rule.
The patient's last menstrual period (LMP) was May 15, 2026. What is the EDD?
• A) February 8, 2027
• B) February 22, 2027
• C) March 8, 2027
• D) March 22, 2027
Answer: B) February 22, 2027
Expert Rationale: Naegele's rule: add 7 days to the first day of the LMP, subtract
3 months, and add 1 year. May 15 + 7 days = May 22; subtract 3 months = February
22; add 1 year = February 22, 2027 .
, 5. A patient at 8 weeks gestation reports frequent urination. The nurse explains this is
due to:
• A) Increased glomerular filtration rate and pressure of the enlarging uterus
• B) Decreased fluid intake
• C) Urinary tract infection
• D) Decreased bladder capacity
Answer: A) Increased glomerular filtration rate and pressure of the enlarging
uterus
Expert Rationale: Frequent urination in early pregnancy results from increased
glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and the enlarging uterus pressing on the bladder. As
the uterus grows upward after 12 weeks, pressure on the bladder decreases, then
returns later in pregnancy .
6. A patient is prescribed folic acid during pregnancy. The nurse explains that folic
acid primarily prevents:
• A) Iron deficiency anemia
• B) Neural tube defects
• C) Gestational diabetes
• D) Preeclampsia
Answer: B) Neural tube defects
Expert Rationale: Folic acid (folate) supplementation before conception and
during early pregnancy significantly reduces the risk of neural tube defects (spina
bifida, anencephaly). The recommended dose is 400-800 mcg daily; higher doses for
patients with previous affected pregnancies .
7. The nurse is teaching a patient about signs of pregnancy. Which finding is
considered a presumptive sign?
• A) Positive pregnancy test
• B) Fetal heart tones heard by Doppler
• C) Amenorrhea
• D) Ultrasound visualization of fetus
