LATEST MATERNAL & CHILD NURSING FINAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A pregnant woman at 10 weeks gestation presents with mild nausea and vomiting.
What is the most appropriate initial nursing advice?
A. Avoid all solid foods
B. Eat small, frequent meals
C. Increase fluid intake only at night
D. Take iron supplements on an empty stomach
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Small, frequent meals help reduce nausea in early pregnancy. Avoiding
solids or restricting fluids is not recommended, and iron on an empty stomach may
worsen nausea.
2. Which hormone is primarily responsible for maintaining pregnancy in the early
stages?
A. Estrogen
B. Progesterone
C. Oxytocin
D. Prolactin
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Progesterone maintains the uterine lining and prevents contractions.
Estrogen supports growth, oxytocin stimulates labor, and prolactin aids lactation.
3. A fundal height measurement at 28 weeks gestation should be approximately:
A. 20 cm
B. 24 cm
C. 28 cm
D. 32 cm
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Fundal height in centimeters roughly equals gestational age in weeks
between 20–36 weeks. Deviations may indicate growth issues.
4. Which sign is a probable indication of pregnancy?
A. Amenorrhea
B. Positive hCG test
C. Fetal heart tones
D. Quickening
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: A positive hCG test is a probable sign. Fetal heart tones are positive signs,
while amenorrhea and quickening are presumptive.
5. During which stage of labor does full cervical dilation occur?
A. First stage
B. Second stage
C. Third stage
D. Fourth stage
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The first stage ends with full dilation (10 cm). The second stage involves
delivery of the baby.
6. A variable deceleration in fetal heart rate is most commonly associated with:
A. Uteroplacental insufficiency
B. Umbilical cord compression
C. Maternal hypotension
D. Fetal hypoxia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Variable decelerations are caused by cord compression. Late
decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency.
7. Which intervention is priority for a postpartum woman with heavy bleeding and a
boggy uterus?
A. Administer antibiotics
B. Perform fundal massage
C. Encourage breastfeeding
D. Monitor vital signs
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Fundal massage stimulates uterine contraction and reduces hemorrhage.
Other actions are supportive but not immediate priorities.
8. Colostrum is best described as:
A. Mature breast milk
B. Milk produced after 2 weeks
C. Thick, yellowish early milk
D. Artificial infant formula
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Colostrum is nutrient-rich early milk providing antibodies. It precedes
mature milk production.
,9. A newborn with a heart rate of 90 bpm at birth requires:
A. Immediate chest compressions
B. No intervention
C. Positive pressure ventilation
D. Administration of epinephrine
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A heart rate below 100 bpm requires ventilation. Chest compressions are
indicated if HR <60 bpm.
10. The Apgar score evaluates which of the following?
A. Growth parameters
B. Neurological reflexes only
C. Immediate adaptation to extrauterine life
D. Long-term developmental outcomes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Apgar assesses newborn adaptation at 1 and 5 minutes, not long-term
outcomes.
11. Which vaccine is contraindicated during pregnancy?
A. Influenza (inactivated)
B. Tetanus toxoid
C. MMR
D. Hepatitis B
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: MMR is a live vaccine and contraindicated. Others are safe during
pregnancy.
12. A child with dehydration shows which priority sign?
A. Increased urine output
B. Sunken fontanelle
C. Bradycardia
D. Hypertension
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A sunken fontanelle indicates dehydration. Decreased urine output and
tachycardia are also expected.
13. The most common cause of postpartum hemorrhage is:
A. Retained placenta
B. Uterine atony
C. Infection
D. Trauma
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: Uterine atony is the leading cause, preventing effective contraction and
bleeding control.
14. Which developmental milestone is expected at 6 months?
A. Walking independently
B. Sitting without support
C. Speaking full sentences
D. Toilet training
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sitting unsupported is typical at 6 months; walking and speech occur later.
15. A pregnant woman with preeclampsia should be monitored for:
A. Hypotension
B. Proteinuria
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Bradycardia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Proteinuria is a hallmark of preeclampsia along with hypertension and
edema.
16. Which is a sign of placental abruption?
A. Painless vaginal bleeding
B. Bright red bleeding
C. Severe abdominal pain
D. Soft uterus
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Placental abruption causes painful bleeding and a rigid uterus, unlike
placenta previa.
17. The safest sleeping position for infants is:
A. Prone
B. Side-lying
C. Supine
D. Sitting
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Supine position reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
18. Which electrolyte imbalance is common in hyperemesis gravidarum?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A pregnant woman at 10 weeks gestation presents with mild nausea and vomiting.
What is the most appropriate initial nursing advice?
A. Avoid all solid foods
B. Eat small, frequent meals
C. Increase fluid intake only at night
D. Take iron supplements on an empty stomach
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Small, frequent meals help reduce nausea in early pregnancy. Avoiding
solids or restricting fluids is not recommended, and iron on an empty stomach may
worsen nausea.
2. Which hormone is primarily responsible for maintaining pregnancy in the early
stages?
A. Estrogen
B. Progesterone
C. Oxytocin
D. Prolactin
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Progesterone maintains the uterine lining and prevents contractions.
Estrogen supports growth, oxytocin stimulates labor, and prolactin aids lactation.
3. A fundal height measurement at 28 weeks gestation should be approximately:
A. 20 cm
B. 24 cm
C. 28 cm
D. 32 cm
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Fundal height in centimeters roughly equals gestational age in weeks
between 20–36 weeks. Deviations may indicate growth issues.
4. Which sign is a probable indication of pregnancy?
A. Amenorrhea
B. Positive hCG test
C. Fetal heart tones
D. Quickening
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: A positive hCG test is a probable sign. Fetal heart tones are positive signs,
while amenorrhea and quickening are presumptive.
5. During which stage of labor does full cervical dilation occur?
A. First stage
B. Second stage
C. Third stage
D. Fourth stage
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The first stage ends with full dilation (10 cm). The second stage involves
delivery of the baby.
6. A variable deceleration in fetal heart rate is most commonly associated with:
A. Uteroplacental insufficiency
B. Umbilical cord compression
C. Maternal hypotension
D. Fetal hypoxia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Variable decelerations are caused by cord compression. Late
decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency.
7. Which intervention is priority for a postpartum woman with heavy bleeding and a
boggy uterus?
A. Administer antibiotics
B. Perform fundal massage
C. Encourage breastfeeding
D. Monitor vital signs
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Fundal massage stimulates uterine contraction and reduces hemorrhage.
Other actions are supportive but not immediate priorities.
8. Colostrum is best described as:
A. Mature breast milk
B. Milk produced after 2 weeks
C. Thick, yellowish early milk
D. Artificial infant formula
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Colostrum is nutrient-rich early milk providing antibodies. It precedes
mature milk production.
,9. A newborn with a heart rate of 90 bpm at birth requires:
A. Immediate chest compressions
B. No intervention
C. Positive pressure ventilation
D. Administration of epinephrine
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A heart rate below 100 bpm requires ventilation. Chest compressions are
indicated if HR <60 bpm.
10. The Apgar score evaluates which of the following?
A. Growth parameters
B. Neurological reflexes only
C. Immediate adaptation to extrauterine life
D. Long-term developmental outcomes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Apgar assesses newborn adaptation at 1 and 5 minutes, not long-term
outcomes.
11. Which vaccine is contraindicated during pregnancy?
A. Influenza (inactivated)
B. Tetanus toxoid
C. MMR
D. Hepatitis B
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: MMR is a live vaccine and contraindicated. Others are safe during
pregnancy.
12. A child with dehydration shows which priority sign?
A. Increased urine output
B. Sunken fontanelle
C. Bradycardia
D. Hypertension
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A sunken fontanelle indicates dehydration. Decreased urine output and
tachycardia are also expected.
13. The most common cause of postpartum hemorrhage is:
A. Retained placenta
B. Uterine atony
C. Infection
D. Trauma
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: Uterine atony is the leading cause, preventing effective contraction and
bleeding control.
14. Which developmental milestone is expected at 6 months?
A. Walking independently
B. Sitting without support
C. Speaking full sentences
D. Toilet training
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sitting unsupported is typical at 6 months; walking and speech occur later.
15. A pregnant woman with preeclampsia should be monitored for:
A. Hypotension
B. Proteinuria
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Bradycardia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Proteinuria is a hallmark of preeclampsia along with hypertension and
edema.
16. Which is a sign of placental abruption?
A. Painless vaginal bleeding
B. Bright red bleeding
C. Severe abdominal pain
D. Soft uterus
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Placental abruption causes painful bleeding and a rigid uterus, unlike
placenta previa.
17. The safest sleeping position for infants is:
A. Prone
B. Side-lying
C. Supine
D. Sitting
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Supine position reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
18. Which electrolyte imbalance is common in hyperemesis gravidarum?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
