NUR 230 Maternal & Pediatric Nursing Final Exam 2026 |Galen
College
1. A nurse is calculating a client’s expected date of delivery using Naegele’s rule.
The client’s last menstrual period began on October 15. What is the expected
date of delivery?
A. July 15
B. January 22
C. July 22
D. January 15
Answer: B
Rationale: Naegele’s rule is calculated by subtracting 3 months and adding 7 days to the
first day of the last menstrual period (LMP). October minus 3 months is July, and 15 plus 7
days is 22. Since it crosses into a new year, the year increments.
2. A client in labor is receiving oxytocin. The nurse notes contractions occur
every 90 seconds and last 100 seconds. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Decrease the oxytocin rate
B. Stop the oxytocin infusion
C. Change the client’s position
D. Administer oxygen via face mask
Answer: B
Rationale: The client is experiencing uterine tachysystole (contractions more frequent
than every 2 minutes or lasting longer than 90 seconds). The immediate priority is to stop
the oxytocin to prevent fetal distress.
,3. A nurse is assessing a client at 34 weeks gestation who has a diagnosis of
preeclampsia. Which of the following findings is the most concerning?
A. 1+ pedal edema
B. Urine output of 40 mL/hr
C. Blood pressure of 148/92 mmHg
D. Epigastric pain
Answer: D
Rationale: Epigastric pain in a client with preeclampsia is a sign of liver involvement
(hepatic edema or subcapsular hemorrhage) and often precedes a seizure (eclampsia).
4. A newborn has been diagnosed with phenylketonuria (PKU). Which of the
following foods should the nurse instruct the parents to avoid?
A. Scrambled eggs
B. Boiled potatoes
C. Orange juice
D. White rice
Answer: A
Rationale: PKU requires a low-phenylalanine diet. Phenylalanine is an amino acid found in
high-protein foods like meat, dairy, and eggs. Fruits and some vegetables are generally
lower in phenylalanine.
5. A 2-year-old child is admitted with suspected epiglottitis. Which of the
following actions should the nurse avoid?
A. Keeping the child in an upright position
B. Administering humidified oxygen
C. Monitoring oxygen saturation
D. Assessing the throat with a tongue blade
Answer: D
, Rationale: In cases of suspected epiglottitis, examining the throat with a tongue blade can
cause immediate laryngospasm and airway obstruction. This should only be done by a
provider prepared for intubation.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who is 2 hours postpartum and has a boggy
fundus that is displaced to the right. What is the nurse’s first action?
A. Assist the client to the bathroom to void
B. Administer oxytocin
C. Perform fundal massage
D. Notify the provider
Answer: A
Rationale: A boggy fundus displaced to the right typically indicates a distended bladder.
The bladder pushes the uterus out of place, preventing it from contracting. Emptying the
bladder is the first step.
7. Which of the following is a classic sign of intussusception in an infant?
A. Projectile vomiting
B. Currant jelly-like stools
C. Ribbon-like stools
D. Abdominal distention with constipation
Answer: B
Rationale: Intussusception involves the telescoping of the bowel, leading to inflammation
and the passage of bloody, mucus-filled stools often described as ‘currant jelly.’
College
1. A nurse is calculating a client’s expected date of delivery using Naegele’s rule.
The client’s last menstrual period began on October 15. What is the expected
date of delivery?
A. July 15
B. January 22
C. July 22
D. January 15
Answer: B
Rationale: Naegele’s rule is calculated by subtracting 3 months and adding 7 days to the
first day of the last menstrual period (LMP). October minus 3 months is July, and 15 plus 7
days is 22. Since it crosses into a new year, the year increments.
2. A client in labor is receiving oxytocin. The nurse notes contractions occur
every 90 seconds and last 100 seconds. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Decrease the oxytocin rate
B. Stop the oxytocin infusion
C. Change the client’s position
D. Administer oxygen via face mask
Answer: B
Rationale: The client is experiencing uterine tachysystole (contractions more frequent
than every 2 minutes or lasting longer than 90 seconds). The immediate priority is to stop
the oxytocin to prevent fetal distress.
,3. A nurse is assessing a client at 34 weeks gestation who has a diagnosis of
preeclampsia. Which of the following findings is the most concerning?
A. 1+ pedal edema
B. Urine output of 40 mL/hr
C. Blood pressure of 148/92 mmHg
D. Epigastric pain
Answer: D
Rationale: Epigastric pain in a client with preeclampsia is a sign of liver involvement
(hepatic edema or subcapsular hemorrhage) and often precedes a seizure (eclampsia).
4. A newborn has been diagnosed with phenylketonuria (PKU). Which of the
following foods should the nurse instruct the parents to avoid?
A. Scrambled eggs
B. Boiled potatoes
C. Orange juice
D. White rice
Answer: A
Rationale: PKU requires a low-phenylalanine diet. Phenylalanine is an amino acid found in
high-protein foods like meat, dairy, and eggs. Fruits and some vegetables are generally
lower in phenylalanine.
5. A 2-year-old child is admitted with suspected epiglottitis. Which of the
following actions should the nurse avoid?
A. Keeping the child in an upright position
B. Administering humidified oxygen
C. Monitoring oxygen saturation
D. Assessing the throat with a tongue blade
Answer: D
, Rationale: In cases of suspected epiglottitis, examining the throat with a tongue blade can
cause immediate laryngospasm and airway obstruction. This should only be done by a
provider prepared for intubation.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who is 2 hours postpartum and has a boggy
fundus that is displaced to the right. What is the nurse’s first action?
A. Assist the client to the bathroom to void
B. Administer oxytocin
C. Perform fundal massage
D. Notify the provider
Answer: A
Rationale: A boggy fundus displaced to the right typically indicates a distended bladder.
The bladder pushes the uterus out of place, preventing it from contracting. Emptying the
bladder is the first step.
7. Which of the following is a classic sign of intussusception in an infant?
A. Projectile vomiting
B. Currant jelly-like stools
C. Ribbon-like stools
D. Abdominal distention with constipation
Answer: B
Rationale: Intussusception involves the telescoping of the bowel, leading to inflammation
and the passage of bloody, mucus-filled stools often described as ‘currant jelly.’
