NUR 230: Maternal & Pediatric Nursing Comprehensive Exam 2026
|Galen College
1. A nurse is assessing a newborn 1 minute after birth. The heart rate is 110
bpm, the infant has a slow and weak cry, some flexion of extremities, grimace
when suctioned, and the body is pink with blue extremities. What is the APGAR
score?
A. 5
B. 7
C. 6
D. 8
Answer: C
Rationale: Heart rate >100 (2), Slow/weak cry (1), Some flexion (1), Grimace (1),
Acrocyanosis (1). Total = 6.
2. A pregnant client asks the nurse when she should expect to feel fetal
movement (quickening). The nurse should respond that this typically occurs at:
A. 16 to 20 weeks
B. 12 to 14 weeks
C. 8 to 12 weeks
D. 24 to 26 weeks
Answer: A
Rationale: Quickening usually occurs between 16 and 20 weeks of gestation.
,3. According to Erikson, which developmental task is primary for a toddler (1-3
years)?
A. Trust vs. Mistrust
B. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
C. Initiative vs. Guilt
D. Industry vs. Inferiority
Answer: B
Rationale: Toddlers focus on developing a sense of personal control over physical skills
and independence.
4. Which medication is typically administered to a newborn within 1 hour of
birth to prevent ophthalmia neonatorum?
A. Vitamin K
B. Gentamicin
C. Hepatitis B vaccine
D. Erythromycin ointment
Answer: D
Rationale: Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment is used to prevent blindness caused by
gonorrhea or chlamydia.
5. A nurse is caring for a client with preeclampsia receiving Magnesium Sulfate.
Which finding should the nurse report immediately?
A. Respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min
B. Deep tendon reflexes 2+
C. Urine output of 40 mL/hr
D. Fetal heart rate of 140 bpm
Answer: A
Rationale: A respiratory rate below 12 is a sign of magnesium toxicity.
, 6. What is the preferred site for an intramuscular injection in an infant?
A. Deltoid
B. Vastus lateralis
C. Dorsogluteal
D. Ventrogluteal
Answer: B
Rationale: The vastus lateralis is the largest developed muscle in infants and is the
recommended site for IM injections.
7. A 2-year-old child is admitted with a diagnosis of Laryngotracheobronchitis
(Croup). Which clinical manifestation is most characteristic?
A. High fever and drooling
B. Silent chest and cyanosis
C. Productive cough with wheezing
D. Barking cough and stridor
Answer: D
Rationale: Croup is characterized by edema of the larynx and trachea, resulting in a seal-
like barking cough and inspiratory stridor.
8. Using Naegele’s Rule, calculate the estimated date of delivery (EDD) for a
woman whose last menstrual period began on March 10.
A. December 3
B. November 17
C. January 17
D. December 17
Answer: D
Rationale: Naegele’s Rule: Subtract 3 months, add 7 days, and add 1 year (March 10 - 3
months = Dec 10 + 7 days = Dec 17).
|Galen College
1. A nurse is assessing a newborn 1 minute after birth. The heart rate is 110
bpm, the infant has a slow and weak cry, some flexion of extremities, grimace
when suctioned, and the body is pink with blue extremities. What is the APGAR
score?
A. 5
B. 7
C. 6
D. 8
Answer: C
Rationale: Heart rate >100 (2), Slow/weak cry (1), Some flexion (1), Grimace (1),
Acrocyanosis (1). Total = 6.
2. A pregnant client asks the nurse when she should expect to feel fetal
movement (quickening). The nurse should respond that this typically occurs at:
A. 16 to 20 weeks
B. 12 to 14 weeks
C. 8 to 12 weeks
D. 24 to 26 weeks
Answer: A
Rationale: Quickening usually occurs between 16 and 20 weeks of gestation.
,3. According to Erikson, which developmental task is primary for a toddler (1-3
years)?
A. Trust vs. Mistrust
B. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
C. Initiative vs. Guilt
D. Industry vs. Inferiority
Answer: B
Rationale: Toddlers focus on developing a sense of personal control over physical skills
and independence.
4. Which medication is typically administered to a newborn within 1 hour of
birth to prevent ophthalmia neonatorum?
A. Vitamin K
B. Gentamicin
C. Hepatitis B vaccine
D. Erythromycin ointment
Answer: D
Rationale: Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment is used to prevent blindness caused by
gonorrhea or chlamydia.
5. A nurse is caring for a client with preeclampsia receiving Magnesium Sulfate.
Which finding should the nurse report immediately?
A. Respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min
B. Deep tendon reflexes 2+
C. Urine output of 40 mL/hr
D. Fetal heart rate of 140 bpm
Answer: A
Rationale: A respiratory rate below 12 is a sign of magnesium toxicity.
, 6. What is the preferred site for an intramuscular injection in an infant?
A. Deltoid
B. Vastus lateralis
C. Dorsogluteal
D. Ventrogluteal
Answer: B
Rationale: The vastus lateralis is the largest developed muscle in infants and is the
recommended site for IM injections.
7. A 2-year-old child is admitted with a diagnosis of Laryngotracheobronchitis
(Croup). Which clinical manifestation is most characteristic?
A. High fever and drooling
B. Silent chest and cyanosis
C. Productive cough with wheezing
D. Barking cough and stridor
Answer: D
Rationale: Croup is characterized by edema of the larynx and trachea, resulting in a seal-
like barking cough and inspiratory stridor.
8. Using Naegele’s Rule, calculate the estimated date of delivery (EDD) for a
woman whose last menstrual period began on March 10.
A. December 3
B. November 17
C. January 17
D. December 17
Answer: D
Rationale: Naegele’s Rule: Subtract 3 months, add 7 days, and add 1 year (March 10 - 3
months = Dec 10 + 7 days = Dec 17).
