NUR 2513 MATERNAL-CHILD NURSING FINAL EXAM
2026/2027 | Questions and Verified Answers | Graded A |
Rasmussen | Pass Guaranteed
Foundations of Maternity Nursing: Antepartum and Intrapartum Care
Q1: A pregnant client at 28 weeks gestation asks the nurse about the normal weight
gain pattern during pregnancy. The nurse explains that the recommended total weight
gain for a woman with a normal pre-pregnancy BMI is:
A. 11-20 pounds throughout pregnancy
B. 15-25 pounds throughout pregnancy
C. 25-35 pounds throughout pregnancy [CORRECT]
D. 35-45 pounds throughout pregnancy
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: For women with a normal pre-pregnancy BMI (18.5-24.9), the Institute of
Medicine recommends a total weight gain of 25-35 pounds. This supports optimal fetal
growth while minimizing maternal complications. Option A represents the
recommendation for obese women, Option B is for overweight women, and Option D
exceeds recommendations for any BMI category and would increase risks for
gestational diabetes and macrosomia.
Q2: During a prenatal visit, a client reports experiencing heartburn that worsens after
meals and when lying down. The nurse should recommend which evidence-based
intervention?
,A. Taking sodium bicarbonate tablets after each meal
B. Eating three large meals daily to minimize gastric stimulation
C. Remaining upright for 2-3 hours after eating and using pillows to elevate the head
during sleep [CORRECT]
D. Drinking large amounts of fluid with meals to dilute stomach acid
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Positioning and gravity assistance are first-line non-pharmacologic
interventions for pregnancy-related heartburn caused by progesterone-induced
relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter. Option A is unsafe due to sodium content
and potential metabolic effects. Option B worsens symptoms by increasing gastric
volume and pressure. Option D increases stomach distension and reflux episodes.
Q3: A nurse is reviewing the presumptive, probable, and positive signs of pregnancy with
a nursing student. Which finding would the nurse identify as a positive sign of
pregnancy?
A. Amenorrhea and fatigue
B. Chadwick's sign and Hegar's sign
C. Palpation of fetal movements by the examiner and ultrasound visualization of the
fetus [CORRECT]
D. Nausea and breast tenderness
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Positive signs of pregnancy are those that can only be explained by
pregnancy and include fetal movement felt by the examiner, fetal heart sounds
auscultated by the examiner, and ultrasound visualization. Options A and D are
,presumptive signs (subjective symptoms). Option B represents probable signs
(objective but could have other causes).
Q4: A client at 32 weeks gestation has a hemoglobin of 10.2 g/dL. The nurse recognizes
this finding as:
A. Severe anemia requiring immediate blood transfusion
B. Normal physiologic anemia of pregnancy related to plasma volume expansion
[CORRECT]
C. Indicative of folate deficiency requiring high-dose supplementation
D. A contraindication to vaginal birth due to hemorrhage risk
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hemodilution during pregnancy causes physiologic anemia, with hemoglobin
typically dropping to 11-12 g/dL in the first/second trimester and 10-11 g/dL in the third
trimester. Values below 10 g/dL indicate true anemia. Option A overstates the severity.
Option C assumes deficiency without additional indicators. Option D incorrectly
associates this normal finding with delivery contraindications.
Q5: During labor, the nurse observes the fetal heart rate baseline at 145 bpm with
moderate variability and occasional accelerations. Following a contraction, the nurse
notes a gradual decrease in FHR that returns to baseline after the contraction ends, with
the lowest point occurring after the peak of the contraction. This pattern represents:
A. Early deceleration caused by head compression [CORRECT]
B. Late deceleration indicating uteroplacental insufficiency
C. Variable deceleration caused by umbilical cord compression
D. Prolonged deceleration requiring immediate delivery
Correct Answer: A
, Rationale: Early decelerations are characterized by gradual onset, nadir at or after the
peak of the contraction, and return to baseline by the end of contraction—reflecting
vagal response to fetal head compression during normal labor. Option B (late
deceleration) would have a delayed return to baseline after contraction ends. Option C
(variable) would show abrupt onset and variable timing. Option D describes a pattern
lasting >2 minutes, which this is not.
Q6: A primigravida client in active labor at 5 cm dilation reports pain rated 8/10. She
previously requested epidural anesthesia. The anesthesiologist explains that before
epidural placement, the nurse must ensure:
A. The client has a full bladder to prevent hypotension
B. The client is completely dilated to avoid slowing labor
C. IV access is established and a 500-1000 mL fluid bolus is administered [CORRECT]
D. The client has received oral food and fluids within the hour
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Pre-hydration with 500-1000 mL of crystalloid solution is essential before
epidural placement to prevent hypotension from sympathetic blockade. Option A is
incorrect—an empty bladder is preferred for epidural placement and fetal descent.
Option B is wrong—epidurals can be placed during active labor (typically 4-5 cm). Option
D violates NPO safety guidelines for anesthesia.
Q7: A nurse is caring for a client receiving oxytocin for labor induction. Contractions are
occurring every 1-2 minutes, lasting 90 seconds, with minimal resting tone between
contractions. The fetal heart rate is 170 bpm with decreased variability. What is the
priority nursing action?
A. Increase the oxytocin infusion to accelerate labor completion
B. Discontinue the oxytocin infusion and position the client on her left side [CORRECT]
C. Prepare for immediate cesarean birth without further assessment
2026/2027 | Questions and Verified Answers | Graded A |
Rasmussen | Pass Guaranteed
Foundations of Maternity Nursing: Antepartum and Intrapartum Care
Q1: A pregnant client at 28 weeks gestation asks the nurse about the normal weight
gain pattern during pregnancy. The nurse explains that the recommended total weight
gain for a woman with a normal pre-pregnancy BMI is:
A. 11-20 pounds throughout pregnancy
B. 15-25 pounds throughout pregnancy
C. 25-35 pounds throughout pregnancy [CORRECT]
D. 35-45 pounds throughout pregnancy
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: For women with a normal pre-pregnancy BMI (18.5-24.9), the Institute of
Medicine recommends a total weight gain of 25-35 pounds. This supports optimal fetal
growth while minimizing maternal complications. Option A represents the
recommendation for obese women, Option B is for overweight women, and Option D
exceeds recommendations for any BMI category and would increase risks for
gestational diabetes and macrosomia.
Q2: During a prenatal visit, a client reports experiencing heartburn that worsens after
meals and when lying down. The nurse should recommend which evidence-based
intervention?
,A. Taking sodium bicarbonate tablets after each meal
B. Eating three large meals daily to minimize gastric stimulation
C. Remaining upright for 2-3 hours after eating and using pillows to elevate the head
during sleep [CORRECT]
D. Drinking large amounts of fluid with meals to dilute stomach acid
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Positioning and gravity assistance are first-line non-pharmacologic
interventions for pregnancy-related heartburn caused by progesterone-induced
relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter. Option A is unsafe due to sodium content
and potential metabolic effects. Option B worsens symptoms by increasing gastric
volume and pressure. Option D increases stomach distension and reflux episodes.
Q3: A nurse is reviewing the presumptive, probable, and positive signs of pregnancy with
a nursing student. Which finding would the nurse identify as a positive sign of
pregnancy?
A. Amenorrhea and fatigue
B. Chadwick's sign and Hegar's sign
C. Palpation of fetal movements by the examiner and ultrasound visualization of the
fetus [CORRECT]
D. Nausea and breast tenderness
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Positive signs of pregnancy are those that can only be explained by
pregnancy and include fetal movement felt by the examiner, fetal heart sounds
auscultated by the examiner, and ultrasound visualization. Options A and D are
,presumptive signs (subjective symptoms). Option B represents probable signs
(objective but could have other causes).
Q4: A client at 32 weeks gestation has a hemoglobin of 10.2 g/dL. The nurse recognizes
this finding as:
A. Severe anemia requiring immediate blood transfusion
B. Normal physiologic anemia of pregnancy related to plasma volume expansion
[CORRECT]
C. Indicative of folate deficiency requiring high-dose supplementation
D. A contraindication to vaginal birth due to hemorrhage risk
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hemodilution during pregnancy causes physiologic anemia, with hemoglobin
typically dropping to 11-12 g/dL in the first/second trimester and 10-11 g/dL in the third
trimester. Values below 10 g/dL indicate true anemia. Option A overstates the severity.
Option C assumes deficiency without additional indicators. Option D incorrectly
associates this normal finding with delivery contraindications.
Q5: During labor, the nurse observes the fetal heart rate baseline at 145 bpm with
moderate variability and occasional accelerations. Following a contraction, the nurse
notes a gradual decrease in FHR that returns to baseline after the contraction ends, with
the lowest point occurring after the peak of the contraction. This pattern represents:
A. Early deceleration caused by head compression [CORRECT]
B. Late deceleration indicating uteroplacental insufficiency
C. Variable deceleration caused by umbilical cord compression
D. Prolonged deceleration requiring immediate delivery
Correct Answer: A
, Rationale: Early decelerations are characterized by gradual onset, nadir at or after the
peak of the contraction, and return to baseline by the end of contraction—reflecting
vagal response to fetal head compression during normal labor. Option B (late
deceleration) would have a delayed return to baseline after contraction ends. Option C
(variable) would show abrupt onset and variable timing. Option D describes a pattern
lasting >2 minutes, which this is not.
Q6: A primigravida client in active labor at 5 cm dilation reports pain rated 8/10. She
previously requested epidural anesthesia. The anesthesiologist explains that before
epidural placement, the nurse must ensure:
A. The client has a full bladder to prevent hypotension
B. The client is completely dilated to avoid slowing labor
C. IV access is established and a 500-1000 mL fluid bolus is administered [CORRECT]
D. The client has received oral food and fluids within the hour
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Pre-hydration with 500-1000 mL of crystalloid solution is essential before
epidural placement to prevent hypotension from sympathetic blockade. Option A is
incorrect—an empty bladder is preferred for epidural placement and fetal descent.
Option B is wrong—epidurals can be placed during active labor (typically 4-5 cm). Option
D violates NPO safety guidelines for anesthesia.
Q7: A nurse is caring for a client receiving oxytocin for labor induction. Contractions are
occurring every 1-2 minutes, lasting 90 seconds, with minimal resting tone between
contractions. The fetal heart rate is 170 bpm with decreased variability. What is the
priority nursing action?
A. Increase the oxytocin infusion to accelerate labor completion
B. Discontinue the oxytocin infusion and position the client on her left side [CORRECT]
C. Prepare for immediate cesarean birth without further assessment
