NR 327 Maternal-Child Nursing Week 4 Study Guide 2026
|Chamberlain College
1. A nurse is assessing a client at 34 weeks gestation who has been diagnosed
with preeclampsia. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to
the provider immediately?
A. Epigastric pain or right upper quadrant pain
B. A weight gain of 0.5 kg (1.1 lb) in the past week
C. 1+ bilateral pitting edema in the lower extremities
D. Deep tendon reflexes of 2+
Answer: A
Rationale: Epigastric pain is a sign of liver involvement (subcapsular hepatic edema) and
is a warning sign of impending eclampsia or HELLP syndrome.
2. A nurse is caring for a client receiving magnesium sulfate IV for preeclampsia.
The nurse notes a respiratory rate of 10/min and absent deep tendon reflexes.
Which medication should the nurse prepare to administer?
A. Naloxone
B. Calcium gluconate
C. Terbutaline
D. Hydralazine
Answer: B
Rationale: Calcium gluconate is the antidote for magnesium sulfate toxicity, which
manifests as respiratory depression and loss of deep tendon reflexes.
,3. A nurse is reviewing the lab results of a client with suspected HELLP
syndrome. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Elevated hemoglobin
B. Increased platelet count
C. Low hematocrit and low platelets
D. Decreased liver enzymes
Answer: C
Rationale: HELLP stands for Hemolysis (low Hct), Elevated Liver enzymes, and Low
Platelets.
4. A nurse is monitoring a client in labor who has a prescription for oxytocin.
The nurse observes late decelerations on the fetal monitor. Which action should
the nurse take first?
A. Increase the oxytocin infusion rate
B. Administer oxygen via nasal cannula at 2L/min
C. Perform a vaginal exam
D. Turn the client to a side-lying position
Answer: D
Rationale: The first action for late decelerations is to improve uteroplacental perfusion by
turning the client to their side, followed by stopping oxytocin and administering high-flow
oxygen via non-rebreather mask.
5. Which of the following characteristics distinguishes abruptio placentae from
placenta previa?
A. Painless vaginal bleeding
B. Board-like, tender abdomen
C. Bright red bleeding
D. Normal fetal heart rate
Answer: B
, Rationale: Abruptio placentae is characterized by sudden onset of intense pain and a rigid,
board-like abdomen, whereas placenta previa is typically characterized by painless, bright
red bleeding.
6. A client at 32 weeks gestation is experiencing preterm labor. The provider
prescribes betamethasone. The nurse understands this medication is given to:
A. Promote fetal lung maturity
B. Increase maternal blood pressure
C. Stop uterine contractions
D. Prevent maternal infection
Answer: A
Rationale: Betamethasone is a corticosteroid given to stimulate the production of
surfactant in the fetal lungs to reduce the risk of respiratory distress syndrome.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who is at 30 weeks gestation and has a placenta
previa. Which of the following interventions is contraindicated?
A. Monitoring fetal heart rate
B. Performing a pelvic examination
C. Assessing for vaginal bleeding
D. Administering IV fluids
Answer: B
Rationale: Vaginal or pelvic exams are strictly contraindicated in clients with known
placenta previa as they can cause massive hemorrhage.
|Chamberlain College
1. A nurse is assessing a client at 34 weeks gestation who has been diagnosed
with preeclampsia. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to
the provider immediately?
A. Epigastric pain or right upper quadrant pain
B. A weight gain of 0.5 kg (1.1 lb) in the past week
C. 1+ bilateral pitting edema in the lower extremities
D. Deep tendon reflexes of 2+
Answer: A
Rationale: Epigastric pain is a sign of liver involvement (subcapsular hepatic edema) and
is a warning sign of impending eclampsia or HELLP syndrome.
2. A nurse is caring for a client receiving magnesium sulfate IV for preeclampsia.
The nurse notes a respiratory rate of 10/min and absent deep tendon reflexes.
Which medication should the nurse prepare to administer?
A. Naloxone
B. Calcium gluconate
C. Terbutaline
D. Hydralazine
Answer: B
Rationale: Calcium gluconate is the antidote for magnesium sulfate toxicity, which
manifests as respiratory depression and loss of deep tendon reflexes.
,3. A nurse is reviewing the lab results of a client with suspected HELLP
syndrome. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Elevated hemoglobin
B. Increased platelet count
C. Low hematocrit and low platelets
D. Decreased liver enzymes
Answer: C
Rationale: HELLP stands for Hemolysis (low Hct), Elevated Liver enzymes, and Low
Platelets.
4. A nurse is monitoring a client in labor who has a prescription for oxytocin.
The nurse observes late decelerations on the fetal monitor. Which action should
the nurse take first?
A. Increase the oxytocin infusion rate
B. Administer oxygen via nasal cannula at 2L/min
C. Perform a vaginal exam
D. Turn the client to a side-lying position
Answer: D
Rationale: The first action for late decelerations is to improve uteroplacental perfusion by
turning the client to their side, followed by stopping oxytocin and administering high-flow
oxygen via non-rebreather mask.
5. Which of the following characteristics distinguishes abruptio placentae from
placenta previa?
A. Painless vaginal bleeding
B. Board-like, tender abdomen
C. Bright red bleeding
D. Normal fetal heart rate
Answer: B
, Rationale: Abruptio placentae is characterized by sudden onset of intense pain and a rigid,
board-like abdomen, whereas placenta previa is typically characterized by painless, bright
red bleeding.
6. A client at 32 weeks gestation is experiencing preterm labor. The provider
prescribes betamethasone. The nurse understands this medication is given to:
A. Promote fetal lung maturity
B. Increase maternal blood pressure
C. Stop uterine contractions
D. Prevent maternal infection
Answer: A
Rationale: Betamethasone is a corticosteroid given to stimulate the production of
surfactant in the fetal lungs to reduce the risk of respiratory distress syndrome.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who is at 30 weeks gestation and has a placenta
previa. Which of the following interventions is contraindicated?
A. Monitoring fetal heart rate
B. Performing a pelvic examination
C. Assessing for vaginal bleeding
D. Administering IV fluids
Answer: B
Rationale: Vaginal or pelvic exams are strictly contraindicated in clients with known
placenta previa as they can cause massive hemorrhage.
