NUR 2513 / NUR2513 Exam 2: Maternal Child Nursing
– Rasmussen Actual Exam Complete Questions &
Rationales | Obstetrics & Pediatrics | Pass Guaranteed
- A+ Graded
[Antepartum Nursing & Pregnancy Complications]
Q1: A pregnant patient at 28 weeks gestation asks why she feels short of breath when
climbing stairs, even though she was fit before pregnancy. What is the nurse's best
explanation for this physiological change?
A. "The baby is pressing on your diaphragm, preventing full lung expansion."
B. "Your body is using more oxygen and your respiratory rate has increased slightly to
compensate."
C. "You have developed physiologic anemia, which reduces oxygen delivery to your
tissues."
D. "Your blood pressure is elevated, causing fluid to collect in your lungs."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: During pregnancy, the oxygen consumption increases by about 20% and the
tidal volume increases, leading to a subjective feeling of dyspnea even in healthy
women; while the uterus does eventually push up on the diaphragm, the increased
metabolic demand is the primary driver for the sensation of breathlessness with
exertion.
Q2: A patient at 32 weeks gestation presents to the prenatal clinic with a blood pressure
of 150/95 mmHg. She has no history of hypertension. The nurse notes 1+ proteinuria on
the dipstick test. Which condition does this data support?
A. Gestational hypertension
B. Preeclampsia
C. Chronic hypertension
D. Eclampsia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Preeclampsia is defined as new-onset hypertension after 20 weeks gestation
accompanied by proteinuria or end-organ dysfunction; since this patient has both
elevated BP and proteinuria, it fits the diagnosis of preeclampsia.
Q3: A patient with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is discussing the potential risks
to her baby. The nurse explains that uncontrolled blood glucose can lead to fetal
,hyperinsulinemia. What is the primary neonatal complication associated with this
mechanism?
A. Small for gestational age (SGA)
B. Macrosomia and subsequent hypoglycemia
C. Respiratory distress syndrome due to delayed surfactant production
D. Hyperbilirubinemia unrelated to blood type incompatibility
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Fetal hyperinsulinemia acts as a growth hormone, leading to excessive fetal
growth (macrosomia), and after birth, when the maternal glucose supply is cut off, the
baby's high insulin levels can cause precipitous hypoglycemia.
Q4: The nurse is reviewing a patient's prenatal record and notes that the fundal height is
measuring 32 cm at 28 weeks gestation. The patient reports that her grandmother had
twins. What diagnostic test should the nurse anticipate the provider ordering?
A. Non-stress test (NST)
B. Biophysical profile (BPP)
C. Ultrasound
D. Glucose tolerance test (GTT)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A fundal height measuring greater than expected for gestational age
(measuring large for dates) may indicate multiple gestation (twins), polyhydramnios, or
a miscalculated due date; an ultrasound is the gold standard to assess for twins and
amniotic fluid volume.
Q5: A patient at 35 weeks gestation calls the clinic reporting that she "wet her pants" but
wasn't sure if it was urine or amniotic fluid. What instruction should the nurse give to
help differentiate the two?
A. "Go to the hospital immediately; you cannot tell the difference at home."
B. "Wear a pad for an hour and see if the fluid accumulates or has a distinct odor."
C. "Drink a large glass of water and see if the leakage stops, indicating it was urine."
D. "Perform a Kegel exercise; if the leakage stops, it was amniotic fluid."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Amniotic fluid typically continues to leak or trickle because it is coming from
the uterus, whereas urine leakage is usually intermittent and associated with bladder
pressure or stress; amniotic fluid is usually odorless or may smell sweet, unlike urine.
Q6: The nurse is caring for a patient with a diagnosis of complete placenta previa.
Which assessment finding is consistent with this condition?
A. Painful, dark red vaginal bleeding
B. Uterine tenderness and a rigid, board-like abdomen
C. Painless, bright red vaginal bleeding
, D. Fetal bradycardia and absent fetal heart tones
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Placenta previa (where the placenta implants over the cervical os) typically
presents with painless, bright red bleeding because the placenta is unable to stretch
and shears away from the uterine wall as the lower uterine segment thins; painful
bleeding with a rigid abdomen is characteristic of placental abruption.
Q7: A patient is undergoing a contraction stress test (CST). The results are documented
as "negative." How does the nurse interpret this result?
A. No late decelerations were noted with the contractions, indicating the fetus can
tolerate labor stress.
B. The fetal heart rate showed variable decelerations during the test.
C. There were no contractions recorded during the test period.
D. Late decelerations were present in more than 50% of the contractions.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A negative CST (also called a reassuring CST) means that late decelerations
did not occur with the induced contractions; this indicates the fetus has adequate
oxygen reserve and would likely tolerate the stress of labor.
Q8: A patient with preterm labor at 30 weeks is receiving nifedipine (Procardia) as a
tocolytic. The nurse assesses the patient's vital signs. Which finding requires immediate
intervention?
A. Heart rate of 105 bpm
B. Blood pressure of 85/50 mmHg
C. Blood glucose of 110 mg/dL
D. Deep tendon reflexes of 2+
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nifedipine is a calcium channel blocker used to stop contractions, but it can
cause vasodilation leading to hypotension; a blood pressure of 85/50 mmHg is
hypotensive and could compromise uteroplacental perfusion.
Q9: The nurse is providing education to a patient newly diagnosed with mild
preeclampsia who is being sent home on bed rest. What statement by the patient
indicates she understands the teaching?
A. "I will call the doctor if I gain more than 1 pound in a week."
B. "I will take a baby aspirin every day to lower my blood pressure."
C. "I will report any headache, vision changes, or upper abdominal pain immediately."
D. "I will limit my fluid intake to prevent swelling in my ankles."
Correct Answer: C
– Rasmussen Actual Exam Complete Questions &
Rationales | Obstetrics & Pediatrics | Pass Guaranteed
- A+ Graded
[Antepartum Nursing & Pregnancy Complications]
Q1: A pregnant patient at 28 weeks gestation asks why she feels short of breath when
climbing stairs, even though she was fit before pregnancy. What is the nurse's best
explanation for this physiological change?
A. "The baby is pressing on your diaphragm, preventing full lung expansion."
B. "Your body is using more oxygen and your respiratory rate has increased slightly to
compensate."
C. "You have developed physiologic anemia, which reduces oxygen delivery to your
tissues."
D. "Your blood pressure is elevated, causing fluid to collect in your lungs."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: During pregnancy, the oxygen consumption increases by about 20% and the
tidal volume increases, leading to a subjective feeling of dyspnea even in healthy
women; while the uterus does eventually push up on the diaphragm, the increased
metabolic demand is the primary driver for the sensation of breathlessness with
exertion.
Q2: A patient at 32 weeks gestation presents to the prenatal clinic with a blood pressure
of 150/95 mmHg. She has no history of hypertension. The nurse notes 1+ proteinuria on
the dipstick test. Which condition does this data support?
A. Gestational hypertension
B. Preeclampsia
C. Chronic hypertension
D. Eclampsia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Preeclampsia is defined as new-onset hypertension after 20 weeks gestation
accompanied by proteinuria or end-organ dysfunction; since this patient has both
elevated BP and proteinuria, it fits the diagnosis of preeclampsia.
Q3: A patient with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is discussing the potential risks
to her baby. The nurse explains that uncontrolled blood glucose can lead to fetal
,hyperinsulinemia. What is the primary neonatal complication associated with this
mechanism?
A. Small for gestational age (SGA)
B. Macrosomia and subsequent hypoglycemia
C. Respiratory distress syndrome due to delayed surfactant production
D. Hyperbilirubinemia unrelated to blood type incompatibility
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Fetal hyperinsulinemia acts as a growth hormone, leading to excessive fetal
growth (macrosomia), and after birth, when the maternal glucose supply is cut off, the
baby's high insulin levels can cause precipitous hypoglycemia.
Q4: The nurse is reviewing a patient's prenatal record and notes that the fundal height is
measuring 32 cm at 28 weeks gestation. The patient reports that her grandmother had
twins. What diagnostic test should the nurse anticipate the provider ordering?
A. Non-stress test (NST)
B. Biophysical profile (BPP)
C. Ultrasound
D. Glucose tolerance test (GTT)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A fundal height measuring greater than expected for gestational age
(measuring large for dates) may indicate multiple gestation (twins), polyhydramnios, or
a miscalculated due date; an ultrasound is the gold standard to assess for twins and
amniotic fluid volume.
Q5: A patient at 35 weeks gestation calls the clinic reporting that she "wet her pants" but
wasn't sure if it was urine or amniotic fluid. What instruction should the nurse give to
help differentiate the two?
A. "Go to the hospital immediately; you cannot tell the difference at home."
B. "Wear a pad for an hour and see if the fluid accumulates or has a distinct odor."
C. "Drink a large glass of water and see if the leakage stops, indicating it was urine."
D. "Perform a Kegel exercise; if the leakage stops, it was amniotic fluid."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Amniotic fluid typically continues to leak or trickle because it is coming from
the uterus, whereas urine leakage is usually intermittent and associated with bladder
pressure or stress; amniotic fluid is usually odorless or may smell sweet, unlike urine.
Q6: The nurse is caring for a patient with a diagnosis of complete placenta previa.
Which assessment finding is consistent with this condition?
A. Painful, dark red vaginal bleeding
B. Uterine tenderness and a rigid, board-like abdomen
C. Painless, bright red vaginal bleeding
, D. Fetal bradycardia and absent fetal heart tones
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Placenta previa (where the placenta implants over the cervical os) typically
presents with painless, bright red bleeding because the placenta is unable to stretch
and shears away from the uterine wall as the lower uterine segment thins; painful
bleeding with a rigid abdomen is characteristic of placental abruption.
Q7: A patient is undergoing a contraction stress test (CST). The results are documented
as "negative." How does the nurse interpret this result?
A. No late decelerations were noted with the contractions, indicating the fetus can
tolerate labor stress.
B. The fetal heart rate showed variable decelerations during the test.
C. There were no contractions recorded during the test period.
D. Late decelerations were present in more than 50% of the contractions.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A negative CST (also called a reassuring CST) means that late decelerations
did not occur with the induced contractions; this indicates the fetus has adequate
oxygen reserve and would likely tolerate the stress of labor.
Q8: A patient with preterm labor at 30 weeks is receiving nifedipine (Procardia) as a
tocolytic. The nurse assesses the patient's vital signs. Which finding requires immediate
intervention?
A. Heart rate of 105 bpm
B. Blood pressure of 85/50 mmHg
C. Blood glucose of 110 mg/dL
D. Deep tendon reflexes of 2+
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nifedipine is a calcium channel blocker used to stop contractions, but it can
cause vasodilation leading to hypotension; a blood pressure of 85/50 mmHg is
hypotensive and could compromise uteroplacental perfusion.
Q9: The nurse is providing education to a patient newly diagnosed with mild
preeclampsia who is being sent home on bed rest. What statement by the patient
indicates she understands the teaching?
A. "I will call the doctor if I gain more than 1 pound in a week."
B. "I will take a baby aspirin every day to lower my blood pressure."
C. "I will report any headache, vision changes, or upper abdominal pain immediately."
D. "I will limit my fluid intake to prevent swelling in my ankles."
Correct Answer: C
