Childbearing and Child Caring Families Exam 1
Version 2 Questions with Correct Answers and
Expert Explanation for Each Question
1. A nurse is calculating a pregnant client’s estimated date of delivery using Naegele’s
rule. The client’s last menstrual period began on November 1st. Which date should the
nurse identify as the estimated date of delivery?
A. August 1st
B. August 8th
C. July 25th
D. September 8th
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Naegele’s rule is the standard method used to calculate the
estimated date of confinement for a pregnant woman. To apply this rule, the nurse
subtracts three months from the first day of the last menstrual period and adds
seven days. For a period starting November 1st, subtracting three months leads to
August 1st. Adding seven days brings the final estimated date to August 8th of the
following year. This calculation is a fundamental skill in prenatal care to monitor
gestational age accurately.
,2. During a prenatal visit at 24 weeks of gestation, a client reports feeling lightheaded
and dizzy when lying on her back. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Check the client’s blood glucose level immediately
B. Increase the rate of the client’s intravenous fluids
C. Instruct the client to turn onto her left side
D. Obtain a 12-lead electrocardiogram for the client
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Supine hypotensive syndrome occurs when the heavy uterus
compresses the inferior vena cava, reducing blood return to the heart. Turning the
client to her side, specifically the left side, relieves this pressure and improves
cardiac output. This physiological change is common during the second and third
trimesters of pregnancy. The nurse must prioritize this simple mechanical
intervention to restore maternal and fetal perfusion. Educating the client about side-
lying positions is a key part of maternal health safety.
3. At what stage of fetal development does the nurse expect surfactant production to
begin in the lungs?
A. 12 weeks gestation
B. 24 weeks gestation
C. 16 weeks gestation
,D. 36 weeks gestation
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Surfactant is a substance that reduces surface tension in the
alveoli, preventing lung collapse upon expiration. Production typically begins
around 24 weeks of gestation, though it is not sufficient for independent breathing
until later. This milestone is critical for the viability of preterm infants born in the
second or third trimester. Nurses monitor for signs of respiratory distress in infants
born before surfactant levels are adequate. Administration of antenatal
corticosteroids may be required to accelerate this process in high-risk pregnancies.
4. A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which
developmental milestone should the nurse expect the infant to have achieved?
A. Sitting alone without support
B. Walking while holding onto furniture
C. Using a neat pincer grasp to pick up food
D. Speaking three to five recognizable words
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: By 6 months of age, most infants should be able to sit alone
with or without using their hands for support. This milestone indicates significant
progress in gross motor development and trunk control. Other skills like walking or
, using a pincer grasp typically develop later in the first year of life. Developmental
screening at every visit ensures that any delays are identified and addressed early.
The nurse uses these milestones to provide anticipatory guidance to the family
about infant safety and play.
5. The nurse is performing Leopold maneuvers on a client who is at 38 weeks of
gestation. Which information does this technique provide?
A. The intensity and frequency of uterine contractions
B. The cervical dilation and effacement status
C. The volume of amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus
D. The position, presentation, and engagement of the fetus
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Leopold maneuvers are a series of four palpations used to
determine the position of the fetus within the uterus. This assessment helps the
nurse identify the fetal part in the fundus and the location of the fetal back. It is
essential for determining where to place the fetal heart monitor for the most
accurate reading. This non-invasive technique requires a systematic approach to
palpating the maternal abdomen. Accurate assessment of fetal presentation is vital
for planning a safe delivery process.