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NCLEX STYLE QUESTIONS FOR INTRAPARTUM,
ANTEPARTUM, POSTPARTUM AND NEWBORN EXAM 2026
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS EXAM 2026 LATEST EDITION
SOLVED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS VERIFIED
The nursing instructor teaches a group of students about fetal circulation and
then asks a student to describe fetal circulation, specifically the ductus
venosus. Which statement by the student indicates an understanding of the
ductus venosus?
1. "It connects the pulmonary artery to the aorta."
2. "It is an opening between the right and left atria."
3. "It connects the umbilical vein to the inferior
vena cava."
4. "It connects the umbilical artery to the inferior
vena cava."
Answer: 3
Rationale: The ductus venosus connects the umbilical vein to the inferior vena cava.
The foramen ovale is a temporary opening between the right and left atria. The
ductus arteriosus joins the aorta and the pulmonary artery.
Test-Taking Strategy: Focus on the subject, an understanding of the description of
the ductus venosus. Use knowledge of fetal circulation to assist in answering. Also
note the relationship of the word venosus in the question and vein in the correct
option.
A pregnant client tells the clinic nurse that they want to know the sex of the
baby as soon as it can be determined. The nurse plans to inform the client that
they will be able to find out the sex at 16 weeks' gestation because of which
factor?
1. The appearance of the fetal external genitalia
2. The beginning of differentiation in the fetal groin
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3. The fetal testes are descended into the scrotal sac.
4. The internal differences in different genders become apparent.
Answer: 1
Rationale: Between weeks 16 and 20, the external genitalia of the fetus have
developed to such a degree that the sex of the fetus can be determined visually.
Differentiation of the external genitalia occurs at the end of the ninth week. Testes
begin to descend into the scrotal sac at the end of the 38th week Internal differences
in the genders occur at the end of the seventh week.
Test-Taking Strategy: Focus on the subject, when the sex of the fetus can be
determined. Use knowledge about fetal growth and development. Remember that
the sex of the fetus can be recognizable visually on ultrasound by the appearance of
the external genitalia between gestational weeks 16 and 20.
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questions, pharmacology, and test-taking techniques with confidence.
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Contact:
The nurse is performing an assessment on a client who is at 38 weeks'
gestation and notes that the fetal heart rate (FHR) is 174 beats per minute. On
the basis of this finding, what is the priority nursing action?
1. Document the finding.
2. Notify the obstetrician (OB).
3. Check the mother's heart rate.
4. Tell the client that the fetal heart rate is normal.
Answer: 2
Rationale: The FHR depends on gestational age and ranges from 160 to 170 beats
per minute in the first trimester but slows with fetal growth to 110 to 160 beats per
minute. If the FHR is less than 110 beats per minute or more than 160 beats per
minute with the uterus at rest, the fetus may be in distress. Because the FHR is
increased from the reference range, the nurse would notify the OB. Options 3 and 4
are inappropriate actions based on the information in the question. Although the
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nurse documents the findings, based on the information in the question, the OB
needs to be notified.
Test-Taking Strategy: Focus on the data in the question and note the strategic word,
priority. Then, note if an abnormality exists. Also note the FHR and that the client is
at 38 weeks of gestation. Remember that the normal FHR is 110 to 160 beats per
minute.
The nurse is conducting a prenatal class on the reproductive system. When a
client in the class asks why the fertilized ovum stays in the fallopian tube for 3
days, what is the nurse's best response?
1. "It promotes the fertilized ovum's chances of survival."
2. "It promotes the fertilized ovum's exposure to estrogen and progesterone."
3. "It promotes the fertilized ovum's normal implantation in the top portion of
the uterus."
4. "It promotes the fertilized ovum's exposure to luteinizing hormone and
follicle-stimulating hormone."
Answer: 3
Rationale: The tubal isthmus remains contracted until 3 days after conception to
allow the fertilized ovum to develop within the tube. This initial growth of the fertilized
ovum promotes its normal implantation in the fundal portion of the uterine corpus.
Estrogen is a hormone produced by the ovarian follicles, corpus luteum, adrenal
cortex, and placenta during pregnancy. Progesterone is a hormone secreted by the
corpus luteum of the ovary, adrenal glands, and placenta during pregnancy.
Luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone are excreted by the anterior
pituitary gland. The survival of the fertilized ovum does not depend on it staying in
the fallopian tube for 3 days.
Test-Taking Strategy: Note the strategic word, best, and use knowledge of the
anatomy and physiology of the reproductive system. Remember that fertilization
occurs in the fallopian tube and that the fertilized ovum remains in the fallopian tube
for about 3 days. This promotes its normal implantation.
The nursing instructor asks a nursing student to explain the characteristics of
the amniotic fluid. The student responds correctly by explaining which as
characteristics of amniotic fluid? Select all that apply.
1. Allows for fetal movement
2. Surrounds, cushions, and protects the fetus
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3. Maintains the body temperature of the fetus
4. Can be used to measure fetal kidney function
5. Prevents large particles such as bacteria from
passing to the fetus
6. Provides an exchange of nutrients and waste
products between the birthing parent and the fetus
Answer: 1, 2, 3, 4
Rationale: The amniotic fluid surrounds, cushions, and protects the fetus. It allows
the fetus to move freely and maintains the body temperature of the fetus. In addition,
the amniotic fluid contains urine from the fetus and can be used to assess fetal
kidney function. The placenta prevents large particles such as bacteria from passing
to the fetus and provides an exchange of nutrients and waste products between the
birthing parent and the fetus.
Test-Taking Strategy: Focus on the subject, the characteristics of amniotic fluid.
Visualizing the location of the amniotic fluid will assist in answering this question.
A couple comes to the family planning clinic and asks about sterilization
procedures. Which question by the nurse would determine whether this
method of family planning would be most appropriate?
1. "Have you ever had surgery?"
2. "Do you plan to have any other children?"
3. "Do either of you have diabetes mellitus?"
4. "Do either of you have problems with high blood
pressure?"
Answer: 2
Rationale: Sterilization is a method of contraception for couples who have completed
their families. It should be considered a permanent end to fertility, because reversal
surgery is not always successful. The nurse would ask the couple about their plans
for having children in the future. Options 1, 3, and 4 are unrelated to this procedure.
Test-Taking Strategy: Note the strategic words, most appropriate. Focus on the
subject, sterilization procedure. Note the relationship between the word sterilization
and the words plan to have any other children in the correct option.
The nurse is preparing to teach a prenatal class about fetal circulation. Which
statements would be included in the teaching plan?
Select all that apply.
NCLEX STYLE QUESTIONS FOR INTRAPARTUM,
ANTEPARTUM, POSTPARTUM AND NEWBORN EXAM 2026
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS EXAM 2026 LATEST EDITION
SOLVED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS VERIFIED
The nursing instructor teaches a group of students about fetal circulation and
then asks a student to describe fetal circulation, specifically the ductus
venosus. Which statement by the student indicates an understanding of the
ductus venosus?
1. "It connects the pulmonary artery to the aorta."
2. "It is an opening between the right and left atria."
3. "It connects the umbilical vein to the inferior
vena cava."
4. "It connects the umbilical artery to the inferior
vena cava."
Answer: 3
Rationale: The ductus venosus connects the umbilical vein to the inferior vena cava.
The foramen ovale is a temporary opening between the right and left atria. The
ductus arteriosus joins the aorta and the pulmonary artery.
Test-Taking Strategy: Focus on the subject, an understanding of the description of
the ductus venosus. Use knowledge of fetal circulation to assist in answering. Also
note the relationship of the word venosus in the question and vein in the correct
option.
A pregnant client tells the clinic nurse that they want to know the sex of the
baby as soon as it can be determined. The nurse plans to inform the client that
they will be able to find out the sex at 16 weeks' gestation because of which
factor?
1. The appearance of the fetal external genitalia
2. The beginning of differentiation in the fetal groin
, Page 2 of 62
3. The fetal testes are descended into the scrotal sac.
4. The internal differences in different genders become apparent.
Answer: 1
Rationale: Between weeks 16 and 20, the external genitalia of the fetus have
developed to such a degree that the sex of the fetus can be determined visually.
Differentiation of the external genitalia occurs at the end of the ninth week. Testes
begin to descend into the scrotal sac at the end of the 38th week Internal differences
in the genders occur at the end of the seventh week.
Test-Taking Strategy: Focus on the subject, when the sex of the fetus can be
determined. Use knowledge about fetal growth and development. Remember that
the sex of the fetus can be recognizable visually on ultrasound by the appearance of
the external genitalia between gestational weeks 16 and 20.
PASS YOUR NCLEX ON YOUR FIRST ATTEMPT!
I help nursing students master NCLEX strategies, critical thinking, SATA
questions, pharmacology, and test-taking techniques with confidence.
Join my coaching program today and prepare smarter, not harder.
Contact:
The nurse is performing an assessment on a client who is at 38 weeks'
gestation and notes that the fetal heart rate (FHR) is 174 beats per minute. On
the basis of this finding, what is the priority nursing action?
1. Document the finding.
2. Notify the obstetrician (OB).
3. Check the mother's heart rate.
4. Tell the client that the fetal heart rate is normal.
Answer: 2
Rationale: The FHR depends on gestational age and ranges from 160 to 170 beats
per minute in the first trimester but slows with fetal growth to 110 to 160 beats per
minute. If the FHR is less than 110 beats per minute or more than 160 beats per
minute with the uterus at rest, the fetus may be in distress. Because the FHR is
increased from the reference range, the nurse would notify the OB. Options 3 and 4
are inappropriate actions based on the information in the question. Although the
, Page 3 of 62
nurse documents the findings, based on the information in the question, the OB
needs to be notified.
Test-Taking Strategy: Focus on the data in the question and note the strategic word,
priority. Then, note if an abnormality exists. Also note the FHR and that the client is
at 38 weeks of gestation. Remember that the normal FHR is 110 to 160 beats per
minute.
The nurse is conducting a prenatal class on the reproductive system. When a
client in the class asks why the fertilized ovum stays in the fallopian tube for 3
days, what is the nurse's best response?
1. "It promotes the fertilized ovum's chances of survival."
2. "It promotes the fertilized ovum's exposure to estrogen and progesterone."
3. "It promotes the fertilized ovum's normal implantation in the top portion of
the uterus."
4. "It promotes the fertilized ovum's exposure to luteinizing hormone and
follicle-stimulating hormone."
Answer: 3
Rationale: The tubal isthmus remains contracted until 3 days after conception to
allow the fertilized ovum to develop within the tube. This initial growth of the fertilized
ovum promotes its normal implantation in the fundal portion of the uterine corpus.
Estrogen is a hormone produced by the ovarian follicles, corpus luteum, adrenal
cortex, and placenta during pregnancy. Progesterone is a hormone secreted by the
corpus luteum of the ovary, adrenal glands, and placenta during pregnancy.
Luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone are excreted by the anterior
pituitary gland. The survival of the fertilized ovum does not depend on it staying in
the fallopian tube for 3 days.
Test-Taking Strategy: Note the strategic word, best, and use knowledge of the
anatomy and physiology of the reproductive system. Remember that fertilization
occurs in the fallopian tube and that the fertilized ovum remains in the fallopian tube
for about 3 days. This promotes its normal implantation.
The nursing instructor asks a nursing student to explain the characteristics of
the amniotic fluid. The student responds correctly by explaining which as
characteristics of amniotic fluid? Select all that apply.
1. Allows for fetal movement
2. Surrounds, cushions, and protects the fetus
, Page 4 of 62
3. Maintains the body temperature of the fetus
4. Can be used to measure fetal kidney function
5. Prevents large particles such as bacteria from
passing to the fetus
6. Provides an exchange of nutrients and waste
products between the birthing parent and the fetus
Answer: 1, 2, 3, 4
Rationale: The amniotic fluid surrounds, cushions, and protects the fetus. It allows
the fetus to move freely and maintains the body temperature of the fetus. In addition,
the amniotic fluid contains urine from the fetus and can be used to assess fetal
kidney function. The placenta prevents large particles such as bacteria from passing
to the fetus and provides an exchange of nutrients and waste products between the
birthing parent and the fetus.
Test-Taking Strategy: Focus on the subject, the characteristics of amniotic fluid.
Visualizing the location of the amniotic fluid will assist in answering this question.
A couple comes to the family planning clinic and asks about sterilization
procedures. Which question by the nurse would determine whether this
method of family planning would be most appropriate?
1. "Have you ever had surgery?"
2. "Do you plan to have any other children?"
3. "Do either of you have diabetes mellitus?"
4. "Do either of you have problems with high blood
pressure?"
Answer: 2
Rationale: Sterilization is a method of contraception for couples who have completed
their families. It should be considered a permanent end to fertility, because reversal
surgery is not always successful. The nurse would ask the couple about their plans
for having children in the future. Options 1, 3, and 4 are unrelated to this procedure.
Test-Taking Strategy: Note the strategic words, most appropriate. Focus on the
subject, sterilization procedure. Note the relationship between the word sterilization
and the words plan to have any other children in the correct option.
The nurse is preparing to teach a prenatal class about fetal circulation. Which
statements would be included in the teaching plan?
Select all that apply.
