RNC-MNN — Maternal Newborn Nursing
Certification Exam Complete Practice
Questions with Verified Answers &
Rationales
Based on the official NCC (National Certification Corporation) exam blueprint for the
RNC-MNN credential, which validates specialized knowledge in maternal-newborn
nursing for the childbearing family from birth to six weeks in hospital and community
settings
Question 1
Calculate the estimated due date (EDD) using Naegele's rule for a patient
whose last menstrual period (LMP) was April 1, 2017.
• A) December 25, 2017
• B) January 1, 2018
• C) January 8, 2018
• D) February 8, 2018
Correct ,,,,Answer,,,,: C
Rationale: Naegele's rule: subtract 3 months from LMP and add 7 days.
April 1 → January 1 + 7 days = January 8, 2018. This assumes a 28-day
cycle .
,Question 2
The classic triad of symptoms of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH)
includes which of the following?
• A) Headache, visual changes, epigastric pain
• B) Hypertension, proteinuria, edema
• C) Hypertension, hyperreflexia, oliguria
• D) Edema, proteinuria, and elevated blood pressure
Correct ,,,,Answer,,,,: D
Rationale: PIH (gestational hypertension/preeclampsia) is diagnosed by
new-onset hypertension after 20 weeks gestation along with proteinuria
and/or edema .
Question 3
When considering maternal arterial blood gases during pregnancy, it is
known that pregnant women are in what physiologic state?
• A) Metabolic acidosis
• B) Respiratory acidosis
• C) Compensated respiratory alkalosis
• D) Metabolic alkalosis
Correct ,,,,Answer,,,,: C
Rationale: Pregnancy causes a compensated respiratory alkalosis due to
progesterone-induced increased tidal volume. PaCO₂ decreases to 28-32
mmHg with normal pH .
,Question 4
What medication is given to mothers to increase fetal surfactant
production and decrease the risk of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)
in the premature infant?
• A) Magnesium sulfate
• B) Antenatal steroids (betamethasone or dexamethasone)
• C) Terbutaline
• D) Nifedipine
Correct ,,,,Answer,,,,: B
Rationale: Betamethasone or dexamethasone administered to mothers
at risk for preterm delivery (24-34 weeks) accelerates fetal lung maturity
by stimulating surfactant production .
Question 5
The most commonly used drug to treat preterm labor in the United States
is:
• A) Terbutaline
• B) Magnesium sulfate
• C) Nifedipine
• D) Indomethacin
Correct ,,,,Answer,,,,: B
Rationale: Magnesium sulfate is the most commonly used tocolytic in the
US for preterm labor, though its mechanism of action is not fully
understood. Nifedipine is increasingly used as first-line in many centers .
, Question 6
The antidote for magnesium sulfate toxicity is:
• A) Naloxone
• B) Calcium gluconate
• C) Sodium bicarbonate
• D) Protamine sulfate
Correct ,,,,Answer,,,,: B
Rationale: Calcium gluconate (1 gram IV over 3-5 minutes) reverses
magnesium-induced respiratory depression and cardiac arrest by
antagonizing magnesium's effects at the neuromuscular junction .
Question 7
Most placentas should deliver within how many minutes after delivery of
the infant?
• A) 15 minutes
• B) 30 minutes
• C) 45 minutes
• D) 60 minutes
Correct ,,,,Answer,,,,: B
Rationale: Placental delivery should occur within 30 minutes of infant
birth. Prolonged third stage beyond 30 minutes increases risk of
postpartum hemorrhage .
Certification Exam Complete Practice
Questions with Verified Answers &
Rationales
Based on the official NCC (National Certification Corporation) exam blueprint for the
RNC-MNN credential, which validates specialized knowledge in maternal-newborn
nursing for the childbearing family from birth to six weeks in hospital and community
settings
Question 1
Calculate the estimated due date (EDD) using Naegele's rule for a patient
whose last menstrual period (LMP) was April 1, 2017.
• A) December 25, 2017
• B) January 1, 2018
• C) January 8, 2018
• D) February 8, 2018
Correct ,,,,Answer,,,,: C
Rationale: Naegele's rule: subtract 3 months from LMP and add 7 days.
April 1 → January 1 + 7 days = January 8, 2018. This assumes a 28-day
cycle .
,Question 2
The classic triad of symptoms of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH)
includes which of the following?
• A) Headache, visual changes, epigastric pain
• B) Hypertension, proteinuria, edema
• C) Hypertension, hyperreflexia, oliguria
• D) Edema, proteinuria, and elevated blood pressure
Correct ,,,,Answer,,,,: D
Rationale: PIH (gestational hypertension/preeclampsia) is diagnosed by
new-onset hypertension after 20 weeks gestation along with proteinuria
and/or edema .
Question 3
When considering maternal arterial blood gases during pregnancy, it is
known that pregnant women are in what physiologic state?
• A) Metabolic acidosis
• B) Respiratory acidosis
• C) Compensated respiratory alkalosis
• D) Metabolic alkalosis
Correct ,,,,Answer,,,,: C
Rationale: Pregnancy causes a compensated respiratory alkalosis due to
progesterone-induced increased tidal volume. PaCO₂ decreases to 28-32
mmHg with normal pH .
,Question 4
What medication is given to mothers to increase fetal surfactant
production and decrease the risk of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)
in the premature infant?
• A) Magnesium sulfate
• B) Antenatal steroids (betamethasone or dexamethasone)
• C) Terbutaline
• D) Nifedipine
Correct ,,,,Answer,,,,: B
Rationale: Betamethasone or dexamethasone administered to mothers
at risk for preterm delivery (24-34 weeks) accelerates fetal lung maturity
by stimulating surfactant production .
Question 5
The most commonly used drug to treat preterm labor in the United States
is:
• A) Terbutaline
• B) Magnesium sulfate
• C) Nifedipine
• D) Indomethacin
Correct ,,,,Answer,,,,: B
Rationale: Magnesium sulfate is the most commonly used tocolytic in the
US for preterm labor, though its mechanism of action is not fully
understood. Nifedipine is increasingly used as first-line in many centers .
, Question 6
The antidote for magnesium sulfate toxicity is:
• A) Naloxone
• B) Calcium gluconate
• C) Sodium bicarbonate
• D) Protamine sulfate
Correct ,,,,Answer,,,,: B
Rationale: Calcium gluconate (1 gram IV over 3-5 minutes) reverses
magnesium-induced respiratory depression and cardiac arrest by
antagonizing magnesium's effects at the neuromuscular junction .
Question 7
Most placentas should deliver within how many minutes after delivery of
the infant?
• A) 15 minutes
• B) 30 minutes
• C) 45 minutes
• D) 60 minutes
Correct ,,,,Answer,,,,: B
Rationale: Placental delivery should occur within 30 minutes of infant
birth. Prolonged third stage beyond 30 minutes increases risk of
postpartum hemorrhage .
