MATERNAL-NEWBORN AND WOMEN'S HEALTH
NURSING – 150 ORIGINAL PRACTICE QUESTIONS
WITH ANSWERS & RATIONALES
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF MATERNITY, WOMEN'S
HEALTH & FAMILY CARE (Questions 1–20)
Question 1
A nurse is teaching a group of women about preconception counseling.
Which statement indicates understanding?
A) "I should start taking folic acid after I confirm I'm pregnant."
B) "I should begin taking 400-800 mcg of folic acid daily before conception."
C) "Folic acid is only important in the third trimester."
D) "I only need folic acid if I have a family history of neural tube defects."
Answer: B) "I should begin taking 400-800 mcg of folic acid daily
before conception."
*Rationale: Folic acid supplementation should begin at least 1-3 months
before conception because neural tube closure occurs by 28 days after
conception, often before a woman knows she is pregnant. Adequate folic
acid intake reduces the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida and
anencephaly.*
Question 2
A nurse is reviewing the concept of family-centered maternity care. Which
statement best describes this approach?
,A) Care is focused solely on the pregnant woman
B) Care is planned and provided around the whole family, recognizing the
family as the constant in the child's life
C) The healthcare provider makes all decisions for the family
D) Family members are excluded from the birthing process
Answer: B) Care is planned and provided around the whole family,
recognizing the family as the constant in the child's life
Rationale: Family-centered care recognizes the family as the primary unit of
care. It involves the family in decision-making, respects cultural diversity,
encourages family presence during procedures and hospitalization, and
provides support that strengthens family functioning.
Question 3
Which of the following is a major goal of Healthy People 2030 related to
maternal health?
A) Increase cesarean birth rates
B) Reduce maternal deaths and severe maternal morbidity
C) Limit access to prenatal care
D) Discourage breastfeeding
Answer: B) Reduce maternal deaths and severe maternal morbidity
Rationale: Healthy People 2030 objectives include reducing maternal
mortality, reducing severe maternal complications, increasing the proportion
of women who receive early and adequate prenatal care, and improving
breastfeeding rates. Maternal health equity is a key focus.
Question 4
A nurse is providing culturally competent care to a postpartum client. Which
action demonstrates cultural competence?
A) Assuming all clients from a culture have the same beliefs
B) Asking the client about their cultural practices and preferences related to
postpartum care
C) Ignoring cultural differences
D) Imposing the nurse's cultural beliefs on the client
,Answer: B) Asking the client about their cultural practices and
preferences related to postpartum care
Rationale: Cultural competence involves recognizing and respecting cultural
differences, assessing individual cultural beliefs and practices, and
incorporating these into the plan of care. Generalizations about cultures
should be avoided; care should be individualized.
Question 5
The nurse understands that the leading cause of maternal mortality in the
United States is:
A) Hemorrhage
B) Infection
C) Cardiovascular conditions (including cardiomyopathy and hypertensive
disorders)
D) Amniotic fluid embolism
Answer: C) Cardiovascular conditions (including cardiomyopathy and
hypertensive disorders)
Rationale: Cardiovascular conditions, including cardiomyopathy,
hypertensive disorders (preeclampsia/eclampsia), and other cardiovascular
diseases, are now the leading causes of maternal mortality. Hemorrhage,
infection, and thromboembolism are also significant causes.
Question 6
A woman asks the nurse about the safety of exercising during pregnancy.
Which response is correct?
A) "You should avoid all exercise during pregnancy."
B) "Moderate exercise, such as walking or swimming, is generally safe and
beneficial during a healthy pregnancy."
C) "Only weight training is safe during pregnancy."
D) "You should begin a vigorous new exercise program."
Answer: B) "Moderate exercise, such as walking or swimming, is
generally safe and beneficial during a healthy pregnancy."
Rationale: Regular moderate exercise during pregnancy improves
circulation, reduces back pain, promotes well-being, and may help with
, labor. Contact sports and activities with high fall risk should be avoided. A
new vigorous exercise program should not be initiated.
Question 7
A pregnant client asks the nurse about consuming fish during pregnancy.
Which recommendation is appropriate?
A) "Avoid all fish during pregnancy."
B) "Consume 2-3 servings of low-mercury fish per week for omega-3 fatty
acids."
C) "Eat as much tuna as you want."
D) "Only shellfish is safe during pregnancy."
Answer: B) "Consume 2-3 servings of low-mercury fish per week for
omega-3 fatty acids."
*Rationale: The FDA and EPA recommend 2-3 servings (8-12 ounces) of low-
mercury fish per week during pregnancy. Fish provides beneficial omega-3
fatty acids for fetal brain development. High-mercury fish (shark, swordfish,
king mackerel, tilefish) should be avoided.*
Question 8
A client who is 8 weeks pregnant asks about alcohol consumption. The
nurse's best response is:
A) "One drink per day is safe."
B) "Only wine is safe during pregnancy."
C) "No amount of alcohol is known to be safe during pregnancy."
D) "Alcohol is only harmful in the first trimester."
Answer: C) "No amount of alcohol is known to be safe during
pregnancy."
Rationale: Alcohol is a teratogen, and no safe level of alcohol consumption
during pregnancy has been established. Alcohol can cause fetal alcohol
spectrum disorders (FASDs), including physical, behavioral, and intellectual
disabilities. Complete abstinence is recommended.
NURSING – 150 ORIGINAL PRACTICE QUESTIONS
WITH ANSWERS & RATIONALES
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF MATERNITY, WOMEN'S
HEALTH & FAMILY CARE (Questions 1–20)
Question 1
A nurse is teaching a group of women about preconception counseling.
Which statement indicates understanding?
A) "I should start taking folic acid after I confirm I'm pregnant."
B) "I should begin taking 400-800 mcg of folic acid daily before conception."
C) "Folic acid is only important in the third trimester."
D) "I only need folic acid if I have a family history of neural tube defects."
Answer: B) "I should begin taking 400-800 mcg of folic acid daily
before conception."
*Rationale: Folic acid supplementation should begin at least 1-3 months
before conception because neural tube closure occurs by 28 days after
conception, often before a woman knows she is pregnant. Adequate folic
acid intake reduces the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida and
anencephaly.*
Question 2
A nurse is reviewing the concept of family-centered maternity care. Which
statement best describes this approach?
,A) Care is focused solely on the pregnant woman
B) Care is planned and provided around the whole family, recognizing the
family as the constant in the child's life
C) The healthcare provider makes all decisions for the family
D) Family members are excluded from the birthing process
Answer: B) Care is planned and provided around the whole family,
recognizing the family as the constant in the child's life
Rationale: Family-centered care recognizes the family as the primary unit of
care. It involves the family in decision-making, respects cultural diversity,
encourages family presence during procedures and hospitalization, and
provides support that strengthens family functioning.
Question 3
Which of the following is a major goal of Healthy People 2030 related to
maternal health?
A) Increase cesarean birth rates
B) Reduce maternal deaths and severe maternal morbidity
C) Limit access to prenatal care
D) Discourage breastfeeding
Answer: B) Reduce maternal deaths and severe maternal morbidity
Rationale: Healthy People 2030 objectives include reducing maternal
mortality, reducing severe maternal complications, increasing the proportion
of women who receive early and adequate prenatal care, and improving
breastfeeding rates. Maternal health equity is a key focus.
Question 4
A nurse is providing culturally competent care to a postpartum client. Which
action demonstrates cultural competence?
A) Assuming all clients from a culture have the same beliefs
B) Asking the client about their cultural practices and preferences related to
postpartum care
C) Ignoring cultural differences
D) Imposing the nurse's cultural beliefs on the client
,Answer: B) Asking the client about their cultural practices and
preferences related to postpartum care
Rationale: Cultural competence involves recognizing and respecting cultural
differences, assessing individual cultural beliefs and practices, and
incorporating these into the plan of care. Generalizations about cultures
should be avoided; care should be individualized.
Question 5
The nurse understands that the leading cause of maternal mortality in the
United States is:
A) Hemorrhage
B) Infection
C) Cardiovascular conditions (including cardiomyopathy and hypertensive
disorders)
D) Amniotic fluid embolism
Answer: C) Cardiovascular conditions (including cardiomyopathy and
hypertensive disorders)
Rationale: Cardiovascular conditions, including cardiomyopathy,
hypertensive disorders (preeclampsia/eclampsia), and other cardiovascular
diseases, are now the leading causes of maternal mortality. Hemorrhage,
infection, and thromboembolism are also significant causes.
Question 6
A woman asks the nurse about the safety of exercising during pregnancy.
Which response is correct?
A) "You should avoid all exercise during pregnancy."
B) "Moderate exercise, such as walking or swimming, is generally safe and
beneficial during a healthy pregnancy."
C) "Only weight training is safe during pregnancy."
D) "You should begin a vigorous new exercise program."
Answer: B) "Moderate exercise, such as walking or swimming, is
generally safe and beneficial during a healthy pregnancy."
Rationale: Regular moderate exercise during pregnancy improves
circulation, reduces back pain, promotes well-being, and may help with
, labor. Contact sports and activities with high fall risk should be avoided. A
new vigorous exercise program should not be initiated.
Question 7
A pregnant client asks the nurse about consuming fish during pregnancy.
Which recommendation is appropriate?
A) "Avoid all fish during pregnancy."
B) "Consume 2-3 servings of low-mercury fish per week for omega-3 fatty
acids."
C) "Eat as much tuna as you want."
D) "Only shellfish is safe during pregnancy."
Answer: B) "Consume 2-3 servings of low-mercury fish per week for
omega-3 fatty acids."
*Rationale: The FDA and EPA recommend 2-3 servings (8-12 ounces) of low-
mercury fish per week during pregnancy. Fish provides beneficial omega-3
fatty acids for fetal brain development. High-mercury fish (shark, swordfish,
king mackerel, tilefish) should be avoided.*
Question 8
A client who is 8 weeks pregnant asks about alcohol consumption. The
nurse's best response is:
A) "One drink per day is safe."
B) "Only wine is safe during pregnancy."
C) "No amount of alcohol is known to be safe during pregnancy."
D) "Alcohol is only harmful in the first trimester."
Answer: C) "No amount of alcohol is known to be safe during
pregnancy."
Rationale: Alcohol is a teratogen, and no safe level of alcohol consumption
during pregnancy has been established. Alcohol can cause fetal alcohol
spectrum disorders (FASDs), including physical, behavioral, and intellectual
disabilities. Complete abstinence is recommended.
