NR-327 Maternal-Child Nursing – Prep Exam
Question Bank
150+ Multiple Choice Questions with Answers and
Detailed Rationales
Course Description: NR-327 Maternal-Child Nursing is a core course
at Chamberlain University covering nursing care of childbearing and
childrearing families across the health-illness continuum. The
curriculum integrates nursing care of childbearing families with
disorders of the reproductive system, high-risk clients, the
childbearing cycle, and care of the normal newborn through
adolescents .
This question bank contains exactly 150 questions organized by
major content areas aligned with the NR-327 curriculum and the
2026/2027 academic year .
Topic 1: Antepartum & Pregnancy Complications (Questions 1-30)
1. What are the presumptive (subjective) signs of pregnancy?
(Select all that apply)
a) Amenorrhea
b) Nausea and vomiting
c) Positive pregnancy test
,d) Urinary frequency
e) Fetal heart tones
Answer: a, b, d
Rationale: Presumptive signs are subjective changes reported by
the patient, including amenorrhea, nausea/vomiting, urinary
frequency, fatigue, and breast changes. Positive pregnancy test and
fetal heart tones are probable or positive signs .
2. Using Nägele's rule, calculate the estimated due date (EDD) for
a client whose last menstrual period (LMP) was May 10th.
a) February 3rd
b) February 17th
c) March 3rd
d) March 17th
Answer: b
Rationale: Nägele's rule: LMP – 3 months + 7 days. May 10th minus
3 months = February 10th, plus 7 days = February 17th .
3. What is the purpose of administering betamethasone to a
pregnant woman at 32 weeks gestation?
a) Stop preterm labor contractions
b) Accelerate fetal lung maturity
c) Prevent preeclampsia
d) Treat gestational diabetes
Answer: b
,Rationale: Betamethasone is a corticosteroid given to pregnant
women at risk for preterm delivery (24-34 weeks) to accelerate
fetal lung maturity and reduce the risk of respiratory distress
syndrome (RDS) in the newborn .
4. A nurse is caring for a client at 36 weeks gestation who presents
with severe abdominal pain and a rigid abdomen. What should
the nurse suspect?
a) Labor
b) Placenta previa
c) Placental abruption
d) Braxton Hicks contractions
Answer: c
Rationale: Severe abdominal pain with a rigid, board-like abdomen
is classic for placental abruption (abruptio placentae). This is an
obstetric emergency requiring immediate evaluation and delivery .
5. A client at 32 weeks gestation is diagnosed with placenta
previa. Which finding would the nurse expect?
a) Severe abdominal pain with dark red bleeding
b) Painless bright red vaginal bleeding
c) Hypertension and proteinuria
d) Uterine contractions every 2 minutes
Answer: b
Rationale: Placenta previa is characterized by painless, bright red
vaginal bleeding in the second or third trimester due to the
, placenta covering the cervical os. Abdominal pain is NOT present
unless abruption occurs .
6. What is the purpose of administering magnesium sulfate to a
client with severe preeclampsia?
a) Lower blood pressure
b) Prevent seizures (eclampsia prophylaxis)
c) Accelerate fetal lung maturity
d) Induce labor
Answer: b
Rationale: Magnesium sulfate is the drug of choice for eclampsia
prophylaxis and treatment. It prevents and controls seizures in
clients with severe preeclampsia .
7. A client receiving magnesium sulfate has respirations of 10
breaths per minute. What is the priority action?
a) Continue monitoring
b) Notify the provider
c) Discontinue the infusion and administer calcium gluconate
d) Increase the infusion rate
Answer: c
Rationale: Respiratory depression (<12 breaths/min) is a sign of
magnesium toxicity. The infusion should be discontinued and
calcium gluconate (antidote) administered .
8. A client with gestational diabetes is being taught about blood
glucose monitoring. Which statement indicates understanding?
Question Bank
150+ Multiple Choice Questions with Answers and
Detailed Rationales
Course Description: NR-327 Maternal-Child Nursing is a core course
at Chamberlain University covering nursing care of childbearing and
childrearing families across the health-illness continuum. The
curriculum integrates nursing care of childbearing families with
disorders of the reproductive system, high-risk clients, the
childbearing cycle, and care of the normal newborn through
adolescents .
This question bank contains exactly 150 questions organized by
major content areas aligned with the NR-327 curriculum and the
2026/2027 academic year .
Topic 1: Antepartum & Pregnancy Complications (Questions 1-30)
1. What are the presumptive (subjective) signs of pregnancy?
(Select all that apply)
a) Amenorrhea
b) Nausea and vomiting
c) Positive pregnancy test
,d) Urinary frequency
e) Fetal heart tones
Answer: a, b, d
Rationale: Presumptive signs are subjective changes reported by
the patient, including amenorrhea, nausea/vomiting, urinary
frequency, fatigue, and breast changes. Positive pregnancy test and
fetal heart tones are probable or positive signs .
2. Using Nägele's rule, calculate the estimated due date (EDD) for
a client whose last menstrual period (LMP) was May 10th.
a) February 3rd
b) February 17th
c) March 3rd
d) March 17th
Answer: b
Rationale: Nägele's rule: LMP – 3 months + 7 days. May 10th minus
3 months = February 10th, plus 7 days = February 17th .
3. What is the purpose of administering betamethasone to a
pregnant woman at 32 weeks gestation?
a) Stop preterm labor contractions
b) Accelerate fetal lung maturity
c) Prevent preeclampsia
d) Treat gestational diabetes
Answer: b
,Rationale: Betamethasone is a corticosteroid given to pregnant
women at risk for preterm delivery (24-34 weeks) to accelerate
fetal lung maturity and reduce the risk of respiratory distress
syndrome (RDS) in the newborn .
4. A nurse is caring for a client at 36 weeks gestation who presents
with severe abdominal pain and a rigid abdomen. What should
the nurse suspect?
a) Labor
b) Placenta previa
c) Placental abruption
d) Braxton Hicks contractions
Answer: c
Rationale: Severe abdominal pain with a rigid, board-like abdomen
is classic for placental abruption (abruptio placentae). This is an
obstetric emergency requiring immediate evaluation and delivery .
5. A client at 32 weeks gestation is diagnosed with placenta
previa. Which finding would the nurse expect?
a) Severe abdominal pain with dark red bleeding
b) Painless bright red vaginal bleeding
c) Hypertension and proteinuria
d) Uterine contractions every 2 minutes
Answer: b
Rationale: Placenta previa is characterized by painless, bright red
vaginal bleeding in the second or third trimester due to the
, placenta covering the cervical os. Abdominal pain is NOT present
unless abruption occurs .
6. What is the purpose of administering magnesium sulfate to a
client with severe preeclampsia?
a) Lower blood pressure
b) Prevent seizures (eclampsia prophylaxis)
c) Accelerate fetal lung maturity
d) Induce labor
Answer: b
Rationale: Magnesium sulfate is the drug of choice for eclampsia
prophylaxis and treatment. It prevents and controls seizures in
clients with severe preeclampsia .
7. A client receiving magnesium sulfate has respirations of 10
breaths per minute. What is the priority action?
a) Continue monitoring
b) Notify the provider
c) Discontinue the infusion and administer calcium gluconate
d) Increase the infusion rate
Answer: c
Rationale: Respiratory depression (<12 breaths/min) is a sign of
magnesium toxicity. The infusion should be discontinued and
calcium gluconate (antidote) administered .
8. A client with gestational diabetes is being taught about blood
glucose monitoring. Which statement indicates understanding?
