NUR 254 Complete Exam Bundle Study Set
2026/2027 | Galen College of Nursing |
Maternal and Pediatric Nursing Exams 1–4 |
200 Verified Practice Questions
NUR 254 EXAM 1: Antepartum Nursing & Prenatal
Care (Questions 1-50)
Q1. A client at 12 weeks gestation reports frequent urination. The
nurse explains this is most likely due to:
A) Urinary tract infection
B) Pressure of the enlarging uterus on the bladder
C) Increased fluid intake
D) Gestational diabetes
Answer: B
Rationale: During the first trimester, the enlarging uterus presses on the
bladder, causing increased urinary frequency. This is a normal adaptation of
pregnancy. UTI would present with burning or dysuria .
Q2. A pregnant client's fundal height is measured at 24 cm at 24
weeks gestation. This finding indicates:
A) Fetal growth restriction
B) Appropriate for gestational age
C) Macrosomia
D) Polyhydramnios
Answer: B
Rationale: Fundal height in centimeters corresponds to weeks of gestation
from 20-34 weeks. 24 cm at 24 weeks is appropriate for gestational age .
,Q3. A client at 36 weeks gestation reports her first episode of
painless vaginal bleeding. The nurse should suspect:
A) Placenta previa
B) Abruptio placentae
C) Normal bloody show
D) Cervical insufficiency
Answer: A
Rationale: Painless vaginal bleeding in the third trimester is characteristic of
placenta previa. Abruptio placentae typically presents with painful bleeding .
Q4. A client at 34 weeks gestation reports a sudden onset of severe
abdominal pain with a "board-like" abdomen. There is no vaginal
bleeding. The most likely diagnosis is:
A) Placenta previa
B) Abruptio placentae
C) Ruptured uterus
D) Appendicitis
Answer: B
Rationale: Sudden severe abdominal pain with a "board-like" abdomen
(uterine rigidity) is characteristic of abruptio placentae. This is a medical
emergency .
Q5. A client at 28 weeks gestation has a positive 1-hour glucose
challenge test result of 155 mg/dL. The nurse anticipates the next
step will be:
A) Diagnosis of gestational diabetes
B) 3-hour oral glucose tolerance test
,C) Repeat 1-hour glucose challenge test
D) Initiation of insulin therapy
Answer: B
Rationale: A positive 1-hour GCT requires a 3-hour OGTT for definitive
diagnosis of GDM. A diagnosis is not made from the screening test alone .
Q6. The nurse is providing education to a client in the first trimester
about the signs of potential complications that should be reported.
Which of the following should be included? (Select all that apply)
A) Vaginal bleeding
B) Severe abdominal pain
C) Persistent vomiting
D) Fever
Answer: A, B, C, D
Rationale: Warning signs in pregnancy include vaginal bleeding, severe
abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, fever, headache unrelieved by
acetaminophen, and absence of fetal movement .
Q7. Nagele's rule is used to calculate estimated date of delivery. A
client's last menstrual period (LMP) was May 10. Using Nagele's
rule, the estimated date of delivery (EDD) is:
A) February 3
B) February 17
C) February 10
D) March 3
Answer: B
Rationale: Nagele's rule: Subtract 3 months from LMP and add 7 days. May
10 → February 10 + 7 days = February 17 .
, Q8. The nurse is teaching a prenatal class about nutrition. Which
statement about folic acid supplementation is accurate?
A) Folic acid prevents preterm labor
B) Folic acid reduces the risk of neural tube defects
C) Folic acid treats gestational diabetes
D) Folic acid prevents macrosomia
Answer: B
Rationale: Folic acid supplementation (400-800 mcg daily) before conception
and during early pregnancy significantly reduces the risk of neural tube
defects such as spina bifida .
Q9. A client at 8 weeks gestation asks the nurse about using hair
dye. The most appropriate response is:
A) "Avoid completely until after birth"
B) "Yes, but only after the first trimester"
C) "It's safe after 12 weeks; just ensure good ventilation"
D) "If you wait until the third trimester, it is acceptable"
Answer: C
Rationale: Limited systemic absorption makes hair dye safe after the first
trimester. Good ventilation and avoiding skin contact are recommended .
Q10. Which immunization is contraindicated during pregnancy?
A) Tdap
B) Influenza inactivated
C) MMR
D) COVID-19 mRNA
Answer: C
2026/2027 | Galen College of Nursing |
Maternal and Pediatric Nursing Exams 1–4 |
200 Verified Practice Questions
NUR 254 EXAM 1: Antepartum Nursing & Prenatal
Care (Questions 1-50)
Q1. A client at 12 weeks gestation reports frequent urination. The
nurse explains this is most likely due to:
A) Urinary tract infection
B) Pressure of the enlarging uterus on the bladder
C) Increased fluid intake
D) Gestational diabetes
Answer: B
Rationale: During the first trimester, the enlarging uterus presses on the
bladder, causing increased urinary frequency. This is a normal adaptation of
pregnancy. UTI would present with burning or dysuria .
Q2. A pregnant client's fundal height is measured at 24 cm at 24
weeks gestation. This finding indicates:
A) Fetal growth restriction
B) Appropriate for gestational age
C) Macrosomia
D) Polyhydramnios
Answer: B
Rationale: Fundal height in centimeters corresponds to weeks of gestation
from 20-34 weeks. 24 cm at 24 weeks is appropriate for gestational age .
,Q3. A client at 36 weeks gestation reports her first episode of
painless vaginal bleeding. The nurse should suspect:
A) Placenta previa
B) Abruptio placentae
C) Normal bloody show
D) Cervical insufficiency
Answer: A
Rationale: Painless vaginal bleeding in the third trimester is characteristic of
placenta previa. Abruptio placentae typically presents with painful bleeding .
Q4. A client at 34 weeks gestation reports a sudden onset of severe
abdominal pain with a "board-like" abdomen. There is no vaginal
bleeding. The most likely diagnosis is:
A) Placenta previa
B) Abruptio placentae
C) Ruptured uterus
D) Appendicitis
Answer: B
Rationale: Sudden severe abdominal pain with a "board-like" abdomen
(uterine rigidity) is characteristic of abruptio placentae. This is a medical
emergency .
Q5. A client at 28 weeks gestation has a positive 1-hour glucose
challenge test result of 155 mg/dL. The nurse anticipates the next
step will be:
A) Diagnosis of gestational diabetes
B) 3-hour oral glucose tolerance test
,C) Repeat 1-hour glucose challenge test
D) Initiation of insulin therapy
Answer: B
Rationale: A positive 1-hour GCT requires a 3-hour OGTT for definitive
diagnosis of GDM. A diagnosis is not made from the screening test alone .
Q6. The nurse is providing education to a client in the first trimester
about the signs of potential complications that should be reported.
Which of the following should be included? (Select all that apply)
A) Vaginal bleeding
B) Severe abdominal pain
C) Persistent vomiting
D) Fever
Answer: A, B, C, D
Rationale: Warning signs in pregnancy include vaginal bleeding, severe
abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, fever, headache unrelieved by
acetaminophen, and absence of fetal movement .
Q7. Nagele's rule is used to calculate estimated date of delivery. A
client's last menstrual period (LMP) was May 10. Using Nagele's
rule, the estimated date of delivery (EDD) is:
A) February 3
B) February 17
C) February 10
D) March 3
Answer: B
Rationale: Nagele's rule: Subtract 3 months from LMP and add 7 days. May
10 → February 10 + 7 days = February 17 .
, Q8. The nurse is teaching a prenatal class about nutrition. Which
statement about folic acid supplementation is accurate?
A) Folic acid prevents preterm labor
B) Folic acid reduces the risk of neural tube defects
C) Folic acid treats gestational diabetes
D) Folic acid prevents macrosomia
Answer: B
Rationale: Folic acid supplementation (400-800 mcg daily) before conception
and during early pregnancy significantly reduces the risk of neural tube
defects such as spina bifida .
Q9. A client at 8 weeks gestation asks the nurse about using hair
dye. The most appropriate response is:
A) "Avoid completely until after birth"
B) "Yes, but only after the first trimester"
C) "It's safe after 12 weeks; just ensure good ventilation"
D) "If you wait until the third trimester, it is acceptable"
Answer: C
Rationale: Limited systemic absorption makes hair dye safe after the first
trimester. Good ventilation and avoiding skin contact are recommended .
Q10. Which immunization is contraindicated during pregnancy?
A) Tdap
B) Influenza inactivated
C) MMR
D) COVID-19 mRNA
Answer: C
