[RNC-OB PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
WITH EXPLANATION] COMPLETE EXAM QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS | 2026–2027 LATEST UPDATE |
GUARANTEED PASS | DETAILED RATIONALES | FULL STUDY
GUIDE | EXAM PREP | PRACTICE TEST | CERTIFICATION
PREPARATION
1. A labor and delivery nurse is reviewing the fetal heart rate tracing of a low-risk patient in active
labor. Which finding is most reassuring regarding fetal oxygenation?
A. Persistent late decelerations
B. Baseline tachycardia of 170 bpm
C. Moderate variability
D. Recurrent variable decelerations
Correct Answer: C. Moderate variability
Rationale: Moderate variability is a strong indicator of adequate fetal oxygenation and intact
neurologic function. Persistent late decelerations, tachycardia, and recurrent variable decelerations
may indicate fetal compromise and require further assessment.
2. A patient at 39 weeks' gestation reports a sudden gush of fluid. What is the nurse’s priority
action?
A. Assess fetal heart rate
B. Obtain maternal temperature
C. Perform Leopold maneuvers
D. Check cervical dilation
Correct Answer: A. Assess fetal heart rate
Rationale: After rupture of membranes, assessment of fetal heart rate is the priority because
umbilical cord prolapse can occur and threaten fetal oxygenation. Maternal temperature and cervical
assessment are important but secondary.
3. Which maternal assessment finding is most consistent with preeclampsia?
A. Hypotension
B. Proteinuria
C. Bradycardia
D. Polyuria
Correct Answer: B. Proteinuria
Rationale: Proteinuria is a classic sign of preeclampsia when accompanied by hypertension.
Hypotension and polyuria are not typical findings associated with the disorder.
4. A nurse is caring for a patient receiving magnesium sulfate. Which assessment finding requires
immediate intervention?
A. Respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min
B. Deep tendon reflexes 2+
,C. Urine output 40 mL/hr
D. Blood pressure 140/88 mmHg
Correct Answer: A. Respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min
Rationale: Respiratory depression is a sign of magnesium toxicity. Normal reflexes and adequate
urine output indicate therapeutic response rather than toxicity.
5. During a vaginal examination, the nurse identifies the fetal presenting part at station +1. What
does this indicate?
A. The presenting part is above the ischial spines
B. The presenting part is at the pelvic inlet
C. The presenting part is below the ischial spines
D. The fetus is not engaged
Correct Answer: C. The presenting part is below the ischial spines
Rationale: Positive station numbers indicate descent below the ischial spines. Station 0 represents
engagement at the level of the spines.
6. Which intervention is most appropriate for recurrent variable decelerations during labor?
A. Increase oxytocin infusion
B. Reposition the patient
C. Encourage pushing with every contraction
D. Administer magnesium sulfate
Correct Answer: B. Reposition the patient
Rationale: Variable decelerations commonly result from cord compression. Repositioning may relieve
pressure on the cord and improve fetal status.
7. A postpartum patient saturates a perineal pad in 15 minutes. What should the nurse suspect
first?
A. Endometritis
B. Urinary retention
C. Normal lochia
D. Postpartum hemorrhage
Correct Answer: D. Postpartum hemorrhage
Rationale: Rapid saturation of a pad suggests excessive bleeding and possible postpartum
hemorrhage, which requires prompt evaluation and intervention.
8. Which fetal heart rate characteristic is classified as a Category I tracing?
A. Absent variability with recurrent late decelerations
B. Moderate variability without decelerations
C. Sinusoidal pattern
D. Recurrent prolonged decelerations
Correct Answer: B. Moderate variability without decelerations
Rationale: Category I tracings are considered normal and predictive of normal fetal acid-base status.
Moderate variability is a key reassuring feature.
, 9. A nurse is assessing labor progress. Which finding indicates transition phase of the first stage of
labor?
A. Cervical dilation 2 cm
B. Cervical dilation 4 cm
C. Cervical dilation 8 cm
D. Cervical dilation 10 cm
Correct Answer: C. Cervical dilation 8 cm
Rationale: Transition phase typically occurs between approximately 8 and 10 cm dilation and is
associated with intense contractions and increased maternal discomfort.
10. Which maternal condition increases the risk for shoulder dystocia?
A. Hyperemesis gravidarum
B. Gestational diabetes
C. Placenta previa
D. Oligohydramnios
Correct Answer: B. Gestational diabetes
Rationale: Gestational diabetes increases the likelihood of fetal macrosomia, a major risk factor for
shoulder dystocia.
11. A nurse notes uterine tachysystole during oxytocin administration. What is the priority action?
A. Increase IV fluids only
B. Continue monitoring
C. Stop the oxytocin infusion
D. Encourage ambulation
Correct Answer: C. Stop the oxytocin infusion
Rationale: Uterine tachysystole can reduce fetal oxygenation. Discontinuing oxytocin is an immediate
intervention to decrease excessive uterine activity.
12. Which fetal presentation is associated with the greatest risk for umbilical cord prolapse?
A. Vertex
B. Face
C. Frank breech
D. Transverse lie
Correct Answer: D. Transverse lie
Rationale: Transverse lie prevents effective engagement of the presenting part, increasing the
likelihood of cord prolapse after membrane rupture.
13. A laboring patient reports rectal pressure and an urge to push. What should the nurse do first?
A. Encourage immediate pushing
B. Assess cervical dilation
C. Administer analgesics
D. Position supine
Correct Answer: B. Assess cervical dilation
WITH EXPLANATION] COMPLETE EXAM QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS | 2026–2027 LATEST UPDATE |
GUARANTEED PASS | DETAILED RATIONALES | FULL STUDY
GUIDE | EXAM PREP | PRACTICE TEST | CERTIFICATION
PREPARATION
1. A labor and delivery nurse is reviewing the fetal heart rate tracing of a low-risk patient in active
labor. Which finding is most reassuring regarding fetal oxygenation?
A. Persistent late decelerations
B. Baseline tachycardia of 170 bpm
C. Moderate variability
D. Recurrent variable decelerations
Correct Answer: C. Moderate variability
Rationale: Moderate variability is a strong indicator of adequate fetal oxygenation and intact
neurologic function. Persistent late decelerations, tachycardia, and recurrent variable decelerations
may indicate fetal compromise and require further assessment.
2. A patient at 39 weeks' gestation reports a sudden gush of fluid. What is the nurse’s priority
action?
A. Assess fetal heart rate
B. Obtain maternal temperature
C. Perform Leopold maneuvers
D. Check cervical dilation
Correct Answer: A. Assess fetal heart rate
Rationale: After rupture of membranes, assessment of fetal heart rate is the priority because
umbilical cord prolapse can occur and threaten fetal oxygenation. Maternal temperature and cervical
assessment are important but secondary.
3. Which maternal assessment finding is most consistent with preeclampsia?
A. Hypotension
B. Proteinuria
C. Bradycardia
D. Polyuria
Correct Answer: B. Proteinuria
Rationale: Proteinuria is a classic sign of preeclampsia when accompanied by hypertension.
Hypotension and polyuria are not typical findings associated with the disorder.
4. A nurse is caring for a patient receiving magnesium sulfate. Which assessment finding requires
immediate intervention?
A. Respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min
B. Deep tendon reflexes 2+
,C. Urine output 40 mL/hr
D. Blood pressure 140/88 mmHg
Correct Answer: A. Respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min
Rationale: Respiratory depression is a sign of magnesium toxicity. Normal reflexes and adequate
urine output indicate therapeutic response rather than toxicity.
5. During a vaginal examination, the nurse identifies the fetal presenting part at station +1. What
does this indicate?
A. The presenting part is above the ischial spines
B. The presenting part is at the pelvic inlet
C. The presenting part is below the ischial spines
D. The fetus is not engaged
Correct Answer: C. The presenting part is below the ischial spines
Rationale: Positive station numbers indicate descent below the ischial spines. Station 0 represents
engagement at the level of the spines.
6. Which intervention is most appropriate for recurrent variable decelerations during labor?
A. Increase oxytocin infusion
B. Reposition the patient
C. Encourage pushing with every contraction
D. Administer magnesium sulfate
Correct Answer: B. Reposition the patient
Rationale: Variable decelerations commonly result from cord compression. Repositioning may relieve
pressure on the cord and improve fetal status.
7. A postpartum patient saturates a perineal pad in 15 minutes. What should the nurse suspect
first?
A. Endometritis
B. Urinary retention
C. Normal lochia
D. Postpartum hemorrhage
Correct Answer: D. Postpartum hemorrhage
Rationale: Rapid saturation of a pad suggests excessive bleeding and possible postpartum
hemorrhage, which requires prompt evaluation and intervention.
8. Which fetal heart rate characteristic is classified as a Category I tracing?
A. Absent variability with recurrent late decelerations
B. Moderate variability without decelerations
C. Sinusoidal pattern
D. Recurrent prolonged decelerations
Correct Answer: B. Moderate variability without decelerations
Rationale: Category I tracings are considered normal and predictive of normal fetal acid-base status.
Moderate variability is a key reassuring feature.
, 9. A nurse is assessing labor progress. Which finding indicates transition phase of the first stage of
labor?
A. Cervical dilation 2 cm
B. Cervical dilation 4 cm
C. Cervical dilation 8 cm
D. Cervical dilation 10 cm
Correct Answer: C. Cervical dilation 8 cm
Rationale: Transition phase typically occurs between approximately 8 and 10 cm dilation and is
associated with intense contractions and increased maternal discomfort.
10. Which maternal condition increases the risk for shoulder dystocia?
A. Hyperemesis gravidarum
B. Gestational diabetes
C. Placenta previa
D. Oligohydramnios
Correct Answer: B. Gestational diabetes
Rationale: Gestational diabetes increases the likelihood of fetal macrosomia, a major risk factor for
shoulder dystocia.
11. A nurse notes uterine tachysystole during oxytocin administration. What is the priority action?
A. Increase IV fluids only
B. Continue monitoring
C. Stop the oxytocin infusion
D. Encourage ambulation
Correct Answer: C. Stop the oxytocin infusion
Rationale: Uterine tachysystole can reduce fetal oxygenation. Discontinuing oxytocin is an immediate
intervention to decrease excessive uterine activity.
12. Which fetal presentation is associated with the greatest risk for umbilical cord prolapse?
A. Vertex
B. Face
C. Frank breech
D. Transverse lie
Correct Answer: D. Transverse lie
Rationale: Transverse lie prevents effective engagement of the presenting part, increasing the
likelihood of cord prolapse after membrane rupture.
13. A laboring patient reports rectal pressure and an urge to push. What should the nurse do first?
A. Encourage immediate pushing
B. Assess cervical dilation
C. Administer analgesics
D. Position supine
Correct Answer: B. Assess cervical dilation
