NUR NUR1025C OB-
MedSurgTerm3Part1PracticeQuestions_2.
Chapter 1: 21st Century Maternity Nursing
1. When providing care for a pregnant woman, the nurse should be aware that one of the most frequently reported
maternal medical risk factors is:
a. Diabetes mellitus. c. Chronic hypertension.
b . Mitral valve prolapse (MVP). d. Anemia.
ANS: A
The most frequently reported maternal medical risk factors are diabetes and hypertension associated with pregnancy.
Both of these conditions are associated with maternal obesity. There are no studies that indicate MVP is among the most
frequently reported maternal risk factors. Hypertension associated with pregnancy, not chronic hypertension, is one of the
most frequently reported maternal medical risk factors. Although anemia is a concern in pregnancy, it is not one of the
most frequently reported maternal medical risk factors in pregnancy.
2. To ensure optimal outcomes for the patient, the contemporary maternity nurse must incorporate both teamwork and
communication with clinicians into her care delivery, The SBAR technique of communication is an easy-to-remember
mechanism for communication. Which of the following correctly defines this acronym?
a. Situation, baseline assessment, response
b. Situation, background, assessment, recommendation
c. Subjective background, assessment, recommendation
d. Situation, background, anticipated recommendation
ANS: B
The situation, background, assessment, recommendation (SBAR) technique provides a specific framework for
communication among health care providers. Failure to communicate is one of the major reasons for errors in health care.
The SBAR technique has the potential to serve as a means to reduce errors.
3. The role of the professional nurse caring for childbearing families has evolved to emphasize:
a. Providing care to patients directly at the bedside.
b. Primarily hospital care of maternity patients.
c. Practice using an evidence-based approach.
d. Planning patient care to cover longer hospital stays.
ANS: C
Professional nurses are part of the team of health care providers who collaboratively care for patients throughout the
childbearing cycle. Providing care to patients directly at the bedside is one of the nurses tasks; however, it does not
encompass the concept of the evolved professional nurse. Throughout the prenatal period, nurses care for women in
clinics and physicians offices and teach classes to help families prepare for childbirth. Nurses also care for childbearing
families in birthing centers and in the home. Nurses have been critically important in developing strategies to improve the
well-being of women and their infants and have led the efforts to implement clinical practice guidelines using an evidence-
based approach. Maternity patients have experienced a decreased, rather than an increased, length of stay over the past
2 decades.
4. A 23-year-old African-American woman is pregnant with her first child. Based on the statistics for infant mortality, which
plan is most important for the nurse to implement?
a. Perform a nutrition assessment.
b. Refer the woman to a social worker.
c. Advise the woman to see an obstetrician, not a midwife.
d. Explain to the woman the importance of keeping her prenatal care appointments.
ANS: D
Consistent prenatal care is the best method of preventing or controlling risk factors associated with infant mortality.
Nutritional status is an important modifiable risk factor, but a nutrition assessment is not the most important action a nurse
should take in this situation. The patient may need assistance from a social worker at some time during her pregnancy,
but a referral to a social worker is not the most important aspect the nurse should address at this time. If the woman has
identifiable high-risk problems, her health care may need to be provided by a physician. However, it cannot be assumed
that all African-American women have high-risk issues. In addition, advising the woman to see an obstetrician is not the
most important aspect on which the nurse should focus at this time, and it is not appropriate for a nurse to advise or
manage the type of care a patient is to receive.
5. During a prenatal intake interview, the nurse is in the process of obtaining an initial assessment of a 21-year-old
Hispanic patient with limited English proficiency. It is important for the nurse to:
a. Use maternity jargon in order for the patient to become familiar with these terms.
1
, NUR NUR1025C OB-
MedSurgTerm3Part1PracticeQuestions_2.
b. Speak quickly and efficiently to expedite the visit.
c. Provide the patient with handouts.
d. Assess whether the patient understands the discussion.
ANS: D
Nurses contribute to health literacy by using simple, common words; avoiding jargon; and evaluating whether the patient
understands the discussion. Speaking slowly and clearly and focusing on what is important increase understanding. Most
2
, NUR NUR1025C OB-
MedSurgTerm3Part1PracticeQuestions_2.
patient education materials are written at too high a level for the average adult and may not be useful for a client with
limited English proficiency.
6. When managing health care for pregnant women at a prenatal clinic, the nurse should recognize that the most
significant barrier to access to care is the pregnant womans:
a. Age. c. Educational level.
b. Minority status. d. Inability to pay.
ANS: D
The most significant barrier to health care access is the inability to pay for services; this is compounded by the fact that
many physicians refuse to care for women who cannot pay. Although adolescent pregnant clients statistically receive less
prenatal care, age is not the most significant barrier. Significant disparities in morbidity and mortality rates exist for
minority women; however, minority status is not the most significant barrier to access of care. Disparities in educational
level are associated with morbidity and mortality rates; however, educational level is not the most significant barrier to
access of care.
7. What is the primary role of practicing nurses in the research process?
a. Designing research studies c. Identifying researchable problems
b. Collecting data for other researchers d. Seeking funding to support research studies
ANS: C
When problems are identified, research can be conducted properly. Research of health care issues leads to evidence-
based practice guidelines. Designing research studies is only one factor of the research process. Data collection is one
factor of research. Financial support is necessary to conduct research, but it is not the primary role of the nurse in the
research process.
8. When the nurse is unsure about how to perform a patient care procedure, the best action would be to:
a. Ask another nurse.
b. Discuss the procedure with the patients physician.
c. Look up the procedure in a nursing textbook.
d. Consult the agency procedure manual and follow the guidelines for the procedure.
ANS: D
It is always best to follow the agencys policies and procedures manual when seeking information on correct patient
procedures. These policies should reflect the current standards of care and state guidelines. Each nurse is responsible for
her own practice. Relying on another nurse may not always be safe practice. Each nurse is obligated to follow the
standards of care for safe client care delivery. Physicians are responsible for their own client care activity. Nurses may
follow safe orders from physicians, but they are also responsible for the activities that they as nurses are to carry out.
Information provided in a nursing textbook is basic information for general knowledge. Furthermore, the information in a
textbook may not reflect the current standard of care or individual state or hospital policies.
9. From the nurses perspective, what measure should be the focus of the health care system to reduce the rate of infant
mortality further?
a. Implementing programs to ensure womens early participation in ongoing prenatal care
b. Increasing the length of stay in a hospital after vaginal birth from 2 to 3 days
c. Expanding the number of neonatal intensive care units (NICUs)
d. Mandating that all pregnant women receive care from an obstetrician
ANS: A
Early prenatal care allows for early diagnosis and appropriate interventions to reduce the rate of infant mortality. An
increased length of stay has been shown to foster improved self-care and parental education. However, it does not
prevent the incidence of leading causes of infant mortality rates, such as low birth weight. Early prevention and diagnosis
reduce the rate of infant mortality. NICUs offer care to high-risk infants after they are born. Expanding the number of
NICUs would offer better access for high-risk care, but this factor is not the primary focus for further reduction of infant
mortality rates. A mandate that all pregnant women receive obstetric care would be nearly impossible to enforce.
Furthermore, certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) have demonstrated reliable, safe care for pregnant women.
10. Alternative and complementary therapies:
a. Replace conventional Western modalities of treatment.
b. Are used by only a small number of American adults.
c. Recognize the value of clients input into their health care.
d. Focus primarily on the disease an individual is experiencing.
ANS: C
Many popular alternative healing modalities offer human-centered care based on philosophies that recognize the value of
the patients input and honor the individuals beliefs, values, and desires. Alternative and complementary therapies are part
of an integrative approach to health care. An increasing number of American adults are seeking alternative and 3
, NUR NUR1025C OB-
MedSurgTerm3Part1PracticeQuestions_2.
complementary health care options. Alternative healing modalities offer an holistic approach to health, focusing on the
whole person, not just the disease.
4
MedSurgTerm3Part1PracticeQuestions_2.
Chapter 1: 21st Century Maternity Nursing
1. When providing care for a pregnant woman, the nurse should be aware that one of the most frequently reported
maternal medical risk factors is:
a. Diabetes mellitus. c. Chronic hypertension.
b . Mitral valve prolapse (MVP). d. Anemia.
ANS: A
The most frequently reported maternal medical risk factors are diabetes and hypertension associated with pregnancy.
Both of these conditions are associated with maternal obesity. There are no studies that indicate MVP is among the most
frequently reported maternal risk factors. Hypertension associated with pregnancy, not chronic hypertension, is one of the
most frequently reported maternal medical risk factors. Although anemia is a concern in pregnancy, it is not one of the
most frequently reported maternal medical risk factors in pregnancy.
2. To ensure optimal outcomes for the patient, the contemporary maternity nurse must incorporate both teamwork and
communication with clinicians into her care delivery, The SBAR technique of communication is an easy-to-remember
mechanism for communication. Which of the following correctly defines this acronym?
a. Situation, baseline assessment, response
b. Situation, background, assessment, recommendation
c. Subjective background, assessment, recommendation
d. Situation, background, anticipated recommendation
ANS: B
The situation, background, assessment, recommendation (SBAR) technique provides a specific framework for
communication among health care providers. Failure to communicate is one of the major reasons for errors in health care.
The SBAR technique has the potential to serve as a means to reduce errors.
3. The role of the professional nurse caring for childbearing families has evolved to emphasize:
a. Providing care to patients directly at the bedside.
b. Primarily hospital care of maternity patients.
c. Practice using an evidence-based approach.
d. Planning patient care to cover longer hospital stays.
ANS: C
Professional nurses are part of the team of health care providers who collaboratively care for patients throughout the
childbearing cycle. Providing care to patients directly at the bedside is one of the nurses tasks; however, it does not
encompass the concept of the evolved professional nurse. Throughout the prenatal period, nurses care for women in
clinics and physicians offices and teach classes to help families prepare for childbirth. Nurses also care for childbearing
families in birthing centers and in the home. Nurses have been critically important in developing strategies to improve the
well-being of women and their infants and have led the efforts to implement clinical practice guidelines using an evidence-
based approach. Maternity patients have experienced a decreased, rather than an increased, length of stay over the past
2 decades.
4. A 23-year-old African-American woman is pregnant with her first child. Based on the statistics for infant mortality, which
plan is most important for the nurse to implement?
a. Perform a nutrition assessment.
b. Refer the woman to a social worker.
c. Advise the woman to see an obstetrician, not a midwife.
d. Explain to the woman the importance of keeping her prenatal care appointments.
ANS: D
Consistent prenatal care is the best method of preventing or controlling risk factors associated with infant mortality.
Nutritional status is an important modifiable risk factor, but a nutrition assessment is not the most important action a nurse
should take in this situation. The patient may need assistance from a social worker at some time during her pregnancy,
but a referral to a social worker is not the most important aspect the nurse should address at this time. If the woman has
identifiable high-risk problems, her health care may need to be provided by a physician. However, it cannot be assumed
that all African-American women have high-risk issues. In addition, advising the woman to see an obstetrician is not the
most important aspect on which the nurse should focus at this time, and it is not appropriate for a nurse to advise or
manage the type of care a patient is to receive.
5. During a prenatal intake interview, the nurse is in the process of obtaining an initial assessment of a 21-year-old
Hispanic patient with limited English proficiency. It is important for the nurse to:
a. Use maternity jargon in order for the patient to become familiar with these terms.
1
, NUR NUR1025C OB-
MedSurgTerm3Part1PracticeQuestions_2.
b. Speak quickly and efficiently to expedite the visit.
c. Provide the patient with handouts.
d. Assess whether the patient understands the discussion.
ANS: D
Nurses contribute to health literacy by using simple, common words; avoiding jargon; and evaluating whether the patient
understands the discussion. Speaking slowly and clearly and focusing on what is important increase understanding. Most
2
, NUR NUR1025C OB-
MedSurgTerm3Part1PracticeQuestions_2.
patient education materials are written at too high a level for the average adult and may not be useful for a client with
limited English proficiency.
6. When managing health care for pregnant women at a prenatal clinic, the nurse should recognize that the most
significant barrier to access to care is the pregnant womans:
a. Age. c. Educational level.
b. Minority status. d. Inability to pay.
ANS: D
The most significant barrier to health care access is the inability to pay for services; this is compounded by the fact that
many physicians refuse to care for women who cannot pay. Although adolescent pregnant clients statistically receive less
prenatal care, age is not the most significant barrier. Significant disparities in morbidity and mortality rates exist for
minority women; however, minority status is not the most significant barrier to access of care. Disparities in educational
level are associated with morbidity and mortality rates; however, educational level is not the most significant barrier to
access of care.
7. What is the primary role of practicing nurses in the research process?
a. Designing research studies c. Identifying researchable problems
b. Collecting data for other researchers d. Seeking funding to support research studies
ANS: C
When problems are identified, research can be conducted properly. Research of health care issues leads to evidence-
based practice guidelines. Designing research studies is only one factor of the research process. Data collection is one
factor of research. Financial support is necessary to conduct research, but it is not the primary role of the nurse in the
research process.
8. When the nurse is unsure about how to perform a patient care procedure, the best action would be to:
a. Ask another nurse.
b. Discuss the procedure with the patients physician.
c. Look up the procedure in a nursing textbook.
d. Consult the agency procedure manual and follow the guidelines for the procedure.
ANS: D
It is always best to follow the agencys policies and procedures manual when seeking information on correct patient
procedures. These policies should reflect the current standards of care and state guidelines. Each nurse is responsible for
her own practice. Relying on another nurse may not always be safe practice. Each nurse is obligated to follow the
standards of care for safe client care delivery. Physicians are responsible for their own client care activity. Nurses may
follow safe orders from physicians, but they are also responsible for the activities that they as nurses are to carry out.
Information provided in a nursing textbook is basic information for general knowledge. Furthermore, the information in a
textbook may not reflect the current standard of care or individual state or hospital policies.
9. From the nurses perspective, what measure should be the focus of the health care system to reduce the rate of infant
mortality further?
a. Implementing programs to ensure womens early participation in ongoing prenatal care
b. Increasing the length of stay in a hospital after vaginal birth from 2 to 3 days
c. Expanding the number of neonatal intensive care units (NICUs)
d. Mandating that all pregnant women receive care from an obstetrician
ANS: A
Early prenatal care allows for early diagnosis and appropriate interventions to reduce the rate of infant mortality. An
increased length of stay has been shown to foster improved self-care and parental education. However, it does not
prevent the incidence of leading causes of infant mortality rates, such as low birth weight. Early prevention and diagnosis
reduce the rate of infant mortality. NICUs offer care to high-risk infants after they are born. Expanding the number of
NICUs would offer better access for high-risk care, but this factor is not the primary focus for further reduction of infant
mortality rates. A mandate that all pregnant women receive obstetric care would be nearly impossible to enforce.
Furthermore, certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) have demonstrated reliable, safe care for pregnant women.
10. Alternative and complementary therapies:
a. Replace conventional Western modalities of treatment.
b. Are used by only a small number of American adults.
c. Recognize the value of clients input into their health care.
d. Focus primarily on the disease an individual is experiencing.
ANS: C
Many popular alternative healing modalities offer human-centered care based on philosophies that recognize the value of
the patients input and honor the individuals beliefs, values, and desires. Alternative and complementary therapies are part
of an integrative approach to health care. An increasing number of American adults are seeking alternative and 3
, NUR NUR1025C OB-
MedSurgTerm3Part1PracticeQuestions_2.
complementary health care options. Alternative healing modalities offer an holistic approach to health, focusing on the
whole person, not just the disease.
4
