NUR 2310 MATERNAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A client on 2 gm/hr of magnesium sulfate has decreased deep tendon reflexes. Identify the priority
nursing assessment to ensure client safety.
a. Assess uterine contractions continuously.
b. Assess fetal heart rate continuously.
c. Assess urinary output.
d. Assess respiratory rate.
2. A pregnant client with a history of multiple sexual partners is at highest risk for which of the
following complications:
a. Premature rupture of membranes
b. Gestational diabetes
c. Ectopic pregnancy
d. Pregnancy-induced hypertension
3. Which of the following assessments would indicate instability in the client hospitalized for
placenta previa?
a. BP <90/60 mm/Hg, Pulse <60 BPM or >120 BPM
b. FHR moderate variability without accelerations
c. Dark brown vaginal discharge when voiding
d. Oral temperature of 99.9F
,4. Identify the hallmark of placenta previa that differentiates it from abruptio placenta.
a. Sudden onset of painless vaginal bleeding
b. Board-like abdomen with severe pain
c. Sudden onset of bright red vaginal bleeding
Severe vaginal pain with bright red bleeding
5. During pregnancy, poorly controlled asthma can place the fetus at risk for:
a. Hyperglycemia
b. IUGR
c. Hypoglycemia
d. Macrosomia
6. Which of the following nursing diagnoses is of highest priority for a client with an ectopic
pregnancy who has developed disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)? a. Risk for deficient fluid
volume
b. Risk for family process interrupted
c. Risk for disturbed identity
d. High risk for injury
7. Which of the following laboratory values is most concerning in a client with pregnancy-
induced hypertension?
a. Total urine protein of 200 mg/dL
b. Total platelet count of 40,000 mm
c. Uric acid level of 8 mg/dL
,d. Blood urea nitrogen 24 mg/dL
8. Which of the following medications administered to the pregnant client with GDM and
experiencing preterm labor requires close monitoring of the client’s blood glucose levels? a.
Nifedipine
b. Betamethasone
c. Magnesium sulfate
d. Indomethacin
9. While educating the client with class II cardiac disease, at 28 weeks’ gestation, the nurse instructs the
client to notify the physician if she experiences which of the following conditions? a. Emotional stress
at work
b. Increased dyspnea while resting
c. Mild pedal and ankle edema
d. Weight gain of 1 pound in 1 week
10. The perinatal nurse is assessing a woman in triage who is 34 + 3 weeks’ gestation in her first
pregnancy. She is worried about having her baby “too soon,” and she is experiencing uterine
contractions every 10 to 15 minutes. The fetal heart rate is 136 beats per minute. A vaginal
examination performed by the health-care provider reveals that the cervix is closed, long, and
posterior. The most likely diagnosis would be: a. Preterm labor
b. Term labor
c. Back labor
, d. Braxton-Hicks contractions
11. The perinatal nurse knows that the term to describe a woman at 26 weeks’ gestation with a history of
elevated blood pressure who presents with a urine showing 2+ protein (by dipstick) is: a. Preeclampsia
b. Chronic hypertension
c. Gestational hypertension
d. Chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia
12. A patient is receiving magnesium sulfate for severe preeclampsia. The nurse must notify the
attending physician immediately of which of the following findings? a. Patellar and biceps
reflexes of +4
b. Urinary output of 50 mL/hr
c. Respiratory rate of 10 rpm
d. Serum magnesium level of 5 mg/dL
13. A woman in labor and delivery is being given subcutaneous terbutaline for preterm labor. Which
of the following common medication effects would the nurse expect to see in the mother? a. Serum
potassium level increases
b. Diarrhea
c. Urticaria
d. Complaints of nervousness
1. A client on 2 gm/hr of magnesium sulfate has decreased deep tendon reflexes. Identify the priority
nursing assessment to ensure client safety.
a. Assess uterine contractions continuously.
b. Assess fetal heart rate continuously.
c. Assess urinary output.
d. Assess respiratory rate.
2. A pregnant client with a history of multiple sexual partners is at highest risk for which of the
following complications:
a. Premature rupture of membranes
b. Gestational diabetes
c. Ectopic pregnancy
d. Pregnancy-induced hypertension
3. Which of the following assessments would indicate instability in the client hospitalized for
placenta previa?
a. BP <90/60 mm/Hg, Pulse <60 BPM or >120 BPM
b. FHR moderate variability without accelerations
c. Dark brown vaginal discharge when voiding
d. Oral temperature of 99.9F
,4. Identify the hallmark of placenta previa that differentiates it from abruptio placenta.
a. Sudden onset of painless vaginal bleeding
b. Board-like abdomen with severe pain
c. Sudden onset of bright red vaginal bleeding
Severe vaginal pain with bright red bleeding
5. During pregnancy, poorly controlled asthma can place the fetus at risk for:
a. Hyperglycemia
b. IUGR
c. Hypoglycemia
d. Macrosomia
6. Which of the following nursing diagnoses is of highest priority for a client with an ectopic
pregnancy who has developed disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)? a. Risk for deficient fluid
volume
b. Risk for family process interrupted
c. Risk for disturbed identity
d. High risk for injury
7. Which of the following laboratory values is most concerning in a client with pregnancy-
induced hypertension?
a. Total urine protein of 200 mg/dL
b. Total platelet count of 40,000 mm
c. Uric acid level of 8 mg/dL
,d. Blood urea nitrogen 24 mg/dL
8. Which of the following medications administered to the pregnant client with GDM and
experiencing preterm labor requires close monitoring of the client’s blood glucose levels? a.
Nifedipine
b. Betamethasone
c. Magnesium sulfate
d. Indomethacin
9. While educating the client with class II cardiac disease, at 28 weeks’ gestation, the nurse instructs the
client to notify the physician if she experiences which of the following conditions? a. Emotional stress
at work
b. Increased dyspnea while resting
c. Mild pedal and ankle edema
d. Weight gain of 1 pound in 1 week
10. The perinatal nurse is assessing a woman in triage who is 34 + 3 weeks’ gestation in her first
pregnancy. She is worried about having her baby “too soon,” and she is experiencing uterine
contractions every 10 to 15 minutes. The fetal heart rate is 136 beats per minute. A vaginal
examination performed by the health-care provider reveals that the cervix is closed, long, and
posterior. The most likely diagnosis would be: a. Preterm labor
b. Term labor
c. Back labor
, d. Braxton-Hicks contractions
11. The perinatal nurse knows that the term to describe a woman at 26 weeks’ gestation with a history of
elevated blood pressure who presents with a urine showing 2+ protein (by dipstick) is: a. Preeclampsia
b. Chronic hypertension
c. Gestational hypertension
d. Chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia
12. A patient is receiving magnesium sulfate for severe preeclampsia. The nurse must notify the
attending physician immediately of which of the following findings? a. Patellar and biceps
reflexes of +4
b. Urinary output of 50 mL/hr
c. Respiratory rate of 10 rpm
d. Serum magnesium level of 5 mg/dL
13. A woman in labor and delivery is being given subcutaneous terbutaline for preterm labor. Which
of the following common medication effects would the nurse expect to see in the mother? a. Serum
potassium level increases
b. Diarrhea
c. Urticaria
d. Complaints of nervousness
