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OB/MATERNITY PRACTICE EXAM 2025-2026
ALL THE NURSING ABBREVIATIONS INCLUDED AT THE END
1. A 30-year-old gravida 2, para 1 client is admitted to the hospital at 26-weeks gestation in preterm labor.
She is started on an IV solution of terbutaline (Brethine). Which assessment is the highest priority for the
nurse to monitor during the administration of this drug?
a. Maternal blood pressure and respirations.
b. Maternal and fetal heart rates.
c. Hourly urinary output.
d. Deep tendon reflexes.
B
2. During labor, the nurse determines that a full-term client is demonstrating late decelerations. In which
sequence should the nurse implement these nursing actions? (Place the first action on top and last action
on the bottom.)
a. Reposition the client.
b. Call the healthcare provider.
c. Increase IV fluid.
d. Provide oxygen via face mask.
A, C, D, B
3. A client at 30-weeks gestation, complaining of pressure over the pubic area, is admitted for observation.
She is contracting irregularly and demonstrates underlying uterine irritability. Vaginal examination
reveals that her cervix is closed, thick, and high. Based on these data, which intervention should the nurse
implement first?
a. Provide oral hydration.
b. Have a complete blood count (CBC) drawn.
c. Obtain a specimen for urine analysis.
d. Place the client on strict bedrest.
C
4. A woman who thinks she could be pregnant calls her neighbor, a nurse, to ask when she could use a
home pregnancy test to diagnose pregnancy. Which response is appropriate?
a. "A home pregnancy test can be used right after your first missed period."
b. "These tests are most accurate after you have missed your second period."
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c. "Home pregnancy tests often give false positives and should not be trusted."
d. "The test can provide accurate information when used right after ovulation."
A
5. When evaluating maternal bonding, which of the following maternal behaviors exhibited by the client
would the nurse most likely expect to see when a new mother receives her infant for the first time?
a. She eagerly reaches for the infant, undresses the infant, and examines the infant completely.
b. Her arms and hands receive the infant and she then traces the infant's profile with her fingertips.
c. Her arms and hands receive the infant and she then cuddles the infant to her own body.
d. She eagerly reaches for the infant and then holds the infant close to her own body.
B
6. The nurse is performing a gestational age assessment on a full-term newborn during the first hour of
transition using the Ballard (Dubowitz) scale. Based on this assessment, the nurse determines that the
neonate has a maturity rating of 40-weeks. What findings should the nurse identify to determine if the
neonate is small for gestational age (SGA)? (Select all that apply.)
a. Admission weight of 4 pounds, 15 ounces ( 2244 grams).
b. Head to heel length of 17 inches (42.5 cm).
c. Frontal occipital circumference of 12.5 inches (31.25 cm).
d. Skin smooth with visible veins and abundant vernix.
e. Anterior plantar crease and smooth heel surfaces.
f. Full flexion of all extremities in resting supine position.
A, B, C
7. When assessing a client who is at 12-weeks gestation, the nurse recommends that she and her husband
consider attending childbirth preparation classes. When is the best time for the couple to attend these
classes?
a. At 16-weeks gestation.
b. At 20-weeks gestation.
c. At 24-weeks gestation.
At 30-weeks gestation.
D
8. A new mother asks the nurse, "How do I know that my daughter is getting enough breast milk?"
Which response is best for the nurse provide?
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"Weigh the baby daily, and if she is gaining weight, she is eating enough."
"Your milk is sufficient if the baby is voiding pale straw-colored urine 6 to 10 times a day."
"Offer the baby extra bottle milk after her feeding, and see if she is still hungry."
"If you're concerned, you might consider bottle feeding so that you can monitor her intake."
B
9. A primigravida at 40-weeks gestation is receiving oxytocin (Pitocin) to augment labor. Which adverse
effect should the nurse monitor for during the infusion of Pitocin?
a. Dehydration.
b. Hyperstimulation.
c. Galactorrhea.
d. Fetal tachycardia.
B
10. The nurse is teaching a woman how to use her basal body temperature (BBT) pattern as a tool to
assist her in conceiving a child. Which temperature pattern indicates the occurrence of ovulation, and
therefore, the best time for intercourse to ensure conception?
a. Between the time the temperature falls and rises.
b. Between 36 and 48 hours after the temperature rises.
c. When the temperature falls and remains low for 36 hours.
d. Within 72 hours before the temperature falls.
A
11. A new mother who has just had her first baby says to the nurse, "I saw the baby in the recovery room.
She sure has a funny looking head." Which response by the nurse is best?
a. "This is not an unusual shaped head, especially for a first baby."
b. "It may look funny to you, but newborn babies are often born with heads like your baby's."
c. "That is normal; the head will return to a round shape within 7 to 10 days."
d. "Your pelvis was too small, so the baby's head had to adjust to the birth canal."
C
12. A 42-week gestational client is receiving an intravenous infusion of oxytocin (Pitocin) to augment early
labor. Which pattern of contractions should alert the nurse to discontinue the oxytocin infusion?
a. Transition labor with contractions every 2 minutes, lasting 90 seconds each.
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b. Early labor with contractions every 5 minutes, lasting 40 seconds each.
c. Active labor with contractions every 31 minutes, lasting 60 seconds each.
d. Active labor with contractions every 2 to 3 minutes, lasting 70 to 80 seconds each.
A
13. The nurse is assessing a 3-day old infant with a cephalohematoma in the newborn nursery. Which
assessment finding should the nurse report to the healthcare provider?
a. Yellowish tinge to the skin.
b. Babinski reflex present bilaterally.
c. Pink papular rash on the face.
d. Moro reflex noted after a loud noise.
A
14. A client who had a miscarriage 6 months ago becomes pregnant. Which instruction is most important
for the nurse to provide this client?
a. Elevate lower legs while resting.
b. Increase caloric intake by 200 to 300 calories per day.
c. Increase water intake to 8 full glasses per day.
d. Take prescribed multivitamin and mineral supplements.
D
15. A client at 32-weeks gestation comes to the prenatal clinic with complaints of pedal edema, dyspnea,
fatigue, and a moist cough. Which question is most important for the nurse to ask this client?
a. "Which symptom did you experience first?"
b. "Are you eating large amounts of salty foods?"
c. "Have you visited a foreign country recently?"
d. "Do you have a history of rheumatic fever?"
D
16. One hour after giving birth to an 8-pound infant, a client's lochia rubra has increased from small to
large and her fundus is boggy despite massage. The client's pulse is 84 beats/minute and blood pressure is
156/96. The healthcare provider prescribes Methergine 0.2 mg IM X 1. What action should the nurse take
immediately?
a. Give the medication as prescribed and monitor for efficacy.
b. Encourage the client to breastfeed rather than bottle feed.
OB/MATERNITY PRACTICE EXAM 2025-2026
ALL THE NURSING ABBREVIATIONS INCLUDED AT THE END
1. A 30-year-old gravida 2, para 1 client is admitted to the hospital at 26-weeks gestation in preterm labor.
She is started on an IV solution of terbutaline (Brethine). Which assessment is the highest priority for the
nurse to monitor during the administration of this drug?
a. Maternal blood pressure and respirations.
b. Maternal and fetal heart rates.
c. Hourly urinary output.
d. Deep tendon reflexes.
B
2. During labor, the nurse determines that a full-term client is demonstrating late decelerations. In which
sequence should the nurse implement these nursing actions? (Place the first action on top and last action
on the bottom.)
a. Reposition the client.
b. Call the healthcare provider.
c. Increase IV fluid.
d. Provide oxygen via face mask.
A, C, D, B
3. A client at 30-weeks gestation, complaining of pressure over the pubic area, is admitted for observation.
She is contracting irregularly and demonstrates underlying uterine irritability. Vaginal examination
reveals that her cervix is closed, thick, and high. Based on these data, which intervention should the nurse
implement first?
a. Provide oral hydration.
b. Have a complete blood count (CBC) drawn.
c. Obtain a specimen for urine analysis.
d. Place the client on strict bedrest.
C
4. A woman who thinks she could be pregnant calls her neighbor, a nurse, to ask when she could use a
home pregnancy test to diagnose pregnancy. Which response is appropriate?
a. "A home pregnancy test can be used right after your first missed period."
b. "These tests are most accurate after you have missed your second period."
,2|Page
c. "Home pregnancy tests often give false positives and should not be trusted."
d. "The test can provide accurate information when used right after ovulation."
A
5. When evaluating maternal bonding, which of the following maternal behaviors exhibited by the client
would the nurse most likely expect to see when a new mother receives her infant for the first time?
a. She eagerly reaches for the infant, undresses the infant, and examines the infant completely.
b. Her arms and hands receive the infant and she then traces the infant's profile with her fingertips.
c. Her arms and hands receive the infant and she then cuddles the infant to her own body.
d. She eagerly reaches for the infant and then holds the infant close to her own body.
B
6. The nurse is performing a gestational age assessment on a full-term newborn during the first hour of
transition using the Ballard (Dubowitz) scale. Based on this assessment, the nurse determines that the
neonate has a maturity rating of 40-weeks. What findings should the nurse identify to determine if the
neonate is small for gestational age (SGA)? (Select all that apply.)
a. Admission weight of 4 pounds, 15 ounces ( 2244 grams).
b. Head to heel length of 17 inches (42.5 cm).
c. Frontal occipital circumference of 12.5 inches (31.25 cm).
d. Skin smooth with visible veins and abundant vernix.
e. Anterior plantar crease and smooth heel surfaces.
f. Full flexion of all extremities in resting supine position.
A, B, C
7. When assessing a client who is at 12-weeks gestation, the nurse recommends that she and her husband
consider attending childbirth preparation classes. When is the best time for the couple to attend these
classes?
a. At 16-weeks gestation.
b. At 20-weeks gestation.
c. At 24-weeks gestation.
At 30-weeks gestation.
D
8. A new mother asks the nurse, "How do I know that my daughter is getting enough breast milk?"
Which response is best for the nurse provide?
,3|Page
"Weigh the baby daily, and if she is gaining weight, she is eating enough."
"Your milk is sufficient if the baby is voiding pale straw-colored urine 6 to 10 times a day."
"Offer the baby extra bottle milk after her feeding, and see if she is still hungry."
"If you're concerned, you might consider bottle feeding so that you can monitor her intake."
B
9. A primigravida at 40-weeks gestation is receiving oxytocin (Pitocin) to augment labor. Which adverse
effect should the nurse monitor for during the infusion of Pitocin?
a. Dehydration.
b. Hyperstimulation.
c. Galactorrhea.
d. Fetal tachycardia.
B
10. The nurse is teaching a woman how to use her basal body temperature (BBT) pattern as a tool to
assist her in conceiving a child. Which temperature pattern indicates the occurrence of ovulation, and
therefore, the best time for intercourse to ensure conception?
a. Between the time the temperature falls and rises.
b. Between 36 and 48 hours after the temperature rises.
c. When the temperature falls and remains low for 36 hours.
d. Within 72 hours before the temperature falls.
A
11. A new mother who has just had her first baby says to the nurse, "I saw the baby in the recovery room.
She sure has a funny looking head." Which response by the nurse is best?
a. "This is not an unusual shaped head, especially for a first baby."
b. "It may look funny to you, but newborn babies are often born with heads like your baby's."
c. "That is normal; the head will return to a round shape within 7 to 10 days."
d. "Your pelvis was too small, so the baby's head had to adjust to the birth canal."
C
12. A 42-week gestational client is receiving an intravenous infusion of oxytocin (Pitocin) to augment early
labor. Which pattern of contractions should alert the nurse to discontinue the oxytocin infusion?
a. Transition labor with contractions every 2 minutes, lasting 90 seconds each.
, 4|Page
b. Early labor with contractions every 5 minutes, lasting 40 seconds each.
c. Active labor with contractions every 31 minutes, lasting 60 seconds each.
d. Active labor with contractions every 2 to 3 minutes, lasting 70 to 80 seconds each.
A
13. The nurse is assessing a 3-day old infant with a cephalohematoma in the newborn nursery. Which
assessment finding should the nurse report to the healthcare provider?
a. Yellowish tinge to the skin.
b. Babinski reflex present bilaterally.
c. Pink papular rash on the face.
d. Moro reflex noted after a loud noise.
A
14. A client who had a miscarriage 6 months ago becomes pregnant. Which instruction is most important
for the nurse to provide this client?
a. Elevate lower legs while resting.
b. Increase caloric intake by 200 to 300 calories per day.
c. Increase water intake to 8 full glasses per day.
d. Take prescribed multivitamin and mineral supplements.
D
15. A client at 32-weeks gestation comes to the prenatal clinic with complaints of pedal edema, dyspnea,
fatigue, and a moist cough. Which question is most important for the nurse to ask this client?
a. "Which symptom did you experience first?"
b. "Are you eating large amounts of salty foods?"
c. "Have you visited a foreign country recently?"
d. "Do you have a history of rheumatic fever?"
D
16. One hour after giving birth to an 8-pound infant, a client's lochia rubra has increased from small to
large and her fundus is boggy despite massage. The client's pulse is 84 beats/minute and blood pressure is
156/96. The healthcare provider prescribes Methergine 0.2 mg IM X 1. What action should the nurse take
immediately?
a. Give the medication as prescribed and monitor for efficacy.
b. Encourage the client to breastfeed rather than bottle feed.
