1
Comprehensive Exam Bank on Maternal and
Newborn Nursing Care: Prenatal Support,
Safe Delivery, and Neonatal Health
Table of Contents
Topic 1: Antenatal Assessment and Prenatal Nursing Interventions................2
Topic 2: Intrapartum Care and Labor Management........................................10
Topic 3: Postpartum Care and Maternal Recovery..........................................18
Topic 4: Newborn Assessment and Immediate Neonatal Care.......................26
Topic 5: Breastfeeding, Nutrition, and Newborn Care Education....................34
Topic 6: Maternal and Neonatal Complications and High-Risk Situations.......41
Topic 7: Postpartum Nursing Care and Recovery Support..............................49
Topic 8: Pharmacologic and Non-Pharmacologic Pain Management in Maternal
and Newborn Care.........................................................................................57
Topic 9: High-Risk Pregnancy and Labor Complications: Nursing Priorities and
Interventions..................................................................................................65
Topic 10: Postpartum and Newborn Complications: Early Detection and
Emergency Response.....................................................................................73
, 2
Topic 1: Antenatal Assessment and
Prenatal Nursing Interventions
(Questions 1–20)
1. A pregnant woman at 12 weeks gestation reports morning sickness. Which
nursing advice is most appropriate to help relieve her symptoms?
A. Eat three large meals a day
B. Take iron supplements on an empty stomach
C. Eat dry crackers before getting out of bed in the morning
D. Drink citrus juice with every meal
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Morning sickness is common in early pregnancy and can be
alleviated by eating dry crackers before rising to stabilize blood sugar. Large
meals and iron on an empty stomach can worsen nausea.
2. Which finding is most concerning during a prenatal assessment at 36
weeks gestation?
A. Mild pedal edema
B. Severe headache and visual disturbances
C. Fetal movement perceived 10 times in 2 hours
D. Hemoglobin level of 11 g/dL
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Severe headache and visual disturbances may indicate
preeclampsia, a serious hypertensive disorder of pregnancy requiring urgent
intervention.
, 3
3. A pregnant client asks why she needs a glucose tolerance test at 24–28
weeks. What is the best nursing response?
A. "It's routine to check for anemia in late pregnancy."
B. "We screen for gestational diabetes that can develop in mid-pregnancy."
C. "It helps check for infections that affect the baby."
D. "It's to assess your kidney function."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Gestational diabetes screening is recommended between 24–28
weeks as hormonal changes can cause insulin resistance during this time.
4. A nurse is reviewing dietary intake with a pregnant woman. Which food
should be avoided to reduce the risk of listeriosis?
A. Pasteurized yogurt
B. Soft cheeses like brie and camembert
C. Cooked chicken breast
D. Fresh apples
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Soft cheeses made from unpasteurized milk may harbor Listeria
monocytogenes, posing risks to fetal health.
5. Which client statement indicates correct understanding of folic acid
supplementation in early pregnancy?
A. "It helps prevent neural tube defects in my baby."
B. "It improves my baby's immune system."
C. "It reduces my risk of high blood pressure."
D. "It ensures I don't get gestational diabetes."
, 4
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Folic acid taken before and during early pregnancy significantly
lowers the risk of neural tube defects like spina bifida.
6. A nurse is teaching a primigravida at 10 weeks gestation about warning
signs to report. Which statement requires follow-up?
A. "I’ll call if I have vaginal bleeding."
B. "Nausea and vomiting all day is normal and doesn’t need to be reported."
C. "I will monitor my baby's movements in the third trimester."
D. "I’ll report a high fever to my provider."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Severe, persistent nausea and vomiting (hyperemesis gravidarum)
can lead to dehydration and requires evaluation.
7. A pregnant woman reports pica. What nursing concern is associated with
this behavior?
A. Iron overload
B. Iron-deficiency anemia
C. High blood sugar
D. Excessive weight gain
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pica (eating non-nutritive substances like dirt or clay) is associated
with iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy.
8. A nurse is caring for a woman at 28 weeks gestation with a fundal height
of 33 cm. What is the most appropriate action?
Comprehensive Exam Bank on Maternal and
Newborn Nursing Care: Prenatal Support,
Safe Delivery, and Neonatal Health
Table of Contents
Topic 1: Antenatal Assessment and Prenatal Nursing Interventions................2
Topic 2: Intrapartum Care and Labor Management........................................10
Topic 3: Postpartum Care and Maternal Recovery..........................................18
Topic 4: Newborn Assessment and Immediate Neonatal Care.......................26
Topic 5: Breastfeeding, Nutrition, and Newborn Care Education....................34
Topic 6: Maternal and Neonatal Complications and High-Risk Situations.......41
Topic 7: Postpartum Nursing Care and Recovery Support..............................49
Topic 8: Pharmacologic and Non-Pharmacologic Pain Management in Maternal
and Newborn Care.........................................................................................57
Topic 9: High-Risk Pregnancy and Labor Complications: Nursing Priorities and
Interventions..................................................................................................65
Topic 10: Postpartum and Newborn Complications: Early Detection and
Emergency Response.....................................................................................73
, 2
Topic 1: Antenatal Assessment and
Prenatal Nursing Interventions
(Questions 1–20)
1. A pregnant woman at 12 weeks gestation reports morning sickness. Which
nursing advice is most appropriate to help relieve her symptoms?
A. Eat three large meals a day
B. Take iron supplements on an empty stomach
C. Eat dry crackers before getting out of bed in the morning
D. Drink citrus juice with every meal
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Morning sickness is common in early pregnancy and can be
alleviated by eating dry crackers before rising to stabilize blood sugar. Large
meals and iron on an empty stomach can worsen nausea.
2. Which finding is most concerning during a prenatal assessment at 36
weeks gestation?
A. Mild pedal edema
B. Severe headache and visual disturbances
C. Fetal movement perceived 10 times in 2 hours
D. Hemoglobin level of 11 g/dL
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Severe headache and visual disturbances may indicate
preeclampsia, a serious hypertensive disorder of pregnancy requiring urgent
intervention.
, 3
3. A pregnant client asks why she needs a glucose tolerance test at 24–28
weeks. What is the best nursing response?
A. "It's routine to check for anemia in late pregnancy."
B. "We screen for gestational diabetes that can develop in mid-pregnancy."
C. "It helps check for infections that affect the baby."
D. "It's to assess your kidney function."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Gestational diabetes screening is recommended between 24–28
weeks as hormonal changes can cause insulin resistance during this time.
4. A nurse is reviewing dietary intake with a pregnant woman. Which food
should be avoided to reduce the risk of listeriosis?
A. Pasteurized yogurt
B. Soft cheeses like brie and camembert
C. Cooked chicken breast
D. Fresh apples
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Soft cheeses made from unpasteurized milk may harbor Listeria
monocytogenes, posing risks to fetal health.
5. Which client statement indicates correct understanding of folic acid
supplementation in early pregnancy?
A. "It helps prevent neural tube defects in my baby."
B. "It improves my baby's immune system."
C. "It reduces my risk of high blood pressure."
D. "It ensures I don't get gestational diabetes."
, 4
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Folic acid taken before and during early pregnancy significantly
lowers the risk of neural tube defects like spina bifida.
6. A nurse is teaching a primigravida at 10 weeks gestation about warning
signs to report. Which statement requires follow-up?
A. "I’ll call if I have vaginal bleeding."
B. "Nausea and vomiting all day is normal and doesn’t need to be reported."
C. "I will monitor my baby's movements in the third trimester."
D. "I’ll report a high fever to my provider."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Severe, persistent nausea and vomiting (hyperemesis gravidarum)
can lead to dehydration and requires evaluation.
7. A pregnant woman reports pica. What nursing concern is associated with
this behavior?
A. Iron overload
B. Iron-deficiency anemia
C. High blood sugar
D. Excessive weight gain
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pica (eating non-nutritive substances like dirt or clay) is associated
with iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy.
8. A nurse is caring for a woman at 28 weeks gestation with a fundal height
of 33 cm. What is the most appropriate action?
