PREGNANCY (PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT,
PHARM AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY)
EXAM 2025 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. When should folic acid be initiated in a female patient contemplating pregnancy if she is not
taking it at this time?
A. Now
B. At the diagnosis of pregnancy
C. In the second trimester
D. In the third trimester - ANS A. Now (Folic acid has been found to significantly decrease the
incidence of neural tube defects (NTDS). It should be supplemented at a dosage of 0.4 mg daily
in all women of childbearing age before becoming pregnant. Folate plays an essential role in
synthesis of amino acids and DNA. Since these are critical in cell division and adequate amounts
should be on board when cell division begins, folic acid should be taken prior to conception,
whenever possible. NTDs are the second most common congenital anomaly.)
2. Hyperemesis gravidarum is:
A. morning sickness.
B. persistent, intractable vomiting during pregnancy.
C. always associated with hydatiform mole.
D. indicative of multiple gestation. - ANS B. persistent, intractable vomiting during
pregnancy. (Hyperemesis gravidarum (HEG) is a severe form of nausea and vomiting that occurs
during pregnancy. In contrast, morning sickness is milder. A common definition used to define
HEG is persistent vomiting that produces a weight loss exceeding 5% of prepregnancy body
weight. The
etiology of morning sickness and HEG is unknown.)
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, 3. Few pregnant patients actually deliver on their due dates. Why is a due date established?
A. To evaluate fetal growth
B. For evaluation of maternal uterine size
C. For determination of adequate fetal nutrition
D. To determine timing of maternal/fetal screenings - ANS D. To determine timing of
maternal/fetal screenings
(Accurate dating is critical so that maternal and fetal screening tests may be done at the most
appropriate time. If a screening test is supposed to take place at 20 weeks, and it is done too
early, the opportunity to identify an abnormality may be missed. In the U.S., if a last menstrual
period (LMP) cannot be established, or a woman becomes pregnant while taking
contraceptives, an ultrasound should be performed to establish an accurate due date.
Naegele's rule is an acceptable means of predicting gestational age of the fetus. This calculated
by adding 7 days to the last menstrual period and subtracting 3 months.)
4. A 24-year-old patient presents to your clinic with
intermittent nausea and vomiting for the past 5 days. She feels well otherwise. She is afebrile.
Her vital signs are within normal limits. What should the nurse practitioner order initially?
A. CBC and urine for ketones
B. Electrolytes and qualitative beta hCG
C. Electrolytes and quantitative beta hCG
D. Metabolic panel and potassium level - ANS B. Electrolytes and qualitative beta hCG (There
are a number of possible etiologies for her vomiting. Without knowing her last menstrual
period (and even if she reported one), pregnancy must be ruled in or out. The other concem is
her electrolyte status, especially her potassium.)
5. A patient in her frst trimester of pregnancy is found to be infected with chlamydia and
gonorrhea. Which statement below is true?
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PHARM AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY)
EXAM 2025 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. When should folic acid be initiated in a female patient contemplating pregnancy if she is not
taking it at this time?
A. Now
B. At the diagnosis of pregnancy
C. In the second trimester
D. In the third trimester - ANS A. Now (Folic acid has been found to significantly decrease the
incidence of neural tube defects (NTDS). It should be supplemented at a dosage of 0.4 mg daily
in all women of childbearing age before becoming pregnant. Folate plays an essential role in
synthesis of amino acids and DNA. Since these are critical in cell division and adequate amounts
should be on board when cell division begins, folic acid should be taken prior to conception,
whenever possible. NTDs are the second most common congenital anomaly.)
2. Hyperemesis gravidarum is:
A. morning sickness.
B. persistent, intractable vomiting during pregnancy.
C. always associated with hydatiform mole.
D. indicative of multiple gestation. - ANS B. persistent, intractable vomiting during
pregnancy. (Hyperemesis gravidarum (HEG) is a severe form of nausea and vomiting that occurs
during pregnancy. In contrast, morning sickness is milder. A common definition used to define
HEG is persistent vomiting that produces a weight loss exceeding 5% of prepregnancy body
weight. The
etiology of morning sickness and HEG is unknown.)
1 Copyright ©2025 SIRJOEL ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
, 3. Few pregnant patients actually deliver on their due dates. Why is a due date established?
A. To evaluate fetal growth
B. For evaluation of maternal uterine size
C. For determination of adequate fetal nutrition
D. To determine timing of maternal/fetal screenings - ANS D. To determine timing of
maternal/fetal screenings
(Accurate dating is critical so that maternal and fetal screening tests may be done at the most
appropriate time. If a screening test is supposed to take place at 20 weeks, and it is done too
early, the opportunity to identify an abnormality may be missed. In the U.S., if a last menstrual
period (LMP) cannot be established, or a woman becomes pregnant while taking
contraceptives, an ultrasound should be performed to establish an accurate due date.
Naegele's rule is an acceptable means of predicting gestational age of the fetus. This calculated
by adding 7 days to the last menstrual period and subtracting 3 months.)
4. A 24-year-old patient presents to your clinic with
intermittent nausea and vomiting for the past 5 days. She feels well otherwise. She is afebrile.
Her vital signs are within normal limits. What should the nurse practitioner order initially?
A. CBC and urine for ketones
B. Electrolytes and qualitative beta hCG
C. Electrolytes and quantitative beta hCG
D. Metabolic panel and potassium level - ANS B. Electrolytes and qualitative beta hCG (There
are a number of possible etiologies for her vomiting. Without knowing her last menstrual
period (and even if she reported one), pregnancy must be ruled in or out. The other concem is
her electrolyte status, especially her potassium.)
5. A patient in her frst trimester of pregnancy is found to be infected with chlamydia and
gonorrhea. Which statement below is true?
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