Maternal-Newborn Nursing Exam 2025 –
Comprehensive Test Bank & Study Guide with Real
EXAM Questions and Verified Answers
Maternity Nursing
Chapter 1. Trends and Issues
1. Since 1995 there has been a significant decrease in the rate of infant death
related to which of the following:
a. Disorders associated with short gestation and low birth weight
b. Accidents
c. Sudden infant death
d. Newborns affected by complications of placenta, cord, and membranes
CORRECT ANSWER : c
Feedback
a. The rates of prematurity and low birth weight are increasing.
b. The rates of accidents have increased.
c. Correct. The rate of infant death related to SIDS has decreased from 87.1 to
47.2. The decrease in rate is partially attributed to placing infants on their backs
when sleeping.
d. The rates of newborns affected by complications of placenta, cord, and
membranes have increased.
KEY: Integrated Process: Teaching and Learning | Cognitive Level: Knowledge |
Content Area: Maternity | Client Need: Health Promotion and Maintenance |
Difficulty Level: Easy
2. Tobacco use during pregnancy is associated with adverse effects on the
unborn infant such as intrauterine growth restriction, preterm births, and
respiratory problems. By race, which has the highest percentages of smokers?
a. American Indian and Alaskan Natives
b. Asian or Pacific Islanders
c. Non-Hispanic blacks
d. Non-Hispanic whites
CORRECT ANSWER :
a
Feedback
a. 36% of American Indian and Native American women are cigarette smokers.
b. 4.3% of Asian or Pacific Islander women are cigarette smokers.
c. 17.1% of non-Hispanic black women are cigarette smokers.
d. 19.6% of non-Hispanic white women are cigarette smokers.
KEY: Integrated Process: Clinical Problem Solving | Cognitive Level: Knowledge |
Content Area: Maternity | Client Need: Safe and Effective Care Environment |
Difficulty Level: Easy
,3. Which of the following women is at the highest risk for health disparity?
a. A white, middle-class, 16-year-old woman
b. An African American, middle-class, 25-year-old woman
c. An African American, upper-middle-class, 19-year-old woman
d. An Asian, low-income, 30-year-old woman
CORRECT ANSWER : d
Feedback
a. Although age is a risk factor, income contributes to disparity.
b. Although African American women are at increased risk, income accounts for
the largest disparity.
c. Although age and race contribute to increased risk, income accounts for the
largest disparity.
d. Although age and race contribute to increased risk, income accounts for the
largest disparity.
KEY: Integrated Process: Clinical Problem Solving | Cognitive Level: Application |
Content Area: Maternity | Client Need: Health Promotion and Maintenance |
Difficulty Level: Moderate
4. A neonate born at 36 weeks gestation is classified as which of the following?
a. Very premature
b. Moderately premature
c. Late premature
d. Term
CORR
ECT
ANSW
ER : c
Feedback
a. Very premature is less than 32 weeks gestation.
b. Moderately premature is 32 to 33 completed weeks gestation.
c. Correct. Late premature is 34 to 36 completed weeks gestation.
d. Term is 37 to 42 weeks gestation.
KEY: Integrated Process: Clinical Problem Solving | Cognitive Level: Application |
Content Area: Maternity | Client Need: Physiological Adaptation | Difficulty Level:
Easy
5. The perinatal nurse explains to the student nurse that a goal of the Healthy
People 2020 report is to:
a. Increase proportion of infants who are breastfed to 93.1%.
b. Increase proportion of infants who are breastfed to 90.7%.
c. Increase proportion of infants who are breastfed to 85.6%.
d. Increase proportion of infants who are breastfed to 83.9%.
CORRECT ANSWER : d
A goal of Healthy People 2020 is to increase the proportion of infants who are
breastfed from 74% to 81.9%.
KEY: Integrated Process: Teaching and Learning | Client Need: Health Promotion
and Maintenance | Cognitive Level: Application | Content Area: Maternity |
Difficulty Level: Moderate
,6. The perinatal nurse explains to the student nurse that is the
leading cause of infant death in the United States.
a. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
b. Respiratory distress of newborns
c. Disorders related to short gestation and low birth weight
d. Congenital malformations and chromosomal abnormalities
CORRECT ANSWER : d
KEY: Integrated Process: Clinical Problem Solving | Cognitive Level: Knowledge |
Content Area: Maternity | Client Need: Safe and Effective Care Environment |
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Multiple Response
7. Which of the following statements are true related to teen pregnancies?
(Select all that apply.)
a. Teen mothers are at higher risk for HIV.
b. Teen mothers are at higher risk for hypertensive problems.
c. The birth rate for teenaged women has increased in the past 15 years.
d. Infants born to teen mothers are at higher risk for health problems.
CORRECT ANSWER : a, b, d
Health statistics report higher risk for HIV, for hypertensive problems, and for
health problems to infants born to teen mothers. Birth rates for teen mothers in all
age categories have decreased since 1991.
, Chapter 2. Ethics and Standards of Practice Issues
1. An ethical dilemma unique to perinatal nursing is the:a. Innate conflict between
maternal and fetal rights
b. Intensive use of technologyc. Shortage of health-care resourcesd. Risk of
violation of the principle of veracity
CORRECT ANSWER : a
a. A unique aspect of maternity nursing is that the nurse advocates for two
individuals: the woman and the fetus.
b. The use of technology is not unique to perinatal nursing.
c. Currently, in the United States, decisions in perinatal nursing are not based on
resources available.
d. In perinatal nursing, the obligation to tell the truth is generally adhered to.
2. The American Nurses Association Code of Ethics for Nurses directs nurses to
provide patient care that is:a. Curativeb. Utilitarianc. Negotiabled. Respectful
CORRECT ANSWER : d
a. Adaptation rather than cure is the goal of nursing.
b. Nursing does not define the value of a person by his or her utility.
c. The Code of Ethics outlines the nursing professions nonnegotiable standard
d. Respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and uniqueness of every individual is
part of the Code of Ethics.
3. Evidence-based practice is the integration of the best: a. Randomized clinical
trials, clinical expertise, and patients requestsb. Research evidence, clinical
expertise, and patients valuesc. Quantitative research, clinical expertise, and
patients preferencesd. Research findings, clinical experience, and patients
preferences
CORRECT ANSWER : b
a. Evidence-based practice is the use of evidence that may include research
beyond randomized clinical trials.
b. These elements are the accepted definition of evidence-based practice.
c. Qualitative research, as well as quantitative research, contributes to evidence-
based practice.
d. Clinical expertise, as well as clinical experience, defines evidence-based
practice.
4. Infants whose mothers were obese during pregnancy are at higher risk for
which of the following? (Select all that apply.)
a. Childhood diabetes
b. Heart defects
c. Hypospadias
d. Respiratory distress
CORRECT ANSWER : a, b, c Fetuses and/or infants of women who were obese
during pregnancy are at higher risk for spina bifida, health defects, anorectal
atresia, hypospadias, intrauterine fetal death, birth injuries related to
macrosomia, and childhood obesity and diabetes.
Comprehensive Test Bank & Study Guide with Real
EXAM Questions and Verified Answers
Maternity Nursing
Chapter 1. Trends and Issues
1. Since 1995 there has been a significant decrease in the rate of infant death
related to which of the following:
a. Disorders associated with short gestation and low birth weight
b. Accidents
c. Sudden infant death
d. Newborns affected by complications of placenta, cord, and membranes
CORRECT ANSWER : c
Feedback
a. The rates of prematurity and low birth weight are increasing.
b. The rates of accidents have increased.
c. Correct. The rate of infant death related to SIDS has decreased from 87.1 to
47.2. The decrease in rate is partially attributed to placing infants on their backs
when sleeping.
d. The rates of newborns affected by complications of placenta, cord, and
membranes have increased.
KEY: Integrated Process: Teaching and Learning | Cognitive Level: Knowledge |
Content Area: Maternity | Client Need: Health Promotion and Maintenance |
Difficulty Level: Easy
2. Tobacco use during pregnancy is associated with adverse effects on the
unborn infant such as intrauterine growth restriction, preterm births, and
respiratory problems. By race, which has the highest percentages of smokers?
a. American Indian and Alaskan Natives
b. Asian or Pacific Islanders
c. Non-Hispanic blacks
d. Non-Hispanic whites
CORRECT ANSWER :
a
Feedback
a. 36% of American Indian and Native American women are cigarette smokers.
b. 4.3% of Asian or Pacific Islander women are cigarette smokers.
c. 17.1% of non-Hispanic black women are cigarette smokers.
d. 19.6% of non-Hispanic white women are cigarette smokers.
KEY: Integrated Process: Clinical Problem Solving | Cognitive Level: Knowledge |
Content Area: Maternity | Client Need: Safe and Effective Care Environment |
Difficulty Level: Easy
,3. Which of the following women is at the highest risk for health disparity?
a. A white, middle-class, 16-year-old woman
b. An African American, middle-class, 25-year-old woman
c. An African American, upper-middle-class, 19-year-old woman
d. An Asian, low-income, 30-year-old woman
CORRECT ANSWER : d
Feedback
a. Although age is a risk factor, income contributes to disparity.
b. Although African American women are at increased risk, income accounts for
the largest disparity.
c. Although age and race contribute to increased risk, income accounts for the
largest disparity.
d. Although age and race contribute to increased risk, income accounts for the
largest disparity.
KEY: Integrated Process: Clinical Problem Solving | Cognitive Level: Application |
Content Area: Maternity | Client Need: Health Promotion and Maintenance |
Difficulty Level: Moderate
4. A neonate born at 36 weeks gestation is classified as which of the following?
a. Very premature
b. Moderately premature
c. Late premature
d. Term
CORR
ECT
ANSW
ER : c
Feedback
a. Very premature is less than 32 weeks gestation.
b. Moderately premature is 32 to 33 completed weeks gestation.
c. Correct. Late premature is 34 to 36 completed weeks gestation.
d. Term is 37 to 42 weeks gestation.
KEY: Integrated Process: Clinical Problem Solving | Cognitive Level: Application |
Content Area: Maternity | Client Need: Physiological Adaptation | Difficulty Level:
Easy
5. The perinatal nurse explains to the student nurse that a goal of the Healthy
People 2020 report is to:
a. Increase proportion of infants who are breastfed to 93.1%.
b. Increase proportion of infants who are breastfed to 90.7%.
c. Increase proportion of infants who are breastfed to 85.6%.
d. Increase proportion of infants who are breastfed to 83.9%.
CORRECT ANSWER : d
A goal of Healthy People 2020 is to increase the proportion of infants who are
breastfed from 74% to 81.9%.
KEY: Integrated Process: Teaching and Learning | Client Need: Health Promotion
and Maintenance | Cognitive Level: Application | Content Area: Maternity |
Difficulty Level: Moderate
,6. The perinatal nurse explains to the student nurse that is the
leading cause of infant death in the United States.
a. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
b. Respiratory distress of newborns
c. Disorders related to short gestation and low birth weight
d. Congenital malformations and chromosomal abnormalities
CORRECT ANSWER : d
KEY: Integrated Process: Clinical Problem Solving | Cognitive Level: Knowledge |
Content Area: Maternity | Client Need: Safe and Effective Care Environment |
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Multiple Response
7. Which of the following statements are true related to teen pregnancies?
(Select all that apply.)
a. Teen mothers are at higher risk for HIV.
b. Teen mothers are at higher risk for hypertensive problems.
c. The birth rate for teenaged women has increased in the past 15 years.
d. Infants born to teen mothers are at higher risk for health problems.
CORRECT ANSWER : a, b, d
Health statistics report higher risk for HIV, for hypertensive problems, and for
health problems to infants born to teen mothers. Birth rates for teen mothers in all
age categories have decreased since 1991.
, Chapter 2. Ethics and Standards of Practice Issues
1. An ethical dilemma unique to perinatal nursing is the:a. Innate conflict between
maternal and fetal rights
b. Intensive use of technologyc. Shortage of health-care resourcesd. Risk of
violation of the principle of veracity
CORRECT ANSWER : a
a. A unique aspect of maternity nursing is that the nurse advocates for two
individuals: the woman and the fetus.
b. The use of technology is not unique to perinatal nursing.
c. Currently, in the United States, decisions in perinatal nursing are not based on
resources available.
d. In perinatal nursing, the obligation to tell the truth is generally adhered to.
2. The American Nurses Association Code of Ethics for Nurses directs nurses to
provide patient care that is:a. Curativeb. Utilitarianc. Negotiabled. Respectful
CORRECT ANSWER : d
a. Adaptation rather than cure is the goal of nursing.
b. Nursing does not define the value of a person by his or her utility.
c. The Code of Ethics outlines the nursing professions nonnegotiable standard
d. Respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and uniqueness of every individual is
part of the Code of Ethics.
3. Evidence-based practice is the integration of the best: a. Randomized clinical
trials, clinical expertise, and patients requestsb. Research evidence, clinical
expertise, and patients valuesc. Quantitative research, clinical expertise, and
patients preferencesd. Research findings, clinical experience, and patients
preferences
CORRECT ANSWER : b
a. Evidence-based practice is the use of evidence that may include research
beyond randomized clinical trials.
b. These elements are the accepted definition of evidence-based practice.
c. Qualitative research, as well as quantitative research, contributes to evidence-
based practice.
d. Clinical expertise, as well as clinical experience, defines evidence-based
practice.
4. Infants whose mothers were obese during pregnancy are at higher risk for
which of the following? (Select all that apply.)
a. Childhood diabetes
b. Heart defects
c. Hypospadias
d. Respiratory distress
CORRECT ANSWER : a, b, c Fetuses and/or infants of women who were obese
during pregnancy are at higher risk for spina bifida, health defects, anorectal
atresia, hypospadias, intrauterine fetal death, birth injuries related to
macrosomia, and childhood obesity and diabetes.
