Introduction to Maternity and Pediatric
Nursing Comprehensive Test Bank and
Exam Review 2025
The nurse is obtaining history and physical information on a new patient attending her first
prenatal visit. After recording current height, weight, and BMI, it is determined that the patient is
obese. What complications related to obesity will the nurse assess this patient for during
pregnancy? (Select all that apply.)
A. Preterm labor
B. Gestational diabetes
C. Hypertension
D. Pre-eclampsia
E. Placenta previa
Rationale: B, C, and D are correct because obesity increases the risk for metabolic and
cardiovascular complications such as gestational diabetes, hypertension, and pre-eclampsia. The
other options are not directly linked to obesity.
The nurse is preparing a pregnant patient for an abdominal ultrasound at 8 weeks' gestation.
What intervention will the nurse implement before this diagnostic test?
A. Eat a light meal before the test
B. Drink 1 to 2 quarts of water before the test
C. Remain NPO for 8 hours
D. Empty the bladder before the test
Rationale: B is correct because a full bladder helps lift and stabilize the uterus for better imaging
during early pregnancy. The other options do not improve ultrasound accuracy.
A patient who is 28 weeks pregnant presents with consistent hypertension. What would be the
nurse's first priority?
A. Increase fluid intake
B. Administer oxygen
C. Activity restriction
D. Administer iron supplements
Rationale: C is correct because reducing physical activity helps decrease blood pressure and
improves placental circulation. The other options do not directly manage hypertension.
,What would the nurse include in a teaching plan for the pregnant patient who has iron deficiency
anemia and has been placed on iron supplements? (Select all that apply.)
A. The iron therapy will continue for about 3 months
B. Tea should be avoided while taking iron
C. Citrus fruits enhance absorption of iron
D. Iron may be taken with milk for comfort
E. Iron can be stopped once symptoms improve
Rationale: A, B, and C are correct because vitamin C aids absorption and tea inhibits it;
continued therapy ensures adequate iron stores. Milk interferes with absorption, and therapy
should not stop early.
The nurse educates a prenatal patient about the threat of TORCH infections. Which infections
are included in this classification? (Select all that apply.)
A. Toxoplasmosis
B. Cytomegalovirus
C. Rubella
D. Herpes simplex
E. Varicella
Rationale: A, B, C, and D are correct—these are classic TORCH infections known to cause
congenital defects. Varicella is not part of the TORCH group but is still a concern during
pregnancy.
The nurse takes into consideration that the patient with placenta previa is at risk for postpartum
infection for what reasons? (Select all that apply.)
A. The placenta is an excellent growth medium
B. Vaginal organisms can invade the placenta
C. The mother’s antibodies are weakened
D. Prolonged rupture of membranes
Rationale: A and B are correct because the placenta’s rich blood supply and exposure to vaginal
flora increase infection risk. The other options are not specific to placenta previa.
A nurse is providing prenatal education. The nurse will explain that pregnancy affects glucose
metabolism in what way?
A. Insulin sensitivity increases
B. Placental hormones increase the resistance of cells to insulin
C. The pancreas decreases insulin production
D. Blood glucose levels remain unchanged
Rationale: B is correct—placental hormones like human placental lactogen cause insulin
resistance, which may lead to gestational diabetes. The other statements are inaccurate.
, What symptom presented by a pregnant woman is indicative of abruptio placentae?
A. Abdominal tenderness without bleeding
B. Vaginal bleeding and back pain
C. Painless bright red bleeding
D. Reduced fetal movement only
Rationale: B is correct because vaginal bleeding with back pain and uterine tenderness are
classic signs of placental abruption. Placenta previa causes painless bleeding.
The nurse is caring for a pregnant woman diagnosed with preeclampsia. What will the nurse
explain is the objective of magnesium sulfate therapy for this patient?
A. Reduce blood pressure
B. Promote fetal lung maturity
C. Prevent convulsions
D. Induce labor
Rationale: C is correct—magnesium sulfate acts as a CNS depressant to prevent eclampsia
seizures. It is not primarily an antihypertensive or to promote fetal lung development.
A pregnant patient tells the nurse that she has been nauseated and vomiting. How will the nurse
explain that hyperemesis gravidarum is distinguished from morning sickness?
A. It occurs only in the first trimester
B. It causes mild dehydration
C. It resolves after meals
D. It causes dehydration and electrolyte imbalances
Rationale: D is correct—hyperemesis gravidarum involves severe, persistent vomiting leading
to dehydration and metabolic disturbances, unlike typical morning sickness.
The nurse assesses a pregnant woman for pregnancy-induced hypertension. What is the first sign
of fluid retention suggestive of this complication?
A. Edema of hands and feet
B. Sudden weight gain
C. Facial puffiness
D. Abdominal swelling
Rationale: B is correct—rapid weight gain often precedes visible edema and is an early indicator
of fluid retention in gestational hypertension.
Nursing Comprehensive Test Bank and
Exam Review 2025
The nurse is obtaining history and physical information on a new patient attending her first
prenatal visit. After recording current height, weight, and BMI, it is determined that the patient is
obese. What complications related to obesity will the nurse assess this patient for during
pregnancy? (Select all that apply.)
A. Preterm labor
B. Gestational diabetes
C. Hypertension
D. Pre-eclampsia
E. Placenta previa
Rationale: B, C, and D are correct because obesity increases the risk for metabolic and
cardiovascular complications such as gestational diabetes, hypertension, and pre-eclampsia. The
other options are not directly linked to obesity.
The nurse is preparing a pregnant patient for an abdominal ultrasound at 8 weeks' gestation.
What intervention will the nurse implement before this diagnostic test?
A. Eat a light meal before the test
B. Drink 1 to 2 quarts of water before the test
C. Remain NPO for 8 hours
D. Empty the bladder before the test
Rationale: B is correct because a full bladder helps lift and stabilize the uterus for better imaging
during early pregnancy. The other options do not improve ultrasound accuracy.
A patient who is 28 weeks pregnant presents with consistent hypertension. What would be the
nurse's first priority?
A. Increase fluid intake
B. Administer oxygen
C. Activity restriction
D. Administer iron supplements
Rationale: C is correct because reducing physical activity helps decrease blood pressure and
improves placental circulation. The other options do not directly manage hypertension.
,What would the nurse include in a teaching plan for the pregnant patient who has iron deficiency
anemia and has been placed on iron supplements? (Select all that apply.)
A. The iron therapy will continue for about 3 months
B. Tea should be avoided while taking iron
C. Citrus fruits enhance absorption of iron
D. Iron may be taken with milk for comfort
E. Iron can be stopped once symptoms improve
Rationale: A, B, and C are correct because vitamin C aids absorption and tea inhibits it;
continued therapy ensures adequate iron stores. Milk interferes with absorption, and therapy
should not stop early.
The nurse educates a prenatal patient about the threat of TORCH infections. Which infections
are included in this classification? (Select all that apply.)
A. Toxoplasmosis
B. Cytomegalovirus
C. Rubella
D. Herpes simplex
E. Varicella
Rationale: A, B, C, and D are correct—these are classic TORCH infections known to cause
congenital defects. Varicella is not part of the TORCH group but is still a concern during
pregnancy.
The nurse takes into consideration that the patient with placenta previa is at risk for postpartum
infection for what reasons? (Select all that apply.)
A. The placenta is an excellent growth medium
B. Vaginal organisms can invade the placenta
C. The mother’s antibodies are weakened
D. Prolonged rupture of membranes
Rationale: A and B are correct because the placenta’s rich blood supply and exposure to vaginal
flora increase infection risk. The other options are not specific to placenta previa.
A nurse is providing prenatal education. The nurse will explain that pregnancy affects glucose
metabolism in what way?
A. Insulin sensitivity increases
B. Placental hormones increase the resistance of cells to insulin
C. The pancreas decreases insulin production
D. Blood glucose levels remain unchanged
Rationale: B is correct—placental hormones like human placental lactogen cause insulin
resistance, which may lead to gestational diabetes. The other statements are inaccurate.
, What symptom presented by a pregnant woman is indicative of abruptio placentae?
A. Abdominal tenderness without bleeding
B. Vaginal bleeding and back pain
C. Painless bright red bleeding
D. Reduced fetal movement only
Rationale: B is correct because vaginal bleeding with back pain and uterine tenderness are
classic signs of placental abruption. Placenta previa causes painless bleeding.
The nurse is caring for a pregnant woman diagnosed with preeclampsia. What will the nurse
explain is the objective of magnesium sulfate therapy for this patient?
A. Reduce blood pressure
B. Promote fetal lung maturity
C. Prevent convulsions
D. Induce labor
Rationale: C is correct—magnesium sulfate acts as a CNS depressant to prevent eclampsia
seizures. It is not primarily an antihypertensive or to promote fetal lung development.
A pregnant patient tells the nurse that she has been nauseated and vomiting. How will the nurse
explain that hyperemesis gravidarum is distinguished from morning sickness?
A. It occurs only in the first trimester
B. It causes mild dehydration
C. It resolves after meals
D. It causes dehydration and electrolyte imbalances
Rationale: D is correct—hyperemesis gravidarum involves severe, persistent vomiting leading
to dehydration and metabolic disturbances, unlike typical morning sickness.
The nurse assesses a pregnant woman for pregnancy-induced hypertension. What is the first sign
of fluid retention suggestive of this complication?
A. Edema of hands and feet
B. Sudden weight gain
C. Facial puffiness
D. Abdominal swelling
Rationale: B is correct—rapid weight gain often precedes visible edema and is an early indicator
of fluid retention in gestational hypertension.
