Certification Study Guide Pregnancy
Complications & Postpartum Care Questions
And Answers With Verified Rationales
2026/27 Digital Pdf Download
1. A pregnant client with blood pressure of 168/110 mmHg, proteinuria, and
severe headache is most likely experiencing:
A. Gestational diabetes
B. Mild preeclampsia
C. Severe preeclampsia
D. Hyperemesis gravidarum
Answer: C. Severe preeclampsia
Rationale: Severe hypertension, proteinuria, headache, and possible end-
organ involvement are hallmark findings of severe preeclampsia.
2. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a postpartum client?
A. Moderate lochia rubra
B. Fundus firm at midline
C. Saturating a perineal pad within 1 hour
D. Mild afterpains during breastfeeding
Answer: C. Saturating a perineal pad within 1 hour
Rationale: Excessive bleeding may indicate postpartum hemorrhage, which is
a medical emergency.
3. A client with gestational diabetes is at highest risk for delivering a newborn
with:
A. Low birth weight
B. Neural tube defects only
C. Macrosomia
D. Cleft palate
,Answer: C. Macrosomia
Rationale: Maternal hyperglycemia leads to fetal hyperinsulinemia and
excessive fetal growth.
4. Which medication is commonly administered to prevent seizures in
preeclampsia?
A. Oxytocin
B. Magnesium sulfate
C. Terbutaline
D. Methylergonovine
Answer: B. Magnesium sulfate
Rationale: Magnesium sulfate is the medication of choice for seizure
prophylaxis in preeclampsia.
5. A postpartum client has a boggy uterus. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Administer antibiotics
B. Massage the fundus
C. Place the client flat
D. Encourage ambulation
Answer: B. Massage the fundus
Rationale: Fundal massage stimulates uterine contraction and helps reduce
hemorrhage.
6. Which finding is a classic symptom of placental abruption?
A. Painless bright red bleeding
B. Severe abdominal pain with dark bleeding
C. Polyuria
D. Persistent vomiting
Answer: B. Severe abdominal pain with dark bleeding
Rationale: Placental abruption typically presents with painful vaginal
bleeding and uterine tenderness.
, 7. A pregnant client at 32 weeks reports sudden painless vaginal bleeding. The
nurse suspects:
A. Placenta previa
B. Placental abruption
C. Ectopic pregnancy
D. Preterm labor
Answer: A. Placenta previa
Rationale: Placenta previa classically causes painless bright red bleeding in
late pregnancy.
8. Which postpartum assessment finding indicates uterine involution is
progressing normally?
A. Boggy uterus above umbilicus
B. Fundus descending approximately 1 cm daily
C. Heavy clots continuously
D. Foul-smelling lochia
Answer: B. Fundus descending approximately 1 cm daily
Rationale: The uterus normally descends gradually into the pelvis during
involution.
9. A client receiving magnesium sulfate should be monitored closely for:
A. Hyperreflexia
B. Respiratory depression
C. Hypertension
D. Tachycardia
Answer: B. Respiratory depression
Rationale: Magnesium sulfate toxicity can suppress respiratory and
neurological function.