Maternity Nursing NCLEX Practice Quiz and Test Bank (500+ Questions)

A postpartum patient was in labor for 30 hours and had ruptured membranes for 24 hours. For which of the following would the nurse be alert?

A client at 36 weeks gestation is scheduled for a routine ultrasound prior to amniocentesis. After teaching the client about the purpose of the ultrasound, which of the following client statements would indicate to the nurse in charge that the client needs further instruction?

While the postpartum client is receiving heparin for thrombophlebitis, which of the following drugs would the nurse expect to administer if the client develops complications related to heparin therapy?

When caring for a 3-day-old neonate who is receiving phototherapy to treat jaundice, the nurse in charge would expect to do which of the following?

A primigravida in active labor is about 9 days post-term. The client desires a bilateral pudendal block anesthesia before delivery. After the nurse explains this type of anesthesia to the client, which of the following locations identified by the client as the area of relief would indicate to the nurse that the teaching was effective?

The nurse is caring for a primigravida at about 2 months and 1-week gestation. After explaining self-care measures for common discomforts of pregnancy, the nurse determines that the client understands the instructions when she says:

Forty-eight hours after delivery, the nurse in charge plans discharge teaching for the client about infant care. By this time, the nurse expects that the phase of postpartum psychological adaptation that the client would be in would be termed which of the following?

A pregnant client is diagnosed with partial placenta previa. In explaining the diagnosis, the nurse tells the client that the usual treatment for partial placenta previa is which of the following?

The nurse plans to instruct the postpartum client about methods to prevent breast engorgement. Which of the following measures would the nurse include in the teaching plan?

When the nurse on duty accidentally bumps the bassinet, the neonate throws out its arms, hands opened, and begins to cry. The nurse interprets this reaction as indicative of which of the following reflexes?

A primigravida client at 25 weeks gestation visits the clinic and tells the nurse that her lower back aches when she arrives home from work. The nurse should suggest that the client perform:

Which of the following would the nurse in charge do first after observing a 2-cm circle of bright red bleeding on the diaper of a neonate who just had a circumcision?

Which of the following would the nurse most likely expect to find when assessing a pregnant client with abruption placenta?

While the client is in active labor with twins and the cervix is 5 cm dilated, the nurse observes contractions occurring at a rate of every 7 to 8 minutes in a 30-minute period. Which of the following would be the nurse’s most appropriate action?

A client tells the nurse, “I think my baby likes to hear me talk to him.” When discussing neonates and stimulation with sound, which of the following would the nurse include as a means to elicit the best response?

A 31-year-old multipara is admitted to the birthing room after initial examination reveals her cervix to be at 8 cm, completely effaced (100 %), and at 0 station. What phase of labor is she in?

A pregnant patient asks the nurse if she can take castor oil for her constipation. How should the nurse respond?

A patient in her 14th week of pregnancy has presented with abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding for the past 8 hours. She has passed several clots. What is the primary nursing diagnosis for this patient?

Immediately after delivery, the nurse-midwife assesses the neonate’s head for signs of molding. Which factors determine the type of molding?

For a patient in active labor, the nurse-midwife plans to use an internal electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) device. What must occur before the internal EFM can be applied?

A primigravida patient is admitted to the labor delivery area. Assessment reveals that she is in the early part of the first stage of labor. Her pain is likely to be most intense:

A female adult patient is taking a progestin-only oral contraceptive or mini pill. Progestin use may increase the patient’s risk for:

A patient with pregnancy-induced hypertension probably exhibits which of the following symptoms?

Because cervical effacement and dilation are not progressing in a patient in labor, the doctor orders I.V. administration of oxytocin (Pitocin). Why must the nurse monitor the patient’s fluid intake and output closely during oxytocin administration?

Five hours after birth, a neonate is transferred to the nursery, where the nurse intervenes to prevent hypothermia. What is a common source of radiant heat loss?

After administering bethanechol to a patient with urine retention, the nurse in charge monitors the patient for adverse effects. Which is most likely to occur?

The nurse in charge is caring for a patient who is in the first stage of labor. What is the shortest but most difficult part of this stage?

After 3 days of breastfeeding, a postpartum patient reports nipple soreness. To relieve her discomfort, the nurse should suggest that she:

The nurse is developing a teaching plan for a patient who is 8 weeks pregnant. The nurse should tell the patient that she can expect to feel the fetus move at which time?

Normal lochial findings in the first 24 hours post-delivery include:

Accompanied by her husband, a patient seeks admission to the labor and delivery area. The client states that she is in labor and says she attended the hospital clinic for prenatal care. Which question should the nurse ask her first?

A patient is in the second stage of labor. During this stage, how frequently should the nurse in charge assess her uterine contractions?

A patient is in her last trimester of pregnancy. Nurse Vickie should instruct her to notify her primary health care provider immediately if she notices:

The nurse in-charge is reviewing a patient’s prenatal history. Which finding indicates a genetic risk factor?

An adult female patient is using the rhythm (calendar-basal body temperature) method of family planning. In this method, the unsafe period for sexual intercourse is indicated by:

During a nonstress test (NST), the electronic tracing displays a relatively flat line for fetal movement, making it difficult to evaluate the fetal heart rate (FHR). To mark the strip, the nurse in charge should instruct the client to push the control button at which time?

When evaluating a client’s knowledge of symptoms to report during her pregnancy, which statement would indicate to the nurse in charge that the client understands the information given to her?

When assessing a client during her first prenatal visit, the nurse discovers that the client had a reduction mammoplasty. The mother indicates she wants to breast-feed. What information should the nurse give to this mother regarding breastfeeding success?

Following a precipitous delivery, examination of the client’s vagina reveals a fourth-degree laceration. Which of the following would be contraindicated when caring for this client?

A client makes a routine visit to the prenatal clinic. Although she is 14 weeks pregnant, the size of her uterus approximates that in an 18- to 20-week pregnancy. Dr. Charles diagnoses gestational trophoblastic disease and orders ultrasonography. The nurse expects ultrasonography to reveal:

After completing a second vaginal examination of a client in labor, the nurse-midwife determines that the fetus is in the right occiput anterior position and at (–1) station. Based on these findings, the nurse-midwife knows that the fetal presenting part is:

Which of the following would be inappropriate to assess in a mother who’s breastfeeding?

During a prenatal visit at 4 months gestation, a pregnant client asks whether tests can be done to identify fetal abnormalities. Between 18 and 40 weeks gestation, which procedure is used to detect fetal anomalies?

A client, 30 weeks pregnant, is scheduled for a biophysical profile (BPP) to evaluate the health of her fetus. Her BPP score is 8. What does this score indicate?

A client who is 36 weeks pregnant comes to the clinic for a prenatal checkup. To assess the client’s preparation for parenting, the nurse might ask which question?

A client who’s admitted to labor and delivery has the following assessment findings: gravida 2 para 1, estimated 40 weeks gestation, contractions 2 minutes apart, lasting 45 seconds, vertex +4 station. Which of the following would be the priority at this time?

The nurse is caring for a client in labor. The external fetal monitor shows a pattern of variable decelerations in fetal heart rate. What should the nurse do first?

The nurse in charge is caring for a postpartum client who had a vaginal delivery with a midline episiotomy. Which nursing diagnosis takes priority for this client?

Which change would the nurse identify as a progressive physiological change in the postpartum period?

A 39-year-old at 37 weeks gestation is admitted to the hospital with complaints of vaginal bleeding following the use of cocaine 1 hour earlier. Which complication is most likely causing the client’s complaint of vaginal bleeding?

A client with type 1 diabetes mellitus who is a multigravida visits the clinic at 27 weeks gestation. The nurse should instruct the client that for most pregnant women with type 1 diabetes mellitus:

When administering magnesium sulfate to a client with preeclampsia, the nurse understands that this drug is given to:

What is the approximate time that the blastocyst spends traveling to the uterus for implantation?

After teaching a pregnant woman who is in labor about the purpose of the episiotomy, which of the following purposes stated by the client would indicate to the nurse that the teaching was effective?

A primigravida client at about 35 weeks gestation in active labor has had no prenatal care and admitted to cocaine use during the pregnancy. Which of the following persons must the nurse notify?

When preparing a teaching plan for a client who is to receive a rubella vaccine during the postpartum period, the nurse in charge should include which of the following?

A client with eclampsia begins to experience a seizure. Which of the following would the nurse in charge do first?

While caring for a multigravida client in early labor in a birthing center, which of the following foods would be best if the client requests a snack?

The multigravida mother with a history of rapid labor who us in active labor calls out to the nurse, “The baby is coming!” which of the following would be the nurse’s first action?

While assessing a primipara during the immediate postpartum period, the nurse in charge plans to use both hands to assess the client’s fundus to:

Which behaviors would be exhibited during the letting-go phase of maternal role adaptation. Select all that apply.

While making a visit to the home of a postpartum woman 1 week after birth, the nurse should recognize that the woman would characteristically:

Which of the following is the most common kind of placental adherence seen in pregnant women?

A 40-year-old woman with a high body mass index (BMI) is 10 weeks pregnant. Which diagnostic tool is appropriate to suggest to her at this time?

A nurse providing care for the antepartum woman should understand that the contraction stress test (CST):

In the past, factors to determine whether a woman was likely to have a high-risk pregnancy were evaluated primarily from a medical point of view. A broader, more comprehensive approach to high-risk pregnancy has been adopted. There are now four categories based on threats to the health of the woman and the outcome of pregnancy. Which of the options listed here is not included as a category?

A woman who is at 36 weeks of gestation is having a nonstress test. Which statement indicates her correct understanding of the test?

What is an appropriate indicator for performing a contraction stress test?

The nurse sees a woman for the first time when she is 30 weeks pregnant. The woman has smoked throughout the pregnancy, and fundal height measurements now are suggestive of growth restriction in the fetus. In addition to ultrasound to measure fetal size, what would be another tool useful in confirming the diagnosis?

A nurse is providing instruction for an obstetrical patient to perform a daily fetal movement count (DFMC). Which instructions could be included in the plan of care? Select all that apply.

A patient has undergone an amniocentesis for evaluation of fetal well-being. Which intervention would be included in the nurse’s plan of care after the procedure? Select all that apply.

With regard to small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), nurses should be aware that:

A client who delivered by cesarean section 24 hours ago is using a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump for pain control. Her oral intake has been ice chips only since surgery. She is now complaining of nausea and bloating, and states that because she had nothing to eat, she is too weak to breastfeed her infant. Which nursing diagnosis has the highest priority?

The nurse is teaching care of the newborn to a childbirth preparation class and describes the need for administering antibiotic ointment into the eyes of the newborn. An expectant father asks, “What type of disease causes infections in babies that can be prevented by using this ointment?” Which response by the nurse is accurate?

A new mother is having trouble breastfeeding her newborn. The child is making frantic rooting motions and will not grasp the nipple. Which intervention should the nurse implement?

The nurse is counseling a couple who has sought information about conceiving. The couple asks the nurse to explain when ovulation usually occurs. Which statement by the nurse is correct?

The nurse instructs a laboring client to use accelerated blow breathing. The client begins to complain of tingling fingers and dizziness. Which action should the nurse take?

When assessing a client at 12 weeks of gestation, the nurse recommends that she and her husband consider attending childbirth preparation classes. When is the best time for the couple to attend these classes?

One hour following a normal vaginal delivery, a newborn infant boy’s axillary temperature is 96° F, his lower lip is shaking and, when the nurse assesses for a Moro reflex, the boy’s hands shake. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?

Which statement made by the client indicates that the mother understands the limitations of breastfeeding her newborn?

When assessing the adequacy of sperm for conception to occur, which of the following is the most useful criterion?

A couple who wants to conceive but has been unsuccessful during the last 2 years has undergone many diagnostic procedures. When discussing the situation with the nurse, one partner states, “We know several friends in our age group, and all of them have their own child already, Why can’t we have one?”. Which of the following would be the most appropriate nursing diagnosis for this couple?

Which of the following urinary symptoms does the pregnant woman most frequently experience during the first trimester?

Heartburn and flatulence, common in the second trimester, are most likely the result of which of the following?

In which of the following areas would the nurse expect to observe chloasma?

A pregnant client states that she “waddles” when she walks. The nurse’s explanation is based on which of the following as the cause?

Which of the following represents the average amount of weight gained during pregnancy?

When talking with a pregnant client who is experiencing aching swollen, leg veins, the nurse would explain that this is most probably the result of which of the following?

Cervical softening and uterine souffle are classified as which of the following?

Which of the following would the nurse identify as a presumptive sign of pregnancy?

Which of the following common emotional reactions to pregnancy would the nurse expect to occur during the first trimester?

During which of the following would the focus of classes be mainly on physiologic changes, fetal development, sexuality, during pregnancy, and nutrition?

Which of the following would be a disadvantage of breastfeeding?

Which of the following would cause a false-positive result on a pregnancy test?

FHR can be auscultated with a fetoscope as early as which of the following?

A client LMP began July 5. Her EDD should be which of the following?

Which of the following fundal heights indicates less than 12 weeks’ gestation when the date of the LMP is unknown?

Which of the following danger signs should be reported promptly during the antepartum period?

Which of the following prenatal laboratory test values would the nurse consider as significant?

Which of the following characteristics of contractions would the nurse expect to find in a client experiencing true labor?

During which of the following stages of labor would the nurse assess “crowning”?

Barbiturates are usually not given for pain relief during active labor for which of the following reasons?

Which of the following nursing interventions would the nurse perform during the third stage of labor?

Which of the following actions demonstrates the nurse’s understanding of the newborn’s thermoregulatory ability?

Immediately before expulsion, which of the following cardinal movements occur?

Before birth, which of the following structures connects the right and left auricles of the heart?

Which of the following when present in the urine may cause a reddish stain on the diaper of a newborn?

When assessing the newborn’s heart rate, which of the following ranges would be considered normal if the newborn were sleeping?

Which of the following is true regarding the fontanels of the newborn?

Which of the following groups of newborn reflexes below are present at birth and remain unchanged through adulthood?

Which of the following describes the Babinski reflex?

Which of the following statements best describes hyperemesis gravidarum?

Which of the following would the nurse identify as a classic sign of PIH?

In which of the following types of spontaneous abortions would the nurse assess dark brown vaginal discharge and a negative pregnancy test?

Which of the following factors would the nurse suspect as predisposing a client to placenta previa?

Which of the following would the nurse assess in a client experiencing abruptio placenta?

Which of the following is described as premature separation of a normally implanted placenta during the second half of pregnancy, usually with severe hemorrhage?

Which of the following may happen if the uterus becomes overstimulated by oxytocin during the induction of labor?

When preparing a client for cesarean delivery, which of the following key concepts should be considered when implementing nursing care?

Which of the following best describes preterm labor?

When PROM occurs, which of the following provides evidence of the nurse’s understanding of the client’s immediate needs?

Which of the following factors is the underlying cause of dystocia?

When uterine rupture occurs, which of the following would be the priority?

Which of the following is the nurse’s initial action when umbilical cord prolapse occurs?

Which of the following amounts of blood loss following birth marks the criterion for describing postpartum hemorrhage?

Which of the following is the primary predisposing factor related to mastitis?

Which of the following best describes thrombophlebitis?

Which of the following assessment findings would the nurse expect if the client develops DVT?

Which of the following are the most commonly assessed findings in cystitis?

Which of the following best reflects the frequency of reported postpartum “blues”?

For the client who is using oral contraceptives, the nurse informs the client about the need to take the pill at the same time each day to accomplish which of the following?

When teaching a client about contraception. Which of the following would the nurse include as the most effective method for preventing sexually transmitted infections?

When preparing a woman who is 2 days postpartum for discharge, recommendations for which of the following contraceptive methods would be avoided?

For which of the following clients would the nurse expect that an intrauterine device would not be recommended?

A client in her third trimester tells the nurse, “I’m constipated all the time!” Which of the following should the nurse recommend?

Which of the following would the nurse use as the basis for the teaching plan when caring for a pregnant teenager concerned about gaining too much weight during pregnancy?

The client tells the nurse that her last menstrual period started on January 14 and ended on January 20. Using Nagele’s rule, the nurse determines her EDD to be which of the following?

When taking an obstetrical history on a pregnant client who states, “I had a son born at 38 weeks gestation, a daughter born at 30 weeks gestation and I lost a baby at about 8 weeks,” the nurse should record her obstetrical history as which of the following?

When preparing to listen to the fetal heart rate at 12 weeks’ gestation, the nurse would use which of the following?

When developing a plan of care for a client newly diagnosed with gestational diabetes, which of the following instructions would be the priority?

A client at 24 weeks gestation has gained 6 pounds in 4 weeks. Which of the following would be the priority when assessing the client?

A client 12 weeks’ pregnant came to the emergency department with abdominal cramping and moderate vaginal bleeding. Speculum examination reveals 2 to 3 cm cervical dilation.The nurse would document these findings as which of the following?

Which of the following would be the priority nursing diagnosis for a client with an ectopic pregnancy?

Before assessing the postpartum client’s uterus for firmness and position in relation to the umbilicus and midline, which of the following should the nurse do first?

Which of the following should the nurse do when a primipara who is lactating tells the nurse that she has sore nipples?

The nurse assesses the vital signs of a client, 4 hours’ postpartum that are as follows: BP 90/60; temperature 100.4ºF; pulse 100 weak, thready; R 20 per minute. Which of the following should the nurse do first?

The nurse assesses the postpartum vaginal discharge (lochia) on four clients. Which of the following assessments would warrant notification of the physician?

A postpartum client has a temperature of 101.4ºF, with a uterus that is tender when palpated, remains unusually large, and not descending as normally expected. Which of the following should the nurse assess next?

Which of the following is the priority focus of nursing practice with the current early postpartum discharge?

Which of the following actions would be least effective in maintaining a neutral thermal environment for the newborn?

A newborn who has an asymmetrical Moro reflex response should be further assessed for which of the following?

During the first 4 hours after a male circumcision, assessing for which of the following is the priority?

The mother asks the nurse. “What’s wrong with my son’s breasts? Why are they so enlarged?” Which of the following would be the best response by the nurse?

Immediately after birth, the nurse notes the following on a male newborn: respirations 78; apical heart rate 160 BPM, nostril-flaring; mild intercostal retractions; and grunting at the end of expiration. Which of the following should the nurse do?

The nurse hears a mother telling a friend on the telephone about umbilical cord care. Which of the following statements by the mother indicates effective teaching?

A newborn weighing 3000 grams and feeding every 4 hours needs 120 calories/kg of body weight every 24 hours for proper growth and development. How many ounces of 20 cals/oz formula should this newborn receive at each feeding to meet nutritional needs?

The post-term neonate with meconium-stained amniotic fluid needs care designed to especially monitor for which of the following?

When measuring a client’s fundal height, which of the following techniques denotes the correct method of measurement used by the nurse?

A client with severe preeclampsia is admitted with BP 160/110, proteinuria, and severe pitting edema. Which of the following would be most important to include in the client’s plan of care?

A postpartum primipara asks the nurse, “When can we have sexual intercourse again?” Which of the following would be the nurse’s best response?

When preparing to administer the vitamin K injection to a neonate, the nurse would select which of the following sites as appropriate for the injection?

When performing a pelvic examination, the nurse observes a red swollen area on the right side of the vaginal orifice. The nurse would document this as enlargement of which of the following?

To differentiate as a female, the hormonal stimulation of the embryo that must occur involves which of the following?

A client at 8 weeks’ gestation calls complaining of slight nausea in the morning hours. Which of the following client interventions should the nurse question?

The nurse documents positive ballottement in the client’s prenatal record. The nurse understands that this indicates which of the following?

During a pelvic exam, the nurse notes a purple-blue tinge of the cervix. The nurse documents this as which of the following?

During a prenatal class, the nurse explains the rationale for breathing techniques during preparation for labor based on the understanding that breathing techniques are most important in achieving which of the following?

After 4 hours of active labor, the nurse notes that the contractions of a primigravida client are not strong enough to dilate the cervix. Which of the following would the nurse anticipate doing?

A multigravida at 38 weeks’ gestation is admitted with painless, bright red bleeding and mild contractions every 7 to 10 minutes. Which of the following assessments should be avoided?

Which of the following would be the nurse’s most appropriate response to a client who asks why she must have a cesarean delivery if she has a complete placenta previa?

The nurse understands that the fetal head is in which of the following positions with a face presentation?

With a fetus in the left anterior breech presentation, the nurse would expect the fetal heart rate would be most audible in which of the following areas?

The amniotic fluid of a client has a greenish tint. The nurse interprets this to be the result of which of the following?

A patient is in labor and has just been told she has a breech presentation. The nurse should be particularly alert for which of the following?

When describing dizygotic twins to a couple, on which of the following would the nurse base the explanation?

Which of the following refers to the single cell that reproduces itself after conception?

In the late 1950s, consumers and health care professionals began challenging the routine use of analgesics and anesthetics during childbirth. Which of the following was an outgrowth of this concept?

A client has a mid pelvic contracture from a previous pelvic injury due to a motor vehicle accident as a teenager. The nurse is aware that this could prevent a fetus from passing through or around which structure during childbirth?

When teaching a group of adolescents about variations in the length of the menstrual cycle, the nurse understands that the underlying mechanism is due to variations in which of the following phases?

When teaching a group of adolescents about male hormone production, which of the following would the nurse include as being produced by the Leydig cells?

While performing a physical assessment of a 12 month-old, the nurse notes that the infant’s anterior fontanel is still slightly open. Which of the following is the nurse’s most appropriate action?

When teaching a mother about introducing solid foods to her child, which of the following indicates the earliest age at which this should be done?

The infant of a substance-abusing mother is at risk for developing a sense of which of the following?

Which of the following toys should the nurse recommend for a 5-month-old?

The mother of a 2-month-old is concerned that she may be spoiling her baby by picking her up when she cries. Which of the following would be the nurse’s best response?

When assessing an 18-month-old, the nurse notes a characteristic protruding abdomen. Which of the following would explain the rationale for this finding?

If parents keep a toddler dependent in areas where he is capable of using skills, the toddler will develop a sense of which of the following?

Which of the following is an appropriate toy for an 18-month-old?

When teaching parents about the child’s readiness for toilet training, which of the following signs should the nurse instruct them to watch for in the toddler?

When teaching parents about typical toddler eating patterns, which of the following should be included?

Which of the following suggestions should the nurse offer the parents of a 4-year-old boy who resists going to bed at night?

When providing therapeutic play, which of the following toys would best promote imaginative play in a 4-year-old?