MATERNAL AND CHILD PRACTICE TEST

1. Diana a nurse in the hospital is caring for a client in labor. The nurse determines that the client is
beginning in the 2nd stage of labor when which of the following assessments is noted?

A. The client begins to expel clear vaginal fluid

B. The contractions are regular
C. The membranes have ruptured
D. The cervix is dilated completely
2. A nurse in the labor room is caring for a client in the active phases of labor. The nurse is assessing the
fetal patterns and notes a late deceleration on the monitor strip. The most appropriate nursing action is to:

A. Place the mother in the supine position

B. Document the findings and continue to monitor the fetal patterns
C. Administer oxygen via face mask
D. Increase the rate of pitocin IV infusion
3. A nurse is performing an assessment of a client who is scheduled for a cesarean delivery. Which
assessment finding would indicate a need to contact the physician?

A. Fetal heart rate of 180 beats per minute

B. White blood cell count of 12,000
C. Maternal pulse rate of 85 beats per minute
D. Hemoglobin of 11.0 g/dL
4.  A client in labor is transported to the delivery room and is prepared for a cesarean delivery. The client is
transferred to the delivery room table, and the nurse places the client in the:

A. Trendelenburg’s position with the legs in stirrups

B. Semi-Fowler position with a pillow under the knees
C. Prone position with the legs separated and elevated
D. Supine position with a wedge under the right hip
5. A nurse is caring for a client in labor and prepares to auscultate the fetal heart rate by using a Doppler
ultrasound device. The nurse most accurately determines that the fetal heart sounds are heard by:

A. Noting if the heart rate is greater than 140 BPM

B. Placing the diaphragm of the Doppler on the mother abdomen
C. Performing Leopold’s maneuvers first to determine the location of the fetal heart
D. Palpating the maternal radial pulse while listening to the fetal heart rate
6. A nurse is caring for a client in labor who is receiving Pitocin by IV infusion to stimulate uterine
contractions. Which assessment finding would indicate to the nurse that the infusion needs to be
discontinued?

A. Three contractions occurring within a 10-minute period

B. A fetal heart rate of 90 beats per minute
C. Adequate resting tone of the uterus palpated between contractions
D. Increased urinary output
7. A nurse is beginning to care for a client in labor. The physician has prescribed an IV infusion of Pitocin.
The nurse ensures that which of the following is implemented before initiating the infusion?
 A. Placing the client on complete bed rest
B. Continuous electronic fetal monitoring
C. An IV infusion of antibiotics
D. Placing a code cart at the client’s bedside
8. A nurse is monitoring a client in active labor and notes that the client is having contractions every 3
minutes that last 45 seconds. The nurse notes that the fetal heart rate between contractions is 100 BPM.
Which of the following nursing actions is most appropriate?

A. Encourage the client’s coach to continue to encourage breathing exercises

B. Encourage the client to continue pushing with each contraction
C. Continue monitoring the fetal heart rate
D. Notify the physician or nurse midwife
9. A nurse is caring for a client in labor and is monitoring the fetal heart rate patterns. The nurse notes the
presence of episodic accelerations on the electronic fetal monitor tracing. Which of the following actions is
most appropriate?

A. Document the findings and tell the mother that the monitor indicates fetal well-being
B. Take the mother’s vital signs and tell the mother that bed rest is required to conserve oxygen.
C. Notify the physician or nurse midwife of the findings.
D. Reposition the mother and check the monitor for changes in the fetal tracing
10. A nurse is admitting a pregnant client to the labor room and attaches an external electronic fetal monitor
to the client’s abdomen. After attachment of the monitor, the initial nursing assessment is which of the
following?

A. Identifying the types of accelerations

B. Assessing the baseline fetal heart rate
C. Determining the frequency of the contractions
D. Determining the intensity of the contractions
11. A nurse is reviewing the record of a client in the labor room and notes that the nurse midwife has
documented that the fetus is at (-1) station. The nurse determines that the fetal presenting part is:

A. 1 cm above the ischial spine

B. 1 fingerbreadth below the symphysis pubis
C. 1 inch below the coccyx
D. 1 inch below the iliac crest
12. A pregnant client is admitted to the labor room. An assessment is performed, and the nurse notes that
the client’s hemoglobin and hematocrit levels are low, indicating anemia. The nurse determines that the
client is at risk for which of the following?

A. A loud mouth
B. Low self-esteem
C. Hemorrhage
D. Postpartum infections
13. A nurse assists in the vaginal delivery of a newborn infant. After the delivery, the nurse observes the
umbilical cord lengthen and a spurt of blood from the vagina. The nurse documents these observations as
signs of:

A. Hematoma
 B. Placenta previa
C. Uterine atony
D. Placental separation
14. A client arrives at a birthing center in active labor. Her membranes are still intact, and the nurse-midwife
prepares to perform an amniotomy. A nurse who is assisting the nurse-midwife explains to the client that
after this procedure, she will most likely have:

A. Less pressure on her cervix

B. Increased efficiency of contractions
C. Decreased number of contractions
D. The need for increased maternal blood pressure monitoring
15. A nurse is monitoring a client in labor. The nurse suspects umbilical cord compression if which of the
following is noted on the external monitor tracing during a contraction?

A. Early decelerations
B. Variable decelerations
C. Late decelerations
D. Short-term variability
16. A nurse explains the purpose of effleurage to a client in early labor. The nurse tells the client that
effleurage is:

A. A form of biofeedback to enhance bearing down efforts during delivery

B. Light stroking of the abdomen to facilitate relaxation during labor and provide tactile
stimulation to the fetus
C. The application of pressure to the sacrum to relieve a backache
D. Performed to stimulate uterine activity by contracting a specific muscle group while other parts
of the body rest
17. A nurse is caring for a client in the second stage of labor. The client is experiencing uterine contractions
every 2 minutes and cries out in pain with each contraction. The nurse recognizes this behavior as:

A. Exhaustion
B. Fear of losing control
C. Involuntary grunting
D. Valsalva’s maneuver
18. A nurse is monitoring a client in labor who is receiving Pitocin and notes that the client is experiencing
hypertonic uterine contractions. List in order of priority the actions that the nurse takes.

A. Stop of Pitocin infusion

B. Perform a vaginal examination
C. Reposition the client
D. Check the client’s blood pressure and heart rate
E. Administer oxygen by face mask at 8 to 10 L/min
19. A nurse is assigned to care for a client with hypotonic uterine dysfunction and signs of a slowing labor.
The nurse is reviewing the physician’s orders and would expect to note which of the following prescribed
treatments for this condition?

A. Medication that will provide sedation

B. Increased hydration
 C. Oxytocin (Pitocin) infusion
D. Administration of a tocolytic medication
20. A nurse in the labor room is preparing to care for a client with hypertonic uterine dysfunction. The nurse
is told that the client is experiencing uncoordinated contractions that are erratic in their frequency, duration,
and intensity. The priority nursing intervention would be to:

A. Monitor the Pitocin infusion closely

B. Provide pain relief measures
C. Prepare the client for an amniotomy
D. Promote ambulation every 30 minutes
21. A nurse is developing a plan of care for a client experiencing dystocia and includes several nursing
interventions in the plan of care. The nurse prioritizes the plan of care and selects which of the following
nursing interventions as the highest priority?

A. Keeping the significant other informed of the progress of the labor

B. Providing comfort measures
C. Monitoring fetal heart rate
D. Changing the client’s position frequently
22. A maternity nurse is preparing to care for a pregnant client in labor who will be delivering twins. The
nurse monitors the fetal heart rates by placing the external fetal monitor:

A. Over the fetus that is most anterior to the mother’s abdomen

B. Over the fetus that is most posterior to the mother’s abdomen
C. So that each fetal heart rate is monitored separately
D. So that one fetus is monitored for a 15-minute period followed by a 15 minute fetal monitoring
period for the second fetus
23. A nurse in the postpartum unit is caring for a client who has just delivered a newborn infant following a
pregnancy with placenta previa. The nurse reviews the plan of care and prepares to monitor the client for
which of the following risks associated with placenta previa?

A. Disseminated intravascular coagulation

B. Chronic hypertension
C. Infection
D. Hemorrhage
24. A nurse in the delivery room is assisting with the delivery of a newborn infant. After the delivery of the
newborn, the nurse assists in delivering the placenta. Which observation would indicate that the placenta
has separated from the uterine wall and is ready for delivery?

A. The umbilical cord shortens in length and changes in color

B. A soft and boggy uterus
C. Maternal complaints of severe uterine cramping
D. Changes in the shape of the uterus
25. A nurse in the labor room is performing a vaginal assessment on a pregnant client in labor. The nurse
notes the presence of the umbilical cord protruding from the vagina. Which of the following would be the
initial nursing action?

A. Place the client in Trendelenburg’s position

B. Call the delivery room to notify the staff that the client will be transported immediately
 C. Gently push the cord into the vagina
D. Find the closest telephone and stat page the physician
26. A maternity nurse is caring for a client with abruptio placenta and is monitoring the client for
disseminated intravascular coagulopathy. Which assessment finding is least likely to be associated with
disseminated intravascular coagulation?

A. Swelling of the calf in one leg

B. Prolonged clotting times
C. Decreased platelet count
D. Petechiae, oozing from injection sites, and hematuria
27. A nurse is assessing a pregnant client in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy who was admitted to the
maternity unit with a suspected diagnosis of abruptio placentae. Which of the following assessment findings
would the nurse expect to note if this condition is present?

A. Absence of abdominal pain

B. A soft abdomen
C. Uterine tenderness/pain
D. Painless, bright red vaginal bleeding

Absence of abdominal pain

A. A soft abdomen
B. Uterine tenderness/pain
C. Painless, bright red vaginal bleeding
28. A maternity nurse is preparing for the admission of a client in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy that is
experiencing vaginal bleeding and has a suspected diagnosis of placenta previa. The nurse reviews the
physician’s orders and would question which order?

A. Prepare the client for an ultrasound

B. Obtain equipment for external electronic fetal heart monitoring
C. Obtain equipment for a manual pelvic examination
D. Prepare to draw a Hgb and Hct blood sample
29. An ultrasound is performed on a client at term gestation that is experiencing moderate vaginal bleeding.
The results of the ultrasound indicate that an abruptio placenta is present. Based on these findings, the
nurse would prepare the client for:

A. Complete bed rest for the remainder of the pregnancy

B. Delivery of the fetus
C. Strict monitoring of intake and output
D. The need for weekly monitoring of coagulation studies until the time of delivery
30. A nurse in a labor room is assisting with the vaginal delivery of a newborn infant. The nurse would
monitor the client closely for the risk of uterine rupture if which of the following occurred?

A. Hypotonic contractions
B. Forceps delivery
C. Schultz delivery
D. Weak bearing down efforts
31. A client is admitted to the birthing suite in early active labor. The priority nursing intervention on
admission of this client would be:

A. Auscultating the fetal heart

B. Taking an obstetric history
C. Asking the client when she last ate
D. Ascertaining whether the membranes were ruptured
32. A client who is gravida 1, para 0 is admitted in labor. Her cervix is 100% effaced, and she is dilated to 3
cm. Her fetus is at +1 station. The nurse is aware that the fetus’ head is:

A. Not yet engaged

B. Entering the pelvic inlet
C. Below the ischial spines
D. Visible at the vaginal opening
33. After doing Leopold’s maneuvers, the nurse determines that the fetus is in the ROP position. To best
auscultate the fetal heart tones, the Doppler is placed:

A. Above the umbilicus at the midline

B. Above the umbilicus on the left side
C. Below the umbilicus on the right side
D. Below the umbilicus near the left groin
34. The physician asks the nurse the frequency of a laboring client’s contractions. The nurse assesses the
client’s contractions by timing from the beginning of one contraction:

A. Until the time it is completely over

B. To the end of a second contraction
C. To the beginning of the next contraction
D. Until the time that the uterus becomes very firm
35. The nurse observes the client’s amniotic fluid and decides that it appears normal, because it is:

A. Clear and dark amber in color

B. Milky, greenish yellow, containing shreds of mucus
C. Clear, almost colorless, and containing little white specks
D. Cloudy, greenish-yellow, and containing little white specks
36. At 38 weeks gestation, a client is having late decelerations. The fetal pulse oximeter shows 75% to
85%. The nurse should:

A. Discontinue the catheter, if the reading is not above 80%

B. Discontinue the catheter, if the reading does not go below 30%
C. Advance the catheter until the reading is above 90% and continue monitoring
D. Reposition the catheter, recheck the reading, and if it is 55%, keep monitoring
37. When examining the fetal monitor strip after rupture of the membranes in a laboring client, the nurse
notes variable decelerations in the fetal heart rate. The nurse should:

A. Stop the oxytocin infusion

B. Change the client’s position
C. Prepare for immediate delivery
D. Take the client’s blood pressure
38. When monitoring the fetal heart rate of a client in labor, the nurse identifies an elevation of 15 beats
above the baseline rate of 135 beats per minute lasting for 15 seconds. This should be documented as:

A. An acceleration
B. An early elevation
C. A sonographic motion
D. A tachycardic heart rate
39. A laboring client complains of low back pain. The nurse replies that this pain occurs most when the
position of the fetus is:

A. Breech
B. Transverse
C. Occiput anterior
D. Occiput posterior
40. The breathing technique that the mother should be instructed to use as the fetus’ head is crowning is:

A. Blowing
B. Slow chest
C. Shallow
D. Accelerated-decelerated
41. During the period of induction of labor, a client should be observed carefully for signs of:

A. Severe pain
B. Uterine tetany
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Umbilical cord prolapse
42. A client arrives at the hospital in the second stage of labor. The fetus’ head is crowning, the client is
bearing down, and the birth appears imminent. The nurse should:

A. Transfer her immediately by stretcher to the birthing unit

B. Tell her to breathe through her mouth and not to bear down
C. Instruct the client to pant during contractions and to breathe through her mouth
D. Support the perineum with the hand to prevent tearing and tell the client to pant
43. A laboring client is to have a pudendal block. The nurse plans to tell the client that once the block is
working she:

A. Will not feel the episiotomy

B. May lose bladder sensation
C. May lose the ability to push
D. Will no longer feel contractions
44. Which of the following observations indicates fetal distress?

A. Fetal scalp pH of 7.14

B. Fetal heart rate of 144 beats/minute
C. Acceleration of fetal heart rate with contractions
D. Presence of long term variability
45. Which of the following fetal positions is most favorable for birth?
 A. Vertex presentation
B. Transverse lie
C. Frank breech presentation
D. Posterior position of the fetal head
46.  A laboring client has external electronic fetal monitoring in place. Which of the following assessment
data can be determined by examining the fetal heart rate strip produced by the external electronic fetal
monitor?

A. Gender of the fetus

B. Fetal position
C. Labor progress
D. Oxygenation
47. A laboring client is in the first stage of labor and has progressed from 4 to 7 cm in cervical dilation. In
which of the following phases of the first stage does cervical dilation occur most rapidly?

A. Preparatory phase
B. Latent phase
C. Active phase
D. Transition phase
48. A multiparous client who has been in labor for 2 hours states that she feels the urge to move her
bowels. How should the nurse respond?

A. Let the client get up to use the potty

B. Allow the client to use a bedpan
C. Perform a pelvic examination
D. Check the fetal heart rate
49. Labor is a series of events affected by the coordination of the five essential factors. One of these is the
passenger (fetus). Which are the other four factors?

A. Contractions, passageway, placental position and function, pattern of care

B. Contractions, maternal response, placental position, psychological response
C. Passageway, contractions, placental position and function, psychological response
D. Passageway, placental position and function, paternal response, psychological response
50. Fetal presentation refers to which of the following descriptions?

A. Fetal body part that enters the maternal pelvis first

B. Relationship of the presenting part to the maternal pelvis
C. Relationship of the long axis of the fetus to the long axis of the mother
D. A classification according to the fetal part

51. A client is admitted to the L & D suite at 36 weeks’ gestation. She has a history of C-section and
complains of severe abdominal pain that started less than 1 hour earlier. When the nurse
palpates tetanic contractions, the client again complains of severe pain. After the client vomits, she states
that the pain is better and then passes out. Which is the probable cause of her signs and symptoms?

A. Hysteria compounded by the flu

B. Placental abruption
C. Uterine rupture
 D. Dysfunctional labor
52. Upon completion of a vaginal examination on a laboring woman, the nurse records: 50%, 6 cm, -1.
Which of the following is a correct interpretation of the data?

A. Fetal presenting part is 1 cm above the ischial spines

B. Effacement is 4 cm from completion
C. Dilation is 50% completed
D. Fetus has achieved passage through the ischial spines
53. Which of the following findings meets the criteria of a reassuring FHR pattern?

A. FHR does not change as a result of fetal activity

B. Average baseline rate ranges between 100 – 140 BPM
C. Mild late deceleration patterns occur with some contractions
D. Variability averages between 6 – 10 BPM
54. Late deceleration patterns are noted when assessing the monitor tracing of a woman whose labor is
being induced with an infusion of Pitocin.  The woman is in a side-lying position, and her vital signs are
stable and fall within a normal range.  Contractions are intense, last 90 seconds, and occur every 1 1/2 to 2
minutes. The nurse’s immediate action would be to:

A. Change the woman’s position

B. Stop the Pitocin
C. Elevate the woman’s legs
D. Administer oxygen via a tight mask at 8 to 10 liters/minute
55. The nurse should realize that the most common and potentially harmful maternal complication of
epidural anesthesia would be:

A. Severe postpartum headache

B. Limited perception of bladder fullness
C. Increase in respiratory rate
D. Hypotension
56. Perineal care is an important infection control measure.  When evaluating a postpartum woman’s
perineal care technique, the nurse would recognize the need for further instruction if the woman:

A. Uses soap and warm water to wash the vulva and perineum
B. Washes from symphysis pubis back to episiotomy
C. Changes her perineal pad every 2 – 3 hours
D. Uses the peribottle to rinse upward into her vagina
57. Which measure would be least effective in preventing postpartum hemorrhage?

A. Administer Methergine 0.2 mg every 6 hours for 4 doses as ordered

B. Encourage the woman to void every 2 hours
C. Massage the fundus every hour for the first 24 hours following birth
D. Teach the woman the importance of rest and nutrition to enhance healing
58. When making a visit to the home of a postpartum woman one week after birth, the nurse should
recognize that the woman would characteristically:

A. Express a strong need to review events and her behavior during the process of labor and
birth
 B. Exhibit a reduced attention span, limiting readiness to learn
C. Vacillate between the desire to have her own nurturing needs met and the need to take
charge of her own care and that of her newborn
D. Have reestablished her role as a spouse/partner
59. Four hours after a difficult labor and birth, a primiparous woman refuses to feed her baby, stating that
she is too tired and just wants to sleep.  The nurse should:

A. Tell the woman she can rest after she feeds her baby
B. Recognize this as a behavior of the taking-hold stage
C. Record the behavior as ineffective maternal-newborn attachment
D. Take the baby back to the nursery, reassuring the woman that her rest is a priority at this time
60. Parents can facilitate the adjustment of their other children to a new baby by:
A. Having the children choose or make a gift to give to the new baby upon its arrival home
B. Emphasizing activities that keep the new baby and other children together
C. Having the mother carry the new baby into the home so she can show the other children the
new baby
D. Reducing stress on other children by limiting their involvement in the care of the new baby
Answers and Rationales
1. Answer: D. The cervix is dilated completely. The second stage of labor begins when the
cervix is dilated completely and ends with the birth of the neonate.
2. Answer: C. Administer oxygen via face mask. Late decelerations are due to uteroplacental
insufficiency as the result of decreased blood flow and oxygen to the fetus during the uterine
contractions. This causes hypoxemia; therefore oxygen is necessary. The supine position is
avoided because it decreases uterine blood flow to the fetus. The client should be turned to
her side to displace pressure of the gravid uterus on the inferior vena cava. An intravenous
pitocin infusion is discontinued when a late deceleration is noted.
3. Answer: A. Fetal heart rate of 180 beats per minute. A normal fetal heart rate is 120-160
beats per minute. A count of 180 beats per minute could indicate fetal distress and would
warrant physician notification. By full term, a normal maternal hemoglobin range is 11-13 g/dL
as a result of the hemodilution caused by an increase in plasma volume during pregnancy.
4. Answer: D. Supine position with a wedge under the right hip. Vena cava and descending
aorta compression by the pregnant uterus impedes blood return from the lower trunk and
extremities. This leads to decreasing cardiac return, cardiac output, and blood flow to the
uterus and the fetus. The best position to prevent this would be side-lying with the uterus
displaced off of abdominal vessels. Positioning for abdominal surgery necessitates a supine
position; however, a wedge placed under the right hip provides displacement of the uterus.
5. Answer: D. Palpating the maternal radial pulse while listening to the fetal heart rate. The
nurse simultaneously should palpate the maternal radial or carotid pulse and auscultate the
fetal heart rate to differentiate the two. If the fetal and maternal heart rates are similar, the
nurse may mistake the maternal heart rate for the fetal heart rate. Leopold’s maneuvers may
help the examiner locate the position of the fetus but will not ensure a distinction between the
two rates.
6. Answer: B. A fetal heart rate of 90 beats per minute. A normal fetal heart rate is 120-160
BPM. Bradycardia or late or variable decelerations indicate fetal distress and the need to
discontinue to pitocin. The goal of labor augmentation is to achieve three good-quality
contractions in a 10-minute period.
7. Answer: B. Continuous electronic fetal monitoring. Continuous electronic fetal monitoring
should be implemented during an IV infusion of Pitocin.
8. Answer: D. Notify the physician or nurse midwife. A normal fetal heart rate is 120-160 beats
per minute. Fetal bradycardia between contractions may indicate the need for immediate
medical management, and the physician or nurse midwife needs to be notified.
9. Answer: A. Document the findings and tell the mother that the monitor indicates fetal well-
being.  Accelerations are transient increases in the fetal heart rate that often accompany
contractions or are caused by fetal movement. Episodic accelerations are thought to be a sign
of fetal-well being and adequate oxygen reserve.
10. Answer: B. Assessing the baseline fetal heart rate. Assessing the baseline fetal heart rate is
important so that abnormal variations of the baseline rate will be identified if they occur.
Identifying the types of accelerations and determining the frequency of the contractions are
important to assess, but not as the first priority.
11. Answer: A. 1 cm above the ischial spine. Station is the relationship of the presenting part to
an imaginary line drawn between the ischial spines, is measured in centimeters, and is noted
as a negative number above the line and a positive number below the line. At -1 station, the
fetal presenting part is 1 cm above the ischial spines.
12. Answer: D. Postpartum infections. Anemic women have a greater likelihood of cardiac
decompensation during labor, postpartum infection, and poor wound healing. Anemia does
not specifically present a risk for hemorrhage.
13. Answer:  D. Placental separation. As the placenta separates, it settles downward into the
lower uterine segment. The umbilical cord lengthens, and a sudden trickle or spurt of blood
appears.
14. Answer: B. Increased efficiency of contractions. Amniotomy can be used to induce labor when
the condition of the cervix is favorable (ripe) or to augment labor if the process begins to slow.
Rupturing of membranes allows the fetal head to contact the cervix more directly and may
increase the efficiency of contractions.
15. Answer:  B. Variable decelerations. Variable decelerations occur if the umbilical cord
becomes compressed, thus reducing blood flow between the placenta and the fetus. Early
decelerations result from pressure on the fetal head during a contraction. Late decelerations
are an ominous pattern in labor because it suggests uteroplacental insufficiency during a
contraction. Short-term variability refers to the beat-to-beat range in the fetal heart rate.
16. Answer:  B. Light stroking of the abdomen to facilitate relaxation during labor and provide
tactile stimulation to the fetus. Effleurage is a specific type of cutaneous stimulation involving
light stroking of the abdomen and is used before transition to promote relaxation and relieve
mild to moderate pain. Effleurage provides tactile stimulation to the fetus.
17. Answer: B. Fear of losing control. Pains, helplessness, panicking, and fear of losing control
are possible behaviors in the 2nd stage of labor.
18. Answer: A, D, B. E, C. If uterine hypertonicity occurs, the nurse immediately would intervene
to reduce uterine activity and increase fetal oxygenation. The nurse would stop the Pitocin
infusion and increase the rate of the nonadditive solution, check maternal BP for hyper or
hypotension, position the woman in a side-lying position, and administer oxygen by snug face
mask at 8-10 L/min. The nurse then would attempt to determine the cause of the uterine
hypertonicity and perform a vaginal exam to check for prolapsed cord.
19. Answer: C. Oxytocin (Pitocin) infusion. Therapeutic management for hypotonic uterine
dysfunction includes oxytocin augmentation and amniotomy to stimulate a labor that slows.
20. Answer: B. Provide pain relief measures. Management of hypertonic labor depends on the
cause. Relief of pain is the primary intervention to promote a normal labor pattern.
21. Answer:  C. Monitoring fetal heart rate. The priority is to monitor the fetal heart rate.
22. Answer: C. So that each fetal heart rate is monitored separately. In a client with a multi-fetal
pregnancy, each fetal heart rate is monitored separately.
23. Answer: D. Hemorrhage. Because the placenta is implanted in the lower uterine segment,
which does not contain the same intertwining musculature as the fundus of the uterus, this
site is more prone to bleeding.
24. Answer: D. Changes in the shape of the uterus. Signs of placental separation include
lengthening of the umbilical cord, a sudden gush of dark blood from the introitus (vagina), a
firmly contracted uterus, and the uterus changing from a discoid (like a disk) to a globular (like
a globe) shape. The client may experience vaginal fullness, but not severe uterine cramping.
25. Answer: A. Place the client in Trendelenburg’s position. When cord prolapse occurs, prompt
actions are taken to relieve cord compression and increase fetal oxygenation. The mother
should be positioned with the hips higher than the head to shift the fetal presenting part
toward the diaphragm. The nurse should push the call light to summon help, and other staff
members should call the physician and notify the delivery room. No attempt should be made
to replace the cord. The examiner, however, may place a gloved hand into the vagina and
hold the presenting part off of the umbilical cord. Oxygen at 8 to 10 L/min by face mask is
delivered to the mother to increase fetal oxygenation.
26. Answer: A. Swelling of the calf in one leg. DIC is a state of diffuse clotting in which clotting
factors are consumed, leading to widespread bleeding. Platelets are decreased because they
are consumed by the process; coagulation studies show no clot formation (and are thus
normal to prolonged); and fibrin plugs may clog the microvasculature diffusely, rather than in
an isolated area. The presence of petechiae, oozing from injection sites, and hematuria are
signs associated with DIC. Swelling and pain in the calf of one leg are more likely to be
associated with thrombophlebitis.
27. Answer: C. Uterine tenderness/pain. In abruptio placentae, acute abdominal pain is present.
Uterine tenderness and pain accompanies placental abruption, especially with a central
abruption and trapped blood behind the placenta. The abdomen will feel hard and boardlike
on palpation as the blood penetrates the myometrium and causes uterine irritability.
Observation of the fetal monitoring often reveals increased uterine resting tone, caused by
failure of the uterus to relax in attempt to constrict blood vessels and control bleeding.
28. Answer: C. Obtain equipment for a manual pelvic examination. Manual pelvic examinations
are contraindicated when vaginal bleeding is apparent in the 3rd trimester until a diagnosis is
made and placental previa is ruled out. Digital examination of the cervix can lead to maternal
and fetal hemorrhage. A diagnosis of placenta previa is made by ultrasound. The H/H levels
are monitored, and external electronic fetal heart rate monitoring is initiated. External fetal
monitoring is crucial in evaluating the fetus that is at risk for severe hypoxia.
29. Answer: B. Delivery of the fetus. The goal of management in abruptio placentae is to control
the hemorrhage and deliver the fetus as soon as possible. Delivery is the treatment of choice
if the fetus is at term gestation or if the bleeding is moderate to severe and the mother or fetus
is in jeopardy.
30. Answer: B. Forceps delivery. Excessive fundal pressure, forceps delivery, violent bearing
down efforts, tumultuous labor, and shoulder dystocia can place a woman at risk for traumatic
uterine rupture. Hypotonic contractions and weak bearing down efforts do not alone add to
the risk of rupture because they do not add to the stress on the uterine wall.
31. Answer: A. Auscultating the fetal heart. Determining the fetal well-being supersedes all other
measures. If the FHR is absent or persistently decelerating, immediate intervention is
required.
32. Answer: C. Below the ischial spines. A station of +1 indicates that the fetal head is 1 cm
below the ischial spines.
33. Answer: C. Below the umbilicus on the right side. Fetal heart tones are best auscultated
through the fetal back; because the position is ROP (right occiput presenting), the back would
be below the umbilicus and on the right side.
34. Answer: C. To the beginning of the next contraction.  This is the way to determine the
frequency of the contractions
35. Answer: C. Clear, almost colorless, and containing little white specks.  By 36 weeks’
gestation, normal amniotic fluid is colorless with small particles of vernix caseosa present.
36. Answer: D. Reposition the catheter, recheck the reading, and if it is 55%, keep
monitoring. Adjusting the catheter would be indicated. Normal fetal pulse oximetry should be
between 30% and 70%. 75% to 85% would indicate maternal readings.
37. Answer: B. Change the client’s position. Variable decelerations usually are seen as a result of
cord compression; a change of position will relieve pressure on the cord.
38. Answer: A. An acceleration. An acceleration is an abrupt elevation above the baseline of 15
beats per minute for 15 seconds; if the acceleration persists for more than 10 minutes it is
considered a change in baseline rate. A tachycardic FHR is above 160 beats per minute.
39. Answer: D. Occiput posterior. A persistent occiput-posterior position causes intense back pain
because of fetal compression of the sacral nerves. Occiput anterior is the most common fetal
position and does not cause back pain.
40. Answer: A. Blowing. Blowing forcefully through the mouth controls the strong urge to push
and allows for a more controlled birth of the head.
41. Answer: B. Uterine tetany. Uterine tetany could result from the use of oxytocin to induce labor.
Because oxytocin promotes powerful uterine contractions, uterine tetany may occur. The
oxytocin infusion must be stopped to prevent uterine rupture and fetal compromise.
42. Answer: D. Support the perineum with the hand to prevent tearing and tell the client to
pant. Gentle pressure is applied to the baby’s head as it emerges so it is not born too rapidly.
The head is never held back, and it should be supported as it emerges so there will be no
vaginal lacerations. It is impossible to push and pant at the same time.
43. Answer: A. Will not feel the episiotomy. A pudendal block provides anesthesia to the
perineum.
44. Answer: A. Fetal scalp pH of 7.14. A fetal scalp pH below 7.25 indicates acidosis and fetal
hypoxia.
45. Answer: A. Vertex presentation. Vertex presentation (flexion of the fetal head) is the optimal
presentation for passage through the birth canal. Transverse lie is an unacceptable fetal
position for vaginal birth and requires a C-section. Frank breech presentation, in which the
buttocks present first, can be a difficult vaginal delivery. Posterior positioning of the fetal head
can make it difficult for the fetal head to pass under the maternal symphysis pubis.
46. Answer: D. Oxygenation. Oxygenation of the fetus may be indirectly assessed through fetal
monitoring by closely examining the fetal heart rate strip. Accelerations in the fetal heart rate
strip indicate good oxygenation, while decelerations in the fetal heart rate sometimes indicate
poor fetal oxygenation.
47. Answer: C. Active phase. Cervical dilation occurs more rapidly during the active phase than
any of the previous phases. The active phase is characterized by cervical dilation that
progresses from 4 to 7 cm. The preparatory, or latent, phase begins with the onset of regular
uterine contractions and ends when rapid cervical dilation begins. Transition is defined as
cervical dilation beginning at 8 cm and lasting until 10 cm or complete dilation.
48. Answer: C. Perform a pelvic examination.  A complaint of rectal pressure usually indicates a
low presenting fetal part, signaling imminent delivery. The nurse should perform a pelvic
examination to assess the dilation of the cervix and station of the presenting fetal part.
49. Answer: C. Passageway, contractions, placental position and function, psychological
response. The five essential factors (5 P’s) are passenger (fetus), passageway (pelvis),
powers (contractions), placental position and function, and psyche (psychological response of
the mother).
50. Answer: A. Fetal body part that enters the maternal pelvis first. Presentation is the fetal body
part that enters the pelvis first; it’s classified by the presenting part; the three main
presentations are cephalic/occipital, breech, and shoulder. The relationship of the presenting
fetal part to the maternal pelvis refers to fetal position. The relationship of the long axis to the
fetus to the long axis of the mother refers to fetal lie; the three possible lies are longitudinal,
transverse, and oblique.
51. Answer: C. Uterine rupture. Uterine rupture is a medical emergency that may occur before or
during labor. Signs and symptoms typically include abdominal pain that may ease after
uterine rupture, vomiting, vaginal bleeding, hypovolemic shock, and fetal distress. With
placental abruption, the client typically complains of vaginal bleeding and constant abdominal
pain.
52. Answer: A. Fetal presenting part is 1 cm above the ischial spines. Station of – 1 indicates that
the fetal presenting part is above the ischial spines and has not yet passed through the pelvic
inlet.  A station of zero would indicate that the presenting part has passed through the inlet
and is at the level of the ischial spines or is engaged.  Passage through the ischial spines with
internal rotation would be indicated by a plus station, such as + 1.  Progress of effacement is
referred to by percentages with 100% indicating full effacement and dilation by centimeters
(cm) with 10 cm indicating full dilation.
53. Answer: D. Variability averages between 6 – 10 BPM. Variability indicates a well oxygenated
fetus with a functioning autonomic nervous system. FHR should accelerate with fetal
movement.  Baseline range for the FHR is 120 to 160 beats per minute.  Late deceleration
patterns are never reassuring, though early and mild variable decelerations are expected,
reassuring findings.
54. Answer: B. Stop the Pitocin. Late deceleration patterns noted are most likely related to
alteration in uteroplacental perfusion associated with the strong contractions described. The
immediate action would be to stop the Pitocin infusion since Pitocin is an oxytocic which
stimulates the uterus to contract. The woman is already in an appropriate position for
uteroplacental perfusion. Elevation of her legs would be appropriate if hypotension were
present. Oxygen is appropriate but not the immediate action.
55. Answer: D. Hypotension. Epidural anesthesia can lead to vasodilation and a drop in blood
pressure that could interfere with adequate placental perfusion.  The woman must be well
hydrated before and during epidural anesthesia to prevent this problem and maintain an
adequate blood pressure.  Headache is not a side effect since the spinal fluid is not disturbed
by this anesthetic as it would be with a low spinal (saddle block) anesthesia; 2 is an effect of
epidural anesthesia but is not the most harmful.  Respiratory depression is a potentially
serious complication.
56. Answer: D. Uses the peribottle to rinse upward into her vagina. Responses A, B, and C are all
appropriate measures. The peri bottle should be used in a backward direction over the
perineum. The flow should never be directed upward into the vagina since debris would be
forced upward into the uterus through the still-open cervix.
57. Answer: C. Massage the fundus every hour for the first 24 hours following birth. The fundus
should be massaged only when boggy or soft.  Massaging a firm fundus could cause it to
relax.  Responses A, B, and D are all effective measures to enhance and maintain contraction
of the uterus and to facilitate healing.
58. Answer: C. Vacillate between the desire to have her own nurturing needs met and the need to
take charge of her own care and that of her newborn. One week after birth the woman should
exhibit behaviors characteristic of the taking-hold stage as described in response C. This
stage lasts for as long as 4 to 5 weeks after birth. Responses A and B are characteristic of the
taking-in stage, which lasts for the first few days after birth. Response D reflects the letting-go
stage, which indicates that psychosocial recovery is complete.
59. Answer: D. Take the baby back to the nursery, reassuring the woman that her rest is a priority
at this time. Response A does not take into consideration the need for the new mother to be
nurtured and have her needs met during the taking-in stage.  The behavior described is
typical of this stage and not a reflection of ineffective attachment unless the behavior persists.
Mothers need to reestablish their own well-being in order to effectively care for their baby.
60. Answer: A. Having the children choose or make a gift to give to the new baby upon its arrival
home. Special time should be set aside just for the other children without interruption from the
newborn.  Someone other than the mother should carry the baby into the home so she can
give full attention to greeting her other children.  Children should be actively involved in the
care of the baby according to their ability without overwhelming them.