Antepartum ( MCN )

1. A nursing instructor is conducting lecture and is reviewing the functions of the female reproductive system. She
asks Mark to describe the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and the luteinizing hormone (LH). Mark accurately
responds by stating that:

A. FSH and LH are released from the anterior pituitary gland.

B. FSH and LH are secreted by the corpus luteum of the ovary
C. FSH and LH are secreted by the adrenal glands
D. FSH and LH stimulate the formation of milk during pregnancy.
2. A nurse is describing the process of fetal circulation to a client during a prenatal visit. The nurse accurately tells the
client that fetal circulation consists of:

A. Two umbilical veins and one umbilical artery

B. Two umbilical arteries and one umbilical vein
C. Arteries carrying oxygenated blood to the fetus
D. Veins carrying deoxygenated blood to the fetus

3. During a prenatal visit at 38 weeks, a nurse assesses the fetal heart rate. The nurse determines that the fetal heart
rate is normal if which of the following is noted?

A. 80 BPM
B. 100 BPM
C. 150 BPM
D. 180 BPM
4. A client arrives at a prenatal clinic for the first prenatal assessment. The client tells a nurse that the first day of her
last menstrual period was September 19th, 2013. Using Naegele’s rule, the nurse determines the estimated date of
confinement as:

A. July 26, 2013

B. June 12, 2014
C. June 26, 2014
D. July 12, 2014

5. A nurse is collecting data during an admission assessment of a client who is pregnant with twins. The client has a
healthy 5-year old child that was delivered at 37 weeks and tells the nurse that she doesn’t have any history of
abortion or fetal demise. The nurse would document the GTPAL for this client as:

A. G = 3, T = 2, P = 0, A = 0, L =1
B. G = 2, T = 0, P = 1, A = 0, L =1
C. G = 1, T = 1. P = 1, A = 0, L = 1
D. G = 2, T = 0, P = 0, A = 0, L = 1
6. A nurse is performing an assessment of a primipara who is being evaluated in a clinic during her second trimester
of pregnancy. Which of the following indicates an abnormal physical finding necessitating further testing?

1st- 160-170 2nd- 120-160 near term

A. Consistent increase in fundal height

B. Fetal heart rate of 180 BPM
C. Braxton hicks contractions
D. Quickening
7. A nurse is reviewing the record of a client who has just been told that a pregnancy test is positive. The physician
has documented the presence of a Goodell’s sign. The nurse determines this sign indicates:

A. A softening of the cervix

B. A soft blowing sound that corresponds to the maternal pulse during auscultation of the uterus.
C. The presence of hCG in the urine
D. The presence of fetal movement
8. A nursing instructor asks a nursing student who is preparing to assist with the assessment of a pregnant client to
describe the process of quickening. Which of the following statements if made by the student indicates an
understanding of this term?

A. “It is the irregular, painless contractions that occur throughout pregnancy.”

B. “It is the soft blowing sound that can be heard when the uterus is auscultated.”
C. “It is the fetal movement that is felt by the mother.”
D.  “It is the thinning of the lower uterine segment.”
9. A nurse midwife is performing an assessment of a pregnant client and is assessing the client for the presence of
ballottement. Which of the following would the nurse implement to test for the presence of ballottement?

A. Auscultating for fetal heart sounds

B. Palpating the abdomen for fetal movement
C. Assessing the cervix for thinning
D. Initiating a gentle upward tap on the cervix
10. A nurse is assisting in performing an assessment on a client who suspects that she is pregnant and is checking the
client for probable signs of pregnancy. Select all probable signs of pregnancy.

A. Uterine enlargement
B. Fetal heart rate detected by nonelectric device
C. Outline of the fetus via radiography or ultrasound
D. Chadwick’s sign
E. Braxton Hicks contractions
F. Ballottement
11. A pregnant client calls the clinic and tells a nurse that she is experiencing leg cramps and is awakened by the
cramps at night. To provide relief from the leg cramps, the nurse tells the client to:

A. Dorsiflex the foot while extending the knee when the cramps occur
B. Dorsiflex the foot while flexing the knee when the cramps occur
C. Plantar flex the foot while flexing the knee when the cramps occur
D. Plantar flex the foot while extending the knee when the cramps occur.
12. A nurse is providing instructions to a client in the first trimester of pregnancy regarding measures to assist in
reducing breast tenderness. The nurse tells the client to:

A. Avoid wearing a bra

B. Wash the nipples and areola area daily with soap, and massage the breasts with lotion.
C. Wear tight-fitting blouses or dresses to provide support
D. Wash the breasts with warm water and keep them dry
13. A pregnant client in the last trimester has been admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of severe preeclampsia. A
nurse monitors for complications associated with the diagnosis and assesses the client for:

A. Any bleeding, such as in the gums, petechiae, and purpura.

B. Enlargement of the breasts
C. Periods of fetal movement followed by quiet periods
D. Complaints of feeling hot when the room is cool
14. A client in the first trimester of pregnancy arrives at a health care clinic and reports that she has been experiencing
vaginal bleeding. A threatened abortion is suspected, and the nurse instructs the client regarding management of care.
Which statement, if made by the client, indicates a need for further education?
A. “I will maintain strict bedrest throughout the remainder of pregnancy.”
B. “I will avoid sexual intercourse until the bleeding has stopped, and for 2 weeks following the last evidence of
bleeding.”
A. “I will count the number of perineal pads used on a daily basis and note the amount and color of blood on the
pad.”
B. “I will watch for the evidence of the passage of tissue.”
15. A prenatal nurse is providing instructions to a group of pregnant client regarding measures to prevent
toxoplasmosis. Which statement if made by one of the clients indicates a need for further instructions?

A. “I need to cook meat thoroughly.”

B. “I need to avoid touching mucous membranes of the mouth or eyes while handling raw meat.”
C. “I need to drink unpasteurized milk only.”
D. “I need to avoid contact with materials that are possibly contaminated with cat feces.”
16. A homecare nurse visits a pregnant client who has a diagnosis of mild Preeclampsia and who is being monitored
for pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH). Which assessment finding indicates a worsening of the Preeclampsia and
the need to notify the physician?

A. Blood pressure reading is at the prenatal baseline

A. Urinary output has increased
B. The client complains of a headache and blurred vision
C. Dependent edema has resolved
17. A nurse implements a teaching plan for a pregnant client who is newly diagnosed with gestational diabetes.
Which statement if made by the client indicates a need for further education?

A. “I need to stay on the diabetic diet.”

B. “I will perform glucose monitoring at home.”
C. “I need to avoid exercise because of the negative effects of insulin production.”
D. “I need to be aware of any infections and report signs of infection immediately to my health care provider.”

18. A primigravida is receiving magnesium sulfate for the treatment of pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH). The
nurse who is caring for the client is performing assessments every 30 minutes. Which assessment finding would be of
most concern to the nurse?

A. Urinary output of 20 ml since the previous assessment

B. Deep tendon reflexes of 2+
C. Respiratory rate of 10 BPM
D. Fetal heart rate of 120 BPM
19. A nurse is caring for a pregnant client with Preeclampsia. The nurse prepares a plan of care for the client and
documents in the plan that if the client progresses from Preeclampsia to eclampsia, the nurse’s first action is to:

A. Administer magnesium sulfate intravenously

B. Assess the blood pressure and fetal heart rate
C. Clean and maintain an open airway
D. Administer oxygen by face mask

20. A nurse is monitoring a pregnant client with pregnancy induced hypertension who is at risk for Preeclampsia. The
nurse checks the client for which specific signs of Preeclampsia (select all that apply)?

A. Elevated blood pressure

B. Negative urinary protein
C. Facial edema
D. Increased respirations
21. Rho (D) immune globulin (RhoGAM) is prescribed for a woman following delivery of a newborn infant and the
nurse provides information to the woman about the purpose of the medication. The nurse determines that the woman
understands the purpose of the medication if the woman states that it will protect her next baby from which of the
following?
A. Being affected by Rh incompatibility
B. Having Rh positive blood
A. Developing a rubella infection
B. Developing physiological jaundice
22. A pregnant client is receiving magnesium sulfate for the management of preeclampsia. A nurse determines the
client is experiencing toxicity from the medication if which of the following is noted on assessment?

A. Presence of deep tendon reflexes

B. Serum magnesium level of 6 mEq/L
C. Proteinuria of +3
D. Respirations of 10 per minute
23. A woman with preeclampsia is receiving magnesium sulfate. The nurse assigned to care for the client determines
that the magnesium therapy is effective if:

A. Ankle clonus in noted

B. The blood pressure decreases
C. Seizures do not occur
A. Scotomas are present
24. A nurse is caring for a pregnant client with severe preeclampsia who is receiving IV magnesium sulfate.
Select all nursing interventions that apply in the care for the client.

A. Monitor maternal vital signs every 2 hours

B. Notify the physician if respirations are less than 18 per minute.
C. Monitor renal function and cardiac function closely
D. Keep calcium gluconate on hand in case of a magnesium sulfate overdose
E. Monitor deep tendon reflexes hourly
F. Monitor I and O’s hourly
G. Notify the physician if urinary output is less than 30 ml per hour.
25. In the 12th week of gestation, a client completely expels the products of conception. Because the client is Rh
negative, the nurse must:

A. Administer RhoGAM within 72 hours

A. Make certain she receives RhoGAM on her first clinic visit
B. Not give RhoGAM, since it is not used with the birth of a stillborn
C. Make certain the client does not receive RhoGAM, since the gestation only lasted 12 weeks.
26. In a lecture on sexual functioning, the nurse plans to include the fact that ovulation occurs when the:

A. Oxytocin is too high

B. Blood level of LH is too high
C. Progesterone level is high
D. Endometrial wall is sloughed off.
27. The chief function of progesterone is the:

A. Development of the female reproductive system

B. Stimulation of the follicles for ovulation to occur
A. Preparation of the uterus to receive a fertilized egg
B. Establishment of secondary male sex characteristics
28. The developing cells are called a fetus from the:

A. Time the fetal heart is heard

B. Eighth week to the time of birth
C. Implantation of the fertilized ovum
D. End of the send week to the onset of labor
29. After the first four months of pregnancy, the chief source of estrogen and progesterone is the:

A. Placenta
B. Adrenal cortex
C. Corpus luteum
D. Anterior hypophysis

30. The nurse recognizes that an expected change in the hematologic system that occurs during the 2nd trimester
of pregnancy is:

A. A decrease in WBC’s
B. In increase in hematocrit
C. An increase in blood volume
D. A decrease in sedimentation rate
31. The nurse is aware than an adaptation of pregnancy is an increased blood supply to the pelvic region that results in
a purplish discoloration of the vaginal mucosa, which is known as:

A. Ladin’s sign
B. Hegar’s sign
C. Goodell’s sign
D. Chadwick’s sign
32. A pregnant client is making her first Antepartum visit. She has a two year old son born at 40 weeks, a 5 year old
daughter born at 38 weeks, and 7 year old twin daughters born at 35 weeks. She had a spontaneous abortion 3
years ago at 10 weeks. Using the GTPAL format, the nurse should identify that the client is:

A. G4 T3 P2 A1 L4
B. G5 T2 P2 A1 L4
C. G5 T2 P1 A1 L4
D. G4 T3 P1 A1 L4
33. An expected cardiopulmonary adaptation experienced by most pregnant women is:

A. Tachycardia
B. Dyspnea at rest
C. Progression of dependent edema
D. Shortness of breath on exertion
34. Nutritional planning for a newly pregnant woman of average height and weighing 145 pounds should include:

A. A decrease of 200 calories a day

B. An increase of 300 calories a day
C. An increase of 500 calories a day
D. A maintenance of her present caloric intake per day
35. During a prenatal examination, the nurse draws blood from a young Rh negative client and explain that an indirect
Coombs test will be performed to predict whether the fetus is at risk for:

A. Acute hemolytic disease

B. Respiratory distress syndrome
C. Protein metabolic deficiency
D. Physiologic hyperbilirubinemia
36. When involved in prenatal teaching, the nurse should advise the clients that an increase in vaginal secretions
during pregnancy is called leukorrhea and is caused by increased:

A. Metabolic rates
B. Production of estrogen
C. Functioning of the Bartholin glands
D. Supply of sodium chloride to the cells of the vagina
37. A 26-year old multigravida is 14 weeks’ pregnant and is scheduled for an alpha-fetoprotein test. She asks the
nurse, “What does the alpha-fetoprotein test indicate?” The nurse bases a response on the knowledge that this test
can detect:
A. Kidney defects
B. Cardiac defects
C. Neural tube defects
D. Urinary tract defects
38. At a prenatal visit at 36 weeks’ gestation, a client complains of discomfort with irregularly occurring contractions.
The nurse instructs the client to:

A. Lie down until they stop

B. Walk around until they subside
C. Time contraction for 30 minutes
D. Take 10 grains of aspirin for the discomfort
39. The nurse teaches a pregnant woman to avoid lying on her back. The nurse has based this statement on the
knowledge that the supine position can:

A. Unduly prolong labor

B. Cause decreased placental perfusion
C. Lead to transient episodes of hypotension
D. Interfere with free movement of the coccyx
40. The pituitary hormone that stimulates the secretion of milk from the mammary glands is:

A. Prolactin
B. Oxytocin
C. Estrogen
D. Progesterone
41. Which of the following symptoms occurs with a hydatidiform mole?

A. Heavy, bright red bleeding every 21 days

B. Fetal cardiac motion after 6 weeks gestation
C. Benign tumors found in the smooth muscle of the uterus
D. “Snowstorm” pattern on ultrasound with no fetus or gestational sac
42. Which of the following terms applies to the tiny, blanched, slightly raised end arterioles found on the face, neck,
arms, and chest during pregnancy?

A. Epulis
B. Linea nigra
C. Striae gravidarum
D. Telangiectasias
43. Which of the following conditions is common in pregnant women in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy?

A. Mastitis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Physiologic anemia
D. Respiratory acidosis
44. A 21-year old client, 6 weeks’ pregnant is diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum. This excessive vomiting
during pregnancy will often result in which of the following conditions?

A. Bowel perforation
B. Electrolyte imbalance
C. Miscarriage
D. Pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH)
45. Clients with gestational diabetes are usually managed by which of the following therapies?

A. Diet
B. NPH insulin (long-acting)
C. Oral hypoglycemic drugs
D. Oral hypoglycemic drugs and insulin
46. The antagonist for magnesium sulfate should be readily available to any client receiving IV magnesium. Which of
the following drugs is the antidote for magnesium toxicity?

A. Calcium gluconate
B. Hydralazine (Apresoline)
C. Narcan
D. RhoGAM
47. Which of the following answers best describes the stage of pregnancy in which maternal and fetal blood are
exchanged?

A. Conception
B. 9 weeks’ gestation, when the fetal heart is well developed
C. 32-34 weeks gestation
D. maternal and fetal blood are never exchanged
48. Gravida refers to which of the following descriptions?

A. A serious pregnancy
B. Number of times a female has been pregnant
C. Number of children a female has delivered
D. Number of term pregnancies a female has had.
49. A pregnant woman at 32 weeks’ gestation complains of feeling dizzy and lightheaded while her fundal height is
being measured.  Her skin is pale and moist.  The nurse’s initial response would be to:

A. Assess the woman’s blood pressure and pulse

B. Have the woman breathe into a paper bag
C. Raise the woman’s legs
D. Turn the woman on her side.
50. A pregnant woman’s last menstrual period began on April 8, 2005, and ended on April 13.  Using Naegele’s rule
her estimated date of birth would be:

A. January 15, 2006

B. January 20, 2006
C. July 1, 2006
D. November 5, 2005