Question

A nurse is caring for a newborn immediately following birth.

Answer 1

Correct Answers

Color: Consistent with genetic background [ Indication of improvement ]
Reflex irritability: Cry [ Indication of improvement ]
Axillary temperature 36.3°C (97.4°F) [ Indication of worsening ]
Muscle tone: Flaccid [ Indication of worsening ]
Respiration effort: Good cry [ Indication of improvement ]
Heart rate 140/min [ unrelated to the diagnosis ]

Rationale :

Color: Consistent with genetic background

Indication of improvement

🔹 Central pink color appropriate for ethnicity indicates adequate oxygenation and perfusion.

🔹 Absence of cyanosis suggests no worsening respiratory compromise.

🔹 Improvement from initial acrocyanosis expected after transition period.

Reflex irritability: Cry

Indication of improvement

🔹 A strong cry reflects improving neurologic responsiveness.

🔹 Appropriate reflex response supports stable CNS function.

🔹 Suggests effective adaptation to extrauterine life.

Axillary temperature 36.3°C (97.4°F)

Indication of worsening

🔹 Temperature below 36.5°C indicates mild hypothermia in a newborn.

🔹 Hypothermia can be an early sign of neonatal sepsis.

🔹 Infection in newborns often presents with temperature instability rather than fever.

Muscle tone: Flaccid

Indication of worsening

🔹 Flaccidity reflects decreased neuromuscular activity.

🔹 Poor tone is concerning for possible infection or neurologic compromise.

🔹 Normal newborns should demonstrate flexed posture.

Respiration effort: Good cryIndication of improvement

🔹 Strong cry indicate effective lung expansion and oxygen exchange.

🔹 Suggests adequat respiratory adaptation.

🔹 No evidence of respiratory distress at this time.

Heart rate 140/min

Unrelated / Expected finding

🔹 Normal newborn heart rate range is 110–160/min.

🔹 140/min is within expected limits.

🔹 Does not independently indicate improvement or deterioration.

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Answer 2

Correct Answers

Blank 1 Correct Option: Rho(D) immune globulin
Blank 2 Correct Option: of the client's blood type

Rationale :

🔷 Rho(D) immune globulin is indicated only for Rh-negative mothers who may develop antibodies against Rh-positive fetal blood.

🔷 This client’s blood type is O positive (Rh-positive), meaning she already has the Rh factor and does not require Rh immune globulin.

🔷 Administering Rho(D) immune globulin to an Rh-positive client is not clinically indicated.

🔷 The purpose of Rho(D) immune globulin is to prevent isoimmunization in Rh-negative mothers, not treat infection or postpartum conditions.

🔷 Since the client is Rh-positive, this prescription requires clarification before administration.

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Answer 3

Correct Answers

Blank 1 Correct Option: Placenta previa
Blank 2 Correct Option: Insert a large-bore peripheral IV catheter and Instruct the client to maintain bed rest.
Blank 3 Correct Option: Fetal well-being and Vaginal bleeding

Rationale :

🔶 Painless bright red vaginal bleeding in the third trimester is the classic presentation of placenta previa.

🔶 The abdomen is soft and nontender, which helps differentiate it from placental abruption (which causes pain and rigidity).

🔶 The client is 28 weeks gestation, which is within the timeframe placenta previa commonly presents.

🔶 Hypotension (86/48 mm Hg) and tachycardia (120/min) indicate possible hypovolemia from blood loss.

🔶 Fetal tachycardia (170/min) with minimal variability suggests fetal stress secondary to maternal bleeding.

Insert a large-bore peripheral IV catheter

🔶 Significant bleeding requires rapid access for fluid resuscitation and possible blood transfusion.

🔶 The client shows signs of hemodynamic instability, requiring immediate stabilization.

🔶 Large-bore IV access allows for rapid administration of crystalloids or blood products.

🔶 Type and crossmatch has already been ordered, supporting need for potential transfusion.

🔶 Stabilizing maternal circulation improves placental perfusion and fetal oxygenation.

Instruct the client to maintain bed rest

🔶 Bed rest reduces further placental separation and bleeding risk.

🔶 Activity may worsen hemorrhage in placenta previa.

🔶 Pelvic rest is indicated to prevent trauma to the placenta.

🔶 Vaginal exams are contraindicated because they can trigge massive hemorrhage.

🔶 Conservative management is often used if gestation is pretrm and bleeding stabilizes.

Fetal well-being

🔶 Ongoing monitoring of fetal heart rate patterns is essential.

🔶 Fetal tachycardia and minimal variability suggest possible compromise.

🔶 Continuous EFM helps assess oxygenation and uteroplacental perfusion.

🔶 Changes may indicate worsening maternal hypovolemia.

🔶 Protecting fetal status is a primary goal of management.

Vaginal bleeding

🔶 Quantifying blood loss helps evaluate severity of hemorrhage.

🔶 Ongoing bleeding may require emergency cesarean delivery.

🔶 Pad counts and saturation level guide intervention decisions.

🔶 Monitoring helps assess effectiveness of bed rest and stabilization.

🔶 Persistent bleeding increases risk of maternal shock.

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Answer 4

Correct Answers

Heart rate 100/min [ sign of potential improvement ]
Urine specific gravity 1.050 [ sign of potential worsening condition. ]
WBC count 10,000/mm³ [ unrelated to the diagnosis ]
Urinary output 40 mL/hr [ sign of potential improvement ]
3+ ketones [ sign of potential worsening condition. ]
Urine pH 5 [ sign of potential worsening condition. ]

Rationale :

Heart rate 100/min

Sign of Potential Improvement

🎀Previously 128/min (tachycardic from dehydration).

🎀Decrease toward normal adult range (60–100/min) indicates improving fluid volume status.

🎀Reduced compensatory response suggests stabilization.

Urine specific gravity 1.050

Sign of Potential Worsening Condition

🎀Normal range: 1.005–1.030.

🎀1.050 indicates severe urine concentration and dehydration.

🎀Suggests ongoing fluid deficit despite treatment.

WBC count 10,000/mm³

Unrelated to Diagnosis

🎀Within normal range (5,000–10,000/mm³).

🎀Does not directly reflect hydration status.

🎀Hyperemesis is not primarily infectious in nature.

Urinary output 40 mL/hr

Sign of Potential Improvement

🎀Previously 20 mL/hr (low).

🎀≥30 mL/hr indicates adequate renal perfusion and improved hydration.

🎀Suggests effective fluid replacement.

3+ Ketones

Sign of Potential Worsening Condition

🎀Increase from 2+ to 3+ indicates continued fat metabolism from inadequate nutrition.

🎀Persistent vomiting leading to starvation ketosis.

🎀Indicates insufficient caloric intake.

Urine pH 5

Sign of Potential Worsening Condition

🎀Acidic urine may reflect metabolic imbalance and dehydration.

🎀Persistent ketosis contributes to acidic environment.

🎀Suggests condition not fully corrected.

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Answer 5

Correct Answers:

Potassium
Hct
Sodium
Weight loss
Urine specific gravity

Rationale :

✅ Potassium (3.3 mEq/L)

🔷 This level is below normal (3.5–5 mEq/L), indicating hypokalemia.

🔷 Persistent vomiting causes potassium loss.

🔷 Hypokalemia can lead to cardiac dysrhythmias and muscle weakness, making it a serious complication.

✅ Hct (49%)

🔷 Normal pregnancy hematocrit is lower due to hemodilution.

🔷 Elevated hematocrit suggests hemoconcentration from dehydration.

🔷 Indicates worsening fluid deficit.

✅ Sodium (132 mEq/L)

🔷 This is below normal (136–145 mEq/L), indicating hyponatremia.

🔷 Ongoing vomiting causes electrolyte imbalance.

🔷 Hyponatremia can result in neurological complications if untreated.

✅ Weight (loss of 2 kg in 1 month)

🔷 Significant weight loss during pregnancy is abnormal.

🔷 Indicates malnutrition and inadequate intake.

🔷 A hallmark of hyperemesis gravidarum.

✅ Urine specific gravity (1.035)

🔷 Normal is 1.005–1.030.

🔷 Elevated value reflects concentrated urine from dehydration.

🔷 Confirms fluid volume deficit.

BUN (18 mg/dL)

🔷 Within normal range (10–20 mg/dL).

🔷 Does not indicate worsening renal compromise.

Hgb (15 g/dL)

🔷 Within normal reference range.

🔷 Elevated hematocrit is more indicative of dehydration than hemoglobin alone.

Heart rate (106/min)

🔷 Mild tachycardia can occur with pregnancy or dehydration.

🔷 Not independently diagnostic of complication without further instability

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Answer 6

Correct Answers:

Tetanus

Rationale :

🔷 The Tdap vaccine is safe during pregnancy and is specifically recommended in the third trimester.

🔷 Administration at 28 weeks allows for passive antibody transfer to the fetus, protecting the newborn from pertussis.

🔷 Newborns are highly vulnerable to whooping cough, making maternal vaccination essential.

🔷 Live vaccines are contraindicated during pregnancy, but Tdap is an inactivated vaccine.

🔷 Even if the client had no childhood immunizations, Tdap remains indicated during pregnancy for neonatal protection.

Varicella

🔷 Varicella vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine, which is contraindicated during pregnancy.

🔷 It should be administered postpartum if the client is nonimmune.

Human papillomavirus (HPV)

🔷 HPV vaccine is not recommended during pregnancy.

🔷 It can be given after delivery if indicated.

Rubella

🔷 Rubella (MMR) is also a live vaccine and contraindicated in pregnancy.

🔷 It should be administered postpartum if the client is nonimmune

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Answer 7

Correct Answers:

Assess for edema.

Rationale :

🔷 Preeclampsia involves endothelial dysfunction and increased capillary permeability, which can cause fluid shifts and edema.

🔷 Postpartum clients remain at risk for worsening hypertension and progression to severe features, including pulmonary edema.

🔷 Assessing for peripheral and pulmonary edema helps detect early signs of fluid overload.

🔷 Monitoring edema supports evaluation of disease progression or resolution.

🔷 Ongoing assessment is essential because preeclampsia can persist or worsen after delivery.

Obtain a prescription for misoprostol

🔷 Misoprostol is used for uterine atony and postpartum hemorrhage, not specifically for preeclampsia management.

🔷 There is no indication of excessive bleeding in this scenario.

Administer an IV bolus of lactated Ringer’s

🔷 Rapid fluid boluses may increase risk of pulmonary edema in clients with preeclampsia.

🔷 Fluids should be administered cautiously.

Restrict daily oral fluid intake

🔷 Routine fluid restriction is not automatically required without signs of overload.

🔷 Fluid management should be individualized based on assessment findings.

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Answer 8

Correct Answers:

The client reviews their birth experience with others.

Rationale :

🔷 During the taking-in phase, the mother is focused on her own needs and recovery.

🔷 She often replays and discusses the birth experience repeatedly as part of psychological processing.

🔷 The mother is usually passive and dependent on others for care and decision-making.

🔷 She may require encouragement to assume infant care responsibilities.

🔷 This phase precedes the taking-hold phase, where the mother becomes more independent and confident.

The client puts their personal needs aside.

🔷 This behavior is characteristic of the letting-go phase, when the mother integrates the infant into her life.

🔷 Taking-in mothers focus primarily on themselves.

The client takes charge of all mothering tasks.

🔷 This describes the taking-hold phase, when the mother begins actively caring for the newborn.

🔷 It occurs after the initial dependency period.

The client desires privacy with their newborn.

🔷 Seeking privacy and bonding aligns more with the taking-hold or letting-go phases.

🔷 The taking-in phase involves dependency and reflection rather than autonomy.

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Answer 9

Correct Answers:

Inform the client about the possible need for reduction of multiple fetuses.

Rationale :

🔷 IVF often involves transferring multiple embryos to increase pregnancy success rates.

🔷 This increases the likelihood of twins, triplets, or higher-order multiples.

🔷 Multiple gestations carry higher risks for preterm birth, low birth weight, and maternal complications.

🔷 Clients must be informed about the potential need for selective fetal reduction if high-order multiples occur.

🔷 Providing full disclosure supports informed consent and ethical decision-making.

Instruct the client not to use donor oocytes.

🔷 Donor oocytes may be appropriate depending on maternal age or ovarian reserve.

🔷 This decision is individualized and not routinely restricted.

Instruct the client to avoid freezing embryos for possible use in the future.

🔷 Cryopreservation is commonly recommended for future use and improves cost-effectiveness.

🔷 Frozen embryos can reduce the need for repeated ovarian stimulation.

Inform the client that sperm will be introduced to the uterus during ovulation.

🔷 This describes intrauterine insemination (IUI), not IVF.

🔷 IVF involves fertilization outside the body in a laboratory setting.

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Answer 10

Correct Answers:

Evaluate urinary output.

Rationale :

🔷 A distended bladder can displace the uterus, preventing effective contraction and leading to continued bleeding.

🔷 Cesarean clients commonly have decreased sensation and may retain urine postoperatively.

🔷 Evaluating urinary output helps determine whether urinary retention is contributing to uterine relaxation.

🔷 If the bladder is full, catheterization can help the uterus contract more effectively.

🔷 Addressing bladder distention is a priority before escalating to other interventions.

Apply an ice pack to the incision site

🔷 Ice reduces incision swelling but does not address uterine bleeding.

🔷 The bleeding described is vaginal, not incisional.

Administer 500 mL lactated Ringer's IV bolus

🔷 Fluid bolus may be necessary if hemorrhage worsens, but the cause should be assessed first.

🔷 Identifying reversible causes (like bladder distention) is the priority.

Replace the surgical dressing

🔷 The bleeding is vaginal, not from the incision site.

🔷 Dressing replacement will not correct uterine atony.

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RN Maternal Newborn 2023 (2026 Feb)

No.

1 :
A nurse is caring for a newborn immediately following birth.

Correct Answers

2 :
A nurse is preparing to administer medications to a client who is 72 hr postpartum following a cesarean birth.

Correct Answers

3 :
A nurse is caring for a client who is at 28 weeks of gestation.

Correct Answers

4 :
A nurse is caring for a client who is at 12 weeks of gestation and has hyperemesis gravidarum.

Correct Answers

5 :
A nurse is caring for a client who is at 15 weeks of gestation during a routine prenatal visit.

Answer Options

6 :
A nurse is caring for a client who is at 28 weeks of gestation and received no immunizations during childhood. Which of the following vaccines should the nurse plan to administer?

7 :
A nurse is planning care for a client who is 1 hr postpartum and has preeclampsia without severe features. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?

8 :
A postpartum nurse is caring for a client and their newborn. Which of the following observations should indicate to the nurse that the client is in the taking-in phase of maternal role attainment?

9 :
A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing infertility and is requesting in vitro fertilization. Which of the following information should the nurse provide to the client?

10 :
A nurse is caring for a client who delivered by cesarean birth 6 hr ago. The nurse notes a steady trickle of vaginal bleeding that does not stop with fundal massage. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

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RN Maternal Newborn 2023 (2026 Feb)

No.

1 : A nurse is caring for a newborn immediately following birth.

Correct Answers

2 : A nurse is preparing to administer medications to a client who is 72 hr postpartum following a cesarean birth.

Correct Answers

3 : A nurse is caring for a client who is at 28 weeks of gestation.

Correct Answers

4 : A nurse is caring for a client who is at 12 weeks of gestation and has hyperemesis gravidarum.

Correct Answers

5 : A nurse is caring for a client who is at 15 weeks of gestation during a routine prenatal visit.

Answer Options

6 : A nurse is caring for a client who is at 28 weeks of gestation and received no immunizations during childhood. Which of the following vaccines should the nurse plan to administer?

7 : A nurse is planning care for a client who is 1 hr postpartum and has preeclampsia without severe features. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?

8 : A postpartum nurse is caring for a client and their newborn. Which of the following observations should indicate to the nurse that the client is in the taking-in phase of maternal role attainment?

9 : A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing infertility and is requesting in vitro fertilization. Which of the following information should the nurse provide to the client?

10 : A nurse is caring for a client who delivered by cesarean birth 6 hr ago. The nurse notes a steady trickle of vaginal bleeding that does not stop with fundal massage. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

1 :
A nurse is caring for a newborn immediately following birth.

2 :
A nurse is preparing to administer medications to a client who is 72 hr postpartum following a cesarean birth.

3 :
A nurse is caring for a client who is at 28 weeks of gestation.

4 :
A nurse is caring for a client who is at 12 weeks of gestation and has hyperemesis gravidarum.

5 :
A nurse is caring for a client who is at 15 weeks of gestation during a routine prenatal visit.

6 :
A nurse is caring for a client who is at 28 weeks of gestation and received no immunizations during childhood. Which of the following vaccines should the nurse plan to administer?

7 :
A nurse is planning care for a client who is 1 hr postpartum and has preeclampsia without severe features. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?

8 :
A postpartum nurse is caring for a client and their newborn. Which of the following observations should indicate to the nurse that the client is in the taking-in phase of maternal role attainment?

9 :
A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing infertility and is requesting in vitro fertilization. Which of the following information should the nurse provide to the client?

10 :
A nurse is caring for a client who delivered by cesarean birth 6 hr ago. The nurse notes a steady trickle of vaginal bleeding that does not stop with fundal massage. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?