NCLEX-PN
Maternity NCLEX Questions Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
The nurse is counseling the client who is trying to become pregnant. To promote fetal health when the client is unaware of a pregnancy, the nurse should stress the inclusion of which nutrient in daily food intake?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse should educate the client about the need for adequate folic acid intake. Folic acid is important in preventing neural tube defects, especially during the first four weeks of fetal development. Potassium is important in preventing leg cramps during pregnancy, but this is usually not an issue during the first four weeks of gestation. Calcium is important for fetal development of bones, teeth, heart, nerves, and muscles, but the fetus will take calcium from the mother. Calcium is more important to maternal health than fetal development. Sodium is important for maintaining optimal electrolyte balance but is typically ingested in more than adequate amounts in a typical diet.
Question 2 of 5
Which screening is recommended for a client over 35 years old?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Amniocentesis is recommended for women over 35 to screen for genetic disorders due to increased risk with advanced maternal age.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse is caring for the client who has been in the second stage of labor for the last 12 hours. The nurse should monitor for which cardiovascular change that occurs during this stage of labor?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Maternal HR is normally increased due to pain resulting from increased catecholamine secretion, fear, anxiety, and increased blood volume. When the laboring client holds her breath and pushes against a closed glottis, intrathoracic pressure rises. Blood in the lungs is forced into the left atrium, leading to a transient increase (not decrease) in cardiac output. Although the WBCS increase to 25,000/mm3 to 30,000/mm3 during labor and early postpartum as a physiological response to stress, this is not a cardiovascular change. During the second stage of labor, the maternal intravascular volume is increased (not decreased) by 300 to 500 mL of blood from the contracting uterus.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse is evaluating the client in triage for possible labor. The client’s contractions are every 3 to 4 minutes, 60 to 70 seconds in duration, and moderate by palpation. Her cervical exam in the office was illustration 1. Her current exam is illustration 2. What conclusions should the nurse draw from illustration 2?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In illustration 2, the client is completely effaced and has some dilation. Illustration 1 (not illustration 2) shows that the client is neither effaced nor dilated. The cervical opening is minimally dilated, not completely dilated, and completely effaced. Illustration 2 shows some dilation.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse explains that, in addition to increased blood volume, which other condition causes varicose veins during pregnancy?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Impaired venous return, due to the uterus compressing veins, causes varicose veins, compounded by increased blood volume.