LVN Maternal and Newborn Nursing 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the recommended weight gain during the first trimester of pregnancy for a woman with a normal pre-pregnancy BMI?
- 0–5 pounds (Correct answer)
- 5–10 pounds
- 10–15 pounds
- 15–20 pounds
Correct answer: 0–5 pounds
During the first trimester, only 1–5 pounds of total weight gain is recommended because the fetus is still very small.
Question 2: Which vitamin supplement is most important during the first trimester of pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects?
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Folic acid (Correct answer)
- Vitamin D
Correct answer: Folic acid
Folic acid (vitamin B9) is essential in early pregnancy to support neural tube closure and prevent defects such as spina bifida.
Question 3: A patient at 28 weeks gestation reports significantly decreased fetal movement over the past several hours. What is the priority nursing action?
- Instruct the patient to perform a fetal kick count for one hour (Correct answer)
- Administer oxygen via non-rebreather mask
- Place the patient in Trendelenburg position
- Prepare for an emergency cesarean section
Correct answer: Instruct the patient to perform a fetal kick count for one hour
A fetal kick count is the priority assessment to quantify movement and determine whether further intervention or fetal monitoring is needed.
Question 4: Which complication of pregnancy is characterized by hypertension, proteinuria, and edema occurring after 20 weeks of gestation?
- Gestational diabetes
- Placenta previa
- Preeclampsia (Correct answer)
- Abruptio placentae
Correct answer: Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia is defined by new-onset hypertension with proteinuria after 20 weeks of gestation and can progress to eclampsia if untreated.
Question 5: During Leopold's maneuvers, what information does the first maneuver (fundal grip) provide?
- The degree of fetal descent into the pelvis
- What part of the fetus occupies the fundus (Correct answer)
- The location of the fetal back
- The attitude of the fetal head
Correct answer: What part of the fetus occupies the fundus
The first Leopold's maneuver involves palpating the fundus to determine whether the fetal head or breech is located at the top of the uterus.
Question 6: Which combination places a fetus at greatest risk for hemolytic disease of the newborn due to Rh incompatibility?
- Mother Rh-positive, Father Rh-negative
- Mother Rh-negative, Father Rh-positive (Correct answer)
- Mother Rh-positive, Father Rh-positive
- Mother Rh-negative, Father Rh-negative
Correct answer: Mother Rh-negative, Father Rh-positive
An Rh-negative mother carrying an Rh-positive fetus (inherited from the Rh-positive father) can develop anti-Rh antibodies that attack fetal red blood cells.
Question 7: What is the normal range for fetal heart rate (FHR)?
- 80–120 beats per minute
- 100–140 beats per minute
- 110–160 beats per minute (Correct answer)
- 120–180 beats per minute
Correct answer: 110–160 beats per minute
A normal fetal heart rate is 110–160 beats per minute; sustained rates outside this range warrant further assessment for fetal distress.
LVN Maternal and Newborn Nursing 1
What is the recommended weight gain during the first trimester of pregnancy for a woman with a normal pre-pregnancy BMI?