Maternal Newborn Nursing Test Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield Maternal Newborn Nursing Test facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. A nurse is preparing to give a newborn the first bath. Which condition must be met before the bath is given? → The newborn's temperature must be stable at 36.5°C or above for at least 1 hour
2. A nurse is assessing a client in labor and notes the umbilical cord is visible at the vaginal introitus. Which action should be taken FIRST? → Apply continuous upward pressure on the presenting part to relieve cord compression
3. A nurse is preparing to administer vitamin K (phytonadione) to a newborn. Which site and route are correct? → Vastus lateralis, intramuscular
4. A nurse is assessing a newborn for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). Which maneuver assesses for a dislocatable hip? → Barlow maneuver — adduction with downward pressure assesses for dislocation
5. A nurse is assessing gestational age using the Ballard score. Which neuromuscular maturity finding is expected in a full-term newborn (38–40 weeks)? → Arm recoil with brisk return to flexion
6. A patient at 32 weeks gestation with a placenta previa has received betamethasone 12 mg IM. When should the second dose be administered? → 24 hours after the first dose
7. A client at 11 weeks gestation asks about the safety of chorionic villus sampling (CVS). The nurse explains that, compared to amniocentesis, CVS: → Carries a slightly higher risk of pregnancy loss but allows earlier diagnosis
8. A nurse is teaching a client about signs of preterm labor. Which symptom should the client report immediately? → A low backache that comes and goes every 10 minutes at 32 weeks
9. A postpartum client delivered a macrosomic infant and is at highest risk for which complication? → Uterine atony and postpartum hemorrhage
10. A client in the third trimester reports lying on her back causes dizziness and light-headedness. The nurse explains this is due to: → Compression of the inferior vena cava by the gravid uterus (supine hypotensive syndrome)
11. Which newborn screening test uses a heel stick blood sample collected on filter paper? → Newborn metabolic screening (PKU/state metabolic panel)
12. A client at 29 weeks gestation is diagnosed with oligohydramnios. The nurse knows this condition is MOST commonly associated with: → Fetal renal agenesis or obstructive uropathies
13. A client is diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum at 10 weeks gestation. Which finding would require hospitalization? → Weight loss of more than 5% of pre-pregnancy body weight with ketonuria
14. A client in active labor has an external fetal monitor showing late decelerations with each contraction. The nurse's priority action is to: → Reposition the client to the left lateral position and apply oxygen
15. Which method is used to verify placement of a nasogastric (NG) tube in a newborn before feeding? → Aspirate gastric contents and confirm pH ≤5 along with measuring the external tube length
16. At what gestational age is Rh immunoglobulin (RhoGAM) routinely administered to an unsensitized Rh-negative pregnant client? → 28 weeks gestation and within 72 hours of delivery
17. A client at 16 weeks gestation undergoes a quadruple screen (quad screen). Elevated alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is MOST associated with: → Open neural tube defects such as spina bifida
18. A postpartum client reports she cannot urinate 6 hours after a vaginal delivery. Which nursing action is the priority? → Assess for bladder distension and offer measures to stimulate voiding
19. A newborn is born to a mother with insulin-dependent diabetes. Which complication is the newborn at HIGHEST risk for in the first hours of life? → Hypoglycemia
20. A patient is admitted with hyperemesis gravidarum. Which nursing intervention is the highest priority? → Assess hydration status and initiate IV fluid replacement
21. Which position is most appropriate for a client with a prolapsed umbilical cord while awaiting emergency cesarean delivery? → Trendelenburg or knee-chest position
22. Which assessment finding in a client at 38 weeks gestation is MOST consistent with lightening? → Increased urinary frequency and easier breathing
23. Which maternal complication of gestational diabetes (GDM) places the fetus at greatest risk for macrosomia? → Chronic maternal hyperglycemia stimulating fetal insulin production and fat deposition
24. A pregnant patient has a hemoglobin of 9.2 g/dL and is diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia. Which instruction about iron supplementation is most important? → Take iron with orange juice or vitamin C to enhance absorption
25. The nurse is reviewing fetal development with a client at 12 weeks gestation. Which statement about fetal status at 12 weeks is ACCURATE? → External genitalia are distinguishable
26. A postpartum client's fundus is boggy and displaced to the right of midline. What is the priority nursing action? → Assist client to void or catheterize
27. A patient is breastfeeding and needs analgesia for postpartum pain. Which analgesic is considered safest for the breastfeeding dyad? → Ibuprofen 600 mg every 6 hours as needed
28. A patient at 20 weeks gestation is diagnosed with an incompetent cervix and undergoes cervical cerclage. Which discharge instruction should the nurse provide? → Report any uterine contractions, bleeding, or ruptured membranes immediately
29. During a prenatal visit at 10 weeks, a client discloses she drinks two glasses of wine per day. The nurse's BEST response is: → Advise the client that no amount of alcohol is known to be safe during pregnancy
30. The nurse teaches a client in her first trimester about physiologic changes of pregnancy. Which cardiovascular change is EXPECTED? → Increase in heart rate by 10–15 bpm