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 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
4. 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
5. Which newborn screening test uses a heel stick blood sample collected on filter paper? → Newborn metabolic screening (PKU/state metabolic panel)
6. 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
7. 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
8. 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
9. 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
10. A patient is admitted with hyperemesis gravidarum. Which nursing intervention is the highest priority? → Assess hydration status and initiate IV fluid replacement
11. 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
12. 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
13. 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
14. 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
15. Which of the following would the charge nurse anticipate doing when taking care of a 3-day-old neonate who is receiving phototherapy to treat jaundice? → Check the vital signs every 2 to 4 hours.
16. A preterm newborn at 28 weeks is receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Which complication should the nurse monitor for most closely? → Hyperglycemia and catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI)
17. Which assessment finding would indicate a client in labor is experiencing hypotonic uterine dysfunction? → Contractions less than 25 mmHg in intensity with a frequency of more than every 5 minutes
18. A client in active labor has a fetal heart rate (FHR) baseline of 170 bpm for 15 minutes. Which nursing action is the priority? → Notify the provider immediately
19. A newborn has a cephalohematoma identified on assessment. Which statement about cephalohematoma is accurate? → It is a collection of blood between the periosteum and skull bone limited by suture lines
20. Which newborn vital sign range is considered normal for a term newborn? → Heart rate 110–160 bpm, respiratory rate 30–60 breaths/min, temperature 36.5–37.5°C
21. A nurse is caring for a client with an ectopic pregnancy. Which assessment finding warrants immediate emergency intervention? → Sudden severe unilateral lower abdominal pain with shoulder pain and signs of shock
22. A newborn is diagnosed with congenital hypothyroidism on newborn screen. Without treatment, which outcome is most likely? → Intellectual disability and growth retardation
23. Which finding in a newborn's urinary output during the first 48 hours is a concern for dehydration? → Fewer than 1–2 wet diapers in 24 hours
24. A 34-week neonate is started on caffeine citrate for apnea of prematurity. What is the primary mechanism of action? → Inhibits adenosine receptors in the brainstem to stimulate respiratory drive
25. Which assessment finding would indicate that a patient is in the transition phase of the first stage of labor? → Cervical dilation of 8–10 cm with intense contractions every 2 minutes
26. Which assessment finding in a male newborn requires notification of the provider? → Undescended testicle (cryptorchidism)
27. What is the expected weight loss considered normal in a newborn during the first week of life? → Up to 7–10% of birth weight
28. A newborn's blood glucose is 38 mg/dL at 2 hours of life. The infant is alert and breastfeeding well. What is the appropriate nursing intervention? → Encourage breastfeeding and recheck glucose in 30–60 minutes
29. A patient with preeclampsia is receiving magnesium sulfate. Which assessment finding indicates magnesium toxicity? → Respiratory rate of 10 breaths per minute
30. A client at 36 weeks is diagnosed with oligohydramnios (AFI of 3 cm). What fetal complication is the nurse most concerned about? → Umbilical cord compression and fetal growth restriction