Obstetric Nurse Test Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. A neonate born to a mother with poorly controlled gestational diabetes is at highest immediate risk for which complication? → Neonatal hypoglycemia
2. Supporting a patient's desire to get an opioid and an epidural throughout labor is an illustration of the moral rule of → Autonomy
3. Monochorionic-diamniotic (MCDA) twins share a placenta and are at specific risk for which serious complication not seen in dichorionic twins? → Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS)
4. What is the most important teaching point regarding alcohol consumption during pregnancy? → No amount of alcohol has been proven safe during pregnancy
5. When differentiating between abruptio placentae and placenta previa, which clinical finding is uniquely characteristic of abruptio placentae? → Abnormal fetal presentation, such as breech or transverse lie
6. Which medication is administered prophylactically to a newborn shortly after birth to prevent ophthalmia neonatorum? → Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment
7. A patient asks about nitrous oxide (N2O) for labor pain. Which statement by the nurse is most accurate? → It reduces pain perception and anxiety without eliminating sensation
8. Which local anesthetic agent is most commonly used in continuous epidural infusions for labor analgesia? → Low-concentration bupivacaine or ropivacaine
9. Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) screening is most sensitive and specific for detecting which chromosomal condition? → Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome)
10. Which of the following is a defining characteristic of a Category I fetal heart rate tracing? → Moderate baseline variability
11. What position is most common for cervical lacerations during labor and delivery? → 3 and 9 o’clock
12. Fetal traits during the initial phase of responsiveness after birth include → Alert state and movement of limbs
13. Which patterned breathing technique taught in childbirth education classes (such as Lamaze) is primarily used to help manage contraction pain during labor? → Paced rhythmic breathing synchronized with contractions
14. Chronic hypertension in pregnancy is defined as hypertension diagnosed at which time point? → Before 20 weeks gestation or pre-existing prior to pregnancy
15. Which antidote must be immediately available at the bedside for any patient receiving intravenous magnesium sulfate? → Calcium gluconate
16. Weekly 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17-OHPC) injections are indicated to reduce preterm birth risk in which patient population? → Women with a singleton pregnancy and a prior spontaneous preterm birth
17. A laboring client requests pain relief but wishes to avoid epidural anesthesia. Which non-pharmacological intervention utilizes the gate-control theory of pain? → Applying counter-pressure to the sacral area.
18. Which symptom should the nurse instruct a pregnant patient to report to her provider immediately? → Sudden severe headache with visual disturbances
19. What is the recommended total weight gain during pregnancy for a woman with a normal pre-pregnancy BMI (18.5–24.9)? → 25–35 lbs
20. Which maternal serum marker is ELEVATED in open neural tube defects on the second-trimester quad screen? → Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)
21. The main danger of having a midline episiotomy is → Laceration
22. Which screening is routinely performed at the first prenatal visit to determine maternal blood compatibility? → ABO and Rh typing
23. A patient at 18 weeks has an anatomy ultrasound showing echogenic bowel. The nurse knows this finding is considered: → A soft marker that may be associated with trisomy 21, cystic fibrosis, or IUGR
24. Antenatal corticosteroids (betamethasone) to accelerate fetal lung maturity are indicated between which gestational ages? → 24–34 weeks
25. Before epidural placement in a laboring patient, which assessment is most critical for patient safety? → Platelet count and coagulation status
26. The most common serious complication of multiple gestation pregnancy is: → Preterm birth before 37 weeks
27. A laboring patient received IV fentanyl 50 mcg 20 minutes ago. Which assessment is the nurse's highest priority? → Maternal respiratory rate and sedation level
28. Using a fetoscope to listen to the fetal heartbeat if the fetus is in → in the left lower abdominal quadrant, near the mother’s thigh
29. At what gestational age is the glucose challenge test (GCT) for gestational diabetes screening typically performed? → 24–28 weeks
30. When monitoring a patient using hydrotherapy (water immersion) for labor pain relief, the nurse's priority assessment is: → Monitoring water temperature to prevent maternal and fetal hyperthermia