LPN Maternity Exam

ATI LPN Maternity Exam

Total Questions : 79

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Question 1: View

A nurse is assisting with the care of a client who is in labor. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

Explanation

The correct answer is Choice D: Contraction lasting 85 seconds.

Choice A rationale: A contraction resting period of 35 seconds is normal and expected during labor. The resting period allows the uterine muscle to relax and replenish its oxygen supply, which is essential for fetal well-being. The resting period also gives the client a chance to rest and cope with the pain of labor. A normal resting period ranges from 30 to 90 seconds, depending on the stage and phase of labor¹².

Choice B rationale: A heart rate of 100/min for a 10-min period is within the normal range for an adult. The normal resting heart rate for an adult is 60 to 100 beats per minute (bpm)³. During labor, the heart rate may increase due to factors such as pain, anxiety, dehydration, fever, or infection. However, a heart rate of 100/min is not considered a sign of distress or complication, unless it is accompanied by other symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or palpitations⁴⁵.

Choice C rationale: Four contractions in a 10-min period is a normal frequency for labor contractions. The frequency of contractions refers to how often they occur, measured from the beginning of one contraction to the beginning of the next. The normal frequency of contractions varies depending on the stage and phase of labor, but generally ranges from two to five contractions in 10 minutes¹².

Choice D rationale: A contraction lasting 85 seconds is too long and should be reported to the provider. The duration of contractions refers to how long they last, measured from the beginning to the end of one contraction. The normal duration of contractions ranges from 30 to 70 seconds, depending on the stage and phase of labor¹². A contraction lasting longer than 90 seconds is considered a prolonged contraction, which can reduce the blood flow and oxygen supply to the placenta and the fetus, leading to fetal hypoxia and acidosis. Prolonged contractions can also cause uterine rupture, placental abruption, or maternal hemorrhage .


Question 2: View

A nurse is caring for a client who is at 32 weeks of gestation and is in labor. Which of the following medications is contraindicated for this client?

Explanation

Choice A rationale: Misoprostol is a prostaglandin analog and is contraindicated for use during labor at 32 weeks of gestation as it can lead to uterine hyperstimulation, which may pose a risk to the preterm fetus.
Choice B rationale: Folic acid is a vitamin supplement and is not contraindicated during labor. However, it is typically taken earlier in pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects.
Choice C rationale: Nifedipine is a calcium channel blocker that may be used to suppress preterm labor, and it is not contraindicated at 32 weeks of gestation.
Choice D rationale: Terbutaline is a beta-adrenergic agonist that may be used to relax the uterine smooth muscles and inhibit preterm labor. It is not contraindicated at 32 weeks of gestation.


Question 3: View

A nurse is assisting with the care of a client who is in labor. Immediately after the delivery of a newborn, which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Explanation

Choice A rationale: While this is an important action, it is not the first priority immediately after delivery. The priority is to ensure the newborn's breathing and warmth.
Choice B rationale: Assessing the gestational age of the newborn is important but can be done after ensuring the newborn's immediate well-being.
Choice C rationale: This is important for proper identification, but it can be done after the newborn is stabilized.
Choice D rationale: The first action after delivery is to dry the newborn to prevent hypothermia and stimulate breathing. Drying the baby helps remove amniotic fluid and stimulates the baby's reflexes, making it the priority action.


Question 4: View

A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who is at 23 weeks of gestation and will return to the facility the following week for an amniocentesis. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

Explanation

Choice A rationale: An amniocentesis involves inserting a needle through the abdominal wall into the amniotic sac to obtain a sample of amniotic fluid. Emptying the bladder before the procedure reduces the risk of bladder puncture during the process.
Choice B rationale: Fasting is not typically necessary for an amniocentesis. It is generally done on an outpatient basis, and fasting is not required.
Choice C rationale: An enema is not necessary before an amniocentesis and is not part of the standard preparation.
Choice D rationale: While cleanliness is important, this instruction is not specific to an amniocentesis and is not a standard pre-procedure requirement.


Question 5: View

A nurse is preparing to auscultate fetal heart tones for a client who is pregnant. Using Leopold maneuvers, the nurse palpates a round, firm, movable part in the fundal portion of the uterus and a long, smooth surface on the mother's right side. In which of the following maternal quadrants should the nurse auscultate fetal heart tones?

Explanation

Choice A rationale: Auscultating fetal heart tones in the right upper quadrant is not appropriate based on the information provided by Leopold maneuvers, which indicates the fetal back is on the right side of the mother's abdomen, and the fetal head is in the fundal portion of the uterus.
Choice B rationale: During Leopold maneuvers, the nurse palpated a round, firm, movable part in the fundal portion of the uterus. This finding corresponds to the fetal head, which is typically located at the top of the uterus (fundus). Additionally, the nurse palpated a long, smooth surface on the mother's right side. This finding indicates the fetal back, which typically lies along the right side of the mother's abdomen, suggesting that the fetus's back is positioned anteriorly (toward the mother's front). The location of the fetal heart is typically best heard over the back of the fetus. Therefore, the nurse should auscultate the fetal heart tones in the maternal quadrant corresponding to the back of the fetus, which is the left lower quadrant.
Choice C rationale: The information from Leopold maneuvers does not indicate the fetal back is in the right lower quadrant. The nurse should not auscultate fetal heart tones in this area.
Choice D rationale: Auscultating fetal heart tones in the left upper quadrant is not appropriate based on the information provided by Leopold maneuvers, which indicates the fetal head is in the fundal portion of the uterus and the fetal back is on the right side of the mother's abdomen. The fetal heart is usually best heard over the back of the fetus, which is not in the left upper quadrant.


Question 6: View

A nurse is assisting in the care of a newborn immediately following birth. The nurse notes mucus bubbling out of the newborn's mouth and nose. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Explanation

Choice A rationale: Placing the newborn in the Trendelenburg position (head down, feet up) is not recommended in this situation and can potentially cause harm.
Choice B rationale: While saline drops can help clear nasal congestion, the bubbling mucus is coming from the mouth and nose, and suctioning is more appropriate.
Choice C rationale: The bubbling mucus indicates the presence of mucus and amniotic fluid in the baby's airway, which could interfere with breathing. The first action should be to suction the newborn's mouth to clear the airway.
Choice D rationale: Performing deep suctioning with an endotracheal tube is an invasive procedure and is not necessary for clearing mucus from the newborn's mouth and nose.


Question 7: View

A nurse is caring for a newborn. How many blood vessels should the nurse expect to observe in the newborn's umbilical cord?

Explanation

Choice A rationale: The umbilical cord contains three blood vessels: two arteries and one vein. The two arteries carry deoxygenated blood and waste products from the fetus back to the placenta, while the one vein carries oxygenated blood and nutrients from the placenta to the fetus.
Choice B rationale: This option is incorrect because the umbilical cord in a newborn does not have two veins. It contains two arteries and one vein.
Choice C rationale: This option is incorrect because the umbilical cord in a newborn does not have two veins and one artery. It contains two arteries and one vein.
Choice D Rationale: This option is incorrect because the umbilical cord in a newborn does not have only one artery and one vein. It contains two arteries and one vein.


Question 8: View

A nurse is reinforcing teaching with the mother of a newborn who is small for gestational age. Which of the following should the nurse include as a cause of this condition?

Explanation

Choice A rationale:
Primipara refers to a woman who is giving birth for the first time. While being a primipara may have some implications for the birthing process, it is not a cause of the newborn being small for gestational age.
Choice B rationale:
Maternal obesity may have various effects on pregnancy, but it is not specifically a direct cause of the newborn being small for gestational age.
Choice C rationale:
Perinatal asphyxia refers to a lack of oxygen or oxygen deprivation around the time of birth. While this can lead to various health issues for the newborn, it is not a primary cause of being small for gestational age.
Choice D rationale:
Placental insufficiency occurs when the placenta does not function adequately to provide sufficient oxygen and nutrients to the developing fetus. This can result in the newborn being small for gestational age due to restricted growth in the womb.


Question 9: View

A nurse is caring for a newborn who is small for gestational age. Which of the following findings is associated with this condition?

Explanation

Choice A rationale:
A protruding abdomen is not specifically associated with being small for gestational age and can have various other causes in newborns.
Choice B rationale:
A gray umbilical cord is not a typical finding associated with being small for gestational age. Choice C rationale:
Moist skin is not a specific finding associated with being small for gestational age and can be observed in all newborns.
Choice D rationale:
Wide skull sutures are associated with being small for gestational age, as the skull bones may not fully close due to restricted growth in the womb.


Question 10: View

A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a newly licensed nurse about the complications associated with maternal gestational diabetes. Which of the following complications should the nurse include?

Explanation

Choice A rationale:
Maternal gestational diabetes can lead to the newborn being larger than average (macrosomia) due to the impact of high blood sugar levels in the mother affecting fetal growth.
Choice B rationale:
Newborn hypoglycemia isa common complication of maternal gestational diabetes due to the elevated insulin levels in the newborn at birth
Choice C rationale:
Oligohydramnios refers to decreased amniotic fluid, which can be a complication of various factors, but it is not directly related to maternal gestational diabetes.
Choice D rationale:
Placenta previa is a condition where the placenta partially or completely covers the cervix, which is unrelated to maternal gestational diabetes.


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