Maternity NCLEX Questions 2025 | NCLEX Topics | Case Study

The maternity section of the NCLEX exam is critical for future nurses as it assesses your ability to care for women throughout the stages of pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum. Whether you’re preparing for maternal and newborn nursing or just starting your NCLEX prep, understanding how maternity questions are framed can help you succeed. This comprehensive guide will walk you through maternity NCLEX Questions, topics, key concepts, rationales, test-taking tips, and case studies to sharpen your clinical judgment.

Major Maternity Nursing Topics Covered in NCLEX

The NCLEX often integrates multiple concepts into one scenario. For maternity nursing, focus on these core areas:

• Antepartum care

• Labor and delivery

• Postpartum care

• Newborn assessment and care

• Obstetric emergencies

• High-risk pregnancy

• Medications in maternity care

• Patient education and advocacy

Let’s explore each in detail, along with examples and question formats.

1. Antepartum Care

Antepartum refers to care during pregnancy before labor. Questions often focus on:

• Prenatal screening

• Pregnancy-related physiological changes

• Complications like gestational diabetes, preeclampsia

• Fetal development

Sample NCLEX Question:

Q: A client at 28 weeks’ gestation reports headaches, visual disturbances, and swelling in the hands. Which condition should the nurse suspect?

A. Preeclampsia
B. Hyperemesis gravidarum
C. Placenta previa
D. Urinary tract infection

Correct Answer: A. Preeclampsia
Rationale: Headaches, blurred vision, and edema indicate elevated blood pressure, characteristic of preeclampsia.

2. Labor and Delivery

Expect NCLEX questions on stages of labor, pain management, monitoring, and interventions.

Key topics:

• Stages and phases of labor

• Fetal heart rate monitoring

• Oxytocin use

• Vaginal vs. cesarean delivery

• Signs of labor complications

Sample NCLEX Question:

Q: During active labor, a patient’s fetal monitor shows late decelerations. What is the priority nursing intervention?

A. Reposition the patient
B. Increase Pitocin infusion
C. Document findings
D. Apply a scalp electrode

Correct Answer: A. Reposition the patient
Rationale: Late decelerations may indicate uteroplacental insufficiency. Repositioning improves blood flow.

3. Postpartum Care

Postpartum NCLEX questions test your knowledge of:

• Uterine involution

• Lochia assessment

• Breastfeeding support

• Signs of postpartum depression or hemorrhage

Sample NCLEX Question:

Q: A postpartum patient reports severe perineal pain and feels faint. Her fundus is firm and midline. What should the nurse suspect?

A. Uterine atony
B. Bladder distention
C. Perineal hematoma
D. Retained placenta

Correct Answer: C. Perineal hematoma
Rationale: Severe pain with stable fundus indicates hematoma, which may cause concealed bleeding.

4. Newborn Care

Topics may include Apgar scoring, thermoregulation, reflexes, feeding, and congenital issues.

Sample NCLEX Question:

Q: A newborn has a respiratory rate of 65/min, nasal flaring, and intercostal retractions. What is the nurse’s first action?

A. Administer oxygen
B. Notify the provider
C. Assess oxygen saturation
D. Stimulate the newborn

Correct Answer: C. Assess oxygen saturation
Rationale: Assessment precedes intervention. Pulse oximetry guides oxygen needs.

5. High-Risk Pregnancy

This includes:

• Ectopic pregnancy

• Hypertensive disorders

• Gestational diabetes

• Preterm labor

• HELLP syndrome

Sample NCLEX Question:

Q: A client with gestational diabetes asks how to manage her condition. Which teaching is most appropriate?

A. “You should monitor your blood glucose twice a week.”
B. “Increase carbohydrate intake in the third trimester.”
C. “Avoid physical activity.”
D. “Monitor your blood glucose four times a day.”

Correct Answer: D.
Rationale: Frequent monitoring helps maintain euglycemia and prevent complications.

6. Medications in Maternity

Know indications, side effects, and contraindications of:

• Magnesium sulfate

• Oxytocin

• Terbutaline

• Betamethasone

• Rho(D) immune globulin

Sample NCLEX Question:

Q: A client receives magnesium sulfate for preeclampsia. Which finding requires immediate intervention?

A. Respiratory rate of 10/min
B. Patellar reflex present
C. Fetal heart rate of 140 bpm
D. Urine output of 40 mL/hour

Correct Answer: A. Respiratory rate of 10/min
Rationale: Respiratory depression is a sign of magnesium toxicity.

7. Case Study: Labor Complication

Scenario:
A 30-year-old G2P1 patient is in labor at 39 weeks. Her cervix is 7 cm dilated, and she suddenly complains of sharp abdominal pain and stops having contractions.

Assessment Findings:

• Fetal heart rate: Bradycardia

• Abdomen: Rigid

• Vaginal bleeding: Minimal

Q: What condition should the nurse suspect?

Answer: Uterine rupture
Rationale: Sudden pain, cessation of contractions, fetal distress, and rigid abdomen indicate uterine rupture—a surgical emergency.

8. 10 NCLEX-Style Practice Questions: Maternity

1. Which fetal heart pattern requires immediate intervention?

   • A. Early decelerations

   • B. Accelerations

   • C. Late decelerations

   • D. Variable decelerations

   • Answer: C

2. A patient with placenta previa is admitted. What is contraindicated?

   • A. Ultrasound

   • B. Vaginal exam

   • C. Vital signs monitoring

   • D. Fetal heart monitoring

   • Answer: B

3. A newborn with jaundice in the first 12 hours is likely experiencing:

   • A. Physiologic jaundice

   • B. Breastfeeding jaundice

   • C. Pathologic jaundice

   • D. Immature liver function

   • Answer: C

4. Which medication is used to mature fetal lungs?

   • A. Terbutaline

   • B. Betamethasone

   • C. Oxytocin

   • D. Methylergonovine

   • Answer: B

5. A patient with eclampsia has a seizure. What is the first nursing action?

   • A. Administer hydralazine

   • B. Turn the patient on her side

   • C. Insert Foley catheter

   • D. Check fundal height

   • Answer: B

6. Which assessment requires immediate action after delivery?

   • A. Fundus firm and midline

   • B. Lochia rubra

   • C. Saturating a pad in 15 minutes

   • D. Temp 99.6°F

   • Answer: C

7. What is the priority teaching for a patient taking terbutaline?

   • A. Avoid dairy products

   • B. Report chest pain or palpitations

   • C. Increase fluid intake

   • D. Avoid iron supplements

   • Answer: B

8. Which of the following is a sign of true labor?

   • A. Contractions stop with position change

   • B. No cervical change

   • C. Contractions every 10 minutes, irregular

   • D. Contractions increase in intensity and frequency

   • Answer: D

9. A postpartum patient shows signs of endometritis. What is the priority action?

   • A. Reassure the patient

   • B. Administer antibiotics

   • C. Massage the fundus

   • D. Encourage ambulation

   • Answer: B

10. When is Rho(D) immune globulin administered?

    • A. At 12 weeks

    • B. Immediately before labor

    • C. Within 72 hours of birth if newborn is Rh-positive

    • D. Only if mother is Rh-positive

    • Answer: C

Final Thoughts

Mastering maternity NCLEX questions means understanding not just what happens during pregnancy and delivery but also how to respond to clinical changes. Prioritize high-risk scenarios, medication safety, and maternal-newborn bonding. By reviewing case studies, practicing questions, and knowing your rationales, you’ll build the confidence needed to succeed in maternity nursing on the NCLEX and beyond.