A patient at 35 weeks with preeclampsia has blood pressures of 164/112 and 166/108 mm Hg taken 15 minutes apart. She has no IV access yet. Which order should the nurse anticipate first?

Immediate-release oral nifedipine 20 mg

Magnesium sulfate 4 g IV loading dose to lower the pressure

A patient arrives for evaluation of decreased fetal movement accompanied by her partner, who answers every question for her. How should the nurse screen for intimate partner violence?

Ask the screening questions when the patient is alone, such as during a specimen collection

Ask the partner to describe the relationship

Omit screening because the partner's presence makes it unsafe

A patient receiving oxytocin has 7 contractions in 10 minutes averaged over 30 minutes. The FHR tracing is Category I. What is the recommended first action?

Reposition the patient, give an IV bolus, and decrease the oxytocin rate if tachysystole continues

Stop oxytocin and give terbutaline immediately

Continue the infusion because the tracing is normal

The provider performs amniotomy for labor augmentation. What is the nurse's first action?

Document the color and amount of fluid

A patient at 38 weeks with polyhydramnios is admitted for induction. The fetal head is at −3 station. Which risk should the nurse anticipate if membranes rupture?

Shoulder dystocia from oligohydramnios

Uterine hypertonus from low fluid volume

A patient at 36 weeks has blood pressure of 146/94 mm Hg on two readings 4 hours apart, a protein/creatinine ratio of 0.1, platelets of 210,000/µL, and normal liver enzymes. She has no symptoms. What is the diagnosis?

Preeclampsia without severe features

A patient in active labor asks for non-drug methods to cope with pain. Which method has evidence for reducing pain and the need for epidural analgesia?

Warm water immersion during the first stage

Holding the breath during contractions

A patient's baby has died in utero at 36 weeks. Which nursing action supports the family?

Refer to the baby by name and offer to take photographs and footprints

Keep the door closed and limit nursing visits to give privacy

Tell the parents they are young and can have another baby

Inpatient Obstetric Nurse

Free Inpatient Obstetric Nurse Practice Questions

10 sample questions for the Inpatient Obstetric Nurse, with the correct answer and an explanation for each. No account needed. Try each one before you open the answer.

Sections covered on the exam: Pregnancy Complications, Labor and Birth, Fetal Assessment, Postpartum and Newborn Care, Professional Issues.

Question 1 · Pregnancy Complications
A patient at 35 weeks with preeclampsia has blood pressures of 164/112 and 166/108 mm Hg taken 15 minutes apart. She has no IV access yet. Which order should the nurse anticipate first?
- A.Immediate-release oral nifedipine 20 mg
- B.Magnesium sulfate 4 g IV loading dose to lower the pressure
- C.Methyldopa 250 mg orally
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. Immediate-release oral nifedipine 20 mg
Persistent severe-range pressure for 15 minutes requires antihypertensive treatment within 30–60 minutes. Without IV access, immediate-release oral nifedipine is a first-line agent. Methyldopa is a slow-acting maintenance drug, and magnesium sulfate prevents seizures but is not an antihypertensive.
Question 2 · Pregnancy Complications
A patient arrives for evaluation of decreased fetal movement accompanied by her partner, who answers every question for her. How should the nurse screen for intimate partner violence?
- A.Ask the screening questions when the patient is alone, such as during a specimen collection
- B.Ask the partner to describe the relationship
- C.Omit screening because the partner's presence makes it unsafe
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. Ask the screening questions when the patient is alone, such as during a specimen collection
Screening for intimate partner violence must occur privately. Creating an opportunity to speak with the patient alone allows safe disclosure. Questioning the partner can increase danger, and omitting screening misses a patient at risk.
Question 3 · Fetal Assessment
A patient receiving oxytocin has 7 contractions in 10 minutes averaged over 30 minutes. The FHR tracing is Category I. What is the recommended first action?
- A.Stop oxytocin and give terbutaline immediately
- B.Reposition the patient, give an IV bolus, and decrease the oxytocin rate if tachysystole continues
- C.Continue the infusion because the tracing is normal
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B. Reposition the patient, give an IV bolus, and decrease the oxytocin rate if tachysystole continues
Tachysystole with a Category I tracing is managed with position change and fluids, then reduction of oxytocin if it persists. Stopping oxytocin and considering terbutaline are reserved for tachysystole with Category II or III changes that do not resolve. Tachysystole always requires action.
Question 4 · Labor and Birth
The provider performs amniotomy for labor augmentation. What is the nurse's first action?
- A.Change the underpad
- B.Assess the fetal heart rate
- C.Document the color and amount of fluid
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B. Assess the fetal heart rate
Cord prolapse can occur when membranes rupture, so the fetal heart rate is assessed immediately. Fluid characteristics and time are documented afterward.
Question 5 · Labor and Birth
A patient at 38 weeks with polyhydramnios is admitted for induction. The fetal head is at −3 station. Which risk should the nurse anticipate if membranes rupture?
- A.Shoulder dystocia from oligohydramnios
- B.Uterine hypertonus from low fluid volume
- C.Umbilical cord prolapse
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C. Umbilical cord prolapse
A high, unengaged presenting part with excess amniotic fluid increases the risk of cord prolapse and abruption when membranes rupture. Controlled amniotomy by the provider and immediate FHR assessment are important.
Question 6 · Pregnancy Complications
A patient at 36 weeks has blood pressure of 146/94 mm Hg on two readings 4 hours apart, a protein/creatinine ratio of 0.1, platelets of 210,000/µL, and normal liver enzymes. She has no symptoms. What is the diagnosis?
- A.Chronic hypertension
- B.Preeclampsia without severe features
- C.Gestational hypertension
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C. Gestational hypertension
New hypertension after 20 weeks without proteinuria (ratio below 0.3) or other features of preeclampsia is gestational hypertension. Chronic hypertension is present before pregnancy or before 20 weeks.
Question 7 · Labor and Birth
A patient at 32 weeks has received nifedipine for tocolysis. Which finding is an expected side effect?
- A.Loss of deep tendon reflexes
- B.Hyperkalemia
- C.Headache and flushing
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C. Headache and flushing
Nifedipine is a calcium channel blocker that causes vasodilation, producing headache, flushing, dizziness, and reflex tachycardia. Loss of reflexes relates to magnesium toxicity.
Question 8 · Fetal Assessment
A patient in active labor is receiving magnesium sulfate for preeclampsia. The FHR baseline is 135 bpm with minimal variability and no decelerations. What is the most likely cause of the variability change?
- A.Medication effect
- B.Umbilical cord compression
- C.Fetal metabolic acidemia
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. Medication effect
Magnesium sulfate commonly decreases FHR variability. With no decelerations and a normal baseline, a medication effect is most likely, although the nurse continues to evaluate the tracing in context.
Question 9 · Labor and Birth
A patient in active labor asks for non-drug methods to cope with pain. Which method has evidence for reducing pain and the need for epidural analgesia?
- A.Supine rest with the lights on
- B.Warm water immersion during the first stage
- C.Holding the breath during contractions
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B. Warm water immersion during the first stage
Hydrotherapy in the first stage reduces pain and epidural use without increasing adverse outcomes. Supine positioning causes aortocaval compression, and breath-holding increases tension.
Question 10 · Labor and Birth
A patient's baby has died in utero at 36 weeks. Which nursing action supports the family?
- A.Keep the door closed and limit nursing visits to give privacy
- B.Refer to the baby by name and offer to take photographs and footprints
- C.Tell the parents they are young and can have another baby
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B. Refer to the baby by name and offer to take photographs and footprints
Using the baby's name, validating the loss, and offering mementos support healthy grieving. Minimizing statements and avoidance increase isolation.

Keep practicing for the Inpatient Obstetric Nurse

TTP Prep has 200 Inpatient Obstetric Nurse practice questions with explanations, timed and mock-exam modes, 65 flashcards, interactive lessons, a printable cheat sheet and a readiness score. Start free, no card needed.

Take a free Quick 10 See everything in the Inpatient Obstetric Nurse prep