MATERNITY & WOMEN’S HEALTH CARE
12TH EDITION LOWDERMILK TEST BANK
Chapter 1: 21st Century Maternity and Women’s Health Nursing
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. In evaluating the level of a pregnant womans risk of having a low-birth-weight (LBW) infant,
which factor is the most important for the nurse to consider?
a. African-American race
b. Cigarette smoking
c. Poor nutritional status
d. Limited maternal education
ANS: A
For African-American births, the incidence of LBW infants is twice that of Caucasian births. Race is a
nonmodifiable risk factor. Cigarette smoking is an important factor in potential infant mortality rates,
but it is not the most important. Additionally, smoking is a modifiable risk factor. Poor nutrition is an
important factor in potential infant mortality rates, but it is not the most important. Additionally,
nutritional status is a modifiable risk factor. Maternal education is an important factor in potential infant
mortality rates, but it is not the most important. Additionally, maternal education is a modifiable risk
factor.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand REF: IM:
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
,MSC: Client Needs: Health Promotion and Maintenance, Antepartum Care
2. What is the primary role of practicing nurses in the research process?
a. Designing research studies
b. Collecting data for other researchers
c. Identifying researchable problems
d. Seeking funding to support research studies
ANS: C
When problems are identified, research can be properly conducted. Research of health care issues leads
to evidence-based practice guidelines. Designing research studies is only one factor of the research
process. Data collection is another factor of research. Financial support is necessary to conduct research,
but it is not the primary role of the nurse in the research process.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand REF: im: 14 TOP: Nursing Process: N/A MSC: Client Needs: Safe and
Effective Care Environment
3. A 23-year-old African-American woman is pregnant with her first child. Based on the statistics
for infant mortality, which plan is most important for the nurse to implement?
a. Perform a nutrition assessment.
b. Refer the woman to a social worker.
c. Advise the woman to see an obstetrician, not a midwife.
d. Explain to the woman the importance of keeping her prenatal care appointments.
,ANS: D
Consistent prenatal care is the best method of preventing or controlling risk factors associated with
infant mortality. Nutritional status is an important modifiable risk factor, but it is not the most important
action a nurse should take in this situation. The client may need assistance from a social worker at some
time during her pregnancy, but a referral to a social worker is not the most important aspect the nurse
should address at this time. If the woman has identifiable high-risk problems, then her health care may
need to be provided by a physician. However, it cannot be assumed that all African-American women
have high-risk issues. In addition, advising the woman to see an obstetrician is not the most important
aspect on which the nurse should focus at this time, and it is not appropriate for a nurse to advise or
manage the type of care a client is to receive.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand REF: IM: TOP: Nursing Process: Planning
MSC: Client Needs: Health Promotion and Maintenance
4. During a prenatal intake interview, the nurse is in the process of obtaining an initial assessment
of a 21-year-old Hispanic client with limited English proficiency. Which action is the most important for
the nurse to perform?
a. Use maternity jargon to enable the client to become familiar with these terms.
b. Speak quickly and efficiently to expedite the visit.
c. Provide the client with handouts.
d. Assess whether the client understands the discussion.
ANS: D
Nurses contribute to health literacy by using simple, common words, avoiding jargon, and evaluating
whether the client understands the discussion. Speaking slowly and clearly and focusing on what is
, important will increase understanding. Most client education materials are written at a level too high for
the average adult and may not be useful for a client with limited English proficiency.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply REF: im: 5 TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation MSC: Client Needs: Health
Promotion and Maintenance
5. The nurses working at a newly established birthing center have begun to compare their
performance in providing maternal-newborn care against clinical standards. This comparison process is
most commonly known as what?
a. Best practices network
b. Clinical benchmarking
c. Outcomes-oriented practice
d. Evidence-based practice ANS: C
Outcomes-oriented practice measures the effectiveness of the interventions and quality of care against
benchmarks or standards. The term best practice refers to a program or service that has been
recognized for its excellence. Clinical benchmarking is a process used to compare ones own performance
against the performance of the best in an area of service. The term evidence-based practice refers to the
provision of care based on evidence gained through research and clinical trials.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand REF: im: 11 TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation MSC: Client Needs: Safe
and Effective Care Environment
6. Which statement best exemplifies contemporary maternity nursing?
a. Use of midwives for all vaginal deliveries
b. Family-centered care
c. Free-standing birth clinics
d. Physician-driven care