Maternal Child Nursing Care 2nd Edition
Ward Hisley Test Bank
Med C
, Hisley: Maternal Child Nursing Care 2nd Edition Test Bank
Chapter 01: 21st Century Maternity Nursing
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. When providing care for a pregnant woman, the nurse should be aware that one of the most frequently
reported maternal medical risk factors is:
a. Diabetes mellitus. c. Chronic hypertension.
b. Mitral valve prolapse (MVP). d. Anemia.
ANS: A
The most frequently reported maternal medical risk factors are diabetes and hypertension associated with
pregnancy. Both of these conditions are associated with maternal obesity. There are no studies that indicate
MVP is among the most frequently reported maternal risk factors. Hypertension associated with pregnancy,
not chronic hypertension, is one of the most frequently reported maternal medical risk factors. Although
anemia is a concern in pregnancy, it is not one of the most frequently reported maternal medical risk factors in
pregnancy.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: 6
OBJ: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: Client Needs: Physiologic Integrity
2. To ensure optimal outcomes for the patient, the contemporary maternity nurse must incorporate both
teamwork and communication with clinicians into her care delivery, The SBAR technique of communication is
an easy-to-remember mechanism for communication. Which of the following correctly defines this acronym?
a. Situation, baseline assessment, response
b. Situation, background, assessment, recommendation
c. Subjective background, assessment, recommendation
d. Situation, background, anticipated recommendation
ANS: B
The situation, background, assessment, recommendation (SBAR) technique provides a specific framework for
communication among health care providers. Failure to communicate is one of the major reasons for errors in
health care. The SBAR technique has the potential to serve as a means to reduce errors.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: 14
OBJ: Nursing Process: Assessment, Planning
MSC: Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment
3. The role of the professional nurse caring for childbearing families has evolved to emphasize:
a. Providing care to patients directly at the bedside.
Med C
, b. Primarily hospital care of maternity patients.
c. Practice using an evidence-based approach.
d. Planning patient care to cover longer hospital stays.
ANS: C
Professional nurses are part of the team of health care providers who collaboratively care for patients
throughout the childbearing cycle. Providing care to patients directly at the bedside is one of the nurses tasks;
however, it does not encompass the concept of the evolved professional nurse. Throughout the prenatal period,
nurses care for women in clinics and physicians offices and teach classes to help families prepare for
childbirth. Nurses also care for childbearing families in birthing centers and in the home. Nurses have been
critically important in developing strategies to improve the well-being of women and their infants and have led
the efforts to implement clinical practice guidelines using an evidence-based approach. Maternity patients have
experienced a decreased, rather than an increased, length of stay over the past 2 decades.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: 1
OBJ: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment
4. 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 a nutrition assessment is not the most
important action a nurse should take in this situation. The patient 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, 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
patient is to receive.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: 6
OBJ: Nursing Process: Planning MSC: Client Needs: Health Promotion and Maintenance
5. During a prenatal intake interview, the nurse is in the process of obtaining an initial assessment of a 21-year-
old Hispanic patient with limited English proficiency. It is important for the nurse to:
Med C
, a. Use maternity jargon in order for the patient to become familiar with these terms.
b. Speak quickly and efficiently to expedite the visit.
c. Provide the patient with handouts.
d. Assess whether the patient understands the discussion.
ANS: D
Nurses contribute to health literacy by using simple, common words; avoiding jargon; and evaluating whether
the patient understands the discussion. Speaking slowly and clearly and focusing on what is important increase
understanding. Most patient education materials are written at too high a level for the average adult and may
not be useful for a client with limited English proficiency.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: 5
OBJ: Nursing Process: Evaluation MSC: Client Needs: Health Promotion and Maintenance
6. When managing health care for pregnant women at a prenatal clinic, the nurse should recognize that the
most significant barrier to access to care is the pregnant womans:
a. Age. c. Educational level.
b. Minority status. d. Inability to pay.
ANS: D
The most significant barrier to health care access is the inability to pay for services; this is compounded by the
fact that many physicians refuse to care for women who cannot pay. Although adolescent pregnant clients
statistically receive less prenatal care, age is not the most significant barrier. Significant disparities in
morbidity and mortality rates exist for minority women; however, minority status is not the most significant
barrier to access of care. Disparities in educational level are associated with morbidity and mortality rates;
however, educational level is not the most significant barrier to access of care.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: 5
OBJ: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment
7. 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
Med C
, ANS: C
When problems are identified, research can be conducted properly. 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 one factor of research. Financial support is necessary to conduct research, but it is not the primary
role of the nurse in the research process.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: 9
OBJ: Nursing Process: Diagnosis, Evaluation
MSC: Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment
8. When the nurse is unsure about how to perform a patient care procedure, the best action would be to:
a. Ask another nurse.
b. Discuss the procedure with the patients physician.
c. Look up the procedure in a nursing textbook.
d. Consult the agency procedure manual and follow the guidelines for the procedure.
ANS: D
It is always best to follow the agencys policies and procedures manual when seeking information on correct
patient procedures. These policies should reflect the current standards of care and state guidelines. Each nurse
is responsible for her own practice. Relying on another nurse may not always be safe practice. Each nurse is
obligated to follow the standards of care for safe client care delivery. Physicians are responsible for their own
client care activity. Nurses may follow safe orders from physicians, but they are also responsible for the
activities that they as nurses are to carry out. Information provided in a nursing textbook is basic information
for general knowledge. Furthermore, the information in a textbook may not reflect the current standard of care
or individual state or hospital policies.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: 11
OBJ: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: Client Needs: Physiologic Integrity
9. From the nurses perspective, what measure should be the focus of the health care system to reduce the rate
of infant mortality further?
a. Implementing programs to ensure womens early participation in ongoing prenatal care
b. Increasing the length of stay in a hospital after vaginal birth from 2 to 3 days
c. Expanding the number of neonatal intensive care units (NICUs)
d. Mandating that all pregnant women receive care from an obstetrician
ANS: A
Early prenatal care allows for early diagnosis and appropriate interventions to reduce the rate of infant
Med C
, mortality. An increased length of stay has been shown to foster improved self-care and parental education.
However, it does not prevent the incidence of leading causes of infant mortality rates, such as low birth weight.
Early prevention and diagnosis reduce the rate of infant mortality. NICUs offer care to high-risk infants after
they are born. Expanding the number of NICUs would offer better access for high-risk care, but this factor is
not the primary focus for further reduction of infant mortality rates. A mandate that all pregnant women
receive obstetric care would be nearly impossible to enforce. Furthermore, certified nurse-midwives (CNMs)
have demonstrated reliable, safe care for pregnant women.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: 10
OBJ: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: Client Needs: Health Promotion and Maintenance
10. Alternative and complementary therapies:
a. Replace conventional Western modalities of treatment.
b. Are used by only a small number of American adults.
c. Recognize the value of clients input into their health care.
d. Focus primarily on the disease an individual is experiencing.
ANS: C
Many popular alternative healing modalities offer human-centered care based on philosophies that recognize
the value of the patients input and honor the individuals beliefs, values, and desires. Alternative and
complementary therapies are part of an integrative approach to health care. An increasing number of American
adults are seeking alternative and complementary health care options. Alternative healing modalities offer an
holistic approach to health, focusing on the whole person, not just the disease.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: 4
OBJ: Nursing Process: Planning MSC: Client Needs: Physiologic Integrity
11. A 38-year-old Hispanic woman delivered a 9-pound, 6-ounce girl vaginally after being in labor for 43
hours. The baby died 3 days later from sepsis. On what grounds would the woman potentially have a legitimate
legal case for negligence?
a. She is Hispanic. c. The standards of care were not met.
b. She delivered a girl. d. She refused fetal monitoring.
ANS: C
Not meeting the standards of care is a legitimate factor for a case of negligence. The clients race is not a factor
for a case of negligence. The infants gender is not a factor for a case of negligence. Although fetal monitoring
is the standard of care, the client has the right to refuse treatment. This refusal is not a case for negligence;
however, informed consent should be properly obtained, and the client should sign an against medical advice
form for refusal of any treatment that is within the standard of care.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: 12
OBJ: Nursing Process: Planning MSC: Client Needs: Health Promotion and Maintenance
Med C
, 12. A newly graduated nurse is attempting to understand the reason for increasing health care spending in the
United States. Her research finds that these costs are much higher compared with other developed countries as
a result of:
a. A higher rate of obesity among pregnant women.
b. Limited access to technology.
c. Increased usage of health care services along with lower prices.
d. Homogeneity of the population.
ANS: A
Health care is one of the fastest growing sectors of the U.S. economy. Currently, 17.4% of the gross domestic
product is spent on health care. Higher spending in the United States compared with 12 other industrialized
countries is related to higher prices and readily accessible technology along with greater obesity rates among
women. More than one third of women in the United States are obese. Of the U.S. population, 16% is
uninsured and has limited access to health care. Maternal morbidity and mortality are directly related to racial
disparities.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis REF: 5
OBJ: Nursing Process: Planning
MSC: Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment
13. The term used to describe legal and professional responsibility for practice for maternity nurses is:
a. Collegiality. c. Evaluation.
b. Ethics. d. Accountability.
ANS: D
Accountability refers to legal and professional responsibility for practice. Collegiality refers to a working
relationship with ones colleagues. Ethics refers to a code to guide practice. Evaluation refers to examination of
the effectiveness of interventions in relation to expected outcomes.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Evaluation REF: 12
OBJ: Nursing Process: Evaluation MSC: Client Needs: Health Promotion and Maintenance
14. Through the use of social media technology, nurses can link with other nurses who may share similar
interests, insights about practice, and advocate for patients. The most concerning pitfall for nurses using this
technology is:
a. Violation of patient privacy and confidentiality.
b. Institutions and colleagues may be cast in an unfavorable light.
Med C
, c. Unintended negative consequences for using social media.
d. Lack of institutional policy governing online contact.
ANS: A
The most significant pitfall for nurses using this technology is the violation of patient privacy and
confidentiality. Furthermore, institutions and colleagues can be cast in unfavorable lights with negative
consequences for those posting information. Nursing students have been expelled from school and nurses have
been fired or reprimanded by their Board of Nursing for injudicious posts. The American Nurses Association
has published six principles for social networking and nurses. All institutions should have policies guiding the
use of social media, and nurses should be familiar with these guidelines.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis REF: 7
OBJ: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment
15. An important development that affects maternity nursing is integrative health care, which:
a. Seeks to provide the same health care for all racial and ethnic groups.
b. Blends complementary and alternative therapies with conventional Western treatment.
c. Focuses on the disease or condition rather than the background of the client.
d. Has been mandated by Congress.
ANS: B
Integrative health care tries to mix the old with the new at the discretion of the client and health care providers.
Integrative health care is a blending of new and traditional practices. Integrative health care focuses on the
whole person, not just the disease or condition. U.S. law supports complementary and alternative therapies but
does not mandate them.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: 4
OBJ: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: Client Needs: Health Promotion and Maintenance
16. Recent trends in childbirth practices in the United States indicate that:
a. More than 15% of mothers had late or no prenatal care.
b. The percentage of Hispanics, non-Hispanic African Americans, and Caucasians who received
prenatal care was essentially the same.
c. Births occurring in the hospital accounted for 99% of births.
d. Cesarean births have been declining as a percentage of live births.
Med C
, ANS: C
Almost all births occur within the hospital setting. Only 5.2% of Caucasians mothers had either late care or no
care. There are disparities in the receipt of prenatal care by ethnicity: 12.2% of Hispanic women and 11.8% of
non-Hispanic black women received either late or no prenatal care. The percentage of cesarean births is
increasing.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: 7
OBJ: Nursing Process: Planning MSC: Client Needs: Physiologic Integrity
17. Recent trends in childbirth practice indicate that:
a. Delayed pushing is now discouraged in the second stage of labor.
b. Episiotomy rates are increasing.
c. Midwives perform more episiotomies than physicians.
d. Newborn infants remain with the mother and are encouraged to breastfeed.
ANS: D
Breastfeeding is encouraged for newborns immediately after birth. Delayed pushing is encouraged for several
reasons. Episiotomy rates are declining. Midwives perform fewer episiotomies than physicians.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: 8
OBJ: Nursing Process: Planning
MSC: Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment
18. The nurse caring for a pregnant client should be aware that the U.S. birth rate shows which trend?
a. Births to unmarried women are more likely to have less favorable outcomes.
b. Birth rates for women 40 to 44 years old are beginning to decline.
c. Cigarette smoking among pregnant women continues to increase.
d. The rates of maternal death owing to racial disparity are elevated in the United States.
ANS: A
Low-birth-weight infants and preterm birth are more likely because of the large number of teenagers in the
unmarried group. Birth rates for women in their early 40s continue to increase. Fewer pregnant women smoke.
In the United States, there is significant racial disparity in the rates of maternal death.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: 6
OBJ: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment
Med C
, 19. Maternity nursing care that is based on knowledge gained through research and clinical trials is:
a. Derived from the Nursing Intervention Classification.
b. Known as evidence-based practice.
c. At odds with the Cochrane School of traditional nursing.
d. An outgrowth of telemedicine.
ANS: B
Evidence-based practice is based on knowledge gained from research and clinical trials. The Nursing
Intervention Classification is a method of standardizing language and categorizing care. Dr. Cochrane
systematically reviewed research trials and is part of the evidence-based practice movement. Telemedicine use
communication technologies to support health care.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: 9
OBJ: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
20. The level of practice a reasonably prudent nurse provides is called:
a. The standard of care. c. A sentinel event.
b. Risk management. d. Failure to rescue.
ANS: A
Guidelines for standards of care are published by various professional nursing organizations. Risk management
identifies risks and establishes preventive practices, but it does not define the standard of care. Sentinel events
are unexpected negative occurrences. They do not establish the standard of care. Failure to rescue is an
evaluative process for nursing, but it does not define the standard of care.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: 11
OBJ: Nursing Process: Diagnosis
MSC: Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment
21. During a prenatal intake interview, the client informs the nurse that she would prefer a midwife to provide
her care during pregnancy and deliver her infant. What information would be most appropriate for the nurse to
share with this patient?
a. Midwifery care is available only to clients who are uninsured because their services are less
expensive than an obstetrician. Costs are often lower than an obstetric provider.
b. The client will receive fewer interventions during the birth process.
c. The client should be aware that midwives are not certified.
Med C
