Browse all practice questions for the AWHONN Perinatal Orientation and Education Program (POEP) Practice Exam. Search by topic, open any question and review its full explanation, then test yourself in the practice quiz.

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  • What is a common psychological response of parents upon learning of a fetal demise?
  • Which measurement is considered a primary indicator of risk for morbidity related to overweight and obesity?
  • Which organism is most commonly responsible for urinary tract infections in pregnant women?
  • Current recommendations for antenatal glucocorticoid administration are applicable to women at which gestational age?
  • What does fetal fibronectin (fFN) indicate in a pregnant patient?
  • What action should be taken for women who have a positive rapid HIV test during labor?
  • An ova fertilized by one sperm that divides into two zygotes results in what type of gestation?
  • What significant issue must be addressed in perinatal healthcare?
  • What is the primary concern for a woman who is G2P2 with a history of primary cesarean at 34 weeks due to severe preeclampsia?
  • During the first stage of labor, how often should a nurse assess the fetal heart rate when administering oxytocin?
  • Which scenario would not warrant the transport of a patient to another facility?
  • What is a potential consequence of untreated maternal chorioamnionitis on a newborn?
  • Why is monitoring urine output significant in a postpartum woman with severe preeclampsia?
  • Which statement about fetal fibronectin (fFN) is most accurate?
  • What is the recommended method of pain control for labor and birth in women with cardiac disease?
  • What is a common assessment that may be overlooked by nurses not specializing in perinatal units?
  • During which phase of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy do platelets create a platelet plug?
  • When caring for a patient admitted to the labor and delivery PACU, what is an important vital sign to monitor in a patient with preeclampsia?
  • What is the primary cause of hearing loss in newborns?
  • A woman with higher-order multiples is at risk for all, except which condition?
  • Which medication should a pregnant woman with asthma avoid taking?
  • During labor, which parameter is crucial to monitor continuously for a VBAC patient?
  • Which of the following can be a sign of progressive uterine hemorrhage in a pregnant woman?
  • What condition may Mrs. Jordan likely be experiencing if she arrives with continuous abdominal pain and minimal fetal heart pattern variability?
  • What is the purpose of querying a woman undergoing general anesthesia regarding her or her family's past experiences with anesthesia?
  • What is a key aspect of antiretroviral treatment for HIV in pregnancy?
  • Which of the following is a contraindication to regional analgesia and anesthesia?
  • What are pregnant women with undiagnosed and untreated hypothyroidism at risk for?
  • Classic signs of placenta previa include which symptom?
  • A woman with a previous cesarean birth is requesting a trial of labor. Which of the following is not a contraindication to trial of labor after cesarean?
  • What should Michelle do when she feels the urge to push at 9 centimeters dilation with the presenting part at -1 station?
  • Which risk is associated with obesity in pregnancy?
  • What are common risk factors associated with placenta previa?
  • Which condition is not a contraindication for the administration of magnesium sulfate?
  • What is the initial nonpharmacologic intervention for postpartum hemorrhage caused by involution failure?
  • Which type of medication therapy is contraindicated in a pregnant woman with a mechanical heart valve during labor?
  • In the case of a patient with cesarean delivery, what is the expected outcome regarding fluid management?
  • After a cesarean birth, which parameter should a nurse monitor to assess for adverse effects of magnesium sulfate?
  • What is the most common pregnancy complication treated by primary care obstetric providers?
  • The most common reason for a cesarean birth is:
  • What can be a result of inadequate management of pregestational diabetes during pregnancy?
  • What is the primary goal of glucocorticoid therapy in preterm labor?
  • Which medication is contraindicated during pregnancy for managing migraines due to risk of fetal harm?
  • What condition requires immediate intervention when noted in a postpartum woman?
  • What is a true statement regarding baptism of a stillborn or miscarried infant?
  • What is the initial drug of choice for excessive bleeding in the postpartum period?
  • What complications are often associated with uncontrolled abnormal glucose levels during pregnancy?
  • What is the expected outcome of tactile stimulation of a newborn immediately after birth?
  • What type of cardiac disease is associated with advanced maternal age, hypertension, and diabetes in pregnancy?
  • What maternal condition is characterized by high blood pressure after 20 weeks of gestation without other signs of preeclampsia?
  • What is the potential risk if a Kleihauer-Betke test indicates greater than 15 ml of fetal blood in the maternal circulation?
  • What complication is primarily associated with Amniotic Band Syndrome?
  • In which circumstance is GBS prophylaxis not recommended according to AAP and CDC guidelines?
  • Within how many hours should anticoagulant therapy be reinitiated after birth in women with a history of mechanical valve replacement?
  • What is one indication for cesarean birth in women with cardiac disease?
  • What is the clinical significance of a cerclage in obstetric care?
  • What is the Bishop score that indicates a high probability of successful induction of labor?
  • Which vital sign value indicates satisfactory oxygenation in a post-operative patient?
  • A dermatome is defined as:
  • What term is used to describe the loss of a pregnancy prior to 20 weeks gestation?
  • Which intervention may cause further impaction of the fetal shoulder in a delivery with shoulder dystocia?
  • When assisting a family who experienced a term stillbirth, what should be done regarding photographs of the infant?
  • Prolonging pregnancy beyond 38 weeks in women with gestational diabetes may result in which fetal condition?
  • In caring for a mother with cardiac disease, which of the following interventions is most important during labor?
  • Methergine should not be given to a patient experiencing postpartum hemorrhage with which of the following conditions?
  • Which condition is characterized by significant bleeding and a risk of shock during pregnancy?
  • What term describes the gender differences in experiencing perinatal loss?
  • Which statement about grieving after perinatal loss is true?
  • How should you respond to Romelia's request for an early discharge to attend her newborn's burial?
  • Which of the following is not a goal of nursing and medical management of hemorrhage?
  • What action should be taken if a newborn shows signs of infection is suspected during labor?
  • Which type of shunt reversal involves unoxygenated blood being delivered into the systemic circulation?
  • Which anticoagulant is considered a teratogen and should not be used during organogenesis in pregnant women?
  • What is the drug of choice to reverse the effects of anticoagulant therapy?
  • In caring for a woman attempting a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC), which precaution is usually indicated throughout labor?
  • What is considered best practice during recovery for a cesarean delivery?
  • Which medication may act as an antagonist or decrease the actions of warfarin in postpartum patients?
  • Which are the most common causes of neonatal death?
  • Amniotic band syndrome is associated with which pregnancy complication?
  • In patients with chronic hypertension, elevated uric acid levels ranging from which values may indicate risk for superimposed preeclampsia?
  • What is a potential outcome for an obese primiparous woman with unmanaged glucose levels during pregnancy?
  • When should intensive management of women with pregestational diabetes begin?
  • When does proteinuria indicate worsening underlying renal disease or preeclampsia?
  • Which medication should be readily available to treat uterine tachysystole caused by prostaglandin administration?
  • What monitoring feature is recommended for differentiating fetal heart rates from maternal heart rates in twin gestations?
  • In the postpartum period, when should anticoagulant therapy be resumed for a woman who recently gave birth and has a history of anticoagulant use?
  • Treating hypertension with vasodilating agents during pregnancy may lead to which complication?
  • What position is beneficial for facilitating the rotation of a fetus in the occiput posterior position?
  • Which fetal condition is more likely to occur in a pregnant woman with chronic hypertension and elevated uric acid levels?
  • What type of anesthesia did the patient receive for the cesarean, and what does it imply for monitoring?
  • What is a primary role of the circulating registered nurse during a cesarean birth?
  • In the context of assessing an obstetric trauma patient, what does the acronym FAST signify?
  • Which condition is indicated by maternal exhaustion during labor?
  • Zahara, diagnosed with preeclampsia, is at risk for which autosomally inherited disorder?
  • What is one effective way to support parents who are experiencing grief?
  • What is the recommended thromboprophylaxis for all women having a cesarean birth?
  • After bariatric surgery, ideally how many months should a woman wait to become pregnant?
  • When caring for a mother/baby couplet after a birth complicated by shoulder dystocia, which sign should the nurse monitor the mother for?
  • What is the most accurate statement regarding HIV screening in pregnancy?
  • Which medical history factor may complicate pregnancy and necessitate careful monitoring of cardiac output?
  • What is a common outcome for infants born after a positive GBS screening in the mother?
  • What is the most common postpartum complication in mothers with higher-order multiples?
  • Which of the following best describes the risk associated with prolonged second stage of labor?
  • During which period of labor does the greatest cardiac stress occur?
  • What phase of grief is a father experiencing if he reacts with anger during a difficult ultrasound?
  • Which factor is most important in managing a mother after a stillbirth?
  • What is the most appropriate response when reviewing follow-up instructions with a patient who has lost her pregnancy?
  • A sign of cardiac decompensation in a pregnant woman with rheumatic heart disease is?
  • What factor may necessitate the use of antihypertensive medication in a postpartum patient with a history of severe preeclampsia?
  • Which of the following is a classic sign of placental abruption?
  • Which complication is not a risk for disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) in pregnancy?
  • What is a common indicator of possible Group B Streptococcus (GBS) infection in neonates?
  • What should be done when working with a family who has had a stillbirth at term?
  • What assessment might help establish sympathetic and motor levels of neuraxial blockade?
  • What is the significance of monitoring reflexes in the postpartum patient on magnesium sulfate?
  • At which gestational age does maternal cardiac output peak?
  • Which risk factor is associated with a higher likelihood of placenta previa?
  • Couvelaire uterus is associated with which pregnancy complication?
  • Which infection is not included in the traditional TORCH classification?
  • In situations where the mother is unstable, the anesthesia provider will:
  • How can a nurse assess recovery from neuraxial anesthesia?
  • In terms of fetal positioning, how does an occiput posterior position impact labor?
  • What is one potential complication a healthcare provider should be aware of following a cesarean delivery in preeclampsia patients?
  • What is a significant symptom that may indicate the presence of pulmonary embolus in postpartum women?
  • Cardiac output in the immediate postpartum period is generally:
  • If a mother demonstrates sensory awareness to an alcohol wipe but not to a blunt needle prick, this indicates:
  • Which of the following is NOT a complication of obesity during pregnancy?
  • The prognosis for maternal outcomes in pregnancies of women with Marfan syndrome is most related to what factor?
  • Which is true regarding vital signs monitoring post-operatively?
  • All of the following are possible side effects of oxytocin administration except?
  • In addition to hepatitis B, which other type of hepatitis virus may also be prevented with the hepatitis B vaccine?
  • What condition is characterized by painless, bright red vaginal bleeding in the third trimester?
  • Measures to prevent hypothermia may include all of the following except:
  • Postoperative assessment guidelines recommend that vital signs be recorded every:
  • What can be an indicator of a significant problem in a postpartum patient?
  • What complication is most likely for a newborn whose mother had varicella-zoster virus shortly before delivery?
  • Women undergoing induction of labor are at an increased risk for which of the following?
  • Which maternal condition is directly related to an increased risk of developing preeclampsia?
  • What should infants born to hepatitis B surface-antigen (HBsAg)-positive mothers receive within 12 hours of birth?
  • Which parent is least likely to experience complicated grief following perinatal loss?
  • If asymptomatic bacteriuria is left untreated, what percentage of women are likely to develop symptomatic cystitis or pyelonephritis?
  • What condition is a known cause of vascular permeability (noncardiogenic) pulmonary edema?
  • The longer the third stage of labor lasts, the higher the risk for which complication?
  • Which site is not commonly associated with neonatal gonorrheal infection?
  • In which situation is Rh immunoglobulin therapy typically administered?
  • The level of care provided when a patient emerges from a surgical procedure requiring anesthesia is called:
  • When is the risk of neonatal transmission for herpes simplex virus highest?
  • In the case of a mother who delivered a stillborn infant and is stoic, what is the best approach?
  • Which cardiac condition involves dysfunction of the cardiac muscle leading to decreased cardiac output?
  • In the postpartum recovery room, which order related to a patient receiving Duramorph raises a nurse's concern for clarification?
  • What condition might increase the risk of postpartum hemorrhage?
  • What phase of grief is characterized by blank staring and unresponsiveness after hearing bad news regarding a pregnancy?
  • Which statement about cytomegalovirus in newborns is true?
  • When is limited diagnostic evaluation and antibiotic therapy indicated for a newborn with GBS?
  • Which is a common complication that may occur after maternal trauma?
  • What can untreated hypothyroidism in pregnancy lead to?
  • A pregnant woman receiving regional anesthesia is at risk for which complication if she has been on anticoagulant therapy?
  • What are the initial signs of hemorrhagic shock in a postpartum woman?
  • In which situation might the application of gentle fundal pressure be appropriate?
  • In the case of umbilical cord prolapse, which intervention is not appropriate?
  • What ascending infection is linked to a higher incidence of spontaneous preterm birth?
  • Which factor is a well-documented risk for preterm labor?
  • What is the main purpose of using pneumatic compression devices in patients post-cesarean?
  • What is the most accurate sign to monitor for early signs of complications in a postpartum cesarean patient?
  • What is the term for the implantation of an embryo outside the uterus?
  • What is a critical component of preconception care for women at risk for HIV?
  • Which condition is characterized by symptoms such as dyspnea, abdominal pain, and chest pain following a cesarean birth?
  • What should pregnant women who have undergone weight reduction surgery avoid during their pregnancy?
  • What is a potential consequence of poorly managed asthma during pregnancy?
  • What noninvasive diagnostic tool can be used to check for deep vein thrombosis in pregnant women?
  • What might severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting indicate in a pregnant woman with a history of weight reduction surgery?
  • In a critical condition, which medication should be avoided in a patient suspected of having acute respiratory distress syndrome?
  • What is the recommended treatment for uncomplicated genital chlamydial infection in pregnant women?
  • What should a woman with a pre-pregnancy weight of 245 lbs aim to gain during her pregnancy?
  • Which of the following best describes the respiratory status assessment performed in the PACU?
  • Following trauma, what is a priority for managing the well-being of both mother and baby?
  • Which combination is not preferred for initial antiretroviral therapy in pregnant women?
  • In the case of maternal trauma, what is most critical for the nurse to assess first?
  • Which aspect of maternal care is emphasized postpartum to promote recovery after cesarean delivery?
  • What are cardiac lesions that may present for the first time during pregnancy due to increased demands on the heart?
  • Which of the following statements regarding subsequent pregnancy after perinatal loss is false?
  • What is the type of cerclage used in women with shortened cervical length?
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