Chapter 1: Trends and Issues

Multiple Choice

1. Since 1995 there has been a significant decrease in the rate of infant death related to which of 

the following:

a. Disorders associated with short gestation and low birth weight

b. Accidents

c. Sudden infant death

d. Newborns affected by complications of placenta, cord, and membranes

ANS: c

Feedback

a. The rates of prematurity and low birth weight 

are increasing.

b. The rates of accidents have increased.

c. Correct. The rate of infant death related to 

SIDS has decreased from 87.1 to 47.2. The 

decrease in rate is partially attributed to 

placing infants on their backs when sleeping.

d. The rates of newborns affected by 

complications of placenta, cord, and 

membranes have increased.

2. Tobacco use during pregnancy is associated with adverse effects on the unborn infant such as 

intrauterine growth restriction, preterm births, and respiratory problems. By race, which has the 

highest percentages of smokers?

a. American Indian and Alaskan Natives

b. Asian or Pacific Islanders

c. Non-Hispanic blacks

d. Non-Hispanic whites

ANS: a

Feedback

a. 36% of American Indian and Native 

American women are cigarette smokers.

b. 4.3% of Asian or Pacific Islander women are 

cigarette smokers.

c. 17.1% of non-Hispanic black women are 

cigarette smokers.

d. 19.6% of non-Hispanic white women are 

cigarette smokers.

3. Which of the following women is at the highest risk for health disparity?

a. A white, middle-class, 16-year-old woman

b. An African American, middle-class, 25-year-old woman

c. An African American, upper-middle-class, 19-year-old woman

d. An Asian, low-income, 30-year-old woman

ANS: d

Feedback

a. Although age is a risk factor, income 

contributes to disparity.

b. Although African American women are at 

increased risk, income accounts for the largest 

disparity.

c. Although age and race contribute to increased 

risk, income accounts for the largest disparity.

d. Although age and race contribute to increased 

risk, income accounts for the largest disparity.

4. A neonate born at 36 weeks gestation is classified as which of the following?

a. Very premature

b. Moderately premature

c. Late premature

d. Term

ANS: c

Feedback

a. Very premature is less than 32 weeks’ 

gestation.

b. Moderately premature is 32 to 33 completed 

weeks’ gestation.

c. Correct. Late premature is 34 to 36 completed 

weeks’ gestation.

d. Term is 37 to 42 weeks’ gestation.

5. The perinatal nurse explains to the student nurse that a goal of the Healthy People 2020 report 

is to:

a. Increase proportion of infants who are breastfed to 93.1%.

b. Increase proportion of infants who are breastfed to 90.7%.

c. Increase proportion of infants who are breastfed to 85.6%.

d. Increase proportion of infants who are breastfed to 83.9%.

ANS: d

A goal of Healthy People 2020 is to increase the proportion of infants who are breastfed from 

74% to 81.9%.

6. The perinatal nurse explains to the student nurse that __________ is the leading cause of 

infant death in the United States.

a. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

b. Respiratory distress of newborns

c. Disorders related to short gestation and low birth weight

d. Congenital malformations and chromosomal abnormalities

ANS: d

Multiple Response

7. Which of the following statements are true related to teen pregnancies? (Select all that apply.)

a. Teen mothers are at higher risk for HIV.

b. Teen mothers are at higher risk for hypertensive problems.

c. The birth rate for teenaged women has increased in the past 15 years.

d. Infants born to teen mothers are at higher risk for health problems.

ANS: a, b, d

Health statistics report higher risk for HIV, for hypertensive problems, and for health problems 

to infants born to teen mothers. Birth rates for teen mothers in all age categories have decreased 

since 1991.

Chapter 2: Ethics and Standards of Practice Issues

Multiple Choice

1. An ethical dilemma unique to perinatal nursing is the:a. Innate conflict between maternal and 

fetal rights

b. Intensive use of technologyc. Shortage of health-care resourcesd. Risk of violation of the 

principle of veracity

ANS: a

Feedback

a. A unique aspect of maternity nursing is that 

the nurse advocates for two individuals: the 

woman and the fetus.

b. The use of technology is not unique to 

perinatal nursing.

c. Currently, in the United States, decisions in 

perinatal nursing are not based on resources 

available.

d. In perinatal nursing, the obligation to tell the 

truth is generally adhered to.

2. The American Nurses Association Code of Ethics for Nurses directs nurses to provide patient 

care that is:a. Curativeb. Utilitarianc. Negotiabled. Respectful

ANS: d

Feedback

a. Adaptation rather than cure is the goal of 

nursing.

b. Nursing does not define the value of a person 

by his or her utility.

c. The Code of Ethics outlines the nursing 

profession’s nonnegotiable ethical standard.

d. Respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and 

uniqueness of every individual is part of the 

Code of Ethics.

3. Evidence-based practice is the integration of the best: a. Randomized clinical trials, clinical 

expertise, and patients’ requestsb. Research evidence, clinical expertise, and patients’ valuesc. 

Quantitative research, clinical expertise, and patients’ preferencesd. Research findings, clinical 

experience, and patients’ preferences

ANS: b

Feedback

a. Evidence-based practice is the use of evidence 

that may include research beyond randomized 

clinical trials.

b. These elements are the accepted definition of 

evidence-based practice.

c. Qualitative research, as well as quantitative

research, contributes to evidence-based 

practice.

d. Clinical expertise, as well as clinical 

experience, defines evidence-based practice.

Multiple Response

4. Infants whose mothers were obese during pregnancy are at higher risk for which of the 

following? (Select all that apply.)

a. Childhood diabetes

b. Heart defects

c. Hypospadias

d. Respiratory distress

ANS: a, b, c

Fetuses and/or infants of women who were obese during pregnancy are at higher risk for spina 

bifida, health defects, anorectal atresia, hypospadias, intrauterine fetal death, birth injuries related 

to macrosomia, and childhood obesity and diabetes.

Chapter 3: Genetics, Conception, Fetal Development, and Reproductive Technology

Multiple Choice

1. The color of a person’s hair is an example of which of the following? a. Genome b. Sex-link 

inheritance. C. Genotype d. Phenotype

ANS: d

Feedback

a. Genome is an organism’s complete set of 

DNA.

b. Sex-link inheritance refers to genes or traits 

that are located only on the X chromosome.

c. Genotype refers to a person’s genetic makeup. 

d. Correct. Phenotype refers to how genes are 

outwardly expressed, such as eye color, hair 

color, and height.

2. Which of the following statements by a pregnant woman indicates she needs additional 

teaching on ways to reduce risks to her unborn child from the potential effects of exposure to 

toxoplasmosis? a. “I will avoid rare lamb.” b. “I will wear a mask when cleaning my cat’s litter 

box.” c. “I understand that exposure to toxoplasmosis can cause blindness in the baby.” d. “I will 

avoid rare beef.”