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Sample RNC-OB Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the RNC-OB exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A pregnant client at 28 weeks' gestation is diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Which of the following is the initial treatment of choice?
A.Oral hypoglycemic agents
B.Diet and exercise
C.Insulin injections
D.No treatment is necessary until after delivery
Explanation: The initial treatment for gestational diabetes is medical nutrition therapy (diet) and moderate exercise. Oral hypoglycemic agents and insulin are considered if diet and exercise are not effective in controlling blood glucose levels.
2A nurse is evaluating a fetal heart rate (FHR) tracing. The baseline is 140 bpm, and there are accelerations to 160 bpm lasting for 20 seconds. What is the correct interpretation of this finding?
A.Non-reassuring fetal status
B.Reassuring fetal status
C.Fetal tachycardia
D.Fetal bradycardia
Explanation: Accelerations in the fetal heart rate are a reassuring sign of fetal well-being. An acceleration is defined as an increase in the FHR of at least 15 bpm above the baseline, lasting for at least 15 seconds.
3A client is admitted with a suspected placental abruption. Which of the following signs and symptoms would the nurse expect to find?
A.Painless, bright red vaginal bleeding
B.A board-like abdomen and dark red vaginal bleeding
C.Intermittent lower abdominal cramping
D.A soft uterus and painless bleeding
Explanation: Placental abruption is the premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall. Classic signs include a rigid, board-like abdomen, sudden, severe abdominal pain, and dark red vaginal bleeding. The uterus is tender and may be in a state of tetany.
4A nurse is assessing a client 24 hours postpartum. The fundus is firm, at the level of the umbilicus, and midline. What is the appropriate nursing action?
A.Document the finding as normal.
B.Massage the fundus vigorously.
C.Administer a uterotonic medication.
D.Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
Explanation: A firm fundus at the level of the umbilicus and midline is a normal finding 24 hours postpartum. The nurse should document this finding.
5What is the normal range for a newborn's respiratory rate?
A.10-20 breaths per minute
B.20-30 breaths per minute
C.30-60 breaths per minute
D.60-80 breaths per minute
Explanation: The normal respiratory rate for a newborn is 30-60 breaths per minute. Respirations may be irregular, with short periods of apnea (less than 15 seconds).
6A client with preeclampsia is receiving magnesium sulfate. The nurse should monitor for which of the following signs of magnesium toxicity?
A.Hyperreflexia and clonus
B.Tachycardia and hypertension
C.Decreased respiratory rate and loss of deep tendon reflexes
D.Increased urine output and proteinuria
Explanation: Magnesium sulfate is a central nervous system depressant. Signs of magnesium toxicity include respiratory depression (respiratory rate < 12 breaths per minute), loss of deep tendon reflexes, and oliguria.
7A non-stress test (NST) is performed on a high-risk pregnant client. The result is reactive. What does this indicate?
A.The fetus is not moving.
B.The fetus is well-oxygenated.
C.The fetus is in distress.
D.Further testing is needed.
Explanation: A reactive non-stress test is a reassuring finding. It indicates that the fetus is well-oxygenated and has an intact central nervous system. A reactive NST is defined as two or more fetal heart rate accelerations of at least 15 bpm above the baseline, lasting for at least 15 seconds, within a 20-minute period.
8Which of the following is a positive sign of pregnancy?
A.Amenorrhea
B.Breast tenderness
C.Fetal movement felt by the examiner
D.Nausea and vomiting
Explanation: Positive signs of pregnancy are those that can only be attributed to a fetus. These include fetal heart sounds heard by the examiner, visualization of the fetus by ultrasound, and fetal movement felt by the examiner.
9A client is in the active phase of labor. The nurse notes a pattern of late decelerations on the fetal monitor. What is the priority nursing action?
A.Increase the rate of the intravenous fluids.
B.Administer oxygen to the client.
C.Change the client's position.
D.Notify the healthcare provider.
Explanation: Late decelerations are a sign of uteroplacental insufficiency. The priority nursing action is to change the client's position to the left lateral side to increase blood flow to the placenta. Other actions include administering oxygen, increasing intravenous fluids, and notifying the healthcare provider.
10A nurse is teaching a new mother about breastfeeding. Which of the following is a sign that the infant is latched on correctly?
A.The infant's cheeks are dimpled.
B.The mother feels nipple pain throughout the feeding.
C.The infant's lips are turned outward.
D.The mother hears a clicking sound.
Explanation: A correct latch is indicated by the infant's lips being turned outward (flanged) like a fish, covering the areola. The cheeks should be rounded, not dimpled. The mother should not feel pain after the initial latch-on.

About the RNC-OB Exam

The RNC-OB certification validates specialized knowledge in inpatient obstetric nursing for registered nurses who meet NCC's current license, 24-month, 2,000-hour, and recent-employment eligibility requirements.

Exam sponsor: National Certification Corporation (NCC). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

175 questions

Time Limit

3 hours

Passing Score

Criterion-referenced pass/fail; no fixed percentage

Exam / Certification Fees

$325

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: Not published. NCC does not publish pass rates Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

28%

Pregnancy Complications, Treatment, Management

Maternal complications, psychological and environmental factors, preterm labor, multiple gestation, and placental disorders.

17%

Fetal Assessment

Antenatal testing, electronic and non-electronic monitoring, and acid-base interpretation.

36%

Labor and Birth

Labor physiology and management, procedures, pain and coping, complications, induction, and augmentation.

16%

Recovery, Postpartum, Newborn Care

Postpartum physiology and complications, family and social factors, lactation and nutrition, and newborn care.

3%

Professional Issues

Legal, ethical, evidence-based practice, patient safety, and quality improvement.

Preparing for the RNC-OB Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Criterion-referenced pass/fail; no fixed percentage
  • Exam length: 175 questions
  • Time limit: 3 hours
  • Exam / certification fees: $325 Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Frequently Asked Questions

How hard is the RNC-OB exam?

RNC-OB is an advanced specialty certification for care of hospitalized pregnant patients from 20 weeks through discharge, including labor, postpartum, and normal newborn care. Labor and Birth is the largest domain at 36%. NCC uses criterion-referenced pass/fail scoring and does not publish a fixed passing percentage.

How many questions are on the RNC-OB exam?

The RNC-OB exam has 175 multiple-choice questions, of which 150 are scored and 25 are unscored pretest items. You are given 3 hours to complete the exam.

What score do I need to pass the RNC-OB exam?

NCC uses criterion-referenced pass/fail scoring and does not publish a fixed percentage cutoff. Results are reported as pass or fail rather than as a percentage.

How long should I study for the RNC-OB exam?

Study time varies with inpatient obstetric experience and diagnostic performance. Allocate review using the official weights: Labor and Birth 36%, Pregnancy Complications 28%, Fetal Assessment 17%, Recovery/Postpartum/Newborn Care 16%, and Professional Issues 3%.

What is the RNC-OB exam fee and eligibility?

The exam fee is $325 and certification is valid for 3 years. Eligibility requires a current, active, unencumbered U.S. or Canadian RN license, 24 months and at least 2,000 hours of specialty practice, and specialty employment sometime in the preceding 24 months.