• 60 questions

Inpatient Obstetrics Certification Practice Test

Unofficial RNC-OB practice: pregnancy complications, fetal assessment, labor and birth, postpartum and newborn care, weighted like the outline.

When do most pregnant women have the glucose screening test for gestational diabetes?

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Exam mode: 35 questions, 36 minutes.

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Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with the National Certification Corporation (NCC). Bank checked October 12, 2026.

The real exam, as its certifying body describes it

Questions
175
Time limit
180 minutes
Fee
$325, which includes a $50 application fee that is not refunded
Retakes
After a 45-day wait; the same test at most twice in a calendar year
Format
One question format: a stem and three answer options, one of them correct
Scoring
Pass or fail from an ability level; no set percentage, and word ratings by content area

Checked October 12, 2026 against 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB), nccwebsite.org. Rules change, so confirm with the agency itself before your test.

NCC's own candidate guide

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All 60 questions

Pregnancy complications 17

  • A vaginal and rectal culture at 36 weeks grows group B streptococcus. When does the woman receive IV antibiotics? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Group B streptococcus - pregnancy", Treating and Preventing GBS Infections. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Pregnancy Complications, Treatment, and Management.
  • A woman at 30 weeks is in preterm labor. Why are antenatal corticosteroids given? Wikipedia, "Antenatal steroid", lead section. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Pregnancy Complications, Treatment, and Management.
  • A woman on a magnesium sulfate infusion for severe preeclampsia loses her knee reflexes and her breathing slows. Which drug counteracts serious magnesium toxicity? Wikipedia, "Eclampsia", Treatment, Convulsions, and "Hypermagnesemia", Signs and symptoms. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Pregnancy Complications, Treatment, and Management.
  • A woman with preeclampsia at 34 weeks has hemolysis, raised liver enzymes and a low platelet count. Which syndrome do these three findings name? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "HELLP syndrome", definition and Causes. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Pregnancy Complications, Treatment, and Management.
Show all 60 questions (56 more)

Pregnancy complications, continued

  • An Rh-negative woman has an amniocentesis at 16 weeks. Which injection does she need afterwards? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Rh incompatibility", Prevention. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Pregnancy Complications, Treatment, and Management.
  • An ultrasound at 36 weeks shows the placenta still covering the cervical opening. How will nearly all such women give birth? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Placenta previa", Treatment. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Pregnancy Complications, Treatment, and Management.
  • Birth is expected soon at 29 weeks. Magnesium sulfate given for fetal neuroprotection lowers the risk of which outcome? Wikipedia, "Magnesium sulfate (medical use)", Early delivery. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Pregnancy Complications, Treatment, and Management.
  • In twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, which describes the donor twin at birth? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome", Symptoms. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Pregnancy Complications, Treatment, and Management.
  • In two-step testing, a woman's blood glucose is 162 mg/dL one hour after the screening drink. What is the next step? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Glucose screening tests during pregnancy", Two-step testing. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Pregnancy Complications, Treatment, and Management.
  • In vasa previa, what crosses or runs near the internal opening of the cervix? Wikipedia, "Vasa praevia", lead section. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Pregnancy Complications, Treatment, and Management.
  • What is a cerclage? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Insufficient cervix", How is it Treated?. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Pregnancy Complications, Treatment, and Management.
  • What is the main aim of giving a tocolytic for up to 48 hours in preterm labor? Wikipedia, "Tocolytic", Medical uses. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Pregnancy Complications, Treatment, and Management.
  • What separates eclampsia from preeclampsia? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Eclampsia", definition. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Pregnancy Complications, Treatment, and Management.
  • When do most pregnant women have the glucose screening test for gestational diabetes? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Glucose screening tests during pregnancy", Why the Test is Performed. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Pregnancy Complications, Treatment, and Management.
  • Which complication is the placenta detaching from the wall of the uterus before delivery, most often with vaginal bleeding and painful contractions? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Placenta abruption - definition", definition. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Pregnancy Complications, Treatment, and Management.
  • Which finding fits hyperemesis gravidarum and not ordinary morning sickness? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Hyperemesis gravidarum", Causes. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Pregnancy Complications, Treatment, and Management.
  • Which grade of placenta accreta spectrum penetrates the entire myometrium? Wikipedia, "Placenta accreta spectrum", Classification. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Pregnancy Complications, Treatment, and Management.

Fetal assessment 10

  • A fetal scalp blood sample taken in active labor has a pH of 7.15. How is it read? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Fetal scalp pH testing", Normal Results and What Abnormal Results Mean. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Fetal Assessment.
  • A tracing shows absent baseline variability with recurrent late decelerations. Which category is it in the three-tier system? Wikipedia, "Cardiotocography", FHR pattern classification. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Fetal Assessment.
  • At 36 weeks, which nonstress test result is reactive? Wikipedia, "Nonstress test", Interpretation. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Fetal Assessment.
  • Baseline fluctuations of 6 to 25 beats per minute from peak to trough are which grade of variability? Wikipedia, "Cardiotocography", Baseline FHR variability. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Fetal Assessment.
  • The fetal heart rate baseline stays at 100 beats per minute for 15 minutes. In NICHD terms, what is this? Wikipedia, "Cardiotocography", Baseline fetal heart rate. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Fetal Assessment.
  • Gradual decelerations begin and end with each contraction, and their low point matches the contraction's peak. What causes them? Wikipedia, "Cardiotocography", Periodic or episodic decelerations. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Fetal Assessment.
  • How does a contraction stress test differ from a nonstress test? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Monitoring your baby before labor", Contraction Stress Test (CST). Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Fetal Assessment.
  • How does the NICHD nomenclature define uterine tachysystole? Wikipedia, "Cardiotocography", Uterine activity. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Fetal Assessment.
  • On a tracing, the low point of each deceleration comes after the peak of the contraction and the rate recovers after the contraction ends. What is the usual cause? Wikipedia, "Cardiotocography", Periodic or episodic decelerations. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Fetal Assessment.
  • Which two tests make up the modified biophysical profile? Wikipedia, "Biophysical profile", lead section. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Fetal Assessment.

Labor and birth 21

  • A fetus presents buttocks first with the hips flexed and the legs straight up toward the chest. Which presentation is this? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Your baby in the birth canal", Delivery presentation. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Labor and Birth.
  • A few weeks before her first birth, a woman finds that her belly looks lower, breathing is easier and she passes urine more often. What is this sign that labor is near called? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Am I in labor?", Other Signs That Labor is Near. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Labor and Birth.
  • A long, high-dose oxytocin infusion can cause which complication, seen as seizures or coma? Wikipedia, "Oxytocin (medication)", Side effects. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Labor and Birth.
  • After the membranes rupture, the cord is felt in the vagina. While cesarean birth is arranged, which action takes pressure off the cord? Wikipedia, "Umbilical cord prolapse", Management. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Labor and Birth.
  • Amnioinfusion is used in labor to correct which fetal heart rate change? Wikipedia, "Amnioinfusion", lead section. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Labor and Birth.
  • Before an induction of labor, the Bishop score is 3. What does that suggest? Wikipedia, "Bishop score", Components. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Labor and Birth.
  • Compared with a median episiotomy, how does a mediolateral cut behave? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Episiotomy", What Happens if I Need an Episiotomy?. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Labor and Birth.
  • During a trial of labor after cesarean, the fetal heart rate deteriorates and the presenting part is suddenly higher than it was. Which complication does this suggest? Wikipedia, "Uterine rupture", Signs and symptoms. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Labor and Birth.
  • During birth a woman suddenly has low oxygen and low blood pressure, then profuse bleeding from a clotting defect. Which emergency fits? Wikipedia, "Amniotic fluid embolism", Signs and symptoms. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Labor and Birth.
  • From which gestational age is a pregnancy called postterm? Wikipedia, "Postterm pregnancy", Definitions. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Labor and Birth.
  • The head delivers and then pulls back against the perineum. Which maneuver is usually tried first? Wikipedia, "Shoulder dystocia", First-line maneuvers. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Labor and Birth.
  • Meconium is seen in the amniotic fluid. At birth the newborn is active and crying. What treatment does the baby need for the meconium? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Meconium aspiration syndrome", Treatment. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Labor and Birth.
  • Membranes rupture at 31 weeks with no sign of infection. Besides steroids for the baby's lungs, what will the woman receive? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Premature rupture of membranes", Before 34 weeks. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Labor and Birth.
  • On vaginal exam the presenting part is level with the ischial spines. What is the fetal station? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Your baby in the birth canal", Fetal station. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Labor and Birth.
  • Soon after an epidural block is placed, which change in the mother may slow the baby's heart rate? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Epidural block - pregnancy", Is an Epidural Safe?. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Labor and Birth.
  • Twenty hours after her membranes ruptured, a woman in labor has a fever, a pulse of 118, a tender uterus and a fetal baseline of 175. What do these signs suggest? Wikipedia, "Chorioamnionitis", Signs and symptoms. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Labor and Birth.
  • Which condition must be met before a vacuum extractor is used? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Vacuum-assisted delivery", When is Vacuum-assisted Delivery Needed?. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Labor and Birth.
  • Which earlier uterine incision suits a trial of labor after cesarean? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Vaginal birth after C-section", Who can Have a VBAC?. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Labor and Birth.
  • Which event ends the second stage of labor? Wikipedia, "Childbirth", Second stage. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Labor and Birth.
  • Which fetal condition causes polyhydramnios because the fetus cannot swallow and absorb fluid in normal amounts? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Polyhydramnios", Causes; Wikipedia, "Oligohydramnios", Causes. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Labor and Birth.
  • Which induction method is used to soften a cervix that has not begun to ripen or thin? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Inducing labor", Using Prostaglandins. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Labor and Birth.

Recovery, postpartum and newborn care 10

  • A healthy breastfed baby becomes jaundiced after day 7, and the level peaks in weeks 2 and 3. Which type of jaundice is this? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Newborn jaundice", Causes. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Recovery, Postpartum and Newborn Care.
  • A newborn at 1 minute: pulse 120, crying well, some flexion of the limbs, a grimace on stimulation, body pink with blue hands and feet. What is the Apgar score? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Apgar score", How the Test is Performed. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Recovery, Postpartum and Newborn Care.
  • A newborn has a scalp swelling that stops at the edges of one skull bone. Which is it? Wikipedia, "Cephalohematoma", lead section, and "Subgaleal hemorrhage", Symptoms. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Recovery, Postpartum and Newborn Care.
  • After a shoulder dystocia, a newborn holds one arm straight at the elbow against the body, and the Moro reflex is absent on that side. Which injury is likely? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Brachial plexus injury in newborns", Symptoms. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Recovery, Postpartum and Newborn Care.
  • Among the "four Ts" of postpartum hemorrhage, which is the most common cause? Wikipedia, "Postpartum bleeding", Causes. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Recovery, Postpartum and Newborn Care.
  • Six days after birth, lochia has thinned and turned pinkish brown. Which stage is this? Wikipedia, "Lochia", Stages. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Recovery, Postpartum and Newborn Care.
  • Three days after giving birth a woman is tearful, anxious and restless. The feelings fade within two weeks without treatment. What is this called? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Postpartum depression", Symptoms. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Recovery, Postpartum and Newborn Care.
  • Which term names the milk of the first few days after birth, which carries antibodies and has a mild laxative effect? Wikipedia, "Colostrum", lead section. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Recovery, Postpartum and Newborn Care.
  • Why is the infant of a mother with diabetes prone to low blood sugar in the first days of life? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Infant of diabetic mother", Causes. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Recovery, Postpartum and Newborn Care.
  • Within what time after birth is tranexamic acid recommended for postpartum hemorrhage? Wikipedia, "Postpartum bleeding", lead section. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Recovery, Postpartum and Newborn Care.

Professional practice issues 2

  • A pain scale gives the same result each time it is used under the same conditions. Which property of a measure is this? Wikipedia, "Reliability (statistics)", lead section and Difference from validity. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Professional Practice Issues.
  • A woman with decision-making capacity declines a recommended cesarean after hearing its risks and benefits. Honoring her decision applies which ethical principle? Wikipedia, "Medical ethics", Values. Outline: NCC 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Professional Practice Issues.

How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written to the exam outline in the 2026 Candidate Guide, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB), of the National Certification Corporation (https://www.nccwebsite.org/content/documents/cms/INPT-Candidate_Guide.pdf, linked from https://www.nccwebsite.org/certification-exams, read 2026-10-12), in its weights: pregnancy complications, treatment and management 28%, fetal assessment 17%, labor and birth 36%, recovery, postpartum and newborn care 16%, professional practice issues 3%. The bank holds 17, 10, 21, 10 and 2 questions in that order. Every fact was read on 2026-10-12 in the public page the question names: the MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia of the National Library of Medicine, and the Wikipedia articles named on the questions. Licence: Questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site.

How it works

This free inpatient obstetrics certification practice test has 60 questions of our own on the outline of the Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB) exam. It is unofficial and not affiliated with or endorsed by the National Certification Corporation (NCC).

Read the full guide

What the exam covers

NCC's 2026 candidate guide, read October 12, 2026, weights pregnancy complications 28%, fetal assessment 17%, labor and birth 36%, recovery, postpartum and newborn care 16%, and professional practice issues 3%. The 60 questions are split 17, 10, 21, 10 and 2.

Timing

Exam mode asks 35 questions in 36 minutes: a fifth of the real exam's questions in a fifth of its time.

Where the answers come from

Every clinical fact names the public page it was read in: the MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia of the National Library of Medicine for most, and named Wikipedia articles for fetal monitoring terms, labor emergencies and postpartum bleeding.

  • The real exam gives three answer options a question. Here every question has four, and one is right.
  • NCC says the exam's focus is the pregnant woman from 20 weeks of gestation until discharge.

Questions and answers

How many questions are on the RNC-OB exam?

175 questions in 3 hours, by NCC's 2026 candidate guide. 150 are scored. The rest are pretest items mixed into the exam, and they do not count toward the result.

What is a passing score on the exam in inpatient obstetric nursing?

NCC sets no percentage. By its guide, an ability level is worked out from the number of questions answered correctly and compared with a preset standard. The report gives pass or fail, with a word rating for each content area.

Is this an inpatient obstetric nursing certification study guide?

No. It is a question bank. NCC's candidate guide carries the study outline; here each answer names the outline area and the public page behind it, so a missed question points to what to read.

Are these real RNC-OB exam questions?

No. The 60 questions were written for this page from the public outline and the public page each one names. Each was compared with the five sample questions in NCC's guide, and none repeats one.

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