Maternity nursing questions can be quite difficult to answer, especially on the new Next Generation NCLEX test.
However, as long as you remember to apply Naegele’s Rule, you’ll never have to worry about them again!
What is Naegele’s Rule exactly?
It is simply the best (and only way) you can calculate a pregnant patient’s delivery date.
I know this makes it sound a bit complicated (mathematics can be that way), however, after this episode, you’ll know Naegele’s Rule like the back of your hand.
Are you ready?
Let’s dive in!
Quick Facts About Naegele’s Rule
Naegele’s Rule NCLEX Review will help you get confident on calculating the date of birth or estimated delivery date. This is commonly used in prenatal care and is a relevant topic that is seen on the NCLEX.
- Leap year does not exist: Do not think about using leap years. February will always have 28 days no matter what.
- Know which months have 30 days or 31 days: Each month has a different number of days so keep that in mind. April, June, September, and November have 30 days. 4, 6, 9, 11 – If you can keep these 4 numbers in your mind, you can correlate these numbers to the months that have 30 days.
- The menstrual cycle is 28 days: Calculation is done assuming that the woman has a menstrual cycle of 28 days. The NCLEX is aware that this does not apply to everyone, but with Naegele’s Rule, we go with 28 days as the length of the menstrual cycle.
Here’s how to use Naegele’s Rule to calculate the estimated delivery date:
- The woman is required to have a regular menstrual cycle of 28 days.
- Subtract three months.
- Add seven days to the first day of the last menstrual period.
- Add one year.
Basically, if the woman states that her last menstrual period started on March 1st, then you will add seven days from March 1st. You would NOT add seven days from the LAST day of the last menstrual period. This is a common mistake.
Here’s a random fun fact: Did you know that Naegele’s Rule was named after Franz Karl Naegele, a German obstetrician who came up with Naegele’s Rule?
Now that you know these facts, let’s apply them to the practice questions below.
Naegele’s Rule Practice Questions
Question #1:
Nurse CJ is providing care for a pregnant woman, who reported that the first day of her last menstrual period was March 5th, 2024. Using Naegele’s Rule, calculate her estimated due date.
- January 5th, 2025
- December 12th, 2023
- January 12th, 2024
- December 12th, 2024
Answer: December 12th, 2024.
Rationale: The first day of the pregnant woman’s last menstrual period was March 5th. Subtracting three months from March brings you to December so answers 1 and 3, which are January answers, should be eliminated. Add seven days to the first day of the last menstrual period so 5 + 7 is 12. So far, you’re on December 12th. Subtracting three months brought you back into 2023, so you must add one year to get to December 12th, 2024.
Question #2:
Nurse Lisa is providing care for a pregnant woman, who reported that the first day of her last menstrual period was June 15th, 2024. Using Naegele’s Rule, calculate her estimated due date.
[Fill in the blank here with the right answer.]
Answer: March 22nd, 2025.
Rationale: Subtract three months from June 15th, 2024 to get to March 15th, 2024. Add seven days to get to March 22nd, 2024. Then, add one year and your final answer is March 22nd, 2025.
Question #3:
The pregnant patient stated that her last menstrual period started on September 9th, 2023. Nurse Ben is going to use Naegele’s Rule to calculate her estimated due date. Which of the following is the estimated due date based on the pregnant patient’s reported last menstrual period?
- June 16th, 2024
- June 16th, 2025
- July 9th, 2024
- June 9th, 2024
Answer: June 16th, 2024.
Rationale: Subtract three months from September 9th, 2023 to get June 9th, 2023. Add seven days to June 9th, 2023 and you’ll correctly get to June 16th, 2023. Last but not least, add one year and you will arrive at the correct answer, which is June 16th, 2024!
Question #4:
Nurse Lynn is providing care for a pregnant patient and needs to calculate her estimated delivery date. The patient stated that her last menstrual period began on January 25, 2024. Use Naegele’s Rule to calculate the estimated delivery date.
[Fill in the blank here with the right answer.]
Answer: November 1st, 2024.
Rationale: By now, we are pros at calculating Naegele’s Rule so we will not be needing the multiple choices anymore!
Subtract three months from January 25th, 2024 and you will arrive on October 25th, 2023. Add seven days to October 25th, 2023 and you will get November 1st, 2023. Finally, add one year to November 1st, 2023 and you will get the final and correct answer, which is November 1st, 2024.
Question #5:
Nurse Ferlina is providing care for a pregnant patient, who stated that her last menstrual period was on November 20th, 2023. Use Naegele’s Rule to calculate the patient’s estimated delivery date.
[Fill in the blank here with the right answer.]
Answer: August 27th, 2024.
Rationale: Start with the first day of the last menstrual period, which was on November 20th, 2023. Subtract three months from November 20th, 2023 to reach August 20th, 2023. Add seven days to get to August 27th, 2023. Finally, add one year to August 27th, 2023 and you will arrive at the correct answer, which is August 27th, 2024.
