ATI RN Maternal Newborn Proctored Exam 2025/2026 Latest
Questions & Verified Answers with Rationales
1. A nurse is providing preconception teaching to a client who is taking an
antiepileptic medication (phenytoin). Which of the following supplements
should the nurse recommend to reduce the risk of neural tube defects?
A) Iron
B) Calcium
C) Folic acid
D) Vitamin B12
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Folic acid (400-800 mcg daily) significantly reduces the risk of neural
tube defects. Women taking antiepileptic medications (phenytoin,
carbamazepine, valproic acid) are at increased risk of having a baby with neural
tube defects and may require higher doses of folic acid (up to 4 mg daily).
,2. A nurse is assessing a client at 14 weeks gestation. Which of the following
findings is a probable sign of pregnancy?
A) Nausea and vomiting
B) Ballottement
C) Quickening
D) Fatigue
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ballottement (rebound of the fetus against the examiner's finger
during a vaginal examination) is a probable sign of pregnancy (detected by the
examiner). Nausea, quickening, and fatigue are presumptive signs (subjective).
,3. A nurse is caring for a client at 28 weeks gestation who has a diagnosis of
gestational hypertension. The client's blood pressure is 150/94 mm Hg. Which
of the following additional findings would indicate progression to preeclampsia?
A) Mild ankle edema
B) 1+ protein in urine
C) Weight gain of 1 lb in 1 week
D) Fundal height 30 cm
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Proteinuria (≥1+) is the defining feature of preeclampsia. Gestational
hypertension is hypertension without proteinuria. Mild edema is common in
normal pregnancy. Weight gain >2 lbs per week is concerning but not diagnostic.
, 4. A nurse is providing dietary teaching to a client who is 16 weeks pregnant and
has a history of neural tube defect in a previous pregnancy. Which of the
following supplements should the nurse recommend?
A) Iron 30 mg daily
B) Calcium 1,200 mg daily
C) Folic acid 4,000 mcg (4 mg) daily
D) Vitamin D 600 IU daily
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Women who have had a previous pregnancy affected by a neural tube
defect should take a high dose of folic acid (4,000 mcg or 4 mg daily) beginning at
least 1 month before conception and continuing through the first trimester to
reduce the risk of recurrence.
Questions & Verified Answers with Rationales
1. A nurse is providing preconception teaching to a client who is taking an
antiepileptic medication (phenytoin). Which of the following supplements
should the nurse recommend to reduce the risk of neural tube defects?
A) Iron
B) Calcium
C) Folic acid
D) Vitamin B12
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Folic acid (400-800 mcg daily) significantly reduces the risk of neural
tube defects. Women taking antiepileptic medications (phenytoin,
carbamazepine, valproic acid) are at increased risk of having a baby with neural
tube defects and may require higher doses of folic acid (up to 4 mg daily).
,2. A nurse is assessing a client at 14 weeks gestation. Which of the following
findings is a probable sign of pregnancy?
A) Nausea and vomiting
B) Ballottement
C) Quickening
D) Fatigue
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ballottement (rebound of the fetus against the examiner's finger
during a vaginal examination) is a probable sign of pregnancy (detected by the
examiner). Nausea, quickening, and fatigue are presumptive signs (subjective).
,3. A nurse is caring for a client at 28 weeks gestation who has a diagnosis of
gestational hypertension. The client's blood pressure is 150/94 mm Hg. Which
of the following additional findings would indicate progression to preeclampsia?
A) Mild ankle edema
B) 1+ protein in urine
C) Weight gain of 1 lb in 1 week
D) Fundal height 30 cm
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Proteinuria (≥1+) is the defining feature of preeclampsia. Gestational
hypertension is hypertension without proteinuria. Mild edema is common in
normal pregnancy. Weight gain >2 lbs per week is concerning but not diagnostic.
, 4. A nurse is providing dietary teaching to a client who is 16 weeks pregnant and
has a history of neural tube defect in a previous pregnancy. Which of the
following supplements should the nurse recommend?
A) Iron 30 mg daily
B) Calcium 1,200 mg daily
C) Folic acid 4,000 mcg (4 mg) daily
D) Vitamin D 600 IU daily
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Women who have had a previous pregnancy affected by a neural tube
defect should take a high dose of folic acid (4,000 mcg or 4 mg daily) beginning at
least 1 month before conception and continuing through the first trimester to
reduce the risk of recurrence.
