PN ATI Maternal Newborn Exam Prep 2026–2027 | 100 ATI-
Style Practice Questions with Detailed Rationales |
Comprehensive NCLEX-PN Maternity & Newborn Review
1. A practical nurse is caring for a client in the first trimester of pregnancy.
Which finding should be reported to the provider immediately?
A. Urinary frequency
B. Nausea in the morning
C. Bright red vaginal bleeding
D. Breast tenderness
Rationale: Bright red vaginal bleeding during early pregnancy can indicate
miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy and requires immediate evaluation.
2. A nurse is teaching a pregnant client about folic acid intake. Which birth
defect is folic acid primarily intended to prevent?
A. Congenital heart disease
B. Cleft palate
C. Neural tube defects
D. Clubfoot
Rationale: Adequate folic acid before conception and during early pregnancy
significantly reduces the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida.
3. A client at 30 weeks' gestation reports regular uterine contractions. Which
additional finding is most concerning?
A. Increased appetite
B. Mild ankle edema
,C. Watery vaginal discharge
D. Fetal hiccups
Rationale: Watery discharge may indicate rupture of membranes and possible
preterm labor.
4. During a prenatal visit, which laboratory value requires immediate
intervention?
A. Hemoglobin 11.2 g/dL
B. Blood glucose 92 mg/dL
C. Positive urine protein with elevated blood pressure
D. Trace glucose in urine after a meal
Rationale: Proteinuria with hypertension suggests preeclampsia and requires
prompt evaluation.
5. Which hormone maintains pregnancy during the early weeks?
A. Estrogen
B. Oxytocin
C. Prolactin
D. Progesterone
Rationale: Progesterone maintains the uterine lining and suppresses uterine
contractions during early pregnancy.
6. Which discomfort is commonly experienced during the first trimester?
A. Varicose veins
B. Braxton Hicks contractions
C. Nausea and vomiting
D. Shortness of breath while lying flat
, Rationale: Morning sickness commonly occurs during the first trimester due to
hormonal changes.
7. Which maternal position best promotes uteroplacental blood flow during
late pregnancy?
A. Supine
B. Prone
C. Semi-Fowler's
D. Left lateral position
Rationale: The left lateral position reduces pressure on the vena cava and
improves placental perfusion.
8. Which maternal blood type requires administration of Rho(D) immune
globulin if the fetus is Rh-positive?
A. A positive
B. O positive
C. O negative
D. AB positive
Rationale: Rh-negative mothers carrying an Rh-positive fetus require Rho(D)
immune globulin to prevent sensitization.
9. Which assessment finding is expected during pregnancy?
A. Persistent hypertension
B. Bradycardia
C. Increased blood volume
D. Decreased cardiac output
Rationale: Maternal blood volume normally increases to meet fetal and maternal
metabolic needs.
Style Practice Questions with Detailed Rationales |
Comprehensive NCLEX-PN Maternity & Newborn Review
1. A practical nurse is caring for a client in the first trimester of pregnancy.
Which finding should be reported to the provider immediately?
A. Urinary frequency
B. Nausea in the morning
C. Bright red vaginal bleeding
D. Breast tenderness
Rationale: Bright red vaginal bleeding during early pregnancy can indicate
miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy and requires immediate evaluation.
2. A nurse is teaching a pregnant client about folic acid intake. Which birth
defect is folic acid primarily intended to prevent?
A. Congenital heart disease
B. Cleft palate
C. Neural tube defects
D. Clubfoot
Rationale: Adequate folic acid before conception and during early pregnancy
significantly reduces the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida.
3. A client at 30 weeks' gestation reports regular uterine contractions. Which
additional finding is most concerning?
A. Increased appetite
B. Mild ankle edema
,C. Watery vaginal discharge
D. Fetal hiccups
Rationale: Watery discharge may indicate rupture of membranes and possible
preterm labor.
4. During a prenatal visit, which laboratory value requires immediate
intervention?
A. Hemoglobin 11.2 g/dL
B. Blood glucose 92 mg/dL
C. Positive urine protein with elevated blood pressure
D. Trace glucose in urine after a meal
Rationale: Proteinuria with hypertension suggests preeclampsia and requires
prompt evaluation.
5. Which hormone maintains pregnancy during the early weeks?
A. Estrogen
B. Oxytocin
C. Prolactin
D. Progesterone
Rationale: Progesterone maintains the uterine lining and suppresses uterine
contractions during early pregnancy.
6. Which discomfort is commonly experienced during the first trimester?
A. Varicose veins
B. Braxton Hicks contractions
C. Nausea and vomiting
D. Shortness of breath while lying flat
, Rationale: Morning sickness commonly occurs during the first trimester due to
hormonal changes.
7. Which maternal position best promotes uteroplacental blood flow during
late pregnancy?
A. Supine
B. Prone
C. Semi-Fowler's
D. Left lateral position
Rationale: The left lateral position reduces pressure on the vena cava and
improves placental perfusion.
8. Which maternal blood type requires administration of Rho(D) immune
globulin if the fetus is Rh-positive?
A. A positive
B. O positive
C. O negative
D. AB positive
Rationale: Rh-negative mothers carrying an Rh-positive fetus require Rho(D)
immune globulin to prevent sensitization.
9. Which assessment finding is expected during pregnancy?
A. Persistent hypertension
B. Bradycardia
C. Increased blood volume
D. Decreased cardiac output
Rationale: Maternal blood volume normally increases to meet fetal and maternal
metabolic needs.
