ATI RN Maternal Newborn Proctored Exam – 2026/2027
Edition
200 Practice Questions with Answers and Detailed Rationales
| Graded A+
SECTION 1: ANTEPARTUM CARE & PRENATAL COMPLICATIONS
Questions 1-40
Q1. A nurse is teaching a client about signs of preterm labor. Which
finding should the client report immediately?
A) Increased Braxton Hicks contractions
B) Low back pain that comes and goes
C) Menstrual-like cramping with diarrhea
D) Fetal movement greater than 10 per hour
Answer: C) Menstrual-like cramping with diarrhea
Rationale: Menstrual-like cramping with diarrhea can indicate preterm
labor. Increased Braxton Hicks contractions are normal. Low back pain
without a regular pattern may be normal. Fetal movement greater than
10 per hour is reassuring.
Q2. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who is at 8 weeks
gestation about manifestations to report to the provider. What
information should the nurse include?
A) Nausea upon awakening
B) Blurred or double vision
,C) Increase in white vaginal discharge
D) Leg cramps when sleeping
Answer: B) Blurred or double vision
Rationale: Blurred or double vision can indicate preeclampsia or
gestational hypertension and should be reported immediately.
Q3. A nurse is teaching a client who is at 12 weeks gestation and has
HIV. Which statement should the nurse include?
A) "You will be in isolation after delivery."
B) "Abstain from sexual intercourse throughout pregnancy."
C) "Breastfeed your newborn to provide passive immunity."
D) "You should continue to take zidovudine throughout the pregnancy."
Answer: D) "You should continue to take zidovudine throughout the
pregnancy."
Rationale: Taking prescription antiviral medication daily decreases the
risk of transmission of HIV to the newborn. HIV can be transmitted
through breastfeeding, so that is not recommended.
Q4. A nurse is caring for a client at 38 weeks of gestation who reports
fluid leaking from the vagina. Which action should the nurse take
first?
A) Prepare for immediate delivery
B) Check the amniotic fluid with nitrazine paper
C) Administer antibiotics
D) Perform a sterile vaginal exam
Answer: B) Check the amniotic fluid with nitrazine paper
,Rationale: Nitrazine paper turns blue if the fluid is amniotic fluid (pH >
6.5). This confirms rupture of membranes. Confirmation of membrane
rupture guides subsequent interventions.
Q5. A nurse is assessing a client in a prenatal clinic. Which client
should the nurse see first?
A) A client who is at 11 weeks of gestation and reports abdominal
cramping
B) A client who is at 32 weeks of gestation and reports seeing floating
spots
C) A client who is at 38 weeks of gestation and reports leg cramps
D) A client who is at 20 weeks of gestation and reports periodic
numbness in her fingers
Answer: A) A client who is at 11 weeks of gestation and reports
abdominal cramping
Rationale: Abdominal cramping at 11 weeks can indicate an ectopic
pregnancy or spontaneous abortion and requires immediate provider
attention.
Q6. A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client at 33 weeks
gestation who has placenta previa and bleeding. Which prescription
should the nurse clarify with the provider?
A) Perform a vaginal examination
B) Perform continuous external fetal monitoring
C) Insert a large bore IV catheter
D) Obtain a blood sample for laboratory testing
Answer: A) Perform a vaginal examination
, Rationale: When a client has placenta previa, the placenta implants in
the lower part of the uterus and obstructs the cervical os. Any
manipulation can cause tearing of the placenta and increased bleeding.
Q7. A nurse is assessing a pregnant client who is at 38 weeks
gestation. The client reports that her breathing has become easier but
notes an increased frequency of urination. The nurse should
document this occurrence as which of the following?
A) Effacement
B) Dilation
C) Lightening
D) Quickening
Answer: C) Lightening
Rationale: Lightening describes the engagement of the fetal head into
the pelvis. When this occurs, breathing becomes easier, but urination is
more frequent.
Q8. A nurse is assessing a client at 20 weeks gestation. The fundal
height is 24 cm. What should the nurse do first?
A) Document as normal variant
B) Prepare for ultrasound
C) Notify the provider
D) Reposition the client and remeasure
Answer: B) Prepare for ultrasound
Rationale: Fundal height in cm should approximate weeks of gestation
(±2 cm). 24 cm at 20 weeks is larger than expected, possibly due to
Edition
200 Practice Questions with Answers and Detailed Rationales
| Graded A+
SECTION 1: ANTEPARTUM CARE & PRENATAL COMPLICATIONS
Questions 1-40
Q1. A nurse is teaching a client about signs of preterm labor. Which
finding should the client report immediately?
A) Increased Braxton Hicks contractions
B) Low back pain that comes and goes
C) Menstrual-like cramping with diarrhea
D) Fetal movement greater than 10 per hour
Answer: C) Menstrual-like cramping with diarrhea
Rationale: Menstrual-like cramping with diarrhea can indicate preterm
labor. Increased Braxton Hicks contractions are normal. Low back pain
without a regular pattern may be normal. Fetal movement greater than
10 per hour is reassuring.
Q2. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who is at 8 weeks
gestation about manifestations to report to the provider. What
information should the nurse include?
A) Nausea upon awakening
B) Blurred or double vision
,C) Increase in white vaginal discharge
D) Leg cramps when sleeping
Answer: B) Blurred or double vision
Rationale: Blurred or double vision can indicate preeclampsia or
gestational hypertension and should be reported immediately.
Q3. A nurse is teaching a client who is at 12 weeks gestation and has
HIV. Which statement should the nurse include?
A) "You will be in isolation after delivery."
B) "Abstain from sexual intercourse throughout pregnancy."
C) "Breastfeed your newborn to provide passive immunity."
D) "You should continue to take zidovudine throughout the pregnancy."
Answer: D) "You should continue to take zidovudine throughout the
pregnancy."
Rationale: Taking prescription antiviral medication daily decreases the
risk of transmission of HIV to the newborn. HIV can be transmitted
through breastfeeding, so that is not recommended.
Q4. A nurse is caring for a client at 38 weeks of gestation who reports
fluid leaking from the vagina. Which action should the nurse take
first?
A) Prepare for immediate delivery
B) Check the amniotic fluid with nitrazine paper
C) Administer antibiotics
D) Perform a sterile vaginal exam
Answer: B) Check the amniotic fluid with nitrazine paper
,Rationale: Nitrazine paper turns blue if the fluid is amniotic fluid (pH >
6.5). This confirms rupture of membranes. Confirmation of membrane
rupture guides subsequent interventions.
Q5. A nurse is assessing a client in a prenatal clinic. Which client
should the nurse see first?
A) A client who is at 11 weeks of gestation and reports abdominal
cramping
B) A client who is at 32 weeks of gestation and reports seeing floating
spots
C) A client who is at 38 weeks of gestation and reports leg cramps
D) A client who is at 20 weeks of gestation and reports periodic
numbness in her fingers
Answer: A) A client who is at 11 weeks of gestation and reports
abdominal cramping
Rationale: Abdominal cramping at 11 weeks can indicate an ectopic
pregnancy or spontaneous abortion and requires immediate provider
attention.
Q6. A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client at 33 weeks
gestation who has placenta previa and bleeding. Which prescription
should the nurse clarify with the provider?
A) Perform a vaginal examination
B) Perform continuous external fetal monitoring
C) Insert a large bore IV catheter
D) Obtain a blood sample for laboratory testing
Answer: A) Perform a vaginal examination
, Rationale: When a client has placenta previa, the placenta implants in
the lower part of the uterus and obstructs the cervical os. Any
manipulation can cause tearing of the placenta and increased bleeding.
Q7. A nurse is assessing a pregnant client who is at 38 weeks
gestation. The client reports that her breathing has become easier but
notes an increased frequency of urination. The nurse should
document this occurrence as which of the following?
A) Effacement
B) Dilation
C) Lightening
D) Quickening
Answer: C) Lightening
Rationale: Lightening describes the engagement of the fetal head into
the pelvis. When this occurs, breathing becomes easier, but urination is
more frequent.
Q8. A nurse is assessing a client at 20 weeks gestation. The fundal
height is 24 cm. What should the nurse do first?
A) Document as normal variant
B) Prepare for ultrasound
C) Notify the provider
D) Reposition the client and remeasure
Answer: B) Prepare for ultrasound
Rationale: Fundal height in cm should approximate weeks of gestation
(±2 cm). 24 cm at 20 weeks is larger than expected, possibly due to
