ATI RN Maternal Newborn Proctored Exam
Questions and Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
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1. A nurse is caring for a client at 10 weeks of gestation. Which
physiological change should the nurse expect during the first
trimester?
A. Increased fetal movement
B. Fundus at the umbilicus
C. Softening of the cervix
D. Colostrum production
Correct Answer: C. Softening of the cervix
Rationale: Softening of the cervix (Goodell sign) is an early probable
sign of pregnancy caused by increased vascularization. Fetal
movement is usually perceived between 16 and 20 weeks, the fundus
reaches the umbilicus around 20 weeks, and colostrum production
generally becomes more apparent later in pregnancy.
, 2. A nurse is teaching a client who is pregnant about folic acid
supplementation. The nurse should explain that adequate folic
acid intake primarily helps prevent which fetal complication?
A. Congenital heart defects
B. Neural tube defects
C. Low birth weight
D. Respiratory distress syndrome
Correct Answer: B. Neural tube defects
Rationale: Folic acid is essential for proper neural tube formation
during early embryonic development. Adequate intake before
conception and during the first trimester significantly reduces the risk
of neural tube defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly.
3. A nurse is assessing a client who is 32 weeks of gestation. Which
finding requires immediate follow-up?
A. Mild ankle edema
B. Blood pressure of 162/108 mm Hg
C. Increased urinary frequency
D. Heartburn after meals
,Correct Answer: B. Blood pressure of 162/108 mm Hg
Rationale: Severe hypertension during pregnancy is a major sign of
preeclampsia and places both the client and fetus at risk. Immediate
assessment and intervention are necessary. Mild edema, urinary
frequency, and heartburn are common discomforts of pregnancy.
4. A nurse is reviewing laboratory findings for a pregnant client.
Which hemoglobin value indicates anemia during pregnancy?
A. 13.2 g/dL
B. 12.1 g/dL
C. 10.4 g/dL
D. 14.5 g/dL
Correct Answer: C. 10.4 g/dL
Rationale: A hemoglobin level below approximately 11 g/dL during
pregnancy is generally considered anemic. Maternal anemia increases
the risk for fatigue, preterm birth, and low birth weight.
5. A nurse is performing Leopold maneuvers. What is the primary
purpose of this assessment?
, A. Measure fetal heart rate
B. Estimate amniotic fluid volume
C. Determine fetal position and presentation
D. Assess cervical dilation
Correct Answer: C. Determine fetal position and presentation
Rationale: Leopold maneuvers are systematic abdominal palpations
used to identify fetal lie, presentation, position, and engagement. This
assessment helps plan labor management.
6. A nurse is teaching a client about signs of true labor. Which finding
should the nurse include?
A. Contractions decrease with walking.
B. Cervix remains unchanged.
C. Contractions become stronger and closer together.
D. Pain occurs only in the abdomen.
Correct Answer: C. Contractions become stronger and closer together.
Rationale: True labor is characterized by regular contractions that
increase in intensity, frequency, and duration while causing
progressive cervical dilation and effacement.
Questions and Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. A nurse is caring for a client at 10 weeks of gestation. Which
physiological change should the nurse expect during the first
trimester?
A. Increased fetal movement
B. Fundus at the umbilicus
C. Softening of the cervix
D. Colostrum production
Correct Answer: C. Softening of the cervix
Rationale: Softening of the cervix (Goodell sign) is an early probable
sign of pregnancy caused by increased vascularization. Fetal
movement is usually perceived between 16 and 20 weeks, the fundus
reaches the umbilicus around 20 weeks, and colostrum production
generally becomes more apparent later in pregnancy.
, 2. A nurse is teaching a client who is pregnant about folic acid
supplementation. The nurse should explain that adequate folic
acid intake primarily helps prevent which fetal complication?
A. Congenital heart defects
B. Neural tube defects
C. Low birth weight
D. Respiratory distress syndrome
Correct Answer: B. Neural tube defects
Rationale: Folic acid is essential for proper neural tube formation
during early embryonic development. Adequate intake before
conception and during the first trimester significantly reduces the risk
of neural tube defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly.
3. A nurse is assessing a client who is 32 weeks of gestation. Which
finding requires immediate follow-up?
A. Mild ankle edema
B. Blood pressure of 162/108 mm Hg
C. Increased urinary frequency
D. Heartburn after meals
,Correct Answer: B. Blood pressure of 162/108 mm Hg
Rationale: Severe hypertension during pregnancy is a major sign of
preeclampsia and places both the client and fetus at risk. Immediate
assessment and intervention are necessary. Mild edema, urinary
frequency, and heartburn are common discomforts of pregnancy.
4. A nurse is reviewing laboratory findings for a pregnant client.
Which hemoglobin value indicates anemia during pregnancy?
A. 13.2 g/dL
B. 12.1 g/dL
C. 10.4 g/dL
D. 14.5 g/dL
Correct Answer: C. 10.4 g/dL
Rationale: A hemoglobin level below approximately 11 g/dL during
pregnancy is generally considered anemic. Maternal anemia increases
the risk for fatigue, preterm birth, and low birth weight.
5. A nurse is performing Leopold maneuvers. What is the primary
purpose of this assessment?
, A. Measure fetal heart rate
B. Estimate amniotic fluid volume
C. Determine fetal position and presentation
D. Assess cervical dilation
Correct Answer: C. Determine fetal position and presentation
Rationale: Leopold maneuvers are systematic abdominal palpations
used to identify fetal lie, presentation, position, and engagement. This
assessment helps plan labor management.
6. A nurse is teaching a client about signs of true labor. Which finding
should the nurse include?
A. Contractions decrease with walking.
B. Cervix remains unchanged.
C. Contractions become stronger and closer together.
D. Pain occurs only in the abdomen.
Correct Answer: C. Contractions become stronger and closer together.
Rationale: True labor is characterized by regular contractions that
increase in intensity, frequency, and duration while causing
progressive cervical dilation and effacement.
