ATI Maternity Proctored 2026/2027 Exam verified with correct answers with
rationales /instant pdf
1. A client at 10 weeks of gestation asks when fetal heart sounds can usually be detected by
Doppler. The nurse should state:
A. 4 weeks
B. 6 weeks
C. 10–12 weeks
D. 20–24 weeks
Correct Answer: C. 10–12 weeks
Rationale: Fetal heart tones can often be detected by Doppler around 10–12 weeks of gestation.
2. Which finding is a positive sign of pregnancy?
A. Amenorrhea
B. Nausea and vomiting
C. Fetal heart tones detected by the examiner
D. Breast tenderness
Correct Answer: C. Fetal heart tones detected by the examiner
Rationale: Positive signs are directly attributable to the fetus, such as fetal heart tones, fetal
movement felt by the examiner, or visualization of the fetus.
3. A pregnant client asks about folic acid. The nurse should explain that folic acid helps
prevent:
A. Gestational diabetes
B. Neural tube defects
C. Placenta previa
D. Rh incompatibility
Correct Answer: B. Neural tube defects
Rationale: Folic acid supplementation helps reduce the risk of neural tube defects.
4. Which food is a good source of folate?
A. Leafy green vegetables
B. Candy
C. Butter
D. Soft drinks
Correct Answer: A. Leafy green vegetables
Rationale: Green leafy vegetables, legumes, and fortified grains are good folate sources.
,5. A pregnant client should avoid unpasteurized dairy products because of the risk of:
A. Listeriosis
B. Hypertension
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Placental abruption
Correct Answer: A. Listeriosis
Rationale: Unpasteurized products can contain Listeria, which can cause serious maternal and
fetal infection.
6. Which instruction is appropriate for a client experiencing morning sickness?
A. Eat large meals three times daily
B. Eat small, frequent meals
C. Drink large amounts of fluid with meals
D. Skip breakfast every day
Correct Answer: B. Eat small, frequent meals
Rationale: Small, frequent meals and dry crackers before rising may help reduce nausea.
7. A client with severe vomiting during pregnancy is at risk for:
A. Hyperemesis gravidarum
B. Placenta previa
C. Ectopic pregnancy only
D. Rh sensitization
Correct Answer: A. Hyperemesis gravidarum
Rationale: Severe persistent nausea and vomiting can lead to dehydration, electrolyte
imbalance, and weight loss.
8. Which finding in a pregnant client requires immediate evaluation?
A. Mild nausea
B. Vaginal bleeding with abdominal pain
C. Increased urinary frequency
D. Mild breast tenderness
Correct Answer: B. Vaginal bleeding with abdominal pain
Rationale: This may indicate miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy and requires prompt assessment.
9. A client at 8 weeks of gestation reports unilateral abdominal pain and shoulder pain. The
nurse should suspect:
, A. Ectopic pregnancy
B. Normal pregnancy
C. Braxton Hicks contractions
D. Gestational diabetes
Correct Answer: A. Ectopic pregnancy
Rationale: Unilateral pain, bleeding, and referred shoulder pain may indicate ruptured ectopic
pregnancy.
10. A pregnant client should report which symptom immediately?
A. Mild fatigue
B. Severe headache with visual disturbances
C. Mild urinary frequency
D. Increased appetite
Correct Answer: B. Severe headache with visual disturbances
Rationale: These may indicate severe preeclampsia.
11. Which blood pressure finding is concerning during pregnancy?
A. 100/60 mm Hg
B. 110/70 mm Hg
C. 140/90 mm Hg or higher
D. 118/76 mm Hg
Correct Answer: C. 140/90 mm Hg or higher
Rationale: Persistent blood pressure at or above 140/90 mm Hg requires evaluation for
hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.
12. A client with preeclampsia should be assessed for:
A. Hyperreflexia and clonus
B. Increased appetite only
C. Decreased fetal growth only
D. Hearing loss
Correct Answer: A. Hyperreflexia and clonus
Rationale: Neuromuscular irritability may indicate worsening preeclampsia and seizure risk.
13. The medication commonly used to prevent seizures in severe preeclampsia is:
A. Magnesium sulfate
B. Oxytocin
C. Terbutaline
D. Methylergonovine
rationales /instant pdf
1. A client at 10 weeks of gestation asks when fetal heart sounds can usually be detected by
Doppler. The nurse should state:
A. 4 weeks
B. 6 weeks
C. 10–12 weeks
D. 20–24 weeks
Correct Answer: C. 10–12 weeks
Rationale: Fetal heart tones can often be detected by Doppler around 10–12 weeks of gestation.
2. Which finding is a positive sign of pregnancy?
A. Amenorrhea
B. Nausea and vomiting
C. Fetal heart tones detected by the examiner
D. Breast tenderness
Correct Answer: C. Fetal heart tones detected by the examiner
Rationale: Positive signs are directly attributable to the fetus, such as fetal heart tones, fetal
movement felt by the examiner, or visualization of the fetus.
3. A pregnant client asks about folic acid. The nurse should explain that folic acid helps
prevent:
A. Gestational diabetes
B. Neural tube defects
C. Placenta previa
D. Rh incompatibility
Correct Answer: B. Neural tube defects
Rationale: Folic acid supplementation helps reduce the risk of neural tube defects.
4. Which food is a good source of folate?
A. Leafy green vegetables
B. Candy
C. Butter
D. Soft drinks
Correct Answer: A. Leafy green vegetables
Rationale: Green leafy vegetables, legumes, and fortified grains are good folate sources.
,5. A pregnant client should avoid unpasteurized dairy products because of the risk of:
A. Listeriosis
B. Hypertension
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Placental abruption
Correct Answer: A. Listeriosis
Rationale: Unpasteurized products can contain Listeria, which can cause serious maternal and
fetal infection.
6. Which instruction is appropriate for a client experiencing morning sickness?
A. Eat large meals three times daily
B. Eat small, frequent meals
C. Drink large amounts of fluid with meals
D. Skip breakfast every day
Correct Answer: B. Eat small, frequent meals
Rationale: Small, frequent meals and dry crackers before rising may help reduce nausea.
7. A client with severe vomiting during pregnancy is at risk for:
A. Hyperemesis gravidarum
B. Placenta previa
C. Ectopic pregnancy only
D. Rh sensitization
Correct Answer: A. Hyperemesis gravidarum
Rationale: Severe persistent nausea and vomiting can lead to dehydration, electrolyte
imbalance, and weight loss.
8. Which finding in a pregnant client requires immediate evaluation?
A. Mild nausea
B. Vaginal bleeding with abdominal pain
C. Increased urinary frequency
D. Mild breast tenderness
Correct Answer: B. Vaginal bleeding with abdominal pain
Rationale: This may indicate miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy and requires prompt assessment.
9. A client at 8 weeks of gestation reports unilateral abdominal pain and shoulder pain. The
nurse should suspect:
, A. Ectopic pregnancy
B. Normal pregnancy
C. Braxton Hicks contractions
D. Gestational diabetes
Correct Answer: A. Ectopic pregnancy
Rationale: Unilateral pain, bleeding, and referred shoulder pain may indicate ruptured ectopic
pregnancy.
10. A pregnant client should report which symptom immediately?
A. Mild fatigue
B. Severe headache with visual disturbances
C. Mild urinary frequency
D. Increased appetite
Correct Answer: B. Severe headache with visual disturbances
Rationale: These may indicate severe preeclampsia.
11. Which blood pressure finding is concerning during pregnancy?
A. 100/60 mm Hg
B. 110/70 mm Hg
C. 140/90 mm Hg or higher
D. 118/76 mm Hg
Correct Answer: C. 140/90 mm Hg or higher
Rationale: Persistent blood pressure at or above 140/90 mm Hg requires evaluation for
hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.
12. A client with preeclampsia should be assessed for:
A. Hyperreflexia and clonus
B. Increased appetite only
C. Decreased fetal growth only
D. Hearing loss
Correct Answer: A. Hyperreflexia and clonus
Rationale: Neuromuscular irritability may indicate worsening preeclampsia and seizure risk.
13. The medication commonly used to prevent seizures in severe preeclampsia is:
A. Magnesium sulfate
B. Oxytocin
C. Terbutaline
D. Methylergonovine
