ATI CAPSTONE MATERNAL NEWBORN ASSESSMENT
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS () (VERIFIED
ANSWERS)
ATI Capstone Maternal Newborn Nursing Practice Exam (Original Practice Questions)
Part 1: Introduction, Core Concepts, and Questions 1–25
Table of Contents
Section Content
I. Introduction Exam purpose and content overview
II. Core Maternal-Newborn Pregnancy physiology, prenatal care, fetal development, and
Concepts assessment
III. Antepartum Nursing
Prenatal complications and nursing interventions
Questions
IV. Labor and Delivery
Intrapartum care and clinical judgment
Questions
V. Postpartum Care Questions Maternal recovery and complications
VI. Newborn Assessment
Newborn transition and nursing care
Questions
VII. Applied Clinical Scenarios Priority-based nursing situations
VIII. Review Questions Comprehensive knowledge check
IX. Answer Key and Rationales Explanations for all answers
I. Introduction
This original practice examination is designed to help nursing students prepare for maternal-
newborn assessments using ATI-style clinical judgment principles. The questions focus on safe
nursing practice, prioritization, assessment findings, patient education, and evidence-based
interventions.
,The exam covers normal pregnancy changes, prenatal care, labor and delivery, postpartum
nursing, newborn adaptation, and common maternal-newborn complications.
II. Core Maternal-Newborn Concepts
Questions 1–25
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a client at 10 weeks of gestation. Which finding should the nurse identify as
an expected physiological change of pregnancy?
A. Decreased cardiac output
B. Increased urinary frequency
C. Decreased blood volume
D. Reduced respiratory rate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Increased urinary frequency is common during pregnancy due to hormonal changes and pressure
from the enlarging uterus on the bladder. Cardiac output and blood volume increase, and
respiratory adaptations occur to support fetal oxygen needs.
Question 2
A pregnant client asks why folic acid is recommended during pregnancy. Which response by the
nurse is appropriate?
A. "It prevents gestational diabetes."
B. "It reduces the risk of neural tube defects."
C. "It increases fetal weight gain."
D. "It prevents postpartum hemorrhage."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Folic acid supplementation before conception and during early pregnancy decreases the risk of
fetal neural tube defects such as spina bifida.
Question 3
,Which assessment finding indicates a positive sign of pregnancy?
A. Nausea and vomiting
B. Missed menstrual period
C. Positive ultrasound visualization of the fetus
D. Breast tenderness
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Positive signs of pregnancy are objective findings that confirm pregnancy, such as fetal
visualization on ultrasound, fetal heart activity, or fetal movement palpated by an examiner.
Question 4
A nurse is teaching a pregnant client about fetal movement. Which statement indicates
understanding?
A. "I should feel movement immediately after conception."
B. "Movement is commonly noticed between 16 and 22 weeks."
C. "Movement should stop near delivery."
D. "Movement only occurs when I am active."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Quickening, or the first perception of fetal movement, commonly occurs between 16 and 22
weeks of pregnancy.
Question 5
Which hormone maintains the uterine lining during early pregnancy?
A. Estrogen
B. Progesterone
C. Oxytocin
D. Human placental lactogen
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Progesterone supports implantation and maintains the endometrium during pregnancy.
, Question 6
A nurse is reviewing prenatal laboratory results. Which finding requires follow-up?
A. Hemoglobin slightly decreased during pregnancy
B. Positive Rh factor
C. Rubella immunity
D. Negative HIV screening
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Mild dilutional anemia may occur in pregnancy, but significant decreases in hemoglobin require
evaluation and possible treatment.
Question 7
A pregnant client with an Rh-negative blood type asks why Rh immune globulin is given. The
nurse should explain that it:
A. Prevents maternal hypertension
B. Prevents maternal antibodies from attacking fetal red blood cells
C. Stimulates fetal lung maturity
D. Prevents infection during labor
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Rh immune globulin prevents formation of maternal antibodies against Rh-positive fetal blood
cells, reducing the risk of hemolytic disease in future pregnancies.
Question 8
Which vaccine is recommended during pregnancy?
A. Live attenuated varicella vaccine
B. Measles-mumps-rubella vaccine
C. Inactivated influenza vaccine
D. Live nasal influenza vaccine
Correct Answer: C
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS () (VERIFIED
ANSWERS)
ATI Capstone Maternal Newborn Nursing Practice Exam (Original Practice Questions)
Part 1: Introduction, Core Concepts, and Questions 1–25
Table of Contents
Section Content
I. Introduction Exam purpose and content overview
II. Core Maternal-Newborn Pregnancy physiology, prenatal care, fetal development, and
Concepts assessment
III. Antepartum Nursing
Prenatal complications and nursing interventions
Questions
IV. Labor and Delivery
Intrapartum care and clinical judgment
Questions
V. Postpartum Care Questions Maternal recovery and complications
VI. Newborn Assessment
Newborn transition and nursing care
Questions
VII. Applied Clinical Scenarios Priority-based nursing situations
VIII. Review Questions Comprehensive knowledge check
IX. Answer Key and Rationales Explanations for all answers
I. Introduction
This original practice examination is designed to help nursing students prepare for maternal-
newborn assessments using ATI-style clinical judgment principles. The questions focus on safe
nursing practice, prioritization, assessment findings, patient education, and evidence-based
interventions.
,The exam covers normal pregnancy changes, prenatal care, labor and delivery, postpartum
nursing, newborn adaptation, and common maternal-newborn complications.
II. Core Maternal-Newborn Concepts
Questions 1–25
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a client at 10 weeks of gestation. Which finding should the nurse identify as
an expected physiological change of pregnancy?
A. Decreased cardiac output
B. Increased urinary frequency
C. Decreased blood volume
D. Reduced respiratory rate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Increased urinary frequency is common during pregnancy due to hormonal changes and pressure
from the enlarging uterus on the bladder. Cardiac output and blood volume increase, and
respiratory adaptations occur to support fetal oxygen needs.
Question 2
A pregnant client asks why folic acid is recommended during pregnancy. Which response by the
nurse is appropriate?
A. "It prevents gestational diabetes."
B. "It reduces the risk of neural tube defects."
C. "It increases fetal weight gain."
D. "It prevents postpartum hemorrhage."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Folic acid supplementation before conception and during early pregnancy decreases the risk of
fetal neural tube defects such as spina bifida.
Question 3
,Which assessment finding indicates a positive sign of pregnancy?
A. Nausea and vomiting
B. Missed menstrual period
C. Positive ultrasound visualization of the fetus
D. Breast tenderness
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Positive signs of pregnancy are objective findings that confirm pregnancy, such as fetal
visualization on ultrasound, fetal heart activity, or fetal movement palpated by an examiner.
Question 4
A nurse is teaching a pregnant client about fetal movement. Which statement indicates
understanding?
A. "I should feel movement immediately after conception."
B. "Movement is commonly noticed between 16 and 22 weeks."
C. "Movement should stop near delivery."
D. "Movement only occurs when I am active."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Quickening, or the first perception of fetal movement, commonly occurs between 16 and 22
weeks of pregnancy.
Question 5
Which hormone maintains the uterine lining during early pregnancy?
A. Estrogen
B. Progesterone
C. Oxytocin
D. Human placental lactogen
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Progesterone supports implantation and maintains the endometrium during pregnancy.
, Question 6
A nurse is reviewing prenatal laboratory results. Which finding requires follow-up?
A. Hemoglobin slightly decreased during pregnancy
B. Positive Rh factor
C. Rubella immunity
D. Negative HIV screening
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Mild dilutional anemia may occur in pregnancy, but significant decreases in hemoglobin require
evaluation and possible treatment.
Question 7
A pregnant client with an Rh-negative blood type asks why Rh immune globulin is given. The
nurse should explain that it:
A. Prevents maternal hypertension
B. Prevents maternal antibodies from attacking fetal red blood cells
C. Stimulates fetal lung maturity
D. Prevents infection during labor
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Rh immune globulin prevents formation of maternal antibodies against Rh-positive fetal blood
cells, reducing the risk of hemolytic disease in future pregnancies.
Question 8
Which vaccine is recommended during pregnancy?
A. Live attenuated varicella vaccine
B. Measles-mumps-rubella vaccine
C. Inactivated influenza vaccine
D. Live nasal influenza vaccine
Correct Answer: C
