ATI CAPSTONE MATERNAL NEWBORN ASSESSMENT
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS () (VERIFIED
ANSWERS)
ATI Capstone Maternal Newborn Assessment Examination (2026/2027 Edition)
Table of Contents
1. Introduction & Examination Blueprint
2. Section I: Antepartum Care & Fetal Assessment (Questions 1–25)
3. Section II: Intrapartum Care & Fetal Monitoring (Questions 26–50)
4. Section III: Postpartum Care & Maternal Complications (Questions 51–75)
5. Section IV: Newborn Assessment & Neonatal Transition (Questions 76–100)
6. Section V: High-Risk Obstetrics & Pharmacology Review (Questions 101–110)
7. Comprehensive Answer Key & Detailed Rationales
1. Introduction & Examination Blueprint
This assessment is aligned with current NCLEX-RN and ATI Capstone Maternal-Newborn
standards. It evaluates clinical judgment across five core domains: Antepartum Care, Intrapartum
Management, Postpartum Care, Newborn Assessment, and High-Risk Obstetric Pharmacology.
Section I: Antepartum Care & Fetal Assessment
Multiple-Choice Questions
1. A nurse is reviewing lab results for a client at 26 weeks of gestation. Which finding
indicates a potential risk for preeclampsia?
o A. Hemoglobin 11.5 g/dL
o B. History of Rheumatoid Arthritis
o C. Fasting blood glucose 82 mg/dL
o D. Platelet count 250,000/mm³
2. A nurse is providing education to a client at 16 weeks of gestation with a BMI of 31
kg/m² and type 2 diabetes. What is the recommended total weight gain range for this
client?
, o A. 28 to 40 lbs (12.7 to 18.1 kg)
o B. 25 to 35 lbs (11.3 to 15.9 kg)
o C. 15 to 25 lbs (6.8 to 11.3 kg)
o D. 11 to 20 lbs (5 to 9 kg)
3. A client at 33 weeks of gestation is undergoing a Nonstress Test (NST). Which finding
indicates a reactive result?
o A. Two accelerations of at least 15 bpm lasting 15 seconds within a 20-minute
window
o B. Persistent late decelerations following uterine contractions
o C. Baseline fetal heart rate of 100 bpm with moderate variability
o D. No fetal movement detected over a 40-minute observation period
4. A nurse in an antepartum clinic evaluates lab results for a client at 28 weeks of gestation.
Which result requires provider notification?
o A. WBC 11,000/mm³
o B. Hematocrit 31%
o C. Blood type O-positive
o D. Fasting glucose 88 mg/dL
5. A client at 8 weeks of gestation presents with severe unilateral pelvic pain and dark
brownish vaginal spotting. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
o A. Hydatidiform mole
o B. Ectopic pregnancy
o C. Placenta previa
o D. Incompetent cervix
6. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client at 25 weeks of gestation regarding UTI
prevention. Which instruction is correct?
o A. "Limit fluid intake to less than 1.5 liters per day."
o B. "Empty your bladder frequently and before going to sleep."
o C. "Douche weekly with an isotonic solution."
o D. "Wear synthetic underwear to absorb moisture."
, 7. What is an expected ultrasound finding for a client with a hydatidiform mole?
o A. Normal fetal cardiac activity
o B. Excessive uterine enlargement without a fetal sac
o C. Low-lying posterior placenta
o D. Decreased serum hCG levels
8. Which finding is considered a positive (diagnostic) sign of pregnancy?
o A. Positive serum pregnancy test
o B. Auscultation of fetal heart tones by Doppler
o C. Softening of the lower uterine segment (Hegar's sign)
o D. Amenorrhea and morning sickness
9. Prior to performing an amniocentesis at 18 weeks of gestation, what priority action must
the nurse confirm?
o A. The client has ingested 1 liter of water.
o B. The client has emptied their bladder to avoid puncture.
o C. The client is positioned prone.
o D. Administer IV sedatives.
10. A client asks why oral contraceptives are contraindicated with her medical history. Which
condition in her history supports this contraindication?
o A. History of seasonal allergies
o B. Frequent migraine headaches with visual aura
o C. Mild dysmenorrhea
o D. History of appendectomy
Short-Answer Questions
11. Calculate the estimated date of delivery (EDD) using Naegele’s Rule for a client whose
last menstrual period (LMP) began on October 14.
12. Identify three key risk factors that impair female fertility.
13. State the primary indication for administering Betamethasone to a client at 30 weeks of
gestation in preterm labor.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS () (VERIFIED
ANSWERS)
ATI Capstone Maternal Newborn Assessment Examination (2026/2027 Edition)
Table of Contents
1. Introduction & Examination Blueprint
2. Section I: Antepartum Care & Fetal Assessment (Questions 1–25)
3. Section II: Intrapartum Care & Fetal Monitoring (Questions 26–50)
4. Section III: Postpartum Care & Maternal Complications (Questions 51–75)
5. Section IV: Newborn Assessment & Neonatal Transition (Questions 76–100)
6. Section V: High-Risk Obstetrics & Pharmacology Review (Questions 101–110)
7. Comprehensive Answer Key & Detailed Rationales
1. Introduction & Examination Blueprint
This assessment is aligned with current NCLEX-RN and ATI Capstone Maternal-Newborn
standards. It evaluates clinical judgment across five core domains: Antepartum Care, Intrapartum
Management, Postpartum Care, Newborn Assessment, and High-Risk Obstetric Pharmacology.
Section I: Antepartum Care & Fetal Assessment
Multiple-Choice Questions
1. A nurse is reviewing lab results for a client at 26 weeks of gestation. Which finding
indicates a potential risk for preeclampsia?
o A. Hemoglobin 11.5 g/dL
o B. History of Rheumatoid Arthritis
o C. Fasting blood glucose 82 mg/dL
o D. Platelet count 250,000/mm³
2. A nurse is providing education to a client at 16 weeks of gestation with a BMI of 31
kg/m² and type 2 diabetes. What is the recommended total weight gain range for this
client?
, o A. 28 to 40 lbs (12.7 to 18.1 kg)
o B. 25 to 35 lbs (11.3 to 15.9 kg)
o C. 15 to 25 lbs (6.8 to 11.3 kg)
o D. 11 to 20 lbs (5 to 9 kg)
3. A client at 33 weeks of gestation is undergoing a Nonstress Test (NST). Which finding
indicates a reactive result?
o A. Two accelerations of at least 15 bpm lasting 15 seconds within a 20-minute
window
o B. Persistent late decelerations following uterine contractions
o C. Baseline fetal heart rate of 100 bpm with moderate variability
o D. No fetal movement detected over a 40-minute observation period
4. A nurse in an antepartum clinic evaluates lab results for a client at 28 weeks of gestation.
Which result requires provider notification?
o A. WBC 11,000/mm³
o B. Hematocrit 31%
o C. Blood type O-positive
o D. Fasting glucose 88 mg/dL
5. A client at 8 weeks of gestation presents with severe unilateral pelvic pain and dark
brownish vaginal spotting. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
o A. Hydatidiform mole
o B. Ectopic pregnancy
o C. Placenta previa
o D. Incompetent cervix
6. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client at 25 weeks of gestation regarding UTI
prevention. Which instruction is correct?
o A. "Limit fluid intake to less than 1.5 liters per day."
o B. "Empty your bladder frequently and before going to sleep."
o C. "Douche weekly with an isotonic solution."
o D. "Wear synthetic underwear to absorb moisture."
, 7. What is an expected ultrasound finding for a client with a hydatidiform mole?
o A. Normal fetal cardiac activity
o B. Excessive uterine enlargement without a fetal sac
o C. Low-lying posterior placenta
o D. Decreased serum hCG levels
8. Which finding is considered a positive (diagnostic) sign of pregnancy?
o A. Positive serum pregnancy test
o B. Auscultation of fetal heart tones by Doppler
o C. Softening of the lower uterine segment (Hegar's sign)
o D. Amenorrhea and morning sickness
9. Prior to performing an amniocentesis at 18 weeks of gestation, what priority action must
the nurse confirm?
o A. The client has ingested 1 liter of water.
o B. The client has emptied their bladder to avoid puncture.
o C. The client is positioned prone.
o D. Administer IV sedatives.
10. A client asks why oral contraceptives are contraindicated with her medical history. Which
condition in her history supports this contraindication?
o A. History of seasonal allergies
o B. Frequent migraine headaches with visual aura
o C. Mild dysmenorrhea
o D. History of appendectomy
Short-Answer Questions
11. Calculate the estimated date of delivery (EDD) using Naegele’s Rule for a client whose
last menstrual period (LMP) began on October 14.
12. Identify three key risk factors that impair female fertility.
13. State the primary indication for administering Betamethasone to a client at 30 weeks of
gestation in preterm labor.