ATI Maternal Newborn Nursing
Practice Exam 2026 | 100 Questions &
Answers with Detailed Rationales | ATI
RN Maternal-Newborn Exam Prep |
Comprehensive Maternity Nursing
Study Guide | Updated 2026 Edition
1. A nurse is assessing a client who is 12 weeks pregnant. Which finding
should the nurse expect as a normal physiologic change during pregnancy?
A. Decreased cardiac output
B. Increased urinary frequency
C. Decreased respiratory rate
D. Increased blood pressure
Answer: Increased urinary frequency
Rationale: Increased urinary frequency is common during pregnancy because
the enlarging uterus places pressure on the bladder, especially during the first
and third trimesters.
2. A nurse is teaching a client about folic acid supplementation during
pregnancy. Which statement should the nurse include?
,A. "Folic acid helps prevent neural tube defects."
B. "Folic acid prevents gestational diabetes."
C. "Folic acid prevents postpartum hemorrhage."
D. "Folic acid increases fetal lung maturity."
Answer: Folic acid helps prevent neural tube defects.
Rationale: Adequate folic acid before conception and during early pregnancy
decreases the risk of fetal neural tube defects such as spina bifida.
3. A nurse is assessing a pregnant client at 20 weeks of gestation. Where
should the nurse expect the fundus to be located?
A. At the symphysis pubis
B. At the umbilicus
C. At the xiphoid process
D. Two centimeters below the xiphoid process
Answer: At the umbilicus
Rationale: At approximately 20 weeks of gestation, the uterine fundus is
normally located at the level of the umbilicus.
4. A nurse is teaching a client about fetal movement. When should a client
who is pregnant for the first time generally expect to feel quickening?
A. 6 to 8 weeks
B. 10 to 12 weeks
C. 18 to 20 weeks
D. 28 to 30 weeks
Answer: 18 to 20 weeks
Rationale: Primigravidas commonly perceive fetal movement around 18 to 20
weeks, although individual variation occurs.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing nausea and vomiting
during the first trimester. Which instruction should the nurse provide?
,A. Eat three large meals daily.
B. Drink fluids with meals.
C. Eat dry crackers before getting out of bed.
D. Avoid eating carbohydrates.
Answer: Eat dry crackers before getting out of bed.
Rationale: Eating dry crackers or toast before rising can help reduce morning
nausea. Small, frequent meals and avoidance of irritating foods can also help.
6. A nurse is providing prenatal education. Which vaccine is generally
recommended during pregnancy?
A. MMR
B. Varicella
C. Inactivated influenza vaccine
D. Live attenuated influenza vaccine
Answer: Inactivated influenza vaccine
Rationale: The inactivated influenza vaccine is recommended during pregnancy.
Live vaccines such as MMR and varicella are generally contraindicated during
pregnancy.
7. A pregnant client asks why iron supplementation is prescribed. Which
response should the nurse make?
A. "Iron prevents hypertension."
B. "Iron supports increased maternal blood volume and prevents iron-deficiency
anemia."
C. "Iron prevents neural tube defects."
D. "Iron increases amniotic fluid."
Answer: Iron supports increased maternal blood volume and prevents iron-
deficiency anemia.
, Rationale: Maternal blood volume increases substantially during pregnancy,
increasing the need for iron to support hemoglobin production and fetal
development.
8. A nurse is teaching a pregnant client about foods that are high in folate.
Which food should the nurse recommend?
A. White rice
B. Leafy green vegetables
C. Butter
D. Chicken broth
Answer: Leafy green vegetables
Rationale: Leafy green vegetables, legumes, citrus fruits, and fortified grains are
good sources of folate.
9. A nurse is assessing a pregnant client who reports heartburn. Which
instruction should the nurse provide?
A. Lie flat immediately after meals.
B. Eat large meals before bedtime.
C. Eat small, frequent meals and remain upright after eating.
D. Increase high-fat foods.
Answer: Eat small, frequent meals and remain upright after eating.
Rationale: Smaller meals and remaining upright after meals can reduce
gastroesophageal reflux associated with pregnancy.
10.A nurse is reviewing prenatal laboratory findings. Which finding requires
further follow-up?
A. Hemoglobin slightly below the prepregnancy level
B. Mild leukocytosis
C. Positive urine protein with elevated blood pressure
D. Increased plasma volume
Practice Exam 2026 | 100 Questions &
Answers with Detailed Rationales | ATI
RN Maternal-Newborn Exam Prep |
Comprehensive Maternity Nursing
Study Guide | Updated 2026 Edition
1. A nurse is assessing a client who is 12 weeks pregnant. Which finding
should the nurse expect as a normal physiologic change during pregnancy?
A. Decreased cardiac output
B. Increased urinary frequency
C. Decreased respiratory rate
D. Increased blood pressure
Answer: Increased urinary frequency
Rationale: Increased urinary frequency is common during pregnancy because
the enlarging uterus places pressure on the bladder, especially during the first
and third trimesters.
2. A nurse is teaching a client about folic acid supplementation during
pregnancy. Which statement should the nurse include?
,A. "Folic acid helps prevent neural tube defects."
B. "Folic acid prevents gestational diabetes."
C. "Folic acid prevents postpartum hemorrhage."
D. "Folic acid increases fetal lung maturity."
Answer: Folic acid helps prevent neural tube defects.
Rationale: Adequate folic acid before conception and during early pregnancy
decreases the risk of fetal neural tube defects such as spina bifida.
3. A nurse is assessing a pregnant client at 20 weeks of gestation. Where
should the nurse expect the fundus to be located?
A. At the symphysis pubis
B. At the umbilicus
C. At the xiphoid process
D. Two centimeters below the xiphoid process
Answer: At the umbilicus
Rationale: At approximately 20 weeks of gestation, the uterine fundus is
normally located at the level of the umbilicus.
4. A nurse is teaching a client about fetal movement. When should a client
who is pregnant for the first time generally expect to feel quickening?
A. 6 to 8 weeks
B. 10 to 12 weeks
C. 18 to 20 weeks
D. 28 to 30 weeks
Answer: 18 to 20 weeks
Rationale: Primigravidas commonly perceive fetal movement around 18 to 20
weeks, although individual variation occurs.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing nausea and vomiting
during the first trimester. Which instruction should the nurse provide?
,A. Eat three large meals daily.
B. Drink fluids with meals.
C. Eat dry crackers before getting out of bed.
D. Avoid eating carbohydrates.
Answer: Eat dry crackers before getting out of bed.
Rationale: Eating dry crackers or toast before rising can help reduce morning
nausea. Small, frequent meals and avoidance of irritating foods can also help.
6. A nurse is providing prenatal education. Which vaccine is generally
recommended during pregnancy?
A. MMR
B. Varicella
C. Inactivated influenza vaccine
D. Live attenuated influenza vaccine
Answer: Inactivated influenza vaccine
Rationale: The inactivated influenza vaccine is recommended during pregnancy.
Live vaccines such as MMR and varicella are generally contraindicated during
pregnancy.
7. A pregnant client asks why iron supplementation is prescribed. Which
response should the nurse make?
A. "Iron prevents hypertension."
B. "Iron supports increased maternal blood volume and prevents iron-deficiency
anemia."
C. "Iron prevents neural tube defects."
D. "Iron increases amniotic fluid."
Answer: Iron supports increased maternal blood volume and prevents iron-
deficiency anemia.
, Rationale: Maternal blood volume increases substantially during pregnancy,
increasing the need for iron to support hemoglobin production and fetal
development.
8. A nurse is teaching a pregnant client about foods that are high in folate.
Which food should the nurse recommend?
A. White rice
B. Leafy green vegetables
C. Butter
D. Chicken broth
Answer: Leafy green vegetables
Rationale: Leafy green vegetables, legumes, citrus fruits, and fortified grains are
good sources of folate.
9. A nurse is assessing a pregnant client who reports heartburn. Which
instruction should the nurse provide?
A. Lie flat immediately after meals.
B. Eat large meals before bedtime.
C. Eat small, frequent meals and remain upright after eating.
D. Increase high-fat foods.
Answer: Eat small, frequent meals and remain upright after eating.
Rationale: Smaller meals and remaining upright after meals can reduce
gastroesophageal reflux associated with pregnancy.
10.A nurse is reviewing prenatal laboratory findings. Which finding requires
further follow-up?
A. Hemoglobin slightly below the prepregnancy level
B. Mild leukocytosis
C. Positive urine protein with elevated blood pressure
D. Increased plasma volume
