ATI RN Maternal Newborn Nursing Exam 2026
with NGN-Style Questions
70 Questions with Answers and Rationales
Question Type Legend
MC = Multiple Choice (single best answer)
,Type: Multiple Choice
A nurse is providing education to a group of pregnant women about fetal
development. The nurse explains that the fetal heart begins to beat and can be
detected by ultrasound at approximately which gestational age?
A. 4 weeks
B. 6 weeks
C. 8 weeks
D. 10 weeks
Correct Answer: B
The fetal heart begins to beat at approximately 5 to 6 weeks of gestation and can
be visualized on transvaginal ultrasound by about 6 weeks. Cardiac activity is
one of the earliest signs of a viable pregnancy. By 8 weeks, the heart rate is
typically 140 to 160 beats per minute. Option A is too early for cardiac activity.
Option C describes when the fetal heart rate is well established, not when it first
begins. Option D is when the fetal heart can typically be heard with a Doppler
device, not when it first begins beating.
Type: Multiple Choice
A pregnant client at 28 weeks of gestation asks the nurse why she has been
experiencing frequent heartburn. Which response by the nurse is most
appropriate?
A. "The enlarging uterus is pressing on your stomach, causing
stomach acid to back up into your esophagus."
B. "Increased levels of progesterone relax the cardiac sphincter, allowing
stomach contents to reflux into the esophagus."
C. "Your stomach is producing excess acid due to changes in your diet during
pregnancy."
D. "The hormone relaxin causes your stomach muscles to weaken, leading to
acid reflux."
Correct Answer: B
ATI RN Maternal Newborn Exam | Page 2
,Type: Multiple Choice
During pregnancy, increased progesterone levels cause relaxation of smooth
muscle throughout the body, including the lower esophageal or cardiac
sphincter. This relaxation allows gastric contents to reflux into the esophagus,
causing heartburn (pyrosis). This is a common maternal adaptation in
pregnancy. While the enlarging uterus can contribute to heartburn in later
pregnancy (Option A), the primary mechanism is hormonal. Option C is
incorrect because heartburn is not caused by excess acid production due to
dietary changes. Option D is incorrect because relaxin primarily affects pelvic
ligaments, not the stomach muscles.
ATI RN Maternal Newborn Exam | Page 3
, Type: Multiple Choice
A nurse is reviewing the prenatal record of a client at 16 weeks of gestation. The
client's fundal height is measured at the umbilicus. The nurse should interpret
this finding as which of the following?
A. The fundal height is appropriate for 16 weeks gestation.
B. The fundal height suggests the pregnancy is further along than 16 weeks.
C. The fundal height suggests the pregnancy is less advanced than 16 weeks.
D. The fundal height measurement is inaccurate and should be repeated.
Correct Answer: A
At approximately 16 weeks of gestation, the fundus of the uterus reaches the
level of the umbilicus. This is a reliable landmark in prenatal assessment. From
20 weeks onward, the fundal height in centimeters typically equals the number
of weeks of gestation (fundal height equals weeks rule). Before 20 weeks, the
fundal height is less reliable for dating the pregnancy. Options B, C, and D are
incorrect because fundal height at the umbilicus is consistent with 16 weeks
gestation.
Type: Multiple Choice
A client at 10 weeks of gestation presents to the prenatal clinic reporting severe
nausea and vomiting that persists throughout the day. She reports being unable
to keep any food or fluids down for the past 24 hours. Her urine output is
decreased and her skin appears dry. The nurse should identify that this client is
at risk for which complication?
A. Pre-eclampsia
B. Electrolyteimbalances and dehydration
C. Gestational diabetes
D. Placenta previa
Correct Answer: B
This client's presentation is consistent with hyperemesis gravidarum, which is
severe, persistent nausea and vomiting during pregnancy that leads to
ATI RN Maternal Newborn Exam | Page 4
with NGN-Style Questions
70 Questions with Answers and Rationales
Question Type Legend
MC = Multiple Choice (single best answer)
,Type: Multiple Choice
A nurse is providing education to a group of pregnant women about fetal
development. The nurse explains that the fetal heart begins to beat and can be
detected by ultrasound at approximately which gestational age?
A. 4 weeks
B. 6 weeks
C. 8 weeks
D. 10 weeks
Correct Answer: B
The fetal heart begins to beat at approximately 5 to 6 weeks of gestation and can
be visualized on transvaginal ultrasound by about 6 weeks. Cardiac activity is
one of the earliest signs of a viable pregnancy. By 8 weeks, the heart rate is
typically 140 to 160 beats per minute. Option A is too early for cardiac activity.
Option C describes when the fetal heart rate is well established, not when it first
begins. Option D is when the fetal heart can typically be heard with a Doppler
device, not when it first begins beating.
Type: Multiple Choice
A pregnant client at 28 weeks of gestation asks the nurse why she has been
experiencing frequent heartburn. Which response by the nurse is most
appropriate?
A. "The enlarging uterus is pressing on your stomach, causing
stomach acid to back up into your esophagus."
B. "Increased levels of progesterone relax the cardiac sphincter, allowing
stomach contents to reflux into the esophagus."
C. "Your stomach is producing excess acid due to changes in your diet during
pregnancy."
D. "The hormone relaxin causes your stomach muscles to weaken, leading to
acid reflux."
Correct Answer: B
ATI RN Maternal Newborn Exam | Page 2
,Type: Multiple Choice
During pregnancy, increased progesterone levels cause relaxation of smooth
muscle throughout the body, including the lower esophageal or cardiac
sphincter. This relaxation allows gastric contents to reflux into the esophagus,
causing heartburn (pyrosis). This is a common maternal adaptation in
pregnancy. While the enlarging uterus can contribute to heartburn in later
pregnancy (Option A), the primary mechanism is hormonal. Option C is
incorrect because heartburn is not caused by excess acid production due to
dietary changes. Option D is incorrect because relaxin primarily affects pelvic
ligaments, not the stomach muscles.
ATI RN Maternal Newborn Exam | Page 3
, Type: Multiple Choice
A nurse is reviewing the prenatal record of a client at 16 weeks of gestation. The
client's fundal height is measured at the umbilicus. The nurse should interpret
this finding as which of the following?
A. The fundal height is appropriate for 16 weeks gestation.
B. The fundal height suggests the pregnancy is further along than 16 weeks.
C. The fundal height suggests the pregnancy is less advanced than 16 weeks.
D. The fundal height measurement is inaccurate and should be repeated.
Correct Answer: A
At approximately 16 weeks of gestation, the fundus of the uterus reaches the
level of the umbilicus. This is a reliable landmark in prenatal assessment. From
20 weeks onward, the fundal height in centimeters typically equals the number
of weeks of gestation (fundal height equals weeks rule). Before 20 weeks, the
fundal height is less reliable for dating the pregnancy. Options B, C, and D are
incorrect because fundal height at the umbilicus is consistent with 16 weeks
gestation.
Type: Multiple Choice
A client at 10 weeks of gestation presents to the prenatal clinic reporting severe
nausea and vomiting that persists throughout the day. She reports being unable
to keep any food or fluids down for the past 24 hours. Her urine output is
decreased and her skin appears dry. The nurse should identify that this client is
at risk for which complication?
A. Pre-eclampsia
B. Electrolyteimbalances and dehydration
C. Gestational diabetes
D. Placenta previa
Correct Answer: B
This client's presentation is consistent with hyperemesis gravidarum, which is
severe, persistent nausea and vomiting during pregnancy that leads to
ATI RN Maternal Newborn Exam | Page 4
