UPDATED 2026 ATI Maternal Newborn Proctored
Exam Prep Complete Practice Question Bank
VERSIONS
QUESTION 1
A nurse is reviewing laboratory results for a client receiving IV heparin. The
aPTT is 120 seconds, and the control is 30 seconds. Which action should the
nurse take?
A) Increase the heparin infusion rate
B) Prepare to administer protamine sulfate
C) Continue the infusion and recheck in 4 hours
D) Administer vitamin K
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Prepare to administer protamine sulfate
Rationale: The therapeutic aPTT range for heparin is 1.5–2.5 times the control
(45–75 seconds). An aPTT of 120 seconds indicates excessive anticoagulation
with high bleeding risk. Protamine sulfate is the specific antidote that reverses
heparin's effects. Vitamin K reverses warfarin, not heparin .
QUESTION 2
A nurse is planning care for a client who has a central venous access device
for intermittent infusions. Which action should the nurse include in the plan
of care?
A) Flush the catheter using a 10-mL syringe
,B) Use clean technique when changing the dressing
C) Cleanse the site with povidone-iodine
D) Change the dressing every 24 hours
CORRECT ANSWER: A) Flush the catheter using a 10-mL syringe
Rationale: A 10-mL or larger syringe should be used to flush a central venous
access device to prevent excessive pressure that could damage the catheter.
Smaller syringes generate higher pressure and increase the risk of catheter
rupture .
QUESTION 3
A nurse in an emergency department is preparing to perform an ocular
irrigation for a client. Which action should the nurse plan to take?
A) Assess the client's visual acuity prior to irrigation
B) Have the client turn their head toward the unaffected eye
C) Hold the irrigator syringe 3.81 cm (1.5 in) above the eye
D) Perform the irrigation with sterile water for irrigation
CORRECT ANSWER: D) Perform the irrigation with sterile water for
irrigation
Rationale: Sterile water or normal saline should be used for ocular irrigation.
The client's head should be turned toward the affected eye to prevent solution
from flowing into the unaffected eye. The irrigator should be held close to the
eye, not 1.5 inches above .
,QUESTION 4
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new
prescription for sublingual nitroglycerin. Which statement indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
A) "I can keep my medications for 1 year before replacing it"
B) "I should lie down when I take this medication"
C) "I should discontinue this medication if I develop a headache" D) "I can
take up to five tablets in 15 minutes before seeking medical
attention"
CORRECT ANSWER: B) "I should lie down when I take this medication"
Rationale: Clients should lie down when taking sublingual nitroglycerin to
prevent hypotension and syncope. Headache is a common side effect and does
not indicate discontinuation. The medication should be replaced every 6
months. The correct regimen is one tablet every 5 minutes for up to three
doses .
QUESTION 5
A nurse is planning care for a client following a cardiac catheterization.
Which action should the nurse take?
A) Keep the client on bed rest for 24 hours
B) Limit the client's fluid intake to 1 L per day
C) Maintain the client's affected extremity in extension
D) Change the client's dressing every 8 hours
, CORRECT ANSWER: C) Maintain the client's affected extremity in
extension
Rationale: After cardiac catheterization, the affected extremity should be kept
straight (extended) to prevent bleeding and hematoma formation at the
insertion site. Bed rest is typically for 4-6 hours, not 24 hours. Fluids should be
encouraged, not restricted .
QUESTION 6
A nurse is preparing to administer lactated Ringer's via continuous IV
infusion at 200 mL/hr. The IV tubing has a drop factor of 10 drops/mL. How
many gtt/min should the nurse set the IV pump to administer? (Round to
the nearest whole number.)
A) 10 gtt/min
B) 22 gtt/min
C) 33 gtt/min
D) 40 gtt/min
CORRECT ANSWER: C) 33 gtt/min
Rationale: To calculate the drip rate: (Volume in mL × Drop factor) ÷ Time in
minutes = (200 mL × 10 gtt/mL) ÷ 60 minutes = 2000 ÷ 60 = 33.33, which
rounds to 33 gtt/min .
Exam Prep Complete Practice Question Bank
VERSIONS
QUESTION 1
A nurse is reviewing laboratory results for a client receiving IV heparin. The
aPTT is 120 seconds, and the control is 30 seconds. Which action should the
nurse take?
A) Increase the heparin infusion rate
B) Prepare to administer protamine sulfate
C) Continue the infusion and recheck in 4 hours
D) Administer vitamin K
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Prepare to administer protamine sulfate
Rationale: The therapeutic aPTT range for heparin is 1.5–2.5 times the control
(45–75 seconds). An aPTT of 120 seconds indicates excessive anticoagulation
with high bleeding risk. Protamine sulfate is the specific antidote that reverses
heparin's effects. Vitamin K reverses warfarin, not heparin .
QUESTION 2
A nurse is planning care for a client who has a central venous access device
for intermittent infusions. Which action should the nurse include in the plan
of care?
A) Flush the catheter using a 10-mL syringe
,B) Use clean technique when changing the dressing
C) Cleanse the site with povidone-iodine
D) Change the dressing every 24 hours
CORRECT ANSWER: A) Flush the catheter using a 10-mL syringe
Rationale: A 10-mL or larger syringe should be used to flush a central venous
access device to prevent excessive pressure that could damage the catheter.
Smaller syringes generate higher pressure and increase the risk of catheter
rupture .
QUESTION 3
A nurse in an emergency department is preparing to perform an ocular
irrigation for a client. Which action should the nurse plan to take?
A) Assess the client's visual acuity prior to irrigation
B) Have the client turn their head toward the unaffected eye
C) Hold the irrigator syringe 3.81 cm (1.5 in) above the eye
D) Perform the irrigation with sterile water for irrigation
CORRECT ANSWER: D) Perform the irrigation with sterile water for
irrigation
Rationale: Sterile water or normal saline should be used for ocular irrigation.
The client's head should be turned toward the affected eye to prevent solution
from flowing into the unaffected eye. The irrigator should be held close to the
eye, not 1.5 inches above .
,QUESTION 4
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new
prescription for sublingual nitroglycerin. Which statement indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
A) "I can keep my medications for 1 year before replacing it"
B) "I should lie down when I take this medication"
C) "I should discontinue this medication if I develop a headache" D) "I can
take up to five tablets in 15 minutes before seeking medical
attention"
CORRECT ANSWER: B) "I should lie down when I take this medication"
Rationale: Clients should lie down when taking sublingual nitroglycerin to
prevent hypotension and syncope. Headache is a common side effect and does
not indicate discontinuation. The medication should be replaced every 6
months. The correct regimen is one tablet every 5 minutes for up to three
doses .
QUESTION 5
A nurse is planning care for a client following a cardiac catheterization.
Which action should the nurse take?
A) Keep the client on bed rest for 24 hours
B) Limit the client's fluid intake to 1 L per day
C) Maintain the client's affected extremity in extension
D) Change the client's dressing every 8 hours
, CORRECT ANSWER: C) Maintain the client's affected extremity in
extension
Rationale: After cardiac catheterization, the affected extremity should be kept
straight (extended) to prevent bleeding and hematoma formation at the
insertion site. Bed rest is typically for 4-6 hours, not 24 hours. Fluids should be
encouraged, not restricted .
QUESTION 6
A nurse is preparing to administer lactated Ringer's via continuous IV
infusion at 200 mL/hr. The IV tubing has a drop factor of 10 drops/mL. How
many gtt/min should the nurse set the IV pump to administer? (Round to
the nearest whole number.)
A) 10 gtt/min
B) 22 gtt/min
C) 33 gtt/min
D) 40 gtt/min
CORRECT ANSWER: C) 33 gtt/min
Rationale: To calculate the drip rate: (Volume in mL × Drop factor) ÷ Time in
minutes = (200 mL × 10 gtt/mL) ÷ 60 minutes = 2000 ÷ 60 = 33.33, which
rounds to 33 gtt/min .
