ATI Maternal Newborn Comprehensive Review Practice Exam 2026
|Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is calculating a client’s expected date of birth using Naegele’s rule.
The client’s last menstrual period began on June 10th. Which of the following
dates should the nurse identify as the client’s EDB?
A. March 20th
B. March 3rd
C. March 7th
D. March 17th
Answer: D
Rationale: To calculate the EDB using Naegele’s rule, subtract 3 months and add 7 days to
the first day of the last menstrual period. June minus 3 months is March, and 10 plus 7 days
is 17.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who is at 32 weeks of gestation and is receiving
magnesium sulfate via continuous IV infusion for preeclampsia. Which of the
following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Urinary output of 40 mL/hr
B. Deep tendon reflexes 2+
C. Serum magnesium level 6 mEq/L
D. Respiratory rate 10/min
Answer: D
Rationale: A respiratory rate of less than 12/min is a sign of magnesium toxicity and
should be reported immediately. Normal magnesium levels during therapy are 4 to 7
mEq/L.
,3. A nurse is caring for a client who is in the first stage of labor and has a fetal
heart rate (FHR) tracing showing early decelerations. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take?
A. Administer oxygen at 10 L/min via nonrebreather mask
B. Increase the IV fluid infusion rate
C. Prepare for an emergency cesarean birth
D. Continue to monitor the client
Answer: D
Rationale: Early decelerations are caused by fetal head compression during contractions
and are considered a benign finding. No specific intervention is required other than
continued monitoring.
4. A nurse is performing a physical assessment of a newborn. Which of the
following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Yellowing of the sclera at 12 hours of age
B. Chest circumference 2 cm smaller than head circumference
C. Vernix caseosa in the skin folds
D. Acrocyanosis of the hands and feet
Answer: A
Rationale: Jaundice occurring within the first 24 hours of life is pathological and should be
reported to the provider. Vernix caseosa, head-to-chest ratio, and acrocyanosis are normal
findings.
, 5. A nurse is caring for a client who is at 38 weeks of gestation and reports a
sudden gush of vaginal fluid. Which of the following is the priority nursing
action?
A. Assess the fetal heart rate
B. Perform a Nitrazine test on the fluid
C. Perform a vaginal examination
D. Check the client’s temperature
Answer: A
Rationale: The priority action after the rupture of membranes is to assess the fetal heart
rate to ensure fetal well-being and rule out umbilical cord prolapse.
6. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who is at 10 weeks of gestation and
has hyperemesis gravidarum. Which of the following instructions should the
nurse include?
A. Eat a high-protein snack at bedtime
B. Drink 240 mL of fluids with every meal
C. Consume three large meals a day
D. Eat foods that are served hot
Answer: A
Rationale: Clients with hyperemesis gravidarum should eat small, frequent meals and
consume high-protein snacks. Fluids should be taken between meals rather than with them
to prevent overdistension of the stomach.
|Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is calculating a client’s expected date of birth using Naegele’s rule.
The client’s last menstrual period began on June 10th. Which of the following
dates should the nurse identify as the client’s EDB?
A. March 20th
B. March 3rd
C. March 7th
D. March 17th
Answer: D
Rationale: To calculate the EDB using Naegele’s rule, subtract 3 months and add 7 days to
the first day of the last menstrual period. June minus 3 months is March, and 10 plus 7 days
is 17.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who is at 32 weeks of gestation and is receiving
magnesium sulfate via continuous IV infusion for preeclampsia. Which of the
following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Urinary output of 40 mL/hr
B. Deep tendon reflexes 2+
C. Serum magnesium level 6 mEq/L
D. Respiratory rate 10/min
Answer: D
Rationale: A respiratory rate of less than 12/min is a sign of magnesium toxicity and
should be reported immediately. Normal magnesium levels during therapy are 4 to 7
mEq/L.
,3. A nurse is caring for a client who is in the first stage of labor and has a fetal
heart rate (FHR) tracing showing early decelerations. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take?
A. Administer oxygen at 10 L/min via nonrebreather mask
B. Increase the IV fluid infusion rate
C. Prepare for an emergency cesarean birth
D. Continue to monitor the client
Answer: D
Rationale: Early decelerations are caused by fetal head compression during contractions
and are considered a benign finding. No specific intervention is required other than
continued monitoring.
4. A nurse is performing a physical assessment of a newborn. Which of the
following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Yellowing of the sclera at 12 hours of age
B. Chest circumference 2 cm smaller than head circumference
C. Vernix caseosa in the skin folds
D. Acrocyanosis of the hands and feet
Answer: A
Rationale: Jaundice occurring within the first 24 hours of life is pathological and should be
reported to the provider. Vernix caseosa, head-to-chest ratio, and acrocyanosis are normal
findings.
, 5. A nurse is caring for a client who is at 38 weeks of gestation and reports a
sudden gush of vaginal fluid. Which of the following is the priority nursing
action?
A. Assess the fetal heart rate
B. Perform a Nitrazine test on the fluid
C. Perform a vaginal examination
D. Check the client’s temperature
Answer: A
Rationale: The priority action after the rupture of membranes is to assess the fetal heart
rate to ensure fetal well-being and rule out umbilical cord prolapse.
6. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who is at 10 weeks of gestation and
has hyperemesis gravidarum. Which of the following instructions should the
nurse include?
A. Eat a high-protein snack at bedtime
B. Drink 240 mL of fluids with every meal
C. Consume three large meals a day
D. Eat foods that are served hot
Answer: A
Rationale: Clients with hyperemesis gravidarum should eat small, frequent meals and
consume high-protein snacks. Fluids should be taken between meals rather than with them
to prevent overdistension of the stomach.
