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ATI RN MATERNAL NEWBORN 2026 ACTUAL
PROCTORED OB EXAM PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS
LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
EDITION
ATI RN MATERNAL NEWBORN 2026 ACTUAL PROCTORED OB EXAM
250 MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES
SECTION 1: ANTEPARTUM NURSING (Questions 1-40)
Question 1
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who is at 8 weeks of gestation about common
discomforts of pregnancy. The client reports nausea every morning. Which of the
following interventions should the nurse recommend to alleviate this symptom?
A) Drink a large glass of water with breakfast each morning
B) Eat dry crackers before getting out of bed in the morning
C) Consume a high-fat meal before going to bed at night
D) Take an over-the-counter antiemetic medication daily
Answer: B) Eat dry crackers before getting out of bed in the morning
Rationale: Eating dry crackers or toast before getting out of bed in the morning helps
alleviate nausea by absorbing stomach acids and preventing the empty stomach that
often triggers morning sickness. The client should avoid large fluid intake with meals
and high-fat foods, which can worsen nausea. Over-the-counter antiemetics should not
be taken without provider approval during pregnancy .
Question 2
A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results for a client at 28 weeks of gestation. Which of
the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
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A) Hemoglobin 11.0 g/dL
B) Blood glucose 95 mg/dL
C) Platelet count 100,000/mm³
D) White blood cell count 12,000/mm³
Answer: C) Platelet count 100,000/mm³
Rationale: A platelet count of 100,000/mm³ is below the normal range (150,000-
400,000/mm³) and may indicate gestational thrombocytopenia, preeclampsia, or other
underlying conditions. Hemoglobin of 11.0 g/dL is within the normal range for pregnancy
(11-12 g/dL). Blood glucose of 95 mg/dL is normal, and WBC of 12,000/mm³ is expected
during pregnancy due to physiological leukocytosis .
Question 3
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who is at 12 weeks of gestation and has a
history of obesity. Which of the following recommendations should the nurse make
regarding weight gain during pregnancy?
A) Gain 5-10 pounds total during the pregnancy
B) Gain 15-25 pounds total during the pregnancy
C) Gain 25-35 pounds total during the pregnancy
D) Gain 11-20 pounds total during the pregnancy
Answer: D) Gain 11-20 pounds total during the pregnancy
Rationale: The recommended weight gain for a client with obesity (BMI > 30) during
pregnancy is 11-20 pounds (5-9 kg). Clients with normal BMI (18.5-24.9) should gain 25-
35 pounds, overweight clients should gain 15-25 pounds, and underweight clients
should gain 28-40 pounds. The recommended weight gain is based on the client's
prepregnancy BMI .
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client who is at 32 weeks of gestation and reports persistent
headache, visual disturbances, and epigastric pain. Which of the following conditions
should the nurse suspect?
A) Preeclampsia with severe features
B) Gestational diabetes
C) Placenta previa
D) Normal pregnancy discomforts
Answer: A) Preeclampsia with severe features
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Rationale: Persistent headache, visual disturbances (blurred vision, scotomata), and
epigastric or right upper quadrant pain are signs of severe preeclampsia with features
that may indicate hepatic involvement, cerebral edema, or impending eclampsia. The
nurse should notify the provider immediately and prepare for emergency interventions.
These symptoms are not typical of gestational diabetes, placenta previa, or normal
pregnancy discomforts .
Question 5
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who is at 16 weeks of gestation about prenatal
screenings. Which of the following statements by the client indicates understanding of
the teaching?
A) "I will have a glucose tolerance test to check for gestational diabetes at 24-28 weeks."
B) "I will have an amniocentesis at 20 weeks to check for chromosomal abnormalities."
C) "I will have a non-stress test every week starting at 12 weeks."
D) "I will have a biophysical profile at 16 weeks to assess fetal well-being."
Answer: A) "I will have a glucose tolerance test to check for gestational diabetes at
24-28 weeks."
Rationale: The glucose tolerance test is typically performed between 24-28 weeks of
gestation to screen for gestational diabetes. Amniocentesis is usually performed at 15-
20 weeks for genetic testing, but only if indicated. Non-stress tests are typically
performed in the third trimester (32-34 weeks or later) if indicated. Biophysical profiles
are also performed in the third trimester for high-risk pregnancies .
Question 6
A nurse is assessing a client who is at 20 weeks of gestation. The client reports feeling
fetal movement for the first time. Which of the following terms describes this finding?
A) Ballottement
B) Lightening
C) Quickening
D) Fundal height
Answer: C) Quickening
Rationale: Quickening is the term used to describe the first perception of fetal
movement by the mother, which typically occurs between 16-20 weeks of gestation in
primigravidas and earlier in multigravidas. Ballottement is a technique used to palpate
the fetus, lightening is the descent of the fetal head into the pelvis in late pregnancy,
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and fundal height is the measurement from the symphysis pubis to the top of the uterus
.
Question 7
A nurse is preparing to administer Rh immune globulin to a client who is at 28 weeks of
gestation. Which of the following statements by the client indicates understanding of
the purpose of this medication?
A) "This medication prevents me from developing antibodies against my baby's blood if
the baby is Rh-positive."
B) "This medication increases the amount of iron in my blood to prevent anemia."
C) "This medication prevents preterm labor by relaxing the uterine muscles."
D) "This medication stops bleeding from the placenta during the third trimester."
Answer: A) "This medication prevents me from developing antibodies against my
baby's blood if the baby is Rh-positive."
Rationale: Rh immune globulin (RhoGAM) is administered to Rh-negative clients to
prevent the development of Rh antibodies if the fetus is Rh-positive. This prevents
hemolytic disease of the newborn in subsequent pregnancies. It does not increase iron,
prevent preterm labor, or stop placental bleeding. It is typically given at 28 weeks and
within 72 hours after birth or any event that may cause fetomaternal bleeding .
Question 8
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who is at 36 weeks of gestation about signs of
labor. Which of the following signs should the nurse include in the teaching?
A) Regular contractions that increase in frequency and intensity
B) Decreased fetal movement as labor approaches
C) Weight gain of 5 pounds in one week
D) Persistent headaches and visual changes
Answer: A) Regular contractions that increase in frequency and intensity
Rationale: Regular contractions that increase in frequency and intensity are a sign of
true labor. Fetal movement should remain consistent throughout the third trimester;
decreased movement may indicate fetal distress. Weight gain of 5 pounds in one week
is a sign of preeclampsia, not impending labor. Persistent headaches and visual
changes may indicate preeclampsia with severe features, not normal labor onset .
ATI RN MATERNAL NEWBORN 2026 ACTUAL
PROCTORED OB EXAM PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS
LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
EDITION
ATI RN MATERNAL NEWBORN 2026 ACTUAL PROCTORED OB EXAM
250 MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES
SECTION 1: ANTEPARTUM NURSING (Questions 1-40)
Question 1
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who is at 8 weeks of gestation about common
discomforts of pregnancy. The client reports nausea every morning. Which of the
following interventions should the nurse recommend to alleviate this symptom?
A) Drink a large glass of water with breakfast each morning
B) Eat dry crackers before getting out of bed in the morning
C) Consume a high-fat meal before going to bed at night
D) Take an over-the-counter antiemetic medication daily
Answer: B) Eat dry crackers before getting out of bed in the morning
Rationale: Eating dry crackers or toast before getting out of bed in the morning helps
alleviate nausea by absorbing stomach acids and preventing the empty stomach that
often triggers morning sickness. The client should avoid large fluid intake with meals
and high-fat foods, which can worsen nausea. Over-the-counter antiemetics should not
be taken without provider approval during pregnancy .
Question 2
A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results for a client at 28 weeks of gestation. Which of
the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
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A) Hemoglobin 11.0 g/dL
B) Blood glucose 95 mg/dL
C) Platelet count 100,000/mm³
D) White blood cell count 12,000/mm³
Answer: C) Platelet count 100,000/mm³
Rationale: A platelet count of 100,000/mm³ is below the normal range (150,000-
400,000/mm³) and may indicate gestational thrombocytopenia, preeclampsia, or other
underlying conditions. Hemoglobin of 11.0 g/dL is within the normal range for pregnancy
(11-12 g/dL). Blood glucose of 95 mg/dL is normal, and WBC of 12,000/mm³ is expected
during pregnancy due to physiological leukocytosis .
Question 3
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who is at 12 weeks of gestation and has a
history of obesity. Which of the following recommendations should the nurse make
regarding weight gain during pregnancy?
A) Gain 5-10 pounds total during the pregnancy
B) Gain 15-25 pounds total during the pregnancy
C) Gain 25-35 pounds total during the pregnancy
D) Gain 11-20 pounds total during the pregnancy
Answer: D) Gain 11-20 pounds total during the pregnancy
Rationale: The recommended weight gain for a client with obesity (BMI > 30) during
pregnancy is 11-20 pounds (5-9 kg). Clients with normal BMI (18.5-24.9) should gain 25-
35 pounds, overweight clients should gain 15-25 pounds, and underweight clients
should gain 28-40 pounds. The recommended weight gain is based on the client's
prepregnancy BMI .
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client who is at 32 weeks of gestation and reports persistent
headache, visual disturbances, and epigastric pain. Which of the following conditions
should the nurse suspect?
A) Preeclampsia with severe features
B) Gestational diabetes
C) Placenta previa
D) Normal pregnancy discomforts
Answer: A) Preeclampsia with severe features
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Rationale: Persistent headache, visual disturbances (blurred vision, scotomata), and
epigastric or right upper quadrant pain are signs of severe preeclampsia with features
that may indicate hepatic involvement, cerebral edema, or impending eclampsia. The
nurse should notify the provider immediately and prepare for emergency interventions.
These symptoms are not typical of gestational diabetes, placenta previa, or normal
pregnancy discomforts .
Question 5
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who is at 16 weeks of gestation about prenatal
screenings. Which of the following statements by the client indicates understanding of
the teaching?
A) "I will have a glucose tolerance test to check for gestational diabetes at 24-28 weeks."
B) "I will have an amniocentesis at 20 weeks to check for chromosomal abnormalities."
C) "I will have a non-stress test every week starting at 12 weeks."
D) "I will have a biophysical profile at 16 weeks to assess fetal well-being."
Answer: A) "I will have a glucose tolerance test to check for gestational diabetes at
24-28 weeks."
Rationale: The glucose tolerance test is typically performed between 24-28 weeks of
gestation to screen for gestational diabetes. Amniocentesis is usually performed at 15-
20 weeks for genetic testing, but only if indicated. Non-stress tests are typically
performed in the third trimester (32-34 weeks or later) if indicated. Biophysical profiles
are also performed in the third trimester for high-risk pregnancies .
Question 6
A nurse is assessing a client who is at 20 weeks of gestation. The client reports feeling
fetal movement for the first time. Which of the following terms describes this finding?
A) Ballottement
B) Lightening
C) Quickening
D) Fundal height
Answer: C) Quickening
Rationale: Quickening is the term used to describe the first perception of fetal
movement by the mother, which typically occurs between 16-20 weeks of gestation in
primigravidas and earlier in multigravidas. Ballottement is a technique used to palpate
the fetus, lightening is the descent of the fetal head into the pelvis in late pregnancy,
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and fundal height is the measurement from the symphysis pubis to the top of the uterus
.
Question 7
A nurse is preparing to administer Rh immune globulin to a client who is at 28 weeks of
gestation. Which of the following statements by the client indicates understanding of
the purpose of this medication?
A) "This medication prevents me from developing antibodies against my baby's blood if
the baby is Rh-positive."
B) "This medication increases the amount of iron in my blood to prevent anemia."
C) "This medication prevents preterm labor by relaxing the uterine muscles."
D) "This medication stops bleeding from the placenta during the third trimester."
Answer: A) "This medication prevents me from developing antibodies against my
baby's blood if the baby is Rh-positive."
Rationale: Rh immune globulin (RhoGAM) is administered to Rh-negative clients to
prevent the development of Rh antibodies if the fetus is Rh-positive. This prevents
hemolytic disease of the newborn in subsequent pregnancies. It does not increase iron,
prevent preterm labor, or stop placental bleeding. It is typically given at 28 weeks and
within 72 hours after birth or any event that may cause fetomaternal bleeding .
Question 8
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who is at 36 weeks of gestation about signs of
labor. Which of the following signs should the nurse include in the teaching?
A) Regular contractions that increase in frequency and intensity
B) Decreased fetal movement as labor approaches
C) Weight gain of 5 pounds in one week
D) Persistent headaches and visual changes
Answer: A) Regular contractions that increase in frequency and intensity
Rationale: Regular contractions that increase in frequency and intensity are a sign of
true labor. Fetal movement should remain consistent throughout the third trimester;
decreased movement may indicate fetal distress. Weight gain of 5 pounds in one week
is a sign of preeclampsia, not impending labor. Persistent headaches and visual
changes may indicate preeclampsia with severe features, not normal labor onset .
