ATI RN Maternal Newborn Proctored Exam 2026
– 400 Verified Questions & Answers with
Detailed Rationales | Complete Study Guide |
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, 1. A nurse is assessing a client at 36 weeks gestation who reports a sudden gush of fluid
from the vagina. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Perform a sterile vaginal exam
B. Check the fetal heart rate
C. Assess the color and odor of the fluid
D. Prepare the client for an ultrasound
The priority is to assess the fluid for signs of infection (foul odor) or meconium (greenish color). A
sterile vaginal exam should be avoided until membrane rupture is confirmed to prevent
infection.
2. A nurse is caring for a client receiving oxytocin for labor induction. Which finding requires
immediate intervention?
A. Contractions every 3 minutes lasting 50 seconds
B. Fetal heart rate baseline of 140
C. Contractions lasting 90 seconds with a resting tone of 20 mm Hg
D. Maternal blood pressure of 118/76
Contractions lasting longer than 90 seconds with elevated resting tone indicate uterine
hyperstimulation, which can lead to fetal distress and uterine rupture.
3. A nurse is teaching a prenatal client about folic acid. Which statement indicates
understanding?
A. "I should take 200 mcg daily."
B. "I should take 600 mcg daily."
C. "I should start taking it after 12 weeks."
D. "I only need it if I have anemia."
Folic acid 600 mcg daily is recommended for pregnant clients to prevent neural tube defects. It
should be started before conception and continued through pregnancy.
,4. A nurse is assessing a newborn 5 minutes after birth. The heart rate is 90/min, respiratory
effort is slow and irregular, muscle tone is flaccid, reflex irritability is grimace, and color is
blue. What is the Apgar score?
A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 5
Heart rate <100 = 1, slow irregular respirations = 1, flaccid tone = 0, grimace = 1, blue = 0. Total
= 3.
5. A nurse is caring for a postpartum client who is breastfeeding. Which finding indicates a
need for further teaching?
A. The client feeds the newborn every 2-3 hours
B. The client supplements with formula to ensure adequate intake
C. The client uses a breast pump at work
D. The client takes a calcium supplement
Supplementing with formula can decrease milk supply and interfere with establishing
breastfeeding. Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended unless medically indicated.
6. A nurse is assessing a client in labor at 8 cm dilation. The client reports an urge to push.
What should the nurse instruct the client to do?
A. Push with each contraction
B. Blow through contractions to resist pushing
C. Hold her breath and push for 10 seconds
D. Ask the provider to check dilation
Pushing before full dilation (10 cm) can cause cervical edema and tearing. The client should use
breathing techniques to resist the urge until fully dilated.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with gestational diabetes. Which fetal complication should the
nurse monitor for?
A. Low birth weight
B. Macrosomia
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Anemia
, Gestational diabetes can cause fetal macrosomia due to increased glucose transfer, leading to
excessive fetal growth.
8. A nurse is assessing a client at 32 weeks gestation with preeclampsia. Which finding
indicates worsening condition?
A. Blood pressure 140/90
B. 1+ proteinuria
C. Platelet count of 90,000/mm3
D. Weight gain of 1 kg in 2 weeks
Thrombocytopenia (platelets <100,000) indicates HELLP syndrome, a severe complication of
preeclampsia requiring immediate intervention.
9. A nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client who had a cesarean birth. Which
statement indicates understanding?
A. "I can lift my toddler immediately."
B. "I should support my incision when coughing."
C. "I can drive after 1 week."
D. "I should avoid showers for 2 weeks."
Supporting the incision during coughing reduces strain and prevents dehiscence. Lifting is
restricted, driving is restricted while on pain medication, and showers are permitted.
10. A nurse is caring for a newborn with jaundice. Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Place the newborn in a dark room
B. Encourage frequent breastfeeding
C. Withhold feedings until bilirubin decreases
D. Apply lotion to the skin
Frequent breastfeeding promotes bilirubin excretion through stool. Phototherapy may also be
used. Dark rooms and lotions are not effective treatments.
11. A nurse is assessing a client in the fourth stage of labor. Which finding is expected?
A. Fundus at 3 cm above umbilicus
B. Fundus firm at the umbilicus
– 400 Verified Questions & Answers with
Detailed Rationales | Complete Study Guide |
Instant Download | Pass Guaranteed
, 1. A nurse is assessing a client at 36 weeks gestation who reports a sudden gush of fluid
from the vagina. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Perform a sterile vaginal exam
B. Check the fetal heart rate
C. Assess the color and odor of the fluid
D. Prepare the client for an ultrasound
The priority is to assess the fluid for signs of infection (foul odor) or meconium (greenish color). A
sterile vaginal exam should be avoided until membrane rupture is confirmed to prevent
infection.
2. A nurse is caring for a client receiving oxytocin for labor induction. Which finding requires
immediate intervention?
A. Contractions every 3 minutes lasting 50 seconds
B. Fetal heart rate baseline of 140
C. Contractions lasting 90 seconds with a resting tone of 20 mm Hg
D. Maternal blood pressure of 118/76
Contractions lasting longer than 90 seconds with elevated resting tone indicate uterine
hyperstimulation, which can lead to fetal distress and uterine rupture.
3. A nurse is teaching a prenatal client about folic acid. Which statement indicates
understanding?
A. "I should take 200 mcg daily."
B. "I should take 600 mcg daily."
C. "I should start taking it after 12 weeks."
D. "I only need it if I have anemia."
Folic acid 600 mcg daily is recommended for pregnant clients to prevent neural tube defects. It
should be started before conception and continued through pregnancy.
,4. A nurse is assessing a newborn 5 minutes after birth. The heart rate is 90/min, respiratory
effort is slow and irregular, muscle tone is flaccid, reflex irritability is grimace, and color is
blue. What is the Apgar score?
A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 5
Heart rate <100 = 1, slow irregular respirations = 1, flaccid tone = 0, grimace = 1, blue = 0. Total
= 3.
5. A nurse is caring for a postpartum client who is breastfeeding. Which finding indicates a
need for further teaching?
A. The client feeds the newborn every 2-3 hours
B. The client supplements with formula to ensure adequate intake
C. The client uses a breast pump at work
D. The client takes a calcium supplement
Supplementing with formula can decrease milk supply and interfere with establishing
breastfeeding. Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended unless medically indicated.
6. A nurse is assessing a client in labor at 8 cm dilation. The client reports an urge to push.
What should the nurse instruct the client to do?
A. Push with each contraction
B. Blow through contractions to resist pushing
C. Hold her breath and push for 10 seconds
D. Ask the provider to check dilation
Pushing before full dilation (10 cm) can cause cervical edema and tearing. The client should use
breathing techniques to resist the urge until fully dilated.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with gestational diabetes. Which fetal complication should the
nurse monitor for?
A. Low birth weight
B. Macrosomia
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Anemia
, Gestational diabetes can cause fetal macrosomia due to increased glucose transfer, leading to
excessive fetal growth.
8. A nurse is assessing a client at 32 weeks gestation with preeclampsia. Which finding
indicates worsening condition?
A. Blood pressure 140/90
B. 1+ proteinuria
C. Platelet count of 90,000/mm3
D. Weight gain of 1 kg in 2 weeks
Thrombocytopenia (platelets <100,000) indicates HELLP syndrome, a severe complication of
preeclampsia requiring immediate intervention.
9. A nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client who had a cesarean birth. Which
statement indicates understanding?
A. "I can lift my toddler immediately."
B. "I should support my incision when coughing."
C. "I can drive after 1 week."
D. "I should avoid showers for 2 weeks."
Supporting the incision during coughing reduces strain and prevents dehiscence. Lifting is
restricted, driving is restricted while on pain medication, and showers are permitted.
10. A nurse is caring for a newborn with jaundice. Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Place the newborn in a dark room
B. Encourage frequent breastfeeding
C. Withhold feedings until bilirubin decreases
D. Apply lotion to the skin
Frequent breastfeeding promotes bilirubin excretion through stool. Phototherapy may also be
used. Dark rooms and lotions are not effective treatments.
11. A nurse is assessing a client in the fourth stage of labor. Which finding is expected?
A. Fundus at 3 cm above umbilicus
B. Fundus firm at the umbilicus
