ATI CAPSTONE MATERNAL NEWBORN ASSESSMENT PROCTORED EXAM 300 –
COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELLDETAILED ANSWERS |
DETAILED EXPLANATIONS AND RATIONALES | COMPLETE EXAM PREPARATION STUDY
GUIDE | PRACTICE QUESTIONS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE
• CORE DOMAINS *
•
• Antepartum assessment and prenatal care
• Intrapartum care and stages of labor
• Maternal complications and high-risk pregnancy
• Postpartum assessment and complications
• Newborn assessment and transition to extrauterine life
• Newborn complications and nursing interventions
• Maternal and newborn medications and pharmacology
• Lactation, nutrition, discharge teaching, and family education
• Safety, infection prevention, prioritization, and professional nursing judgment
• INTRODUCTION *
•
This comprehensive assessment is designed to strengthen knowledge and clinical reasoning
across major maternal-newborn nursing concepts. The questions assess foundational
knowledge, assessment skills, prioritization, pharmacology, patient education, safety,
complications, and appropriate nursing interventions. Multiple-choice questions are used to
develop recognition of important clinical findings while also requiring application and
decision-making. Learners should focus on understanding why an intervention is appropriate
rather than memorizing isolated facts. Scenario-based questions emphasize interpretation of
maternal and newborn findings and selection of the safest nursing response. The material is
intended as educational exam preparation and is not presented as authentic, confidential,
leaked, or unreleased examination content.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1. Which finding is considered a positive sign of pregnancy?
A. Amenorrhea
B. Positive pregnancy test
C. Fetal heart tones auscultated by the examiner
D. Breast tenderness
Correct Answer: C. Fetal heart tones auscultated by the examiner
,Explanation: Positive signs are findings that can be attributed only to the presence of a fetus.
Fetal heart tones heard by the examiner are a positive sign. Amenorrhea, breast changes,
and a positive pregnancy test are presumptive or probable findings.
Question 2. A nurse is teaching a client about folic acid during pregnancy. Which statement
should the nurse include?
A. Folic acid reduces the risk of neural tube defects.
B. Folic acid prevents gestational diabetes.
C. Folic acid eliminates the risk of preeclampsia.
D. Folic acid prevents iron-deficiency anemia.
Correct Answer: A. Folic acid reduces the risk of neural tube defects.
Explanation: Adequate folic acid before conception and during early pregnancy decreases
the risk of fetal neural tube defects. It does not eliminate the risks of gestational diabetes,
preeclampsia, or anemia.
Question 3. A pregnant client asks when fetal movement is commonly first perceived by a
person who has previously been pregnant. Which response is appropriate?
A. 6 to 8 weeks
B. 10 to 12 weeks
C. 14 to 16 weeks
D. 18 to 20 weeks
Correct Answer: C. 14 to 16 weeks
Explanation: A client who has experienced a previous pregnancy may perceive quickening
earlier, often around 14 to 16 weeks. A first-time pregnant client commonly perceives fetal
movement somewhat later.
Question 4. Which laboratory finding is most consistent with iron-deficiency anemia during
pregnancy?
A. Elevated hematocrit
B. Increased serum ferritin
C. Decreased hemoglobin
D. Increased platelet count
Correct Answer: C. Decreased hemoglobin
Explanation: Iron-deficiency anemia commonly produces decreased hemoglobin and
hematocrit and reduced iron stores. Pregnancy increases iron requirements because of
expanded maternal blood volume and fetal needs.
Question 5. A nurse is assessing a client at 32 weeks of gestation. Which finding requires
further evaluation?
,A. Mild dependent ankle edema at the end of the day
B. Urinary frequency
C. Severe headache with visual disturbances
D. Increased fetal movement
Correct Answer: C. Severe headache with visual disturbances
Explanation: Severe headache and visual disturbances can indicate severe preeclampsia and
require prompt evaluation. Mild dependent edema and urinary frequency can occur during
uncomplicated pregnancy.
Question 6. Which instruction should the nurse provide regarding administration of an oral
iron supplement?
A. Take it with an antacid.
B. Take it with orange juice.
C. Take it with milk.
D. Take it immediately after taking calcium.
Correct Answer: B. Take it with orange juice.
Explanation: Vitamin C enhances iron absorption. Calcium, milk, and antacids can decrease
iron absorption and should not be taken at the same time as the iron supplement.
Question 7. A client at 28 weeks of gestation reports painless bright-red vaginal bleeding.
Which complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Placental abruption
B. Placenta previa
C. Ectopic pregnancy
D. Preterm labor
Correct Answer: B. Placenta previa
Explanation: Placenta previa classically causes painless, bright-red vaginal bleeding in the
second or third trimester. Placental abruption more commonly causes painful bleeding
associated with uterine tenderness or rigidity.
Question 8. Which assessment finding is most concerning for placental abruption?
A. Painless vaginal bleeding
B. Rigid, tender uterus
C. Increased fetal movement
D. Soft, nontender abdomen
Correct Answer: B. Rigid, tender uterus
, Explanation: Placental abruption may cause painful vaginal bleeding, uterine tenderness,
abdominal or back pain, and a firm or rigid uterus. It is an obstetric emergency because
maternal hemorrhage and fetal compromise can occur.
Question 9. A nurse is providing prenatal teaching. Which food is a particularly good source
of naturally occurring folate?
A. Leafy green vegetables
B. Butter
C. White rice
D. Hard candy
Correct Answer: A. Leafy green vegetables
Explanation: Leafy green vegetables, legumes, citrus fruits, and fortified grains are important
sources of folate. Adequate folate supports normal fetal neural development.
Question 10. Which statement by a pregnant client indicates an understanding of safe
medication use?
A. “I can take any herbal product because it is natural.”
B. “I should check with my health care provider before taking medications.”
C. “Over-the-counter medications are always safe during pregnancy.”
D. “Prescription medications do not affect the fetus.”
Correct Answer: B. “I should check with my health care provider before taking medications.”
Explanation: Medication exposure during pregnancy can affect the fetus depending on the
drug, dose, timing, and route. Clients should consult an appropriate health care professional
before using prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal products.
Question 11. Which vaccine is generally recommended during pregnancy to provide
maternal and newborn protection against pertussis?
A. Tdap
B. MMR
C. Varicella
D. Live intranasal influenza vaccine
Correct Answer: A. Tdap
Explanation: Tdap is recommended during each pregnancy, commonly during the late
second or third trimester, to maximize passive antibody transfer to the fetus. MMR and
varicella are live vaccines and are generally avoided during pregnancy.
Question 12. A pregnant client with Rh-negative blood type delivers an Rh-positive newborn.
Which medication may be prescribed to prevent Rh sensitization?
COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELLDETAILED ANSWERS |
DETAILED EXPLANATIONS AND RATIONALES | COMPLETE EXAM PREPARATION STUDY
GUIDE | PRACTICE QUESTIONS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE
• CORE DOMAINS *
•
• Antepartum assessment and prenatal care
• Intrapartum care and stages of labor
• Maternal complications and high-risk pregnancy
• Postpartum assessment and complications
• Newborn assessment and transition to extrauterine life
• Newborn complications and nursing interventions
• Maternal and newborn medications and pharmacology
• Lactation, nutrition, discharge teaching, and family education
• Safety, infection prevention, prioritization, and professional nursing judgment
• INTRODUCTION *
•
This comprehensive assessment is designed to strengthen knowledge and clinical reasoning
across major maternal-newborn nursing concepts. The questions assess foundational
knowledge, assessment skills, prioritization, pharmacology, patient education, safety,
complications, and appropriate nursing interventions. Multiple-choice questions are used to
develop recognition of important clinical findings while also requiring application and
decision-making. Learners should focus on understanding why an intervention is appropriate
rather than memorizing isolated facts. Scenario-based questions emphasize interpretation of
maternal and newborn findings and selection of the safest nursing response. The material is
intended as educational exam preparation and is not presented as authentic, confidential,
leaked, or unreleased examination content.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1. Which finding is considered a positive sign of pregnancy?
A. Amenorrhea
B. Positive pregnancy test
C. Fetal heart tones auscultated by the examiner
D. Breast tenderness
Correct Answer: C. Fetal heart tones auscultated by the examiner
,Explanation: Positive signs are findings that can be attributed only to the presence of a fetus.
Fetal heart tones heard by the examiner are a positive sign. Amenorrhea, breast changes,
and a positive pregnancy test are presumptive or probable findings.
Question 2. A nurse is teaching a client about folic acid during pregnancy. Which statement
should the nurse include?
A. Folic acid reduces the risk of neural tube defects.
B. Folic acid prevents gestational diabetes.
C. Folic acid eliminates the risk of preeclampsia.
D. Folic acid prevents iron-deficiency anemia.
Correct Answer: A. Folic acid reduces the risk of neural tube defects.
Explanation: Adequate folic acid before conception and during early pregnancy decreases
the risk of fetal neural tube defects. It does not eliminate the risks of gestational diabetes,
preeclampsia, or anemia.
Question 3. A pregnant client asks when fetal movement is commonly first perceived by a
person who has previously been pregnant. Which response is appropriate?
A. 6 to 8 weeks
B. 10 to 12 weeks
C. 14 to 16 weeks
D. 18 to 20 weeks
Correct Answer: C. 14 to 16 weeks
Explanation: A client who has experienced a previous pregnancy may perceive quickening
earlier, often around 14 to 16 weeks. A first-time pregnant client commonly perceives fetal
movement somewhat later.
Question 4. Which laboratory finding is most consistent with iron-deficiency anemia during
pregnancy?
A. Elevated hematocrit
B. Increased serum ferritin
C. Decreased hemoglobin
D. Increased platelet count
Correct Answer: C. Decreased hemoglobin
Explanation: Iron-deficiency anemia commonly produces decreased hemoglobin and
hematocrit and reduced iron stores. Pregnancy increases iron requirements because of
expanded maternal blood volume and fetal needs.
Question 5. A nurse is assessing a client at 32 weeks of gestation. Which finding requires
further evaluation?
,A. Mild dependent ankle edema at the end of the day
B. Urinary frequency
C. Severe headache with visual disturbances
D. Increased fetal movement
Correct Answer: C. Severe headache with visual disturbances
Explanation: Severe headache and visual disturbances can indicate severe preeclampsia and
require prompt evaluation. Mild dependent edema and urinary frequency can occur during
uncomplicated pregnancy.
Question 6. Which instruction should the nurse provide regarding administration of an oral
iron supplement?
A. Take it with an antacid.
B. Take it with orange juice.
C. Take it with milk.
D. Take it immediately after taking calcium.
Correct Answer: B. Take it with orange juice.
Explanation: Vitamin C enhances iron absorption. Calcium, milk, and antacids can decrease
iron absorption and should not be taken at the same time as the iron supplement.
Question 7. A client at 28 weeks of gestation reports painless bright-red vaginal bleeding.
Which complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Placental abruption
B. Placenta previa
C. Ectopic pregnancy
D. Preterm labor
Correct Answer: B. Placenta previa
Explanation: Placenta previa classically causes painless, bright-red vaginal bleeding in the
second or third trimester. Placental abruption more commonly causes painful bleeding
associated with uterine tenderness or rigidity.
Question 8. Which assessment finding is most concerning for placental abruption?
A. Painless vaginal bleeding
B. Rigid, tender uterus
C. Increased fetal movement
D. Soft, nontender abdomen
Correct Answer: B. Rigid, tender uterus
, Explanation: Placental abruption may cause painful vaginal bleeding, uterine tenderness,
abdominal or back pain, and a firm or rigid uterus. It is an obstetric emergency because
maternal hemorrhage and fetal compromise can occur.
Question 9. A nurse is providing prenatal teaching. Which food is a particularly good source
of naturally occurring folate?
A. Leafy green vegetables
B. Butter
C. White rice
D. Hard candy
Correct Answer: A. Leafy green vegetables
Explanation: Leafy green vegetables, legumes, citrus fruits, and fortified grains are important
sources of folate. Adequate folate supports normal fetal neural development.
Question 10. Which statement by a pregnant client indicates an understanding of safe
medication use?
A. “I can take any herbal product because it is natural.”
B. “I should check with my health care provider before taking medications.”
C. “Over-the-counter medications are always safe during pregnancy.”
D. “Prescription medications do not affect the fetus.”
Correct Answer: B. “I should check with my health care provider before taking medications.”
Explanation: Medication exposure during pregnancy can affect the fetus depending on the
drug, dose, timing, and route. Clients should consult an appropriate health care professional
before using prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal products.
Question 11. Which vaccine is generally recommended during pregnancy to provide
maternal and newborn protection against pertussis?
A. Tdap
B. MMR
C. Varicella
D. Live intranasal influenza vaccine
Correct Answer: A. Tdap
Explanation: Tdap is recommended during each pregnancy, commonly during the late
second or third trimester, to maximize passive antibody transfer to the fetus. MMR and
varicella are live vaccines and are generally avoided during pregnancy.
Question 12. A pregnant client with Rh-negative blood type delivers an Rh-positive newborn.
Which medication may be prescribed to prevent Rh sensitization?
