ATI RN Maternal Newborn Proctored Exam
2026/2027 – NGN Questions and Answers
with Detailed Rationales
ANTEPARTUM CARE
1. A nurse is assessing a client who is 10 weeks pregnant. Which finding is an
expected physiologic change of pregnancy?
A. Bradycardia
B. Increased urinary frequency
C. Decreased cardiac output
D. Decreased respiratory rate
Answer: B
Rationale: Increased urinary frequency is common during early pregnancy
because of increased renal blood flow and pressure from the enlarging uterus.
Cardiac output generally increases rather than decreases.
2. A pregnant client asks when fetal movement is usually first perceived by a
person pregnant for the first time. Which response should the nurse provide?
A. 6–8 weeks
B. 10–12 weeks
C. 18–20 weeks
D. 28–30 weeks
Answer: C
Rationale: Fetal movement, or quickening, is commonly perceived around 18–20
weeks in a first pregnancy. Clients who have previously been pregnant may
recognize movement slightly earlier.
,3. A client at 12 weeks of gestation reports nausea and vomiting. Which
instruction should the nurse provide?
A. Eat three large meals daily.
B. Drink fluids only with meals.
C. Eat dry crackers before getting out of bed.
D. Avoid eating carbohydrates.
Answer: C
Rationale: Eating dry crackers or toast before rising can reduce morning nausea.
Small, frequent meals and adequate hydration are also helpful.
4. A pregnant client asks which nutrient is most important for preventing neural
tube defects. Which nutrient should the nurse identify?
A. Calcium
B. Folic acid
C. Vitamin D
D. Vitamin B12
Answer: B
Rationale: Adequate folic acid before conception and during early pregnancy
reduces the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida.
5. A client at 24 weeks of gestation asks about expected weight gain. Which
response is appropriate?
A. Weight gain is unnecessary during pregnancy.
B. Weight gain should occur gradually throughout pregnancy.
C. Most weight gain should occur during the first trimester.
D. Weight gain should be restricted during the second trimester.
Answer: B
,Rationale: Healthy pregnancy weight gain generally occurs progressively, with
relatively little gain during the first trimester and greater gain during the second
and third trimesters.
6. Which finding should the nurse identify as a possible warning sign during
pregnancy?
A. Mild nausea
B. Increased urinary frequency
C. Vaginal bleeding
D. Breast tenderness
Answer: C
Rationale: Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy requires assessment because it can
indicate complications such as miscarriage, placenta previa, placental abruption,
or other pathology.
7. A pregnant client asks why supine positioning is discouraged during later
pregnancy. Which explanation is correct?
A. It increases fetal movement.
B. It can compress the vena cava.
C. It causes maternal hypertension.
D. It decreases uterine blood flow by compressing the aorta only.
Answer: B
Rationale: The enlarged uterus can compress the inferior vena cava when the
client lies supine, reducing venous return and potentially decreasing cardiac
output and uteroplacental perfusion.
8. Which position should the nurse recommend for a pregnant client
experiencing dizziness while lying on her back?
, A. Prone
B. Left lateral
C. High-Fowler's
D. Lithotomy
Answer: B
Rationale: Left lateral positioning reduces vena cava compression and improves
venous return and uteroplacental circulation.
9. A client asks which vaccine is generally recommended during pregnancy to
protect both the pregnant client and newborn.
A. Live varicella vaccine
B. MMR vaccine
C. Inactivated influenza vaccine
D. Live attenuated influenza vaccine
Answer: C
Rationale: Inactivated influenza vaccination is recommended during pregnancy.
Live vaccines such as MMR and varicella are generally avoided during pregnancy.
10. A pregnant client reports constipation. Which instruction is appropriate?
A. Decrease fluid intake.
B. Increase fiber and fluids.
C. Take stimulant laxatives routinely.
D. Avoid physical activity.
Answer: B
Rationale: Increased fiber, adequate fluids, and appropriate physical activity can
help prevent pregnancy-related constipation.
11. A client is 8 weeks pregnant and reports breast tenderness. Which response
should the nurse provide?
2026/2027 – NGN Questions and Answers
with Detailed Rationales
ANTEPARTUM CARE
1. A nurse is assessing a client who is 10 weeks pregnant. Which finding is an
expected physiologic change of pregnancy?
A. Bradycardia
B. Increased urinary frequency
C. Decreased cardiac output
D. Decreased respiratory rate
Answer: B
Rationale: Increased urinary frequency is common during early pregnancy
because of increased renal blood flow and pressure from the enlarging uterus.
Cardiac output generally increases rather than decreases.
2. A pregnant client asks when fetal movement is usually first perceived by a
person pregnant for the first time. Which response should the nurse provide?
A. 6–8 weeks
B. 10–12 weeks
C. 18–20 weeks
D. 28–30 weeks
Answer: C
Rationale: Fetal movement, or quickening, is commonly perceived around 18–20
weeks in a first pregnancy. Clients who have previously been pregnant may
recognize movement slightly earlier.
,3. A client at 12 weeks of gestation reports nausea and vomiting. Which
instruction should the nurse provide?
A. Eat three large meals daily.
B. Drink fluids only with meals.
C. Eat dry crackers before getting out of bed.
D. Avoid eating carbohydrates.
Answer: C
Rationale: Eating dry crackers or toast before rising can reduce morning nausea.
Small, frequent meals and adequate hydration are also helpful.
4. A pregnant client asks which nutrient is most important for preventing neural
tube defects. Which nutrient should the nurse identify?
A. Calcium
B. Folic acid
C. Vitamin D
D. Vitamin B12
Answer: B
Rationale: Adequate folic acid before conception and during early pregnancy
reduces the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida.
5. A client at 24 weeks of gestation asks about expected weight gain. Which
response is appropriate?
A. Weight gain is unnecessary during pregnancy.
B. Weight gain should occur gradually throughout pregnancy.
C. Most weight gain should occur during the first trimester.
D. Weight gain should be restricted during the second trimester.
Answer: B
,Rationale: Healthy pregnancy weight gain generally occurs progressively, with
relatively little gain during the first trimester and greater gain during the second
and third trimesters.
6. Which finding should the nurse identify as a possible warning sign during
pregnancy?
A. Mild nausea
B. Increased urinary frequency
C. Vaginal bleeding
D. Breast tenderness
Answer: C
Rationale: Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy requires assessment because it can
indicate complications such as miscarriage, placenta previa, placental abruption,
or other pathology.
7. A pregnant client asks why supine positioning is discouraged during later
pregnancy. Which explanation is correct?
A. It increases fetal movement.
B. It can compress the vena cava.
C. It causes maternal hypertension.
D. It decreases uterine blood flow by compressing the aorta only.
Answer: B
Rationale: The enlarged uterus can compress the inferior vena cava when the
client lies supine, reducing venous return and potentially decreasing cardiac
output and uteroplacental perfusion.
8. Which position should the nurse recommend for a pregnant client
experiencing dizziness while lying on her back?
, A. Prone
B. Left lateral
C. High-Fowler's
D. Lithotomy
Answer: B
Rationale: Left lateral positioning reduces vena cava compression and improves
venous return and uteroplacental circulation.
9. A client asks which vaccine is generally recommended during pregnancy to
protect both the pregnant client and newborn.
A. Live varicella vaccine
B. MMR vaccine
C. Inactivated influenza vaccine
D. Live attenuated influenza vaccine
Answer: C
Rationale: Inactivated influenza vaccination is recommended during pregnancy.
Live vaccines such as MMR and varicella are generally avoided during pregnancy.
10. A pregnant client reports constipation. Which instruction is appropriate?
A. Decrease fluid intake.
B. Increase fiber and fluids.
C. Take stimulant laxatives routinely.
D. Avoid physical activity.
Answer: B
Rationale: Increased fiber, adequate fluids, and appropriate physical activity can
help prevent pregnancy-related constipation.
11. A client is 8 weeks pregnant and reports breast tenderness. Which response
should the nurse provide?
