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ATI RN Maternal Newborn Nursing
Edition 13.0 Practice Examination:
Comprehensive Maternal and Newborn
Nursing Exam Preparation
Description
This practice examination is designed to mirror the content domains
question format and difficulty level of the ATI RN Maternal Newborn
Nursing proctored assessment. It covers antepartum intrapartum
postpartum and newborn care including high risk pregnancy
complications fetal monitoring medication safety and family centered
care. Questions emphasize application level clinical decision making
prioritization and NCLEX style test taking strategies. Rationales
explain both correct and incorrect options to reinforce critical
thinking. This resource supports exam preparation and competency
development.
Section 1 Questions 1 to 50
1. A nurse is caring for a client at 38 weeks gestation who reports a
sudden gush of fluid from the vagina. Which action should the nurse
take first?
A. Check the fetal heart rate
B. Perform a sterile vaginal examination
C. Assess the color and amount of fluid
D. Notify the provider
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A. Check the fetal heart rate
The priority action when a client reports spontaneous rupture of
membranes is to assess the fetal heart rate for signs of umbilical cord
prolapse. A sudden gush of fluid can cause the cord to prolapse which
is an emergency. Vaginal examination comes after fetal assessment.
2. A nurse is assessing a client in labor who is 4 cm dilated 100
percent effaced and at zero station. The client reports intense pain
with contractions. Which phase of labor is this client experiencing?
A. Latent phase
B. Active phase
C. Transition phase
D. Second stage
B. Active phase
The active phase of the first stage of labor begins at 4 to 7 cm dilation
and is characterized by intense regular contractions. The latent phase
is 0 to 3 cm. Transition is 8 to 10 cm. Second stage begins at full
dilation.
3. A nurse is monitoring a fetal heart rate tracing and notes late
decelerations. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Increase the oxytocin infusion rate
B. Reposition the client to the left lateral position
C. Administer oxygen at 10 liters per minute
D. Notify the provider
B. Reposition the client to the left lateral position
Late decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency. The first
action is to reposition the client to the left lateral position to improve
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uterine perfusion. Oxygen and provider notification follow if the
pattern does not resolve.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who is 2 hours postpartum and has a
boggy uterus with heavy lochial flow. Which action should the nurse
take first?
A. Administer methylergonovine
B. Massage the fundus
C. Notify the provider
D. Insert an indwelling urinary catheter
B. Massage the fundus
A boggy uterus indicates uterine atony which is the leading cause of
postpartum hemorrhage. The first action is to massage the fundus to
stimulate uterine contraction. Medications and provider notification
follow if massage is ineffective.
5. A nurse is assessing a newborn at 1 minute after birth. The
newborn has a heart rate of 110 respiratory effort slow and irregular
some flexion of extremities grimace in response to suctioning and a
body that is pink with blue extremities. What is the Apgar score?
A. 4
B. 5
C. 6
D. 7
C. 6
Heart rate 110 equals 2 points. Slow irregular respirations equal 1
point. Some flexion equals 1 point. Grimace equals 1 point. Pink body
with blue extremities equals 1 point. Total equals 6.
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6. A nurse is caring for a client receiving magnesium sulfate for
preeclampsia. Which finding indicates magnesium toxicity?
A. Blood pressure of 138 over 88
B. Respiratory rate of 10 breaths per minute
C. Deep tendon reflexes of 2 plus
D. Urine output of 50 mL per hour
B. Respiratory rate of 10 breaths per minute
Magnesium sulfate toxicity manifests as respiratory depression with a
rate below 12 breaths per minute. Other signs include loss of deep
tendon reflexes and oliguria. The antidote is calcium gluconate.
7. A nurse is teaching a client about breastfeeding. Which statement
by the client indicates understanding?
A. I will feed my baby every 4 hours
B. I will feed my baby on demand at least 8 to 12 times per day
C. I will give my baby water between feedings
D. I will limit feeding time to 5 minutes per breast
B. I will feed my baby on demand at least 8 to 12 times per day
Newborns should be breastfed on demand at least 8 to 12 times per
day. Feeding every 4 hours is too infrequent. Water is not needed.
Feeding time should not be limited to 5 minutes.
8. A nurse is assessing a client at 36 weeks gestation who reports a
headache and visual changes. The client blood pressure is 162 over
104. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer acetaminophen
ATI RN Maternal Newborn Nursing
Edition 13.0 Practice Examination:
Comprehensive Maternal and Newborn
Nursing Exam Preparation
Description
This practice examination is designed to mirror the content domains
question format and difficulty level of the ATI RN Maternal Newborn
Nursing proctored assessment. It covers antepartum intrapartum
postpartum and newborn care including high risk pregnancy
complications fetal monitoring medication safety and family centered
care. Questions emphasize application level clinical decision making
prioritization and NCLEX style test taking strategies. Rationales
explain both correct and incorrect options to reinforce critical
thinking. This resource supports exam preparation and competency
development.
Section 1 Questions 1 to 50
1. A nurse is caring for a client at 38 weeks gestation who reports a
sudden gush of fluid from the vagina. Which action should the nurse
take first?
A. Check the fetal heart rate
B. Perform a sterile vaginal examination
C. Assess the color and amount of fluid
D. Notify the provider
, Page |2
A. Check the fetal heart rate
The priority action when a client reports spontaneous rupture of
membranes is to assess the fetal heart rate for signs of umbilical cord
prolapse. A sudden gush of fluid can cause the cord to prolapse which
is an emergency. Vaginal examination comes after fetal assessment.
2. A nurse is assessing a client in labor who is 4 cm dilated 100
percent effaced and at zero station. The client reports intense pain
with contractions. Which phase of labor is this client experiencing?
A. Latent phase
B. Active phase
C. Transition phase
D. Second stage
B. Active phase
The active phase of the first stage of labor begins at 4 to 7 cm dilation
and is characterized by intense regular contractions. The latent phase
is 0 to 3 cm. Transition is 8 to 10 cm. Second stage begins at full
dilation.
3. A nurse is monitoring a fetal heart rate tracing and notes late
decelerations. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Increase the oxytocin infusion rate
B. Reposition the client to the left lateral position
C. Administer oxygen at 10 liters per minute
D. Notify the provider
B. Reposition the client to the left lateral position
Late decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency. The first
action is to reposition the client to the left lateral position to improve
, Page |3
uterine perfusion. Oxygen and provider notification follow if the
pattern does not resolve.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who is 2 hours postpartum and has a
boggy uterus with heavy lochial flow. Which action should the nurse
take first?
A. Administer methylergonovine
B. Massage the fundus
C. Notify the provider
D. Insert an indwelling urinary catheter
B. Massage the fundus
A boggy uterus indicates uterine atony which is the leading cause of
postpartum hemorrhage. The first action is to massage the fundus to
stimulate uterine contraction. Medications and provider notification
follow if massage is ineffective.
5. A nurse is assessing a newborn at 1 minute after birth. The
newborn has a heart rate of 110 respiratory effort slow and irregular
some flexion of extremities grimace in response to suctioning and a
body that is pink with blue extremities. What is the Apgar score?
A. 4
B. 5
C. 6
D. 7
C. 6
Heart rate 110 equals 2 points. Slow irregular respirations equal 1
point. Some flexion equals 1 point. Grimace equals 1 point. Pink body
with blue extremities equals 1 point. Total equals 6.
, Page |4
6. A nurse is caring for a client receiving magnesium sulfate for
preeclampsia. Which finding indicates magnesium toxicity?
A. Blood pressure of 138 over 88
B. Respiratory rate of 10 breaths per minute
C. Deep tendon reflexes of 2 plus
D. Urine output of 50 mL per hour
B. Respiratory rate of 10 breaths per minute
Magnesium sulfate toxicity manifests as respiratory depression with a
rate below 12 breaths per minute. Other signs include loss of deep
tendon reflexes and oliguria. The antidote is calcium gluconate.
7. A nurse is teaching a client about breastfeeding. Which statement
by the client indicates understanding?
A. I will feed my baby every 4 hours
B. I will feed my baby on demand at least 8 to 12 times per day
C. I will give my baby water between feedings
D. I will limit feeding time to 5 minutes per breast
B. I will feed my baby on demand at least 8 to 12 times per day
Newborns should be breastfed on demand at least 8 to 12 times per
day. Feeding every 4 hours is too infrequent. Water is not needed.
Feeding time should not be limited to 5 minutes.
8. A nurse is assessing a client at 36 weeks gestation who reports a
headache and visual changes. The client blood pressure is 162 over
104. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer acetaminophen
