ATI CAPSTONE MATERNAL NEWBORN
ASSESSMENT 2026/2027 | ATI NURSING |
EXPERT VERIFIED | 150 QUESTIONS &
COMPLETE RATIONALES | PASS
GUARANTEED - A+ GRADED
CORE DOMAINS
• Antepartum Care and Complications
• Intrapartum Nursing and Fetal Monitoring
• Postpartum Assessment and Complications
• Newborn Transition and Assessment
• Newborn Medications and Procedures
• Breastfeeding and Newborn Nutrition
• High-Risk Pregnancy and Maternal-Fetal Safety
• Pharmacological Interventions in Obstetrics
• Patient Education and Discharge Planning
• Ethical, Legal, and Cultural Considerations
INTRODUCTION
This comprehensive assessment evaluates the clinical judgment and
nursing knowledge required for safe maternal-newborn practice. It
covers antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum, and neonatal care
across normal and high-risk scenarios. The examination includes
multiple-choice and scenario-based questions that emphasize real-
,world application, prioritization, and evidence-based decision-
making. Mastery demonstrates readiness for entry-level maternal-
newborn nursing practice and the ability to recognize and respond to
emergent maternal and neonatal conditions.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–150
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 speculum examination
B. Check the fetal heart rate
C. Assess the fluid for ferning
D. Obtain a maternal temperature
B. Check the fetal heart rate
RATIONALE: When rupture of membranes is suspected, the
priority is to assess fetal well-being by checking the fetal heart rate.
This identifies cord prolapse or fetal distress before proceeding with
further diagnostic testing. Sterile speculum examination and
ferning are appropriate but not the first action.
2. A client at 32 weeks gestation is receiving magnesium
sulfate for preeclampsia. Which finding requires immediate
intervention?
A. Blood pressure 138/88 mm Hg
B. Respiratory rate of 11 breaths/min
C. Deep tendon reflexes 2+
D. Urine output of 40 mL/hr
, B. Respiratory rate of 11 breaths/min
RATIONALE: A respiratory rate below 12 breaths/min indicates
magnesium toxicity and requires immediate intervention, including
stopping the infusion and notifying the provider. Magnesium
sulfate depresses the central nervous system, and respiratory
depression is a life-threatening sign.
3. A nurse is caring for a client in the first stage of labor. The
client's cervix is dilated to 4 cm and contractions are every 3
minutes. Which phase of labor is the client in?
A. Latent phase
B. Active phase
C. Transition phase
D. Second stage
B. Active phase
RATIONALE: The active phase of the first stage of labor begins
at 4–6 cm dilation and is characterized by regular contractions every
2–5 minutes. The latent phase is 0–3 cm, and the transition phase is
8–10 cm.
4. A nurse is performing a newborn assessment 1 minute after
birth. The newborn has a heart rate of 110, a slow cry, some
flexion of extremities, a grimace with stimulation, and a pink
body with blue extremities. What is the Apgar score?
A. 5
B. 6
, C. 7
D. 8
B. 6
RATIONALE: Heart rate 110 = 2, slow cry = 1, some flexion = 1,
grimace = 1, pink body with blue extremities = 1. Total = 6.
5. A postpartum client is 2 hours post-vaginal delivery and has
a boggy uterus with heavy bleeding. Which action should the
nurse take first?
A. Notify the provider
B. Perform fundal massage
C. Administer methylergonovine
D. Insert an indwelling urinary catheter
B. Perform fundal massage
RATIONALE: A boggy uterus with heavy bleeding indicates
uterine atony. The first intervention is fundal massage to stimulate
uterine contraction. If unsuccessful, medications and provider
notification follow.
6. A nurse is teaching a pregnant client about folic acid
supplementation. Which statement by the client indicates
understanding?
A. "I should take 400 mcg daily before and during early pregnancy."
B. "I only need folic acid after the first trimester."
C. "Folic acid prevents all birth defects."
D. "I should take 10,000 mcg daily."
ASSESSMENT 2026/2027 | ATI NURSING |
EXPERT VERIFIED | 150 QUESTIONS &
COMPLETE RATIONALES | PASS
GUARANTEED - A+ GRADED
CORE DOMAINS
• Antepartum Care and Complications
• Intrapartum Nursing and Fetal Monitoring
• Postpartum Assessment and Complications
• Newborn Transition and Assessment
• Newborn Medications and Procedures
• Breastfeeding and Newborn Nutrition
• High-Risk Pregnancy and Maternal-Fetal Safety
• Pharmacological Interventions in Obstetrics
• Patient Education and Discharge Planning
• Ethical, Legal, and Cultural Considerations
INTRODUCTION
This comprehensive assessment evaluates the clinical judgment and
nursing knowledge required for safe maternal-newborn practice. It
covers antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum, and neonatal care
across normal and high-risk scenarios. The examination includes
multiple-choice and scenario-based questions that emphasize real-
,world application, prioritization, and evidence-based decision-
making. Mastery demonstrates readiness for entry-level maternal-
newborn nursing practice and the ability to recognize and respond to
emergent maternal and neonatal conditions.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–150
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 speculum examination
B. Check the fetal heart rate
C. Assess the fluid for ferning
D. Obtain a maternal temperature
B. Check the fetal heart rate
RATIONALE: When rupture of membranes is suspected, the
priority is to assess fetal well-being by checking the fetal heart rate.
This identifies cord prolapse or fetal distress before proceeding with
further diagnostic testing. Sterile speculum examination and
ferning are appropriate but not the first action.
2. A client at 32 weeks gestation is receiving magnesium
sulfate for preeclampsia. Which finding requires immediate
intervention?
A. Blood pressure 138/88 mm Hg
B. Respiratory rate of 11 breaths/min
C. Deep tendon reflexes 2+
D. Urine output of 40 mL/hr
, B. Respiratory rate of 11 breaths/min
RATIONALE: A respiratory rate below 12 breaths/min indicates
magnesium toxicity and requires immediate intervention, including
stopping the infusion and notifying the provider. Magnesium
sulfate depresses the central nervous system, and respiratory
depression is a life-threatening sign.
3. A nurse is caring for a client in the first stage of labor. The
client's cervix is dilated to 4 cm and contractions are every 3
minutes. Which phase of labor is the client in?
A. Latent phase
B. Active phase
C. Transition phase
D. Second stage
B. Active phase
RATIONALE: The active phase of the first stage of labor begins
at 4–6 cm dilation and is characterized by regular contractions every
2–5 minutes. The latent phase is 0–3 cm, and the transition phase is
8–10 cm.
4. A nurse is performing a newborn assessment 1 minute after
birth. The newborn has a heart rate of 110, a slow cry, some
flexion of extremities, a grimace with stimulation, and a pink
body with blue extremities. What is the Apgar score?
A. 5
B. 6
, C. 7
D. 8
B. 6
RATIONALE: Heart rate 110 = 2, slow cry = 1, some flexion = 1,
grimace = 1, pink body with blue extremities = 1. Total = 6.
5. A postpartum client is 2 hours post-vaginal delivery and has
a boggy uterus with heavy bleeding. Which action should the
nurse take first?
A. Notify the provider
B. Perform fundal massage
C. Administer methylergonovine
D. Insert an indwelling urinary catheter
B. Perform fundal massage
RATIONALE: A boggy uterus with heavy bleeding indicates
uterine atony. The first intervention is fundal massage to stimulate
uterine contraction. If unsuccessful, medications and provider
notification follow.
6. A nurse is teaching a pregnant client about folic acid
supplementation. Which statement by the client indicates
understanding?
A. "I should take 400 mcg daily before and during early pregnancy."
B. "I only need folic acid after the first trimester."
C. "Folic acid prevents all birth defects."
D. "I should take 10,000 mcg daily."
