ATI RN Maternal Newborn 2026/2027 |
Edition 13.0 Study Guide, Practice Questions
& Answers | ATI Maternal Newborn Exam
Prep & Content Mastery Series
ATI RN MATERNAL NEWBORN 2026/2027 | EDITION 13.0
EXAM PREPARATION STUDY GUIDE
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
• Comprehensive question bank designed to assess mastery across all ATI Maternal
Newborn exam domains including antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum, and
newborn nursing care with emphasis on high-risk conditions, pharmacology, and
clinical decision-making.
• Study this material by working through questions systematically across each topic
area, focusing on detailed rationales to strengthen understanding of
pathophysiology, nursing interventions, and evidence-based practice standards for
maternal-newborn populations.
QUESTION 1
A primigravida client at 28 weeks gestation presents with a blood pressure of
165/110 mmHg, proteinuria of 3+, and complaints of headache and visual
disturbances. Which of the following is the priority nursing intervention?
A) Administer magnesium sulfate as prescribed
B) Encourage ambulation to reduce stress
C) Position client supine for fetal assessment
D) Apply a cool compress to the forehead
E) Provide dietary counseling on sodium restriction
A) Administer magnesium sulfate as prescribed
RATIONALE: The client is presenting with clinical indicators of severe preeclampsia
(elevated BP, significant proteinuria, neurological symptoms). Magnesium sulfate is
,the gold standard medication for seizure prophylaxis in preeclampsia/eclampsia
and is the priority intervention to prevent progression to eclampsia. While other
interventions may be appropriate, preventing seizure activity takes precedence.
Avoiding supine positioning and encouraging rest are also important, but the
pharmacological intervention is the immediate priority.
QUESTION 2
A client in the second trimester is diagnosed with gestational diabetes. She
asks the nurse what this means for her pregnancy. Which statement by the
nurse is most accurate?
A) You will require insulin injections for the remainder of your pregnancy
B) This condition develops due to insufficient pancreatic function prior to
pregnancy
C) Blood glucose levels typically return to normal after delivery
D) You must immediately eliminate all carbohydrates from your diet
E) This condition always results in a diabetic infant
C) Blood glucose levels typically return to normal after delivery
RATIONALE: Gestational diabetes is a temporary state of glucose intolerance that
develops during pregnancy due to hormonal changes and typically resolves
postpartum. While some women may require insulin during pregnancy for blood
glucose management, many can be managed through diet and exercise. The
condition is NOT caused by pre-existing pancreatic dysfunction, and not all infants
of gestational diabetic mothers develop diabetes. Carbohydrate elimination is not
appropriate; rather, carbohydrate counting and quality selection are emphasized.
QUESTION 3
During a prenatal visit, a client reports using cocaine occasionally during the
first trimester before learning she was pregnant. She expresses concern
,about fetal effects. Which of the following responses by the nurse is most
therapeutic?
A) Cocaine use in the first trimester always results in fetal abnormalities
B) Continued use throughout pregnancy should be monitored closely
C) We will monitor your pregnancy closely and discuss safe practices going forward
D) You should terminate the pregnancy to prevent complications
E) First trimester cocaine exposure has no significant fetal effects
C) We will monitor your pregnancy closely and discuss safe practices going
forward
RATIONALE: This response is therapeutic, non-judgmental, and focuses on current
management. Cocaine use is teratogenic and associated with placental abruption,
preterm labor, and fetal growth restriction, but exposure limited to early first
trimester before organogenesis is largely complete may have minimal effects. The
nurse should not condone continued use, recommend termination, or minimize
actual risks. Support and close monitoring are appropriate nursing responses that
maintain therapeutic alliance while promoting maternal and fetal safety.
QUESTION 4
A client at 20 weeks gestation presents with vaginal bleeding and severe
abdominal pain. Ultrasound confirms an ectopic pregnancy in the left
fallopian tube. The client is hemodynamically stable and hCG is 6,500 mIU/mL.
Which treatment option would the nurse anticipate?
A) Immediate surgical intervention with salpingectomy
B) Methotrexate administration as medical management
C) Expectant management with serial monitoring
D) Dilation and curettage procedure
E) Progesterone supplementation to maintain pregnancy
, B) Methotrexate administration as medical management
RATIONALE: For hemodynamically stable clients with unruptured ectopic
pregnancies and hCG levels typically below 5,000 (though up to 10,000 can be
considered), methotrexate is an effective medical management option. This single-
dose or multiple-dose regimen stops cell division and allows the body to reabsorb
pregnancy tissue. Surgical intervention is reserved for hemodynamic instability or
rupture. Expectant management can be used in select cases but requires strict
follow-up. An ectopic pregnancy cannot continue and cannot be managed with
progesterone or D&C.
QUESTION 5
A client in the third trimester is found to have a placenta previa. Which of the
following client instructions is most important?
A) Report any vaginal bleeding immediately
B) Perform daily kick counts
C) Avoid sexual intercourse
D) Increase fluid intake to 3 liters daily
E) Begin pelvic floor exercises immediately
A) Report any vaginal bleeding immediately
RATIONALE: Placenta previa creates risk for hemorrhage, and any vaginal bleeding
is a potential emergency requiring immediate evaluation. While kick counts, fluid
intake, and sexual restriction may be discussed, the most critical instruction is to
report bleeding immediately. Pelvic floor exercises are not specifically indicated for
placenta previa. The client should be counseled on bed rest as needed, avoidance
of sexual intercourse, and strict adherence to follow-up appointments.
QUESTION 6
Edition 13.0 Study Guide, Practice Questions
& Answers | ATI Maternal Newborn Exam
Prep & Content Mastery Series
ATI RN MATERNAL NEWBORN 2026/2027 | EDITION 13.0
EXAM PREPARATION STUDY GUIDE
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
• Comprehensive question bank designed to assess mastery across all ATI Maternal
Newborn exam domains including antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum, and
newborn nursing care with emphasis on high-risk conditions, pharmacology, and
clinical decision-making.
• Study this material by working through questions systematically across each topic
area, focusing on detailed rationales to strengthen understanding of
pathophysiology, nursing interventions, and evidence-based practice standards for
maternal-newborn populations.
QUESTION 1
A primigravida client at 28 weeks gestation presents with a blood pressure of
165/110 mmHg, proteinuria of 3+, and complaints of headache and visual
disturbances. Which of the following is the priority nursing intervention?
A) Administer magnesium sulfate as prescribed
B) Encourage ambulation to reduce stress
C) Position client supine for fetal assessment
D) Apply a cool compress to the forehead
E) Provide dietary counseling on sodium restriction
A) Administer magnesium sulfate as prescribed
RATIONALE: The client is presenting with clinical indicators of severe preeclampsia
(elevated BP, significant proteinuria, neurological symptoms). Magnesium sulfate is
,the gold standard medication for seizure prophylaxis in preeclampsia/eclampsia
and is the priority intervention to prevent progression to eclampsia. While other
interventions may be appropriate, preventing seizure activity takes precedence.
Avoiding supine positioning and encouraging rest are also important, but the
pharmacological intervention is the immediate priority.
QUESTION 2
A client in the second trimester is diagnosed with gestational diabetes. She
asks the nurse what this means for her pregnancy. Which statement by the
nurse is most accurate?
A) You will require insulin injections for the remainder of your pregnancy
B) This condition develops due to insufficient pancreatic function prior to
pregnancy
C) Blood glucose levels typically return to normal after delivery
D) You must immediately eliminate all carbohydrates from your diet
E) This condition always results in a diabetic infant
C) Blood glucose levels typically return to normal after delivery
RATIONALE: Gestational diabetes is a temporary state of glucose intolerance that
develops during pregnancy due to hormonal changes and typically resolves
postpartum. While some women may require insulin during pregnancy for blood
glucose management, many can be managed through diet and exercise. The
condition is NOT caused by pre-existing pancreatic dysfunction, and not all infants
of gestational diabetic mothers develop diabetes. Carbohydrate elimination is not
appropriate; rather, carbohydrate counting and quality selection are emphasized.
QUESTION 3
During a prenatal visit, a client reports using cocaine occasionally during the
first trimester before learning she was pregnant. She expresses concern
,about fetal effects. Which of the following responses by the nurse is most
therapeutic?
A) Cocaine use in the first trimester always results in fetal abnormalities
B) Continued use throughout pregnancy should be monitored closely
C) We will monitor your pregnancy closely and discuss safe practices going forward
D) You should terminate the pregnancy to prevent complications
E) First trimester cocaine exposure has no significant fetal effects
C) We will monitor your pregnancy closely and discuss safe practices going
forward
RATIONALE: This response is therapeutic, non-judgmental, and focuses on current
management. Cocaine use is teratogenic and associated with placental abruption,
preterm labor, and fetal growth restriction, but exposure limited to early first
trimester before organogenesis is largely complete may have minimal effects. The
nurse should not condone continued use, recommend termination, or minimize
actual risks. Support and close monitoring are appropriate nursing responses that
maintain therapeutic alliance while promoting maternal and fetal safety.
QUESTION 4
A client at 20 weeks gestation presents with vaginal bleeding and severe
abdominal pain. Ultrasound confirms an ectopic pregnancy in the left
fallopian tube. The client is hemodynamically stable and hCG is 6,500 mIU/mL.
Which treatment option would the nurse anticipate?
A) Immediate surgical intervention with salpingectomy
B) Methotrexate administration as medical management
C) Expectant management with serial monitoring
D) Dilation and curettage procedure
E) Progesterone supplementation to maintain pregnancy
, B) Methotrexate administration as medical management
RATIONALE: For hemodynamically stable clients with unruptured ectopic
pregnancies and hCG levels typically below 5,000 (though up to 10,000 can be
considered), methotrexate is an effective medical management option. This single-
dose or multiple-dose regimen stops cell division and allows the body to reabsorb
pregnancy tissue. Surgical intervention is reserved for hemodynamic instability or
rupture. Expectant management can be used in select cases but requires strict
follow-up. An ectopic pregnancy cannot continue and cannot be managed with
progesterone or D&C.
QUESTION 5
A client in the third trimester is found to have a placenta previa. Which of the
following client instructions is most important?
A) Report any vaginal bleeding immediately
B) Perform daily kick counts
C) Avoid sexual intercourse
D) Increase fluid intake to 3 liters daily
E) Begin pelvic floor exercises immediately
A) Report any vaginal bleeding immediately
RATIONALE: Placenta previa creates risk for hemorrhage, and any vaginal bleeding
is a potential emergency requiring immediate evaluation. While kick counts, fluid
intake, and sexual restriction may be discussed, the most critical instruction is to
report bleeding immediately. Pelvic floor exercises are not specifically indicated for
placenta previa. The client should be counseled on bed rest as needed, avoidance
of sexual intercourse, and strict adherence to follow-up appointments.
QUESTION 6
