ATI Maternal Newborn Labor & Delivery Stages Study Guide 2026
|Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is caring for a client in the latent phase of the first stage of labor.
Which cervical dilation measurement should the nurse expect?
A. 0 to 3 cm
B. 4 to 7 cm
C. 8 to 10 cm
D. Full dilation at 10 cm
Answer: A
Rationale: The latent phase of the first stage of labor is characterized by cervical dilation of
0 to 3 cm.
2. During the active phase of the first stage of labor, what is the typical range of
cervical dilation?
A. 1 to 2 cm
B. 4 to 7 cm
C. 8 to 10 cm
D. 3 to 5 cm
Answer: B
Rationale: The active phase involves cervical dilation from 4 to 7 cm, with contractions
becoming more regular and intense.
,3. A client reports a strong urge to push and is experiencing rectal pressure. The
nurse notes the cervix is 9 cm dilated. Which phase of labor is the client in?
A. Latent phase
B. Active phase
C. Second stage
D. Transition phase
Answer: D
Rationale: The transition phase occurs when the cervix dilates from 8 to 10 cm, often
accompanied by intense pressure and an urge to push.
4. How is the second stage of labor defined?
A. From the onset of labor to full dilation
B. From the birth of the newborn to delivery of the placenta
C. From full dilation to the birth of the newborn
D. The first two hours after placental delivery
Answer: C
Rationale: The second stage of labor begins with full cervical dilation (10 cm) and ends
with the birth of the baby.
5. What primary event occurs during the third stage of labor?
A. Fetal descent into the pelvis
B. Dilation of the cervix to 10 cm
C. Recovery and fundal stabilization
D. Delivery of the placenta
Answer: D
Rationale: The third stage of labor is the period between the birth of the newborn and the
delivery of the placenta.
, 6. A nurse is assessing a client in the fourth stage of labor. What is the priority
nursing intervention during this time?
A. Assessing for uterine atony and hemorrhage
B. Encouraging the client to push
C. Monitoring the frequency of contractions
D. Performing a Nitrazine test
Answer: A
Rationale: The fourth stage is the recovery period (1-2 hours post-delivery), where the
primary risk is postpartum hemorrhage due to uterine atony.
7. The nurse observes a sudden gush of dark blood from the vagina and the
umbilical cord lengthening. What does this indicate?
A. Impending delivery of the placenta
B. Uterine rupture
C. Placental abruption
D. Cervical laceration
Answer: A
Rationale: Signs of placental separation include a sudden gush of blood, lengthening of the
cord, and the uterus rising and becoming firm.
8. During the active phase of labor, how often should the nurse typically
monitor the fetal heart rate (FHR) in a low-risk client?
A. Every 5 minutes
B. Only during the transition phase
C. Every 60 minutes
D. Every 15 to 30 minutes
Answer: D
Rationale: In the active phase, the FHR is usually monitored every 15 to 30 minutes for
low-risk clients, or more frequently if complications exist.
|Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is caring for a client in the latent phase of the first stage of labor.
Which cervical dilation measurement should the nurse expect?
A. 0 to 3 cm
B. 4 to 7 cm
C. 8 to 10 cm
D. Full dilation at 10 cm
Answer: A
Rationale: The latent phase of the first stage of labor is characterized by cervical dilation of
0 to 3 cm.
2. During the active phase of the first stage of labor, what is the typical range of
cervical dilation?
A. 1 to 2 cm
B. 4 to 7 cm
C. 8 to 10 cm
D. 3 to 5 cm
Answer: B
Rationale: The active phase involves cervical dilation from 4 to 7 cm, with contractions
becoming more regular and intense.
,3. A client reports a strong urge to push and is experiencing rectal pressure. The
nurse notes the cervix is 9 cm dilated. Which phase of labor is the client in?
A. Latent phase
B. Active phase
C. Second stage
D. Transition phase
Answer: D
Rationale: The transition phase occurs when the cervix dilates from 8 to 10 cm, often
accompanied by intense pressure and an urge to push.
4. How is the second stage of labor defined?
A. From the onset of labor to full dilation
B. From the birth of the newborn to delivery of the placenta
C. From full dilation to the birth of the newborn
D. The first two hours after placental delivery
Answer: C
Rationale: The second stage of labor begins with full cervical dilation (10 cm) and ends
with the birth of the baby.
5. What primary event occurs during the third stage of labor?
A. Fetal descent into the pelvis
B. Dilation of the cervix to 10 cm
C. Recovery and fundal stabilization
D. Delivery of the placenta
Answer: D
Rationale: The third stage of labor is the period between the birth of the newborn and the
delivery of the placenta.
, 6. A nurse is assessing a client in the fourth stage of labor. What is the priority
nursing intervention during this time?
A. Assessing for uterine atony and hemorrhage
B. Encouraging the client to push
C. Monitoring the frequency of contractions
D. Performing a Nitrazine test
Answer: A
Rationale: The fourth stage is the recovery period (1-2 hours post-delivery), where the
primary risk is postpartum hemorrhage due to uterine atony.
7. The nurse observes a sudden gush of dark blood from the vagina and the
umbilical cord lengthening. What does this indicate?
A. Impending delivery of the placenta
B. Uterine rupture
C. Placental abruption
D. Cervical laceration
Answer: A
Rationale: Signs of placental separation include a sudden gush of blood, lengthening of the
cord, and the uterus rising and becoming firm.
8. During the active phase of labor, how often should the nurse typically
monitor the fetal heart rate (FHR) in a low-risk client?
A. Every 5 minutes
B. Only during the transition phase
C. Every 60 minutes
D. Every 15 to 30 minutes
Answer: D
Rationale: In the active phase, the FHR is usually monitored every 15 to 30 minutes for
low-risk clients, or more frequently if complications exist.
