ATI RN Maternal Newborn Proctored Exam 2026 Updated Practice Questions &
Verified Answers with Rationales
1. A nurse is providing preconception teaching to a client who is planning to
become pregnant. The client has a body mass index (BMI) of 31. Which of the
following should the nurse recommend?
A) Weight loss before conception
B) Weight gain of 25-35 lbs during pregnancy
C) High-protein, low-carbohydrate diet
D) No dietary changes needed
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A BMI of 31 is obese. Weight loss before pregnancy is recommended
to reduce risks of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, macrosomia, and cesarean
birth. Recommended weight gain for obese women is 11-20 lbs (not 25-35). A
balanced diet is recommended.
,2. A nurse is assessing a client at 12 weeks gestation. Which of the following
findings is a probable sign of pregnancy?
A) Nausea and vomiting
B) Positive pregnancy test
C) Fetal heart tones heard by Doppler
D) Quickening
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Probable signs are objective findings detected by an examiner. Fetal
heart tones detected by Doppler (usually by 10-12 weeks) are a probable sign.
Positive pregnancy test is also a probable sign, but fetal heart tones are more
definitive at 12 weeks. Nausea and quickening are presumptive signs.
,3. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who is 8 weeks pregnant about the
physiological changes of pregnancy. Which of the following statements should
the nurse include?
A) "Your heart rate will decrease during pregnancy."
B) "Your blood pressure will increase in the second trimester."
C) "Your blood volume will increase by 40-50% by the end of pregnancy."
D) "Your respiratory rate will increase significantly."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Maternal blood volume increases by 40-50% to support placental
perfusion and fetal growth. Heart rate increases by 10-20 bpm. Blood pressure
typically decreases in the second trimester. Respiratory rate may slightly increase
but not significantly.
, 4. A nurse is caring for a client at 32 weeks gestation who has a diagnosis of
preeclampsia. The client's blood pressure is 158/98 mm Hg, and she has 2+
protein in her urine. Which of the following medications should the nurse
anticipate administering to prevent seizures?
A) Nifedipine
B) Labetalol
C) Magnesium sulfate
D) Hydralazine
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Magnesium sulfate is the medication of choice for seizure prophylaxis
in preeclampsia. Nifedipine, labetalol, and hydralazine are antihypertensives used
to lower blood pressure but do not prevent seizures.
Verified Answers with Rationales
1. A nurse is providing preconception teaching to a client who is planning to
become pregnant. The client has a body mass index (BMI) of 31. Which of the
following should the nurse recommend?
A) Weight loss before conception
B) Weight gain of 25-35 lbs during pregnancy
C) High-protein, low-carbohydrate diet
D) No dietary changes needed
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A BMI of 31 is obese. Weight loss before pregnancy is recommended
to reduce risks of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, macrosomia, and cesarean
birth. Recommended weight gain for obese women is 11-20 lbs (not 25-35). A
balanced diet is recommended.
,2. A nurse is assessing a client at 12 weeks gestation. Which of the following
findings is a probable sign of pregnancy?
A) Nausea and vomiting
B) Positive pregnancy test
C) Fetal heart tones heard by Doppler
D) Quickening
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Probable signs are objective findings detected by an examiner. Fetal
heart tones detected by Doppler (usually by 10-12 weeks) are a probable sign.
Positive pregnancy test is also a probable sign, but fetal heart tones are more
definitive at 12 weeks. Nausea and quickening are presumptive signs.
,3. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who is 8 weeks pregnant about the
physiological changes of pregnancy. Which of the following statements should
the nurse include?
A) "Your heart rate will decrease during pregnancy."
B) "Your blood pressure will increase in the second trimester."
C) "Your blood volume will increase by 40-50% by the end of pregnancy."
D) "Your respiratory rate will increase significantly."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Maternal blood volume increases by 40-50% to support placental
perfusion and fetal growth. Heart rate increases by 10-20 bpm. Blood pressure
typically decreases in the second trimester. Respiratory rate may slightly increase
but not significantly.
, 4. A nurse is caring for a client at 32 weeks gestation who has a diagnosis of
preeclampsia. The client's blood pressure is 158/98 mm Hg, and she has 2+
protein in her urine. Which of the following medications should the nurse
anticipate administering to prevent seizures?
A) Nifedipine
B) Labetalol
C) Magnesium sulfate
D) Hydralazine
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Magnesium sulfate is the medication of choice for seizure prophylaxis
in preeclampsia. Nifedipine, labetalol, and hydralazine are antihypertensives used
to lower blood pressure but do not prevent seizures.
