Maternal Newborn Nursing: ATI-Style Practice Questions
1–10: Antepartum Care
1. A nurse is providing prenatal teaching to a client in the first trimester. Which of the following
statements by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A. “I will avoid hot tubs during pregnancy.”
B. “I will take 600 mcg of folic acid daily.”
C. “I should increase my calcium intake.”
D. “I can continue drinking a glass of wine with dinner.”
Answer: D
Rationale: Alcohol should be avoided entirely during pregnancy due to the risk of fetal alcohol
syndrome.
2. A client at 28 weeks gestation reports dizziness and lightheadedness when lying on her back.
What is the appropriate nursing action?
A. Encourage her to drink water
B. Turn her to a side-lying position
C. Administer oxygen
D. Check her reflexes
Answer: B
Rationale: Supine hypotensive syndrome is relieved by turning the client to her left side.
3. Which of the following lab findings should the nurse report for a pregnant client at 28 weeks?
A. Hemoglobin 11.0 g/dL
B. Platelets 250,000/mm³
C. WBC 16,000/mm³
D. Glucose 170 mg/dL after 1-hour glucose tolerance test
Answer: D
Rationale: A 1-hour glucose tolerance test result ≥140 mg/dL is abnormal and requires a 3-hour
GTT.
4. A pregnant client is Rh-negative and has just had an amniocentesis. Which of the following
medications should the nurse anticipate administering?
A. Rubella vaccine
B. Rho(D) immune globulin
C. Oxytocin
D. Magnesium sulfate
, Answer: B
Rationale: Rho(D) immune globulin is given to Rh-negative clients after procedures that may
cause fetal blood to mix with maternal blood.
5. A nurse is caring for a client at 10 weeks gestation with severe nausea and vomiting. Which of
the following findings indicates hyperemesis gravidarum?
A. Weight loss of 1 lb
B. Urine ketones present
C. Normal electrolytes
D. BP 120/80 mmHg
Answer: B
Rationale: Presence of ketones indicates significant dehydration and malnutrition, a hallmark of
hyperemesis.
6. A nurse is teaching a client with gestational hypertension about warning signs of
preeclampsia. Which should she report immediately?
A. Headache
B. Fatigue
C. Increased fetal movement
D. Nausea
Answer: A
Rationale: Persistent headache is a sign of worsening preeclampsia and should be reported.
7. At 36 weeks gestation, which fetal position is ideal for birth?
A. Breech
B. Occiput anterior
C. Transverse
D. Shoulder
Answer: B
Rationale: Occiput anterior is the optimal fetal position for vaginal birth.
8. A nurse assesses a client with placenta previa. What is an expected finding?
A. Painful vaginal bleeding
B. Rigid abdomen
C. Painless vaginal bleeding
D. Absent fetal heart tones
Answer: C
Rationale: Placenta previa presents with painless vaginal bleeding in the third trimester.
9. Which of the following is a contraindication for using internal fetal monitoring?
A. Cervix dilated to 4 cm
B. HIV-positive client
, C. Occasional variable decelerations
D. Active labor
Answer: B
Rationale: Internal monitoring is contraindicated in clients with active infections like HIV due
to risk of transmission.
10. A nurse is providing dietary teaching to a pregnant client with iron-deficiency anemia. Which
food should the nurse recommend?
A. Milk
B. Leafy greens
C. Applesauce
D. Orange juice only
Answer: B
Rationale: Leafy greens are rich in iron; vitamin C (like orange juice) helps absorb iron but
doesn't contain iron.
11–20: Intrapartum Care
11. A laboring client reports pressure and an urge to push. What should the nurse do first?
A. Encourage pushing
B. Check the cervix
C. Call the provider
D. Offer pain relief
Answer: B
Rationale: Cervical assessment is necessary to confirm complete dilation before pushing.
12. Which fetal heart pattern indicates late decelerations?
A. Drop in FHR before a contraction
B. Drop in FHR at the peak of a contraction
C. Drop after contraction begins and returns after it ends
D. Variable drop unrelated to contractions
Answer: C
Rationale: Late decelerations suggest uteroplacental insufficiency and require intervention.
13. What is the priority action for a cord prolapse?
A. Administer oxygen
B. Reposition the client
C. Prepare for cesarean
D. Elevate presenting part off cord
1–10: Antepartum Care
1. A nurse is providing prenatal teaching to a client in the first trimester. Which of the following
statements by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A. “I will avoid hot tubs during pregnancy.”
B. “I will take 600 mcg of folic acid daily.”
C. “I should increase my calcium intake.”
D. “I can continue drinking a glass of wine with dinner.”
Answer: D
Rationale: Alcohol should be avoided entirely during pregnancy due to the risk of fetal alcohol
syndrome.
2. A client at 28 weeks gestation reports dizziness and lightheadedness when lying on her back.
What is the appropriate nursing action?
A. Encourage her to drink water
B. Turn her to a side-lying position
C. Administer oxygen
D. Check her reflexes
Answer: B
Rationale: Supine hypotensive syndrome is relieved by turning the client to her left side.
3. Which of the following lab findings should the nurse report for a pregnant client at 28 weeks?
A. Hemoglobin 11.0 g/dL
B. Platelets 250,000/mm³
C. WBC 16,000/mm³
D. Glucose 170 mg/dL after 1-hour glucose tolerance test
Answer: D
Rationale: A 1-hour glucose tolerance test result ≥140 mg/dL is abnormal and requires a 3-hour
GTT.
4. A pregnant client is Rh-negative and has just had an amniocentesis. Which of the following
medications should the nurse anticipate administering?
A. Rubella vaccine
B. Rho(D) immune globulin
C. Oxytocin
D. Magnesium sulfate
, Answer: B
Rationale: Rho(D) immune globulin is given to Rh-negative clients after procedures that may
cause fetal blood to mix with maternal blood.
5. A nurse is caring for a client at 10 weeks gestation with severe nausea and vomiting. Which of
the following findings indicates hyperemesis gravidarum?
A. Weight loss of 1 lb
B. Urine ketones present
C. Normal electrolytes
D. BP 120/80 mmHg
Answer: B
Rationale: Presence of ketones indicates significant dehydration and malnutrition, a hallmark of
hyperemesis.
6. A nurse is teaching a client with gestational hypertension about warning signs of
preeclampsia. Which should she report immediately?
A. Headache
B. Fatigue
C. Increased fetal movement
D. Nausea
Answer: A
Rationale: Persistent headache is a sign of worsening preeclampsia and should be reported.
7. At 36 weeks gestation, which fetal position is ideal for birth?
A. Breech
B. Occiput anterior
C. Transverse
D. Shoulder
Answer: B
Rationale: Occiput anterior is the optimal fetal position for vaginal birth.
8. A nurse assesses a client with placenta previa. What is an expected finding?
A. Painful vaginal bleeding
B. Rigid abdomen
C. Painless vaginal bleeding
D. Absent fetal heart tones
Answer: C
Rationale: Placenta previa presents with painless vaginal bleeding in the third trimester.
9. Which of the following is a contraindication for using internal fetal monitoring?
A. Cervix dilated to 4 cm
B. HIV-positive client
, C. Occasional variable decelerations
D. Active labor
Answer: B
Rationale: Internal monitoring is contraindicated in clients with active infections like HIV due
to risk of transmission.
10. A nurse is providing dietary teaching to a pregnant client with iron-deficiency anemia. Which
food should the nurse recommend?
A. Milk
B. Leafy greens
C. Applesauce
D. Orange juice only
Answer: B
Rationale: Leafy greens are rich in iron; vitamin C (like orange juice) helps absorb iron but
doesn't contain iron.
11–20: Intrapartum Care
11. A laboring client reports pressure and an urge to push. What should the nurse do first?
A. Encourage pushing
B. Check the cervix
C. Call the provider
D. Offer pain relief
Answer: B
Rationale: Cervical assessment is necessary to confirm complete dilation before pushing.
12. Which fetal heart pattern indicates late decelerations?
A. Drop in FHR before a contraction
B. Drop in FHR at the peak of a contraction
C. Drop after contraction begins and returns after it ends
D. Variable drop unrelated to contractions
Answer: C
Rationale: Late decelerations suggest uteroplacental insufficiency and require intervention.
13. What is the priority action for a cord prolapse?
A. Administer oxygen
B. Reposition the client
C. Prepare for cesarean
D. Elevate presenting part off cord
