ATI RN MATERNAL NEWBORN COMPREHENSIVE STUDY
GUIDE WITH HIGH-YIELD PRACTICE QUESTIONS, DETAILED
ANSWER EXPLANATIONS AND RATIONALES, MATERNAL
AND NEWBORN NURSING CONCEPTS, PRIORITY PATIENT
CARE, SAFE MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION PRINCIPLES,
TEST-TAKING STRATEGIES, AND COMPLETE NURSING
EXAM SUCCESS TOOLKIT | UPDATED FOR 2026/2027 |
LATEST EDITION
• A nurse is demonstrating to a client how to bathe a newborn. In which order should the nurse
perform the following actions? (Place in correct order.)
Wipe the newborn’s eyes from inner canthus outward
Wash the newborn’s neck by lifting the chin
Wash the newborn’s legs and feet
Cleanse around the umbilical cord stump
Clean the diaper area
ANSWER: 1. Eyes → 2. Neck → 3. Umbilical cord → 4. Legs and feet → 5. Diaper area
• A nurse is caring for a client who has experienced a fetal death. Which action is appropriate?
A. Avoid allowing parents to see the newborn
B. Take photos and create memory keepsakes
C. Discourage parents from holding the newborn
D. Limit time with the newborn to 5 minutes
ANSWER: B. Take photos and create memory keepsakes
,• A client at 36 weeks gestation has a positive contraction stress test. What test should the nurse
prepare the client for next?
A. Amniocentesis
B. Nonstress test
C. Biophysical profile
D. Chorionic villus sampling
ANSWER: C. Biophysical profile
• A postpartum client with preeclampsia has the following lab results. Which should be reported
immediately?
A. Hemoglobin 12 g/dL
B. Platelets 50,000/mm³
C. WBC 11,000/mm³
D. Sodium 138 mEq/L
ANSWER: B. Platelets 50,000/mm³
• A nurse is assessing a newborn at 26 weeks gestation using the New Ballard Score. Which
finding is expected?
A. Strong arm recoil
B. Minimal arm recoil
C. Full flexion of extremities
D. Steady head control
ANSWER: B. Minimal arm recoil
• A nurse assesses a newborn after circumcision. Which finding indicates pain?
A. Bradycardia
,B. Chin quivering
C. Decreased respiratory rate
D. Sleepiness
ANSWER: B. Chin quivering
• A newborn exposed to SSRIs in utero is being assessed. Which finding indicates withdrawal?
A. Constipation
B. Vomiting
C. Bradycardia
D. Lethargy only
ANSWER: B. Vomiting
• A nurse is caring for a newborn receiving phototherapy. Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Keep newborn fully clothed
B. Remove all clothing except diaper
C. Cover eyes and body completely
D. Turn off lights during feeding only
ANSWER: B. Remove all clothing except diaper
• A postpartum client follows traditional Hispanic cultural practices. Which action should the
nurse include?
A. Encourage ice packs to abdomen
B. Keep head and feet warm
C. Promote frequent cold showers
D. Avoid use of blankets
ANSWER: B. Keep head and feet warm
, • A nurse prepares to apply an external fetal monitor. What is the priority action first?
A. Start IV fluids
B. Perform Leopold maneuvers
C. Check cervical dilation
D. Apply ultrasound gel only
ANSWER: B. Perform Leopold maneuvers
• A client in active labor has no cervical change in 4 hours. What is the priority nursing
response?
A. Encourage ambulation
B. Prepare for intrauterine pressure catheter insertion
C. Increase oral fluids only
D. Discontinue monitoring
ANSWER: B. Prepare for intrauterine pressure catheter insertion
• A postpartum client is in hypovolemic shock. What is the nurse’s next action after calling the
provider?
A. Administer oxygen
B. Massage the fundus
C. Place client supine only
D. Encourage oral fluids
ANSWER: B. Massage the fundus
• A client receiving magnesium sulfate develops absent deep tendon reflexes and RR 10/min.
What is the priority action?
A. Increase infusion rate
GUIDE WITH HIGH-YIELD PRACTICE QUESTIONS, DETAILED
ANSWER EXPLANATIONS AND RATIONALES, MATERNAL
AND NEWBORN NURSING CONCEPTS, PRIORITY PATIENT
CARE, SAFE MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION PRINCIPLES,
TEST-TAKING STRATEGIES, AND COMPLETE NURSING
EXAM SUCCESS TOOLKIT | UPDATED FOR 2026/2027 |
LATEST EDITION
• A nurse is demonstrating to a client how to bathe a newborn. In which order should the nurse
perform the following actions? (Place in correct order.)
Wipe the newborn’s eyes from inner canthus outward
Wash the newborn’s neck by lifting the chin
Wash the newborn’s legs and feet
Cleanse around the umbilical cord stump
Clean the diaper area
ANSWER: 1. Eyes → 2. Neck → 3. Umbilical cord → 4. Legs and feet → 5. Diaper area
• A nurse is caring for a client who has experienced a fetal death. Which action is appropriate?
A. Avoid allowing parents to see the newborn
B. Take photos and create memory keepsakes
C. Discourage parents from holding the newborn
D. Limit time with the newborn to 5 minutes
ANSWER: B. Take photos and create memory keepsakes
,• A client at 36 weeks gestation has a positive contraction stress test. What test should the nurse
prepare the client for next?
A. Amniocentesis
B. Nonstress test
C. Biophysical profile
D. Chorionic villus sampling
ANSWER: C. Biophysical profile
• A postpartum client with preeclampsia has the following lab results. Which should be reported
immediately?
A. Hemoglobin 12 g/dL
B. Platelets 50,000/mm³
C. WBC 11,000/mm³
D. Sodium 138 mEq/L
ANSWER: B. Platelets 50,000/mm³
• A nurse is assessing a newborn at 26 weeks gestation using the New Ballard Score. Which
finding is expected?
A. Strong arm recoil
B. Minimal arm recoil
C. Full flexion of extremities
D. Steady head control
ANSWER: B. Minimal arm recoil
• A nurse assesses a newborn after circumcision. Which finding indicates pain?
A. Bradycardia
,B. Chin quivering
C. Decreased respiratory rate
D. Sleepiness
ANSWER: B. Chin quivering
• A newborn exposed to SSRIs in utero is being assessed. Which finding indicates withdrawal?
A. Constipation
B. Vomiting
C. Bradycardia
D. Lethargy only
ANSWER: B. Vomiting
• A nurse is caring for a newborn receiving phototherapy. Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Keep newborn fully clothed
B. Remove all clothing except diaper
C. Cover eyes and body completely
D. Turn off lights during feeding only
ANSWER: B. Remove all clothing except diaper
• A postpartum client follows traditional Hispanic cultural practices. Which action should the
nurse include?
A. Encourage ice packs to abdomen
B. Keep head and feet warm
C. Promote frequent cold showers
D. Avoid use of blankets
ANSWER: B. Keep head and feet warm
, • A nurse prepares to apply an external fetal monitor. What is the priority action first?
A. Start IV fluids
B. Perform Leopold maneuvers
C. Check cervical dilation
D. Apply ultrasound gel only
ANSWER: B. Perform Leopold maneuvers
• A client in active labor has no cervical change in 4 hours. What is the priority nursing
response?
A. Encourage ambulation
B. Prepare for intrauterine pressure catheter insertion
C. Increase oral fluids only
D. Discontinue monitoring
ANSWER: B. Prepare for intrauterine pressure catheter insertion
• A postpartum client is in hypovolemic shock. What is the nurse’s next action after calling the
provider?
A. Administer oxygen
B. Massage the fundus
C. Place client supine only
D. Encourage oral fluids
ANSWER: B. Massage the fundus
• A client receiving magnesium sulfate develops absent deep tendon reflexes and RR 10/min.
What is the priority action?
A. Increase infusion rate
