ATI CAPSTONE MATERNAL NEWBORN
ASSESSMENT exam Questions and
Answers
With rationales 2026\2027 update
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Questions and Ansẉers
format set of multiple-choice
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1. A nurse is caring for a client who is at 8 weeks of gestation.
Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A) Quickening
B) Lightening
C) Chadwick's sign
D) Braxton Hicks contractions
Answer: C
Rationale: Chadwick's sign is a bluish discoloration of the cervix,
vagina, and vulva that occurs around 6 to 8 weeks of gestation due
to increased estrogen and pelvic blood flow. Quickening occurs at
16-20 weeks, lightening at 36-38 weeks, and Braxton Hicks
contractions occur in the third trimester.
2. A nurse is calculating the estimated date of delivery (EDD) using
Naegele's Rule for a client whose last menstrual period (LMP) began
on January 5. Which of the following is the correct EDD?
A) October 5
B) October 12
C) October 8
D) November 5
Answer: B
Rationale: Naegele's Rule involves subtracting 3 months and adding
7 days to the first day of the LMP. January 5 minus 3 months is
October 5. October 5 plus 7 days is October 12.
3. A nurse is teaching a pregnant client about foods high in folic
acid. Which of the following food choices indicates the teaching was
effective?
A) Chicken breast
B) Spinach
,C) Whole milk
D) White rice
Answer: B
Rationale: Folic acid is found in dark green leafy vegetables, such as
spinach, as well as in legumes, nuts, and fortified cereals. Folic acid
is crucial in early pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects.
4. A client at 12 weeks of gestation asks the nurse about the cause
of her heartburn. The nurse should explain that heartburn during
pregnancy is caused by which of the following?
A) Decreased gastric motility
B) Increased progesterone levels
C) Pressure from the enlarging uterus
D) Increased stomach acid production
Answer: B
Rationale: Increased progesterone causes relaxation of the
esophageal sphincter, allowing gastric contents to reflux into the
esophagus, causing heartburn. Decreased gastric motility also
contributes but is secondary to progesterone.
5. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client who is at 32
weeks of gestation. Which of the following laboratory findings
should the nurse report to the provider?
A) Hemoglobin 11.5 g/dL
B) Fasting blood glucose 85 mg/dL
C) Platelet count 90,000/mm³
D) White blood cell count 12,000/mm³
Answer: C
Rationale: A platelet count of 90,000/mm³ is below the normal
range (150,000 to 400,000/mm³) and can indicate a complication
such as gestational hypertension or HELLP syndrome. Hemoglobin
of 11.5 g/dL is normal in pregnancy due to hemodilution.
, 6. A nurse is caring for a client who has hyperemesis gravidarum.
Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A) Weight loss of 2 kg
B) Elevated blood pressure
C) Decreased urine specific gravity
D) Presence of ketones in urine
Answer: D
Rationale: Hyperemesis gravidarum leads to severe vomiting,
resulting in dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and the breakdown
of fat for energy, which causes ketonuria. Weight loss is typically
>5% of pre-pregnancy weight.
7. A nurse is assessing a client who is at 30 weeks of gestation.
Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as a
potential complication of pregnancy?
A) Glycosuria
B) blurred vision
C) Varicose veins
D) Linea nigra
Answer: B
Rationale: Blurred vision can be a sign of preeclampsia, a severe
complication of pregnancy. Glycosuria, varicose veins, and linea
nigra are normal physiologic changes or expected findings during
pregnancy.
8. A nurse is teaching a client who is at 10 weeks of gestation about
an abdominal ultrasound. Which of the following statements by the
client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A) "I will need to have a full bladder for this procedure."
B) "I should not eat anything for 8 hours before the procedure."
C) "I will receive an injection of contrast dye."
D) "I should avoid drinking water the morning of the procedure."
Answer: A
ASSESSMENT exam Questions and
Answers
With rationales 2026\2027 update
This Exam contains:
Guarantee passing score
Questions and Ansẉers
format set of multiple-choice
Expert-Verified rationales
Verified ẉith trusted textbooks
,───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
─
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is at 8 weeks of gestation.
Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A) Quickening
B) Lightening
C) Chadwick's sign
D) Braxton Hicks contractions
Answer: C
Rationale: Chadwick's sign is a bluish discoloration of the cervix,
vagina, and vulva that occurs around 6 to 8 weeks of gestation due
to increased estrogen and pelvic blood flow. Quickening occurs at
16-20 weeks, lightening at 36-38 weeks, and Braxton Hicks
contractions occur in the third trimester.
2. A nurse is calculating the estimated date of delivery (EDD) using
Naegele's Rule for a client whose last menstrual period (LMP) began
on January 5. Which of the following is the correct EDD?
A) October 5
B) October 12
C) October 8
D) November 5
Answer: B
Rationale: Naegele's Rule involves subtracting 3 months and adding
7 days to the first day of the LMP. January 5 minus 3 months is
October 5. October 5 plus 7 days is October 12.
3. A nurse is teaching a pregnant client about foods high in folic
acid. Which of the following food choices indicates the teaching was
effective?
A) Chicken breast
B) Spinach
,C) Whole milk
D) White rice
Answer: B
Rationale: Folic acid is found in dark green leafy vegetables, such as
spinach, as well as in legumes, nuts, and fortified cereals. Folic acid
is crucial in early pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects.
4. A client at 12 weeks of gestation asks the nurse about the cause
of her heartburn. The nurse should explain that heartburn during
pregnancy is caused by which of the following?
A) Decreased gastric motility
B) Increased progesterone levels
C) Pressure from the enlarging uterus
D) Increased stomach acid production
Answer: B
Rationale: Increased progesterone causes relaxation of the
esophageal sphincter, allowing gastric contents to reflux into the
esophagus, causing heartburn. Decreased gastric motility also
contributes but is secondary to progesterone.
5. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client who is at 32
weeks of gestation. Which of the following laboratory findings
should the nurse report to the provider?
A) Hemoglobin 11.5 g/dL
B) Fasting blood glucose 85 mg/dL
C) Platelet count 90,000/mm³
D) White blood cell count 12,000/mm³
Answer: C
Rationale: A platelet count of 90,000/mm³ is below the normal
range (150,000 to 400,000/mm³) and can indicate a complication
such as gestational hypertension or HELLP syndrome. Hemoglobin
of 11.5 g/dL is normal in pregnancy due to hemodilution.
, 6. A nurse is caring for a client who has hyperemesis gravidarum.
Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A) Weight loss of 2 kg
B) Elevated blood pressure
C) Decreased urine specific gravity
D) Presence of ketones in urine
Answer: D
Rationale: Hyperemesis gravidarum leads to severe vomiting,
resulting in dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and the breakdown
of fat for energy, which causes ketonuria. Weight loss is typically
>5% of pre-pregnancy weight.
7. A nurse is assessing a client who is at 30 weeks of gestation.
Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as a
potential complication of pregnancy?
A) Glycosuria
B) blurred vision
C) Varicose veins
D) Linea nigra
Answer: B
Rationale: Blurred vision can be a sign of preeclampsia, a severe
complication of pregnancy. Glycosuria, varicose veins, and linea
nigra are normal physiologic changes or expected findings during
pregnancy.
8. A nurse is teaching a client who is at 10 weeks of gestation about
an abdominal ultrasound. Which of the following statements by the
client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A) "I will need to have a full bladder for this procedure."
B) "I should not eat anything for 8 hours before the procedure."
C) "I will receive an injection of contrast dye."
D) "I should avoid drinking water the morning of the procedure."
Answer: A
