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ATI Maternal Newborn Questions &
Answers with Detailed Rationales |
Complete Exam Prep & Study Guide
___________________________________________________________________
1. A nurse is assessing a client who is 32 weeks pregnant. Which finding
should the nurse recognize as an expected physiologic change during
pregnancy?
A. Increased urinary frequency
B. Decreased cardiac output
C. Decreased respiratory rate
D. Decreased blood volume
Answer: Increased urinary frequency
Rationale: Increased urinary frequency is common during pregnancy because
the enlarging uterus places pressure on the bladder. Blood volume and cardiac
output generally increase, while respiratory rate usually remains relatively
stable.
2. A nurse is providing prenatal teaching to a client who is pregnant. Which
nutrient is especially important for preventing neural tube defects?
A. Calcium
B. Iron
C. Folic acid
D. Vitamin D
Answer: Folic acid
,Rationale: Folic acid supplementation before conception and during early
pregnancy reduces the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida.
3. A nurse is assessing a pregnant client at 20 weeks of gestation. Which fetal
heart rate is within the expected range?
A. 80/min
B. 105/min
C. 150/min
D. 190/min
Answer: 150/min
Rationale: A normal fetal heart rate is generally 110 to 160/min. A rate of
150/min is within the expected range.
4. A nurse is teaching a pregnant client about the purpose of iron
supplementation. Which statement should the nurse include?
A. "Iron prevents gestational diabetes."
B. "Iron supports increased maternal red blood cell production."
C. "Iron prevents neural tube defects."
D. "Iron decreases fetal movement."
Answer: Iron supports increased maternal red blood cell production.
Rationale: Maternal blood volume and red blood cell production increase during
pregnancy, increasing the need for iron.
5. A nurse is teaching a client about warning signs that should be reported
during pregnancy. Which finding should the client report immediately?
A. Mild nausea in the morning
B. Urinary frequency
C. Vaginal bleeding
D. Increased appetite
Answer: Vaginal bleeding
,Rationale: Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy can indicate complications such
as placenta previa, placental abruption, or pregnancy loss and requires prompt
evaluation.
6. A nurse is caring for a client in labor who reports severe back pain. The
fetus is in an occiput posterior position. Which intervention should the
nurse recommend?
A. Encourage supine positioning
B. Apply counterpressure to the lower back
C. Restrict oral fluids
D. Place the client in high-Fowler's position only
Answer: Apply counterpressure to the lower back
Rationale: Counterpressure to the lower back can reduce discomfort associated
with fetal occiput posterior positioning and back labor.
7. A nurse is assessing a client during the first stage of labor. Which finding
indicates the transition phase?
A. Cervical dilation of 1 to 3 cm
B. Cervical dilation of 4 to 5 cm
C. Cervical dilation of 8 to 10 cm
D. Delivery of the placenta
Answer: Cervical dilation of 8 to 10 cm
Rationale: The transition phase occurs during the late first stage of labor, when
the cervix dilates from approximately 8 to 10 cm.
8. A nurse is caring for a client receiving oxytocin during labor. Which
assessment is the priority?
A. Maternal appetite
B. Fetal heart rate
C. Maternal height
D. Bowel sounds
, Answer: Fetal heart rate
Rationale: Oxytocin can cause excessive uterine contractions, which can reduce
uteroplacental perfusion and compromise fetal oxygenation. Continuous fetal
and contraction monitoring is important.
9. A nurse observes recurrent late decelerations on the fetal monitor. Which
action should the nurse take first?
A. Increase the oxytocin infusion
B. Place the client in a lateral position
C. Encourage pushing
D. Place the client supine
Answer: Place the client in a lateral position
Rationale: Lateral positioning improves uteroplacental blood flow and can help
improve fetal oxygenation during late decelerations.
10.A nurse is caring for a client who has a postpartum hemorrhage. Which
medication should the nurse anticipate administering to promote uterine
contraction?
A. Oxytocin
B. Terbutaline
C. Magnesium sulfate
D. Betamethasone
Answer: Oxytocin
Rationale: Oxytocin promotes uterine contraction and is commonly
administered to treat uterine atony, a major cause of postpartum hemorrhage.
11.A nurse is assessing a postpartum client. Which finding should the nurse
recognize as an expected finding during the first few days after birth?
A. Boggy uterus
B. Lochia rubra
ATI Maternal Newborn Questions &
Answers with Detailed Rationales |
Complete Exam Prep & Study Guide
___________________________________________________________________
1. A nurse is assessing a client who is 32 weeks pregnant. Which finding
should the nurse recognize as an expected physiologic change during
pregnancy?
A. Increased urinary frequency
B. Decreased cardiac output
C. Decreased respiratory rate
D. Decreased blood volume
Answer: Increased urinary frequency
Rationale: Increased urinary frequency is common during pregnancy because
the enlarging uterus places pressure on the bladder. Blood volume and cardiac
output generally increase, while respiratory rate usually remains relatively
stable.
2. A nurse is providing prenatal teaching to a client who is pregnant. Which
nutrient is especially important for preventing neural tube defects?
A. Calcium
B. Iron
C. Folic acid
D. Vitamin D
Answer: Folic acid
,Rationale: Folic acid supplementation before conception and during early
pregnancy reduces the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida.
3. A nurse is assessing a pregnant client at 20 weeks of gestation. Which fetal
heart rate is within the expected range?
A. 80/min
B. 105/min
C. 150/min
D. 190/min
Answer: 150/min
Rationale: A normal fetal heart rate is generally 110 to 160/min. A rate of
150/min is within the expected range.
4. A nurse is teaching a pregnant client about the purpose of iron
supplementation. Which statement should the nurse include?
A. "Iron prevents gestational diabetes."
B. "Iron supports increased maternal red blood cell production."
C. "Iron prevents neural tube defects."
D. "Iron decreases fetal movement."
Answer: Iron supports increased maternal red blood cell production.
Rationale: Maternal blood volume and red blood cell production increase during
pregnancy, increasing the need for iron.
5. A nurse is teaching a client about warning signs that should be reported
during pregnancy. Which finding should the client report immediately?
A. Mild nausea in the morning
B. Urinary frequency
C. Vaginal bleeding
D. Increased appetite
Answer: Vaginal bleeding
,Rationale: Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy can indicate complications such
as placenta previa, placental abruption, or pregnancy loss and requires prompt
evaluation.
6. A nurse is caring for a client in labor who reports severe back pain. The
fetus is in an occiput posterior position. Which intervention should the
nurse recommend?
A. Encourage supine positioning
B. Apply counterpressure to the lower back
C. Restrict oral fluids
D. Place the client in high-Fowler's position only
Answer: Apply counterpressure to the lower back
Rationale: Counterpressure to the lower back can reduce discomfort associated
with fetal occiput posterior positioning and back labor.
7. A nurse is assessing a client during the first stage of labor. Which finding
indicates the transition phase?
A. Cervical dilation of 1 to 3 cm
B. Cervical dilation of 4 to 5 cm
C. Cervical dilation of 8 to 10 cm
D. Delivery of the placenta
Answer: Cervical dilation of 8 to 10 cm
Rationale: The transition phase occurs during the late first stage of labor, when
the cervix dilates from approximately 8 to 10 cm.
8. A nurse is caring for a client receiving oxytocin during labor. Which
assessment is the priority?
A. Maternal appetite
B. Fetal heart rate
C. Maternal height
D. Bowel sounds
, Answer: Fetal heart rate
Rationale: Oxytocin can cause excessive uterine contractions, which can reduce
uteroplacental perfusion and compromise fetal oxygenation. Continuous fetal
and contraction monitoring is important.
9. A nurse observes recurrent late decelerations on the fetal monitor. Which
action should the nurse take first?
A. Increase the oxytocin infusion
B. Place the client in a lateral position
C. Encourage pushing
D. Place the client supine
Answer: Place the client in a lateral position
Rationale: Lateral positioning improves uteroplacental blood flow and can help
improve fetal oxygenation during late decelerations.
10.A nurse is caring for a client who has a postpartum hemorrhage. Which
medication should the nurse anticipate administering to promote uterine
contraction?
A. Oxytocin
B. Terbutaline
C. Magnesium sulfate
D. Betamethasone
Answer: Oxytocin
Rationale: Oxytocin promotes uterine contraction and is commonly
administered to treat uterine atony, a major cause of postpartum hemorrhage.
11.A nurse is assessing a postpartum client. Which finding should the nurse
recognize as an expected finding during the first few days after birth?
A. Boggy uterus
B. Lochia rubra
