ATI PN Maternal Newborn Proctored
Examination Comprehensive Review:
Practice Questions with Answers and
Rationales
Q1. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who is at 8 weeks of
gestation. Which statement by the client indicates an understanding of
the teaching?
A. "I can continue to take ibuprofen for headaches."
B. "I should avoid eating deli meats unless they are heated."
C. "I need to drink at least 4 glasses of water per day."
D. "I can clean my cat's litter box if I wear gloves."
Answer: B
Rationale: Deli meats may contain Listeria, which can cause miscarriage or
stillbirth. Heating them until steaming kills the bacteria. Ibuprofen is
contraindicated in pregnancy due to risk of fetal renal impairment and
premature closure of the ductus arteriosus. Water intake should be 8-10
glasses daily, not 4. Pregnant women should avoid changing cat litter
entirely due to toxoplasmosis risk, even with gloves .
Q2. A nurse is calculating a client's expected date of birth using
Naegele's rule. The client's last menstrual period began on September
10. Which date should the nurse provide?
,A. June 3
B. June 10
C. June 17
D. June 24
Answer: C
Rationale: Naegele's rule: Subtract 3 months from the first day of the LMP
and add 7 days. September 10 → subtract 3 months = June 10 → add 7
days = June 17 .
Q3. A nurse is assessing a client at 16 weeks of gestation. Which
finding should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Quickening reported by the client
B. Fundal height at 18 cm
C. Blood pressure 110/70 mm Hg
D. +1 protein on urine dipstick
Answer: D
Rationale: Protein in urine may indicate a urinary tract infection or
preeclampsia. Quickening is expected at 16-20 weeks. Fundal height in cm
should approximate weeks of gestation ±2 cm (16 weeks = 14-18 cm). BP
110/70 is normal .
,Q4. A nurse is reinforcing teaching about nutritional needs during
pregnancy. Which nutrient should the nurse emphasize as most critical
during the first trimester?
A. Calcium
B. Iron
C. Folic acid
D. Vitamin D
Answer: C
Rationale: Folic acid is critical during the first trimester for preventing
neural tube defects. The recommended daily intake is 600 mcg during
pregnancy. Neural tube defects occur before many women know they are
pregnant, making early supplementation essential .
Q5. A nurse is caring for a client who is at 12 weeks of gestation and
reports nausea and vomiting. Which of the following instructions
should the nurse provide?
A. "Eat a large meal before going to bed."
B. "Consume dry crackers before getting out of bed."
C. "Drink fluids with meals."
D. "Lie flat after eating."
Answer: B
Rationale: Eating dry crackers or toast before rising helps prevent nausea
by stabilizing blood sugar and settling the stomach. Small, frequent meals
are recommended. Fluids should be consumed between meals, not with
meals. Lying flat after eating can exacerbate reflux and nausea .
, Q6. A nurse is measuring a client's fundal height at 28 weeks of
gestation. Which finding is expected?
A. 24 cm
B. 26 cm
C. 28 cm
D. 30 cm
Answer: C
Rationale: Fundal height in centimeters should approximate gestational
age in weeks between 20-34 weeks (±2 cm). At 28 weeks, 28 cm is
expected. 24 cm is too low (possible IUGR). 30 cm is too high (possible
multiple gestation, polyhydramnios, or large for dates) .
Q7. A nurse is reinforcing teaching about signs of preterm labor.
Which finding should the client report immediately?
A. Low back pain that comes and goes
B. Menstrual-like cramping every 10 minutes
C. Increased white vaginal discharge
D. Fetal movement 8 times in 1 hour
Answer: B
Rationale: Regular uterine contractions before 37 weeks indicate possible
preterm labor and require immediate evaluation. Low back pain can be
normal but should be monitored. Increased discharge is common due to
estrogen. Fetal movement 8 in 1 hour is reassuring .
Examination Comprehensive Review:
Practice Questions with Answers and
Rationales
Q1. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who is at 8 weeks of
gestation. Which statement by the client indicates an understanding of
the teaching?
A. "I can continue to take ibuprofen for headaches."
B. "I should avoid eating deli meats unless they are heated."
C. "I need to drink at least 4 glasses of water per day."
D. "I can clean my cat's litter box if I wear gloves."
Answer: B
Rationale: Deli meats may contain Listeria, which can cause miscarriage or
stillbirth. Heating them until steaming kills the bacteria. Ibuprofen is
contraindicated in pregnancy due to risk of fetal renal impairment and
premature closure of the ductus arteriosus. Water intake should be 8-10
glasses daily, not 4. Pregnant women should avoid changing cat litter
entirely due to toxoplasmosis risk, even with gloves .
Q2. A nurse is calculating a client's expected date of birth using
Naegele's rule. The client's last menstrual period began on September
10. Which date should the nurse provide?
,A. June 3
B. June 10
C. June 17
D. June 24
Answer: C
Rationale: Naegele's rule: Subtract 3 months from the first day of the LMP
and add 7 days. September 10 → subtract 3 months = June 10 → add 7
days = June 17 .
Q3. A nurse is assessing a client at 16 weeks of gestation. Which
finding should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Quickening reported by the client
B. Fundal height at 18 cm
C. Blood pressure 110/70 mm Hg
D. +1 protein on urine dipstick
Answer: D
Rationale: Protein in urine may indicate a urinary tract infection or
preeclampsia. Quickening is expected at 16-20 weeks. Fundal height in cm
should approximate weeks of gestation ±2 cm (16 weeks = 14-18 cm). BP
110/70 is normal .
,Q4. A nurse is reinforcing teaching about nutritional needs during
pregnancy. Which nutrient should the nurse emphasize as most critical
during the first trimester?
A. Calcium
B. Iron
C. Folic acid
D. Vitamin D
Answer: C
Rationale: Folic acid is critical during the first trimester for preventing
neural tube defects. The recommended daily intake is 600 mcg during
pregnancy. Neural tube defects occur before many women know they are
pregnant, making early supplementation essential .
Q5. A nurse is caring for a client who is at 12 weeks of gestation and
reports nausea and vomiting. Which of the following instructions
should the nurse provide?
A. "Eat a large meal before going to bed."
B. "Consume dry crackers before getting out of bed."
C. "Drink fluids with meals."
D. "Lie flat after eating."
Answer: B
Rationale: Eating dry crackers or toast before rising helps prevent nausea
by stabilizing blood sugar and settling the stomach. Small, frequent meals
are recommended. Fluids should be consumed between meals, not with
meals. Lying flat after eating can exacerbate reflux and nausea .
, Q6. A nurse is measuring a client's fundal height at 28 weeks of
gestation. Which finding is expected?
A. 24 cm
B. 26 cm
C. 28 cm
D. 30 cm
Answer: C
Rationale: Fundal height in centimeters should approximate gestational
age in weeks between 20-34 weeks (±2 cm). At 28 weeks, 28 cm is
expected. 24 cm is too low (possible IUGR). 30 cm is too high (possible
multiple gestation, polyhydramnios, or large for dates) .
Q7. A nurse is reinforcing teaching about signs of preterm labor.
Which finding should the client report immediately?
A. Low back pain that comes and goes
B. Menstrual-like cramping every 10 minutes
C. Increased white vaginal discharge
D. Fetal movement 8 times in 1 hour
Answer: B
Rationale: Regular uterine contractions before 37 weeks indicate possible
preterm labor and require immediate evaluation. Low back pain can be
normal but should be monitored. Increased discharge is common due to
estrogen. Fetal movement 8 in 1 hour is reassuring .
