ATI Maternal Newborn Proctored Exam 2026/2027 with NGN
| 200 Practice Questions & Detailed Answers | NGNStyle Q&A
with Case Scenarios | A+ Graded
Question 1
A nurse is teaching a client who is at 8 weeks of gestation about common discomforts of pregnancy.
Which statement by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A) "Nausea and vomiting usually last throughout the entire pregnancy."
B) "I may have increased vaginal discharge that is clear or white."
C) "I should expect to have episodes of dizziness when lying on my back."
D) "I should avoid all physical activity during the first trimester."
**Answer: B) "I may have increased vaginal discharge that is clear or white."**
**Explanation:** Increased clear or white vaginal discharge (leukorrhea) is a normal physiological
change during pregnancy due to increased estrogen production and increased blood flow to the pelvic
area. Nausea and vomiting typically improve after the first trimester. Dizziness when l ying on the back is
caused by supine hypotensive syndrome and can be avoided by lying on the left side. Moderate physical
activity is encouraged during pregnancy unless contraindicated.
Question 2
A client at 32 weeks gestation reports sudden, painless bright red vaginal bleeding. The nurse suspects
which condition?
A) Placenta previa
B) Placental abruption
C) Preterm labor
,D) Uterine rupture
**Answer: A) Placenta previa**
**Explanation:** Painless bright red bleeding in the third trimester is characteristic of placenta previa,
where the placenta partially or completely covers the cervical os. Placental abruption typically presents
with painful bleeding and a rigid, tender uterus. Preterm labor presents with regular contractions and
cervical changes. Uterine rupture is a catastrophic emergency with severe pain and fetal distress.
Question 3
A client with placental abruption will most likely present with which finding?
A) Painless bleeding
B) Severe abdominal pain and uterine tenderness
C) No visible bleeding
D) Increased fetal movement
**Answer: B) Severe abdominal pain and uterine tenderness**
**Explanation:** Placental abruption is the premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall,
causing painful bleeding with a firm, tender uterus. The bleeding may be concealed or visible. Fetal
movement typically decreases due to fetal distress.
Question 4
The nurse identifies early decelerations on the fetal heart rate monitoring strip. What is the most likely
cause?
,A) Umbilical cord compression
B) Head compression
C) Placental insufficiency
D) Maternal hypotension
**Answer: B) Head compression**
**Explanation:** Early decelerations are benign and mirror contractions, caused by head compression
during uterine contractions. They are considered a normal finding and do not require intervention. Cord
compression causes variable decelerations, while placental insufficiency causes late decelerations.
Question 5
Late decelerations on fetal monitoring indicate which condition?
A) Fetal hypoxia due to uteroplacental insufficiency
B) A normal benign finding
C) Umbilical cord compression
D) Maternal fever
**Answer: A) Fetal hypoxia due to uteroplacental insufficiency**
**Explanation:** Late decelerations are concerning and indicate uteroplacental insufficiency, leading to
fetal hypoxia. They require immediate intervention, including changing maternal position, administering
oxygen, and notifying the provider.
Question 6
, Variable decelerations on fetal monitoring are caused by:
A) Head compression
B) Placental insufficiency
C) Umbilical cord compression
D) Maternal dehydration
**Answer: C) Umbilical cord compression**
**Explanation:** Variable decelerations are abrupt, vary in timing, depth, and duration, and are caused
by umbilical cord compression. Interventions include changing the maternal position to relieve cord
compression.
Question 7
The first stage of labor ends when:
A) Contractions begin
B) The cervix is fully dilated to 10 cm
C) The baby is born
D) The placenta is delivered
**Answer: B) The cervix is fully dilated to 10 cm**
**Explanation:** The first stage of labor begins with the onset of regular contractions and ends with full
cervical dilation (10 cm). The second stage begins with full dilation and ends with the birth of the baby.
The third stage is the delivery of the placenta.
| 200 Practice Questions & Detailed Answers | NGNStyle Q&A
with Case Scenarios | A+ Graded
Question 1
A nurse is teaching a client who is at 8 weeks of gestation about common discomforts of pregnancy.
Which statement by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A) "Nausea and vomiting usually last throughout the entire pregnancy."
B) "I may have increased vaginal discharge that is clear or white."
C) "I should expect to have episodes of dizziness when lying on my back."
D) "I should avoid all physical activity during the first trimester."
**Answer: B) "I may have increased vaginal discharge that is clear or white."**
**Explanation:** Increased clear or white vaginal discharge (leukorrhea) is a normal physiological
change during pregnancy due to increased estrogen production and increased blood flow to the pelvic
area. Nausea and vomiting typically improve after the first trimester. Dizziness when l ying on the back is
caused by supine hypotensive syndrome and can be avoided by lying on the left side. Moderate physical
activity is encouraged during pregnancy unless contraindicated.
Question 2
A client at 32 weeks gestation reports sudden, painless bright red vaginal bleeding. The nurse suspects
which condition?
A) Placenta previa
B) Placental abruption
C) Preterm labor
,D) Uterine rupture
**Answer: A) Placenta previa**
**Explanation:** Painless bright red bleeding in the third trimester is characteristic of placenta previa,
where the placenta partially or completely covers the cervical os. Placental abruption typically presents
with painful bleeding and a rigid, tender uterus. Preterm labor presents with regular contractions and
cervical changes. Uterine rupture is a catastrophic emergency with severe pain and fetal distress.
Question 3
A client with placental abruption will most likely present with which finding?
A) Painless bleeding
B) Severe abdominal pain and uterine tenderness
C) No visible bleeding
D) Increased fetal movement
**Answer: B) Severe abdominal pain and uterine tenderness**
**Explanation:** Placental abruption is the premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall,
causing painful bleeding with a firm, tender uterus. The bleeding may be concealed or visible. Fetal
movement typically decreases due to fetal distress.
Question 4
The nurse identifies early decelerations on the fetal heart rate monitoring strip. What is the most likely
cause?
,A) Umbilical cord compression
B) Head compression
C) Placental insufficiency
D) Maternal hypotension
**Answer: B) Head compression**
**Explanation:** Early decelerations are benign and mirror contractions, caused by head compression
during uterine contractions. They are considered a normal finding and do not require intervention. Cord
compression causes variable decelerations, while placental insufficiency causes late decelerations.
Question 5
Late decelerations on fetal monitoring indicate which condition?
A) Fetal hypoxia due to uteroplacental insufficiency
B) A normal benign finding
C) Umbilical cord compression
D) Maternal fever
**Answer: A) Fetal hypoxia due to uteroplacental insufficiency**
**Explanation:** Late decelerations are concerning and indicate uteroplacental insufficiency, leading to
fetal hypoxia. They require immediate intervention, including changing maternal position, administering
oxygen, and notifying the provider.
Question 6
, Variable decelerations on fetal monitoring are caused by:
A) Head compression
B) Placental insufficiency
C) Umbilical cord compression
D) Maternal dehydration
**Answer: C) Umbilical cord compression**
**Explanation:** Variable decelerations are abrupt, vary in timing, depth, and duration, and are caused
by umbilical cord compression. Interventions include changing the maternal position to relieve cord
compression.
Question 7
The first stage of labor ends when:
A) Contractions begin
B) The cervix is fully dilated to 10 cm
C) The baby is born
D) The placenta is delivered
**Answer: B) The cervix is fully dilated to 10 cm**
**Explanation:** The first stage of labor begins with the onset of regular contractions and ends with full
cervical dilation (10 cm). The second stage begins with full dilation and ends with the birth of the baby.
The third stage is the delivery of the placenta.
