ATI RN Maternal Newborn CMS Proctored
Exam" Comprehensive Questions and
Answers with Rationales | 2026 Update |
100% Correct.
Questions 1–20: Antepartum Care & Assessment
1. A nurse is assessing a client at 12 weeks gestation. Which of the
following findings is a positive sign of pregnancy?
• A) Quickening
• B) Breast tenderness
• C) Uterine enlargement
• D) Auscultation of a fetal heart rate
Correct Answer: D. Auscultation of a fetal heart rate is a definitive
(positive) sign of pregnancy because it can only be attributed to the fetus.
Quickening (A) and breast tenderness (B) are probable signs, while uterine
enlargement (C) is a presumptive sign.
2. A nurse is providing teaching to a client at 8 weeks gestation about
expected discomforts. Which statement indicates an understanding?
• A) "I should avoid lying on my left side."
• B) "I can take ibuprofen for mild headaches."
• C) "Nausea is common and often worse in the morning."
• D) "I should expect my urine output to decrease significantly."
Correct Answer: C. Nausea and vomiting, often worse in the morning, are
common in the first trimester due to elevated hCG and estrogen levels.
,Clients should lie on their left side (A) to improve circulation. Ibuprofen (B)
is an NSAID and should be avoided in pregnancy. Urine output typically
increases (D) due to increased renal blood flow.
3. A nurse is reviewing lab results for a client at 10 weeks gestation.
Which finding should the nurse report to the provider?
• A) Hemoglobin 11.2 g/dL
• B) WBC count 12,000/mm³
• C) Platelet count 100,000/mm³
• D) Fasting blood glucose 95 mg/dL
Correct Answer: C. A platelet count of 100,000/mm³ is below the normal
range (150,000–400,000) and could indicate gestational thrombocytopenia
or a more serious condition. Mild anemia (A) and elevated WBC (B) are
normal in pregnancy. A fasting glucose of 95 mg/dL (D) is within the
expected range (<95 mg/dL for pregnancy).
4. A nurse is assessing a client at 24 weeks gestation. Which finding
indicates a need for further evaluation?
• A) Fundal height 24 cm
• B) Blood pressure 110/70 mmHg
• C) Urine dipstick showing 2+ protein
• D) Weight gain of 1 lb per week
Correct Answer: C. Proteinuria (2+ or greater) is a concerning finding that
may indicate preeclampsia or a urinary tract infection. Fundal height (A)
should match the gestational age (cm) within 2 cm. Blood pressure (B) is
normal. A weight gain of 1 lb/week (D) is within the expected range for the
second trimester.
,5. A nurse is providing teaching about nutrition to a client who is
pregnant. Which of the following statements indicates an
understanding?
• A) "I need to double my caloric intake during the third trimester."
• B) "I should increase my folic acid intake to prevent neural tube
defects."
• C) "I can eat deli meats as long as they are refrigerated."
• D) "I should avoid all fish to prevent mercury exposure."
Correct Answer: B. Folic acid is crucial for preventing neural tube defects.
Caloric intake should increase by about 300–450 calories per day in the
second and third trimesters, not double (A). Deli meats (C) should be
heated to steaming to prevent listeriosis. Some fish (D) are safe and
beneficial (e.g., salmon, sardines) in limited amounts.
6. A nurse is caring for a client at 28 weeks gestation who is Rh-
negative and has an Rh-positive partner. Which medication should the
nurse anticipate administering?
• A) Oxytocin
• B) Magnesium sulfate
• C) Rho(D) immune globulin
• D) Betamethasone
Correct Answer: C. Rho(D) immune globulin (RhoGAM) is given to Rh-
negative clients at 28 weeks and within 72 hours of birth to prevent
maternal sensitization. Oxytocin (A) is used for labor induction or
postpartum hemorrhage. Magnesium sulfate (B) is used for preeclampsia or
preterm labor. Betamethasone (D) is used to enhance fetal lung maturity.
, 7. A nurse is assessing a client at 32 weeks gestation who reports
episodes of dizziness when lying on her back. Which action should the
nurse recommend?
• A) Lie on the right side
• B) Lie on the left side
• C) Perform pelvic tilt exercises
• D) Decrease fluid intake
Correct Answer: B. Lying on the left side relieves pressure on the vena
cava, improving venous return and cardiac output, which alleviates supine
hypotensive syndrome. The right side (A) also helps, but the left side is
preferred for optimal circulation. Pelvic tilt exercises (C) are not the primary
intervention. Fluid intake (D) should not be decreased.
8. A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who is pregnant
and has pregestational diabetes. Which finding is a priority to report?
• A) Hemoglobin A1c of 6.2%
• B) Fasting blood glucose of 95 mg/dL
• C) Fundal height 2 cm greater than gestational age
• D) 1+ protein in the urine
Correct Answer: C. A fundal height significantly larger than gestational age
could indicate macrosomia or polyhydramnios, complications of poorly
controlled diabetes. An A1c of 6.2% (A) is slightly elevated but not
emergent. A fasting glucose of 95 mg/dL (B) is at the upper limit of normal.
1+ protein (D) may be benign but should be monitored.
9. A nurse is providing teaching to a client about signs of preterm
labor. Which of the following should the nurse include?
• A) "Urinary frequency is a sign of preterm labor."
Exam" Comprehensive Questions and
Answers with Rationales | 2026 Update |
100% Correct.
Questions 1–20: Antepartum Care & Assessment
1. A nurse is assessing a client at 12 weeks gestation. Which of the
following findings is a positive sign of pregnancy?
• A) Quickening
• B) Breast tenderness
• C) Uterine enlargement
• D) Auscultation of a fetal heart rate
Correct Answer: D. Auscultation of a fetal heart rate is a definitive
(positive) sign of pregnancy because it can only be attributed to the fetus.
Quickening (A) and breast tenderness (B) are probable signs, while uterine
enlargement (C) is a presumptive sign.
2. A nurse is providing teaching to a client at 8 weeks gestation about
expected discomforts. Which statement indicates an understanding?
• A) "I should avoid lying on my left side."
• B) "I can take ibuprofen for mild headaches."
• C) "Nausea is common and often worse in the morning."
• D) "I should expect my urine output to decrease significantly."
Correct Answer: C. Nausea and vomiting, often worse in the morning, are
common in the first trimester due to elevated hCG and estrogen levels.
,Clients should lie on their left side (A) to improve circulation. Ibuprofen (B)
is an NSAID and should be avoided in pregnancy. Urine output typically
increases (D) due to increased renal blood flow.
3. A nurse is reviewing lab results for a client at 10 weeks gestation.
Which finding should the nurse report to the provider?
• A) Hemoglobin 11.2 g/dL
• B) WBC count 12,000/mm³
• C) Platelet count 100,000/mm³
• D) Fasting blood glucose 95 mg/dL
Correct Answer: C. A platelet count of 100,000/mm³ is below the normal
range (150,000–400,000) and could indicate gestational thrombocytopenia
or a more serious condition. Mild anemia (A) and elevated WBC (B) are
normal in pregnancy. A fasting glucose of 95 mg/dL (D) is within the
expected range (<95 mg/dL for pregnancy).
4. A nurse is assessing a client at 24 weeks gestation. Which finding
indicates a need for further evaluation?
• A) Fundal height 24 cm
• B) Blood pressure 110/70 mmHg
• C) Urine dipstick showing 2+ protein
• D) Weight gain of 1 lb per week
Correct Answer: C. Proteinuria (2+ or greater) is a concerning finding that
may indicate preeclampsia or a urinary tract infection. Fundal height (A)
should match the gestational age (cm) within 2 cm. Blood pressure (B) is
normal. A weight gain of 1 lb/week (D) is within the expected range for the
second trimester.
,5. A nurse is providing teaching about nutrition to a client who is
pregnant. Which of the following statements indicates an
understanding?
• A) "I need to double my caloric intake during the third trimester."
• B) "I should increase my folic acid intake to prevent neural tube
defects."
• C) "I can eat deli meats as long as they are refrigerated."
• D) "I should avoid all fish to prevent mercury exposure."
Correct Answer: B. Folic acid is crucial for preventing neural tube defects.
Caloric intake should increase by about 300–450 calories per day in the
second and third trimesters, not double (A). Deli meats (C) should be
heated to steaming to prevent listeriosis. Some fish (D) are safe and
beneficial (e.g., salmon, sardines) in limited amounts.
6. A nurse is caring for a client at 28 weeks gestation who is Rh-
negative and has an Rh-positive partner. Which medication should the
nurse anticipate administering?
• A) Oxytocin
• B) Magnesium sulfate
• C) Rho(D) immune globulin
• D) Betamethasone
Correct Answer: C. Rho(D) immune globulin (RhoGAM) is given to Rh-
negative clients at 28 weeks and within 72 hours of birth to prevent
maternal sensitization. Oxytocin (A) is used for labor induction or
postpartum hemorrhage. Magnesium sulfate (B) is used for preeclampsia or
preterm labor. Betamethasone (D) is used to enhance fetal lung maturity.
, 7. A nurse is assessing a client at 32 weeks gestation who reports
episodes of dizziness when lying on her back. Which action should the
nurse recommend?
• A) Lie on the right side
• B) Lie on the left side
• C) Perform pelvic tilt exercises
• D) Decrease fluid intake
Correct Answer: B. Lying on the left side relieves pressure on the vena
cava, improving venous return and cardiac output, which alleviates supine
hypotensive syndrome. The right side (A) also helps, but the left side is
preferred for optimal circulation. Pelvic tilt exercises (C) are not the primary
intervention. Fluid intake (D) should not be decreased.
8. A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who is pregnant
and has pregestational diabetes. Which finding is a priority to report?
• A) Hemoglobin A1c of 6.2%
• B) Fasting blood glucose of 95 mg/dL
• C) Fundal height 2 cm greater than gestational age
• D) 1+ protein in the urine
Correct Answer: C. A fundal height significantly larger than gestational age
could indicate macrosomia or polyhydramnios, complications of poorly
controlled diabetes. An A1c of 6.2% (A) is slightly elevated but not
emergent. A fasting glucose of 95 mg/dL (B) is at the upper limit of normal.
1+ protein (D) may be benign but should be monitored.
9. A nurse is providing teaching to a client about signs of preterm
labor. Which of the following should the nurse include?
• A) "Urinary frequency is a sign of preterm labor."
