VATI RN Maternal-Newborn Assessment Questions 2026-2027-Complete
Questions with Verified Answers & Detailed Explanations Graded
Section 1: Antepartum Care (Questions 1-45)
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a client at 12 weeks gestation. Which of the following findings
is expected?
A) Fetal movement felt by the mother
B) Fetal heart tones heard by Doppler
C) Fundus at the umbilicus
D) Cervical dilation of 1 cm
Answer: B
Rationale: Fetal heart tones can typically be detected by Doppler ultrasound
starting at 10-12 weeks gestation. Quickening (fetal movement felt by the
mother) usually occurs between 16-20 weeks. The fundus reaches the umbilicus
at approximately 20 weeks. Cervical dilation is not a normal finding in pregnancy
and would indicate cervical incompetence or impending miscarriage .
Question 2
,A nurse is providing teaching to a client at 8 weeks gestation who has
hyperemesis gravidarum. Which of the following client statements indicates
understanding of the teaching?
A) "I will eat three large meals daily"
B) "I will eat small, frequent meals throughout the day"
C) "I should avoid all fluids between meals"
D) "I should lie flat after eating"
Answer: B
Rationale: Small, frequent meals help manage nausea and vomiting associated
with hyperemesis gravidarum by preventing an empty stomach and stabilizing
blood glucose levels. Large meals can trigger nausea. Fluids should be consumed
in small amounts between meals, and lying flat can worsen reflux .
Question 3
A nurse is assessing a client who is at 8 weeks gestation and has hyperemesis
gravidarum. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect? (Select all
that apply)
,A) Tachycardia
B) Dry mucous membranes
C) Poor skin turgor
D) Weight gain of 5 lbs
E) Normal electrolyte levels
Answer: A, B, C
Rationale: Hyperemesis gravidarum is characterized by severe vomiting leading to
dehydration, which manifests as tachycardia, dry mucous membranes, and poor
skin turgor. Weight loss (not gain) is expected, typically >5% of pre-pregnancy
weight. Electrolyte imbalances, particularly hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis,
are common and would indicate the need for hospitalization .
Question 4
A nurse is reviewing laboratory results for a client at 29 weeks gestation. Which of
the following results should the nurse identify as indicating a prenatal
complication?
A) Hematocrit 36%
B) BUN 30 mg/dL
, C) Platelets 250,000/mm³
D) Glucose 85 mg/dL
Answer: B
Rationale: BUN (blood urea nitrogen) of 30 mg/dL is elevated above the normal
pregnancy range (8-10 mg/dL) and may indicate renal impairment or dehydration,
which could be associated with preeclampsia or other complications. Normal
hematocrit in pregnancy is 32-42%. Platelets 150,000-400,000/mm³ is normal.
Fasting glucose should be <95 mg/dL .
Question 5
A nurse is performing an initial prenatal assessment on a client. The client states
her last menstrual period began on April 22. Using Naegele's rule, what is the
expected date of birth (EDB)?
A) January 15
B) January 22
C) January 29
D) February 5
Questions with Verified Answers & Detailed Explanations Graded
Section 1: Antepartum Care (Questions 1-45)
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a client at 12 weeks gestation. Which of the following findings
is expected?
A) Fetal movement felt by the mother
B) Fetal heart tones heard by Doppler
C) Fundus at the umbilicus
D) Cervical dilation of 1 cm
Answer: B
Rationale: Fetal heart tones can typically be detected by Doppler ultrasound
starting at 10-12 weeks gestation. Quickening (fetal movement felt by the
mother) usually occurs between 16-20 weeks. The fundus reaches the umbilicus
at approximately 20 weeks. Cervical dilation is not a normal finding in pregnancy
and would indicate cervical incompetence or impending miscarriage .
Question 2
,A nurse is providing teaching to a client at 8 weeks gestation who has
hyperemesis gravidarum. Which of the following client statements indicates
understanding of the teaching?
A) "I will eat three large meals daily"
B) "I will eat small, frequent meals throughout the day"
C) "I should avoid all fluids between meals"
D) "I should lie flat after eating"
Answer: B
Rationale: Small, frequent meals help manage nausea and vomiting associated
with hyperemesis gravidarum by preventing an empty stomach and stabilizing
blood glucose levels. Large meals can trigger nausea. Fluids should be consumed
in small amounts between meals, and lying flat can worsen reflux .
Question 3
A nurse is assessing a client who is at 8 weeks gestation and has hyperemesis
gravidarum. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect? (Select all
that apply)
,A) Tachycardia
B) Dry mucous membranes
C) Poor skin turgor
D) Weight gain of 5 lbs
E) Normal electrolyte levels
Answer: A, B, C
Rationale: Hyperemesis gravidarum is characterized by severe vomiting leading to
dehydration, which manifests as tachycardia, dry mucous membranes, and poor
skin turgor. Weight loss (not gain) is expected, typically >5% of pre-pregnancy
weight. Electrolyte imbalances, particularly hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis,
are common and would indicate the need for hospitalization .
Question 4
A nurse is reviewing laboratory results for a client at 29 weeks gestation. Which of
the following results should the nurse identify as indicating a prenatal
complication?
A) Hematocrit 36%
B) BUN 30 mg/dL
, C) Platelets 250,000/mm³
D) Glucose 85 mg/dL
Answer: B
Rationale: BUN (blood urea nitrogen) of 30 mg/dL is elevated above the normal
pregnancy range (8-10 mg/dL) and may indicate renal impairment or dehydration,
which could be associated with preeclampsia or other complications. Normal
hematocrit in pregnancy is 32-42%. Platelets 150,000-400,000/mm³ is normal.
Fasting glucose should be <95 mg/dL .
Question 5
A nurse is performing an initial prenatal assessment on a client. The client states
her last menstrual period began on April 22. Using Naegele's rule, what is the
expected date of birth (EDB)?
A) January 15
B) January 22
C) January 29
D) February 5
