Page 1 of 96
ATI MATERNAL-NEWBORN NURSING EXAM
LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2026 EDITION
ATI MATERNAL-NEWBORN NURSING PRACTICE EXAM
250 PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES
SECTION 1: ANTEPARTUM CARE (Questions 1-60)
1. A nurse is providing education to a client who is 8 weeks pregnant. Which of the
following findings should the nurse identify as a presumptive sign of pregnancy?
• A. Amenorrhea.
• B. Positive pregnancy test.
• C. Goodell's sign.
• D. Fetal heart tones heard by Doppler.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Amenorrhea (absence of menstruation) is a presumptive (subjective) sign of
pregnancy. A positive pregnancy test (B) and Goodell's sign (softening of the cervix) (C)
are probable signs. Fetal heart tones (D) are a positive (definitive) sign of pregnancy.
2. A nurse is assessing a client at 12 weeks gestation. The client reports nausea and
vomiting, especially in the morning. Which of the following instructions should the
nurse provide to help alleviate these symptoms?
• A. "Eat a large meal before going to bed."
• B. "Eat dry crackers before getting out of bed in the morning."
• C. "Increase your intake of caffeinated beverages."
• D. "Lie flat on your back immediately after eating."
, Page 2 of 96
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Eating dry crackers or toast before getting out of bed helps alleviate nausea
by stabilizing blood sugar and reducing stomach acidity. Eating large meals (A) can
worsen nausea. Caffeine (C) can increase gastric irritation. Lying flat (D) can worsen
reflux.
3. A nurse is teaching a client about expected physiological changes during
pregnancy. Which of the following cardiovascular changes is expected during
pregnancy?
• A. Decreased heart rate.
• B. Decreased cardiac output.
• C. Increased blood volume.
• D. Increased blood pressure in all trimesters.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Blood volume increases by approximately 40-50% during pregnancy to
support the growing fetus. Heart rate (A) increases, not decreases. Cardiac output (B)
increases. Blood pressure (D) typically decreases in the second trimester, not
increases.
4. A nurse is calculating a client's estimated date of delivery (EDD) using Naegele's
rule. The client's last menstrual period (LMP) was January 15. What is the client's
EDD?
• A. October 8.
• B. October 15.
• C. October 22.
• D. November 1.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Naegele's rule: Subtract 3 months from the LMP (January 15 → October 15)
and add 7 days (October 22). Therefore, the EDD is October 22.
, Page 3 of 96
5. A nurse is providing teaching about folic acid supplementation to a client who is
planning a pregnancy. Which of the following is the recommended daily dose of
folic acid for a client of childbearing age?
• A. 0.1 mg.
• B. 0.4 mg.
• C. 1.0 mg.
• D. 4.0 mg.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The recommended daily dose of folic acid for women of childbearing age is
0.4 mg (400 mcg) to prevent neural tube defects. A dose of 1.0 mg (C) or 4.0 mg (D) is
recommended for clients with a history of neural tube defects.
6. A nurse is assessing a client at 24 weeks gestation. The client reports a sudden
gush of fluid from the vagina. Which of the following actions should the nurse take
first?
• A. Assess the fluid with nitrazine paper.
• B. Perform a sterile vaginal exam.
• C. Notify the healthcare provider.
• D. Administer antibiotics.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse should first assess the fluid with nitrazine paper to determine if it
is amniotic fluid (turns blue/alkaline). A sterile vaginal exam (B) should not be
performed if rupture of membranes is suspected due to infection risk. Notifying the
provider (C) and administering antibiotics (D) would occur after assessment.
7. A nurse is providing education to a client at 10 weeks gestation about common
discomforts of pregnancy. Which of the following is a common discomfort of
pregnancy?
• A. Urinary frequency.
• B. Constipation.
• C. Heartburn.
, Page 4 of 96
• D. All of the above.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Urinary frequency, constipation, and heartburn are all common discomforts
of pregnancy due to hormonal changes and the growing uterus. All of these are
expected findings.
8. A nurse is assessing a client at 16 weeks gestation. The client asks about when
she will be able to feel the baby move. What is the nurse's best response?
• A. "You will feel the baby move by 10 weeks."
• B. "Most women feel fetal movement between 18-20 weeks."
• C. "You will feel the baby move by 24 weeks."
• D. "Fetal movement is not felt until 30 weeks."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Quickening (the first perception of fetal movement) typically occurs between
18-20 weeks for primigravidas and earlier (16-18 weeks) for multigravidas. 10 weeks (A)
is too early, 24 weeks (C) is late, and 30 weeks (D) is incorrect.
9. A nurse is teaching a client about the signs of preterm labor. Which of the
following should the client be instructed to report?
• A. Backache and pelvic pressure.
• B. Mild, irregular contractions.
• C. Vaginal bleeding or a sudden gush of fluid.
• D. All of the above.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Backache, pelvic pressure, vaginal bleeding, rupture of membranes, and
regular contractions are all signs of preterm labor. All of these should be reported
immediately.
10. A nurse is assessing a client at 32 weeks gestation with suspected pre-
eclampsia. Which of the following is a sign of pre-eclampsia?
• A. Blood pressure of 148/92 mmHg.
ATI MATERNAL-NEWBORN NURSING EXAM
LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2026 EDITION
ATI MATERNAL-NEWBORN NURSING PRACTICE EXAM
250 PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES
SECTION 1: ANTEPARTUM CARE (Questions 1-60)
1. A nurse is providing education to a client who is 8 weeks pregnant. Which of the
following findings should the nurse identify as a presumptive sign of pregnancy?
• A. Amenorrhea.
• B. Positive pregnancy test.
• C. Goodell's sign.
• D. Fetal heart tones heard by Doppler.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Amenorrhea (absence of menstruation) is a presumptive (subjective) sign of
pregnancy. A positive pregnancy test (B) and Goodell's sign (softening of the cervix) (C)
are probable signs. Fetal heart tones (D) are a positive (definitive) sign of pregnancy.
2. A nurse is assessing a client at 12 weeks gestation. The client reports nausea and
vomiting, especially in the morning. Which of the following instructions should the
nurse provide to help alleviate these symptoms?
• A. "Eat a large meal before going to bed."
• B. "Eat dry crackers before getting out of bed in the morning."
• C. "Increase your intake of caffeinated beverages."
• D. "Lie flat on your back immediately after eating."
, Page 2 of 96
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Eating dry crackers or toast before getting out of bed helps alleviate nausea
by stabilizing blood sugar and reducing stomach acidity. Eating large meals (A) can
worsen nausea. Caffeine (C) can increase gastric irritation. Lying flat (D) can worsen
reflux.
3. A nurse is teaching a client about expected physiological changes during
pregnancy. Which of the following cardiovascular changes is expected during
pregnancy?
• A. Decreased heart rate.
• B. Decreased cardiac output.
• C. Increased blood volume.
• D. Increased blood pressure in all trimesters.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Blood volume increases by approximately 40-50% during pregnancy to
support the growing fetus. Heart rate (A) increases, not decreases. Cardiac output (B)
increases. Blood pressure (D) typically decreases in the second trimester, not
increases.
4. A nurse is calculating a client's estimated date of delivery (EDD) using Naegele's
rule. The client's last menstrual period (LMP) was January 15. What is the client's
EDD?
• A. October 8.
• B. October 15.
• C. October 22.
• D. November 1.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Naegele's rule: Subtract 3 months from the LMP (January 15 → October 15)
and add 7 days (October 22). Therefore, the EDD is October 22.
, Page 3 of 96
5. A nurse is providing teaching about folic acid supplementation to a client who is
planning a pregnancy. Which of the following is the recommended daily dose of
folic acid for a client of childbearing age?
• A. 0.1 mg.
• B. 0.4 mg.
• C. 1.0 mg.
• D. 4.0 mg.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The recommended daily dose of folic acid for women of childbearing age is
0.4 mg (400 mcg) to prevent neural tube defects. A dose of 1.0 mg (C) or 4.0 mg (D) is
recommended for clients with a history of neural tube defects.
6. A nurse is assessing a client at 24 weeks gestation. The client reports a sudden
gush of fluid from the vagina. Which of the following actions should the nurse take
first?
• A. Assess the fluid with nitrazine paper.
• B. Perform a sterile vaginal exam.
• C. Notify the healthcare provider.
• D. Administer antibiotics.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse should first assess the fluid with nitrazine paper to determine if it
is amniotic fluid (turns blue/alkaline). A sterile vaginal exam (B) should not be
performed if rupture of membranes is suspected due to infection risk. Notifying the
provider (C) and administering antibiotics (D) would occur after assessment.
7. A nurse is providing education to a client at 10 weeks gestation about common
discomforts of pregnancy. Which of the following is a common discomfort of
pregnancy?
• A. Urinary frequency.
• B. Constipation.
• C. Heartburn.
, Page 4 of 96
• D. All of the above.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Urinary frequency, constipation, and heartburn are all common discomforts
of pregnancy due to hormonal changes and the growing uterus. All of these are
expected findings.
8. A nurse is assessing a client at 16 weeks gestation. The client asks about when
she will be able to feel the baby move. What is the nurse's best response?
• A. "You will feel the baby move by 10 weeks."
• B. "Most women feel fetal movement between 18-20 weeks."
• C. "You will feel the baby move by 24 weeks."
• D. "Fetal movement is not felt until 30 weeks."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Quickening (the first perception of fetal movement) typically occurs between
18-20 weeks for primigravidas and earlier (16-18 weeks) for multigravidas. 10 weeks (A)
is too early, 24 weeks (C) is late, and 30 weeks (D) is incorrect.
9. A nurse is teaching a client about the signs of preterm labor. Which of the
following should the client be instructed to report?
• A. Backache and pelvic pressure.
• B. Mild, irregular contractions.
• C. Vaginal bleeding or a sudden gush of fluid.
• D. All of the above.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Backache, pelvic pressure, vaginal bleeding, rupture of membranes, and
regular contractions are all signs of preterm labor. All of these should be reported
immediately.
10. A nurse is assessing a client at 32 weeks gestation with suspected pre-
eclampsia. Which of the following is a sign of pre-eclampsia?
• A. Blood pressure of 148/92 mmHg.
