ATI Maternal Newborn Proctored Exam | 300+ Verified
Practice Questions with Detailed Rationales
1. A pregnant client at 12 weeks asks when fetal heart tones can
generally be detected by Doppler. Which response is appropriate?
A. 6 weeks
B. 10–12 weeks
C. 18–20 weeks
D. 24–26 weeks
Answer: B
Rationale: Fetal heart tones can commonly be detected with Doppler
around 10–12 weeks of gestation.
2. A client at 32 weeks reports painless, bright-red vaginal bleeding.
Which condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Abruptio placentae
B. Placenta previa
C. Ectopic pregnancy
D. Preterm labor
Answer: B
Rationale: Placenta previa classically causes painless, bright-red vaginal
bleeding in the second or third trimester.
3. Which finding is most concerning in a client with suspected abruptio
placentae?
A. Painless vaginal bleeding
B. Soft, nontender uterus
C. Rigid, painful abdomen
D. Increased fetal movement
,Answer: C
Rationale: Abruptio placentae typically presents with painful vaginal
bleeding, uterine tenderness, and a firm or rigid uterus.
4. A pregnant client with severe preeclampsia is receiving magnesium
sulfate. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Respiratory rate 10/min
B. Urine output 45 mL/hr
C. Patellar reflex 2+
D. Blood pressure 150/94 mm Hg
Answer: A
Rationale: Respiratory depression can indicate magnesium toxicity. The
nurse should stop the infusion and notify the provider according to
protocol; calcium gluconate is the antidote.
5. Which assessment finding indicates magnesium sulfate is having a
therapeutic effect?
A. Absent deep-tendon reflexes
B. Respiratory rate 8/min
C. Decreased seizure activity/risk
D. Urine output below 20 mL/hr
Answer: C
Rationale: Magnesium sulfate is administered primarily to prevent
seizures in clients with severe preeclampsia or eclampsia.
6. Which medication is commonly administered to promote fetal lung
maturity when preterm birth is anticipated?
A. Oxytocin
B. Betamethasone
C. Methylergonovine
D. Magnesium hydroxide
,Answer: B
Rationale: Antenatal corticosteroids such as betamethasone accelerate
fetal lung maturation.
7. A client receiving oxytocin develops uterine contractions every 1
minute lasting 100 seconds. What should the nurse do first?
A. Increase the oxytocin infusion
B. Place the client supine
C. Stop the oxytocin infusion
D. Encourage pushing
Answer: C
Rationale: Excessive uterine activity can compromise fetal oxygenation.
Oxytocin should be stopped while the nurse initiates appropriate
intrauterine resuscitation measures.
8. Which fetal heart-rate finding is most concerning?
A. Baseline 140/min
B. Moderate variability
C. Accelerations with fetal movement
D. Recurrent late decelerations
Answer: D
Rationale: Recurrent late decelerations suggest uteroplacental
insufficiency and require prompt intervention.
9. Variable decelerations are most commonly associated with:
A. Maternal hypotension
B. Umbilical cord compression
C. Fetal head compression
D. Placental insufficiency
, Answer: B
Rationale: Variable decelerations are caused by intermittent umbilical
cord compression.
10. Which intervention is appropriate for recurrent variable
decelerations?
A. Reposition the client
B. Encourage ambulation
C. Increase oxytocin
D. Place the client flat on the back
Answer: A
Rationale: Maternal repositioning can relieve umbilical cord
compression and improve fetal oxygenation.
11. A client in active labor asks why continuous fetal monitoring is
being used. Which response is best?
A. “It prevents labor pain.”
B. “It evaluates fetal response to labor.”
C. “It determines the baby's exact weight.”
D. “It prevents postpartum hemorrhage.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Fetal monitoring evaluates fetal heart-rate patterns and the
fetus's response to uterine contractions.
12. Which finding indicates the second stage of labor?
A. Cervical effacement
B. Cervical dilation from 0 to 6 cm
C. Complete cervical dilation and pushing
D. Delivery of the placenta
Practice Questions with Detailed Rationales
1. A pregnant client at 12 weeks asks when fetal heart tones can
generally be detected by Doppler. Which response is appropriate?
A. 6 weeks
B. 10–12 weeks
C. 18–20 weeks
D. 24–26 weeks
Answer: B
Rationale: Fetal heart tones can commonly be detected with Doppler
around 10–12 weeks of gestation.
2. A client at 32 weeks reports painless, bright-red vaginal bleeding.
Which condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Abruptio placentae
B. Placenta previa
C. Ectopic pregnancy
D. Preterm labor
Answer: B
Rationale: Placenta previa classically causes painless, bright-red vaginal
bleeding in the second or third trimester.
3. Which finding is most concerning in a client with suspected abruptio
placentae?
A. Painless vaginal bleeding
B. Soft, nontender uterus
C. Rigid, painful abdomen
D. Increased fetal movement
,Answer: C
Rationale: Abruptio placentae typically presents with painful vaginal
bleeding, uterine tenderness, and a firm or rigid uterus.
4. A pregnant client with severe preeclampsia is receiving magnesium
sulfate. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Respiratory rate 10/min
B. Urine output 45 mL/hr
C. Patellar reflex 2+
D. Blood pressure 150/94 mm Hg
Answer: A
Rationale: Respiratory depression can indicate magnesium toxicity. The
nurse should stop the infusion and notify the provider according to
protocol; calcium gluconate is the antidote.
5. Which assessment finding indicates magnesium sulfate is having a
therapeutic effect?
A. Absent deep-tendon reflexes
B. Respiratory rate 8/min
C. Decreased seizure activity/risk
D. Urine output below 20 mL/hr
Answer: C
Rationale: Magnesium sulfate is administered primarily to prevent
seizures in clients with severe preeclampsia or eclampsia.
6. Which medication is commonly administered to promote fetal lung
maturity when preterm birth is anticipated?
A. Oxytocin
B. Betamethasone
C. Methylergonovine
D. Magnesium hydroxide
,Answer: B
Rationale: Antenatal corticosteroids such as betamethasone accelerate
fetal lung maturation.
7. A client receiving oxytocin develops uterine contractions every 1
minute lasting 100 seconds. What should the nurse do first?
A. Increase the oxytocin infusion
B. Place the client supine
C. Stop the oxytocin infusion
D. Encourage pushing
Answer: C
Rationale: Excessive uterine activity can compromise fetal oxygenation.
Oxytocin should be stopped while the nurse initiates appropriate
intrauterine resuscitation measures.
8. Which fetal heart-rate finding is most concerning?
A. Baseline 140/min
B. Moderate variability
C. Accelerations with fetal movement
D. Recurrent late decelerations
Answer: D
Rationale: Recurrent late decelerations suggest uteroplacental
insufficiency and require prompt intervention.
9. Variable decelerations are most commonly associated with:
A. Maternal hypotension
B. Umbilical cord compression
C. Fetal head compression
D. Placental insufficiency
, Answer: B
Rationale: Variable decelerations are caused by intermittent umbilical
cord compression.
10. Which intervention is appropriate for recurrent variable
decelerations?
A. Reposition the client
B. Encourage ambulation
C. Increase oxytocin
D. Place the client flat on the back
Answer: A
Rationale: Maternal repositioning can relieve umbilical cord
compression and improve fetal oxygenation.
11. A client in active labor asks why continuous fetal monitoring is
being used. Which response is best?
A. “It prevents labor pain.”
B. “It evaluates fetal response to labor.”
C. “It determines the baby's exact weight.”
D. “It prevents postpartum hemorrhage.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Fetal monitoring evaluates fetal heart-rate patterns and the
fetus's response to uterine contractions.
12. Which finding indicates the second stage of labor?
A. Cervical effacement
B. Cervical dilation from 0 to 6 cm
C. Complete cervical dilation and pushing
D. Delivery of the placenta
