ATI RN Maternal Newborn Nursing 2026/2027 | ATI RN
Maternal Newborn Nursing Edition 13.0 Study Guide, Practice
Questions & Answers, ATI Maternal Newborn Exam Prep,
Content Mastery Series, Pregnancy & Antepartum Care, High-
Risk Pregnancy, Intrapartum Nursing, Labor & Delivery,
Postpartum Care, Newborn Assessment & Care, Newborn
Complications, Pregnancy Complications, Fetal Monitoring,
Maternal Infections, Hypertensive Disorders, Gestational
Diabetes, Contraception & Infertility, Lactation &
Breastfeeding, Medication Administration, Pharmacology,
Clinical Judgment & Detailed Rationales
Question 1: A nurse is calculating the estimated date of birth using
Naegele's rule for a client whose last menstrual period began on June
21. Which of the following is the estimated date of delivery in the next
year?
A. March 14
B. March 28
C. April 14
D. April 28
CORRECT ANSWER: B. March 28
Rationale: Naegele's rule is calculated by subtracting 3 months from the
first day of the last menstrual period and adding 7 days and 1 year. June 21
minus 3 months equals March 21; March 21 plus 7 days equals March 28.
Question 2: A nurse is caring for a client at 32 weeks gestation who is
experiencing preterm labor. Which medication should the nurse
anticipate administering to accelerate fetal lung maturity?
A. Oxytocin
B. Betamethasone
C. Magnesium sulfate
D. Nifedipine
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Betamethasone
Rationale: Betamethasone is an antenatal corticosteroid administered to
clients at risk for preterm birth to accelerate fetal lung maturation and
reduce the incidence and severity of neonatal respiratory distress
syndrome.
,Question 3: A nurse is assessing a client who is at 12 weeks gestation
and has a hydatidiform mole. Which finding should the nurse expect?
A. Painless vaginal bleeding
B. Dark brown vaginal discharge
C. Uterine hypertonicity
D. Fetal heart tones present
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Dark brown vaginal discharge
Rationale: A hydatidiform mole is an abnormal proliferation of chorionic
villi that produces multiple fluid-filled vesicles. Vaginal bleeding or
discharge is common and may appear dark brown, with grapelike vesicles
potentially expelled.
Question 4: A nurse is caring for a client who delivered a healthy infant
5 days ago and reports that her lochia is getting lighter in color. Which
action should the nurse take?
A. Instruct the client to go to the emergency room
B. Recommend vaginal douching
C. Explain this is a normal finding
D. Determine if ovulation has occurred
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Explain this is a normal finding
Rationale: Lochia progresses from rubra (red) to serosa (pinkish-brown) to
alba (white/yellowish). The transition to a lighter color around 4-10 days
postpartum is an expected finding.
Question 5: A nurse is assessing a pregnant client at 32 weeks gestation
who reports sudden severe headache and visual disturbances. Which
action should the nurse prioritize?
A. Administer acetaminophen for pain relief
B. Check blood pressure and assess for proteinuria
C. Encourage the client to rest in a left lateral position
D. Document the findings and schedule a follow-up appointment
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Check blood pressure and assess for
proteinuria
Rationale: Sudden severe headache and visual disturbances at 32 weeks
gestation are classic signs of preeclampsia. The priority is assessing blood
,pressure and checking for proteinuria to evaluate for hypertensive disorder
of pregnancy.
Question 6: During the fourth stage of labor, which assessment finding
requires immediate nursing intervention?
A. Fundus firm and at the umbilicus
B. Lochia rubra with small clots
C. Perineal edema and bruising
D. Saturating a perineal pad in 15 minutes
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Saturating a perineal pad in 15 minutes
Rationale: Saturating a perineal pad in 15 minutes indicates excessive
bleeding and possible postpartum hemorrhage, which is a medical
emergency requiring immediate intervention.
Question 7: A newborn is assessed at 1 minute of life with a heart rate
of 90 bpm, slow irregular respirations, some flexion of extremities,
grimace to stimulation, and pink body with blue extremities. What is
the newborn's Apgar score?
A. 4
B. 5
C. 6
D. 7
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 5
Rationale: The Apgar score assesses five criteria: heart rate (1 point for
<100 bpm), respiratory effort (1 point for slow/irregular), muscle tone (1
point for some flexion), reflex irritability (1 point for grimace), and color (1
point for acrocyanosis). Total = 5.
Question 8: A nurse is preparing to administer Rho(D) immune globulin
to a postpartum client. Which assessment finding is a prerequisite for
administration?
A. Mother is Rh-negative and infant is Rh-positive
B. Mother is Rh-positive and infant is Rh-negative
C. Direct Coombs test is positive in the newborn
D. Mother received RhoGAM during the current pregnancy
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Mother is Rh-negative and infant is Rh-positive
, Rationale: Rho(D) immune globulin is indicated for Rh-negative mothers
who deliver an Rh-positive infant to prevent isoimmunization in future
pregnancies.
Question 9: A nurse is providing teaching for a client at 7 weeks of
gestation who is experiencing nausea and vomiting. Which statement
indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. "I should have a small snack before bedtime."
B. "I should drink fluids with my meals."
C. "I should eat three large meals daily."
D. "I should avoid all carbohydrates."
CORRECT ANSWER: A. "I should have a small snack before bedtime."
Rationale: Eating small, frequent meals and having a snack before bedtime
can help prevent hypoglycemia, which often triggers nausea and vomiting.
Fluids should be consumed between meals rather than with meals.
Question 10: A nurse is reviewing laboratory results for a client at 10
weeks of gestation. Which finding should the nurse report to the
provider?
A. Hemoglobin 10 g/dL
B. WBC count 15,000/mm³
C. RBC count 5.8 million/mm³
D. Hematocrit 34%
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Hemoglobin 10 g/dL
Rationale: A hemoglobin level of 10 g/dL is below the expected reference
range of >11 g/dL for a pregnant client, indicating anemia requiring provider
notification. WBC count up to 15,000/mm³ is normal in pregnancy due to
physiologic leukocytosis.
Question 11: A nurse is assessing a client who is at 35 weeks of
gestation and has mild gestational hypertension. Which finding should
the nurse identify as the priority?
A. 480 mL urine output in 24 hrs
B. Blood pressure 138/88 mm Hg
C. 1+ proteinuria
D. Mild ankle edema
Maternal Newborn Nursing Edition 13.0 Study Guide, Practice
Questions & Answers, ATI Maternal Newborn Exam Prep,
Content Mastery Series, Pregnancy & Antepartum Care, High-
Risk Pregnancy, Intrapartum Nursing, Labor & Delivery,
Postpartum Care, Newborn Assessment & Care, Newborn
Complications, Pregnancy Complications, Fetal Monitoring,
Maternal Infections, Hypertensive Disorders, Gestational
Diabetes, Contraception & Infertility, Lactation &
Breastfeeding, Medication Administration, Pharmacology,
Clinical Judgment & Detailed Rationales
Question 1: A nurse is calculating the estimated date of birth using
Naegele's rule for a client whose last menstrual period began on June
21. Which of the following is the estimated date of delivery in the next
year?
A. March 14
B. March 28
C. April 14
D. April 28
CORRECT ANSWER: B. March 28
Rationale: Naegele's rule is calculated by subtracting 3 months from the
first day of the last menstrual period and adding 7 days and 1 year. June 21
minus 3 months equals March 21; March 21 plus 7 days equals March 28.
Question 2: A nurse is caring for a client at 32 weeks gestation who is
experiencing preterm labor. Which medication should the nurse
anticipate administering to accelerate fetal lung maturity?
A. Oxytocin
B. Betamethasone
C. Magnesium sulfate
D. Nifedipine
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Betamethasone
Rationale: Betamethasone is an antenatal corticosteroid administered to
clients at risk for preterm birth to accelerate fetal lung maturation and
reduce the incidence and severity of neonatal respiratory distress
syndrome.
,Question 3: A nurse is assessing a client who is at 12 weeks gestation
and has a hydatidiform mole. Which finding should the nurse expect?
A. Painless vaginal bleeding
B. Dark brown vaginal discharge
C. Uterine hypertonicity
D. Fetal heart tones present
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Dark brown vaginal discharge
Rationale: A hydatidiform mole is an abnormal proliferation of chorionic
villi that produces multiple fluid-filled vesicles. Vaginal bleeding or
discharge is common and may appear dark brown, with grapelike vesicles
potentially expelled.
Question 4: A nurse is caring for a client who delivered a healthy infant
5 days ago and reports that her lochia is getting lighter in color. Which
action should the nurse take?
A. Instruct the client to go to the emergency room
B. Recommend vaginal douching
C. Explain this is a normal finding
D. Determine if ovulation has occurred
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Explain this is a normal finding
Rationale: Lochia progresses from rubra (red) to serosa (pinkish-brown) to
alba (white/yellowish). The transition to a lighter color around 4-10 days
postpartum is an expected finding.
Question 5: A nurse is assessing a pregnant client at 32 weeks gestation
who reports sudden severe headache and visual disturbances. Which
action should the nurse prioritize?
A. Administer acetaminophen for pain relief
B. Check blood pressure and assess for proteinuria
C. Encourage the client to rest in a left lateral position
D. Document the findings and schedule a follow-up appointment
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Check blood pressure and assess for
proteinuria
Rationale: Sudden severe headache and visual disturbances at 32 weeks
gestation are classic signs of preeclampsia. The priority is assessing blood
,pressure and checking for proteinuria to evaluate for hypertensive disorder
of pregnancy.
Question 6: During the fourth stage of labor, which assessment finding
requires immediate nursing intervention?
A. Fundus firm and at the umbilicus
B. Lochia rubra with small clots
C. Perineal edema and bruising
D. Saturating a perineal pad in 15 minutes
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Saturating a perineal pad in 15 minutes
Rationale: Saturating a perineal pad in 15 minutes indicates excessive
bleeding and possible postpartum hemorrhage, which is a medical
emergency requiring immediate intervention.
Question 7: A newborn is assessed at 1 minute of life with a heart rate
of 90 bpm, slow irregular respirations, some flexion of extremities,
grimace to stimulation, and pink body with blue extremities. What is
the newborn's Apgar score?
A. 4
B. 5
C. 6
D. 7
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 5
Rationale: The Apgar score assesses five criteria: heart rate (1 point for
<100 bpm), respiratory effort (1 point for slow/irregular), muscle tone (1
point for some flexion), reflex irritability (1 point for grimace), and color (1
point for acrocyanosis). Total = 5.
Question 8: A nurse is preparing to administer Rho(D) immune globulin
to a postpartum client. Which assessment finding is a prerequisite for
administration?
A. Mother is Rh-negative and infant is Rh-positive
B. Mother is Rh-positive and infant is Rh-negative
C. Direct Coombs test is positive in the newborn
D. Mother received RhoGAM during the current pregnancy
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Mother is Rh-negative and infant is Rh-positive
, Rationale: Rho(D) immune globulin is indicated for Rh-negative mothers
who deliver an Rh-positive infant to prevent isoimmunization in future
pregnancies.
Question 9: A nurse is providing teaching for a client at 7 weeks of
gestation who is experiencing nausea and vomiting. Which statement
indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. "I should have a small snack before bedtime."
B. "I should drink fluids with my meals."
C. "I should eat three large meals daily."
D. "I should avoid all carbohydrates."
CORRECT ANSWER: A. "I should have a small snack before bedtime."
Rationale: Eating small, frequent meals and having a snack before bedtime
can help prevent hypoglycemia, which often triggers nausea and vomiting.
Fluids should be consumed between meals rather than with meals.
Question 10: A nurse is reviewing laboratory results for a client at 10
weeks of gestation. Which finding should the nurse report to the
provider?
A. Hemoglobin 10 g/dL
B. WBC count 15,000/mm³
C. RBC count 5.8 million/mm³
D. Hematocrit 34%
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Hemoglobin 10 g/dL
Rationale: A hemoglobin level of 10 g/dL is below the expected reference
range of >11 g/dL for a pregnant client, indicating anemia requiring provider
notification. WBC count up to 15,000/mm³ is normal in pregnancy due to
physiologic leukocytosis.
Question 11: A nurse is assessing a client who is at 35 weeks of
gestation and has mild gestational hypertension. Which finding should
the nurse identify as the priority?
A. 480 mL urine output in 24 hrs
B. Blood pressure 138/88 mm Hg
C. 1+ proteinuria
D. Mild ankle edema
