ATI MATERNAL-NEWBORN NURSING EXAM REVIEW 2026 / COMPLETE
OB NURSING STUDY GUIDE WITH PRACTICE QUESTIONS, ANSWER KEY
AND RATIONALES
1. A pregnant client at 32 weeks of gestation presents to the prenatal clinic
reporting a severe headache, blurred vision, and sudden swelling of the
hands and face. Her blood pressure is 168/112 mm Hg on repeat
measurement. Which assessment finding should the nurse recognize as
requiring the most immediate attention?
A. Mild dependent ankle edema
B. Urinary frequency
C. Hyperreflexia with clonus
D. Increased appetite
Answer: C
2. A client at 39 weeks of gestation is admitted in active labor and reports
increasing pelvic pressure. The fetal heart rate baseline is 140/min with
moderate variability, and contractions are occurring every 3 minutes. Which
finding would require the nurse to intervene immediately?
A. Fetal heart rate of 90/min sustained for several minutes
B. Maternal pulse of 88/min
C. Cervical dilation of 6 cm
D. Bloody show with progressive cervical change
Answer: A
3. A pregnant client asks the nurse why folic acid is emphasized before
conception and during early pregnancy. Which response is most
appropriate?
A. It prevents all forms of congenital heart disease.
B. It decreases the risk of neural tube defects.
C. It prevents gestational diabetes.
D. It eliminates the need for prenatal vitamins.
Answer: B
pg. 1
, 4. A client who is 28 weeks pregnant reports painless bright-red vaginal
bleeding without abdominal pain or uterine contractions. Which condition
should the nurse suspect?
A. Abruptio placentae
B. Ectopic pregnancy
C. Placenta previa
D. Uterine rupture
Answer: C
5. A pregnant client at 34 weeks presents with sudden severe abdominal pain,
a rigid tender uterus, and dark vaginal bleeding. Which complication should
the nurse suspect?
A. Placenta previa
B. Abruptio placentae
C. Hyperemesis gravidarum
D. Gestational hypertension without complications
Answer: B
6. A client with severe preeclampsia is receiving magnesium sulfate to prevent
seizures. Which assessment finding indicates possible magnesium toxicity
and requires immediate intervention?
A. Respiratory rate of 10/min
B. Urine output of 45 mL/hr
C. Patellar reflexes of 2+
D. Blood pressure of 146/92 mm Hg
Answer: A
7. A nurse is caring for a client receiving magnesium sulfate for severe
preeclampsia. Which medication should be readily available as the antidote
for magnesium toxicity?
A. Protamine sulfate
B. Vitamin K
C. Calcium gluconate
pg. 2
, D. Naloxone
Answer: C
8. A pregnant client with gestational diabetes is learning how to monitor
capillary blood glucose at home. Which statement indicates correct
understanding of the purpose of monitoring?
A. "I only need to check my glucose when I feel weak."
B. "I can stop monitoring once my fasting value is normal."
C. "I should record the values so my treatment plan can be evaluated."
D. "Blood glucose monitoring is unnecessary when I am taking insulin."
Answer: C
9. A client at 10 weeks of gestation reports persistent vomiting, inability to
retain fluids, weight loss, and ketones in the urine. Which condition should
the nurse suspect?
A. Hyperemesis gravidarum
B. Normal morning sickness
C. Placenta previa
D. Polyhydramnios
Answer: A
10. A pregnant client asks which food provides a particularly good source of
folate. Which food should the nurse recommend?
A. Processed cheese
B. Dark green leafy vegetables
C. Refined white bread
D. Butter
Answer: B
11. A client at 36 weeks of gestation has a fundal height that is substantially
larger than expected for gestational age. Which condition should the nurse
consider?
A. Oligohydramnios
B. Intrauterine growth restriction
C. Polyhydramnios
pg. 3
, D. Ectopic pregnancy
Answer: C
12. A pregnant client at 30 weeks has a fundal height that is significantly
smaller than expected. Which complication should the nurse consider?
A. Macrosomia
B. Polyhydramnios
C. Multiple gestation
D. Intrauterine growth restriction
Answer: D
13. A client in labor has a fetal heart rate tracing showing recurrent late
decelerations with minimal variability. Which nursing action should be
performed first?
A. Reposition the client laterally and assess the fetal response.
B. Encourage the client to begin pushing.
C. Increase the oxytocin infusion.
D. Place the client in a supine position.
Answer: A
14. A client receiving oxytocin for labor augmentation develops contractions
occurring every 1 minute and lasting 90 seconds, accompanied by recurrent
fetal heart rate decelerations. Which action is appropriate?
A. Increase the oxytocin rate.
B. Stop the oxytocin infusion.
C. Encourage the client to push.
D. Administer another dose of oxytocin.
Answer: B
15. A laboring client has a fetal heart rate tracing with abrupt decreases in rate
that vary in timing and shape and are associated with contractions. Which
intervention should the nurse anticipate first?
A. Increase oxytocin immediately.
B. Place the client in a lateral position and assess for cord compression.
C. Encourage prolonged pushing.
pg. 4
OB NURSING STUDY GUIDE WITH PRACTICE QUESTIONS, ANSWER KEY
AND RATIONALES
1. A pregnant client at 32 weeks of gestation presents to the prenatal clinic
reporting a severe headache, blurred vision, and sudden swelling of the
hands and face. Her blood pressure is 168/112 mm Hg on repeat
measurement. Which assessment finding should the nurse recognize as
requiring the most immediate attention?
A. Mild dependent ankle edema
B. Urinary frequency
C. Hyperreflexia with clonus
D. Increased appetite
Answer: C
2. A client at 39 weeks of gestation is admitted in active labor and reports
increasing pelvic pressure. The fetal heart rate baseline is 140/min with
moderate variability, and contractions are occurring every 3 minutes. Which
finding would require the nurse to intervene immediately?
A. Fetal heart rate of 90/min sustained for several minutes
B. Maternal pulse of 88/min
C. Cervical dilation of 6 cm
D. Bloody show with progressive cervical change
Answer: A
3. A pregnant client asks the nurse why folic acid is emphasized before
conception and during early pregnancy. Which response is most
appropriate?
A. It prevents all forms of congenital heart disease.
B. It decreases the risk of neural tube defects.
C. It prevents gestational diabetes.
D. It eliminates the need for prenatal vitamins.
Answer: B
pg. 1
, 4. A client who is 28 weeks pregnant reports painless bright-red vaginal
bleeding without abdominal pain or uterine contractions. Which condition
should the nurse suspect?
A. Abruptio placentae
B. Ectopic pregnancy
C. Placenta previa
D. Uterine rupture
Answer: C
5. A pregnant client at 34 weeks presents with sudden severe abdominal pain,
a rigid tender uterus, and dark vaginal bleeding. Which complication should
the nurse suspect?
A. Placenta previa
B. Abruptio placentae
C. Hyperemesis gravidarum
D. Gestational hypertension without complications
Answer: B
6. A client with severe preeclampsia is receiving magnesium sulfate to prevent
seizures. Which assessment finding indicates possible magnesium toxicity
and requires immediate intervention?
A. Respiratory rate of 10/min
B. Urine output of 45 mL/hr
C. Patellar reflexes of 2+
D. Blood pressure of 146/92 mm Hg
Answer: A
7. A nurse is caring for a client receiving magnesium sulfate for severe
preeclampsia. Which medication should be readily available as the antidote
for magnesium toxicity?
A. Protamine sulfate
B. Vitamin K
C. Calcium gluconate
pg. 2
, D. Naloxone
Answer: C
8. A pregnant client with gestational diabetes is learning how to monitor
capillary blood glucose at home. Which statement indicates correct
understanding of the purpose of monitoring?
A. "I only need to check my glucose when I feel weak."
B. "I can stop monitoring once my fasting value is normal."
C. "I should record the values so my treatment plan can be evaluated."
D. "Blood glucose monitoring is unnecessary when I am taking insulin."
Answer: C
9. A client at 10 weeks of gestation reports persistent vomiting, inability to
retain fluids, weight loss, and ketones in the urine. Which condition should
the nurse suspect?
A. Hyperemesis gravidarum
B. Normal morning sickness
C. Placenta previa
D. Polyhydramnios
Answer: A
10. A pregnant client asks which food provides a particularly good source of
folate. Which food should the nurse recommend?
A. Processed cheese
B. Dark green leafy vegetables
C. Refined white bread
D. Butter
Answer: B
11. A client at 36 weeks of gestation has a fundal height that is substantially
larger than expected for gestational age. Which condition should the nurse
consider?
A. Oligohydramnios
B. Intrauterine growth restriction
C. Polyhydramnios
pg. 3
, D. Ectopic pregnancy
Answer: C
12. A pregnant client at 30 weeks has a fundal height that is significantly
smaller than expected. Which complication should the nurse consider?
A. Macrosomia
B. Polyhydramnios
C. Multiple gestation
D. Intrauterine growth restriction
Answer: D
13. A client in labor has a fetal heart rate tracing showing recurrent late
decelerations with minimal variability. Which nursing action should be
performed first?
A. Reposition the client laterally and assess the fetal response.
B. Encourage the client to begin pushing.
C. Increase the oxytocin infusion.
D. Place the client in a supine position.
Answer: A
14. A client receiving oxytocin for labor augmentation develops contractions
occurring every 1 minute and lasting 90 seconds, accompanied by recurrent
fetal heart rate decelerations. Which action is appropriate?
A. Increase the oxytocin rate.
B. Stop the oxytocin infusion.
C. Encourage the client to push.
D. Administer another dose of oxytocin.
Answer: B
15. A laboring client has a fetal heart rate tracing with abrupt decreases in rate
that vary in timing and shape and are associated with contractions. Which
intervention should the nurse anticipate first?
A. Increase oxytocin immediately.
B. Place the client in a lateral position and assess for cord compression.
C. Encourage prolonged pushing.
pg. 4
