2025 ATI Maternal Newborn Proctored Exam:
Ultimate Study Guide with Practice Questions,
Detailed Answer Rationales, and Proven
Strategies for Exam Success
A nurse is caring for a client who is in the latent phase of labor and is receiving oxytocin
via continuous IV infusion. The nurse notes that the client is having contractions every 2
min which last 100-110 seconds that the fetal heart rate is reassuring. What action
should the nurse take?
a. decrease the dose of oxytocin by half
b. administer oxygen via nonrebreather mask
c. decrease the infusion rate of the maintenance IV fluid
d. administer terbutaline 0.25mg subq - - correct ans- -a. decrease the dose of oxytocin
by half
The nurse should decrease the dose of oxytocin by half because the client is
experiencing uterine tachysystole.
A nurse is assessing a client who is at 12 wks gestation and has hydatidiform mole.
What findings should the nurse expect?
a. hypothermia
b. dark brown vaginal discharge
c. fetal heart tones
d. decreased urinary output - - correct ans- -b. dark brown vaginal discharge
A hydatidiform mole, or a molar pregnancy, is a benign proliferative growth of the
chorionic villi, which gives rise to multiple cysts. The products of conception transform
into a large number of edematous, fluid-filled vesicles. As cells slough off the uterine
wall, vaginal discharge is usually dark brown and can contain grapelike clusters.
,A nurse is assessing a client who is at 35 weeks of gestation and has mild gestational
HTN. What finding should the nurse identify as the priority?
a. 480 mL urine output in 24 hrs
b. 1+ protein in the urine
c. +2 edema of the feet
d. BP 144/92 - - correct ans- -a. 480 mL urine output in 24 hrs
When using the urgent vs. nonurgent approach to client care, the nurse should
determine that the priority finding is 480 mL of urine output in 24 hr because the
minimum acceptable urine output in an adult client is 30 mL/hr. This can indicate
progression of preeclampsia to preeclampsia with severe features, which requires
immediate intervention. Therefore, this is the priority finding.
A nurse is teaching a client who is at 12 wks gestation and has HIV. What statement
should the nurse include in the teaching?
a. you will be in isolation after delivery
b. abstain from sexual intercourse throughout pregnancy
c. breastfeed your newborn to provide passive immunity
d. you should continue to take zidovudine throughout the pregnancy - - correct ans- -d.
you should continue to take zidovudine throughout the pregnancy
-can be transmitted through breastfeeding
-she can continue to have sex
The nurse should inform the client that taking prescription antiviral medication every
day decreases the risk of transmission of HIV to her newborn.
A nurse is caring for a client who is in active labor and has meconium staining of the
amniotic fluid. The nurse notes a reassuring FHR tracing from the external fetal monitor.
What action should the nurse take?
a. prepare the client for emergency c-section
b. perform endotrach suctioning as soon as the fetal head is delivered
,c. prepare equipment needed for newborn resuscitation
d. prepare the client for an ultrasound exam - - correct ans- -c. prepare equipment
needed for newborn resuscitation
The nurse should ensure that all supplies and equipment needed for resuscitation of
the newborn are readily available for every delivery. Endotracheal suctioning is
recommended in cases of meconium staining only if the newborn has poor respiratory
effort, decreased muscle tone, and bradycardia after delivery.
A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who is at 33 wks gestation and has
placenta previa and bleeding. What scripts should the nurse clarify with the provider?
a. insert a large-bore IV catheter
b. perform a vaginal exam
c. perform continuous external fetal monitoring
d. obtain a blood sample for lab testing - - correct ans- -b. perform a vaginal exam
When a client has a placenta previa, the placenta implants in the lower part of the
uterus and obstructs the cervical os (the opening to the vagina). The nurse should
clarify this prescription because any manipulation can cause tearing of the placenta
and increased bleeding.
A nurse is caring for a client who is at 37 wks gestation and is undergoing a nonstress
test. The FHR is 130 without accelerations for the past 10 min. What action should the
nurse take?
a. request a script for an internal fetal scalp electrode
b. auscultate the FHR with a doppler transducer
c. report the nonreactive test result to the provider immediately
d. use vibroacoustic stim on the client's abd for 3 seconds - - correct ans- -d. use
vibroacoustic stim on the client's abd for 3 seconds
, The nurse should use a vibroacoustic stimulator on the client's abdomen to elicit fetal
activity because the fetus is most likely sleeping. Fetal movement should cause
accelerations in the FHR.
A nurse is caring for a client who is at 32 wks gestation and is experiencing preterm
labor. What meds should the nurse plan to administer?
a. misoprostol
b. betamethasone
c. poractant alfa
d. methylergonovine - - correct ans- -b. betamethasone
A nurse at a prenatal clinic is caring for a client who suspects she may be pregnant and
asks the nurse how the provider will confirm her pregnancy. The nurse should inform the
client that what lab test will be used to confirm her pregnancy?
a. urine test for presence of HCG
b. urine test for the presence of HCS
c. blood test for presence of estrogen
d. blood test for the amount of circulating progesterone - - correct ans- -a. urine test for
presence of HCG
A nurse is caring for a client who believes she may be pregnant. What finding should the
nurse identify as a positive sign of pregnancy?
a. palpable fetal movement
b. amenorrhea
c. chadwick's sign
d. positive pregnancy test - - correct ans- -a. palpable fetal movement
A nurse is caring for a client who has oligohydraminios. What fetal anomalies should the
nurse expect?
a. renal agenesis
b. atrial septal defect
Ultimate Study Guide with Practice Questions,
Detailed Answer Rationales, and Proven
Strategies for Exam Success
A nurse is caring for a client who is in the latent phase of labor and is receiving oxytocin
via continuous IV infusion. The nurse notes that the client is having contractions every 2
min which last 100-110 seconds that the fetal heart rate is reassuring. What action
should the nurse take?
a. decrease the dose of oxytocin by half
b. administer oxygen via nonrebreather mask
c. decrease the infusion rate of the maintenance IV fluid
d. administer terbutaline 0.25mg subq - - correct ans- -a. decrease the dose of oxytocin
by half
The nurse should decrease the dose of oxytocin by half because the client is
experiencing uterine tachysystole.
A nurse is assessing a client who is at 12 wks gestation and has hydatidiform mole.
What findings should the nurse expect?
a. hypothermia
b. dark brown vaginal discharge
c. fetal heart tones
d. decreased urinary output - - correct ans- -b. dark brown vaginal discharge
A hydatidiform mole, or a molar pregnancy, is a benign proliferative growth of the
chorionic villi, which gives rise to multiple cysts. The products of conception transform
into a large number of edematous, fluid-filled vesicles. As cells slough off the uterine
wall, vaginal discharge is usually dark brown and can contain grapelike clusters.
,A nurse is assessing a client who is at 35 weeks of gestation and has mild gestational
HTN. What finding should the nurse identify as the priority?
a. 480 mL urine output in 24 hrs
b. 1+ protein in the urine
c. +2 edema of the feet
d. BP 144/92 - - correct ans- -a. 480 mL urine output in 24 hrs
When using the urgent vs. nonurgent approach to client care, the nurse should
determine that the priority finding is 480 mL of urine output in 24 hr because the
minimum acceptable urine output in an adult client is 30 mL/hr. This can indicate
progression of preeclampsia to preeclampsia with severe features, which requires
immediate intervention. Therefore, this is the priority finding.
A nurse is teaching a client who is at 12 wks gestation and has HIV. What statement
should the nurse include in the teaching?
a. you will be in isolation after delivery
b. abstain from sexual intercourse throughout pregnancy
c. breastfeed your newborn to provide passive immunity
d. you should continue to take zidovudine throughout the pregnancy - - correct ans- -d.
you should continue to take zidovudine throughout the pregnancy
-can be transmitted through breastfeeding
-she can continue to have sex
The nurse should inform the client that taking prescription antiviral medication every
day decreases the risk of transmission of HIV to her newborn.
A nurse is caring for a client who is in active labor and has meconium staining of the
amniotic fluid. The nurse notes a reassuring FHR tracing from the external fetal monitor.
What action should the nurse take?
a. prepare the client for emergency c-section
b. perform endotrach suctioning as soon as the fetal head is delivered
,c. prepare equipment needed for newborn resuscitation
d. prepare the client for an ultrasound exam - - correct ans- -c. prepare equipment
needed for newborn resuscitation
The nurse should ensure that all supplies and equipment needed for resuscitation of
the newborn are readily available for every delivery. Endotracheal suctioning is
recommended in cases of meconium staining only if the newborn has poor respiratory
effort, decreased muscle tone, and bradycardia after delivery.
A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who is at 33 wks gestation and has
placenta previa and bleeding. What scripts should the nurse clarify with the provider?
a. insert a large-bore IV catheter
b. perform a vaginal exam
c. perform continuous external fetal monitoring
d. obtain a blood sample for lab testing - - correct ans- -b. perform a vaginal exam
When a client has a placenta previa, the placenta implants in the lower part of the
uterus and obstructs the cervical os (the opening to the vagina). The nurse should
clarify this prescription because any manipulation can cause tearing of the placenta
and increased bleeding.
A nurse is caring for a client who is at 37 wks gestation and is undergoing a nonstress
test. The FHR is 130 without accelerations for the past 10 min. What action should the
nurse take?
a. request a script for an internal fetal scalp electrode
b. auscultate the FHR with a doppler transducer
c. report the nonreactive test result to the provider immediately
d. use vibroacoustic stim on the client's abd for 3 seconds - - correct ans- -d. use
vibroacoustic stim on the client's abd for 3 seconds
, The nurse should use a vibroacoustic stimulator on the client's abdomen to elicit fetal
activity because the fetus is most likely sleeping. Fetal movement should cause
accelerations in the FHR.
A nurse is caring for a client who is at 32 wks gestation and is experiencing preterm
labor. What meds should the nurse plan to administer?
a. misoprostol
b. betamethasone
c. poractant alfa
d. methylergonovine - - correct ans- -b. betamethasone
A nurse at a prenatal clinic is caring for a client who suspects she may be pregnant and
asks the nurse how the provider will confirm her pregnancy. The nurse should inform the
client that what lab test will be used to confirm her pregnancy?
a. urine test for presence of HCG
b. urine test for the presence of HCS
c. blood test for presence of estrogen
d. blood test for the amount of circulating progesterone - - correct ans- -a. urine test for
presence of HCG
A nurse is caring for a client who believes she may be pregnant. What finding should the
nurse identify as a positive sign of pregnancy?
a. palpable fetal movement
b. amenorrhea
c. chadwick's sign
d. positive pregnancy test - - correct ans- -a. palpable fetal movement
A nurse is caring for a client who has oligohydraminios. What fetal anomalies should the
nurse expect?
a. renal agenesis
b. atrial septal defect
