RN Maternal Newborn ATI Proctored Exam
– 2025/2026 – 70 Questions with Verified
Rationalized Answers
RN Maternal–Newborn Practice Exam
(Original)
1. A nurse is caring for a newborn who is 2 hours old. Which finding should
the nurse report immediately?
A. Irregular respirations of 40/min
B. A blood glucose of 28 mg/dL
C. Positive Babinski reflex
D. Acrocyanosis of hands and feet
Answer: B
Rationale: Glucose below 40 mg/dL is hypoglycemia and requires immediate intervention to
prevent neurologic injury.
2. A pregnant client at 38 weeks reports a sudden gush of clear fluid. What
is the priority action?
A. Check fetal heart rate
B. Perform a Nitrazine test
C. Document the time of rupture
D. Apply an abdominal binder
Answer: A
Rationale: After suspected rupture of membranes, the nurse must assess fetal heart rate first
to detect cord prolapse or distress.
,3. A nurse assesses a newborn who is small for gestational age. Which
finding is expected?
A. Wide fontanelles
B. Loose, dry skin
C. Excess subcutaneous fat
D. Hypotonia
Answer: B
Rationale: SGA newborns have decreased fat stores, giving loose, wrinkled skin.
4. Which instruction should the nurse give a client taking iron supplements
during pregnancy?
A. Take with milk
B. Expect stools to be clay-colored
C. Take with vitamin C
D. Take at bedtime only
Answer: C
Rationale: Vitamin C increases iron absorption.
5. A newborn is under phototherapy. Which action is necessary?
A. Keep eyes uncovered
B. Turn off lights during feeding
C. Check temperature frequently
D. Apply scented lotion to skin
Answer: C
Rationale: Phototherapy can cause dehydration and temperature instability, so frequent
temperature checks are essential.
6. Which finding indicates effective breastfeeding?
A. Infant feeds for 5 minutes on each breast
B. Infant has 1 wet diaper on day 2
C. Mother reports tugging without pain
D. Nipples appear cracked after feeding
, Answer: C
Rationale: A tugging sensation without pain indicates proper latch.
7. A nurse caring for a client in active labor notes late decelerations. What
is the priority intervention?
A. Increase oxytocin
B. Place client in side-lying position
C. Encourage bearing down
D. Perform fundal massage
Answer: B
Rationale: Late decelerations = uteroplacental insufficiency. First action: reposition to
improve perfusion.
8. A client at 34 weeks reports persistent headache and blurred vision.
What condition is suspected?
A. Placenta previa
B. Preeclampsia
C. Preterm labor
D. Hyperemesis gravidarum
Answer: B
Rationale: Headache and visual changes are warning signs of severe preeclampsia.
9. Which finding in a 1-day-old newborn requires immediate action?
A. Nasal flaring
B. Mottled skin
C. Overlapping sutures
D. Peripheral cyanosis
Answer: A
Rationale: Nasal flaring indicates respiratory distress and requires prompt intervention.
– 2025/2026 – 70 Questions with Verified
Rationalized Answers
RN Maternal–Newborn Practice Exam
(Original)
1. A nurse is caring for a newborn who is 2 hours old. Which finding should
the nurse report immediately?
A. Irregular respirations of 40/min
B. A blood glucose of 28 mg/dL
C. Positive Babinski reflex
D. Acrocyanosis of hands and feet
Answer: B
Rationale: Glucose below 40 mg/dL is hypoglycemia and requires immediate intervention to
prevent neurologic injury.
2. A pregnant client at 38 weeks reports a sudden gush of clear fluid. What
is the priority action?
A. Check fetal heart rate
B. Perform a Nitrazine test
C. Document the time of rupture
D. Apply an abdominal binder
Answer: A
Rationale: After suspected rupture of membranes, the nurse must assess fetal heart rate first
to detect cord prolapse or distress.
,3. A nurse assesses a newborn who is small for gestational age. Which
finding is expected?
A. Wide fontanelles
B. Loose, dry skin
C. Excess subcutaneous fat
D. Hypotonia
Answer: B
Rationale: SGA newborns have decreased fat stores, giving loose, wrinkled skin.
4. Which instruction should the nurse give a client taking iron supplements
during pregnancy?
A. Take with milk
B. Expect stools to be clay-colored
C. Take with vitamin C
D. Take at bedtime only
Answer: C
Rationale: Vitamin C increases iron absorption.
5. A newborn is under phototherapy. Which action is necessary?
A. Keep eyes uncovered
B. Turn off lights during feeding
C. Check temperature frequently
D. Apply scented lotion to skin
Answer: C
Rationale: Phototherapy can cause dehydration and temperature instability, so frequent
temperature checks are essential.
6. Which finding indicates effective breastfeeding?
A. Infant feeds for 5 minutes on each breast
B. Infant has 1 wet diaper on day 2
C. Mother reports tugging without pain
D. Nipples appear cracked after feeding
, Answer: C
Rationale: A tugging sensation without pain indicates proper latch.
7. A nurse caring for a client in active labor notes late decelerations. What
is the priority intervention?
A. Increase oxytocin
B. Place client in side-lying position
C. Encourage bearing down
D. Perform fundal massage
Answer: B
Rationale: Late decelerations = uteroplacental insufficiency. First action: reposition to
improve perfusion.
8. A client at 34 weeks reports persistent headache and blurred vision.
What condition is suspected?
A. Placenta previa
B. Preeclampsia
C. Preterm labor
D. Hyperemesis gravidarum
Answer: B
Rationale: Headache and visual changes are warning signs of severe preeclampsia.
9. Which finding in a 1-day-old newborn requires immediate action?
A. Nasal flaring
B. Mottled skin
C. Overlapping sutures
D. Peripheral cyanosis
Answer: A
Rationale: Nasal flaring indicates respiratory distress and requires prompt intervention.
