ATI Capstone Maternal Newborn Assessment Question
Bank (Latest 2026/2027 Edition) – 100% Correct Questions,
Answers & Detailed Rationales
Q1
A pregnant client's last menstrual period began on March 10, 2026. Using Naegele's
rule, what is the estimated date of delivery?
A) December 3, 2026
B) December 10, 2026
C) December 17, 2026
D) January 7, 2027
Answer: C
Rationales:
● A: December 3 results from incorrectly subtracting 7 days from the LMP rather
than adding 7 days as Naegele's rule requires.
● B: December 10 adds 9 months but omits the required addition of 7 days to the
first day of the LMP.
● C: Naegele's rule correctly calculates the EDD by adding 7 days to the LMP first
day and then adding 9 months, yielding December 17, 2026.
● D: January 7, 2027 incorrectly adds 10 months instead of 9 months to the LMP
date.
Q2
,At a prenatal visit, a nurse palpates the uterine fundus of a client at 20 weeks gestation.
Where should the fundus normally be located?
A) At the level of the symphysis pubis
B) At the level of the umbilicus
C) Midway between the symphysis pubis and the umbilicus
D) At the level of the xiphoid process
Answer: B
Rationales:
● A: The symphysis pubis level corresponds to approximately 12 weeks gestation,
which is too early for a 20-week pregnancy.
● B: The uterine fundus is reliably palpated at the level of the umbilicus at 20 weeks
gestation, serving as a standard landmark for fundal height assessment.
● C: Midway between the symphysis and umbilicus corresponds to roughly 16
weeks gestation, not 20 weeks.
● D: The xiphoid process level is reached near 36 weeks gestation as the fundus
ascends to its highest point before lightening.
Q3
A pregnant client with a pre-pregnancy BMI of 19.0 kg/m² asks about recommended
total weight gain. What is the nurse's best response?
A) 11 to 20 pounds
B) 15 to 25 pounds
C) 25 to 35 pounds
D) 28 to 40 pounds
Answer: D
Rationales:
, ● A: 11 to 20 pounds is the recommended weight gain for obese clients with a BMI
of 30.0 or greater, not underweight clients.
● B: 15 to 25 pounds is the recommended range for overweight clients with a BMI
of 25.0 to 29.9.
● C: 25 to 35 pounds is the recommended range for clients with a normal
pre-pregnancy BMI of 18.5 to 24.9.
● D: 28 to 40 pounds is the Institute of Medicine recommendation for underweight
clients to support adequate fetal growth and nutrient stores.
Q4
A client's obstetric history is documented as G3 T1 P1 A1 L2. How many living children
does this client have?
A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 4
Answer: B
Rationales:
● A: 1 accounts for only the term birth and ignores the preterm birth that also
resulted in a living child.
● B: In the GTPAL system, L2 indicates two living children, which includes both the
term birth and the preterm birth in this client's history.
● C: 3 represents the gravida number, which counts total pregnancies rather than
living children.
● D: 4 is not supported by any component of the documented GTPAL history.
Q5
, A client at 28 weeks gestation reports constipation and asks about a safe
over-the-counter remedy. Which recommendation by the nurse is most appropriate?
A) Mineral oil taken daily before bedtime
B) A bulk-forming laxative such as psyllium and increased fluid intake
C) Castor oil as needed to stimulate bowel evacuation
D) Sodium phosphate enemas twice weekly for maintenance
Answer: B
Rationales:
● A: Mineral oil interferes with absorption of fat-soluble vitamins critical for fetal
development and is not recommended during pregnancy.
● B: Bulk-forming laxatives with adequate hydration are first-line therapy for
pregnancy-related constipation because they are not systemically absorbed and
are safe for the fetus.
● C: Castor oil can stimulate uterine contractions and cause dehydration, making it
contraindicated during pregnancy.
● D: Sodium phosphate enemas can cause electrolyte imbalances and are
inappropriate for routine maintenance in pregnant clients.
Q6
During a prenatal visit, a client at 16 weeks gestation asks when she should expect to
feel fetal movement. The nurse's best response is:
A) "Most first-time mothers feel movement between 16 and 20 weeks gestation."
B) "You should have already felt movement by 12 weeks if the pregnancy is normal."
C) "Fetal movement is not typically felt until the third trimester around 28 weeks."
D) "Quickening only occurs in multiparous women and you will not feel it."
Answer: A
Rationales:
Bank (Latest 2026/2027 Edition) – 100% Correct Questions,
Answers & Detailed Rationales
Q1
A pregnant client's last menstrual period began on March 10, 2026. Using Naegele's
rule, what is the estimated date of delivery?
A) December 3, 2026
B) December 10, 2026
C) December 17, 2026
D) January 7, 2027
Answer: C
Rationales:
● A: December 3 results from incorrectly subtracting 7 days from the LMP rather
than adding 7 days as Naegele's rule requires.
● B: December 10 adds 9 months but omits the required addition of 7 days to the
first day of the LMP.
● C: Naegele's rule correctly calculates the EDD by adding 7 days to the LMP first
day and then adding 9 months, yielding December 17, 2026.
● D: January 7, 2027 incorrectly adds 10 months instead of 9 months to the LMP
date.
Q2
,At a prenatal visit, a nurse palpates the uterine fundus of a client at 20 weeks gestation.
Where should the fundus normally be located?
A) At the level of the symphysis pubis
B) At the level of the umbilicus
C) Midway between the symphysis pubis and the umbilicus
D) At the level of the xiphoid process
Answer: B
Rationales:
● A: The symphysis pubis level corresponds to approximately 12 weeks gestation,
which is too early for a 20-week pregnancy.
● B: The uterine fundus is reliably palpated at the level of the umbilicus at 20 weeks
gestation, serving as a standard landmark for fundal height assessment.
● C: Midway between the symphysis and umbilicus corresponds to roughly 16
weeks gestation, not 20 weeks.
● D: The xiphoid process level is reached near 36 weeks gestation as the fundus
ascends to its highest point before lightening.
Q3
A pregnant client with a pre-pregnancy BMI of 19.0 kg/m² asks about recommended
total weight gain. What is the nurse's best response?
A) 11 to 20 pounds
B) 15 to 25 pounds
C) 25 to 35 pounds
D) 28 to 40 pounds
Answer: D
Rationales:
, ● A: 11 to 20 pounds is the recommended weight gain for obese clients with a BMI
of 30.0 or greater, not underweight clients.
● B: 15 to 25 pounds is the recommended range for overweight clients with a BMI
of 25.0 to 29.9.
● C: 25 to 35 pounds is the recommended range for clients with a normal
pre-pregnancy BMI of 18.5 to 24.9.
● D: 28 to 40 pounds is the Institute of Medicine recommendation for underweight
clients to support adequate fetal growth and nutrient stores.
Q4
A client's obstetric history is documented as G3 T1 P1 A1 L2. How many living children
does this client have?
A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 4
Answer: B
Rationales:
● A: 1 accounts for only the term birth and ignores the preterm birth that also
resulted in a living child.
● B: In the GTPAL system, L2 indicates two living children, which includes both the
term birth and the preterm birth in this client's history.
● C: 3 represents the gravida number, which counts total pregnancies rather than
living children.
● D: 4 is not supported by any component of the documented GTPAL history.
Q5
, A client at 28 weeks gestation reports constipation and asks about a safe
over-the-counter remedy. Which recommendation by the nurse is most appropriate?
A) Mineral oil taken daily before bedtime
B) A bulk-forming laxative such as psyllium and increased fluid intake
C) Castor oil as needed to stimulate bowel evacuation
D) Sodium phosphate enemas twice weekly for maintenance
Answer: B
Rationales:
● A: Mineral oil interferes with absorption of fat-soluble vitamins critical for fetal
development and is not recommended during pregnancy.
● B: Bulk-forming laxatives with adequate hydration are first-line therapy for
pregnancy-related constipation because they are not systemically absorbed and
are safe for the fetus.
● C: Castor oil can stimulate uterine contractions and cause dehydration, making it
contraindicated during pregnancy.
● D: Sodium phosphate enemas can cause electrolyte imbalances and are
inappropriate for routine maintenance in pregnant clients.
Q6
During a prenatal visit, a client at 16 weeks gestation asks when she should expect to
feel fetal movement. The nurse's best response is:
A) "Most first-time mothers feel movement between 16 and 20 weeks gestation."
B) "You should have already felt movement by 12 weeks if the pregnancy is normal."
C) "Fetal movement is not typically felt until the third trimester around 28 weeks."
D) "Quickening only occurs in multiparous women and you will not feel it."
Answer: A
Rationales:
