VATI RN Maternal Newborn Assessment Exam -
Complete Questions with Verified Answers and
Detailed Rationales- Latest Test (Updated 2026-
2027) | Graded A+
Question 1
A charge nurse is teaching a newly licensed nurse about substance use disorders during
pregnancy. Which of the following statements by the newly licensed nurse indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
Answer: Encourage clients who are prescribed methadone to breastfeed. ✔✔
Rationale: Methadone maintenance therapy is compatible with breastfeeding. The
benefits of breastfeeding outweigh the risks, as methadone passes into breast milk in
minimal amounts. Breastfeeding also helps reduce neonatal withdrawal symptoms.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a client who received terbutaline subcutaneously. Which of the
following findings is an indication the medication was effective?
Answer: Decreased frequency and intensity of uterine contractions ✔✔
Rationale: Terbutaline is a tocolytic medication used to suppress preterm labor.
Effectiveness is demonstrated by a reduction in uterine contractions, allowing the
pregnancy to continue. It works by stimulating beta-2 receptors, which relax uterine
smooth muscle.
Question 3
A charge nurse is discussing care of clients who are in labor with a newly licensed nurse.
Which of the following actions should the charge nurse include in the teaching regarding
situations requiring an aminotomy?
Answer: Placing a fetal scalp electrode ✔✔
Rationale: An aminotomy (artificial rupture of membranes) is often performed to
allow placement of a fetal scalp electrode for more accurate fetal heart rate monitoring.
It also allows for assessment of amniotic fluid and can help augment labor.
pg. 1
,Question 4
A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who has preeclampsia prior to
administering labetalol. For which of the following findings should the nurse withhold
the medication?
Answer: Heart rate 54/min ✔✔
Rationale: Labetalol is a beta-blocker that lowers blood pressure by decreasing heart
rate and cardiac output. If the client's heart rate is less than 60/min, the medication
should be withheld to avoid further bradycardia. The provider should be notified.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a client who is at 30 weeks of gestation and observes the client
choking while eating lunch. The client is unable to speak or cough. Identify the sequence
of steps the nurse should take to clear the airway obstruction:
Answer:
1. Stand posterior to the client.
2. Position arms under the client's axilla and across the client's chest.
3. Place thumb-side of a clenched fist to the client's mid-sternum area.
4. Initiate chest thrusts to the client using a backward motion. ✔✔
Rationale: For a pregnant client who is choking and unable to speak or cough
(complete airway obstruction), abdominal thrusts are contraindicated due to the risk of
uterine injury. Chest thrusts are the appropriate technique for pregnant clients. The
steps follow the correct sequence for performing chest thrusts in pregnancy.
Question 6
A nurse is preparing to administer an opioid analgesic to a client who is in active labor.
Which of the following assessments should the nurse perform? (Select all that apply)
Answer: Maternal blood pressure, Pain level, Fetal heart rate ✔✔
Rationale: Before administering opioid analgesics, the nurse should assess maternal
blood pressure, pain level, and fetal heart rate. Opioids can cause maternal hypotension
and fetal bradycardia, and assessing pain level ensures appropriate medication
administration. If the client becomes unconscious, the nurse should perform CPR and
activate emergency medical services.
pg. 2
, Question 7
A nurse is reviewing the medical records of a client who is at 8 weeks of gestation.
Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as a risk factor for developing
preeclampsia?
Answer: Rheumatoid Arthritis ✔✔
Rationale: Autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and
antiphospholipid syndrome are risk factors for developing preeclampsia. Other risk
factors include chronic hypertension, diabetes, multiple gestation, and history of
preeclampsia.
Question 8
A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results for a postpartum client who is receiving
warfarin for deep-vein thrombosis. Which of the following laboratory tests should the
nurse monitor?
Answer: International normalized ratio (INR) ✔✔
Rationale: Warfarin (Coumadin) is monitored using the INR (International
Normalized Ratio). The therapeutic range for DVT treatment is typically 2.0-3.0.
Prothrombin time (PT) is also monitored, but INR is the standardized measurement.
Question 9
A nurse is monitoring a client who is in the active phase of labor and has an intrauterine
pressure catheter and fetal scalp electrode. Which of the following findings should the
nurse expect?
Answer: Montevideo units (MVU) of 220 mm Hg ✔✔
Rationale: Montevideo units measure uterine contraction strength. Adequate
contractions for active labor are typically 200-250 MVU. An intrauterine pressure
catheter (IUPC) measures contraction intensity in mmHg, and the fetal scalp electrode
provides accurate FHR monitoring.
Question 10
A nurse is assessing a client who has just undergone a cesarean birth and was given
epidural morphine for postpartum pain relief 1 hour ago. The nurse notes that the
pg. 3
Complete Questions with Verified Answers and
Detailed Rationales- Latest Test (Updated 2026-
2027) | Graded A+
Question 1
A charge nurse is teaching a newly licensed nurse about substance use disorders during
pregnancy. Which of the following statements by the newly licensed nurse indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
Answer: Encourage clients who are prescribed methadone to breastfeed. ✔✔
Rationale: Methadone maintenance therapy is compatible with breastfeeding. The
benefits of breastfeeding outweigh the risks, as methadone passes into breast milk in
minimal amounts. Breastfeeding also helps reduce neonatal withdrawal symptoms.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a client who received terbutaline subcutaneously. Which of the
following findings is an indication the medication was effective?
Answer: Decreased frequency and intensity of uterine contractions ✔✔
Rationale: Terbutaline is a tocolytic medication used to suppress preterm labor.
Effectiveness is demonstrated by a reduction in uterine contractions, allowing the
pregnancy to continue. It works by stimulating beta-2 receptors, which relax uterine
smooth muscle.
Question 3
A charge nurse is discussing care of clients who are in labor with a newly licensed nurse.
Which of the following actions should the charge nurse include in the teaching regarding
situations requiring an aminotomy?
Answer: Placing a fetal scalp electrode ✔✔
Rationale: An aminotomy (artificial rupture of membranes) is often performed to
allow placement of a fetal scalp electrode for more accurate fetal heart rate monitoring.
It also allows for assessment of amniotic fluid and can help augment labor.
pg. 1
,Question 4
A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who has preeclampsia prior to
administering labetalol. For which of the following findings should the nurse withhold
the medication?
Answer: Heart rate 54/min ✔✔
Rationale: Labetalol is a beta-blocker that lowers blood pressure by decreasing heart
rate and cardiac output. If the client's heart rate is less than 60/min, the medication
should be withheld to avoid further bradycardia. The provider should be notified.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a client who is at 30 weeks of gestation and observes the client
choking while eating lunch. The client is unable to speak or cough. Identify the sequence
of steps the nurse should take to clear the airway obstruction:
Answer:
1. Stand posterior to the client.
2. Position arms under the client's axilla and across the client's chest.
3. Place thumb-side of a clenched fist to the client's mid-sternum area.
4. Initiate chest thrusts to the client using a backward motion. ✔✔
Rationale: For a pregnant client who is choking and unable to speak or cough
(complete airway obstruction), abdominal thrusts are contraindicated due to the risk of
uterine injury. Chest thrusts are the appropriate technique for pregnant clients. The
steps follow the correct sequence for performing chest thrusts in pregnancy.
Question 6
A nurse is preparing to administer an opioid analgesic to a client who is in active labor.
Which of the following assessments should the nurse perform? (Select all that apply)
Answer: Maternal blood pressure, Pain level, Fetal heart rate ✔✔
Rationale: Before administering opioid analgesics, the nurse should assess maternal
blood pressure, pain level, and fetal heart rate. Opioids can cause maternal hypotension
and fetal bradycardia, and assessing pain level ensures appropriate medication
administration. If the client becomes unconscious, the nurse should perform CPR and
activate emergency medical services.
pg. 2
, Question 7
A nurse is reviewing the medical records of a client who is at 8 weeks of gestation.
Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as a risk factor for developing
preeclampsia?
Answer: Rheumatoid Arthritis ✔✔
Rationale: Autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and
antiphospholipid syndrome are risk factors for developing preeclampsia. Other risk
factors include chronic hypertension, diabetes, multiple gestation, and history of
preeclampsia.
Question 8
A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results for a postpartum client who is receiving
warfarin for deep-vein thrombosis. Which of the following laboratory tests should the
nurse monitor?
Answer: International normalized ratio (INR) ✔✔
Rationale: Warfarin (Coumadin) is monitored using the INR (International
Normalized Ratio). The therapeutic range for DVT treatment is typically 2.0-3.0.
Prothrombin time (PT) is also monitored, but INR is the standardized measurement.
Question 9
A nurse is monitoring a client who is in the active phase of labor and has an intrauterine
pressure catheter and fetal scalp electrode. Which of the following findings should the
nurse expect?
Answer: Montevideo units (MVU) of 220 mm Hg ✔✔
Rationale: Montevideo units measure uterine contraction strength. Adequate
contractions for active labor are typically 200-250 MVU. An intrauterine pressure
catheter (IUPC) measures contraction intensity in mmHg, and the fetal scalp electrode
provides accurate FHR monitoring.
Question 10
A nurse is assessing a client who has just undergone a cesarean birth and was given
epidural morphine for postpartum pain relief 1 hour ago. The nurse notes that the
pg. 3
