Page 1 of 78
ATI RN MATERNAL NEWBORN PROCTORED EXAM
LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
EDITION
ATI RN Maternal Newborn Proctored Exam: 250 Practice Questions with Rationales
DOMAIN 1: ANTEPARTUM NURSING CARE (25 Questions)
1. A nurse is caring for a client at 38 weeks gestation who reports no fetal
movement for 24 hours. What action should the nurse take FIRST?
A) Have the client drink orange juice
B) Palpate the uterus for fetal movement
C) Auscultate for a fetal heart rate
D) Reassure the client that fetal movement decreases near term
Answer: C) Auscultate for a fetal heart rate
Rationale: The presence of a fetal heart rate is a reassuring manifestation of fetal well-
being. The nurse should auscultate for the fetal heart rate using a Doppler device or
external fetal monitor as the priority nursing action .
2. Between 18 and 30 weeks gestation, the fundal height should measure:
A) 1-2 cm less than the week of gestation
B) Equal to the week of gestation
C) 1-2 cm greater than the week of gestation
D) 3-4 cm greater than the week of gestation
Answer: B) Equal to the week of gestation
Rationale: Between 18 and 30 weeks, fundal height in centimeters should equal the
week of gestation, plus or minus 2 cm .
3. What is the recommended weight gain during pregnancy for a client with a
normal BMI?
, Page 2 of 78
A) 11-20 pounds
B) 25-35 pounds
C) 35-45 pounds
D) 15-25 pounds
Answer: B) 25-35 pounds
Rationale: The recommended weight gain during pregnancy is usually 25-35 pounds,
with 3-4 pounds in the first trimester and 1 pound per week in the last two trimesters .
4. A nurse is teaching a client at 30 weeks gestation about warning signs of
complications. Which finding should be included in the teaching?
A) 10 fetal movements per hour
B) Mild constipation
C) Vaginal bleeding
D) Nasal congestion
Answer: C) Vaginal bleeding
Rationale: Vaginal bleeding can be an abnormal finding during pregnancy that may
indicate a complication such as placental abruption, placenta previa, or preterm labor.
This should be reported to the provider immediately .
5. A nurse is assessing a client who missed two menstrual cycles and reports that
she might be pregnant. Which finding is a positive sign of pregnancy?
A) Quickening
B) Breast tenderness
C) Uterine enlargement
D) Auscultation of a fetal heart rate
Answer: D) Auscultation of a fetal heart rate
Rationale: The auscultation of a fetal heart rate is a positive (conclusive) sign of
pregnancy. Quickening is a presumptive sign, and breast tenderness and uterine
enlargement are probable signs .
6. Which of the following are presumptive signs of pregnancy? (Select all that
apply)
A) Amenorrhea
B) Quickening
, Page 3 of 78
C) Positive pregnancy test
D) Fatigue
Answer: A, B, D
Rationale: Presumptive signs of pregnancy include amenorrhea, fatigue, nausea and
vomiting, urinary frequency, quickening (fluttering movements felt by the mother at 16-
20 weeks), and breast changes. A positive pregnancy test is a probable sign .
7. The Maternal Serum Alpha-Fetoprotein (MSAFP) test is performed at which
gestational age?
A) 8-10 weeks
B) 10-12 weeks
C) 15-22 weeks
D) 24-28 weeks
Answer: C) 15-22 weeks
Rationale: The MSAFP screening is performed between 15-22 weeks of gestation to
detect neural tube defects. It is usually part of the quad screen .
8. A client asks the nurse when the fetal heart rate can first be heard with a
Doppler. The nurse's best response is:
A) 6-8 weeks
B) 10-12 weeks
C) 14-16 weeks
D) 18-20 weeks
Answer: B) 10-12 weeks
Rationale: The fetal heart rate can be heard by Doppler at 10-12 weeks of gestation .
9. A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client at 33 weeks gestation who has
placenta previa and bleeding. Which prescription should the nurse clarify with the
provider?
A) Perform a vaginal examination
B) Perform continuous external fetal monitoring
C) Insert a large-bore IV catheter
D) Obtain a blood sample for laboratory testing
, Page 4 of 78
Answer: A) Perform a vaginal examination
Rationale: In placenta previa, the placenta implants in the lower part of the uterus and
obstructs the cervical os. Any manipulation can cause tearing of the placenta and
increased bleeding. A vaginal examination is contraindicated .
10. A nurse is assessing a pregnant client at 38 weeks gestation. The client reports
that breathing has become easier but notes increased frequency of urination. The
nurse should document this occurrence as:
A) Effacement
B) Dilation
C) Lightening
D) Quickening
Answer: C) Lightening
Rationale: Lightening describes the engagement of the fetal head into the pelvis. When
this occurs, breathing becomes easier, but urination is more frequent .
11. The recommended daily folic acid intake during pregnancy is:
A) 200 mcg
B) 400 mcg
C) 600 mcg
D) 1000 mcg
Answer: C) 600 mcg
Rationale: It is recommended that 600 mcg of folic acid be taken during pregnancy to
prevent neural tube defects. Lactating clients should consume 500 mcg .
12. Smoking tobacco during pregnancy is associated with which neonatal
outcome?
A) Macrosomia
B) Low birth weight
C) Hyperbilirubinemia
D) Polycythemia
Answer: B) Low birth weight
Rationale: Smoking tobacco during pregnancy is associated with low birth weight .
ATI RN MATERNAL NEWBORN PROCTORED EXAM
LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
EDITION
ATI RN Maternal Newborn Proctored Exam: 250 Practice Questions with Rationales
DOMAIN 1: ANTEPARTUM NURSING CARE (25 Questions)
1. A nurse is caring for a client at 38 weeks gestation who reports no fetal
movement for 24 hours. What action should the nurse take FIRST?
A) Have the client drink orange juice
B) Palpate the uterus for fetal movement
C) Auscultate for a fetal heart rate
D) Reassure the client that fetal movement decreases near term
Answer: C) Auscultate for a fetal heart rate
Rationale: The presence of a fetal heart rate is a reassuring manifestation of fetal well-
being. The nurse should auscultate for the fetal heart rate using a Doppler device or
external fetal monitor as the priority nursing action .
2. Between 18 and 30 weeks gestation, the fundal height should measure:
A) 1-2 cm less than the week of gestation
B) Equal to the week of gestation
C) 1-2 cm greater than the week of gestation
D) 3-4 cm greater than the week of gestation
Answer: B) Equal to the week of gestation
Rationale: Between 18 and 30 weeks, fundal height in centimeters should equal the
week of gestation, plus or minus 2 cm .
3. What is the recommended weight gain during pregnancy for a client with a
normal BMI?
, Page 2 of 78
A) 11-20 pounds
B) 25-35 pounds
C) 35-45 pounds
D) 15-25 pounds
Answer: B) 25-35 pounds
Rationale: The recommended weight gain during pregnancy is usually 25-35 pounds,
with 3-4 pounds in the first trimester and 1 pound per week in the last two trimesters .
4. A nurse is teaching a client at 30 weeks gestation about warning signs of
complications. Which finding should be included in the teaching?
A) 10 fetal movements per hour
B) Mild constipation
C) Vaginal bleeding
D) Nasal congestion
Answer: C) Vaginal bleeding
Rationale: Vaginal bleeding can be an abnormal finding during pregnancy that may
indicate a complication such as placental abruption, placenta previa, or preterm labor.
This should be reported to the provider immediately .
5. A nurse is assessing a client who missed two menstrual cycles and reports that
she might be pregnant. Which finding is a positive sign of pregnancy?
A) Quickening
B) Breast tenderness
C) Uterine enlargement
D) Auscultation of a fetal heart rate
Answer: D) Auscultation of a fetal heart rate
Rationale: The auscultation of a fetal heart rate is a positive (conclusive) sign of
pregnancy. Quickening is a presumptive sign, and breast tenderness and uterine
enlargement are probable signs .
6. Which of the following are presumptive signs of pregnancy? (Select all that
apply)
A) Amenorrhea
B) Quickening
, Page 3 of 78
C) Positive pregnancy test
D) Fatigue
Answer: A, B, D
Rationale: Presumptive signs of pregnancy include amenorrhea, fatigue, nausea and
vomiting, urinary frequency, quickening (fluttering movements felt by the mother at 16-
20 weeks), and breast changes. A positive pregnancy test is a probable sign .
7. The Maternal Serum Alpha-Fetoprotein (MSAFP) test is performed at which
gestational age?
A) 8-10 weeks
B) 10-12 weeks
C) 15-22 weeks
D) 24-28 weeks
Answer: C) 15-22 weeks
Rationale: The MSAFP screening is performed between 15-22 weeks of gestation to
detect neural tube defects. It is usually part of the quad screen .
8. A client asks the nurse when the fetal heart rate can first be heard with a
Doppler. The nurse's best response is:
A) 6-8 weeks
B) 10-12 weeks
C) 14-16 weeks
D) 18-20 weeks
Answer: B) 10-12 weeks
Rationale: The fetal heart rate can be heard by Doppler at 10-12 weeks of gestation .
9. A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client at 33 weeks gestation who has
placenta previa and bleeding. Which prescription should the nurse clarify with the
provider?
A) Perform a vaginal examination
B) Perform continuous external fetal monitoring
C) Insert a large-bore IV catheter
D) Obtain a blood sample for laboratory testing
, Page 4 of 78
Answer: A) Perform a vaginal examination
Rationale: In placenta previa, the placenta implants in the lower part of the uterus and
obstructs the cervical os. Any manipulation can cause tearing of the placenta and
increased bleeding. A vaginal examination is contraindicated .
10. A nurse is assessing a pregnant client at 38 weeks gestation. The client reports
that breathing has become easier but notes increased frequency of urination. The
nurse should document this occurrence as:
A) Effacement
B) Dilation
C) Lightening
D) Quickening
Answer: C) Lightening
Rationale: Lightening describes the engagement of the fetal head into the pelvis. When
this occurs, breathing becomes easier, but urination is more frequent .
11. The recommended daily folic acid intake during pregnancy is:
A) 200 mcg
B) 400 mcg
C) 600 mcg
D) 1000 mcg
Answer: C) 600 mcg
Rationale: It is recommended that 600 mcg of folic acid be taken during pregnancy to
prevent neural tube defects. Lactating clients should consume 500 mcg .
12. Smoking tobacco during pregnancy is associated with which neonatal
outcome?
A) Macrosomia
B) Low birth weight
C) Hyperbilirubinemia
D) Polycythemia
Answer: B) Low birth weight
Rationale: Smoking tobacco during pregnancy is associated with low birth weight .
