ATI RN CMS Maternal Newborn 2026 |
Nursing Practice Questions, OB Review
and Study Guide
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a client who is at 36 weeks of gestation. Which of the
following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
• A. Braxton Hicks contractions
• B. Visual disturbances
• C. Urinary frequency
• D. Leukorrhea
Rationale: Visual disturbances (blurred vision, flashing lights) at 36 weeks can
indicate preeclampsia with severe features due to increased intracranial pressure
and cerebral edema. This requires immediate evaluation. Braxton Hicks, urinary
frequency, and leukorrhea are expected findings in late pregnancy.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a newborn immediately after birth. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take first?
• A. Obtain the newborn's weight
• B. Dry the newborn and place skin-to-skin
• C. Administer vitamin K
• D. Perform a full physical assessment
, Rationale: Preventing heat loss is the priority immediately after birth. Drying
the newborn and placing skin-to-skin contact prevents cold stress, which can lead
to hypoglycemia and respiratory distress. The other actions follow after
thermoregulation is established.
Question 3
A nurse is teaching a client about breastfeeding. Which of the following
statements by the client indicates understanding?
• A. "I should feed my baby every 4 hours."
• B. "I should give my baby water between feedings."
• C. "I should feed my baby at least 8 to 12 times per day."
• D. "I should pump and discard the first milk."
Rationale: Newborns should breastfeed 8–12 times per 24 hours to establish
supply and meet nutritional needs. Feeding every 4 hours is too infrequent. Water
supplementation is unnecessary and can interfere with milk intake. Colostrum
(first milk) is nutrient-rich and should not be discarded.
Question 4
A nurse is assessing a client in the fourth stage of labor. Which of the following
findings indicates a complication?
• A. Fundus firm at the umbilicus
• B. Boggy uterus with heavy vaginal bleeding
• C. Lochia rubra
• D. Perineal edema
, Rationale: A boggy uterus with heavy bleeding indicates uterine atony, the
leading cause of postpartum hemorrhage. A firm fundus at the umbilicus is
expected. Lochia rubra and perineal edema are normal postpartum findings.
Question 5
A nurse is reviewing the lab results of a newborn at 24 hours of age. Which of
the following findings should the nurse report?
• A. Hemoglobin 18 g/dL
• B. Blood glucose 35 mg/dL
• C. WBC 20,000/mm³
• D. Platelets 200,000/mm³
Rationale: A blood glucose of 35 mg/dL in a newborn at 24 hours is below the
expected reference range (≥45 mg/dL) and indicates hypoglycemia. Hemoglobin
18 g/dL, WBC 20,000/mm³, and platelets 200,000/mm³ are within expected
ranges for a newborn.
Question 6
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving oxytocin for labor induction. Which
of the following findings requires immediate intervention?
• A. Contractions every 3 minutes lasting 40 seconds
• B. Contractions lasting 90 seconds with a resting tone of 20 mm Hg
• C. Fetal heart rate baseline of 140/min
• D. Maternal blood pressure of 118/76 mm Hg
, Rationale: Contractions lasting >90 seconds with elevated resting tone
indicate uterine hyperstimulation, which can cause fetal hypoxia. Oxytocin should
be stopped immediately. The other findings are within normal limits.
Question 7
A nurse is teaching a postpartum client about cesarean birth incision care.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
• A. "Apply ice packs to the incision for 48 hours."
• B. "Support your abdomen with a pillow when coughing."
• C. "Avoid showering for 1 week."
• D. "Cleanse the incision with hydrogen peroxide daily."
Rationale: Supporting the abdomen with a pillow (splinting) when coughing
reduces tension on the incision and pain. Ice is used for the first 24 hours only.
Showering is typically allowed after 24–48 hours. Hydrogen peroxide can delay
healing and should not be used.
Question 8
A nurse is assessing a client who is at 32 weeks of gestation and reports severe
abdominal pain and dark red vaginal bleeding. Which of the following should
the nurse suspect?
• A. Placenta previa
• B. Abruptio placentae
• C. Uterine rupture
• D. Cervical insufficiency
Nursing Practice Questions, OB Review
and Study Guide
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a client who is at 36 weeks of gestation. Which of the
following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
• A. Braxton Hicks contractions
• B. Visual disturbances
• C. Urinary frequency
• D. Leukorrhea
Rationale: Visual disturbances (blurred vision, flashing lights) at 36 weeks can
indicate preeclampsia with severe features due to increased intracranial pressure
and cerebral edema. This requires immediate evaluation. Braxton Hicks, urinary
frequency, and leukorrhea are expected findings in late pregnancy.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a newborn immediately after birth. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take first?
• A. Obtain the newborn's weight
• B. Dry the newborn and place skin-to-skin
• C. Administer vitamin K
• D. Perform a full physical assessment
, Rationale: Preventing heat loss is the priority immediately after birth. Drying
the newborn and placing skin-to-skin contact prevents cold stress, which can lead
to hypoglycemia and respiratory distress. The other actions follow after
thermoregulation is established.
Question 3
A nurse is teaching a client about breastfeeding. Which of the following
statements by the client indicates understanding?
• A. "I should feed my baby every 4 hours."
• B. "I should give my baby water between feedings."
• C. "I should feed my baby at least 8 to 12 times per day."
• D. "I should pump and discard the first milk."
Rationale: Newborns should breastfeed 8–12 times per 24 hours to establish
supply and meet nutritional needs. Feeding every 4 hours is too infrequent. Water
supplementation is unnecessary and can interfere with milk intake. Colostrum
(first milk) is nutrient-rich and should not be discarded.
Question 4
A nurse is assessing a client in the fourth stage of labor. Which of the following
findings indicates a complication?
• A. Fundus firm at the umbilicus
• B. Boggy uterus with heavy vaginal bleeding
• C. Lochia rubra
• D. Perineal edema
, Rationale: A boggy uterus with heavy bleeding indicates uterine atony, the
leading cause of postpartum hemorrhage. A firm fundus at the umbilicus is
expected. Lochia rubra and perineal edema are normal postpartum findings.
Question 5
A nurse is reviewing the lab results of a newborn at 24 hours of age. Which of
the following findings should the nurse report?
• A. Hemoglobin 18 g/dL
• B. Blood glucose 35 mg/dL
• C. WBC 20,000/mm³
• D. Platelets 200,000/mm³
Rationale: A blood glucose of 35 mg/dL in a newborn at 24 hours is below the
expected reference range (≥45 mg/dL) and indicates hypoglycemia. Hemoglobin
18 g/dL, WBC 20,000/mm³, and platelets 200,000/mm³ are within expected
ranges for a newborn.
Question 6
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving oxytocin for labor induction. Which
of the following findings requires immediate intervention?
• A. Contractions every 3 minutes lasting 40 seconds
• B. Contractions lasting 90 seconds with a resting tone of 20 mm Hg
• C. Fetal heart rate baseline of 140/min
• D. Maternal blood pressure of 118/76 mm Hg
, Rationale: Contractions lasting >90 seconds with elevated resting tone
indicate uterine hyperstimulation, which can cause fetal hypoxia. Oxytocin should
be stopped immediately. The other findings are within normal limits.
Question 7
A nurse is teaching a postpartum client about cesarean birth incision care.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
• A. "Apply ice packs to the incision for 48 hours."
• B. "Support your abdomen with a pillow when coughing."
• C. "Avoid showering for 1 week."
• D. "Cleanse the incision with hydrogen peroxide daily."
Rationale: Supporting the abdomen with a pillow (splinting) when coughing
reduces tension on the incision and pain. Ice is used for the first 24 hours only.
Showering is typically allowed after 24–48 hours. Hydrogen peroxide can delay
healing and should not be used.
Question 8
A nurse is assessing a client who is at 32 weeks of gestation and reports severe
abdominal pain and dark red vaginal bleeding. Which of the following should
the nurse suspect?
• A. Placenta previa
• B. Abruptio placentae
• C. Uterine rupture
• D. Cervical insufficiency
