1
ATI RN Maternal Newborn Nursing
Proctored Exam (2025) – Verified
Questions with Correct Answers &
Expert Rationales
Section 1: Antepartum Care (Questions 1-15)
1. A nurse is assessing a client at 28 weeks gestation. Which finding requires
immediate action?
A. Fundal height of 26 cm
B. Blood pressure of 148/92 mmHg
C. Mild pedal edema
D. Weight gain of 0.5 kg (1.1 lb) per week
Rationale: Blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg indicates gestational hypertension, a risk for
preeclampsia, requiring immediate reporting. Fundal height slightly below expected, mild
edema, and typical weight gain are normal in the third trimester.
2. A client at 12 weeks gestation reports nausea and vomiting. What should the nurse
recommend?
A. Increase fluid intake at night only
B. Eat small, frequent meals with dry foods
C. Avoid all protein-rich foods
D. Take antacids before meals
Rationale: Small, frequent meals with dry foods (e.g., crackers) reduce nausea by
stabilizing stomach acid. Night-only fluids may worsen morning sickness, protein is
essential, and antacids are not indicated for nausea.
3. A nurse is teaching a client about prenatal vitamins. Which nutrient is critical to
prevent neural tube defects?
A. Vitamin D
B. Folic acid
C. Iron
D. Calcium
Rationale: Folic acid (400-800 mcg/day) prevents neural tube defects like spina bifida.
Vitamin D, iron, and calcium support bone health, anemia prevention, and fetal growth
but are not specific to neural tube defects.
4. A client at 36 weeks gestation has a positive Group B Streptococcus (GBS) culture.
What is the nurse’s priority?
A. Plan for intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis
B. Administer antibiotics immediately
C. Schedule a cesarean delivery
D. Monitor for preterm labor
Rationale: GBS-positive clients receive intrapartum antibiotics (e.g., penicillin) to
, 2
prevent neonatal sepsis. Immediate antibiotics are not indicated, cesarean is not required,
and preterm labor is unrelated to GBS.
5. Which laboratory test is used to screen for gestational diabetes at 24-28 weeks?
A. Hemoglobin A1c
B. 1-hour glucose tolerance test
C. Fasting blood glucose
D. Random blood sugar
Rationale: The 1-hour glucose tolerance test (50 g glucose load) screens for gestational
diabetes. A1c monitors long-term control, fasting glucose is diagnostic, and random sugar
is not specific.
6. A client at 20 weeks gestation reports shortness of breath. What is the likely cause?
A. Diaphragm elevation due to uterine growth
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Asthma exacerbation
D. Pneumonia
Rationale: Uterine growth elevates the diaphragm, reducing lung capacity, a normal
pregnancy change. Pulmonary embolism, asthma, or pneumonia require additional
symptoms (e.g., chest pain, fever).
7. A nurse is assessing a client’s fundal height at 32 weeks gestation. Where should it
be located?
A. At the symphysis pubis
B. Halfway between the umbilicus and xiphoid process
C. At the umbilicus
D. Below the umbilicus
Rationale: At 32 weeks, fundal height is approximately halfway between the umbilicus
and xiphoid (32 cm), correlating with gestational age. Other locations indicate abnormal
growth.
8. A client asks about safe exercise during pregnancy. What should the nurse
recommend?
A. High-intensity interval training
B. Contact sports
C. Moderate walking or swimming
D. Heavy weightlifting
Rationale: Moderate aerobic exercise like walking or swimming is safe, promoting
cardiovascular health. High-intensity, contact sports, or heavy lifting risk injury or
preterm labor.
9. A client at 16 weeks gestation reports spotting. What is the nurse’s first action?
A. Assess the amount and characteristics of bleeding
B. Administer pain medication
C. Prepare for immediate delivery
D. Restrict all activity without assessment
Rationale: Assessing bleeding (amount, color, clots) determines if it’s benign or a sign
of complications like miscarriage. Pain meds, delivery, or activity restriction require
further evaluation.
10. Which finding indicates a need for further evaluation in a client at 34 weeks
gestation?
ATI RN Maternal Newborn Nursing
Proctored Exam (2025) – Verified
Questions with Correct Answers &
Expert Rationales
Section 1: Antepartum Care (Questions 1-15)
1. A nurse is assessing a client at 28 weeks gestation. Which finding requires
immediate action?
A. Fundal height of 26 cm
B. Blood pressure of 148/92 mmHg
C. Mild pedal edema
D. Weight gain of 0.5 kg (1.1 lb) per week
Rationale: Blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg indicates gestational hypertension, a risk for
preeclampsia, requiring immediate reporting. Fundal height slightly below expected, mild
edema, and typical weight gain are normal in the third trimester.
2. A client at 12 weeks gestation reports nausea and vomiting. What should the nurse
recommend?
A. Increase fluid intake at night only
B. Eat small, frequent meals with dry foods
C. Avoid all protein-rich foods
D. Take antacids before meals
Rationale: Small, frequent meals with dry foods (e.g., crackers) reduce nausea by
stabilizing stomach acid. Night-only fluids may worsen morning sickness, protein is
essential, and antacids are not indicated for nausea.
3. A nurse is teaching a client about prenatal vitamins. Which nutrient is critical to
prevent neural tube defects?
A. Vitamin D
B. Folic acid
C. Iron
D. Calcium
Rationale: Folic acid (400-800 mcg/day) prevents neural tube defects like spina bifida.
Vitamin D, iron, and calcium support bone health, anemia prevention, and fetal growth
but are not specific to neural tube defects.
4. A client at 36 weeks gestation has a positive Group B Streptococcus (GBS) culture.
What is the nurse’s priority?
A. Plan for intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis
B. Administer antibiotics immediately
C. Schedule a cesarean delivery
D. Monitor for preterm labor
Rationale: GBS-positive clients receive intrapartum antibiotics (e.g., penicillin) to
, 2
prevent neonatal sepsis. Immediate antibiotics are not indicated, cesarean is not required,
and preterm labor is unrelated to GBS.
5. Which laboratory test is used to screen for gestational diabetes at 24-28 weeks?
A. Hemoglobin A1c
B. 1-hour glucose tolerance test
C. Fasting blood glucose
D. Random blood sugar
Rationale: The 1-hour glucose tolerance test (50 g glucose load) screens for gestational
diabetes. A1c monitors long-term control, fasting glucose is diagnostic, and random sugar
is not specific.
6. A client at 20 weeks gestation reports shortness of breath. What is the likely cause?
A. Diaphragm elevation due to uterine growth
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Asthma exacerbation
D. Pneumonia
Rationale: Uterine growth elevates the diaphragm, reducing lung capacity, a normal
pregnancy change. Pulmonary embolism, asthma, or pneumonia require additional
symptoms (e.g., chest pain, fever).
7. A nurse is assessing a client’s fundal height at 32 weeks gestation. Where should it
be located?
A. At the symphysis pubis
B. Halfway between the umbilicus and xiphoid process
C. At the umbilicus
D. Below the umbilicus
Rationale: At 32 weeks, fundal height is approximately halfway between the umbilicus
and xiphoid (32 cm), correlating with gestational age. Other locations indicate abnormal
growth.
8. A client asks about safe exercise during pregnancy. What should the nurse
recommend?
A. High-intensity interval training
B. Contact sports
C. Moderate walking or swimming
D. Heavy weightlifting
Rationale: Moderate aerobic exercise like walking or swimming is safe, promoting
cardiovascular health. High-intensity, contact sports, or heavy lifting risk injury or
preterm labor.
9. A client at 16 weeks gestation reports spotting. What is the nurse’s first action?
A. Assess the amount and characteristics of bleeding
B. Administer pain medication
C. Prepare for immediate delivery
D. Restrict all activity without assessment
Rationale: Assessing bleeding (amount, color, clots) determines if it’s benign or a sign
of complications like miscarriage. Pain meds, delivery, or activity restriction require
further evaluation.
10. Which finding indicates a need for further evaluation in a client at 34 weeks
gestation?
