Maternal Nursing Practice Questions:
Postpartum and Labor Care | ATI RN
Maternal Newborn 2025 Proctored
Exams/ATI Maternity Proctored Exam |
Questions and Verified Answers| 100%
Correct (best answers)
A nurse is caring for a postpartum client who is breastfeeding. The client
reports feeling engorged and has difficulty breastfeeding. Which of the
following interventions is most appropriate for the nurse to suggest?
● a) Encourage the client to use a warm compress before breastfeeding.
● b) Instruct the client to avoid breastfeeding until the engorgement resolves.
● c) Apply ice packs to the breasts after each feeding.
● d) Teach the client to pump and store milk for later feedings.
Correct Answer: a) Encourage the client to use a warm compress before
breastfeeding.
● Rationale: A warm compress can help soften the breasts before breastfeeding,
making it easier for the baby to latch. It can also help relieve discomfort
associated with engorgement.
2. Which of the following is the most important action for the nurse to take when
caring for a client in the active phase of labor?
● a) Perform a vaginal exam every hour to assess cervical dilation.
● b) Encourage the client to walk to facilitate labor progression.
● c) Assess the fetal heart rate (FHR) every 15 minutes.
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, ● d) Offer fluids frequently to keep the client hydrated.
Correct Answer: c) Assess the fetal heart rate (FHR) every 15 minutes.
● Rationale: Monitoring the FHR is crucial to assess fetal well-being, especially
during the active phase of labor. The nurse should assess the FHR regularly to
detect any signs of fetal distress.
3. A client in the second stage of labor is pushing with each contraction. The
nurse notices that the baby's head is visible at the vaginal opening. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take?
● a) Tell the client to stop pushing immediately.
● b) Apply gentle pressure to the perineum to prevent tearing.
● c) Increase the speed of the labor by encouraging rapid pushing.
● d) Perform an episiotomy to facilitate delivery.
Correct Answer: b) Apply gentle pressure to the perineum to prevent tearing.
● Rationale: Gentle pressure to the perineum can help prevent excessive tearing
during delivery. It is important to avoid rapid pushing or an episiotomy unless
indicated.
4. A client who gave birth 12 hours ago reports feeling lightheaded and weak
when attempting to stand. Her vital signs include a blood pressure of 90/60
mmHg, heart rate of 110 beats per minute, and a respiratory rate of 18 breaths per
minute. Which of the following is the nurse's priority action?
● a) Administer an antihypertensive medication.
● b) Encourage the client to rest in bed with her legs elevated.
● c) Increase the client's fluid intake.
● d) Perform a thorough abdominal assessment.
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,Correct Answer: c) Increase the client's fluid intake.
● Rationale: The client's vital signs indicate signs of hypotension, which could be
a result of blood loss or dehydration. Increasing fluid intake will help restore
circulatory volume and prevent further complications.
5. A client in the postpartum period is at risk for developing deep vein
thrombosis (DVT). Which of the following interventions should the nurse
implement to prevent this complication?
● a) Encourage the client to sit in a chair for 30 minutes every 2 hours.
● b) Instruct the client to perform leg exercises while in bed.
● c) Apply warm compresses to the legs every 2 hours.
● d) Advise the client to remain in bed for the first 48 hours postpartum.
Correct Answer: b) Instruct the client to perform leg exercises while in bed.
● Rationale: Leg exercises promote circulation and help prevent the formation
of blood clots, which is important for clients at risk for DVT in the postpartum
period. Prolonged bed rest should be avoided to reduce the risk of thrombosis.
6. Which of the following findings is most indicative of postpartum
hemorrhage (PPH) in a client who is 4 hours postpartum?
● a) A firm and contracted uterus.
● b) A drop in blood pressure to 100/60 mmHg.
● c) The soaking of one perineal pad in 30 minutes.
● d) Lochia rubra with small blood clots.
Correct Answer: c) The soaking of one perineal pad in 30 minutes.
● Rationale: Soaking one pad in 30 minutes is a sign of excessive bleeding, which
may indicate postpartum hemorrhage. Immediate assessment and intervention
Downloaded by Nicholas Marks ()
, are needed to prevent further complications.
Downloaded by Nicholas Marks ()
Postpartum and Labor Care | ATI RN
Maternal Newborn 2025 Proctored
Exams/ATI Maternity Proctored Exam |
Questions and Verified Answers| 100%
Correct (best answers)
A nurse is caring for a postpartum client who is breastfeeding. The client
reports feeling engorged and has difficulty breastfeeding. Which of the
following interventions is most appropriate for the nurse to suggest?
● a) Encourage the client to use a warm compress before breastfeeding.
● b) Instruct the client to avoid breastfeeding until the engorgement resolves.
● c) Apply ice packs to the breasts after each feeding.
● d) Teach the client to pump and store milk for later feedings.
Correct Answer: a) Encourage the client to use a warm compress before
breastfeeding.
● Rationale: A warm compress can help soften the breasts before breastfeeding,
making it easier for the baby to latch. It can also help relieve discomfort
associated with engorgement.
2. Which of the following is the most important action for the nurse to take when
caring for a client in the active phase of labor?
● a) Perform a vaginal exam every hour to assess cervical dilation.
● b) Encourage the client to walk to facilitate labor progression.
● c) Assess the fetal heart rate (FHR) every 15 minutes.
Downloaded by Nicholas Marks ()
, ● d) Offer fluids frequently to keep the client hydrated.
Correct Answer: c) Assess the fetal heart rate (FHR) every 15 minutes.
● Rationale: Monitoring the FHR is crucial to assess fetal well-being, especially
during the active phase of labor. The nurse should assess the FHR regularly to
detect any signs of fetal distress.
3. A client in the second stage of labor is pushing with each contraction. The
nurse notices that the baby's head is visible at the vaginal opening. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take?
● a) Tell the client to stop pushing immediately.
● b) Apply gentle pressure to the perineum to prevent tearing.
● c) Increase the speed of the labor by encouraging rapid pushing.
● d) Perform an episiotomy to facilitate delivery.
Correct Answer: b) Apply gentle pressure to the perineum to prevent tearing.
● Rationale: Gentle pressure to the perineum can help prevent excessive tearing
during delivery. It is important to avoid rapid pushing or an episiotomy unless
indicated.
4. A client who gave birth 12 hours ago reports feeling lightheaded and weak
when attempting to stand. Her vital signs include a blood pressure of 90/60
mmHg, heart rate of 110 beats per minute, and a respiratory rate of 18 breaths per
minute. Which of the following is the nurse's priority action?
● a) Administer an antihypertensive medication.
● b) Encourage the client to rest in bed with her legs elevated.
● c) Increase the client's fluid intake.
● d) Perform a thorough abdominal assessment.
Downloaded by Nicholas Marks ()
,Correct Answer: c) Increase the client's fluid intake.
● Rationale: The client's vital signs indicate signs of hypotension, which could be
a result of blood loss or dehydration. Increasing fluid intake will help restore
circulatory volume and prevent further complications.
5. A client in the postpartum period is at risk for developing deep vein
thrombosis (DVT). Which of the following interventions should the nurse
implement to prevent this complication?
● a) Encourage the client to sit in a chair for 30 minutes every 2 hours.
● b) Instruct the client to perform leg exercises while in bed.
● c) Apply warm compresses to the legs every 2 hours.
● d) Advise the client to remain in bed for the first 48 hours postpartum.
Correct Answer: b) Instruct the client to perform leg exercises while in bed.
● Rationale: Leg exercises promote circulation and help prevent the formation
of blood clots, which is important for clients at risk for DVT in the postpartum
period. Prolonged bed rest should be avoided to reduce the risk of thrombosis.
6. Which of the following findings is most indicative of postpartum
hemorrhage (PPH) in a client who is 4 hours postpartum?
● a) A firm and contracted uterus.
● b) A drop in blood pressure to 100/60 mmHg.
● c) The soaking of one perineal pad in 30 minutes.
● d) Lochia rubra with small blood clots.
Correct Answer: c) The soaking of one perineal pad in 30 minutes.
● Rationale: Soaking one pad in 30 minutes is a sign of excessive bleeding, which
may indicate postpartum hemorrhage. Immediate assessment and intervention
Downloaded by Nicholas Marks ()
, are needed to prevent further complications.
Downloaded by Nicholas Marks ()
