Fall Semester 2025 – December ATI PN Maternal
Newborn Nursing Complete Study Guide | High-
Yield Maternal & Newborn Assessments, Labor &
Delivery Management, Postpartum Care, Neonatal
Care, Complication Recognition, and ATI-Style
Questions with Rationales
Question 1
What is the normal range for a newborn's heart rate?
A) 60-80 bpm
B) 120-160 bpm
C) 80-100 bpm
D) 160-180 bpm
CORRECT OPTION: B) 120-160 bpm
Rationale: Newborns typically have a heart rate that ranges from 120 to 160 beats per
minute, which is important for assessing their cardiovascular health.
Question 2
Which of the following is a sign of postpartum hemorrhage?
A) Hypertension
B) Saturation of a pad in less than an hour
C) Increased appetite
D) Mild cramping
CORRECT OPTION: B) Saturation of a pad in less than an hour
Rationale: Saturation of a pad within less than an hour can indicate significant blood
loss, which may require immediate medical attention to prevent complications.
Question 3
What is the recommended position for a mother during the second stage of labor?
A) Supine
B) Upright or lateral
C) Prone
D) Sitting with legs crossed
CORRECT OPTION: B) Upright or lateral
,Rationale: An upright or lateral position can enhance the effectiveness of contractions
and facilitate the descent of the baby during the second stage of labor.
Question 4
What is the best indicator of effective breastfeeding in a newborn?
A) Weight gain from birth
B) Number of wet diapers per day
C) Audible swallowing during breastfeeding
D) Duration of feeding sessions
CORRECT OPTION: C) Audible swallowing during breastfeeding
Rationale: Audible swallowing is a strong indicator that the newborn is effectively
transferring milk and receiving adequate nutrition during breastfeeding.
Question 5
Which maternal condition is characterized by high blood pressure after 20 weeks of
gestation?
A) Gestational diabetes
B) Preeclampsia
C) Gestational hypertension
D) Eclampsia
CORRECT OPTION: C) Gestational hypertension
Rationale: Gestational hypertension is defined as new-onset hypertension after 20
weeks of pregnancy and can lead to complications if not managed properly.
Question 6
What is the primary purpose of assessing a newborn's Apgar score?
A) Determine gestational age
B) Assess the newborn's physical condition at birth
C) Evaluate maternal health
D) Monitor vital signs
CORRECT OPTION: B) Assess the newborn's physical condition at birth
Rationale: The Apgar score provides a quick assessment of the newborn's health and
immediate need for medical care based on five criteria: appearance, pulse, grimace
response, activity, and respiration.
,Question 7
Which of the following interventions is most appropriate for a newborn with
jaundice?
A) Increase environmental noise
B) Increase feeding frequency
C) Decrease room temperature
D) Apply cold compresses
CORRECT OPTION: B) Increase feeding frequency
Rationale: Increasing feeding can help promote hydration and bowel movements,
which may aid in the elimination of bilirubin and reduce jaundice.
Question 8
When should the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine be administered to a
newborn?
A) At 6 months
B) Within 24 hours of birth
C) At 1 year
D) After 2 months
CORRECT OPTION: B) Within 24 hours of birth
Rationale: The first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine is recommended to be given to
newborns within 24 hours of birth to provide early protection against the virus.
Question 9
What is a common maternal complication associated with a prolonged labor?
A) Hyperemesis gravidarum
B) Uterine atony
C) Gestational diabetes
D) Placenta previa
CORRECT OPTION: B) Uterine atony
Rationale: A prolonged labor can lead to uterine atony, which increases the risk of
postpartum hemorrhage due to the uterus's inability to contract effectively.
Question 10
What is an expected behavior for a newborn during the first hour of life?
, A) Alertness and active crying
B) Sleep for the entire hour
C) Refusal to feed
D) Decreased heart rate
CORRECT OPTION: A) Alertness and active crying
Rationale: Newborns are typically alert and may exhibit active crying during the first
hour of life, which is important for initiating bonding and breastfeeding.
Question 11
What does the term "lochia" refer to in postpartum care?
A) The baby's first stool
B) The pain experienced after delivery
C) The vaginal discharge following childbirth
D) The swelling of the abdomen
CORRECT OPTION: C) The vaginal discharge following childbirth
Rationale: Lochia is the vaginal discharge that occurs after childbirth, consisting of
blood, mucus, and uterine tissue, varying in color and amount over time.
Question 12
Which of the following findings indicates a need for immediate intervention in a
postpartum mother?
A) Temp of 99°F
B) Temp of 100.4°F or higher
C) Mild cramping
D) Discharge of serosa
CORRECT OPTION: B) Temp of 100.4°F or higher
Rationale: A temperature of 100.4°F or higher may indicate an infection and requires
immediate assessment and intervention.
Question 13
What is the best position for a mother having difficulty pushing during labor?
A) Supine
B) Squatting or sitting upright
C) Prone
D) Lying flat on her back
Newborn Nursing Complete Study Guide | High-
Yield Maternal & Newborn Assessments, Labor &
Delivery Management, Postpartum Care, Neonatal
Care, Complication Recognition, and ATI-Style
Questions with Rationales
Question 1
What is the normal range for a newborn's heart rate?
A) 60-80 bpm
B) 120-160 bpm
C) 80-100 bpm
D) 160-180 bpm
CORRECT OPTION: B) 120-160 bpm
Rationale: Newborns typically have a heart rate that ranges from 120 to 160 beats per
minute, which is important for assessing their cardiovascular health.
Question 2
Which of the following is a sign of postpartum hemorrhage?
A) Hypertension
B) Saturation of a pad in less than an hour
C) Increased appetite
D) Mild cramping
CORRECT OPTION: B) Saturation of a pad in less than an hour
Rationale: Saturation of a pad within less than an hour can indicate significant blood
loss, which may require immediate medical attention to prevent complications.
Question 3
What is the recommended position for a mother during the second stage of labor?
A) Supine
B) Upright or lateral
C) Prone
D) Sitting with legs crossed
CORRECT OPTION: B) Upright or lateral
,Rationale: An upright or lateral position can enhance the effectiveness of contractions
and facilitate the descent of the baby during the second stage of labor.
Question 4
What is the best indicator of effective breastfeeding in a newborn?
A) Weight gain from birth
B) Number of wet diapers per day
C) Audible swallowing during breastfeeding
D) Duration of feeding sessions
CORRECT OPTION: C) Audible swallowing during breastfeeding
Rationale: Audible swallowing is a strong indicator that the newborn is effectively
transferring milk and receiving adequate nutrition during breastfeeding.
Question 5
Which maternal condition is characterized by high blood pressure after 20 weeks of
gestation?
A) Gestational diabetes
B) Preeclampsia
C) Gestational hypertension
D) Eclampsia
CORRECT OPTION: C) Gestational hypertension
Rationale: Gestational hypertension is defined as new-onset hypertension after 20
weeks of pregnancy and can lead to complications if not managed properly.
Question 6
What is the primary purpose of assessing a newborn's Apgar score?
A) Determine gestational age
B) Assess the newborn's physical condition at birth
C) Evaluate maternal health
D) Monitor vital signs
CORRECT OPTION: B) Assess the newborn's physical condition at birth
Rationale: The Apgar score provides a quick assessment of the newborn's health and
immediate need for medical care based on five criteria: appearance, pulse, grimace
response, activity, and respiration.
,Question 7
Which of the following interventions is most appropriate for a newborn with
jaundice?
A) Increase environmental noise
B) Increase feeding frequency
C) Decrease room temperature
D) Apply cold compresses
CORRECT OPTION: B) Increase feeding frequency
Rationale: Increasing feeding can help promote hydration and bowel movements,
which may aid in the elimination of bilirubin and reduce jaundice.
Question 8
When should the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine be administered to a
newborn?
A) At 6 months
B) Within 24 hours of birth
C) At 1 year
D) After 2 months
CORRECT OPTION: B) Within 24 hours of birth
Rationale: The first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine is recommended to be given to
newborns within 24 hours of birth to provide early protection against the virus.
Question 9
What is a common maternal complication associated with a prolonged labor?
A) Hyperemesis gravidarum
B) Uterine atony
C) Gestational diabetes
D) Placenta previa
CORRECT OPTION: B) Uterine atony
Rationale: A prolonged labor can lead to uterine atony, which increases the risk of
postpartum hemorrhage due to the uterus's inability to contract effectively.
Question 10
What is an expected behavior for a newborn during the first hour of life?
, A) Alertness and active crying
B) Sleep for the entire hour
C) Refusal to feed
D) Decreased heart rate
CORRECT OPTION: A) Alertness and active crying
Rationale: Newborns are typically alert and may exhibit active crying during the first
hour of life, which is important for initiating bonding and breastfeeding.
Question 11
What does the term "lochia" refer to in postpartum care?
A) The baby's first stool
B) The pain experienced after delivery
C) The vaginal discharge following childbirth
D) The swelling of the abdomen
CORRECT OPTION: C) The vaginal discharge following childbirth
Rationale: Lochia is the vaginal discharge that occurs after childbirth, consisting of
blood, mucus, and uterine tissue, varying in color and amount over time.
Question 12
Which of the following findings indicates a need for immediate intervention in a
postpartum mother?
A) Temp of 99°F
B) Temp of 100.4°F or higher
C) Mild cramping
D) Discharge of serosa
CORRECT OPTION: B) Temp of 100.4°F or higher
Rationale: A temperature of 100.4°F or higher may indicate an infection and requires
immediate assessment and intervention.
Question 13
What is the best position for a mother having difficulty pushing during labor?
A) Supine
B) Squatting or sitting upright
C) Prone
D) Lying flat on her back
