ATI Maternal Newborn (Obstetric Nursing)
Practice Exam | 2026–2027|Original Multiple-
Choice Questions with Detailed Answers And
Rationales
1. A nurse is assessing a client at 38 weeks' gestation who reports a sudden gush
of fluid from the vagina. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Encourage the client to ambulate.
B. Assess the fetal heart rate.
C. Obtain the client's weight.
D. Encourage oral fluids.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Assess the fetal heart rate.
RATIONALE:
B is correct because rupture of membranes increases the risk of umbilical cord prolapse.
Assessing the fetal heart rate is the priority to identify fetal distress.
2. Which assessment finding in a postpartum client requires immediate
intervention?
A. Firm uterine fundus at the umbilicus
B. Moderate lochia rubra
C. Saturating one perineal pad in 15 minutes with bright red blood
D. Mild afterpains during breastfeeding
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Saturating one perineal pad in 15 minutes with bright red blood
RATIONALE:
C is correct because excessive vaginal bleeding suggests postpartum hemorrhage, which is a life-
threatening obstetric emergency.
,3. A nurse is caring for a client receiving magnesium sulfate for severe
preeclampsia. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min
B. Blood pressure of 148/92 mmHg
C. Urine output of 40 mL/hr
D. Deep tendon reflexes rated 2+
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min
RATIONALE:
A is correct because respiratory depression is a sign of magnesium toxicity. The infusion should
be stopped, the provider notified, and calcium gluconate should be available as the antidote.
4. Which newborn assessment finding requires immediate notification of the
healthcare provider?
A. Respiratory rate of 50 breaths/min
B. Acrocyanosis during the first 24 hours
C. Central cyanosis
D. Heart rate of 140 beats/min
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Central cyanosis
RATIONALE:
C is correct because central cyanosis indicates inadequate oxygenation and requires immediate
evaluation.
5. A nurse is teaching a client about fetal movement counting. Which statement
indicates correct understanding?
A. "I should notify my provider if I notice a significant decrease in fetal movement."
B. "I only need to count fetal movements once a month."
, C. "Fetal movement should stop before labor begins."
D. "Fetal movement counting is unnecessary after 28 weeks."
CORRECT ANSWER: A. "I should notify my provider if I notice a significant decrease in
fetal movement."
RATIONALE:
A is correct because decreased fetal movement may indicate fetal compromise and should be
reported promptly.
6. A nurse is caring for a newborn immediately after birth. Which intervention
should the nurse perform first?
A. Administer vitamin K.
B. Dry the newborn thoroughly and maintain warmth.
C. Obtain footprints.
D. Bathe the newborn.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Dry the newborn thoroughly and maintain warmth.
RATIONALE:
B is correct because preventing heat loss is a priority immediately after birth. Drying the
newborn reduces evaporative heat loss and helps stabilize body temperature.
7. A client at 34 weeks' gestation reports a severe headache, blurred vision, and
epigastric pain. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Hyperemesis gravidarum
B. Severe preeclampsia
C. Gestational diabetes
D. Placenta previa
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Severe preeclampsia
Practice Exam | 2026–2027|Original Multiple-
Choice Questions with Detailed Answers And
Rationales
1. A nurse is assessing a client at 38 weeks' gestation who reports a sudden gush
of fluid from the vagina. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Encourage the client to ambulate.
B. Assess the fetal heart rate.
C. Obtain the client's weight.
D. Encourage oral fluids.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Assess the fetal heart rate.
RATIONALE:
B is correct because rupture of membranes increases the risk of umbilical cord prolapse.
Assessing the fetal heart rate is the priority to identify fetal distress.
2. Which assessment finding in a postpartum client requires immediate
intervention?
A. Firm uterine fundus at the umbilicus
B. Moderate lochia rubra
C. Saturating one perineal pad in 15 minutes with bright red blood
D. Mild afterpains during breastfeeding
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Saturating one perineal pad in 15 minutes with bright red blood
RATIONALE:
C is correct because excessive vaginal bleeding suggests postpartum hemorrhage, which is a life-
threatening obstetric emergency.
,3. A nurse is caring for a client receiving magnesium sulfate for severe
preeclampsia. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min
B. Blood pressure of 148/92 mmHg
C. Urine output of 40 mL/hr
D. Deep tendon reflexes rated 2+
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min
RATIONALE:
A is correct because respiratory depression is a sign of magnesium toxicity. The infusion should
be stopped, the provider notified, and calcium gluconate should be available as the antidote.
4. Which newborn assessment finding requires immediate notification of the
healthcare provider?
A. Respiratory rate of 50 breaths/min
B. Acrocyanosis during the first 24 hours
C. Central cyanosis
D. Heart rate of 140 beats/min
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Central cyanosis
RATIONALE:
C is correct because central cyanosis indicates inadequate oxygenation and requires immediate
evaluation.
5. A nurse is teaching a client about fetal movement counting. Which statement
indicates correct understanding?
A. "I should notify my provider if I notice a significant decrease in fetal movement."
B. "I only need to count fetal movements once a month."
, C. "Fetal movement should stop before labor begins."
D. "Fetal movement counting is unnecessary after 28 weeks."
CORRECT ANSWER: A. "I should notify my provider if I notice a significant decrease in
fetal movement."
RATIONALE:
A is correct because decreased fetal movement may indicate fetal compromise and should be
reported promptly.
6. A nurse is caring for a newborn immediately after birth. Which intervention
should the nurse perform first?
A. Administer vitamin K.
B. Dry the newborn thoroughly and maintain warmth.
C. Obtain footprints.
D. Bathe the newborn.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Dry the newborn thoroughly and maintain warmth.
RATIONALE:
B is correct because preventing heat loss is a priority immediately after birth. Drying the
newborn reduces evaporative heat loss and helps stabilize body temperature.
7. A client at 34 weeks' gestation reports a severe headache, blurred vision, and
epigastric pain. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Hyperemesis gravidarum
B. Severe preeclampsia
C. Gestational diabetes
D. Placenta previa
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Severe preeclampsia
