ATI PROCTORED EXAM MATERNAL NEWBORN CMS
ACTUAL 2026/2027 | Complete Questions with Detailed
Rationales | Verified Answers | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Domain 1: Antepartum Care (12 Questions)
Q1
A 28-year-old primigravida at 32 weeks gestation presents for her prenatal visit. She
reports decreased fetal movement over the past 24 hours. Her blood pressure is 138/88
mmHg (baseline 118/72), and she has 2+ pitting edema in her lower extremities. Which
nursing action is the priority?
A. Instruct the client to perform daily kick counts and return in one week
B. Administer a loading dose of magnesium sulfate immediately
C. Perform a non-stress test (NST) to assess fetal well-being [CORRECT]
D. Schedule the client for a routine ultrasound in 2 weeks
,Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The priority nursing action is to perform a non-stress test (NST) to assess
fetal well-being. Decreased fetal movement combined with elevated blood pressure and
edema are warning signs requiring immediate fetal assessment. The NST evaluates
fetal heart rate patterns in response to fetal movement, providing crucial information
about placental function and fetal oxygenation status.
Distractor Analysis:
● A is incorrect because decreased movement with maternal hypertension requires
immediate assessment, not delayed monitoring. Kick counts are appropriate for
routine surveillance but not when acute changes occur.
● B is incorrect because magnesium sulfate is indicated for seizure prophylaxis in
severe preeclampsia or preterm labor neuroprotection, not for isolated decreased
fetal movement without confirmed severe preeclampsia.
● D is incorrect because a routine ultrasound in 2 weeks delays critical assessment
when fetal compromise may be occurring now.
ATI Content Mastery Principle: Antepartum assessment requires vigilant monitoring of
maternal-fetal status changes. The nurse must prioritize fetal surveillance when
warning signs emerge, applying the nursing process to ensure timely intervention per
ATI Maternal Newborn Module 2.0 standards.
Q2
,A nurse is teaching a pregnant client at 16 weeks gestation about nutritional
requirements. The client states, "I've been eating the same amount of food as before
pregnancy." Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. "You need to increase your caloric intake by 500 calories daily throughout pregnancy"
B. "First trimester requires no additional calories; second and third trimesters need
approximately 340 and 450 additional calories respectively [CORRECT]
C. "You should double your caloric intake to support fetal growth"
D. "Caloric needs remain unchanged; focus only on protein intake"
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse should explain that caloric needs increase progressively during
pregnancy. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommends no additional calories in the
first trimester, approximately 340 additional calories daily in the second trimester, and
450 additional calories daily in the third trimester. This supports fetal growth while
preventing excessive maternal weight gain.
Distractor Analysis:
● A is incorrect because 500 calories is excessive for the second trimester and
doesn't account for the progressive increase pattern.
● C is incorrect because doubling caloric intake would result in excessive weight
gain (greater than 35-40 lbs), increasing risks for gestational diabetes,
macrosomia, and cesarean delivery.
, ● D is incorrect because caloric needs definitely increase; protein needs increase to
71g daily, but overall energy requirements must be met.
ATI Content Mastery Principle: Nutritional counseling in pregnancy requires accurate,
trimester-specific guidance. The nurse must provide evidence-based recommendations
that balance fetal needs with maternal health outcomes per ATI Maternal Newborn
Module 1.0 nutrition content.
Q3
A pregnant client at 24 weeks gestation asks the nurse about warning signs that require
immediate medical attention. Which findings should the nurse include? (Select all that
apply)
A. Vaginal bleeding
B. Regular uterine contractions every 10 minutes
C. Severe headache unrelieved by acetaminophen
D. Decreased fetal movement
E. Sudden swelling of face and hands
F. Mild heartburn after meals
ACTUAL 2026/2027 | Complete Questions with Detailed
Rationales | Verified Answers | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Domain 1: Antepartum Care (12 Questions)
Q1
A 28-year-old primigravida at 32 weeks gestation presents for her prenatal visit. She
reports decreased fetal movement over the past 24 hours. Her blood pressure is 138/88
mmHg (baseline 118/72), and she has 2+ pitting edema in her lower extremities. Which
nursing action is the priority?
A. Instruct the client to perform daily kick counts and return in one week
B. Administer a loading dose of magnesium sulfate immediately
C. Perform a non-stress test (NST) to assess fetal well-being [CORRECT]
D. Schedule the client for a routine ultrasound in 2 weeks
,Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The priority nursing action is to perform a non-stress test (NST) to assess
fetal well-being. Decreased fetal movement combined with elevated blood pressure and
edema are warning signs requiring immediate fetal assessment. The NST evaluates
fetal heart rate patterns in response to fetal movement, providing crucial information
about placental function and fetal oxygenation status.
Distractor Analysis:
● A is incorrect because decreased movement with maternal hypertension requires
immediate assessment, not delayed monitoring. Kick counts are appropriate for
routine surveillance but not when acute changes occur.
● B is incorrect because magnesium sulfate is indicated for seizure prophylaxis in
severe preeclampsia or preterm labor neuroprotection, not for isolated decreased
fetal movement without confirmed severe preeclampsia.
● D is incorrect because a routine ultrasound in 2 weeks delays critical assessment
when fetal compromise may be occurring now.
ATI Content Mastery Principle: Antepartum assessment requires vigilant monitoring of
maternal-fetal status changes. The nurse must prioritize fetal surveillance when
warning signs emerge, applying the nursing process to ensure timely intervention per
ATI Maternal Newborn Module 2.0 standards.
Q2
,A nurse is teaching a pregnant client at 16 weeks gestation about nutritional
requirements. The client states, "I've been eating the same amount of food as before
pregnancy." Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. "You need to increase your caloric intake by 500 calories daily throughout pregnancy"
B. "First trimester requires no additional calories; second and third trimesters need
approximately 340 and 450 additional calories respectively [CORRECT]
C. "You should double your caloric intake to support fetal growth"
D. "Caloric needs remain unchanged; focus only on protein intake"
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse should explain that caloric needs increase progressively during
pregnancy. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommends no additional calories in the
first trimester, approximately 340 additional calories daily in the second trimester, and
450 additional calories daily in the third trimester. This supports fetal growth while
preventing excessive maternal weight gain.
Distractor Analysis:
● A is incorrect because 500 calories is excessive for the second trimester and
doesn't account for the progressive increase pattern.
● C is incorrect because doubling caloric intake would result in excessive weight
gain (greater than 35-40 lbs), increasing risks for gestational diabetes,
macrosomia, and cesarean delivery.
, ● D is incorrect because caloric needs definitely increase; protein needs increase to
71g daily, but overall energy requirements must be met.
ATI Content Mastery Principle: Nutritional counseling in pregnancy requires accurate,
trimester-specific guidance. The nurse must provide evidence-based recommendations
that balance fetal needs with maternal health outcomes per ATI Maternal Newborn
Module 1.0 nutrition content.
Q3
A pregnant client at 24 weeks gestation asks the nurse about warning signs that require
immediate medical attention. Which findings should the nurse include? (Select all that
apply)
A. Vaginal bleeding
B. Regular uterine contractions every 10 minutes
C. Severe headache unrelieved by acetaminophen
D. Decreased fetal movement
E. Sudden swelling of face and hands
F. Mild heartburn after meals
