PN Maternal Newborn Nursing ATI
Proctored Exam 2026 Study Guide | Verified
Questions & 100% Correct Answers Practice
Test
• This practice test contains 200 verified questions covering all core topics of the PN
Maternal Newborn Nursing ATI Proctored Exam 2026, designed to mirror the real
exam format and difficulty.
• Use this material by reading each question carefully, selecting your answer before
checking the highlighted correct response and EXPERT RATIONALE below it — this
active recall method maximizes retention and exam readiness.
QUESTION 1
A nurse is caring for a client who is 38 weeks pregnant and reports decreased
fetal movement. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
B. Prepare the client for an emergency cesarean section
C. Instruct the client to perform a fetal kick count
D. Administer oxygen via face mask
E. Schedule a non-stress test for the following day
C. Instruct the client to perform a fetal kick count
EXPERT RATIONALE: The first action when a client reports decreased fetal movement is
to perform a fetal kick count. The client should feel at least 10 movements in 2 hours.
This is a non-invasive, immediate assessment tool before escalating to further
interventions.
QUESTION 2
A nurse is teaching a prenatal class about the danger signs of pregnancy.
Which symptom should the nurse instruct clients to report immediately?
,A. Mild ankle swelling in the third trimester
B. Occasional heartburn after meals
C. Sudden severe headache with visual changes
D. Increased urinary frequency in the first trimester
E. Mild lower back pain with activity
C. Sudden severe headache with visual changes
EXPERT RATIONALE: A sudden severe headache accompanied by visual changes is a
warning sign of preeclampsia, which can progress to eclampsia. This requires immediate
medical evaluation to prevent maternal and fetal complications.
QUESTION 3
A nurse is reviewing laboratory results for a pregnant client at 28 weeks
gestation. Which finding requires immediate follow-up?
A. Hemoglobin of 11.5 g/dL
B. Blood pressure of 148/96 mmHg on two readings
C. Slight increase in white blood cells
D. Mild glycosuria on urinalysis
E. Hematocrit of 33%
B. Blood pressure of 148/96 mmHg on two readings
EXPERT RATIONALE: A blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or higher on two separate
readings after 20 weeks gestation is diagnostic of gestational hypertension or
preeclampsia, requiring immediate follow-up to prevent progression to eclampsia.
QUESTION 4
A nurse is caring for a client in active labor. The fetal heart rate monitor
shows late decelerations. Which action should the nurse take first?
,A. Prepare for immediate cesarean delivery
B. Increase the IV oxytocin infusion rate
C. Reposition the client to the left lateral position
D. Apply a fetal scalp electrode
E. Notify the physician immediately
C. Reposition the client to the left lateral position
EXPERT RATIONALE: Late decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency. The first
nursing action is to reposition the client to the left lateral position to relieve aortocaval
compression and improve placental perfusion. Other interventions follow if this does not
resolve the decelerations.
QUESTION 5
A postpartum nurse is assessing a client 2 hours after vaginal delivery. Which
finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Fundus firm at the umbilicus
B. Saturating a perineal pad every 15 minutes
C. Mild uterine cramping with breastfeeding
D. Temperature of 37.4°C (99.3°F)
E. Moderate lochia rubra
B. Saturating a perineal pad every 15 minutes
EXPERT RATIONALE: Saturating more than one perineal pad per hour indicates
postpartum hemorrhage. Immediate intervention is required, including uterine massage,
fundal assessment, and notification of the provider.
QUESTION 6
, A nurse is caring for a client who is breastfeeding. The client reports sore,
cracked nipples. Which instruction should the nurse provide?
A. Discontinue breastfeeding and switch to formula
B. Apply lanolin cream after each feeding
C. Limit feedings to every 4 hours
D. Wear a tight-fitting bra continuously
E. Apply ice packs before each feeding
B. Apply lanolin cream after each feeding
EXPERT RATIONALE: Lanolin cream is safe and effective for sore, cracked nipples. It
soothes the skin without needing to be removed before feeding. Other measures include
ensuring proper latch and allowing nipples to air dry.
QUESTION 7
A nurse is assessing a newborn at 1 minute of life. The following findings are
noted: heart rate 96 bpm, slow irregular respirations, some flexion of
extremities, grimace to stimulation, and blue body with pink extremities.
What is the APGAR score?
A. 4
B. 5
C. 3
D. 6
E. 7
A. 4
EXPERT RATIONALE: APGAR scoring: Heart rate <100 = 1, slow irregular respirations = 1,
some flexion = 1, grimace = 1, blue body/pink extremities (acrocyanosis) = 0. Total = 4. A
score of 4–6 indicates moderate depression and requires stimulation.
Proctored Exam 2026 Study Guide | Verified
Questions & 100% Correct Answers Practice
Test
• This practice test contains 200 verified questions covering all core topics of the PN
Maternal Newborn Nursing ATI Proctored Exam 2026, designed to mirror the real
exam format and difficulty.
• Use this material by reading each question carefully, selecting your answer before
checking the highlighted correct response and EXPERT RATIONALE below it — this
active recall method maximizes retention and exam readiness.
QUESTION 1
A nurse is caring for a client who is 38 weeks pregnant and reports decreased
fetal movement. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
B. Prepare the client for an emergency cesarean section
C. Instruct the client to perform a fetal kick count
D. Administer oxygen via face mask
E. Schedule a non-stress test for the following day
C. Instruct the client to perform a fetal kick count
EXPERT RATIONALE: The first action when a client reports decreased fetal movement is
to perform a fetal kick count. The client should feel at least 10 movements in 2 hours.
This is a non-invasive, immediate assessment tool before escalating to further
interventions.
QUESTION 2
A nurse is teaching a prenatal class about the danger signs of pregnancy.
Which symptom should the nurse instruct clients to report immediately?
,A. Mild ankle swelling in the third trimester
B. Occasional heartburn after meals
C. Sudden severe headache with visual changes
D. Increased urinary frequency in the first trimester
E. Mild lower back pain with activity
C. Sudden severe headache with visual changes
EXPERT RATIONALE: A sudden severe headache accompanied by visual changes is a
warning sign of preeclampsia, which can progress to eclampsia. This requires immediate
medical evaluation to prevent maternal and fetal complications.
QUESTION 3
A nurse is reviewing laboratory results for a pregnant client at 28 weeks
gestation. Which finding requires immediate follow-up?
A. Hemoglobin of 11.5 g/dL
B. Blood pressure of 148/96 mmHg on two readings
C. Slight increase in white blood cells
D. Mild glycosuria on urinalysis
E. Hematocrit of 33%
B. Blood pressure of 148/96 mmHg on two readings
EXPERT RATIONALE: A blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or higher on two separate
readings after 20 weeks gestation is diagnostic of gestational hypertension or
preeclampsia, requiring immediate follow-up to prevent progression to eclampsia.
QUESTION 4
A nurse is caring for a client in active labor. The fetal heart rate monitor
shows late decelerations. Which action should the nurse take first?
,A. Prepare for immediate cesarean delivery
B. Increase the IV oxytocin infusion rate
C. Reposition the client to the left lateral position
D. Apply a fetal scalp electrode
E. Notify the physician immediately
C. Reposition the client to the left lateral position
EXPERT RATIONALE: Late decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency. The first
nursing action is to reposition the client to the left lateral position to relieve aortocaval
compression and improve placental perfusion. Other interventions follow if this does not
resolve the decelerations.
QUESTION 5
A postpartum nurse is assessing a client 2 hours after vaginal delivery. Which
finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Fundus firm at the umbilicus
B. Saturating a perineal pad every 15 minutes
C. Mild uterine cramping with breastfeeding
D. Temperature of 37.4°C (99.3°F)
E. Moderate lochia rubra
B. Saturating a perineal pad every 15 minutes
EXPERT RATIONALE: Saturating more than one perineal pad per hour indicates
postpartum hemorrhage. Immediate intervention is required, including uterine massage,
fundal assessment, and notification of the provider.
QUESTION 6
, A nurse is caring for a client who is breastfeeding. The client reports sore,
cracked nipples. Which instruction should the nurse provide?
A. Discontinue breastfeeding and switch to formula
B. Apply lanolin cream after each feeding
C. Limit feedings to every 4 hours
D. Wear a tight-fitting bra continuously
E. Apply ice packs before each feeding
B. Apply lanolin cream after each feeding
EXPERT RATIONALE: Lanolin cream is safe and effective for sore, cracked nipples. It
soothes the skin without needing to be removed before feeding. Other measures include
ensuring proper latch and allowing nipples to air dry.
QUESTION 7
A nurse is assessing a newborn at 1 minute of life. The following findings are
noted: heart rate 96 bpm, slow irregular respirations, some flexion of
extremities, grimace to stimulation, and blue body with pink extremities.
What is the APGAR score?
A. 4
B. 5
C. 3
D. 6
E. 7
A. 4
EXPERT RATIONALE: APGAR scoring: Heart rate <100 = 1, slow irregular respirations = 1,
some flexion = 1, grimace = 1, blue body/pink extremities (acrocyanosis) = 0. Total = 4. A
score of 4–6 indicates moderate depression and requires stimulation.
