RN ATI Capstone Maternal Newborn
2026 Exam · 50 Questions · With Rationales
Question: 17 of 50 RN ATI Capstone Maternal Newborn
A nurse is assessing a client who gave birth 12 hr ago and is experiencing excessive vaginal
bleeding. Which of the following findings indicates the client is experiencing decreased cardiac
output?
A. Bradycardia
B. Flushed face
✓ C. Hypotension
D. Polyuria
✓ Correct Answer: C
Excessive vaginal bleeding postpartum causes HYPOVOLEMIA — loss of circulating blood volume leads to DECREASED
CARDIAC OUTPUT. HYPOTENSION (falling BP) is a classic sign of reduced cardiac output from hemorrhage.
Compensatory mechanisms: TACHYCARDIA (not bradycardia), pallor (not flushed face), cool clammy skin, decreased
urine output (oliguria — not polyuria). Bradycardia, flushed face, and polyuria are inconsistent with hemorrhagic shock.
Page 1 | RN ATI Capstone Maternal Newborn 2026
, RN ATI Capstone Maternal Newborn
2026 Exam · 50 Questions · With Rationales
Question: 20 of 50 RN ATI Capstone Maternal Newborn
A nurse is caring for a client (Nurses' Notes: Spontaneous, precipitous vaginal birth of newborn.
Placenta delivered spontaneously and intact. Second degree perineal laceration and small laceration
of the labia minora. Quantitative blood loss 150 mL. Fundus firm at the umbilicus. Newborn weighed
4,196 g (9 lb 3 oz). APGAR score 8 at 1 min, 9 at 5 min.) Which of the following interventions should
the nurse perform?
✓ A. Inspect the perineum.
B. Massage the fundus.
C. Administer oxytocin.
D. Assist the client to void.
✓ Correct Answer: A
The nurses' notes indicate a SECOND DEGREE PERINEAL LACERATION and a laceration of the labia minora. The
fundus is FIRM (no atony) and blood loss is 150 mL (within normal range <500 mL vaginal). The priority nursing action is to
INSPECT THE PERINEUM — assess the lacerations for active bleeding, ensure proper repair was completed, and
monitor for hematoma formation. Fundal massage is not indicated (fundus is already firm). Oxytocin is for atony. Voiding is
important but secondary to perineal assessment.
Page 2 | RN ATI Capstone Maternal Newborn 2026
, RN ATI Capstone Maternal Newborn
2026 Exam · 50 Questions · With Rationales
Question: 29 of 50 RN ATI Capstone Maternal Newborn
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has fibrocystic breast changes and is experiencing
breast discomfort during menstruation. Which of the following instructions should the nurse
include?
A. "Increase your potassium intake."
B. "Increase your fluid intake to 3 liters per day."
✓ C. "Refrain from consuming alcohol."
D. "Limit your daily intake of fiber."
✓ Correct Answer: C
FIBROCYSTIC BREAST CHANGES management for cyclical mastalgia: AVOID ALCOHOL — alcohol increases estrogen
levels, which worsens fibrocystic changes and breast tenderness. Other recommendations: limit caffeine/methylxanthines
(coffee, tea, chocolate, cola) as they may worsen cysts; wear a supportive bra; vitamin E may reduce symptoms; evening
primrose oil (GLA). Increasing potassium has no evidence for fibrocystic changes. Excess fluid worsens breast
engorgement. Limiting fiber has no benefit — a high-fiber diet is actually recommended.
Page 3 | RN ATI Capstone Maternal Newborn 2026
, RN ATI Capstone Maternal Newborn
2026 Exam · 50 Questions · With Rationales
Question: 43 of 50 RN ATI Capstone Maternal Newborn
A nurse is admitting a client who is at 35 weeks of gestation and is experiencing mild vaginal
bleeding due to placenta previa. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?
A. Initiate continuous monitoring of the FHR.
✓ B. Administer a dose of betamethasone.
C. Check the cervix for dilation every 8 hr.
D. Request that the provider prescribe misoprostol PRN.
✓ Correct Answer: B
At 35 weeks with placenta previa, BETAMETHASONE (corticosteroid) is administered to ACCELERATE FETAL LUNG
MATURITY — the preterm fetus is at risk for respiratory distress syndrome if premature delivery occurs. Betamethasone is
standard for pregnancies at 24-34 weeks with risk of preterm birth; many protocols extend to 34-36 weeks. FHR monitoring
is important but standard of care. VAGINAL EXAMS are CONTRAINDICATED in placenta previa (risk of hemorrhage).
MISOPROSTOL is a prostaglandin used to induce labor/cervical ripening — CONTRAINDICATED in placenta previa
(stimulates contractions that can cause catastrophic hemorrhage).
Page 4 | RN ATI Capstone Maternal Newborn 2026
2026 Exam · 50 Questions · With Rationales
Question: 17 of 50 RN ATI Capstone Maternal Newborn
A nurse is assessing a client who gave birth 12 hr ago and is experiencing excessive vaginal
bleeding. Which of the following findings indicates the client is experiencing decreased cardiac
output?
A. Bradycardia
B. Flushed face
✓ C. Hypotension
D. Polyuria
✓ Correct Answer: C
Excessive vaginal bleeding postpartum causes HYPOVOLEMIA — loss of circulating blood volume leads to DECREASED
CARDIAC OUTPUT. HYPOTENSION (falling BP) is a classic sign of reduced cardiac output from hemorrhage.
Compensatory mechanisms: TACHYCARDIA (not bradycardia), pallor (not flushed face), cool clammy skin, decreased
urine output (oliguria — not polyuria). Bradycardia, flushed face, and polyuria are inconsistent with hemorrhagic shock.
Page 1 | RN ATI Capstone Maternal Newborn 2026
, RN ATI Capstone Maternal Newborn
2026 Exam · 50 Questions · With Rationales
Question: 20 of 50 RN ATI Capstone Maternal Newborn
A nurse is caring for a client (Nurses' Notes: Spontaneous, precipitous vaginal birth of newborn.
Placenta delivered spontaneously and intact. Second degree perineal laceration and small laceration
of the labia minora. Quantitative blood loss 150 mL. Fundus firm at the umbilicus. Newborn weighed
4,196 g (9 lb 3 oz). APGAR score 8 at 1 min, 9 at 5 min.) Which of the following interventions should
the nurse perform?
✓ A. Inspect the perineum.
B. Massage the fundus.
C. Administer oxytocin.
D. Assist the client to void.
✓ Correct Answer: A
The nurses' notes indicate a SECOND DEGREE PERINEAL LACERATION and a laceration of the labia minora. The
fundus is FIRM (no atony) and blood loss is 150 mL (within normal range <500 mL vaginal). The priority nursing action is to
INSPECT THE PERINEUM — assess the lacerations for active bleeding, ensure proper repair was completed, and
monitor for hematoma formation. Fundal massage is not indicated (fundus is already firm). Oxytocin is for atony. Voiding is
important but secondary to perineal assessment.
Page 2 | RN ATI Capstone Maternal Newborn 2026
, RN ATI Capstone Maternal Newborn
2026 Exam · 50 Questions · With Rationales
Question: 29 of 50 RN ATI Capstone Maternal Newborn
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has fibrocystic breast changes and is experiencing
breast discomfort during menstruation. Which of the following instructions should the nurse
include?
A. "Increase your potassium intake."
B. "Increase your fluid intake to 3 liters per day."
✓ C. "Refrain from consuming alcohol."
D. "Limit your daily intake of fiber."
✓ Correct Answer: C
FIBROCYSTIC BREAST CHANGES management for cyclical mastalgia: AVOID ALCOHOL — alcohol increases estrogen
levels, which worsens fibrocystic changes and breast tenderness. Other recommendations: limit caffeine/methylxanthines
(coffee, tea, chocolate, cola) as they may worsen cysts; wear a supportive bra; vitamin E may reduce symptoms; evening
primrose oil (GLA). Increasing potassium has no evidence for fibrocystic changes. Excess fluid worsens breast
engorgement. Limiting fiber has no benefit — a high-fiber diet is actually recommended.
Page 3 | RN ATI Capstone Maternal Newborn 2026
, RN ATI Capstone Maternal Newborn
2026 Exam · 50 Questions · With Rationales
Question: 43 of 50 RN ATI Capstone Maternal Newborn
A nurse is admitting a client who is at 35 weeks of gestation and is experiencing mild vaginal
bleeding due to placenta previa. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?
A. Initiate continuous monitoring of the FHR.
✓ B. Administer a dose of betamethasone.
C. Check the cervix for dilation every 8 hr.
D. Request that the provider prescribe misoprostol PRN.
✓ Correct Answer: B
At 35 weeks with placenta previa, BETAMETHASONE (corticosteroid) is administered to ACCELERATE FETAL LUNG
MATURITY — the preterm fetus is at risk for respiratory distress syndrome if premature delivery occurs. Betamethasone is
standard for pregnancies at 24-34 weeks with risk of preterm birth; many protocols extend to 34-36 weeks. FHR monitoring
is important but standard of care. VAGINAL EXAMS are CONTRAINDICATED in placenta previa (risk of hemorrhage).
MISOPROSTOL is a prostaglandin used to induce labor/cervical ripening — CONTRAINDICATED in placenta previa
(stimulates contractions that can cause catastrophic hemorrhage).
Page 4 | RN ATI Capstone Maternal Newborn 2026
