ATI Maternity Proctored Exam (NGN Style)
Prep Guide 2026–2027 | Maternal Newborn
Nursing Practice Questions, Case Scenarios
& Detailed Rationales | Complete Study
Review PDF
ATI Maternity Proctored Exam (NGN Style) Prep Guide 2026–2027
Maternal-Newborn Nursing | 200 Practice Questions with EXPERT RATIONALE
• This prep guide mirrors the NGN-style ATI Maternity Proctored Exam format,
featuring 200 high-yield questions with highlighted correct answers and
detailed EXPERT RATIONALE placed directly below each answer for immediate
reinforcement.
• Study tip: Work through each question independently before revealing the
answer, then read the EXPERT RATIONALE carefully — focus on understanding
the "why" behind each correct option to build clinical reasoning skills that
transfer directly to the actual exam.
SECTION 1: ANTEPARTUM CARE & PRENATAL ASSESSMENT
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is 10 weeks pregnant and reports nausea
and vomiting every morning. Which of the following instructions should the
nurse provide?
A. Eat three large meals per day to maintain nutrition
B. Drink large amounts of fluid with each meal
C. Avoid brushing teeth in the morning to prevent gagging
D. Eat small, frequent, high-carbohydrate meals throughout the day
E. Take an antiemetic medication immediately upon waking
, Correct Answer: D. Eat small, frequent, high-carbohydrate meals
throughout the day
EXPERT RATIONALE: Small, frequent meals prevent the stomach from
becoming empty, which worsens nausea. High-carbohydrate, low-fat foods are
better tolerated during early pregnancy. Large meals increase gastric distension
and worsen symptoms.
2. A nurse is reviewing the prenatal history of a client. The client has had two
full-term deliveries, one preterm delivery, one miscarriage, and has two living
children. Using the GTPAL system, how should the nurse document this
client?
A. G4 T2 P1 A1 L2
B. G5 T2 P0 A1 L2
C. G5 T2 P1 A1 L2
D. G4 T3 P1 A0 L2
E. G5 T2 P1 A0 L3
Correct Answer: C. G5 T2 P1 A1 L2
EXPERT RATIONALE: G = total pregnancies (2 full-term + 1 preterm + 1
miscarriage + current = 5). T = full-term births (2). P = preterm births (1). A =
abortions/miscarriages (1). L = living children (2). This follows GTPAL documentation
correctly.
3. A nurse is calculating a client's estimated date of delivery (EDD) using
Nägele's rule. The client's last menstrual period (LMP) was July 10. What is the
EDD?
A. March 17
B. April 3
C. April 17
,D. March 10
E. April 10
Correct Answer: C. April 17
EXPERT RATIONALE: Nägele's rule: subtract 3 months from LMP month (July − 3
= April), add 7 days to the date (10 + 7 = 17), and adjust the year if needed. EDD =
April 17.
4. A nurse is assessing a client who is 12 weeks pregnant. Which of the
following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Fetal heart tones audible with a fetoscope
B. Fundus palpable at the umbilicus
C. Fundus palpable just above the symphysis pubis
D. Quickening reported by the client
E. Linea nigra visible on the abdomen
Correct Answer: C. Fundus palpable just above the symphysis pubis
EXPERT RATIONALE: At 12 weeks, the uterus rises just above the symphysis
pubis. The fundus reaches the umbilicus at 20 weeks. Quickening (fetal movement)
is felt at 16–20 weeks. Fetal heart tones are audible with a Doppler at 10–12 weeks,
not a fetoscope.
5. A client at 8 weeks gestation asks the nurse when she will begin to feel
fetal movement. Which response by the nurse is most accurate?
A. "You should feel movement by 8 to 10 weeks."
B. "Most women feel movement by 12 weeks."
C. "You will feel movement after your first trimester ends."
D. "Most women feel fetal movement between 16 and 20 weeks."
, E. "You may feel movement as early as 10 weeks with your first pregnancy."
Correct Answer: D. "Most women feel fetal movement between 16 and 20
weeks."
EXPERT RATIONALE: Quickening — the first perception of fetal movement —
typically occurs between 16 and 20 weeks. Multiparas may feel it earlier (16 weeks),
while primiparas often notice it closer to 20 weeks.
6. A nurse is providing education to a pregnant client about nutrition. Which
food choice best meets the increased iron needs during pregnancy?
A. Cheese and crackers
B. Yogurt and granola
C. Banana and peanut butter
D. Lean beef and spinach
E. Rice and steamed broccoli
Correct Answer: D. Lean beef and spinach
EXPERT RATIONALE: Lean beef provides heme iron (easily absorbed) and
spinach provides non-heme iron, making this the most iron-rich combination. Iron
needs increase significantly during pregnancy to support fetal development and
increased maternal blood volume.
7. A nurse is reviewing laboratory results for a client at 28 weeks gestation.
Which finding requires immediate follow-up?
A. Hemoglobin 11.2 g/dL
B. Hematocrit 34%
C. Blood glucose 165 mg/dL one hour after a 50-gram glucose load
D. White blood cell count 11,000/mm³
Prep Guide 2026–2027 | Maternal Newborn
Nursing Practice Questions, Case Scenarios
& Detailed Rationales | Complete Study
Review PDF
ATI Maternity Proctored Exam (NGN Style) Prep Guide 2026–2027
Maternal-Newborn Nursing | 200 Practice Questions with EXPERT RATIONALE
• This prep guide mirrors the NGN-style ATI Maternity Proctored Exam format,
featuring 200 high-yield questions with highlighted correct answers and
detailed EXPERT RATIONALE placed directly below each answer for immediate
reinforcement.
• Study tip: Work through each question independently before revealing the
answer, then read the EXPERT RATIONALE carefully — focus on understanding
the "why" behind each correct option to build clinical reasoning skills that
transfer directly to the actual exam.
SECTION 1: ANTEPARTUM CARE & PRENATAL ASSESSMENT
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is 10 weeks pregnant and reports nausea
and vomiting every morning. Which of the following instructions should the
nurse provide?
A. Eat three large meals per day to maintain nutrition
B. Drink large amounts of fluid with each meal
C. Avoid brushing teeth in the morning to prevent gagging
D. Eat small, frequent, high-carbohydrate meals throughout the day
E. Take an antiemetic medication immediately upon waking
, Correct Answer: D. Eat small, frequent, high-carbohydrate meals
throughout the day
EXPERT RATIONALE: Small, frequent meals prevent the stomach from
becoming empty, which worsens nausea. High-carbohydrate, low-fat foods are
better tolerated during early pregnancy. Large meals increase gastric distension
and worsen symptoms.
2. A nurse is reviewing the prenatal history of a client. The client has had two
full-term deliveries, one preterm delivery, one miscarriage, and has two living
children. Using the GTPAL system, how should the nurse document this
client?
A. G4 T2 P1 A1 L2
B. G5 T2 P0 A1 L2
C. G5 T2 P1 A1 L2
D. G4 T3 P1 A0 L2
E. G5 T2 P1 A0 L3
Correct Answer: C. G5 T2 P1 A1 L2
EXPERT RATIONALE: G = total pregnancies (2 full-term + 1 preterm + 1
miscarriage + current = 5). T = full-term births (2). P = preterm births (1). A =
abortions/miscarriages (1). L = living children (2). This follows GTPAL documentation
correctly.
3. A nurse is calculating a client's estimated date of delivery (EDD) using
Nägele's rule. The client's last menstrual period (LMP) was July 10. What is the
EDD?
A. March 17
B. April 3
C. April 17
,D. March 10
E. April 10
Correct Answer: C. April 17
EXPERT RATIONALE: Nägele's rule: subtract 3 months from LMP month (July − 3
= April), add 7 days to the date (10 + 7 = 17), and adjust the year if needed. EDD =
April 17.
4. A nurse is assessing a client who is 12 weeks pregnant. Which of the
following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Fetal heart tones audible with a fetoscope
B. Fundus palpable at the umbilicus
C. Fundus palpable just above the symphysis pubis
D. Quickening reported by the client
E. Linea nigra visible on the abdomen
Correct Answer: C. Fundus palpable just above the symphysis pubis
EXPERT RATIONALE: At 12 weeks, the uterus rises just above the symphysis
pubis. The fundus reaches the umbilicus at 20 weeks. Quickening (fetal movement)
is felt at 16–20 weeks. Fetal heart tones are audible with a Doppler at 10–12 weeks,
not a fetoscope.
5. A client at 8 weeks gestation asks the nurse when she will begin to feel
fetal movement. Which response by the nurse is most accurate?
A. "You should feel movement by 8 to 10 weeks."
B. "Most women feel movement by 12 weeks."
C. "You will feel movement after your first trimester ends."
D. "Most women feel fetal movement between 16 and 20 weeks."
, E. "You may feel movement as early as 10 weeks with your first pregnancy."
Correct Answer: D. "Most women feel fetal movement between 16 and 20
weeks."
EXPERT RATIONALE: Quickening — the first perception of fetal movement —
typically occurs between 16 and 20 weeks. Multiparas may feel it earlier (16 weeks),
while primiparas often notice it closer to 20 weeks.
6. A nurse is providing education to a pregnant client about nutrition. Which
food choice best meets the increased iron needs during pregnancy?
A. Cheese and crackers
B. Yogurt and granola
C. Banana and peanut butter
D. Lean beef and spinach
E. Rice and steamed broccoli
Correct Answer: D. Lean beef and spinach
EXPERT RATIONALE: Lean beef provides heme iron (easily absorbed) and
spinach provides non-heme iron, making this the most iron-rich combination. Iron
needs increase significantly during pregnancy to support fetal development and
increased maternal blood volume.
7. A nurse is reviewing laboratory results for a client at 28 weeks gestation.
Which finding requires immediate follow-up?
A. Hemoglobin 11.2 g/dL
B. Hematocrit 34%
C. Blood glucose 165 mg/dL one hour after a 50-gram glucose load
D. White blood cell count 11,000/mm³
