ATI PN Proctored Maternal Newborn Exam
(2023 Version) | Verified Questions & Correct
Answers with Detailed Rationales |
Complete A+ Graded Nursing Study Guide
for Exam Success
• This study guide contains 200 verified ATI PN Proctored Maternal Newborn exam
questions with correct answers and detailed EXPERT RATIONALE to help you
master every tested concept.
• Use this material by reading each question carefully, selecting your answer before
checking the highlighted correct option, then reinforcing your understanding with
the EXPERT RATIONALE below it.
QUESTION 1 A nurse is caring for a client who is at 38 weeks of gestation and
has preeclampsia. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to
the provider immediately?
A. Trace proteinuria on dipstick
B. Blood pressure of 138/88 mmHg
C. Mild dependent edema in ankles
D. Report of seeing spots and having a headache
E. Weight gain of 1 lb over the past week
D. Report of seeing spots and having a headache
EXPERT RATIONALE: Visual disturbances such as seeing spots and severe
headache are signs of severe preeclampsia and impending eclampsia. These
symptoms indicate cerebral involvement and must be reported immediately to
prevent seizure activity and maternal-fetal compromise.
QUESTION 2 A nurse is assessing a newborn who is 1 hour old. Which of the
following findings requires immediate intervention?
A. Acrocyanosis of the hands and feet
,B. Respiratory rate of 52 breaths per minute
C. Apical pulse of 148 beats per minute
D. Skin color that is pink with blue extremities
E. Central cyanosis of the lips and trunk
E. Central cyanosis of the lips and trunk
EXPERT RATIONALE: Central cyanosis involving the lips, tongue, and trunk
indicates inadequate oxygenation and is a medical emergency in the newborn.
Unlike peripheral acrocyanosis, which is normal in the first hours of life, central
cyanosis suggests cardiopulmonary compromise requiring immediate intervention.
QUESTION 3 A nurse is providing teaching to a client who is 2 days
postpartum and breastfeeding. Which of the following statements by the
client indicates understanding?
A. "I should feed my baby every 4 to 6 hours."
B. "I should offer both breasts at each feeding."
C. "My milk will come in within 24 hours."
D. "I should limit feedings to 10 minutes per side."
E. "I should give formula at night to let myself rest."
B. "I should offer both breasts at each feeding."
EXPERT RATIONALE: Offering both breasts at each feeding ensures adequate milk
production through stimulation and ensures the infant receives both foremilk and
hindmilk. Newborns should be fed on demand every 2 to 3 hours, not every 4 to 6
hours, and milk typically comes in at 3 to 5 days postpartum.
QUESTION 4 A nurse is monitoring a client in active labor who has an epidural.
Which of the following is the priority nursing action?
A. Maintain IV access and fluid infusion
,B. Monitor fetal heart rate continuously
C. Assess maternal blood pressure every 5 minutes after placement
D. Keep the client in left lateral position
E. Encourage the client to push with contractions
C. Assess maternal blood pressure every 5 minutes after placement
EXPERT RATIONALE: Epidural anesthesia causes vasodilation that can lead to
maternal hypotension, which in turn compromises uteroplacental perfusion and
fetal oxygenation. Blood pressure must be assessed every 5 minutes following
epidural placement to detect and treat hypotension promptly.
QUESTION 5 A nurse is caring for a newborn and calculating the Apgar score
at 5 minutes. The newborn has a heart rate of 96, weak cry, some flexion,
grimaces with stimulation, and body is pink but extremities are blue. What is
the Apgar score?
A. 5
B. 6
C. 7
D. 8
E. 4
B. 6
EXPERT RATIONALE: Heart rate below 100 = 1, weak cry (weak respiratory effort) =
1, some flexion (muscle tone) = 1, grimace (reflex irritability) = 1, body pink/blue
extremities (color) = 1. Total = 6. A score of 4 to 6 indicates moderate depression
and requires close monitoring and possible intervention.
, QUESTION 6 A nurse is caring for a client who is in labor and notes the fetal
heart rate drops to 90 bpm during a contraction and returns to baseline
immediately after. How should the nurse document this finding?
A. Variable deceleration
B. Late deceleration
C. Early deceleration
D. Prolonged deceleration
E. Accelerations
C. Early deceleration
EXPERT RATIONALE: Early decelerations mirror the contraction pattern, beginning
with the onset of the contraction and returning to baseline by the end. They are
caused by fetal head compression and are considered benign, requiring no
intervention. Late decelerations return after the contraction ends and indicate
uteroplacental insufficiency.
QUESTION 7 A nurse is teaching a newly pregnant client about warning signs
to report. Which of the following should the nurse include?
A. Mild nausea in the morning
B. Urinary frequency in the first trimester
C. Sudden gush of fluid from the vagina
D. Mild breast tenderness
E. Fatigue during the first trimester
C. Sudden gush of fluid from the vagina
EXPERT RATIONALE: A sudden gush of fluid from the vagina may indicate rupture
of membranes, which requires immediate evaluation for cord prolapse, infection,
and preterm labor if gestation is less than 37 weeks. The other findings listed are
normal discomforts of pregnancy.
(2023 Version) | Verified Questions & Correct
Answers with Detailed Rationales |
Complete A+ Graded Nursing Study Guide
for Exam Success
• This study guide contains 200 verified ATI PN Proctored Maternal Newborn exam
questions with correct answers and detailed EXPERT RATIONALE to help you
master every tested concept.
• Use this material by reading each question carefully, selecting your answer before
checking the highlighted correct option, then reinforcing your understanding with
the EXPERT RATIONALE below it.
QUESTION 1 A nurse is caring for a client who is at 38 weeks of gestation and
has preeclampsia. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to
the provider immediately?
A. Trace proteinuria on dipstick
B. Blood pressure of 138/88 mmHg
C. Mild dependent edema in ankles
D. Report of seeing spots and having a headache
E. Weight gain of 1 lb over the past week
D. Report of seeing spots and having a headache
EXPERT RATIONALE: Visual disturbances such as seeing spots and severe
headache are signs of severe preeclampsia and impending eclampsia. These
symptoms indicate cerebral involvement and must be reported immediately to
prevent seizure activity and maternal-fetal compromise.
QUESTION 2 A nurse is assessing a newborn who is 1 hour old. Which of the
following findings requires immediate intervention?
A. Acrocyanosis of the hands and feet
,B. Respiratory rate of 52 breaths per minute
C. Apical pulse of 148 beats per minute
D. Skin color that is pink with blue extremities
E. Central cyanosis of the lips and trunk
E. Central cyanosis of the lips and trunk
EXPERT RATIONALE: Central cyanosis involving the lips, tongue, and trunk
indicates inadequate oxygenation and is a medical emergency in the newborn.
Unlike peripheral acrocyanosis, which is normal in the first hours of life, central
cyanosis suggests cardiopulmonary compromise requiring immediate intervention.
QUESTION 3 A nurse is providing teaching to a client who is 2 days
postpartum and breastfeeding. Which of the following statements by the
client indicates understanding?
A. "I should feed my baby every 4 to 6 hours."
B. "I should offer both breasts at each feeding."
C. "My milk will come in within 24 hours."
D. "I should limit feedings to 10 minutes per side."
E. "I should give formula at night to let myself rest."
B. "I should offer both breasts at each feeding."
EXPERT RATIONALE: Offering both breasts at each feeding ensures adequate milk
production through stimulation and ensures the infant receives both foremilk and
hindmilk. Newborns should be fed on demand every 2 to 3 hours, not every 4 to 6
hours, and milk typically comes in at 3 to 5 days postpartum.
QUESTION 4 A nurse is monitoring a client in active labor who has an epidural.
Which of the following is the priority nursing action?
A. Maintain IV access and fluid infusion
,B. Monitor fetal heart rate continuously
C. Assess maternal blood pressure every 5 minutes after placement
D. Keep the client in left lateral position
E. Encourage the client to push with contractions
C. Assess maternal blood pressure every 5 minutes after placement
EXPERT RATIONALE: Epidural anesthesia causes vasodilation that can lead to
maternal hypotension, which in turn compromises uteroplacental perfusion and
fetal oxygenation. Blood pressure must be assessed every 5 minutes following
epidural placement to detect and treat hypotension promptly.
QUESTION 5 A nurse is caring for a newborn and calculating the Apgar score
at 5 minutes. The newborn has a heart rate of 96, weak cry, some flexion,
grimaces with stimulation, and body is pink but extremities are blue. What is
the Apgar score?
A. 5
B. 6
C. 7
D. 8
E. 4
B. 6
EXPERT RATIONALE: Heart rate below 100 = 1, weak cry (weak respiratory effort) =
1, some flexion (muscle tone) = 1, grimace (reflex irritability) = 1, body pink/blue
extremities (color) = 1. Total = 6. A score of 4 to 6 indicates moderate depression
and requires close monitoring and possible intervention.
, QUESTION 6 A nurse is caring for a client who is in labor and notes the fetal
heart rate drops to 90 bpm during a contraction and returns to baseline
immediately after. How should the nurse document this finding?
A. Variable deceleration
B. Late deceleration
C. Early deceleration
D. Prolonged deceleration
E. Accelerations
C. Early deceleration
EXPERT RATIONALE: Early decelerations mirror the contraction pattern, beginning
with the onset of the contraction and returning to baseline by the end. They are
caused by fetal head compression and are considered benign, requiring no
intervention. Late decelerations return after the contraction ends and indicate
uteroplacental insufficiency.
QUESTION 7 A nurse is teaching a newly pregnant client about warning signs
to report. Which of the following should the nurse include?
A. Mild nausea in the morning
B. Urinary frequency in the first trimester
C. Sudden gush of fluid from the vagina
D. Mild breast tenderness
E. Fatigue during the first trimester
C. Sudden gush of fluid from the vagina
EXPERT RATIONALE: A sudden gush of fluid from the vagina may indicate rupture
of membranes, which requires immediate evaluation for cord prolapse, infection,
and preterm labor if gestation is less than 37 weeks. The other findings listed are
normal discomforts of pregnancy.
