ATI PN MATERNAL-NEWBORN… EXAM
P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
ATI PN Maternal-Newborn
Proctored
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales 70 Questions
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This examination covers maternal assessment, fetal monitoring, labor stages, postpartum
care, newborn assessment, breastfeeding, complications, pharmacology across 70 carefully
constructed questions designed to test conceptual understanding, analytical reasoning, and
practical application.
E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 70
A nurse is caring for a client at 38 weeks gestation who reports spontaneous rupture of
membranes. The nurse observes the amniotic fluid is thick, greenish-tinged, and has a
pH of 7.2. The fetal heart rate baseline is 155/min with recurrent variable decelerations
to 110/min. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
A) Prepare for immediate emergency cesarean birth
B) Assist the client into a knee-chest position
C) Administer oxygen via non-rebreather mask at 10 L/min
D) Perform a sterile vaginal examination to assess cervical dilation
Page 1
, CORRECT ANSWER
C) Administer oxygen via non-rebreather mask at 10 L/min
RATIONALE
Oxygen administration is the priority intervention to optimize fetal oxygenation when
variable decelerations indicate umbilical cord compression exacerbated by meconium-
stained fluid. Position changes and further assessment follow oxygen delivery, as fetal
hypoxia must be corrected before determining delivery urgency.
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 70
A client at 36 weeks gestation reports decreased fetal movement and the nurse
performs a nonstress test (NST). The tracing shows no fetal heart rate accelerations
with fetal movement over a 40-minute period. The nurse should anticipate which
immediate intervention?
A) Administer intravenous fluids and encourage maternal hydration
B) Prepare for emergent delivery due to probable fetal hypoxia
C) Perform a biophysical profile to assess fetal well-being
D) Repeat the NST in 24 hours to monitor fetal status
CORRECT ANSWER
C) Perform a biophysical profile to assess fetal well-being
RATIONALE
A nonreactive NST (absence of accelerations) requires further assessment via biophysical
profile to evaluate fetal oxygenation and acid-base status, as it may indicate central nervous
system depression from hypoxia. Immediate delivery is not indicated without additional
assessment data, and delaying reassessment for 24 hours could compromise fetal safety.
Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 70
A primigravida at 42 weeks gestation is undergoing induction with oxytocin. The nurse
notes the fetal heart rate baseline is 165 bpm with minimal variability and recurrent late
Page 2
,decelerations. The client's cervix is 5 cm dilated and 80% effaced. Which intervention
should the nurse implement first?
A) Increase the intravenous fluid rate to 150 mL/hr
B) Stop the oxytocin infusion immediately
C) Prepare the client for emergency cesarean birth
D) Reposition the client to left lateral position
CORRECT ANSWER
B) Stop the oxytocin infusion immediately
RATIONALE
Late decelerations with minimal variability indicate possible uteroplacental insufficiency
requiring immediate discontinuation of oxytocin to reduce uterine activity and restore fetal
oxygenation. Repositioning and IV fluids are secondary interventions that should follow
stopping the causative agent.
Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 70
A newborn at 2 hours of life exhibits hypotonia, poor respiratory effort, and a
temperature of 96.8°F (36°C). The mother received magnesium sulfate for preeclampsia
during labor. What is the purpose of administering calcium gluconate to this newborn?
A) To enhance cardiac contractility and improve systemic perfusion
B) To reverse magnesium toxicity and restore neuromuscular function
C) To stimulate brown fat metabolism and increase thermogenesis
D) To facilitate surfactant production and improve lung compliance
CORRECT ANSWER
B) To reverse magnesium toxicity and restore neuromuscular function
Page 3
, RATIONALE
Magnesium sulfate crosses the placenta and can cause neonatal hypermagnesemia,
presenting as hypotonia, respiratory depression, and hypothermia. Calcium gluconate acts
as a physiological antagonist to magnesium, displacing it at neuromuscular junctions to
restore muscle tone and respiratory drive.
Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 70
The labor nurse is caring for a client at 38 weeks gestation undergoing induction with
oxytocin. The external fetal monitor shows a baseline fetal heart rate of 145 bpm with
moderate variability and recurrent variable decelerations to 80 bpm lasting 45 seconds
and returning to baseline within 60 seconds. The client is dilated 5 cm and the
contractions are occurring every 2 minutes, lasting 70 seconds, with intensity of 55 mm
Hg by intrauterine pressure catheter. Which action should the nurse implement first?
A) Reposition the client to a lateral position
B) Prepare for emergency cesarean birth
C) Discontinue the oxytocin infusion
D) Administer oxygen at 10 L/min via face mask
CORRECT ANSWER
A) Reposition the client to a lateral position
RATIONALE
Repositioning to a lateral position relieves umbilical cord compression, the most common
cause of variable decelerations, by shifting uterine weight and improving fetal oxygenation.
Initial nursing interventions for recurrent variable decelerations follow a stepwise approach:
position change first, then oxygenation and fluid bolus, with oxytocin discontinuation and
preparation for delivery if decelerations persist despite these measures.
Q6 QUESTION 6 OF 70
The postpartum nurse is caring for a client who delivered a 4,200g infant 12 hours ago.
The fundus is firm, 2 cm above the umbilicus, and deviated to the right. The client
reports voiding 250mL of clear yellow urine 2 hours ago. The bladder scan shows
450mL residual volume.
Page 4
P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
ATI PN Maternal-Newborn
Proctored
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales 70 Questions
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This examination covers maternal assessment, fetal monitoring, labor stages, postpartum
care, newborn assessment, breastfeeding, complications, pharmacology across 70 carefully
constructed questions designed to test conceptual understanding, analytical reasoning, and
practical application.
E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 70
A nurse is caring for a client at 38 weeks gestation who reports spontaneous rupture of
membranes. The nurse observes the amniotic fluid is thick, greenish-tinged, and has a
pH of 7.2. The fetal heart rate baseline is 155/min with recurrent variable decelerations
to 110/min. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
A) Prepare for immediate emergency cesarean birth
B) Assist the client into a knee-chest position
C) Administer oxygen via non-rebreather mask at 10 L/min
D) Perform a sterile vaginal examination to assess cervical dilation
Page 1
, CORRECT ANSWER
C) Administer oxygen via non-rebreather mask at 10 L/min
RATIONALE
Oxygen administration is the priority intervention to optimize fetal oxygenation when
variable decelerations indicate umbilical cord compression exacerbated by meconium-
stained fluid. Position changes and further assessment follow oxygen delivery, as fetal
hypoxia must be corrected before determining delivery urgency.
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 70
A client at 36 weeks gestation reports decreased fetal movement and the nurse
performs a nonstress test (NST). The tracing shows no fetal heart rate accelerations
with fetal movement over a 40-minute period. The nurse should anticipate which
immediate intervention?
A) Administer intravenous fluids and encourage maternal hydration
B) Prepare for emergent delivery due to probable fetal hypoxia
C) Perform a biophysical profile to assess fetal well-being
D) Repeat the NST in 24 hours to monitor fetal status
CORRECT ANSWER
C) Perform a biophysical profile to assess fetal well-being
RATIONALE
A nonreactive NST (absence of accelerations) requires further assessment via biophysical
profile to evaluate fetal oxygenation and acid-base status, as it may indicate central nervous
system depression from hypoxia. Immediate delivery is not indicated without additional
assessment data, and delaying reassessment for 24 hours could compromise fetal safety.
Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 70
A primigravida at 42 weeks gestation is undergoing induction with oxytocin. The nurse
notes the fetal heart rate baseline is 165 bpm with minimal variability and recurrent late
Page 2
,decelerations. The client's cervix is 5 cm dilated and 80% effaced. Which intervention
should the nurse implement first?
A) Increase the intravenous fluid rate to 150 mL/hr
B) Stop the oxytocin infusion immediately
C) Prepare the client for emergency cesarean birth
D) Reposition the client to left lateral position
CORRECT ANSWER
B) Stop the oxytocin infusion immediately
RATIONALE
Late decelerations with minimal variability indicate possible uteroplacental insufficiency
requiring immediate discontinuation of oxytocin to reduce uterine activity and restore fetal
oxygenation. Repositioning and IV fluids are secondary interventions that should follow
stopping the causative agent.
Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 70
A newborn at 2 hours of life exhibits hypotonia, poor respiratory effort, and a
temperature of 96.8°F (36°C). The mother received magnesium sulfate for preeclampsia
during labor. What is the purpose of administering calcium gluconate to this newborn?
A) To enhance cardiac contractility and improve systemic perfusion
B) To reverse magnesium toxicity and restore neuromuscular function
C) To stimulate brown fat metabolism and increase thermogenesis
D) To facilitate surfactant production and improve lung compliance
CORRECT ANSWER
B) To reverse magnesium toxicity and restore neuromuscular function
Page 3
, RATIONALE
Magnesium sulfate crosses the placenta and can cause neonatal hypermagnesemia,
presenting as hypotonia, respiratory depression, and hypothermia. Calcium gluconate acts
as a physiological antagonist to magnesium, displacing it at neuromuscular junctions to
restore muscle tone and respiratory drive.
Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 70
The labor nurse is caring for a client at 38 weeks gestation undergoing induction with
oxytocin. The external fetal monitor shows a baseline fetal heart rate of 145 bpm with
moderate variability and recurrent variable decelerations to 80 bpm lasting 45 seconds
and returning to baseline within 60 seconds. The client is dilated 5 cm and the
contractions are occurring every 2 minutes, lasting 70 seconds, with intensity of 55 mm
Hg by intrauterine pressure catheter. Which action should the nurse implement first?
A) Reposition the client to a lateral position
B) Prepare for emergency cesarean birth
C) Discontinue the oxytocin infusion
D) Administer oxygen at 10 L/min via face mask
CORRECT ANSWER
A) Reposition the client to a lateral position
RATIONALE
Repositioning to a lateral position relieves umbilical cord compression, the most common
cause of variable decelerations, by shifting uterine weight and improving fetal oxygenation.
Initial nursing interventions for recurrent variable decelerations follow a stepwise approach:
position change first, then oxygenation and fluid bolus, with oxytocin discontinuation and
preparation for delivery if decelerations persist despite these measures.
Q6 QUESTION 6 OF 70
The postpartum nurse is caring for a client who delivered a 4,200g infant 12 hours ago.
The fundus is firm, 2 cm above the umbilicus, and deviated to the right. The client
reports voiding 250mL of clear yellow urine 2 hours ago. The bladder scan shows
450mL residual volume.
Page 4
