ATI Maternal Newborn Proctored Exam V2
| 2026 Q&A with Rationale (ATI Maternal
Newborn Proctored Exam 2026)
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is at 32 weeks of gestation and is experiencing preterm
labor. Which of the following medications should the nurse anticipate the provider will
prescribe to promote fetal lung maturity?
A. Terbutaline
B. Betamethasone
C. Magnesium sulfate
D. Indomethacin
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Betamethasone is a corticosteroid administered to clients in preterm labor to
stimulate the production of surfactant in the fetus. This medication helps prevent
respiratory distress syndrome in the newborn after delivery. It is typically given in two
doses, 24 hours apart, when the client is between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation.
2. A nurse is performing a physical assessment of a newborn who is 2 hours old. Which of the
following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Acrocyanosis
B. Generalized petechiae
,C. Milia on the bridge of the nose
D. Heart rate of 140/min while crying
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Generalized petechiae can indicate a clotting factor deficiency or an infection
and should be reported immediately. Acrocyanosis is a normal finding in the first 24 to 48
hours of life as a result of poor peripheral circulation. Milia are small white sebaceous
glands that are common and disappear without treatment.
3. A nurse is teaching a client who is at 12 weeks of gestation about nutrition. Which of the
following foods should the nurse instruct the client to avoid during pregnancy?
A. Cheddar cheese
B. Swordfish
C. Roasted chicken
D. Hard-boiled eggs
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pregnant clients should avoid fish that are high in mercury, such as swordfish,
shark, and tilefish, because mercury can damage the developing fetal nervous system.
Other seafood like shrimp and salmon are generally considered safe in moderation. The
client should also ensure all meats and eggs are fully cooked to prevent listeriosis.
,4. A nurse is assessing a client who is 4 hours postpartum and has a boggy uterus that is
displaced to the right. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Administer oxytocin IV bolus
B. Assist the client to the bathroom to void
C. Massage the fundus
D. Check the client’s blood pressure
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A fundus that is displaced to the right and is boggy usually indicates a full
bladder, which prevents the uterus from contracting effectively. Assisting the client to
empty their bladder is the priority intervention to allow the uterus to return to the midline
and contract. After voiding, the nurse should reassess the fundal height and firmness.
5. A nurse is monitoring a client who is in the second stage of labor. Which of the following
fetal heart rate (FHR) patterns should the nurse identify as a sign of cord compression?
A. Early decelerations
B. Late decelerations
C. Variable decelerations
D. Accelerations
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: Variable decelerations are abrupt decreases in FHR below the baseline and are
typically caused by umbilical cord compression. The nurse should reposition the client to
relieve the pressure on the cord. Unlike late decelerations, which indicate uteroplacental
insufficiency, variables are often sharp in shape and vary in timing.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who has preeclampsia and is receiving magnesium sulfate via
continuous IV infusion. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the
provider?
A. Deep tendon reflexes 2+
B. Respiratory rate 14/min
C. Urine output 20 mL/hr
D. Magnesium level 6 mEq/L
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Urine output less than 30 mL/hr is a sign of magnesium toxicity or renal failure
and must be reported immediately. The therapeutic range for magnesium sulfate is 4 to 7
mEq/L, so 6 mEq/L is within the expected range. Decreased or absent deep tendon reflexes
and a respiratory rate below 12/min would also indicate toxicity.
7. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client following a cesarean birth. Which of the
following instructions should the nurse include?
A. You can begin abdominal exercises in 2 weeks
B. Limit your fluid intake to prevent breast engorgement
| 2026 Q&A with Rationale (ATI Maternal
Newborn Proctored Exam 2026)
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is at 32 weeks of gestation and is experiencing preterm
labor. Which of the following medications should the nurse anticipate the provider will
prescribe to promote fetal lung maturity?
A. Terbutaline
B. Betamethasone
C. Magnesium sulfate
D. Indomethacin
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Betamethasone is a corticosteroid administered to clients in preterm labor to
stimulate the production of surfactant in the fetus. This medication helps prevent
respiratory distress syndrome in the newborn after delivery. It is typically given in two
doses, 24 hours apart, when the client is between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation.
2. A nurse is performing a physical assessment of a newborn who is 2 hours old. Which of the
following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Acrocyanosis
B. Generalized petechiae
,C. Milia on the bridge of the nose
D. Heart rate of 140/min while crying
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Generalized petechiae can indicate a clotting factor deficiency or an infection
and should be reported immediately. Acrocyanosis is a normal finding in the first 24 to 48
hours of life as a result of poor peripheral circulation. Milia are small white sebaceous
glands that are common and disappear without treatment.
3. A nurse is teaching a client who is at 12 weeks of gestation about nutrition. Which of the
following foods should the nurse instruct the client to avoid during pregnancy?
A. Cheddar cheese
B. Swordfish
C. Roasted chicken
D. Hard-boiled eggs
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pregnant clients should avoid fish that are high in mercury, such as swordfish,
shark, and tilefish, because mercury can damage the developing fetal nervous system.
Other seafood like shrimp and salmon are generally considered safe in moderation. The
client should also ensure all meats and eggs are fully cooked to prevent listeriosis.
,4. A nurse is assessing a client who is 4 hours postpartum and has a boggy uterus that is
displaced to the right. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Administer oxytocin IV bolus
B. Assist the client to the bathroom to void
C. Massage the fundus
D. Check the client’s blood pressure
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A fundus that is displaced to the right and is boggy usually indicates a full
bladder, which prevents the uterus from contracting effectively. Assisting the client to
empty their bladder is the priority intervention to allow the uterus to return to the midline
and contract. After voiding, the nurse should reassess the fundal height and firmness.
5. A nurse is monitoring a client who is in the second stage of labor. Which of the following
fetal heart rate (FHR) patterns should the nurse identify as a sign of cord compression?
A. Early decelerations
B. Late decelerations
C. Variable decelerations
D. Accelerations
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: Variable decelerations are abrupt decreases in FHR below the baseline and are
typically caused by umbilical cord compression. The nurse should reposition the client to
relieve the pressure on the cord. Unlike late decelerations, which indicate uteroplacental
insufficiency, variables are often sharp in shape and vary in timing.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who has preeclampsia and is receiving magnesium sulfate via
continuous IV infusion. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the
provider?
A. Deep tendon reflexes 2+
B. Respiratory rate 14/min
C. Urine output 20 mL/hr
D. Magnesium level 6 mEq/L
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Urine output less than 30 mL/hr is a sign of magnesium toxicity or renal failure
and must be reported immediately. The therapeutic range for magnesium sulfate is 4 to 7
mEq/L, so 6 mEq/L is within the expected range. Decreased or absent deep tendon reflexes
and a respiratory rate below 12/min would also indicate toxicity.
7. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client following a cesarean birth. Which of the
following instructions should the nurse include?
A. You can begin abdominal exercises in 2 weeks
B. Limit your fluid intake to prevent breast engorgement
