ATI Maternal Newborn Proctored Exam V1
| 2026 Q&A with Rationale (ATI Maternal
Newborn Proctored Exam 2026)
1. A nurse is calculating the estimated date of delivery (EDD) for a client who reports that her
last menstrual period (LMP) began on November 1st. Using Naegele’s rule, which of the
following dates should the nurse determine is the EDD?
A. July 25
B. August 1
C. August 8
D. September 8
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Naegele’s rule is calculated by taking the first day of the last menstrual period,
subtracting 3 months, and adding 7 days. For this client, subtracting 3 months from
November 1st results in August 1st. Adding 7 days to August 1st results in an estimated
date of delivery of August 8th.
2. A nurse is monitoring a client who is receiving magnesium sulfate via IV infusion for the
treatment of preeclampsia. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as an
indication of magnesium toxicity?
A. Blood pressure 150/96 mmHg
,B. Urinary output 40 mL/hr
C. Respiratory rate 10/min
D. Hyperreflexive deep tendon reflexes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Magnesium sulfate toxicity is characterized by a decrease in the respiratory
rate and the loss of deep tendon reflexes. A respiratory rate below 12/min is a critical
indicator that the infusion should be stopped immediately. The nurse should also monitor
for decreased urinary output and cardiac arrest as signs of severe toxicity.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who is at 34 weeks of gestation and reports sudden, painless,
bright red vaginal bleeding. Which of the following conditions should the nurse suspect?
A. Abruptio placentae
B. Uterine rupture
C. Vasa previa
D. Placenta previa
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Placenta previa typically presents with painless, bright red vaginal bleeding
during the second or third trimester. This occurs when the placenta covers the cervical os
either partially or completely. In contrast, abruptio placentae involves painful bleeding and
uterine tenderness.
,4. A nurse is preparing to administer Vitamin K (phytonadione) to a newborn. The nurse
should explain to the parents that this medication is given for which of the following reasons?
A. To stimulate the immune system
B. To prevent ophthalmia neonatorum
C. To prevent hemorrhagic disease of the newborn
D. To stabilize the newborn’s blood glucose levels
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Newborns are born with a sterile gut and lack the bacteria necessary to
synthesize Vitamin K, which is essential for the production of clotting factors.
Administering Vitamin K shortly after birth prevents vitamin K deficiency bleeding, also
known as hemorrhagic disease of the newborn. It is typically administered via
intramuscular injection in the vastus lateralis.
5. A nurse is performing a fundal assessment on a client who is 2 hours postpartum. The
nurse finds the fundus is boggy and displaced to the right. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take first?
A. Administer oxytocin IV
B. Massage the fundus until firm
C. Notify the provider
D. Assist the client to the bathroom to void
, Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A fundus that is displaced to the right and boggy usually indicates a distended
bladder, which prevents the uterus from contracting effectively. Assisting the client to
empty her bladder is the priority action to allow the uterus to return to the midline and
firm up. Once the bladder is empty, the nurse should re-assess the fundal tone and position.
6. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client at 36 weeks of gestation. Which of
the following results should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Hemoglobin 11 g/dL
B. WBC count 12,000/mm3
C. Platelet count 90,000/mm3
D. Hematocrit 34%
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A platelet count of 90,000/mm3 is below the expected reference range and may
indicate HELLP syndrome or gestational thrombocytopenia. This finding increases the risk
of hemorrhage during or after delivery. The other values provided are within normal limits
or represent the expected physiological changes of pregnancy.
7. A nurse is caring for a newborn receiving phototherapy for hyperbilirubinemia. Which of
the following actions should the nurse include in the plan of care?
A. Keep the newborn’s eyes and genitalia covered
B. Apply lotion to the newborn’s skin every 4 hours
| 2026 Q&A with Rationale (ATI Maternal
Newborn Proctored Exam 2026)
1. A nurse is calculating the estimated date of delivery (EDD) for a client who reports that her
last menstrual period (LMP) began on November 1st. Using Naegele’s rule, which of the
following dates should the nurse determine is the EDD?
A. July 25
B. August 1
C. August 8
D. September 8
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Naegele’s rule is calculated by taking the first day of the last menstrual period,
subtracting 3 months, and adding 7 days. For this client, subtracting 3 months from
November 1st results in August 1st. Adding 7 days to August 1st results in an estimated
date of delivery of August 8th.
2. A nurse is monitoring a client who is receiving magnesium sulfate via IV infusion for the
treatment of preeclampsia. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as an
indication of magnesium toxicity?
A. Blood pressure 150/96 mmHg
,B. Urinary output 40 mL/hr
C. Respiratory rate 10/min
D. Hyperreflexive deep tendon reflexes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Magnesium sulfate toxicity is characterized by a decrease in the respiratory
rate and the loss of deep tendon reflexes. A respiratory rate below 12/min is a critical
indicator that the infusion should be stopped immediately. The nurse should also monitor
for decreased urinary output and cardiac arrest as signs of severe toxicity.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who is at 34 weeks of gestation and reports sudden, painless,
bright red vaginal bleeding. Which of the following conditions should the nurse suspect?
A. Abruptio placentae
B. Uterine rupture
C. Vasa previa
D. Placenta previa
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Placenta previa typically presents with painless, bright red vaginal bleeding
during the second or third trimester. This occurs when the placenta covers the cervical os
either partially or completely. In contrast, abruptio placentae involves painful bleeding and
uterine tenderness.
,4. A nurse is preparing to administer Vitamin K (phytonadione) to a newborn. The nurse
should explain to the parents that this medication is given for which of the following reasons?
A. To stimulate the immune system
B. To prevent ophthalmia neonatorum
C. To prevent hemorrhagic disease of the newborn
D. To stabilize the newborn’s blood glucose levels
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Newborns are born with a sterile gut and lack the bacteria necessary to
synthesize Vitamin K, which is essential for the production of clotting factors.
Administering Vitamin K shortly after birth prevents vitamin K deficiency bleeding, also
known as hemorrhagic disease of the newborn. It is typically administered via
intramuscular injection in the vastus lateralis.
5. A nurse is performing a fundal assessment on a client who is 2 hours postpartum. The
nurse finds the fundus is boggy and displaced to the right. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take first?
A. Administer oxytocin IV
B. Massage the fundus until firm
C. Notify the provider
D. Assist the client to the bathroom to void
, Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A fundus that is displaced to the right and boggy usually indicates a distended
bladder, which prevents the uterus from contracting effectively. Assisting the client to
empty her bladder is the priority action to allow the uterus to return to the midline and
firm up. Once the bladder is empty, the nurse should re-assess the fundal tone and position.
6. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client at 36 weeks of gestation. Which of
the following results should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Hemoglobin 11 g/dL
B. WBC count 12,000/mm3
C. Platelet count 90,000/mm3
D. Hematocrit 34%
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A platelet count of 90,000/mm3 is below the expected reference range and may
indicate HELLP syndrome or gestational thrombocytopenia. This finding increases the risk
of hemorrhage during or after delivery. The other values provided are within normal limits
or represent the expected physiological changes of pregnancy.
7. A nurse is caring for a newborn receiving phototherapy for hyperbilirubinemia. Which of
the following actions should the nurse include in the plan of care?
A. Keep the newborn’s eyes and genitalia covered
B. Apply lotion to the newborn’s skin every 4 hours
