ATI RN Maternal Newborn 2026 Exam with NGN
Complete 150-Question Practice Exam with Answers &
Italicized Rationales
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client at 32 weeks gestation who reports a sudden gush of fluid
from the vagina. Which action should the nurse take first?
A) Check the fetal heart rate
B) Assess the fluid for meconium
C) Perform a Nitrazine test
D) Obtain maternal vital signs
, Correct Answer: A
Question 2
A nurse is administering magnesium sulfate IV to a client with severe preeclampsia.
Which finding indicates a therapeutic response?
A) Deep tendon reflexes 3+
B) Urinary output 20 mL/hr
C) Absence of clonus
D) Respiratory rate 18/min
Correct Answer: C
*Magnesium sulfate prevents seizures by reducing neuromuscular irritability. Absence of
clonus indicates CNS depression and therapeutic effect. Reflexes 3+ (A) are hyperactive,
not therapeutic. Urine output <30 mL/hr (B) suggests toxicity. Respiratory rate 18 (D) is
normal but not a therapeutic indicator; respiratory depression (<12) indicates toxicity .*
Question 3
A nurse is assessing a newborn who is 2 hours old. Which finding requires immediate
intervention?
A) Caput succedaneum
B) Grunting respirations
C) Acrocyanosis
D) Heart rate 140/min
Correct Answer: B
, *Grunting respirations indicate respiratory distress and potential RDS, sepsis, or TTN.
Caput succedaneum (A) is benign edema from birth. Acrocyanosis (C) is normal in the
first 24 hours. Heart rate 140 (D) is normal (110-160). Grunting requires immediate
respiratory support .*
Question 4
A nurse is assessing fetal heart rate (FHR) tracing and notes late decelerations. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take first?
A) Increase IV fluids
B) Apply oxygen via face mask
C) Turn the client to left lateral position
D) Discontinue oxytocin
Correct Answer: C
Question 5
A nurse is assessing a client receiving epidural anesthesia during labor. Which finding
indicates an adverse effect?
A) Blood pressure 100/70 mmHg
B) Urinary output 30 mL/hr
C) Maternal temperature 99.2°F (37.3°C)
D) Fetal heart rate 150/min
Correct Answer: A
*Epidural can cause hypotension from sympathetic blockade. A systolic BP <100 or
decrease >20% from baseline requires intervention (IV fluids, ephedrine). Urine output
30 mL/hr (B) is adequate. Temperature 99.2°F (C) is normal. FHR 150 (D) is normal .*
, Question 6
A nurse is providing dietary teaching to a client with hyperemesis gravidarum. Which
statement indicates understanding?
A) "I should eat to taste instead of trying to balance my meals."
B) "I will avoid having a snack at bedtime."
C) "I will have 8 oz of hot tea with each meal."
D) "I should pair my sweets with a starch instead of eating them alone."
Correct Answer: A
Question 7
A nurse is caring for a client undergoing an oxytocin-stimulated contraction stress test.
The nurse notes three contractions in 10 minutes with late decelerations occurring with
two contractions. Which finding should the nurse report?
A) Reactive
B) Nonreactive
C) Positive
D) Negative
Correct Answer: C
Complete 150-Question Practice Exam with Answers &
Italicized Rationales
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client at 32 weeks gestation who reports a sudden gush of fluid
from the vagina. Which action should the nurse take first?
A) Check the fetal heart rate
B) Assess the fluid for meconium
C) Perform a Nitrazine test
D) Obtain maternal vital signs
, Correct Answer: A
Question 2
A nurse is administering magnesium sulfate IV to a client with severe preeclampsia.
Which finding indicates a therapeutic response?
A) Deep tendon reflexes 3+
B) Urinary output 20 mL/hr
C) Absence of clonus
D) Respiratory rate 18/min
Correct Answer: C
*Magnesium sulfate prevents seizures by reducing neuromuscular irritability. Absence of
clonus indicates CNS depression and therapeutic effect. Reflexes 3+ (A) are hyperactive,
not therapeutic. Urine output <30 mL/hr (B) suggests toxicity. Respiratory rate 18 (D) is
normal but not a therapeutic indicator; respiratory depression (<12) indicates toxicity .*
Question 3
A nurse is assessing a newborn who is 2 hours old. Which finding requires immediate
intervention?
A) Caput succedaneum
B) Grunting respirations
C) Acrocyanosis
D) Heart rate 140/min
Correct Answer: B
, *Grunting respirations indicate respiratory distress and potential RDS, sepsis, or TTN.
Caput succedaneum (A) is benign edema from birth. Acrocyanosis (C) is normal in the
first 24 hours. Heart rate 140 (D) is normal (110-160). Grunting requires immediate
respiratory support .*
Question 4
A nurse is assessing fetal heart rate (FHR) tracing and notes late decelerations. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take first?
A) Increase IV fluids
B) Apply oxygen via face mask
C) Turn the client to left lateral position
D) Discontinue oxytocin
Correct Answer: C
Question 5
A nurse is assessing a client receiving epidural anesthesia during labor. Which finding
indicates an adverse effect?
A) Blood pressure 100/70 mmHg
B) Urinary output 30 mL/hr
C) Maternal temperature 99.2°F (37.3°C)
D) Fetal heart rate 150/min
Correct Answer: A
*Epidural can cause hypotension from sympathetic blockade. A systolic BP <100 or
decrease >20% from baseline requires intervention (IV fluids, ephedrine). Urine output
30 mL/hr (B) is adequate. Temperature 99.2°F (C) is normal. FHR 150 (D) is normal .*
, Question 6
A nurse is providing dietary teaching to a client with hyperemesis gravidarum. Which
statement indicates understanding?
A) "I should eat to taste instead of trying to balance my meals."
B) "I will avoid having a snack at bedtime."
C) "I will have 8 oz of hot tea with each meal."
D) "I should pair my sweets with a starch instead of eating them alone."
Correct Answer: A
Question 7
A nurse is caring for a client undergoing an oxytocin-stimulated contraction stress test.
The nurse notes three contractions in 10 minutes with late decelerations occurring with
two contractions. Which finding should the nurse report?
A) Reactive
B) Nonreactive
C) Positive
D) Negative
Correct Answer: C
