ATI RN Maternal Newborn 2023 Proctored Exam .
150 Practice Questions with Rationales
1. A nurse in a prenatal clinic is caring for a client who reports her menstrual
period is 2 weeks late. The client appears anxious and asks the nurse if she is
pregnant. Which response should the nurse make?
A) "Yes, a missed period is a positive sign of pregnancy."
B) "You can miss your period for several other reasons. Describe your typical menstrual
cycle."
C) "We will need to do a blood test to confirm pregnancy."
D) "Don't worry; we will find out soon."
Answer: B
2. A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who is postpartum and has
preeclampsia. Which laboratory result should the nurse report to the provider?
A) Hemoglobin 12 g/dL
B) Platelets 50,000/mm³
C) White blood cell count 12,000/mm³
D) Serum creatinine 0.8 mg/dL
,Answer: B
*Rationale: A platelet count of 50,000/mm³ is below the expected reference range and
can indicate disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), which is a complication of
severe preeclampsia. The nurse should report this result to the provider immediately.
Normal platelets range from 150,000 to 400,000/mm³.*
3. A nurse is caring for a client who is at 34 weeks of gestation and reports
headache, blurred vision, and epigastric pain. BP is 158/106 mmHg, and urine
protein is 3+. Which nursing interventions are appropriate? Select all that apply.
A) Administer magnesium sulfate IV as ordered
B) Place client in a quiet, darkened room
C) Encourage oral fluid intake of 3 L/day
D) Monitor deep tendon reflexes hourly
E) Prepare for immediate cesarean birth
F) Assess for clonus
Answer: A, B, D, F
4. A nurse on an antepartum unit is caring for four clients. Which client should the
nurse identify as the priority?
A) A client at 28 weeks gestation with gestational diabetes
B) A client at 34 weeks gestation who reports epigastric pain
C) A client at 30 weeks gestation with mild ankle edema
D) A client at 32 weeks gestation with Braxton-Hicks contractions
Answer: B
,5. A nurse is assessing a client who is at 38 weeks of gestation during a weekly
prenatal visit. Which finding should the nurse report to the provider?
A) Blood pressure 110/70 mm Hg
B) Weight gain of 0.5 kg (1.1 lb) since last week
C) Swelling of the face and hands
D) Report of occasional Braxton-Hicks contractions
Answer: C
6. A nurse is caring for a client who is at 26 weeks of gestation and has epilepsy.
The nurse enters the room and observes the client having a seizure. After turning
the client's head to one side, which action should the nurse take next?
A) Administer oxygen via a nonrebreather mask
B) Administer lorazepam IV
C) Apply restraints to prevent injury
D) Place a tongue blade in the client's mouth
Answer: A
, 7. A nurse is providing teaching to a client about physiological changes during
pregnancy. The client is at 10 weeks of gestation. Which client statement indicates
an understanding of the teaching?
A) "My blood pressure will decrease during the first trimester."
B) "My heart rate will slow down as my pregnancy progresses."
C) "My breathing will become deeper and faster."
D) "My body temperature will increase significantly."
Answer: A
*Rationale: During the first trimester, systemic vasodilation caused by progesterone
leads to a decrease in blood pressure, reaching its lowest point in the second trimester
before returning to pre-pregnancy levels near term. Heart rate increases (not slows) by
10-15 bpm. Respiratory changes occur due to diaphragm elevation. Basal body
temperature increases slightly but not significantly.*
8. A nurse is caring for a client who is at 32 weeks gestation and has a prescription
for nifedipine. Which outcome should the nurse expect from this medication?
A) Increased blood pressure
B) Cessation of uterine contractions
C) Improved fetal lung maturity
D) Decreased blood glucose levels
Answer: B
9. A nurse is caring for a client who is at 36 weeks of gestation and has a positive
contraction stress test (CST). The nurse should plan to prepare the client for which
diagnostic test?
150 Practice Questions with Rationales
1. A nurse in a prenatal clinic is caring for a client who reports her menstrual
period is 2 weeks late. The client appears anxious and asks the nurse if she is
pregnant. Which response should the nurse make?
A) "Yes, a missed period is a positive sign of pregnancy."
B) "You can miss your period for several other reasons. Describe your typical menstrual
cycle."
C) "We will need to do a blood test to confirm pregnancy."
D) "Don't worry; we will find out soon."
Answer: B
2. A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who is postpartum and has
preeclampsia. Which laboratory result should the nurse report to the provider?
A) Hemoglobin 12 g/dL
B) Platelets 50,000/mm³
C) White blood cell count 12,000/mm³
D) Serum creatinine 0.8 mg/dL
,Answer: B
*Rationale: A platelet count of 50,000/mm³ is below the expected reference range and
can indicate disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), which is a complication of
severe preeclampsia. The nurse should report this result to the provider immediately.
Normal platelets range from 150,000 to 400,000/mm³.*
3. A nurse is caring for a client who is at 34 weeks of gestation and reports
headache, blurred vision, and epigastric pain. BP is 158/106 mmHg, and urine
protein is 3+. Which nursing interventions are appropriate? Select all that apply.
A) Administer magnesium sulfate IV as ordered
B) Place client in a quiet, darkened room
C) Encourage oral fluid intake of 3 L/day
D) Monitor deep tendon reflexes hourly
E) Prepare for immediate cesarean birth
F) Assess for clonus
Answer: A, B, D, F
4. A nurse on an antepartum unit is caring for four clients. Which client should the
nurse identify as the priority?
A) A client at 28 weeks gestation with gestational diabetes
B) A client at 34 weeks gestation who reports epigastric pain
C) A client at 30 weeks gestation with mild ankle edema
D) A client at 32 weeks gestation with Braxton-Hicks contractions
Answer: B
,5. A nurse is assessing a client who is at 38 weeks of gestation during a weekly
prenatal visit. Which finding should the nurse report to the provider?
A) Blood pressure 110/70 mm Hg
B) Weight gain of 0.5 kg (1.1 lb) since last week
C) Swelling of the face and hands
D) Report of occasional Braxton-Hicks contractions
Answer: C
6. A nurse is caring for a client who is at 26 weeks of gestation and has epilepsy.
The nurse enters the room and observes the client having a seizure. After turning
the client's head to one side, which action should the nurse take next?
A) Administer oxygen via a nonrebreather mask
B) Administer lorazepam IV
C) Apply restraints to prevent injury
D) Place a tongue blade in the client's mouth
Answer: A
, 7. A nurse is providing teaching to a client about physiological changes during
pregnancy. The client is at 10 weeks of gestation. Which client statement indicates
an understanding of the teaching?
A) "My blood pressure will decrease during the first trimester."
B) "My heart rate will slow down as my pregnancy progresses."
C) "My breathing will become deeper and faster."
D) "My body temperature will increase significantly."
Answer: A
*Rationale: During the first trimester, systemic vasodilation caused by progesterone
leads to a decrease in blood pressure, reaching its lowest point in the second trimester
before returning to pre-pregnancy levels near term. Heart rate increases (not slows) by
10-15 bpm. Respiratory changes occur due to diaphragm elevation. Basal body
temperature increases slightly but not significantly.*
8. A nurse is caring for a client who is at 32 weeks gestation and has a prescription
for nifedipine. Which outcome should the nurse expect from this medication?
A) Increased blood pressure
B) Cessation of uterine contractions
C) Improved fetal lung maturity
D) Decreased blood glucose levels
Answer: B
9. A nurse is caring for a client who is at 36 weeks of gestation and has a positive
contraction stress test (CST). The nurse should plan to prepare the client for which
diagnostic test?
