ATI PROCTORED EXAM - MATERNAL NEWBORN
A nurse is planning care for a newborn who is receiving phototherapy for an elevated bilirubin level.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take? Correct Answer: D. Use a photometer to monitor
the lamp's energy
The nurse should monitor the lamp's energy throughout the therapy to ensure the newborn is receiving
the appropriate amount to be effective.
A nurse is assessing a client at 34 weeks gestation who has a mild placental abruption. Which of the
following findings should the nurse expect? Correct Answer: Dark red vaginal bleeding
The nurse should expect this client with a mild placental abruption to have minimal dark red vaginal
bleeding.
A nurse is assessing a newborn and notes an axillary temperature of 96.9°F (36°C). Which of the
following actions should the nurse perform? Correct Answer: Correct Answer:
B.
Assess the newborn's blood glucose level
Infants who become cold attempt to generate heat through increased muscular and metabolic activity.
This process increases glucose consumption and puts the newborn at risk of hypoglycemia.
Incorrect Answers:
A. The nurse should not obtain a rectal temperature from a newborn due to the risk of rectal
perforation. Instead, the nurse should obtain an axillary temperature.
C. Bathing a newborn will increase heat loss. The infant should not be bathed until the temperature has
stabilized within the normal range.
D. Placing the infant in front of a heater vent can incur heat loss through convection. Additionally, there
is a potential fire risk from the bassinet linens and the vent.
A nurse is caring for a client who is in preterm labor and is receiving magnesium sulfate. The client
begins to show indications of magnesium sulfate toxicity. Which of the following medications should the
nurse prepare to administer? Correct Answer: Correct Answer:
C. Calcium gluconate
The nurse should discontinue the magnesium sulfate infusion immediately and prepare to administer
calcium gluconate IV to reverse the effects of magnesium sulfate and to prevent cardiac and respiratory
arrest.
Incorrect Answers:
,A. Protamine sulfate helps reverse the effects of heparin, not magnesium sulfate.
B. Naloxone is an opioid reversal agent. It does not reverse the effects of magnesium sulfate.
D. Flumazenil reverses the effects of benzodiazepines such as lorazepam and alprazolam, not
magnesium sulfate.
A nurse is providing postpartum discharge teaching to a client who is non-lactating about breast
discomfort relief measures. Which of the following pieces of information should the nurse include?
Correct Answer: Correct Answer:
"Place fresh cabbage leaves on your breasts."
After 3 days postpartum, the client's breasts can become swollen and distended because of congestion
of the vascular structures of the breasts.
Fresh cabbage leaves can be applied to engorged breasts to help relieve breast discomfort.
The coolness of the leaves and the phytoestrogens exert a therapeutic effect on engorged breasts.
Leaves should be replaced when they become wilted.
Incorrect Answers:
A. The client should be instructed to wear a tight-fitting bra or breast binders to alleviate engorgement
and swelling.
C. Application of warmth to the breasts should be avoided because heat can stimulate milk production.
An ice pack should be used to relieve engorged breasts.
D. Milk should not be expressed from the breasts. This intervention would increase milk production
rather than decrease it.
A nurse is educating a client who is at 10 weeks gestation and reports frequent nausea and vomiting.
Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching? Correct Answer: Correct
Answer:
D.
"You should eat dry foods that are high in carbohydrates when you wake up."
The nurse should instruct the client to eat foods that are high in carbohydrates such as dry toast or
crackers upon waking or when nausea occurs.
Incorrect Answers:
A. The nurse should instruct the client to eat foods served at cool temperatures to decrease nausea and
vomiting.
,B. The nurse should instruct the client to avoid brushing her teeth immediately after eating to decrease
vomiting.
C. The nurse should instruct the client to eat salty and tart foods during periods of nausea.
A nurse is providing postpartum discharge teaching for a client who is breastfeeding. The client states,
"I've heard that I can't use any birth control until I stop breastfeeding." Which of the following responses
should the nurse make? Correct Answer: Correct Answer:
D.
"A progestin-only pill or injection is available for use while you are breastfeeding."
Progestin-only injections, implants, and birth control pills are acceptable options for clients who are
breastfeeding, although some experts recommend waiting until 6 weeks postpartum to initiate the
medication.
Incorrect Answers:
A. Breastfeeding can inhibit ovulation or prolong menstruation; however, it is not a reliable and effective
means of birth control. The client may experience an unplanned pregnancy if she waits until her periods
resume before considering birth control options.
B. Estrogen-containing birth control pills, implants, patches, and vaginal rings are not recommended for
clients who are breastfeeding due to the risk of inhibiting breast milk production and supply.
C. Condoms and other non-hormonal birth control methods are appropriate for clients who are
breastfeeding; however, there are other methods that are also appropriate.
A nurse is assessing a client who is receiving morphine via a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump
following a cesarean birth. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
Correct Answer: Correct Answer:
D.
Urine output 20 mL/hr
Opioid analgesics such as morphine can cause urinary retention. The client should have a urinary output
of at least 30 mL/hr. The nurse should report this finding to the provider.
Incorrect Answers:
A. Opioid analgesics can cause respiratory depression. However, this respiratory rate is within the
expected reference range.
B. This temperature is within the expected reference range.
C. Dizziness is a common adverse effect of receiving opioid analgesics. The nurse should instruct the
client to sit on the side of the bed before getting up, assist the client with ambulation, and implement
general safety measures. However, it is not necessary to report this finding to the provider.
, A nurse in a clinic is providing teaching to a client who is at 37 weeks of gestation and is scheduled for an
external cephalic version. Which of the following statements should the nurse make? Correct Answer:
Correct Answer:
B."You will receive a medication to relax your uterus prior to the procedure."
A client who is scheduled to undergo an external cephalic version often receives a tocolytic prior to the
procedure to allow the uterus to relax. A relaxed uterus allows an easier version by the provider.
Incorrect Answers:
A. This action is appropriate for internal version. With external version, the provider attempts to turn
the fetus around externally and not internally.
C. External version is a high-risk procedure that is performed in a hospital setting in the event of an
emergency.
D. During the external version, the fetal heart-rate pattern is monitored continuously because the fetus
is at risk of bradycardia and variable decelerations. The nurse also monitors the fetal heart rate for at
least 60 minutes following the procedure.
A postpartum nurse is caring for a client who reports excessive sweating during the first night after
delivery. Which of the following statements should the nurse make? Correct Answer: Correct Answer:
D.
"This is a source of your fluid loss after delivery."
Postpartum diuresis is the loss of the remaining pregnancy-induced increase in blood volume. The loss
of excess tissue fluid begins within 12 hours after birth. Fluid loss by urination and perspiration results in
a weight loss of approximately 2.27 kg (5 lb) during the early postpartum period.
Incorrect Answers:
A. Postpartum diuresis is attributed to decreased estrogen levels, the removal of increased venous
pressure in the lower extremities, and the loss of the remaining pregnancy-induced increase in blood
volume.
B. Postpartum diuresis is caused by decreased estrogen levels. Fluid loss by urination and perspiration
results in a weight loss of approximately 2.27 kg (5 lb) during the early postpartum period.
C. Postpartum diuresis is caused, in part, by the removal of increased venous pressure in the lower
extremities. Urine output can exceed 3000 mL/day during the first 2 to 3 days postpartum.
The parents of a child with phenylketonuria (PKU) ask the nurse if their second unborn child could have
the same condition. The nurse should base the response on which of the following inheritance patterns
responsible for PKU? Correct Answer: Correct Answer:
C.
A nurse is planning care for a newborn who is receiving phototherapy for an elevated bilirubin level.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take? Correct Answer: D. Use a photometer to monitor
the lamp's energy
The nurse should monitor the lamp's energy throughout the therapy to ensure the newborn is receiving
the appropriate amount to be effective.
A nurse is assessing a client at 34 weeks gestation who has a mild placental abruption. Which of the
following findings should the nurse expect? Correct Answer: Dark red vaginal bleeding
The nurse should expect this client with a mild placental abruption to have minimal dark red vaginal
bleeding.
A nurse is assessing a newborn and notes an axillary temperature of 96.9°F (36°C). Which of the
following actions should the nurse perform? Correct Answer: Correct Answer:
B.
Assess the newborn's blood glucose level
Infants who become cold attempt to generate heat through increased muscular and metabolic activity.
This process increases glucose consumption and puts the newborn at risk of hypoglycemia.
Incorrect Answers:
A. The nurse should not obtain a rectal temperature from a newborn due to the risk of rectal
perforation. Instead, the nurse should obtain an axillary temperature.
C. Bathing a newborn will increase heat loss. The infant should not be bathed until the temperature has
stabilized within the normal range.
D. Placing the infant in front of a heater vent can incur heat loss through convection. Additionally, there
is a potential fire risk from the bassinet linens and the vent.
A nurse is caring for a client who is in preterm labor and is receiving magnesium sulfate. The client
begins to show indications of magnesium sulfate toxicity. Which of the following medications should the
nurse prepare to administer? Correct Answer: Correct Answer:
C. Calcium gluconate
The nurse should discontinue the magnesium sulfate infusion immediately and prepare to administer
calcium gluconate IV to reverse the effects of magnesium sulfate and to prevent cardiac and respiratory
arrest.
Incorrect Answers:
,A. Protamine sulfate helps reverse the effects of heparin, not magnesium sulfate.
B. Naloxone is an opioid reversal agent. It does not reverse the effects of magnesium sulfate.
D. Flumazenil reverses the effects of benzodiazepines such as lorazepam and alprazolam, not
magnesium sulfate.
A nurse is providing postpartum discharge teaching to a client who is non-lactating about breast
discomfort relief measures. Which of the following pieces of information should the nurse include?
Correct Answer: Correct Answer:
"Place fresh cabbage leaves on your breasts."
After 3 days postpartum, the client's breasts can become swollen and distended because of congestion
of the vascular structures of the breasts.
Fresh cabbage leaves can be applied to engorged breasts to help relieve breast discomfort.
The coolness of the leaves and the phytoestrogens exert a therapeutic effect on engorged breasts.
Leaves should be replaced when they become wilted.
Incorrect Answers:
A. The client should be instructed to wear a tight-fitting bra or breast binders to alleviate engorgement
and swelling.
C. Application of warmth to the breasts should be avoided because heat can stimulate milk production.
An ice pack should be used to relieve engorged breasts.
D. Milk should not be expressed from the breasts. This intervention would increase milk production
rather than decrease it.
A nurse is educating a client who is at 10 weeks gestation and reports frequent nausea and vomiting.
Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching? Correct Answer: Correct
Answer:
D.
"You should eat dry foods that are high in carbohydrates when you wake up."
The nurse should instruct the client to eat foods that are high in carbohydrates such as dry toast or
crackers upon waking or when nausea occurs.
Incorrect Answers:
A. The nurse should instruct the client to eat foods served at cool temperatures to decrease nausea and
vomiting.
,B. The nurse should instruct the client to avoid brushing her teeth immediately after eating to decrease
vomiting.
C. The nurse should instruct the client to eat salty and tart foods during periods of nausea.
A nurse is providing postpartum discharge teaching for a client who is breastfeeding. The client states,
"I've heard that I can't use any birth control until I stop breastfeeding." Which of the following responses
should the nurse make? Correct Answer: Correct Answer:
D.
"A progestin-only pill or injection is available for use while you are breastfeeding."
Progestin-only injections, implants, and birth control pills are acceptable options for clients who are
breastfeeding, although some experts recommend waiting until 6 weeks postpartum to initiate the
medication.
Incorrect Answers:
A. Breastfeeding can inhibit ovulation or prolong menstruation; however, it is not a reliable and effective
means of birth control. The client may experience an unplanned pregnancy if she waits until her periods
resume before considering birth control options.
B. Estrogen-containing birth control pills, implants, patches, and vaginal rings are not recommended for
clients who are breastfeeding due to the risk of inhibiting breast milk production and supply.
C. Condoms and other non-hormonal birth control methods are appropriate for clients who are
breastfeeding; however, there are other methods that are also appropriate.
A nurse is assessing a client who is receiving morphine via a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump
following a cesarean birth. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
Correct Answer: Correct Answer:
D.
Urine output 20 mL/hr
Opioid analgesics such as morphine can cause urinary retention. The client should have a urinary output
of at least 30 mL/hr. The nurse should report this finding to the provider.
Incorrect Answers:
A. Opioid analgesics can cause respiratory depression. However, this respiratory rate is within the
expected reference range.
B. This temperature is within the expected reference range.
C. Dizziness is a common adverse effect of receiving opioid analgesics. The nurse should instruct the
client to sit on the side of the bed before getting up, assist the client with ambulation, and implement
general safety measures. However, it is not necessary to report this finding to the provider.
, A nurse in a clinic is providing teaching to a client who is at 37 weeks of gestation and is scheduled for an
external cephalic version. Which of the following statements should the nurse make? Correct Answer:
Correct Answer:
B."You will receive a medication to relax your uterus prior to the procedure."
A client who is scheduled to undergo an external cephalic version often receives a tocolytic prior to the
procedure to allow the uterus to relax. A relaxed uterus allows an easier version by the provider.
Incorrect Answers:
A. This action is appropriate for internal version. With external version, the provider attempts to turn
the fetus around externally and not internally.
C. External version is a high-risk procedure that is performed in a hospital setting in the event of an
emergency.
D. During the external version, the fetal heart-rate pattern is monitored continuously because the fetus
is at risk of bradycardia and variable decelerations. The nurse also monitors the fetal heart rate for at
least 60 minutes following the procedure.
A postpartum nurse is caring for a client who reports excessive sweating during the first night after
delivery. Which of the following statements should the nurse make? Correct Answer: Correct Answer:
D.
"This is a source of your fluid loss after delivery."
Postpartum diuresis is the loss of the remaining pregnancy-induced increase in blood volume. The loss
of excess tissue fluid begins within 12 hours after birth. Fluid loss by urination and perspiration results in
a weight loss of approximately 2.27 kg (5 lb) during the early postpartum period.
Incorrect Answers:
A. Postpartum diuresis is attributed to decreased estrogen levels, the removal of increased venous
pressure in the lower extremities, and the loss of the remaining pregnancy-induced increase in blood
volume.
B. Postpartum diuresis is caused by decreased estrogen levels. Fluid loss by urination and perspiration
results in a weight loss of approximately 2.27 kg (5 lb) during the early postpartum period.
C. Postpartum diuresis is caused, in part, by the removal of increased venous pressure in the lower
extremities. Urine output can exceed 3000 mL/day during the first 2 to 3 days postpartum.
The parents of a child with phenylketonuria (PKU) ask the nurse if their second unborn child could have
the same condition. The nurse should base the response on which of the following inheritance patterns
responsible for PKU? Correct Answer: Correct Answer:
C.
