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2025–2026 NEXT GEN NCLEX-RN ATI
Fundamentals: 140 Maternity & Newborn
Nursing Questions with Answers [Free
Practice Test]
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client in the active phase of labor. The cervix is 6 cm dilated and 100%
effaced. Which action is priority?
A. Encourage frequent ambulation
B. Provide light meals
C. Monitor fetal heart rate
D. Offer oral pain medication
✔️ Correct Answer: C. Monitor fetal heart rate
Rationale: In the active phase, frequent FHR monitoring ensures early detection of fetal distress.
Question 2
A nurse is assessing a newborn at 1 minute after birth. HR is 120 bpm, arms flexed, some flexion
of legs, crying weakly, body pink with blue extremities. What is the APGAR score?
A. 6
B. 7
C. 8
D. 9
✔️ Correct Answer: C. 8
Rationale: HR = 2, Respiratory effort = 1, Muscle tone = 2, Reflex irritability = 2, Color = 1.
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Question 3
A pregnant client at 28 weeks gestation reports a headache and blurred vision. What is the
priority assessment?
A. Deep tendon reflexes
B. Fetal kick count
C. Fundal height
D. Hemoglobin level
✔️ Correct Answer: A. Deep tendon reflexes
Rationale: These are signs of preeclampsia. DTRs assess for worsening neuromuscular
irritability.
Question 4
Which finding is a complication of magnesium sulfate therapy?
A. Hyperactive reflexes
B. RR of 10/min
C. Tachycardia
D. Hypertension
✔️ Correct Answer: B. RR of 10/min
Rationale: Respiratory depression is a sign of magnesium toxicity — hold med and notify
provider.
Question 5
A client is in labor with an occiput posterior fetal position. Which intervention helps relieve back
pain?
A. Supine with knees flexed
B. Encourage side-lying on left
C. Apply firm counterpressure to the sacrum
D. Offer cold compress to abdomen
✔️ Correct Answer: C. Apply firm counterpressure to the sacrum
Rationale: OP position causes intense back pain — sacral pressure helps relieve it.
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Question 6
Which action should the nurse take immediately after delivery of the placenta?
A. Apply fundal massage
B. Start oxytocin drip
C. Insert Foley catheter
D. Position mother for breastfeeding
✔️ Correct Answer: A. Apply fundal massage
Rationale: Fundal massage reduces bleeding and promotes uterine contraction.
Question 7
A nurse notes late decelerations on fetal monitor. What is the priority?
A. Apply oxygen via face mask
B. Check cervical dilation
C. Document findings
D. Decrease IV fluids
✔️ Correct Answer: A. Apply oxygen via face mask
Rationale: Late decels indicate uteroplacental insufficiency — oxygen improves fetal
oxygenation.
Question 8
Which vaccine is contraindicated during pregnancy?
A. Hepatitis B
B. Tdap
C. MMR
D. Influenza (inactivated)
✔️ Correct Answer: C. MMR
Rationale: MMR is live-virus and contraindicated in pregnancy.
Question 9
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A nurse is caring for a postpartum client with boggy uterus and increased lochia. What should
the nurse do first?
A. Notify the provider
B. Check vital signs
C. Massage the fundus
D. Start a blood transfusion
✔️ Correct Answer: C. Massage the fundus
Rationale: A boggy uterus may indicate uterine atony immediate massage helps contract it.
Question 10
Which finding in a newborn should the nurse report immediately?
A. HR of 140 bpm
B. Bluish hands and feet
C. Nasal flaring and grunting
D. Moro reflex present
✔️ Correct Answer: C. Nasal flaring and grunting
Rationale: Signs of respiratory distress — immediate intervention required.
Question 11
A client at 36 weeks reports painless vaginal bleeding. What condition does the nurse suspect?
A. Placenta previa
B. Placental abruption
C. Preterm labor
D. Cervical insufficiency
✔️ Correct Answer: A. Placenta previa
Rationale: Classic sign is painless bright red bleeding in late pregnancy.
Question 12
Which intervention prevents heat loss via evaporation in a newborn?
2025–2026 NEXT GEN NCLEX-RN ATI
Fundamentals: 140 Maternity & Newborn
Nursing Questions with Answers [Free
Practice Test]
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client in the active phase of labor. The cervix is 6 cm dilated and 100%
effaced. Which action is priority?
A. Encourage frequent ambulation
B. Provide light meals
C. Monitor fetal heart rate
D. Offer oral pain medication
✔️ Correct Answer: C. Monitor fetal heart rate
Rationale: In the active phase, frequent FHR monitoring ensures early detection of fetal distress.
Question 2
A nurse is assessing a newborn at 1 minute after birth. HR is 120 bpm, arms flexed, some flexion
of legs, crying weakly, body pink with blue extremities. What is the APGAR score?
A. 6
B. 7
C. 8
D. 9
✔️ Correct Answer: C. 8
Rationale: HR = 2, Respiratory effort = 1, Muscle tone = 2, Reflex irritability = 2, Color = 1.
,2
Question 3
A pregnant client at 28 weeks gestation reports a headache and blurred vision. What is the
priority assessment?
A. Deep tendon reflexes
B. Fetal kick count
C. Fundal height
D. Hemoglobin level
✔️ Correct Answer: A. Deep tendon reflexes
Rationale: These are signs of preeclampsia. DTRs assess for worsening neuromuscular
irritability.
Question 4
Which finding is a complication of magnesium sulfate therapy?
A. Hyperactive reflexes
B. RR of 10/min
C. Tachycardia
D. Hypertension
✔️ Correct Answer: B. RR of 10/min
Rationale: Respiratory depression is a sign of magnesium toxicity — hold med and notify
provider.
Question 5
A client is in labor with an occiput posterior fetal position. Which intervention helps relieve back
pain?
A. Supine with knees flexed
B. Encourage side-lying on left
C. Apply firm counterpressure to the sacrum
D. Offer cold compress to abdomen
✔️ Correct Answer: C. Apply firm counterpressure to the sacrum
Rationale: OP position causes intense back pain — sacral pressure helps relieve it.
,3
Question 6
Which action should the nurse take immediately after delivery of the placenta?
A. Apply fundal massage
B. Start oxytocin drip
C. Insert Foley catheter
D. Position mother for breastfeeding
✔️ Correct Answer: A. Apply fundal massage
Rationale: Fundal massage reduces bleeding and promotes uterine contraction.
Question 7
A nurse notes late decelerations on fetal monitor. What is the priority?
A. Apply oxygen via face mask
B. Check cervical dilation
C. Document findings
D. Decrease IV fluids
✔️ Correct Answer: A. Apply oxygen via face mask
Rationale: Late decels indicate uteroplacental insufficiency — oxygen improves fetal
oxygenation.
Question 8
Which vaccine is contraindicated during pregnancy?
A. Hepatitis B
B. Tdap
C. MMR
D. Influenza (inactivated)
✔️ Correct Answer: C. MMR
Rationale: MMR is live-virus and contraindicated in pregnancy.
Question 9
, 4
A nurse is caring for a postpartum client with boggy uterus and increased lochia. What should
the nurse do first?
A. Notify the provider
B. Check vital signs
C. Massage the fundus
D. Start a blood transfusion
✔️ Correct Answer: C. Massage the fundus
Rationale: A boggy uterus may indicate uterine atony immediate massage helps contract it.
Question 10
Which finding in a newborn should the nurse report immediately?
A. HR of 140 bpm
B. Bluish hands and feet
C. Nasal flaring and grunting
D. Moro reflex present
✔️ Correct Answer: C. Nasal flaring and grunting
Rationale: Signs of respiratory distress — immediate intervention required.
Question 11
A client at 36 weeks reports painless vaginal bleeding. What condition does the nurse suspect?
A. Placenta previa
B. Placental abruption
C. Preterm labor
D. Cervical insufficiency
✔️ Correct Answer: A. Placenta previa
Rationale: Classic sign is painless bright red bleeding in late pregnancy.
Question 12
Which intervention prevents heat loss via evaporation in a newborn?
