ATI Maternal-Newborn Proctored Exam Prep
2026 – Real Practice Questions, Verified
Answers & Detailed Rationales | OB Nursing,
Labor & Delivery, Postpartum & NGN Review
• This prep guide contains 200 high-yield ATI Maternal-Newborn practice questions
with verified answers and detailed EXPERT RATIONALE to sharpen your clinical
reasoning before exam day.
• Use this material by reading each question carefully, selecting your answer before
checking, then studying the EXPERT RATIONALE deeply — focus extra time on any
topic where you answered incorrectly.
QUESTION 1 A nurse is caring for a client who is 10 weeks pregnant and asks
about the purpose of the corpus luteum. Which of the following is the most
accurate response?
A. It produces estrogen to stimulate uterine growth
B. It secretes FSH to maintain ovulation
C. It produces progesterone to maintain the pregnancy until the placenta takes over
D. It releases oxytocin to prepare the uterus for labor
E. It stimulates the thyroid to increase metabolism during pregnancy
C. It produces progesterone to maintain the pregnancy until the placenta
takes over
EXPERT RATIONALE: The corpus luteum produces progesterone during early
pregnancy to maintain the endometrial lining and prevent menstruation. It
continues this function until the placenta is developed enough (around 10–12
weeks) to take over progesterone production.
QUESTION 2 A nurse is reviewing fetal circulation with a nursing student.
Which of the following structures allows blood to bypass the fetal lungs?
A. Ductus arteriosus only
,B. Foramen ovale only
C. Ductus venosus only
D. Both the foramen ovale and ductus arteriosus
E. The umbilical vein and ductus venosus only
D. Both the foramen ovale and ductus arteriosus
EXPERT RATIONALE: In fetal circulation, the foramen ovale allows blood to flow
from the right atrium to the left atrium, bypassing the lungs. The ductus arteriosus
connects the pulmonary artery to the aorta, also shunting blood away from the
lungs. Both structures close after birth as pulmonary circulation is established.
QUESTION 3 A nurse is assessing a client at 20 weeks gestation. Where should
the nurse expect to palpate the fundus?
A. Just above the symphysis pubis
B. At the level of the umbilicus
C. Halfway between the umbilicus and xiphoid process
D. At the level of the xiphoid process
E. Two fingerbreadths below the umbilicus
B. At the level of the umbilicus
EXPERT RATIONALE: At 20 weeks gestation, the fundus is typically palpated at
the level of the umbilicus. As a general rule, fundal height in centimeters
approximates gestational age in weeks between 20–36 weeks.
QUESTION 4 A nurse is teaching a prenatal client about Nagele's rule. The
client's LMP was July 10. What is the estimated due date?
A. March 17
B. April 17
,C. April 10
D. March 10
E. May 17
B. April 17
EXPERT RATIONALE: Nagele's rule: subtract 3 months from LMP, add 7 days,
and adjust the year if necessary. July 10 minus 3 months = April 10, plus 7 days =
April 17.
QUESTION 5 A nurse is assessing a client in the first trimester. Which of the
following is a presumptive sign of pregnancy?
A. Positive urine pregnancy test
B. Fetal heart tones audible via Doppler
C. Amenorrhea and nausea
D. Ultrasound confirmation of gestational sac
E. Positive Hegar's sign
C. Amenorrhea and nausea
EXPERT RATIONALE: Presumptive signs of pregnancy are subjective symptoms
reported by the client, such as amenorrhea, nausea, vomiting, breast tenderness,
and urinary frequency. These can be caused by other conditions and are not
conclusive proof of pregnancy.
QUESTION 6 A nurse notes a positive Chadwick's sign during a pelvic exam.
This finding is best described as:
A. Softening of the cervix
B. Softening of the lower uterine segment
C. Bluish-purple discoloration of the cervix and vaginal mucosa
, D. Fetal movement felt by the examiner
E. Uterine souffle heard on auscultation
C. Bluish-purple discoloration of the cervix and vaginal mucosa
EXPERT RATIONALE: Chadwick's sign is a probable sign of pregnancy caused by
increased vascularity and venous congestion in the pelvic region. It appears as a
bluish-purple discoloration of the vaginal mucosa, cervix, and vulva, typically
appearing around 6–8 weeks.
QUESTION 7 A nurse is educating a newly pregnant client about expected
physiological changes. Which cardiovascular change is normal during
pregnancy?
A. Decrease in blood volume by 20%
B. Increase in blood volume by 40–50%
C. Decrease in heart rate by 10–15 beats per minute
D. Increase in systemic vascular resistance
E. Decrease in cardiac output
B. Increase in blood volume by 40–50%
EXPERT RATIONALE: During pregnancy, blood volume increases by
approximately 40–50% to meet the demands of the growing fetus, placenta, and
maternal tissues. This hemodilution leads to physiological anemia of pregnancy,
and is accompanied by increased cardiac output and heart rate.
QUESTION 8 A nurse is assessing a client at 28 weeks gestation who reports
feeling dizzy when lying on her back. The nurse should instruct the client to:
A. Elevate her legs when lying supine
B. Lie on her left side
C. Drink more fluids before lying down
2026 – Real Practice Questions, Verified
Answers & Detailed Rationales | OB Nursing,
Labor & Delivery, Postpartum & NGN Review
• This prep guide contains 200 high-yield ATI Maternal-Newborn practice questions
with verified answers and detailed EXPERT RATIONALE to sharpen your clinical
reasoning before exam day.
• Use this material by reading each question carefully, selecting your answer before
checking, then studying the EXPERT RATIONALE deeply — focus extra time on any
topic where you answered incorrectly.
QUESTION 1 A nurse is caring for a client who is 10 weeks pregnant and asks
about the purpose of the corpus luteum. Which of the following is the most
accurate response?
A. It produces estrogen to stimulate uterine growth
B. It secretes FSH to maintain ovulation
C. It produces progesterone to maintain the pregnancy until the placenta takes over
D. It releases oxytocin to prepare the uterus for labor
E. It stimulates the thyroid to increase metabolism during pregnancy
C. It produces progesterone to maintain the pregnancy until the placenta
takes over
EXPERT RATIONALE: The corpus luteum produces progesterone during early
pregnancy to maintain the endometrial lining and prevent menstruation. It
continues this function until the placenta is developed enough (around 10–12
weeks) to take over progesterone production.
QUESTION 2 A nurse is reviewing fetal circulation with a nursing student.
Which of the following structures allows blood to bypass the fetal lungs?
A. Ductus arteriosus only
,B. Foramen ovale only
C. Ductus venosus only
D. Both the foramen ovale and ductus arteriosus
E. The umbilical vein and ductus venosus only
D. Both the foramen ovale and ductus arteriosus
EXPERT RATIONALE: In fetal circulation, the foramen ovale allows blood to flow
from the right atrium to the left atrium, bypassing the lungs. The ductus arteriosus
connects the pulmonary artery to the aorta, also shunting blood away from the
lungs. Both structures close after birth as pulmonary circulation is established.
QUESTION 3 A nurse is assessing a client at 20 weeks gestation. Where should
the nurse expect to palpate the fundus?
A. Just above the symphysis pubis
B. At the level of the umbilicus
C. Halfway between the umbilicus and xiphoid process
D. At the level of the xiphoid process
E. Two fingerbreadths below the umbilicus
B. At the level of the umbilicus
EXPERT RATIONALE: At 20 weeks gestation, the fundus is typically palpated at
the level of the umbilicus. As a general rule, fundal height in centimeters
approximates gestational age in weeks between 20–36 weeks.
QUESTION 4 A nurse is teaching a prenatal client about Nagele's rule. The
client's LMP was July 10. What is the estimated due date?
A. March 17
B. April 17
,C. April 10
D. March 10
E. May 17
B. April 17
EXPERT RATIONALE: Nagele's rule: subtract 3 months from LMP, add 7 days,
and adjust the year if necessary. July 10 minus 3 months = April 10, plus 7 days =
April 17.
QUESTION 5 A nurse is assessing a client in the first trimester. Which of the
following is a presumptive sign of pregnancy?
A. Positive urine pregnancy test
B. Fetal heart tones audible via Doppler
C. Amenorrhea and nausea
D. Ultrasound confirmation of gestational sac
E. Positive Hegar's sign
C. Amenorrhea and nausea
EXPERT RATIONALE: Presumptive signs of pregnancy are subjective symptoms
reported by the client, such as amenorrhea, nausea, vomiting, breast tenderness,
and urinary frequency. These can be caused by other conditions and are not
conclusive proof of pregnancy.
QUESTION 6 A nurse notes a positive Chadwick's sign during a pelvic exam.
This finding is best described as:
A. Softening of the cervix
B. Softening of the lower uterine segment
C. Bluish-purple discoloration of the cervix and vaginal mucosa
, D. Fetal movement felt by the examiner
E. Uterine souffle heard on auscultation
C. Bluish-purple discoloration of the cervix and vaginal mucosa
EXPERT RATIONALE: Chadwick's sign is a probable sign of pregnancy caused by
increased vascularity and venous congestion in the pelvic region. It appears as a
bluish-purple discoloration of the vaginal mucosa, cervix, and vulva, typically
appearing around 6–8 weeks.
QUESTION 7 A nurse is educating a newly pregnant client about expected
physiological changes. Which cardiovascular change is normal during
pregnancy?
A. Decrease in blood volume by 20%
B. Increase in blood volume by 40–50%
C. Decrease in heart rate by 10–15 beats per minute
D. Increase in systemic vascular resistance
E. Decrease in cardiac output
B. Increase in blood volume by 40–50%
EXPERT RATIONALE: During pregnancy, blood volume increases by
approximately 40–50% to meet the demands of the growing fetus, placenta, and
maternal tissues. This hemodilution leads to physiological anemia of pregnancy,
and is accompanied by increased cardiac output and heart rate.
QUESTION 8 A nurse is assessing a client at 28 weeks gestation who reports
feeling dizzy when lying on her back. The nurse should instruct the client to:
A. Elevate her legs when lying supine
B. Lie on her left side
C. Drink more fluids before lying down
