ATI MATERNITY PROCTORED EXAM
PRACTICE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 2026–
2027 | COMPLETE MATERNAL-NEWBORN
NURSING STUDY GUIDE | VERIFIED
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES,
ANTEPARTUM CARE, LABOR & DELIVERY,
POSTPARTUM NURSING & NEWBORN
ASSESSMENT
• This study guide contains 200 practice questions with verified answers and
detailed EXPERT RATIONALE designed to mirror the ATI Maternity Proctored Exam
format — use it by attempting each question before revealing the answer, then
reviewing the EXPERT RATIONALE to reinforce understanding.
• Features boldly marked correct answers, detailed EXPERT RATIONALEs placed
directly below each answer, and full coverage of Antepartum, Intrapartum,
Postpartum, and Newborn nursing content aligned to ATI 2026–2027 objectives.
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is 10 weeks pregnant and asks how her
baby's heart began beating. Which of the following responses by the nurse is
most accurate?
A. The heart begins beating at 4 weeks of gestation
B. The heart begins beating at 6 weeks of gestation
C. The heart begins beating at 12 weeks of gestation
D. The heart begins beating at 8 weeks of gestation
E. The heart begins beating at 16 weeks of gestation
Correct Answer: A. The heart begins beating at 4 weeks of gestation
EXPERT RATIONALE: The fetal heart begins beating around 4 weeks of gestation
(approximately 22–23 days after fertilization). By week 6, the heartbeat can typically
be detected via transvaginal ultrasound.
,2. A nurse is reviewing a pregnant client's prenatal record. The client is 28
weeks gestation, has had two previous pregnancies — one full-term birth and
one miscarriage at 10 weeks. Using the GTPAL system, how should the nurse
document this client's obstetric history?
A. G2 T1 P0 A1 L1
B. G3 T1 P0 A1 L1
C. G3 T1 P0 A0 L2
D. G2 T0 P1 A1 L1
E. G3 T2 P0 A1 L2
Correct Answer: B. G3 T1 P0 A1 L1
EXPERT RATIONALE: The current pregnancy counts in Gravida, making G3. She had
one full-term birth (T1), no preterm births (P0), one abortion/miscarriage (A1), and
one living child (L1).
3. A nurse is assessing a client who is 8 weeks pregnant. Which of the
following is an expected physiological change during the first trimester?
A. Decreased urinary frequency
B. Increased blood pressure
C. Nausea and vomiting
D. Decreased fatigue
E. Increased appetite without nausea
Correct Answer: C. Nausea and vomiting
EXPERT RATIONALE: Nausea and vomiting (morning sickness) are common during
the first trimester due to rising hCG levels. Urinary frequency also increases, blood
pressure typically decreases slightly, and fatigue is common.
,4. A nurse is teaching a newly pregnant client about Nagele's rule. The client's
last menstrual period began on April 10. What is the estimated date of
delivery?
A. January 3
B. January 17
C. February 3
D. January 10
E. December 17
Correct Answer: B. January 17
EXPERT RATIONALE: Nagele's rule: subtract 3 months from the first day of the LMP
and add 7 days. April 10 minus 3 months = January 10, plus 7 days = January 17.
5. A client at 20 weeks gestation asks the nurse where the top of the uterus
should be. Which of the following is the correct response?
A. Below the umbilicus
B. At the symphysis pubis
C. At the level of the umbilicus
D. At the xiphoid process
E. Two centimeters above the umbilicus
Correct Answer: C. At the level of the umbilicus
EXPERT RATIONALE: Fundal height at 20 weeks is expected to be at the level of the
umbilicus, approximately 20 cm from the symphysis pubis. This correlates with
normal fetal growth.
6. A nurse is caring for a client in the first trimester. The client reports light
vaginal spotting after intercourse. Which action should the nurse take first?
, A. Notify the provider immediately
B. Reassure the client this is completely normal
C. Assess the amount and character of bleeding
D. Prepare for an emergency cesarean section
E. Instruct the client to increase fluid intake
Correct Answer: C. Assess the amount and character of bleeding
EXPERT RATIONALE: The nurse should first assess the bleeding fully before
notifying the provider. Accurate assessment data is needed to determine the
appropriate intervention and urgency.
7. A nurse is educating a client about iron supplementation during pregnancy.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Take iron with milk to enhance absorption
B. Take iron with orange juice to enhance absorption
C. Take iron with tea to reduce nausea
D. Take iron at bedtime only
E. Take iron with calcium supplements for best results
Correct Answer: B. Take iron with orange juice to enhance absorption
EXPERT RATIONALE: Vitamin C enhances the absorption of non-heme iron. Orange
juice is high in vitamin C. Milk, tea, and calcium supplements inhibit iron
absorption.
8. A nurse is assessing a client who is 32 weeks pregnant. The client reports
swelling in her feet and ankles at the end of the day. Which response by the
nurse is most appropriate?
A. "This is a sign of preeclampsia and must be reported."
PRACTICE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 2026–
2027 | COMPLETE MATERNAL-NEWBORN
NURSING STUDY GUIDE | VERIFIED
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES,
ANTEPARTUM CARE, LABOR & DELIVERY,
POSTPARTUM NURSING & NEWBORN
ASSESSMENT
• This study guide contains 200 practice questions with verified answers and
detailed EXPERT RATIONALE designed to mirror the ATI Maternity Proctored Exam
format — use it by attempting each question before revealing the answer, then
reviewing the EXPERT RATIONALE to reinforce understanding.
• Features boldly marked correct answers, detailed EXPERT RATIONALEs placed
directly below each answer, and full coverage of Antepartum, Intrapartum,
Postpartum, and Newborn nursing content aligned to ATI 2026–2027 objectives.
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is 10 weeks pregnant and asks how her
baby's heart began beating. Which of the following responses by the nurse is
most accurate?
A. The heart begins beating at 4 weeks of gestation
B. The heart begins beating at 6 weeks of gestation
C. The heart begins beating at 12 weeks of gestation
D. The heart begins beating at 8 weeks of gestation
E. The heart begins beating at 16 weeks of gestation
Correct Answer: A. The heart begins beating at 4 weeks of gestation
EXPERT RATIONALE: The fetal heart begins beating around 4 weeks of gestation
(approximately 22–23 days after fertilization). By week 6, the heartbeat can typically
be detected via transvaginal ultrasound.
,2. A nurse is reviewing a pregnant client's prenatal record. The client is 28
weeks gestation, has had two previous pregnancies — one full-term birth and
one miscarriage at 10 weeks. Using the GTPAL system, how should the nurse
document this client's obstetric history?
A. G2 T1 P0 A1 L1
B. G3 T1 P0 A1 L1
C. G3 T1 P0 A0 L2
D. G2 T0 P1 A1 L1
E. G3 T2 P0 A1 L2
Correct Answer: B. G3 T1 P0 A1 L1
EXPERT RATIONALE: The current pregnancy counts in Gravida, making G3. She had
one full-term birth (T1), no preterm births (P0), one abortion/miscarriage (A1), and
one living child (L1).
3. A nurse is assessing a client who is 8 weeks pregnant. Which of the
following is an expected physiological change during the first trimester?
A. Decreased urinary frequency
B. Increased blood pressure
C. Nausea and vomiting
D. Decreased fatigue
E. Increased appetite without nausea
Correct Answer: C. Nausea and vomiting
EXPERT RATIONALE: Nausea and vomiting (morning sickness) are common during
the first trimester due to rising hCG levels. Urinary frequency also increases, blood
pressure typically decreases slightly, and fatigue is common.
,4. A nurse is teaching a newly pregnant client about Nagele's rule. The client's
last menstrual period began on April 10. What is the estimated date of
delivery?
A. January 3
B. January 17
C. February 3
D. January 10
E. December 17
Correct Answer: B. January 17
EXPERT RATIONALE: Nagele's rule: subtract 3 months from the first day of the LMP
and add 7 days. April 10 minus 3 months = January 10, plus 7 days = January 17.
5. A client at 20 weeks gestation asks the nurse where the top of the uterus
should be. Which of the following is the correct response?
A. Below the umbilicus
B. At the symphysis pubis
C. At the level of the umbilicus
D. At the xiphoid process
E. Two centimeters above the umbilicus
Correct Answer: C. At the level of the umbilicus
EXPERT RATIONALE: Fundal height at 20 weeks is expected to be at the level of the
umbilicus, approximately 20 cm from the symphysis pubis. This correlates with
normal fetal growth.
6. A nurse is caring for a client in the first trimester. The client reports light
vaginal spotting after intercourse. Which action should the nurse take first?
, A. Notify the provider immediately
B. Reassure the client this is completely normal
C. Assess the amount and character of bleeding
D. Prepare for an emergency cesarean section
E. Instruct the client to increase fluid intake
Correct Answer: C. Assess the amount and character of bleeding
EXPERT RATIONALE: The nurse should first assess the bleeding fully before
notifying the provider. Accurate assessment data is needed to determine the
appropriate intervention and urgency.
7. A nurse is educating a client about iron supplementation during pregnancy.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Take iron with milk to enhance absorption
B. Take iron with orange juice to enhance absorption
C. Take iron with tea to reduce nausea
D. Take iron at bedtime only
E. Take iron with calcium supplements for best results
Correct Answer: B. Take iron with orange juice to enhance absorption
EXPERT RATIONALE: Vitamin C enhances the absorption of non-heme iron. Orange
juice is high in vitamin C. Milk, tea, and calcium supplements inhibit iron
absorption.
8. A nurse is assessing a client who is 32 weeks pregnant. The client reports
swelling in her feet and ankles at the end of the day. Which response by the
nurse is most appropriate?
A. "This is a sign of preeclampsia and must be reported."
