MATERNITY HESI TEST II COMPREHENSIVE
STUDY GUIDE 2026 MATERNAL AND NEWBORN
NURSING PRINCIPLES
◉ A 26-year-old, gravida 2, para 1 client is admitted to the hospital
at 28-weeks gestation in preterm labor. She is given 3 doses of
terbutaline sulfate (Brethine) 0.25 mg subcutaneously to stop her
labor contractions. The nurse plans to monitor for which primary
side effect of terbutaline sulfate?
Answer: Tachycardia and a feeling of nervousness
Terbutaline sulfate (Brethine), a beta-sympathomimetic drug,
stimulates beta-adrenergic receptors in the uterine muscle to stop
contractions. The beta-adrenergic agonist properties of the drug
may cause tachycardia, increased cardiac output, restlessness,
headache, and a feeling of "nervousness".
◉ When do the anterior and posterior fontanels close?
Answer: anterior fontanel closes at 12 to 18 months and the
posterior by the end of the second month.
◉ When assessing a client who is at 12-weeks gestation, the nurse
recommends that she and her husband consider attending childbirth
,preparation classes. When is the best time for the couple to attend
these classes?
Answer: 30 weeks gestation
at 30 weeks gestation is closest (of the options) to the time parents
would be ready for such classes. Learning is facilitated by an
interested pupil! The couple is most interested in childbirth toward
the end of the pregnancy when they are psychologically ready for
the termination of the pregnancy, and the birth of their child is an
immediate concern.
◉ The nurse should encourage the laboring client to begin pushing
when...
Answer: the cervix is completely dilated.
Pushing begins with the second stage of labor, i.e., when the cervix is
completely dilated at 10 cm (C). If pushing begins before the cervix
is completely dilated the cervix can become edematous and may
never completely dilate, necessitating an operative delivery. Many
primigravida's begin active labor 100% effaced and then proceed to
dilate.
,◉ The nurse instructs a laboring client to use accelerated-blow
breathing. The client begins to complain of tingling fingers and
dizziness. What action should the nurse take?
Answer: Have the client breathe into her cupped hands
Tingling fingers and dizziness are signs of hyperventilation (blowing
off too much carbon dioxide). Hyperventilation is treated by
retaining carbon dioxide. This can be facilitated by breathing into a
paper bag or cupped hands.
◉ Twenty-four hours after admission to the newborn nursery, a full-
term male infant develops localized edema on the right side of his
head. The nurse knows that, in the newborn, an accumulation of
blood between the periosteum and skull which does not cross the
suture line is a newborn variation known as...
Answer: a cephalohematoma, caused by forceps trauma and may last
up to 8 weeks.
Cephalohematoma, a slight abnormal variation of the newborn,
usually arises within the first 24 hours after delivery. Trauma from
delivery causes capillary bleeding between the periosteum and the
skull.
, ◉ When does the head return to its normal shape?
Answer: 7-10 days
◉ What did Nurse theorist Reva Rubin describe?
Answer: The initial postpartum period as the "taking-in phase,"
which is characterized by maternal reliance on others to satisfy the
needs for comfort, rest, nourishment, and closeness to families and
the newborn.
◉ A couple, concerned because the woman has not been able to
conceive, is referred to a healthcare provider for a fertility workup
and a hysterosalpingography is scheduled. Which post procedure
complaint indicates that the fallopian tubes are patent?
Answer: Shoulder pain
If the tubes are patent (open), pain is referred to the shoulder from a
sub diaphragmatic collection of peritoneal dye/gas.
◉ Which nursing intervention is most helpful in relieving
postpartum uterine contractions or "afterpains?"
Answer: Lying prone with a pillow on the abdomen
STUDY GUIDE 2026 MATERNAL AND NEWBORN
NURSING PRINCIPLES
◉ A 26-year-old, gravida 2, para 1 client is admitted to the hospital
at 28-weeks gestation in preterm labor. She is given 3 doses of
terbutaline sulfate (Brethine) 0.25 mg subcutaneously to stop her
labor contractions. The nurse plans to monitor for which primary
side effect of terbutaline sulfate?
Answer: Tachycardia and a feeling of nervousness
Terbutaline sulfate (Brethine), a beta-sympathomimetic drug,
stimulates beta-adrenergic receptors in the uterine muscle to stop
contractions. The beta-adrenergic agonist properties of the drug
may cause tachycardia, increased cardiac output, restlessness,
headache, and a feeling of "nervousness".
◉ When do the anterior and posterior fontanels close?
Answer: anterior fontanel closes at 12 to 18 months and the
posterior by the end of the second month.
◉ When assessing a client who is at 12-weeks gestation, the nurse
recommends that she and her husband consider attending childbirth
,preparation classes. When is the best time for the couple to attend
these classes?
Answer: 30 weeks gestation
at 30 weeks gestation is closest (of the options) to the time parents
would be ready for such classes. Learning is facilitated by an
interested pupil! The couple is most interested in childbirth toward
the end of the pregnancy when they are psychologically ready for
the termination of the pregnancy, and the birth of their child is an
immediate concern.
◉ The nurse should encourage the laboring client to begin pushing
when...
Answer: the cervix is completely dilated.
Pushing begins with the second stage of labor, i.e., when the cervix is
completely dilated at 10 cm (C). If pushing begins before the cervix
is completely dilated the cervix can become edematous and may
never completely dilate, necessitating an operative delivery. Many
primigravida's begin active labor 100% effaced and then proceed to
dilate.
,◉ The nurse instructs a laboring client to use accelerated-blow
breathing. The client begins to complain of tingling fingers and
dizziness. What action should the nurse take?
Answer: Have the client breathe into her cupped hands
Tingling fingers and dizziness are signs of hyperventilation (blowing
off too much carbon dioxide). Hyperventilation is treated by
retaining carbon dioxide. This can be facilitated by breathing into a
paper bag or cupped hands.
◉ Twenty-four hours after admission to the newborn nursery, a full-
term male infant develops localized edema on the right side of his
head. The nurse knows that, in the newborn, an accumulation of
blood between the periosteum and skull which does not cross the
suture line is a newborn variation known as...
Answer: a cephalohematoma, caused by forceps trauma and may last
up to 8 weeks.
Cephalohematoma, a slight abnormal variation of the newborn,
usually arises within the first 24 hours after delivery. Trauma from
delivery causes capillary bleeding between the periosteum and the
skull.
, ◉ When does the head return to its normal shape?
Answer: 7-10 days
◉ What did Nurse theorist Reva Rubin describe?
Answer: The initial postpartum period as the "taking-in phase,"
which is characterized by maternal reliance on others to satisfy the
needs for comfort, rest, nourishment, and closeness to families and
the newborn.
◉ A couple, concerned because the woman has not been able to
conceive, is referred to a healthcare provider for a fertility workup
and a hysterosalpingography is scheduled. Which post procedure
complaint indicates that the fallopian tubes are patent?
Answer: Shoulder pain
If the tubes are patent (open), pain is referred to the shoulder from a
sub diaphragmatic collection of peritoneal dye/gas.
◉ Which nursing intervention is most helpful in relieving
postpartum uterine contractions or "afterpains?"
Answer: Lying prone with a pillow on the abdomen
