HESI MATERNITY EXAM – EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
*- Prenatal Care and Assessment*
*- Labor and Delivery Processes*
*- Fetal Monitoring and Interpretation*
*- Postpartum Care and Complications*
*- Newborn Care and Assessment*
*- Pregnancy Complications and High-Risk Conditions*
*- Maternal Medications and Pharmacology*
*- Ethics, Legal Compliance, and Professional Standards*
*- Patient Education and Communication*
*- Emergency Obstetric Interventions*
Introduction
This comprehensive assessment is designed to evaluate nursing students' mastery of maternity care concepts
essential for safe and effective clinical practice. The exam assesses critical knowledge spanning prenatal
assessment, labor management, fetal monitoring interpretation, postpartum care, newborn assessment, and
high-risk pregnancy conditions. Through 100 multiple-choice and scenario-based questions, candidates
demonstrate their ability to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world clinical situations, make sound clinical
decisions, prioritize interventions, and recognize emergency situations. The assessment emphasizes evidence-
based practice, patient safety, regulatory compliance, ethical considerations, and professional standards that
govern maternity nursing. Success on this exam indicates readiness for clinical rotations and professional
practice in obstetric nursing settings.
,Section One: Questions 1–100
Question 1
A pregnant client at 28 weeks gestation arrives at the clinic complaining of sudden, bright red vaginal bleeding
without pain. The nurse should prioritize which assessment?
A. Maternal blood pressure and heart rate
B. Fetal heart rate and uterine tone
C. Amount of vaginal bleeding
D. Cervical examination for dilation
🟢 Correct answer: A
🔴 RATIONALE: Sudden bright red bleeding without pain at 28 weeks suggests placenta previa. The primary
concern is maternal hemodynamic stability due to potential massive hemorrhage. Blood pressure and heart rate
assess for hypovolemia and shock, which is the immediate life-threatening concern.
Question 2
Which finding in a postpartum client at 12 hours after delivery requires immediate intervention?
A. Frank red vaginal fluid with small clots
B. Temperature of 100.4°F (38°C)
C. Firm, midline fundus at umbilicus level
D. Diaphoresis and polyuria
🟢 Correct answer: B
,🔴 RATIONALE: A temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher at 12 hours postpartum indicates possible
infection (endometritis). Normal postpartum findings include moderate rubra discharge, firm midline fundus,
and diaphoresis/polyuria from fluid shifts. Fever requires assessment and potential treatment.
Question 3
A client in labor at 39 weeks has a fetal heart rate tracing showing baseline 140 bpm, moderate variability, and
no decelerations. How should the nurse interpret this pattern?
A. Category I - Normal
B. Category II - Indeterminate
C. Category III - Abnormal
D. Non-reassuring requiring immediate action
🟢 Correct answer: A
🔴 RATIONALE: Category I tracings include baseline 110-160 bpm, moderate variability, no late or variable
decelerations, and may have early decelerations or accelerations. This pattern is normal and reassuring,
indicating adequate fetal oxygenation.
Question 4
Which medication is the priority treatment for magnesium sulfate toxicity in a client with preeclampsia?
A. Furosemide
B. Calcium gluconate
C. Naloxone
D. Atropine
, 🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Calcium gluconate is the antidote for magnesium sulfate toxicity. It reverses the effects of
excessive magnesium, including respiratory depression and loss of deep tendon reflexes. The other medications
treat different conditions.
Question 5
A newborn at 2 hours of age has a blood glucose level of 35 mg/dL. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Draw repeat glucose level
B. Feed the newborn immediately
C. Administer IV dextrose
D. Notify the provider
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: For a newborn with hypoglycemia (35 mg/dL) who is asymptomatic, feeding is the first-line
intervention. Breastfeeding or formula provides glucose and is less invasive than IV dextrose. IV dextrose is
reserved for symptomatic hypoglycemia or if feeding fails.
Question 6
Which assessment finding indicates effective uterine massage in a postpartum client with hemorrhage?
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
*- Prenatal Care and Assessment*
*- Labor and Delivery Processes*
*- Fetal Monitoring and Interpretation*
*- Postpartum Care and Complications*
*- Newborn Care and Assessment*
*- Pregnancy Complications and High-Risk Conditions*
*- Maternal Medications and Pharmacology*
*- Ethics, Legal Compliance, and Professional Standards*
*- Patient Education and Communication*
*- Emergency Obstetric Interventions*
Introduction
This comprehensive assessment is designed to evaluate nursing students' mastery of maternity care concepts
essential for safe and effective clinical practice. The exam assesses critical knowledge spanning prenatal
assessment, labor management, fetal monitoring interpretation, postpartum care, newborn assessment, and
high-risk pregnancy conditions. Through 100 multiple-choice and scenario-based questions, candidates
demonstrate their ability to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world clinical situations, make sound clinical
decisions, prioritize interventions, and recognize emergency situations. The assessment emphasizes evidence-
based practice, patient safety, regulatory compliance, ethical considerations, and professional standards that
govern maternity nursing. Success on this exam indicates readiness for clinical rotations and professional
practice in obstetric nursing settings.
,Section One: Questions 1–100
Question 1
A pregnant client at 28 weeks gestation arrives at the clinic complaining of sudden, bright red vaginal bleeding
without pain. The nurse should prioritize which assessment?
A. Maternal blood pressure and heart rate
B. Fetal heart rate and uterine tone
C. Amount of vaginal bleeding
D. Cervical examination for dilation
🟢 Correct answer: A
🔴 RATIONALE: Sudden bright red bleeding without pain at 28 weeks suggests placenta previa. The primary
concern is maternal hemodynamic stability due to potential massive hemorrhage. Blood pressure and heart rate
assess for hypovolemia and shock, which is the immediate life-threatening concern.
Question 2
Which finding in a postpartum client at 12 hours after delivery requires immediate intervention?
A. Frank red vaginal fluid with small clots
B. Temperature of 100.4°F (38°C)
C. Firm, midline fundus at umbilicus level
D. Diaphoresis and polyuria
🟢 Correct answer: B
,🔴 RATIONALE: A temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher at 12 hours postpartum indicates possible
infection (endometritis). Normal postpartum findings include moderate rubra discharge, firm midline fundus,
and diaphoresis/polyuria from fluid shifts. Fever requires assessment and potential treatment.
Question 3
A client in labor at 39 weeks has a fetal heart rate tracing showing baseline 140 bpm, moderate variability, and
no decelerations. How should the nurse interpret this pattern?
A. Category I - Normal
B. Category II - Indeterminate
C. Category III - Abnormal
D. Non-reassuring requiring immediate action
🟢 Correct answer: A
🔴 RATIONALE: Category I tracings include baseline 110-160 bpm, moderate variability, no late or variable
decelerations, and may have early decelerations or accelerations. This pattern is normal and reassuring,
indicating adequate fetal oxygenation.
Question 4
Which medication is the priority treatment for magnesium sulfate toxicity in a client with preeclampsia?
A. Furosemide
B. Calcium gluconate
C. Naloxone
D. Atropine
, 🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Calcium gluconate is the antidote for magnesium sulfate toxicity. It reverses the effects of
excessive magnesium, including respiratory depression and loss of deep tendon reflexes. The other medications
treat different conditions.
Question 5
A newborn at 2 hours of age has a blood glucose level of 35 mg/dL. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Draw repeat glucose level
B. Feed the newborn immediately
C. Administer IV dextrose
D. Notify the provider
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: For a newborn with hypoglycemia (35 mg/dL) who is asymptomatic, feeding is the first-line
intervention. Breastfeeding or formula provides glucose and is less invasive than IV dextrose. IV dextrose is
reserved for symptomatic hypoglycemia or if feeding fails.
Question 6
Which assessment finding indicates effective uterine massage in a postpartum client with hemorrhage?
