Maternity HESI Test bank Questions and
Correct Answers Latest
Question 1
A 38-week primagravida who works as a secretary and sits at a computer 8 hours
each day tells the nurse that her feet have begun to swell. Which instruction would be
most effective in preventing pooling of blood in the lower extremities?
A. Wear support stockings
B. Reduce salt in her diet
C. Move about every hour
D. Avoid constrictive clothing
Correct Answer
C. Move about every hour
Question 2
The nurse is teaching a woman how to use her basal body temperature (BBT) pattern
as a tool to assist her in conceiving a child. Which temperature pattern indicates the
occurrence of ovulation, and therefore, the best time for intercourse to ensure
conception?
A. between the time the temperature falls and rises
B. between 36 and 48 hours after the temperature rises
C. when the temperature falls and remains low for 36 hours
D. within 72 hours before the temperature falls
Correct Answer
A. between the time the temperature falls and rises
Page 1 of 95
,Question 3
The client comes to the hospital assuming she is in labor. Which assessment findings
by the nurse would indicate that the client is in true labor? (Select all that apply.)
A.Pain in the lower back that radiates to abdomen
B.Contractions decreased in frequency with ambulation
C.Progressive cervical dilation and effacement
D.Discomfort localized in the abdomen
E.Regular and rhythmic painful contractions
Correct Answer
A.Pain in the lower back that radiates to abdomen
C.Progressive cervical dilation and effacement
E.Regular and rhythmic painful contractions
Rationale: These are all signs of true labor. Options B and D are signs of false labor.
Question 4
A full-term infant is transferred to the nursery from labor and delivery. Which
information is most important for the nurse to receive when planning immediate care
for the newborn?
A. the length of labor and method of delivery
B. the infant's condition at birth and treatment received
C. the feeding method chosen by the parents
D. the history of drugs given to the mother during labor
Correct Answer
B. the infant's condition at birth and treatment received
Page 2 of 95
,Question 5
When explaining "postpartum blues" to a client who is 1 day postpartum, which
symptoms should the nurse include in the teaching plan? (Select all that apply)
A. mood swings
B. panic attacks
C. tearfulness
D. decreased need for sleep
E. disinterest in the infant
Correct Answer
A. mood swings
C. tearfulness
Question 6
A client who has an autosomal dominant inherited disorder is exploring family
planning options and the risk of transmission of the disorder to the infant. The nurse's
response should be based on what information?
A. males inherit the disorder with a greater frequency than females
B. each pregnancy carries a 50% chance of inheriting the disorder
C. the disorder occurs in 25% of pregnancies
D. all children will be carriers of the disorder
Correct Answer
B. each pregnancy carries a 50% chance of inheriting the disorder
Page 3 of 95
, Question 7
A 30-year old multiparous woman who has a 3 year old boy and a newborn girl tells
the nurse, "My son is so jealous of my daughter. I don't know who I'll ever manage
both children when I get home." How should the nurse respond?
A. "Tell the older child that he is a big boy now and should love his new sister."
B. "Ask friends and relatives not to bring gifts to the older sibling because you do not
want to spoil him."
C. "Let the older child stay with his grandparents for the first 6 weeks to allow him to
adjust to the newborn."
D. "Regression in behaviors in the older child is a typical reaction so he needs
attention at this time."
Correct Answer
D. "Regression in behaviors in the older child is a typical reaction so he needs
attention at this time." Preschool-aged children frequently regress in habits or
behaviors, such as toileting and sleep habits, as a method of seeking attention so
the parents should distribute their attention between the children and include the
preschooler during infant care.
Question 8
A client in active labor is admitted with preeclampsia. Which assessment finding is
most significant in planning this client's care?
A. patellar reflex 4+
B. blood pressure 158/80
C. four-hour urine output 240 mL
D. respiration 12/minute
Correct Answer
A. patellar reflex 4+. a 4+ reflex in a client with pregnancy-induced hypertension
indicates hyperreflexia, which is an indication of impending seizure.
Page 4 of 95
Correct Answers Latest
Question 1
A 38-week primagravida who works as a secretary and sits at a computer 8 hours
each day tells the nurse that her feet have begun to swell. Which instruction would be
most effective in preventing pooling of blood in the lower extremities?
A. Wear support stockings
B. Reduce salt in her diet
C. Move about every hour
D. Avoid constrictive clothing
Correct Answer
C. Move about every hour
Question 2
The nurse is teaching a woman how to use her basal body temperature (BBT) pattern
as a tool to assist her in conceiving a child. Which temperature pattern indicates the
occurrence of ovulation, and therefore, the best time for intercourse to ensure
conception?
A. between the time the temperature falls and rises
B. between 36 and 48 hours after the temperature rises
C. when the temperature falls and remains low for 36 hours
D. within 72 hours before the temperature falls
Correct Answer
A. between the time the temperature falls and rises
Page 1 of 95
,Question 3
The client comes to the hospital assuming she is in labor. Which assessment findings
by the nurse would indicate that the client is in true labor? (Select all that apply.)
A.Pain in the lower back that radiates to abdomen
B.Contractions decreased in frequency with ambulation
C.Progressive cervical dilation and effacement
D.Discomfort localized in the abdomen
E.Regular and rhythmic painful contractions
Correct Answer
A.Pain in the lower back that radiates to abdomen
C.Progressive cervical dilation and effacement
E.Regular and rhythmic painful contractions
Rationale: These are all signs of true labor. Options B and D are signs of false labor.
Question 4
A full-term infant is transferred to the nursery from labor and delivery. Which
information is most important for the nurse to receive when planning immediate care
for the newborn?
A. the length of labor and method of delivery
B. the infant's condition at birth and treatment received
C. the feeding method chosen by the parents
D. the history of drugs given to the mother during labor
Correct Answer
B. the infant's condition at birth and treatment received
Page 2 of 95
,Question 5
When explaining "postpartum blues" to a client who is 1 day postpartum, which
symptoms should the nurse include in the teaching plan? (Select all that apply)
A. mood swings
B. panic attacks
C. tearfulness
D. decreased need for sleep
E. disinterest in the infant
Correct Answer
A. mood swings
C. tearfulness
Question 6
A client who has an autosomal dominant inherited disorder is exploring family
planning options and the risk of transmission of the disorder to the infant. The nurse's
response should be based on what information?
A. males inherit the disorder with a greater frequency than females
B. each pregnancy carries a 50% chance of inheriting the disorder
C. the disorder occurs in 25% of pregnancies
D. all children will be carriers of the disorder
Correct Answer
B. each pregnancy carries a 50% chance of inheriting the disorder
Page 3 of 95
, Question 7
A 30-year old multiparous woman who has a 3 year old boy and a newborn girl tells
the nurse, "My son is so jealous of my daughter. I don't know who I'll ever manage
both children when I get home." How should the nurse respond?
A. "Tell the older child that he is a big boy now and should love his new sister."
B. "Ask friends and relatives not to bring gifts to the older sibling because you do not
want to spoil him."
C. "Let the older child stay with his grandparents for the first 6 weeks to allow him to
adjust to the newborn."
D. "Regression in behaviors in the older child is a typical reaction so he needs
attention at this time."
Correct Answer
D. "Regression in behaviors in the older child is a typical reaction so he needs
attention at this time." Preschool-aged children frequently regress in habits or
behaviors, such as toileting and sleep habits, as a method of seeking attention so
the parents should distribute their attention between the children and include the
preschooler during infant care.
Question 8
A client in active labor is admitted with preeclampsia. Which assessment finding is
most significant in planning this client's care?
A. patellar reflex 4+
B. blood pressure 158/80
C. four-hour urine output 240 mL
D. respiration 12/minute
Correct Answer
A. patellar reflex 4+. a 4+ reflex in a client with pregnancy-induced hypertension
indicates hyperreflexia, which is an indication of impending seizure.
Page 4 of 95
