HESI Obstetrics/Maternity Practice
Exam – Actual Questions & Answers
(HESI) 100% Guarantee Pass
Q1. A 4-week-old premature infant has been receiving epoetin alfa for the last
3 weeks. Which assessment finding indicates to the nurse that the drug is
effective?
A) Increased white blood cell count
B) Decreased platelet count
C) Changes in apical heart rate from the 180s to the 140s
D) Increased serum bilirubin
Answer: C
Q2. A 23-year-old client receiving Medicaid benefits is pregnant with her first
child. Based on knowledge of infant mortality statistics, which plan should the
nurse implement with this client?
A) Refer her to a genetic counselor
B) Discuss delivery pain management options
C) Teach the client why keeping prenatal care appointments is important
D) Schedule a postpartum depression screening
Answer: C
Q3. A 24-hour-old newborn has a pink papular rash with vesicles
superimposed on the thorax, back, and abdomen. What action should the
nurse implement?
A) Notify the healthcare provider for immediate isolation
B) Apply antibiotic ointment to the lesions
C) Document the finding in the newborn's record
D) Obtain a culture of the vesicle fluid
Answer: C
Q4. A 26-year-old, gravida 2, para 1 client at 28 weeks gestation in preterm
labor is given 3 doses of terbutaline sulfate (Brethine) 0.25 mg
subcutaneously. The nurse plans to monitor for which primary side effect?
A) Bradycardia and lethargy
B) Hypertension and headache
C) Tachycardia and a feeling of nervousness
D) Hypoglycemia and diaphoresis
Answer: C
,Q5. A 30-year-old, G2P1 client at 26 weeks gestation in preterm labor is given
a dose of terbutaline sulfate (Brethine) 0.25 mg subcutaneously. Which
assessment is the highest priority for the nurse during administration?
A) Deep tendon reflexes
B) Maternal and fetal heart rates
C) Urine output
D) Blood glucose level
Answer: B
Q6. A 30-year-old gravida 2, para 1 client at 26 weeks gestation in preterm
labor is started on an IV infusion of terbutaline (Brethine). Which assessment
is the highest priority for the nurse during administration?
A) Respiratory rate only
B) Maternal and fetal heart rates
C) Cervical dilation
D) Deep tendon reflexes
Answer: B
Q7. A 30-year-old multiparous woman with a 3-year-old and a newborn tells
the nurse, "My son is so jealous of my daughter. I don't know how I'll ever
manage both children when I get home." How should the nurse respond?
A) "You should limit your son's access to the baby until he adjusts."
B) "This is unusual behavior and should be discussed with a counselor."
C) "Try to keep them separated as much as possible for now."
D) "Regression in behaviors in the older child is a typical reaction, so he
needs attention at this time."
Answer: D
Q8. A 35-year-old primigravida with severe preeclampsia is receiving
magnesium sulfate via continuous IV infusion. Which assessment data would
indicate magnesium sulfate toxicity?
A) Deep tendon reflexes of 3+
B) Respiratory rate of 20/min
C) Blood pressure of 130/85
D) Urine output of 90 mL/4 hours
Answer: D
Q9. A 38-week primigravida who sits at a computer 8 hours a day reports
swelling in her feet. Which instruction is most effective in preventing pooling of
blood in the lower extremities?
A) Elevate the feet only at night
B) Wear compression stockings only
C) Move about every hour
D) Restrict fluid intake during the day
, Answer: C
Q10. A 40-week gestation primigravida being induced with an oxytocin
(Pitocin) infusion complains of pain in her lower back. Which intervention
should the nurse implement?
A) Administer an analgesic immediately
B) Reposition to a supine position
C) Increase the oxytocin infusion rate
D) Apply firm pressure to the sacral area
Answer: D
Q11. A 42-week gestation client is receiving an IV infusion of oxytocin (Pitocin)
to augment early labor. The nurse should discontinue the oxytocin infusion for
which pattern of contractions?
A) Transition labor with contractions every 2 minutes, lasting 90 seconds each
B) Contractions every 5 minutes, lasting 45 seconds each
C) Contractions every 3 minutes, lasting 60 seconds each
D) Irregular contractions lasting 30 seconds each
Answer: A
Q12. A client at 30 weeks gestation with pressure over the pubic area is
admitted for observation. She is contracting irregularly with underlying uterine
irritability, and her cervix is closed, thick, and high. Which intervention should
the nurse implement first?
A) Prepare the client for an emergency cesarean
B) Administer a tocolytic medication
C) Obtain a specimen for urinalysis
D) Initiate continuous fetal monitoring only
Answer: C
Q13. A client at 28 weeks gestation calls the antepartal clinic reporting a small
amount of bright red vaginal bleeding with no contractions or abdominal pain.
What instruction should the nurse provide?
A) Come to the clinic today for an ultrasound
B) Stay home and monitor for increased bleeding
C) Go to the emergency room immediately by ambulance
D) This is normal and no action is needed
Answer: A
Q14. A client at 32 weeks gestation presents with pedal edema, dyspnea,
fatigue, and a moist cough. Which question is most important for the nurse to
ask?
A) Do you have a family history of diabetes?
B) Have you traveled recently?
C) Do you have a history of asthma?
Exam – Actual Questions & Answers
(HESI) 100% Guarantee Pass
Q1. A 4-week-old premature infant has been receiving epoetin alfa for the last
3 weeks. Which assessment finding indicates to the nurse that the drug is
effective?
A) Increased white blood cell count
B) Decreased platelet count
C) Changes in apical heart rate from the 180s to the 140s
D) Increased serum bilirubin
Answer: C
Q2. A 23-year-old client receiving Medicaid benefits is pregnant with her first
child. Based on knowledge of infant mortality statistics, which plan should the
nurse implement with this client?
A) Refer her to a genetic counselor
B) Discuss delivery pain management options
C) Teach the client why keeping prenatal care appointments is important
D) Schedule a postpartum depression screening
Answer: C
Q3. A 24-hour-old newborn has a pink papular rash with vesicles
superimposed on the thorax, back, and abdomen. What action should the
nurse implement?
A) Notify the healthcare provider for immediate isolation
B) Apply antibiotic ointment to the lesions
C) Document the finding in the newborn's record
D) Obtain a culture of the vesicle fluid
Answer: C
Q4. A 26-year-old, gravida 2, para 1 client at 28 weeks gestation in preterm
labor is given 3 doses of terbutaline sulfate (Brethine) 0.25 mg
subcutaneously. The nurse plans to monitor for which primary side effect?
A) Bradycardia and lethargy
B) Hypertension and headache
C) Tachycardia and a feeling of nervousness
D) Hypoglycemia and diaphoresis
Answer: C
,Q5. A 30-year-old, G2P1 client at 26 weeks gestation in preterm labor is given
a dose of terbutaline sulfate (Brethine) 0.25 mg subcutaneously. Which
assessment is the highest priority for the nurse during administration?
A) Deep tendon reflexes
B) Maternal and fetal heart rates
C) Urine output
D) Blood glucose level
Answer: B
Q6. A 30-year-old gravida 2, para 1 client at 26 weeks gestation in preterm
labor is started on an IV infusion of terbutaline (Brethine). Which assessment
is the highest priority for the nurse during administration?
A) Respiratory rate only
B) Maternal and fetal heart rates
C) Cervical dilation
D) Deep tendon reflexes
Answer: B
Q7. A 30-year-old multiparous woman with a 3-year-old and a newborn tells
the nurse, "My son is so jealous of my daughter. I don't know how I'll ever
manage both children when I get home." How should the nurse respond?
A) "You should limit your son's access to the baby until he adjusts."
B) "This is unusual behavior and should be discussed with a counselor."
C) "Try to keep them separated as much as possible for now."
D) "Regression in behaviors in the older child is a typical reaction, so he
needs attention at this time."
Answer: D
Q8. A 35-year-old primigravida with severe preeclampsia is receiving
magnesium sulfate via continuous IV infusion. Which assessment data would
indicate magnesium sulfate toxicity?
A) Deep tendon reflexes of 3+
B) Respiratory rate of 20/min
C) Blood pressure of 130/85
D) Urine output of 90 mL/4 hours
Answer: D
Q9. A 38-week primigravida who sits at a computer 8 hours a day reports
swelling in her feet. Which instruction is most effective in preventing pooling of
blood in the lower extremities?
A) Elevate the feet only at night
B) Wear compression stockings only
C) Move about every hour
D) Restrict fluid intake during the day
, Answer: C
Q10. A 40-week gestation primigravida being induced with an oxytocin
(Pitocin) infusion complains of pain in her lower back. Which intervention
should the nurse implement?
A) Administer an analgesic immediately
B) Reposition to a supine position
C) Increase the oxytocin infusion rate
D) Apply firm pressure to the sacral area
Answer: D
Q11. A 42-week gestation client is receiving an IV infusion of oxytocin (Pitocin)
to augment early labor. The nurse should discontinue the oxytocin infusion for
which pattern of contractions?
A) Transition labor with contractions every 2 minutes, lasting 90 seconds each
B) Contractions every 5 minutes, lasting 45 seconds each
C) Contractions every 3 minutes, lasting 60 seconds each
D) Irregular contractions lasting 30 seconds each
Answer: A
Q12. A client at 30 weeks gestation with pressure over the pubic area is
admitted for observation. She is contracting irregularly with underlying uterine
irritability, and her cervix is closed, thick, and high. Which intervention should
the nurse implement first?
A) Prepare the client for an emergency cesarean
B) Administer a tocolytic medication
C) Obtain a specimen for urinalysis
D) Initiate continuous fetal monitoring only
Answer: C
Q13. A client at 28 weeks gestation calls the antepartal clinic reporting a small
amount of bright red vaginal bleeding with no contractions or abdominal pain.
What instruction should the nurse provide?
A) Come to the clinic today for an ultrasound
B) Stay home and monitor for increased bleeding
C) Go to the emergency room immediately by ambulance
D) This is normal and no action is needed
Answer: A
Q14. A client at 32 weeks gestation presents with pedal edema, dyspnea,
fatigue, and a moist cough. Which question is most important for the nurse to
ask?
A) Do you have a family history of diabetes?
B) Have you traveled recently?
C) Do you have a history of asthma?
