HESI Maternal-Newborn 2026/2027: 200
Practice
Questions with Answers & Rationales |
Exam Prep
Instant PDF Download
1. A client at 32 weeks’ gestation reports painless vaginal bleeding.
Which condition should the nurse suspect?
A) Placenta previa -detailed100%Answer
B) Abruptio placentae
C) Preterm labor
D) Ectopic pregnancy
Rationale: 👀*** Painless bright red bleeding in the third trimester is
characteristic of placenta previa. Abruptio placentae usually presents with
painful bleeding.
2. A pregnant client at 28 weeks’ gestation has a fundal height of 24
cm. What should the nurse suspect?
A) Normal growth
B) Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) -detailed100%Answer
C) Gestational diabetes
D) Polyhydramnios
Rationale: 👀*** Fundal height should roughly match gestational age in cm.
Lower measurements may indicate IUGR.
3. A client with preeclampsia has 3+ proteinuria. Which additional
assessment is priority?
,A) Deep tendon reflexes -detailed100%Answer
B) Temperature
C) Heart rate
D) Respiratory rate
Rationale: 👀*** Hyperreflexia may indicate worsening preeclampsia and
risk for seizures.
4. A newborn has a respiratory rate of 65/min, nasal flaring, and
grunting. The nurse suspects:
A) Normal newborn breathing
B) Transient tachypnea of the newborn
C) Respiratory distress syndrome -detailed100%Answer
D) Meconium aspiration
Rationale: 👀*** Signs of respiratory distress in a newborn include
tachypnea, grunting, and nasal flaring.
5. A woman in labor is at 4 cm dilation and requests pain relief. Which
is safest at this stage?
A) Epidural analgesia -detailed100%Answer
B) General anesthesia
C) Narcotics intravenously at full dose
D) Spinal anesthesia
Rationale: 👀*** Epidural analgesia is preferred during active labor.
Spinal anesthesia is usually reserved for cesarean delivery.
6. The nurse is teaching a client about Rh incompatibility. Which
statement indicates understanding?
A) “I need Rh immunoglobulin only if my baby is Rh-negative.”
,B) “I need Rh immunoglobulin if I am Rh-negative and my baby is Rh-
positive.” -detailed100%Answer
C) “It is needed for every pregnancy.”
D) “It prevents preterm labor.”
Rationale: 👀*** Rh immunoglobulin is given to Rh-negative mothers with
an Rh-positive fetus to prevent hemolytic disease of the newborn.
7. During postpartum assessment, the nurse notes a boggy uterus.
The first action should be:
A) Notify the physician
B) Massage the uterus -detailed100%Answer
C) Administer oxytocin immediately
D) Assess vital signs
Rationale: 👀*** A boggy uterus indicates uterine atony. Fundal
massage is the first intervention to stimulate contraction.
8. A newborn is jittery, has a high-pitched cry, and poor feeding.
Which lab should be checked first?
A) CBC
B) Glucose -detailed100%Answer
C) Bilirubin
D) Calcium
Rationale: 👀*** These signs indicate neonatal hypoglycemia.
9. A pregnant client at 36 weeks’ gestation reports regular
contractions every 10 minutes. The nurse should:
A) Encourage ambulation
B) Assess contraction pattern and fetal status -detailed100%Answer
, C) Prepare for immediate delivery
D) Administer tocolytics
Rationale: 👀*** At term, assessing contractions and fetal well-being
helps determine if labor is progressing.
10. Which vaccination is contraindicated during pregnancy?
A) Tdap
B) Influenza inactivated
C) MMR -detailed100%Answer
D) Hepatitis B
Rationale: 👀*** MMR is a live vaccine and contraindicated during
pregnancy.
11. A primigravida at 20 weeks’ gestation reports severe right lower
quadrant pain. Which condition is most concerning?
A) Appendicitis -detailed100%Answer
B) Round ligament pain
C) Braxton Hicks contractions
D) Urinary tract infection
Rationale: 👀*** Severe, localized abdominal pain in the second trimester
may indicate appendicitis, which requires prompt evaluation.
12. Which sign indicates magnesium sulfate toxicity in a preeclamptic
client?
A) Diaphoresis
B) Respiratory depression -detailed100%Answer
C) Bradycardia
Practice
Questions with Answers & Rationales |
Exam Prep
Instant PDF Download
1. A client at 32 weeks’ gestation reports painless vaginal bleeding.
Which condition should the nurse suspect?
A) Placenta previa -detailed100%Answer
B) Abruptio placentae
C) Preterm labor
D) Ectopic pregnancy
Rationale: 👀*** Painless bright red bleeding in the third trimester is
characteristic of placenta previa. Abruptio placentae usually presents with
painful bleeding.
2. A pregnant client at 28 weeks’ gestation has a fundal height of 24
cm. What should the nurse suspect?
A) Normal growth
B) Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) -detailed100%Answer
C) Gestational diabetes
D) Polyhydramnios
Rationale: 👀*** Fundal height should roughly match gestational age in cm.
Lower measurements may indicate IUGR.
3. A client with preeclampsia has 3+ proteinuria. Which additional
assessment is priority?
,A) Deep tendon reflexes -detailed100%Answer
B) Temperature
C) Heart rate
D) Respiratory rate
Rationale: 👀*** Hyperreflexia may indicate worsening preeclampsia and
risk for seizures.
4. A newborn has a respiratory rate of 65/min, nasal flaring, and
grunting. The nurse suspects:
A) Normal newborn breathing
B) Transient tachypnea of the newborn
C) Respiratory distress syndrome -detailed100%Answer
D) Meconium aspiration
Rationale: 👀*** Signs of respiratory distress in a newborn include
tachypnea, grunting, and nasal flaring.
5. A woman in labor is at 4 cm dilation and requests pain relief. Which
is safest at this stage?
A) Epidural analgesia -detailed100%Answer
B) General anesthesia
C) Narcotics intravenously at full dose
D) Spinal anesthesia
Rationale: 👀*** Epidural analgesia is preferred during active labor.
Spinal anesthesia is usually reserved for cesarean delivery.
6. The nurse is teaching a client about Rh incompatibility. Which
statement indicates understanding?
A) “I need Rh immunoglobulin only if my baby is Rh-negative.”
,B) “I need Rh immunoglobulin if I am Rh-negative and my baby is Rh-
positive.” -detailed100%Answer
C) “It is needed for every pregnancy.”
D) “It prevents preterm labor.”
Rationale: 👀*** Rh immunoglobulin is given to Rh-negative mothers with
an Rh-positive fetus to prevent hemolytic disease of the newborn.
7. During postpartum assessment, the nurse notes a boggy uterus.
The first action should be:
A) Notify the physician
B) Massage the uterus -detailed100%Answer
C) Administer oxytocin immediately
D) Assess vital signs
Rationale: 👀*** A boggy uterus indicates uterine atony. Fundal
massage is the first intervention to stimulate contraction.
8. A newborn is jittery, has a high-pitched cry, and poor feeding.
Which lab should be checked first?
A) CBC
B) Glucose -detailed100%Answer
C) Bilirubin
D) Calcium
Rationale: 👀*** These signs indicate neonatal hypoglycemia.
9. A pregnant client at 36 weeks’ gestation reports regular
contractions every 10 minutes. The nurse should:
A) Encourage ambulation
B) Assess contraction pattern and fetal status -detailed100%Answer
, C) Prepare for immediate delivery
D) Administer tocolytics
Rationale: 👀*** At term, assessing contractions and fetal well-being
helps determine if labor is progressing.
10. Which vaccination is contraindicated during pregnancy?
A) Tdap
B) Influenza inactivated
C) MMR -detailed100%Answer
D) Hepatitis B
Rationale: 👀*** MMR is a live vaccine and contraindicated during
pregnancy.
11. A primigravida at 20 weeks’ gestation reports severe right lower
quadrant pain. Which condition is most concerning?
A) Appendicitis -detailed100%Answer
B) Round ligament pain
C) Braxton Hicks contractions
D) Urinary tract infection
Rationale: 👀*** Severe, localized abdominal pain in the second trimester
may indicate appendicitis, which requires prompt evaluation.
12. Which sign indicates magnesium sulfate toxicity in a preeclamptic
client?
A) Diaphoresis
B) Respiratory depression -detailed100%Answer
C) Bradycardia
