HESI Maternity Practice Exam 2026questions and well
detailed answers
,HESI Maternity Practice Exam 2026questions and well
detailed answers
1
Question: A client at 10 weeks gestation tells the clinic nurse that she is
experiencing breast tenderness, morning sickness, and missed periods.
Which category do these symptoms fall under?
• A. Positive signs
• B. Probable signs
• C. Presumptive signs
• D. Diagnostic signs
• Answer: C
• Rationale: Presumptive signs are subjective changes experienced
by the woman (e.g., amenorrhea, fatigue, nausea, breast
tenderness) that she interprets as possible pregnancy. Probable
signs are observed by an examiner (e.g., positive pregnancy test,
Goodell sign). Positive signs are direct evidence of a fetus (e.g.,
fetal heart tones, ultrasound visualization).
2
Question: Using Nagele's rule, calculate the estimated date of birth
(EDB) for a client whose last menstrual period (LMP) began on October
14, 2025.
• A. July 7, 2026
• B. July 21, 2026
• C. August 21, 2026
• D. July 14, 2026
,HESI Maternity Practice Exam 2026questions and well
detailed answers
• Answer: B
• Rationale: To apply Nagele's rule, take the first day of the LMP
(October 14), subtract 3 months (July 14), and add 7 days plus 1
year (July 21, 2026).
3
Question: A nurse is monitoring a client in active labor and notes fetal
heart rate decelerations that mirror the uterine contractions, with the
lowest point of the deceleration occurring at the peak of the
contraction. What is the appropriate nursing action?
• A. Prepare for immediate emergency cesarean delivery.
• B. Reposition the client to a left lateral position and administer
oxygen.
• C. Document the finding as a normal, reassuring pattern requiring
routine monitoring.
• D. Stop the oxytocin infusion and prepare for an amnioinfusion.
• Answer: C
• Rationale: Early decelerations mirror contractions and are caused
by head compression, which is considered a benign, reassuring
finding requiring no interventions other than continued
documentation.
4
Question: At what gestational age is a pregnant client typically screened
for gestational diabetes mellitus using a 1-hour glucose tolerance test?
• A. 12 to 16 weeks
, HESI Maternity Practice Exam 2026questions and well
detailed answers
• B. 20 to 24 weeks
• C. 24 to 28 weeks
• D. 32 to 36 weeks
• Answer: C
• Rationale: Universal screening for gestational diabetes is routinely
performed between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation using a 50-gram
1-hour oral glucose tolerance test.
5
Question: A client with severe preeclampsia is receiving an intravenous
infusion of magnesium sulfate. Which clinical finding indicates the client
is experiencing magnesium toxicity?
• A. Blood pressure of 150/98 mmHg
• B. Deep tendon reflexes of 4+ with clonus
• C. Respiratory rate of 10 breaths per minute
• D. Urine output of 50 mL/hour
• Answer: C
• Rationale: Magnesium toxicity causes central nervous system and
respiratory depression. A respiratory rate below 12 breaths per
minute, absent deep tendon reflexes, and oliguria are classic signs
requiring immediate cessation of the infusion and administration
of calcium gluconate.
6
detailed answers
,HESI Maternity Practice Exam 2026questions and well
detailed answers
1
Question: A client at 10 weeks gestation tells the clinic nurse that she is
experiencing breast tenderness, morning sickness, and missed periods.
Which category do these symptoms fall under?
• A. Positive signs
• B. Probable signs
• C. Presumptive signs
• D. Diagnostic signs
• Answer: C
• Rationale: Presumptive signs are subjective changes experienced
by the woman (e.g., amenorrhea, fatigue, nausea, breast
tenderness) that she interprets as possible pregnancy. Probable
signs are observed by an examiner (e.g., positive pregnancy test,
Goodell sign). Positive signs are direct evidence of a fetus (e.g.,
fetal heart tones, ultrasound visualization).
2
Question: Using Nagele's rule, calculate the estimated date of birth
(EDB) for a client whose last menstrual period (LMP) began on October
14, 2025.
• A. July 7, 2026
• B. July 21, 2026
• C. August 21, 2026
• D. July 14, 2026
,HESI Maternity Practice Exam 2026questions and well
detailed answers
• Answer: B
• Rationale: To apply Nagele's rule, take the first day of the LMP
(October 14), subtract 3 months (July 14), and add 7 days plus 1
year (July 21, 2026).
3
Question: A nurse is monitoring a client in active labor and notes fetal
heart rate decelerations that mirror the uterine contractions, with the
lowest point of the deceleration occurring at the peak of the
contraction. What is the appropriate nursing action?
• A. Prepare for immediate emergency cesarean delivery.
• B. Reposition the client to a left lateral position and administer
oxygen.
• C. Document the finding as a normal, reassuring pattern requiring
routine monitoring.
• D. Stop the oxytocin infusion and prepare for an amnioinfusion.
• Answer: C
• Rationale: Early decelerations mirror contractions and are caused
by head compression, which is considered a benign, reassuring
finding requiring no interventions other than continued
documentation.
4
Question: At what gestational age is a pregnant client typically screened
for gestational diabetes mellitus using a 1-hour glucose tolerance test?
• A. 12 to 16 weeks
, HESI Maternity Practice Exam 2026questions and well
detailed answers
• B. 20 to 24 weeks
• C. 24 to 28 weeks
• D. 32 to 36 weeks
• Answer: C
• Rationale: Universal screening for gestational diabetes is routinely
performed between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation using a 50-gram
1-hour oral glucose tolerance test.
5
Question: A client with severe preeclampsia is receiving an intravenous
infusion of magnesium sulfate. Which clinical finding indicates the client
is experiencing magnesium toxicity?
• A. Blood pressure of 150/98 mmHg
• B. Deep tendon reflexes of 4+ with clonus
• C. Respiratory rate of 10 breaths per minute
• D. Urine output of 50 mL/hour
• Answer: C
• Rationale: Magnesium toxicity causes central nervous system and
respiratory depression. A respiratory rate below 12 breaths per
minute, absent deep tendon reflexes, and oliguria are classic signs
requiring immediate cessation of the infusion and administration
of calcium gluconate.
6
