Maternity HESI Test bank
Exam Study Guide – Practice
Questions with Verified
Answers. GRADED A+. Latest
2026/2027 Update
An expectant father tells the nurse he fears that his wife is "losing her mind."
He states that she is constantly rubbing her abdomen and talking to the baby
and that she actually reprimands the baby when it moves too much. Which
recommendation should the nurse make to this expectant father?
A.Suggest that his wife seek professional counseling to deal with her
symptoms.
B.Explain that his wife is exhibiting ambivalence about the pregnancy.
C. Ask him to report similar abnormal behaviors at the next prenatal visit.
D.Reassure him that normal maternal-fetal bonding is occurring. - Answer✔✔-
D) Reassure him that normal maternal-fetal bonding is occurring.
,Rationale:
These behaviors are positive signs of maternal-fetal bonding and do not reflect
ambivalence. No intervention is needed. Quickening, the first perception of
fetal movement, occurs at 17 to 20 weeks of gestation and begins a new phase
of prenatal bonding during the second trimester. Options A and C are not
necessary because the behaviors displayed are normal.
The nurse is preparing a laboring client for an amniotomy. Immediately after
the procedure is completed, it is most important for the nurse to obtain which
information?
A.Maternal blood pressure
B.Maternal temperature
C.Fetal heart rate (FHR)
D.White blood cell count (WBC) - Answer✔✔-C. Fetal heart rate (FHR)
Rationale:
The FHR should be assessed before and after the procedure to detect changes
that may indicate the presence of cord compression or prolapse. An
amniotomy (artificial rupture of membranes [AROM]) is used to stimulate labor
when the condition of the cervix is favorable. The fluid should be assessed for
color, odor, and consistency. Option A should be assessed every 15 to 20
minutes during labor but is not specific for AROM. Option B is monitored
hourly after the membranes are ruptured to detect the development of
amnionitis. Option D should be determined for all clients in labor.
,A nurse receives a shift change report for a newborn who is 12 hours post-
vaginal delivery. In developing a plan of care, the nurse should give the highest
priority to which finding?
A.Cyanosis of the hands and feet
B.Skin color that is slightly jaundiced
C.Tiny white papules on the nose or chin
D.Red patches on the cheeks and trunk - Answer✔✔-B. Skin color that is
slightly jaundiced
Rationale: Jaundice, a yellow skin coloration, is caused by elevated levels of
bilirubin, which should be further evaluated in a newborn <24 hours old.
Acrocyanosis (blue color of the hands and feet) is a common finding in
newborns; it occurs because the capillary system is immature. Milia are small
white papules present on the nose and chin that are caused by sebaceous
gland blockage and disappear in a few weeks. Small red patches on the cheeks
and trunk are called erythema toxicum neonatorum, a common finding in
newborns.
A breastfeeding postpartum client is diagnosed with mastitis, and antibiotic
therapy is prescribed. Which instruction should the nurse provide to this client?
A.Breastfeed the infant, ensuring that both breasts are completely emptied.
, B.Feed expressed breast milk to avoid the pain of the infant latching onto the
infected breast.
C.Breastfeed on the unaffected breast only until the mastitis subsides.
D.Dilute expressed breast milk with sterile water to reduce the antibiotic effect
on the infant. - Answer✔✔-A.Breastfeed the infant, ensuring that both breasts
are completely emptied.
Rationale:Mastitis, caused by plugged milk ducts, is related to breast
engorgement, and breastfeeding during mastitis facilitates the complete
emptying of engorged breasts, eliminating the pressure on the inflamed breast
tissue. Option B is less painful but does not facilitate complete emptying of the
breast tissue. Option C will not relieve the engorgement on the affected side.
Option D will not decrease antibiotic effects on the infant.
A 38-week primigravida 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 will aid in the prevention of pooling of blood in the lower
extremities?
A.Wear support stockings.
B.Reduce salt in the diet.
C.Move about every hour.
D.Avoid constrictive clothing. - Answer✔✔-C.Move about every hour.
Exam Study Guide – Practice
Questions with Verified
Answers. GRADED A+. Latest
2026/2027 Update
An expectant father tells the nurse he fears that his wife is "losing her mind."
He states that she is constantly rubbing her abdomen and talking to the baby
and that she actually reprimands the baby when it moves too much. Which
recommendation should the nurse make to this expectant father?
A.Suggest that his wife seek professional counseling to deal with her
symptoms.
B.Explain that his wife is exhibiting ambivalence about the pregnancy.
C. Ask him to report similar abnormal behaviors at the next prenatal visit.
D.Reassure him that normal maternal-fetal bonding is occurring. - Answer✔✔-
D) Reassure him that normal maternal-fetal bonding is occurring.
,Rationale:
These behaviors are positive signs of maternal-fetal bonding and do not reflect
ambivalence. No intervention is needed. Quickening, the first perception of
fetal movement, occurs at 17 to 20 weeks of gestation and begins a new phase
of prenatal bonding during the second trimester. Options A and C are not
necessary because the behaviors displayed are normal.
The nurse is preparing a laboring client for an amniotomy. Immediately after
the procedure is completed, it is most important for the nurse to obtain which
information?
A.Maternal blood pressure
B.Maternal temperature
C.Fetal heart rate (FHR)
D.White blood cell count (WBC) - Answer✔✔-C. Fetal heart rate (FHR)
Rationale:
The FHR should be assessed before and after the procedure to detect changes
that may indicate the presence of cord compression or prolapse. An
amniotomy (artificial rupture of membranes [AROM]) is used to stimulate labor
when the condition of the cervix is favorable. The fluid should be assessed for
color, odor, and consistency. Option A should be assessed every 15 to 20
minutes during labor but is not specific for AROM. Option B is monitored
hourly after the membranes are ruptured to detect the development of
amnionitis. Option D should be determined for all clients in labor.
,A nurse receives a shift change report for a newborn who is 12 hours post-
vaginal delivery. In developing a plan of care, the nurse should give the highest
priority to which finding?
A.Cyanosis of the hands and feet
B.Skin color that is slightly jaundiced
C.Tiny white papules on the nose or chin
D.Red patches on the cheeks and trunk - Answer✔✔-B. Skin color that is
slightly jaundiced
Rationale: Jaundice, a yellow skin coloration, is caused by elevated levels of
bilirubin, which should be further evaluated in a newborn <24 hours old.
Acrocyanosis (blue color of the hands and feet) is a common finding in
newborns; it occurs because the capillary system is immature. Milia are small
white papules present on the nose and chin that are caused by sebaceous
gland blockage and disappear in a few weeks. Small red patches on the cheeks
and trunk are called erythema toxicum neonatorum, a common finding in
newborns.
A breastfeeding postpartum client is diagnosed with mastitis, and antibiotic
therapy is prescribed. Which instruction should the nurse provide to this client?
A.Breastfeed the infant, ensuring that both breasts are completely emptied.
, B.Feed expressed breast milk to avoid the pain of the infant latching onto the
infected breast.
C.Breastfeed on the unaffected breast only until the mastitis subsides.
D.Dilute expressed breast milk with sterile water to reduce the antibiotic effect
on the infant. - Answer✔✔-A.Breastfeed the infant, ensuring that both breasts
are completely emptied.
Rationale:Mastitis, caused by plugged milk ducts, is related to breast
engorgement, and breastfeeding during mastitis facilitates the complete
emptying of engorged breasts, eliminating the pressure on the inflamed breast
tissue. Option B is less painful but does not facilitate complete emptying of the
breast tissue. Option C will not relieve the engorgement on the affected side.
Option D will not decrease antibiotic effects on the infant.
A 38-week primigravida 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 will aid in the prevention of pooling of blood in the lower
extremities?
A.Wear support stockings.
B.Reduce salt in the diet.
C.Move about every hour.
D.Avoid constrictive clothing. - Answer✔✔-C.Move about every hour.
