MATERNITY HESI TEST BANK QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 2026-2027 | COMPREHE… EXAM
P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
Maternity HESI Test Bank
Questions & Answers 2026-
2027 | Comprehensive
Nursing Review
(Rationales)
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales
186 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document provides 186 maternity nursing questions with their correct answers and detailed
rationales, covering comprehensive review of maternal and newborn care. It is an essential study resource
for students reviewing course material or preparing for certification exams. The provided answers and
explanations directly support learning and knowledge retention in maternity nursing.
CONTENTS
• Postpartum Care & Complications • Labor & Delivery Management
• Newborn Care & Assessment • Breastfeeding & Nutrition
• Pregnancy Assessment & Early Pregnancy • Maternal Complications & Conditions
• Fetal Assessment & Monitoring • Pharmacology in Maternity
Page 1
, E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 186
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.
CORRECT 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.
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 186
A client who delivered by cesarean section 24 hours ago is using a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA)
pump for pain control. Her oral intake has been ice chips only since surgery. She is now complaining of
nausea and bloating and states that because she has had nothing to eat, she is too weak to breastfeed her
infant. Which nursing diagnosis has the highest priority?
A.Altered nutrition, less than body requirements for lactation
B.Alteration in comfort related to nausea and abdominal distention
C.Impaired bowel motility related to pain medication and immobility
D.Fatigue related to cesarean delivery and physical care demands of infant
CORRECT ANSWER
C.Impaired bowel motility related to pain medication and immobility
Rationale: Impaired bowel motility caused by surgical anesthesia, pain medication, and immobility is the
priority nursing diagnosis and addresses the potential problem of a paralytic ileus. Options A and B are both
caused by impaired bowel motility. Option D is not as important as impaired motility.
Page 2
, Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 186
The nurse calls a client who is 4 days postpartum to follow up about her transition with her newborn son at
home. The woman tells the nurse, "I don't know what is wrong. I love my son, but I feel so let down. I seem to
cry for no reason!" Which adjustment phase should the nurse determine the client is experiencing?
A.Taking-in phase
B.Postpartum blues
C.Attachment difficulty
D.Letting-go phase
CORRECT ANSWER
B.Postpartum blues
Rationale: During the postpartum period, when serum hormone levels fall, women are emotionally labile, often
crying easily for no apparent reason. This phase is commonly called postpartum blues, which peaks around the
fifth postpartum day. The taking-in phase is the period following birth when the mother focuses on her own
psychological needs; typically, this period lasts for 24 hours. Crying is not a maladaptive attachment response.
It indicates a normal physical and emotional response. The letting-go phase is when the mother sees the child
as a separate individual.
Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 186
A client who delivered a healthy infant 5 days ago calls the clinic nurse and reports that her lochia is getting
lighter in color. Which action should the nurse take?
A.Instruct the client to go to the emergency room.
B.Recommend vaginal douching.
C.Explain this is a normal finding.
D.Determine if ovulation has occurred.
CORRECT ANSWER
C.Explain this is a normal finding.
Rationale:The client is describing lochia serosa, a normal change in the lochial flow. Options A, B, and D are not
recommended for this normal finding.
Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 186
Which maternal behavior is the nurse most likely to see when a new mother receives her infant for the first
time?
A.She eagerly reaches for the infant, undresses the infant, and examines the infant completely.
B.Her arms and hands receive the infant and she then traces the infant's profile with her fingertips.
C.Her arms and hands receive the infant and she then cuddles the infant to her own body.
D.She eagerly reaches for the infant and then holds the infant close to her own body.
Page 3
, CORRECT ANSWER
B.Her arms and hands receive the infant and she then traces the infant's profile with her fingertips.
Rationale:Attachment and bonding theory indicates that most mothers will demonstrate behaviors described
in option B during the first visit with the newborn, which may be at delivery or later. After the first visit, the
mother may exhibit different touching behaviors such as eagerly reaching for the infant and cuddling the infant
close to her
Q6 QUESTION 6 OF 186
Which nursing intervention is most helpful in relieving postpartum uterine contractions or "afterpains?"
a. Lying prone with a pillow on the abdomen
b. Using a breast pump
c. Massaging the abdomen
d. Giving oxytocic medications
CORRECT ANSWER
a. Lying prone with a pillow on the abdomen
Lying prone (A) keeps the fundus contracted and is especially useful with multiparas, who commonly
experience afterpains due to lack of uterine tone.
RATIONALE
Lying prone with abdominal pressure supports uterine involution by promoting fundal contraction, which helps
expel clots and reduce uterine distension, thereby alleviating afterpains. This intervention directly addresses the
physiological mechanism of uterine cramping following childbirth.
Q7 QUESTION 7 OF 186
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
"Postpartum blues" is a common emotional response related to the rapid decrease in placental hormones after
delivery and include mood swings (A), tearfulness (C), feeling low, emotional, and fatigued.
Page 4
P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
Maternity HESI Test Bank
Questions & Answers 2026-
2027 | Comprehensive
Nursing Review
(Rationales)
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales
186 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document provides 186 maternity nursing questions with their correct answers and detailed
rationales, covering comprehensive review of maternal and newborn care. It is an essential study resource
for students reviewing course material or preparing for certification exams. The provided answers and
explanations directly support learning and knowledge retention in maternity nursing.
CONTENTS
• Postpartum Care & Complications • Labor & Delivery Management
• Newborn Care & Assessment • Breastfeeding & Nutrition
• Pregnancy Assessment & Early Pregnancy • Maternal Complications & Conditions
• Fetal Assessment & Monitoring • Pharmacology in Maternity
Page 1
, E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 186
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.
CORRECT 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.
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 186
A client who delivered by cesarean section 24 hours ago is using a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA)
pump for pain control. Her oral intake has been ice chips only since surgery. She is now complaining of
nausea and bloating and states that because she has had nothing to eat, she is too weak to breastfeed her
infant. Which nursing diagnosis has the highest priority?
A.Altered nutrition, less than body requirements for lactation
B.Alteration in comfort related to nausea and abdominal distention
C.Impaired bowel motility related to pain medication and immobility
D.Fatigue related to cesarean delivery and physical care demands of infant
CORRECT ANSWER
C.Impaired bowel motility related to pain medication and immobility
Rationale: Impaired bowel motility caused by surgical anesthesia, pain medication, and immobility is the
priority nursing diagnosis and addresses the potential problem of a paralytic ileus. Options A and B are both
caused by impaired bowel motility. Option D is not as important as impaired motility.
Page 2
, Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 186
The nurse calls a client who is 4 days postpartum to follow up about her transition with her newborn son at
home. The woman tells the nurse, "I don't know what is wrong. I love my son, but I feel so let down. I seem to
cry for no reason!" Which adjustment phase should the nurse determine the client is experiencing?
A.Taking-in phase
B.Postpartum blues
C.Attachment difficulty
D.Letting-go phase
CORRECT ANSWER
B.Postpartum blues
Rationale: During the postpartum period, when serum hormone levels fall, women are emotionally labile, often
crying easily for no apparent reason. This phase is commonly called postpartum blues, which peaks around the
fifth postpartum day. The taking-in phase is the period following birth when the mother focuses on her own
psychological needs; typically, this period lasts for 24 hours. Crying is not a maladaptive attachment response.
It indicates a normal physical and emotional response. The letting-go phase is when the mother sees the child
as a separate individual.
Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 186
A client who delivered a healthy infant 5 days ago calls the clinic nurse and reports that her lochia is getting
lighter in color. Which action should the nurse take?
A.Instruct the client to go to the emergency room.
B.Recommend vaginal douching.
C.Explain this is a normal finding.
D.Determine if ovulation has occurred.
CORRECT ANSWER
C.Explain this is a normal finding.
Rationale:The client is describing lochia serosa, a normal change in the lochial flow. Options A, B, and D are not
recommended for this normal finding.
Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 186
Which maternal behavior is the nurse most likely to see when a new mother receives her infant for the first
time?
A.She eagerly reaches for the infant, undresses the infant, and examines the infant completely.
B.Her arms and hands receive the infant and she then traces the infant's profile with her fingertips.
C.Her arms and hands receive the infant and she then cuddles the infant to her own body.
D.She eagerly reaches for the infant and then holds the infant close to her own body.
Page 3
, CORRECT ANSWER
B.Her arms and hands receive the infant and she then traces the infant's profile with her fingertips.
Rationale:Attachment and bonding theory indicates that most mothers will demonstrate behaviors described
in option B during the first visit with the newborn, which may be at delivery or later. After the first visit, the
mother may exhibit different touching behaviors such as eagerly reaching for the infant and cuddling the infant
close to her
Q6 QUESTION 6 OF 186
Which nursing intervention is most helpful in relieving postpartum uterine contractions or "afterpains?"
a. Lying prone with a pillow on the abdomen
b. Using a breast pump
c. Massaging the abdomen
d. Giving oxytocic medications
CORRECT ANSWER
a. Lying prone with a pillow on the abdomen
Lying prone (A) keeps the fundus contracted and is especially useful with multiparas, who commonly
experience afterpains due to lack of uterine tone.
RATIONALE
Lying prone with abdominal pressure supports uterine involution by promoting fundal contraction, which helps
expel clots and reduce uterine distension, thereby alleviating afterpains. This intervention directly addresses the
physiological mechanism of uterine cramping following childbirth.
Q7 QUESTION 7 OF 186
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
"Postpartum blues" is a common emotional response related to the rapid decrease in placental hormones after
delivery and include mood swings (A), tearfulness (C), feeling low, emotional, and fatigued.
Page 4
