Page 1 of 15
HESI MATERNAL–NEWBORN EXAM PREP
COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
WITH DETAILED EXPLANATIONS
CURRENT TESTING
Section 1: Antepartum (Questions 1-40)
1. A client at 36 weeks gestation presents with a blood pressure of 150/G5 mmHg and 3+
proteinuria. She complains of a headache and blurred vision. Which medication should
D
the nurse anticipate administering first?
O
A. Labetalol
B. Magnesium sulfate
N
C. Hydralazine
O
D. Nifedipine
T
Answer: B. Magnesium sulfate
C
Rationale: The client is showing signs of severe preeclampsia (HTN, proteinuria, headache,
O
blurred vision). Magnesium sulfate is the medication of choice to prevent eclampsia
(seizures). Antihypertensives like labetalol or hydralazine are used for severe hypertension
PY
but seizure prophylaxis is the priority.
2. A primigravida at 3G weeks asks if her "bloody show" means labor will begin soon.
What is the nurse's best response?
A. "Bloody show indicates placental abruption and you need to come to the hospital now." B.
"Bloody show is a late sign of labor, usually occurring after contractions are 2 minutes apart."
C. "Bloody show is normal as the cervix begins to dilate and efface; labor may begin in
hours or days."
D. "Bloody show means your water has broken and you need to be assessed for infection."
Answer: C. "Bloody show is normal as the cervix begins to dilate and efface; labor may begin
in hours or days."
Rationale: Bloody show is the expulsion of the mucus plug mixed with blood from cervical
capillaries. It is a sign of cervical changes and can precede labor by hours to days. It is not an
emergency unless bleeding is heavy (like a period).
, Page 2 of 15
3. A nurse is teaching a client with gestational diabetes. Which statement indicates
understanding of the goal of treatment?
A. "I need to keep my blood sugar below 70 mg/dL to prevent fetal macrosomia." B.
"My goal is to maintain fasting blood glucose between 60-90 mg/dL and 1-hour
postprandial below 130 mg/dL."
C. "Since I have gestational diabetes, I will need insulin injections for the rest of my
D
O
N
O
T
C
O
PY
HESI MATERNAL–NEWBORN EXAM PREP
COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
WITH DETAILED EXPLANATIONS
CURRENT TESTING
Section 1: Antepartum (Questions 1-40)
1. A client at 36 weeks gestation presents with a blood pressure of 150/G5 mmHg and 3+
proteinuria. She complains of a headache and blurred vision. Which medication should
D
the nurse anticipate administering first?
O
A. Labetalol
B. Magnesium sulfate
N
C. Hydralazine
O
D. Nifedipine
T
Answer: B. Magnesium sulfate
C
Rationale: The client is showing signs of severe preeclampsia (HTN, proteinuria, headache,
O
blurred vision). Magnesium sulfate is the medication of choice to prevent eclampsia
(seizures). Antihypertensives like labetalol or hydralazine are used for severe hypertension
PY
but seizure prophylaxis is the priority.
2. A primigravida at 3G weeks asks if her "bloody show" means labor will begin soon.
What is the nurse's best response?
A. "Bloody show indicates placental abruption and you need to come to the hospital now." B.
"Bloody show is a late sign of labor, usually occurring after contractions are 2 minutes apart."
C. "Bloody show is normal as the cervix begins to dilate and efface; labor may begin in
hours or days."
D. "Bloody show means your water has broken and you need to be assessed for infection."
Answer: C. "Bloody show is normal as the cervix begins to dilate and efface; labor may begin
in hours or days."
Rationale: Bloody show is the expulsion of the mucus plug mixed with blood from cervical
capillaries. It is a sign of cervical changes and can precede labor by hours to days. It is not an
emergency unless bleeding is heavy (like a period).
, Page 2 of 15
3. A nurse is teaching a client with gestational diabetes. Which statement indicates
understanding of the goal of treatment?
A. "I need to keep my blood sugar below 70 mg/dL to prevent fetal macrosomia." B.
"My goal is to maintain fasting blood glucose between 60-90 mg/dL and 1-hour
postprandial below 130 mg/dL."
C. "Since I have gestational diabetes, I will need insulin injections for the rest of my
D
O
N
O
T
C
O
PY
