HESI MATERNITY OB EXAM VERSION 3 - 2027 |
Questions, Verified Answers & Detailed
Rationales | Labor & Delivery, Postpartum,
Newborn & Antepartum Care
1. Client teaching is an important part of the maternity nurse's role. Which factor has the greatest
influence on successful teaching of the gravid client?
A) The client's readiness to learn
B) The nurse's teaching experience
C) The complexity of the topic
D) The length of the teaching session
Answer A: The client's readiness to learn
Rationale: Readiness to learn is the most critical factor influencing successful teaching outcomes. ---
2. A 38-week primigravida who works as a secretary and sits at a computer 8 hours a day tells the
nurse that her feet have begun to swell. Which instruction would be most effective in preventing
pooling of blood in the lower extremities?
A) Elevate her legs while sitting
B) Wear support stockings
C) Move about every hour
D) Limit fluid intake
Answer C: Move about every hour
Rationale: Moving about every hour promotes circulation and prevents blood pooling in the lower
extremities. ---
,3. During a prenatal visit, the nurse discusses with a client the effects of smoking on the fetus.
When compared with nonsmokers, mothers who smoke during pregnancy tend to produce infants
who have:
A) Higher birth weights
B) Lower birth weights
C) Larger head circumferences
D) Longer gestational periods
Answer B: Lower birth weights
Rationale: Smoking during pregnancy is associated with low birth weight due to reduced oxygen and
nutrient delivery. ---
4. A 26-year-old, gravida 2, para 1 client is admitted to the hospital at 28-weeks gestation in
preterm labor. She is given 3 doses of terbutaline sulfate (Brethine) 0.25 mg subcutaneously to
stop her labor contractions. The nurse plans to monitor for which primary side effect of
terbutaline sulfate?
A) Bradycardia and sedation
B) Hypotension and drowsiness
C) Tachycardia and a feeling of nervousness
D) Hypertension and headache
Answer C: Tachycardia and a feeling of nervousness
Rationale: Terbutaline is a beta-agonist that causes maternal tachycardia and nervousness. ---
5. A mother who is breastfeeding her baby receives instructions from the nurse. Which instruction
is most effective to prevent nipple soreness?
A) Limit feeding time to 5 minutes per breast
B) Apply alcohol to nipples after feeding
C) Correctly place the infant on the breast
D) Use a nipple shield for every feeding
Answer C: Correctly place the infant on the breast
,Rationale: Proper latch and positioning are the most effective ways to prevent nipple soreness. ---
6. A full-term infant is transferred to the nursery from L & D. Which information is most important
for the nurse to receive when planning immediate care for the newborn?
A) The mother's blood type
B) Infant's condition at birth and treatment received
C) The parents' feeding preference
D) The length of labor
Answer B: Infant's condition at birth and treatment received
Rationale: Knowing the infant's condition at birth and any treatments received guides immediate
nursing care. ---
7. In developing a teaching plan for expectant parents, the nurse plans to include information
about when the parents can expect the infant's fontanels to close. The nurse bases the explanation
on knowledge that for the normal newborn, the:
A) Anterior fontanel closes at 2 months
B) Posterior fontanel closes at 12 months
C) Anterior fontanel closes at 6 months
D) Anterior fontanel closes at 12-18 months and the posterior fontanel by the end of the second month
Answer D: Anterior fontanel closes at 12-18 months and the posterior fontanel by the end of the
second month
Rationale: The posterior fontanel closes by 2 months; the anterior fontanel closes by 12-18 months. ---
8. When assessing a client who is 12-weeks gestation, the nurse recommends that she and her
husband consider attending childbirth preparation classes. What is the best time for the couple to
attend these classes?
A) At 20 weeks gestation
B) At 24 weeks gestation
, C) At 36 weeks gestation
D) At 30 weeks gestation
Answer D: At 30 weeks gestation
Rationale: Childbirth classes are typically attended in the third trimester, around 30 weeks. ---
9. The nurse should encourage the laboring client to begin pushing when:
A) The cervix is 8 cm dilated
B) The client feels the urge to push
C) The cervix is completely dilated
D) The membranes have ruptured
Answer C: The cervix is completely dilated
Rationale: Pushing is encouraged only after complete cervical dilation (10 cm) to prevent cervical injury.
---
10. The nurse is counseling a couple who has sought information about conceiving. For teaching
purposes, the nurse should know that ovulation usually occurs:
A) Two weeks before menstruation
B) Two weeks after menstruation
C) During menstruation
D) One week after menstruation
Answer A: Two weeks before menstruation
Rationale: Ovulation typically occurs approximately 14 days before the next menstrual period. ---
11. The nurse instructs a laboring client to use accelerated-blow breathing. The client begins to
complain of tingling fingers and dizziness. What action should the nurse take?
A) Increase the breathing rate
B) Have the client breathe into a paper bag
C) Have the client breathe into her cupped hands
Questions, Verified Answers & Detailed
Rationales | Labor & Delivery, Postpartum,
Newborn & Antepartum Care
1. Client teaching is an important part of the maternity nurse's role. Which factor has the greatest
influence on successful teaching of the gravid client?
A) The client's readiness to learn
B) The nurse's teaching experience
C) The complexity of the topic
D) The length of the teaching session
Answer A: The client's readiness to learn
Rationale: Readiness to learn is the most critical factor influencing successful teaching outcomes. ---
2. A 38-week primigravida who works as a secretary and sits at a computer 8 hours a day tells the
nurse that her feet have begun to swell. Which instruction would be most effective in preventing
pooling of blood in the lower extremities?
A) Elevate her legs while sitting
B) Wear support stockings
C) Move about every hour
D) Limit fluid intake
Answer C: Move about every hour
Rationale: Moving about every hour promotes circulation and prevents blood pooling in the lower
extremities. ---
,3. During a prenatal visit, the nurse discusses with a client the effects of smoking on the fetus.
When compared with nonsmokers, mothers who smoke during pregnancy tend to produce infants
who have:
A) Higher birth weights
B) Lower birth weights
C) Larger head circumferences
D) Longer gestational periods
Answer B: Lower birth weights
Rationale: Smoking during pregnancy is associated with low birth weight due to reduced oxygen and
nutrient delivery. ---
4. A 26-year-old, gravida 2, para 1 client is admitted to the hospital at 28-weeks gestation in
preterm labor. She is given 3 doses of terbutaline sulfate (Brethine) 0.25 mg subcutaneously to
stop her labor contractions. The nurse plans to monitor for which primary side effect of
terbutaline sulfate?
A) Bradycardia and sedation
B) Hypotension and drowsiness
C) Tachycardia and a feeling of nervousness
D) Hypertension and headache
Answer C: Tachycardia and a feeling of nervousness
Rationale: Terbutaline is a beta-agonist that causes maternal tachycardia and nervousness. ---
5. A mother who is breastfeeding her baby receives instructions from the nurse. Which instruction
is most effective to prevent nipple soreness?
A) Limit feeding time to 5 minutes per breast
B) Apply alcohol to nipples after feeding
C) Correctly place the infant on the breast
D) Use a nipple shield for every feeding
Answer C: Correctly place the infant on the breast
,Rationale: Proper latch and positioning are the most effective ways to prevent nipple soreness. ---
6. A full-term infant is transferred to the nursery from L & D. Which information is most important
for the nurse to receive when planning immediate care for the newborn?
A) The mother's blood type
B) Infant's condition at birth and treatment received
C) The parents' feeding preference
D) The length of labor
Answer B: Infant's condition at birth and treatment received
Rationale: Knowing the infant's condition at birth and any treatments received guides immediate
nursing care. ---
7. In developing a teaching plan for expectant parents, the nurse plans to include information
about when the parents can expect the infant's fontanels to close. The nurse bases the explanation
on knowledge that for the normal newborn, the:
A) Anterior fontanel closes at 2 months
B) Posterior fontanel closes at 12 months
C) Anterior fontanel closes at 6 months
D) Anterior fontanel closes at 12-18 months and the posterior fontanel by the end of the second month
Answer D: Anterior fontanel closes at 12-18 months and the posterior fontanel by the end of the
second month
Rationale: The posterior fontanel closes by 2 months; the anterior fontanel closes by 12-18 months. ---
8. When assessing a client who is 12-weeks gestation, the nurse recommends that she and her
husband consider attending childbirth preparation classes. What is the best time for the couple to
attend these classes?
A) At 20 weeks gestation
B) At 24 weeks gestation
, C) At 36 weeks gestation
D) At 30 weeks gestation
Answer D: At 30 weeks gestation
Rationale: Childbirth classes are typically attended in the third trimester, around 30 weeks. ---
9. The nurse should encourage the laboring client to begin pushing when:
A) The cervix is 8 cm dilated
B) The client feels the urge to push
C) The cervix is completely dilated
D) The membranes have ruptured
Answer C: The cervix is completely dilated
Rationale: Pushing is encouraged only after complete cervical dilation (10 cm) to prevent cervical injury.
---
10. The nurse is counseling a couple who has sought information about conceiving. For teaching
purposes, the nurse should know that ovulation usually occurs:
A) Two weeks before menstruation
B) Two weeks after menstruation
C) During menstruation
D) One week after menstruation
Answer A: Two weeks before menstruation
Rationale: Ovulation typically occurs approximately 14 days before the next menstrual period. ---
11. The nurse instructs a laboring client to use accelerated-blow breathing. The client begins to
complain of tingling fingers and dizziness. What action should the nurse take?
A) Increase the breathing rate
B) Have the client breathe into a paper bag
C) Have the client breathe into her cupped hands
