RN HESI Maternity Updated Actual Questions and Correct
Answers (2026-2027)
Question 1.
A primigravida arrives at the observation unit of the maternity unit because thinks is in
labor. The nurse applies the external fetal heart monitor and determines that the fetal
heart rate is 140 beats/minute and the contractions are occurring irregularly every 10 to
15 minutes. What assessment finding confirms to the nurse that the client is not labor at
this time?
Correct Answer: Contractions decrease with walking.
Question 2.
A primipara has delivered a stillborn fetus at 30 weeks gestation. To asses the parents in
the grieving process which intervention is most for the nurse to implement ?
A. explain the possible cause of the fetal demise
B. Provide a time for the parents to hold their infant in privacy
C. Encourage the parents to seek counseling within the next few weeks
D. Assist the couple to request autopsy
Correct Answer: B. provide a time for the parents to hold their infant in privacy
Question 3.
What is the priority nursing assessment immediately following the birth of an infant with
esophageal atresia and a tracheoesophageal (the) fistula ?
A. body temperature
B. level of pain
C. time of first void
D. number of vessels in the cord
Correct Answer: A. body temperature
Question 4.
What is the most important assessment for the nurse to conduct following the
administration of epidural anesthesia to a client who is at 40-weeks gestation?
A. Level of pain sensation
B. Station of presenting part
C. Variability of fetal heart rate
D. Maternal blood pressure
Correct Answer: D. Maternal blood pressure
,Question 5.
A 34-week primigravida with pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) is receiving Ringer's
Lactate 500 ml with magnesium sulfate 20 grams at the rate of 3 grams/hour. How many
ml/hour should the nurse program the infusion pump? (Enter numeric value only)
A. 120
B. 70
C. 65
D. 75
Correct Answer: D. 75
Question 6.
A mother of a 3-year-old boy has just given birth to a new baby girl. The little boy asks the
nurse, "Why is my baby sister eating my mommy's breast?" How should the nurse
respond? (Select all that apply)
A. Explain that newborns get milk from their mothers in this way
B. Reassure the older brother that it does not hurt his mother
C. Remind him that his mother breastfed him too
D. Suggest that the baby can also drink from a bottle
E. Clarify that breastfeeding is his mother's choice
Correct Answer: A. Explain that newborns get milk from their moth- ers in this
way
B. Reassure the older brother that it does not hurt his mother
C. Remind him that his mother breastfed him too
Question 7.
The nurse is examining an infant for possible cryptorchidism. Which exam technique
should be used?
A. Place the infant in side-lying to facilitate the exam
B. Hold the penis and retract the foreskin gently
C. Cleanse the penis with an antiseptic-soaked pad
D. Place the infant in warm room and use a calm approach
Correct Answer: D. Place the infant in warm room and use a calm approach
Question 8.
The nurse is planning care for a client at 30-weeks gestation who is experiencing preterm
labor. What maternal prescription is most important in preventing this fetus from
developing respiratory distress syndrome?
A. Betamethasone (Celestone) 12 mg deep IM
B. Butorphanol 1 mg IV push q2h PRN pain
C. Ampicillin 1 Gram IV push q8h
D. Terbutaline (Brethine) 0.25 mg subcutaneously q15 minutes x3
Correct Answer: A. Betamethasone (Celestone) 12 mg deep IM
,Question 9.
A 3-month-old with myelomeningocele and atonic bladder is catheterized every 4 hours to
prevent urinary retention. The home health nurse notes that the child has developed
episodes of sneezing, urticaria, watery eyes, and a rash in the diaper area. What action is
most important for the nurse to take?
A. Auscultate the lungs for respiratory pneumonia.
B. Draw blood to analyze for streptococcal infection
C. Change to latex-free gloves when handling infant
D. Apply zinc oxide to perineum with each diaper change
Correct Answer: C. Change to latex-free gloves when handling infant
Question 10.
The nurse is caring for a female client, a primigravida, with preeclampsia. Findings include
+2 proteinuria, BP 172/112 mmHg, facial and hand swelling, complaints of blurry vision
and a severe frontal headache. Which medication should the nurse anticipate for this
client?
A. Clonidine hydrochloride
B. Carbamazepine
C. Furosemide
D. Magnesium sulfate
Correct Answer: D. Magnesium sulfate
Question 11.
A client at 35-weeks gestation complains of a "pain whenever the baby moves." On
assessment, the nurse notes the client's temperature to be 101.2F, with severe abdominal
or uterine tenderness on palpation. The nurse knows that these findings are indicative of
what condition?
A. Round ligament strain
B. Chorioamnionitis
C. Abruptio placenta
D. Viral infection.
Correct Answer: B. Chorioamnionitis
Question 12.
A male infant with a 2-day history of fever and diarrhea is brought to a clinic by his mother
who tells the nurse that the child refuses to drink anything. The nurse determines that the
child has a weak cry with no tears. Which prescription is most important to implement?
A. Provide a bottle of electrolyte solution
B. Infuse normal saline intravenously
C. Administer an antipyretic rectally
D. Apply external cooling blanket
Correct Answer: B. Infuse normal saline intravenously
, Question 13.
A 6-month old child who had a cleft-lip repair has elbow restraints in place. What nursing
intervention should the nurse plan to implement?
A. remove restraints q4h for 30 minutes and place gloves on the child's hands
B. record observations of the restraints q2h and ensure that they are in place at all times
C. obtain the HCP advice as to when the restraints should be removed
D. remove restraints one at a time to provide ROM exercises
Correct Answer: D. remove restraints one at a time to provide ROM exercises
Question 14.
A new mother calls the nurse stating that she wants to start feeding her 6-month-old child
something besides breast milk, but is concerned that the infant is too young to start eating
solid foods. How should the nurse respond?
A. encourage the mother to schedule a developmental assessment of the infant
B. advise the mother to wait at least another month before starting any solid foods
C. instruct the mother to offer a few spoons of 2-3 pureed fruit at each meal
D. reassure the mother that the infant is old enough to eat iron-fortified cereal
Correct Answer: D. reassure the mother that the infant is old enough to eat
iron-forti- fied cereal
Question 15.
While caring for a laboring client on continuous fetal monitoring, the nurse notes a fetal
heart rate pattern that falls and rises abruptly with a "V" shaped appearance. What action
should the nurse take first?
A. Prepare for a potential cesarean
B. Allow the client to begin pushing
C. Administer oxygen at 10/L by mask
D. Change the maternal position
Correct Answer: D. Change the maternal position
Question 16.
A postpartum client who is Rh-negative refuses to receive Rho (D) immune globulin
(RhoGam) after delivery of an infant who is Rh-positive. Which information should the nure
provide this client?
A. RhoGam is not necessary unless all her pregnancies are Rh-positive
B. The R-positive factor from the fetus threatens her blood cells
C. The mother should receive RhoGam when the baby is Rh-negative
D. RhoGam prevents maternal antibody formation for future Rh-positive babies
Correct Answer: D. RhoGam prevents maternal antibody formation for future
Rh-positive babies
Answers (2026-2027)
Question 1.
A primigravida arrives at the observation unit of the maternity unit because thinks is in
labor. The nurse applies the external fetal heart monitor and determines that the fetal
heart rate is 140 beats/minute and the contractions are occurring irregularly every 10 to
15 minutes. What assessment finding confirms to the nurse that the client is not labor at
this time?
Correct Answer: Contractions decrease with walking.
Question 2.
A primipara has delivered a stillborn fetus at 30 weeks gestation. To asses the parents in
the grieving process which intervention is most for the nurse to implement ?
A. explain the possible cause of the fetal demise
B. Provide a time for the parents to hold their infant in privacy
C. Encourage the parents to seek counseling within the next few weeks
D. Assist the couple to request autopsy
Correct Answer: B. provide a time for the parents to hold their infant in privacy
Question 3.
What is the priority nursing assessment immediately following the birth of an infant with
esophageal atresia and a tracheoesophageal (the) fistula ?
A. body temperature
B. level of pain
C. time of first void
D. number of vessels in the cord
Correct Answer: A. body temperature
Question 4.
What is the most important assessment for the nurse to conduct following the
administration of epidural anesthesia to a client who is at 40-weeks gestation?
A. Level of pain sensation
B. Station of presenting part
C. Variability of fetal heart rate
D. Maternal blood pressure
Correct Answer: D. Maternal blood pressure
,Question 5.
A 34-week primigravida with pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) is receiving Ringer's
Lactate 500 ml with magnesium sulfate 20 grams at the rate of 3 grams/hour. How many
ml/hour should the nurse program the infusion pump? (Enter numeric value only)
A. 120
B. 70
C. 65
D. 75
Correct Answer: D. 75
Question 6.
A mother of a 3-year-old boy has just given birth to a new baby girl. The little boy asks the
nurse, "Why is my baby sister eating my mommy's breast?" How should the nurse
respond? (Select all that apply)
A. Explain that newborns get milk from their mothers in this way
B. Reassure the older brother that it does not hurt his mother
C. Remind him that his mother breastfed him too
D. Suggest that the baby can also drink from a bottle
E. Clarify that breastfeeding is his mother's choice
Correct Answer: A. Explain that newborns get milk from their moth- ers in this
way
B. Reassure the older brother that it does not hurt his mother
C. Remind him that his mother breastfed him too
Question 7.
The nurse is examining an infant for possible cryptorchidism. Which exam technique
should be used?
A. Place the infant in side-lying to facilitate the exam
B. Hold the penis and retract the foreskin gently
C. Cleanse the penis with an antiseptic-soaked pad
D. Place the infant in warm room and use a calm approach
Correct Answer: D. Place the infant in warm room and use a calm approach
Question 8.
The nurse is planning care for a client at 30-weeks gestation who is experiencing preterm
labor. What maternal prescription is most important in preventing this fetus from
developing respiratory distress syndrome?
A. Betamethasone (Celestone) 12 mg deep IM
B. Butorphanol 1 mg IV push q2h PRN pain
C. Ampicillin 1 Gram IV push q8h
D. Terbutaline (Brethine) 0.25 mg subcutaneously q15 minutes x3
Correct Answer: A. Betamethasone (Celestone) 12 mg deep IM
,Question 9.
A 3-month-old with myelomeningocele and atonic bladder is catheterized every 4 hours to
prevent urinary retention. The home health nurse notes that the child has developed
episodes of sneezing, urticaria, watery eyes, and a rash in the diaper area. What action is
most important for the nurse to take?
A. Auscultate the lungs for respiratory pneumonia.
B. Draw blood to analyze for streptococcal infection
C. Change to latex-free gloves when handling infant
D. Apply zinc oxide to perineum with each diaper change
Correct Answer: C. Change to latex-free gloves when handling infant
Question 10.
The nurse is caring for a female client, a primigravida, with preeclampsia. Findings include
+2 proteinuria, BP 172/112 mmHg, facial and hand swelling, complaints of blurry vision
and a severe frontal headache. Which medication should the nurse anticipate for this
client?
A. Clonidine hydrochloride
B. Carbamazepine
C. Furosemide
D. Magnesium sulfate
Correct Answer: D. Magnesium sulfate
Question 11.
A client at 35-weeks gestation complains of a "pain whenever the baby moves." On
assessment, the nurse notes the client's temperature to be 101.2F, with severe abdominal
or uterine tenderness on palpation. The nurse knows that these findings are indicative of
what condition?
A. Round ligament strain
B. Chorioamnionitis
C. Abruptio placenta
D. Viral infection.
Correct Answer: B. Chorioamnionitis
Question 12.
A male infant with a 2-day history of fever and diarrhea is brought to a clinic by his mother
who tells the nurse that the child refuses to drink anything. The nurse determines that the
child has a weak cry with no tears. Which prescription is most important to implement?
A. Provide a bottle of electrolyte solution
B. Infuse normal saline intravenously
C. Administer an antipyretic rectally
D. Apply external cooling blanket
Correct Answer: B. Infuse normal saline intravenously
, Question 13.
A 6-month old child who had a cleft-lip repair has elbow restraints in place. What nursing
intervention should the nurse plan to implement?
A. remove restraints q4h for 30 minutes and place gloves on the child's hands
B. record observations of the restraints q2h and ensure that they are in place at all times
C. obtain the HCP advice as to when the restraints should be removed
D. remove restraints one at a time to provide ROM exercises
Correct Answer: D. remove restraints one at a time to provide ROM exercises
Question 14.
A new mother calls the nurse stating that she wants to start feeding her 6-month-old child
something besides breast milk, but is concerned that the infant is too young to start eating
solid foods. How should the nurse respond?
A. encourage the mother to schedule a developmental assessment of the infant
B. advise the mother to wait at least another month before starting any solid foods
C. instruct the mother to offer a few spoons of 2-3 pureed fruit at each meal
D. reassure the mother that the infant is old enough to eat iron-fortified cereal
Correct Answer: D. reassure the mother that the infant is old enough to eat
iron-forti- fied cereal
Question 15.
While caring for a laboring client on continuous fetal monitoring, the nurse notes a fetal
heart rate pattern that falls and rises abruptly with a "V" shaped appearance. What action
should the nurse take first?
A. Prepare for a potential cesarean
B. Allow the client to begin pushing
C. Administer oxygen at 10/L by mask
D. Change the maternal position
Correct Answer: D. Change the maternal position
Question 16.
A postpartum client who is Rh-negative refuses to receive Rho (D) immune globulin
(RhoGam) after delivery of an infant who is Rh-positive. Which information should the nure
provide this client?
A. RhoGam is not necessary unless all her pregnancies are Rh-positive
B. The R-positive factor from the fetus threatens her blood cells
C. The mother should receive RhoGam when the baby is Rh-negative
D. RhoGam prevents maternal antibody formation for future Rh-positive babies
Correct Answer: D. RhoGam prevents maternal antibody formation for future
Rh-positive babies
