HESI RN MATERNITY ASSIGNMENT
EXAM QUETSIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS
The nurse is teaching a new mother about diet and breastfeeding. Which instruction is
most important to include in the teaching plan?
-avoid alcohol bc it is excreted in breast milk
-avoid spicy foods to prevent infant colic
-increase caloric intake by approx. 500 calories/day
-double prenatal milk intake to improve vitamin D transfer to the infant - Answer-A.
Avoid alcohol because it is excreted in breast milk
Which nursing intervention best enhances maternal-infant bonding during the fourth
stage of labor?
-brighten the lighting so the mother can view the infant
-complete the newborn assessment as quickly as possible
-provide positive reinforcement for maternal care of infant
-encourage early initiation of breast or formula feeding - Answer-D. Encourage early
initiation of breast of formula feeding
A client at 8-weeks gestation asks the nurse about the risk fora congenital heart defect
(CHD) in her baby. Which response best explains when a CHD may occur?
-it depends on what the causative factors are for a CHD
-we don't really know what or when CHDs occur
-they usually occur in the first trimester of pregnancy
-the heart develops in the third to fifth weeks after conception - Answer-D. The heart
develops in the third to fifth weeks after conception
A client at 8-months gestation tells the nurse that she knows her baby listens to her, but
her husband thinks she is imagining things. What information should the nurse provide?
-many women imagine what their baby is like by interpreting fetal movements
-the fetus in utero is capable of hearing and does respond to the mothers voice
-the HCP should address her concerns about her baby hearing function
-the interaction b/w the mothers voice and the fetus's response ensures bonding -
Answer-B. The fetus in utero is capable of hearing and does respond to the mother's
voice
A client at 25-weeks gestation tells the nurse that she dropped a cooking utensil last
week and her baby jumped in response to the noise. What information should the nurse
provide?
-this is a demonstration of the fetus acoustical reflux
-the fetus can respond to sound by 24 weeks
-it is a coincidence the fetus responded at the same time
,-report behavior to HCP - Answer-B. The fetus can respond to sound by 24-weeks
gestation
A woman whose pregnancy is confirmed asks the nurse what the function of the
placenta is in early pregnancy. What information supports the explanation that the nurse
should provide?
-excretes prolactin and insulin
-produces nutrients for fetal nutrition
-secretes both estrogen and progesterone
-forms a protective, impenetrable barrier - Answer-C. Secretes both estrogen and
progesterone
Which cardiovascular findings should the nurse assess further in a client who is at 20-
weeks gestation?
-decrease in pulse rate
-decrease in BP
- increase in heart sounds
-increase in RBC production - Answer-A. Decrease in pulse rate
A 31-year-old woman uses an over-the-counter (OTC) pregnancy test that is positive
one week after a missed period. At the clinic, the client tells the nurse she takes
phenytoin (Dilantin) for epilepsy, has a history of irregular periods, is under stress at
work, and is not sleeping well. The client's physical examination and ultrasound do not
indicate that she is pregnant. How should the nurse explain the most likely cause for
obtaining false-positive pregnancy test results?
-having an irregular menstrual cycle
-using an anticonvulsant for epilepsy
-taking the pregnancy test too early
-being under too much stress at work - Answer-B. Using an anticonvulsant for epilepsy
Which gastrointestinal findings should the nurse be concerned about in a client at 28-
weeks gestation?
-pica
-pyrosis
-ptyalism
-decreased peristalsis - Answer-A. PICA
During a preconception counseling session for women trying to get pregnant in 3 to 6
months, what information should the nurse provide?
-discontinue all forms of contraception
-make sure to include adequate folic acid in the diet
-lose weight so more is gained during pregnancy
-continue to take any meds that are taken regularly - Answer-B. Make sure to include
adequate folic acid in the diet
, Which statement by a client who is pregnant indicates to the nurse an understanding of
the role of protein during pregnancy?
-protein helps the fetus grow while I'm pregnant
-gestational diabetes is prevented by eating protein
-anemia is averted by consuming enough protein
-my baby will develop strong teeth after he is born - Answer-A. "Protein helps the fetus
grow while I am pregnant."
A client in her second trimester of pregnancy asks if it is safe for her to have a drink with
dinner. How should the nurse respond to the client?
-during second trimester beer can be consumed without harm to the fetus
-wine can be consumed several times a week after the first trimeter
-only one drink with the evening meal is not harmful to the fetus
-abstinence is strongly recommended throughout the pregnancy - Answer-D.
Abstinence is strongly recommended throughout the pregnancy
A female client who wants to deliver at home asks the nurse to explain the role of a
nurse-midwife in providing obstetric care. What information should the nurse provide?
-birth in the home setting is the preference for a using a midwife for delivery
-the pregnancy should progress normally and be considered low risk
-natural child birth without analgesia is used to manage pain during labor
-an obstetrician should also follow the client during pregnancy - Answer-B. The
pregnancy should progress normally and be considered low risk
When discussing birth in a home setting with a group of pregnant women, which
situation should the nurse include about the safety of a home birth?
-only the woman and her midwife should be present during the delivery
-the woman should live no more than 15 min from the hospital
-the woman's extended family should be allowed to attend the home birth
-medical backup should be available quickly in case of complications - Answer-D.
Medical backup should be available quickly in case of complications
The nurse is discussing the stages of labor with a group of women in the last month of
pregnancy and provides examples of different positional techniques used during the
second stage of labor. Which position should the nurse address the best advantage of
gravity during delivery?
-walking
-squatting
-kneeling
-lithotomy - Answer-B. Squatting
A client in the first stage of labor is using a shallow pattern of rapid breaths that is twice
the normal adult breathing rate. The client complains of feeling light headed, dizzy, and
states that her fingers are tingling. What action should the nurse implement?
-notify the HCP
-help her breathe into a paper bag
EXAM QUETSIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS
The nurse is teaching a new mother about diet and breastfeeding. Which instruction is
most important to include in the teaching plan?
-avoid alcohol bc it is excreted in breast milk
-avoid spicy foods to prevent infant colic
-increase caloric intake by approx. 500 calories/day
-double prenatal milk intake to improve vitamin D transfer to the infant - Answer-A.
Avoid alcohol because it is excreted in breast milk
Which nursing intervention best enhances maternal-infant bonding during the fourth
stage of labor?
-brighten the lighting so the mother can view the infant
-complete the newborn assessment as quickly as possible
-provide positive reinforcement for maternal care of infant
-encourage early initiation of breast or formula feeding - Answer-D. Encourage early
initiation of breast of formula feeding
A client at 8-weeks gestation asks the nurse about the risk fora congenital heart defect
(CHD) in her baby. Which response best explains when a CHD may occur?
-it depends on what the causative factors are for a CHD
-we don't really know what or when CHDs occur
-they usually occur in the first trimester of pregnancy
-the heart develops in the third to fifth weeks after conception - Answer-D. The heart
develops in the third to fifth weeks after conception
A client at 8-months gestation tells the nurse that she knows her baby listens to her, but
her husband thinks she is imagining things. What information should the nurse provide?
-many women imagine what their baby is like by interpreting fetal movements
-the fetus in utero is capable of hearing and does respond to the mothers voice
-the HCP should address her concerns about her baby hearing function
-the interaction b/w the mothers voice and the fetus's response ensures bonding -
Answer-B. The fetus in utero is capable of hearing and does respond to the mother's
voice
A client at 25-weeks gestation tells the nurse that she dropped a cooking utensil last
week and her baby jumped in response to the noise. What information should the nurse
provide?
-this is a demonstration of the fetus acoustical reflux
-the fetus can respond to sound by 24 weeks
-it is a coincidence the fetus responded at the same time
,-report behavior to HCP - Answer-B. The fetus can respond to sound by 24-weeks
gestation
A woman whose pregnancy is confirmed asks the nurse what the function of the
placenta is in early pregnancy. What information supports the explanation that the nurse
should provide?
-excretes prolactin and insulin
-produces nutrients for fetal nutrition
-secretes both estrogen and progesterone
-forms a protective, impenetrable barrier - Answer-C. Secretes both estrogen and
progesterone
Which cardiovascular findings should the nurse assess further in a client who is at 20-
weeks gestation?
-decrease in pulse rate
-decrease in BP
- increase in heart sounds
-increase in RBC production - Answer-A. Decrease in pulse rate
A 31-year-old woman uses an over-the-counter (OTC) pregnancy test that is positive
one week after a missed period. At the clinic, the client tells the nurse she takes
phenytoin (Dilantin) for epilepsy, has a history of irregular periods, is under stress at
work, and is not sleeping well. The client's physical examination and ultrasound do not
indicate that she is pregnant. How should the nurse explain the most likely cause for
obtaining false-positive pregnancy test results?
-having an irregular menstrual cycle
-using an anticonvulsant for epilepsy
-taking the pregnancy test too early
-being under too much stress at work - Answer-B. Using an anticonvulsant for epilepsy
Which gastrointestinal findings should the nurse be concerned about in a client at 28-
weeks gestation?
-pica
-pyrosis
-ptyalism
-decreased peristalsis - Answer-A. PICA
During a preconception counseling session for women trying to get pregnant in 3 to 6
months, what information should the nurse provide?
-discontinue all forms of contraception
-make sure to include adequate folic acid in the diet
-lose weight so more is gained during pregnancy
-continue to take any meds that are taken regularly - Answer-B. Make sure to include
adequate folic acid in the diet
, Which statement by a client who is pregnant indicates to the nurse an understanding of
the role of protein during pregnancy?
-protein helps the fetus grow while I'm pregnant
-gestational diabetes is prevented by eating protein
-anemia is averted by consuming enough protein
-my baby will develop strong teeth after he is born - Answer-A. "Protein helps the fetus
grow while I am pregnant."
A client in her second trimester of pregnancy asks if it is safe for her to have a drink with
dinner. How should the nurse respond to the client?
-during second trimester beer can be consumed without harm to the fetus
-wine can be consumed several times a week after the first trimeter
-only one drink with the evening meal is not harmful to the fetus
-abstinence is strongly recommended throughout the pregnancy - Answer-D.
Abstinence is strongly recommended throughout the pregnancy
A female client who wants to deliver at home asks the nurse to explain the role of a
nurse-midwife in providing obstetric care. What information should the nurse provide?
-birth in the home setting is the preference for a using a midwife for delivery
-the pregnancy should progress normally and be considered low risk
-natural child birth without analgesia is used to manage pain during labor
-an obstetrician should also follow the client during pregnancy - Answer-B. The
pregnancy should progress normally and be considered low risk
When discussing birth in a home setting with a group of pregnant women, which
situation should the nurse include about the safety of a home birth?
-only the woman and her midwife should be present during the delivery
-the woman should live no more than 15 min from the hospital
-the woman's extended family should be allowed to attend the home birth
-medical backup should be available quickly in case of complications - Answer-D.
Medical backup should be available quickly in case of complications
The nurse is discussing the stages of labor with a group of women in the last month of
pregnancy and provides examples of different positional techniques used during the
second stage of labor. Which position should the nurse address the best advantage of
gravity during delivery?
-walking
-squatting
-kneeling
-lithotomy - Answer-B. Squatting
A client in the first stage of labor is using a shallow pattern of rapid breaths that is twice
the normal adult breathing rate. The client complains of feeling light headed, dizzy, and
states that her fingers are tingling. What action should the nurse implement?
-notify the HCP
-help her breathe into a paper bag
