HESI OBSTETRICS/MATERNITY
PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
A newborn, whose mother is HIV positive, is scheduled for follow-up assessments. The
nurse knows that the most likely presenting symptom for a pediatric client with AIDS is:
a. shortness of breath
b. joint pain
c. a persistent cold
d. organomegaly - Answer-c. a persistent cold
Respiratory tract infections commonly occur in the pediatric population. However, the
child iwth AIDS has a decreased ability to defend the body against these infections and
often the presenting symptom of a child with AIDS is a persistent cold (C).
A healthcare provider informs the charge nurse of a labor and delivery unit that a client
is coming to the unit with suspected abruptio placentae. What findings should the
charge nurse expect the client to demonstrate? (Select all that apply)
a. Dark, red vaginal bleeding
b. Lower back pain
c. Premature rupture of membranes
d. Increased uterine irritability
e. Bilateral pitting edema
f. A rigid abdomen - Answer-a. Dark, red vaginal bleeding
d. Increased uterine irritability
f. A rigid abdomen
The symptoms of abruptio placentae include dark red vaginal bleeding (A), increased
uterine irritability (D), and a rigid abdomen (F).
The nurse assesses a client admitted to the labor and delivery unit and obtains the
following data: dark red vaginal bleeding, uterus slightly tense between contractions, BP
110/68, FHR 110 beats/minute, cervix 1 cm dilated and uneffaced. Based on these
assessment findings, what intervention should the nurse implement?
a. Insert an internal fetal monitor
b. Assess for cervical changes q1h
c. Monitor bleeding from IV sites
d. Perform Leopold's maneuvers - Answer-c. Monitor bleeding from IV sites
Monitoring bleeding from peripheral sites (C) is the priority intervention. This client is
presenting with signs of placental abruption. Disseminated intravascular coagulation
(DIC) is a complication of placental abruption, characterized by abnormal bleeding.
, A client who is attending antepartum classes asks the nurse why her healthcare
provider has prescribed iron tablets. The nurse's response is based on what
knowledge?
a. Supplementary iron is more efficiently utilized during pregnancy
b. It it difficult to consume 18 mg of additional iron by diet alone
c. Iron absorption is decreased in the GI tract during pregnancy
d. Iron is needed to prevent megaloblastic anemia in the last trimester - Answer-b. It is
difficult to consume 18 mg of additional iron by diet alone
Consuming enough iron-containing foods to facilitate adequate fetal storage of iron and
to meet the demands of pregnancy is difficult (B) so iron supplements are often
recommended.
A 42-week gestational client is receiving an intravenous infusion of oxytocin (Pitocin) to
augment early labor. The nurse should discontinue the oxytocin infusion for which
pattern of contractions?
a. Transition labor with contractions every 2 minutes, lasting 90 seconds each
a. Early labor with contractions every 5 minutes, lasting 40 seconds each
c. Active labor with contractions every 31 minutes, lasting 60 seconds each
d. Active labor with contractions every 2 to 3 minutes, lasting 70 to 80 seconds each -
Answer-a. Transition labor with contractions every 2 minutes, lasting 90 seconds each
Contractions pattern (A) describes hyperstimulation and an inadequate resting time
between contractions to allow for placental perfusion. The oxytocin infusion should be
discontinued.
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 infants, 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 -
Answer-b. Her arms and hands receive the infant and she then traces the infant's profile
with her fingertips
Attachment/bonding theory indicates that most mothers will demonstrate behaviors
described in (B) during the first visit with the newborn, which may be at delivery of later.
Client teaching is an important part of the maternity nurse's role. Which factor has the
greatest influence on successful teaching on the gravid client?
a. The client's readiness to learn
b. The client's educational background
c. The order in which the information is presented
PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
A newborn, whose mother is HIV positive, is scheduled for follow-up assessments. The
nurse knows that the most likely presenting symptom for a pediatric client with AIDS is:
a. shortness of breath
b. joint pain
c. a persistent cold
d. organomegaly - Answer-c. a persistent cold
Respiratory tract infections commonly occur in the pediatric population. However, the
child iwth AIDS has a decreased ability to defend the body against these infections and
often the presenting symptom of a child with AIDS is a persistent cold (C).
A healthcare provider informs the charge nurse of a labor and delivery unit that a client
is coming to the unit with suspected abruptio placentae. What findings should the
charge nurse expect the client to demonstrate? (Select all that apply)
a. Dark, red vaginal bleeding
b. Lower back pain
c. Premature rupture of membranes
d. Increased uterine irritability
e. Bilateral pitting edema
f. A rigid abdomen - Answer-a. Dark, red vaginal bleeding
d. Increased uterine irritability
f. A rigid abdomen
The symptoms of abruptio placentae include dark red vaginal bleeding (A), increased
uterine irritability (D), and a rigid abdomen (F).
The nurse assesses a client admitted to the labor and delivery unit and obtains the
following data: dark red vaginal bleeding, uterus slightly tense between contractions, BP
110/68, FHR 110 beats/minute, cervix 1 cm dilated and uneffaced. Based on these
assessment findings, what intervention should the nurse implement?
a. Insert an internal fetal monitor
b. Assess for cervical changes q1h
c. Monitor bleeding from IV sites
d. Perform Leopold's maneuvers - Answer-c. Monitor bleeding from IV sites
Monitoring bleeding from peripheral sites (C) is the priority intervention. This client is
presenting with signs of placental abruption. Disseminated intravascular coagulation
(DIC) is a complication of placental abruption, characterized by abnormal bleeding.
, A client who is attending antepartum classes asks the nurse why her healthcare
provider has prescribed iron tablets. The nurse's response is based on what
knowledge?
a. Supplementary iron is more efficiently utilized during pregnancy
b. It it difficult to consume 18 mg of additional iron by diet alone
c. Iron absorption is decreased in the GI tract during pregnancy
d. Iron is needed to prevent megaloblastic anemia in the last trimester - Answer-b. It is
difficult to consume 18 mg of additional iron by diet alone
Consuming enough iron-containing foods to facilitate adequate fetal storage of iron and
to meet the demands of pregnancy is difficult (B) so iron supplements are often
recommended.
A 42-week gestational client is receiving an intravenous infusion of oxytocin (Pitocin) to
augment early labor. The nurse should discontinue the oxytocin infusion for which
pattern of contractions?
a. Transition labor with contractions every 2 minutes, lasting 90 seconds each
a. Early labor with contractions every 5 minutes, lasting 40 seconds each
c. Active labor with contractions every 31 minutes, lasting 60 seconds each
d. Active labor with contractions every 2 to 3 minutes, lasting 70 to 80 seconds each -
Answer-a. Transition labor with contractions every 2 minutes, lasting 90 seconds each
Contractions pattern (A) describes hyperstimulation and an inadequate resting time
between contractions to allow for placental perfusion. The oxytocin infusion should be
discontinued.
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 infants, 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 -
Answer-b. Her arms and hands receive the infant and she then traces the infant's profile
with her fingertips
Attachment/bonding theory indicates that most mothers will demonstrate behaviors
described in (B) during the first visit with the newborn, which may be at delivery of later.
Client teaching is an important part of the maternity nurse's role. Which factor has the
greatest influence on successful teaching on the gravid client?
a. The client's readiness to learn
b. The client's educational background
c. The order in which the information is presented
