2025 HESI Maternity OB Exam Version 1 –
55 Updated Questions with 100% Verified
Answers | Official Graded A+ Copy
Question 1: Prenatal Care (NextGen: Education)
A client at 10 weeks gestation asks how to prevent constipation. What should the nurse
recommend?
A. Limit fluid intake to reduce bloating.
B. Increase fiber and fluid intake.
C. Take a daily laxative.
D. Avoid exercise during pregnancy.
Correct Answer: B. Increase fiber and fluid intake.
Rationale: Increased fiber (e.g., fruits, vegetables) and fluids promote bowel motility, preventing
constipation common in pregnancy due to hormonal changes. Limiting fluids (A) worsens
constipation, laxatives (C) are not first-line, and exercise (D) is encouraged.
Question 2: Labor and Delivery (NextGen: Intervention)
A client in active labor has a fetal heart rate (FHR) of 80 bpm with prolonged decelerations.
What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Reposition the client to the left lateral position.
B. Administer oxygen at 10 L/min via face mask.
C. Prepare for immediate delivery.
D. Increase the IV fluid rate.
Correct Answer: B. Administer oxygen at 10 L/min via face mask.
Rationale: Prolonged decelerations and an FHR of 80 bpm indicate fetal distress, likely from
uteroplacental insufficiency. Oxygen administration improves fetal oxygenation and is the
priority. Repositioning (A) is secondary, delivery (C) requires provider orders, and fluids (D) are
less urgent.
Question 3: Postpartum Care (NextGen: Assessment)
A client 8 hours postpartum has a boggy uterus displaced to the right. What is the nurse’s first
action?
A. Perform fundal massage.
B. Administer oxytocin as prescribed.
C. Assist the client to void.
D. Notify the healthcare provider.
,Correct Answer: C. Assist the client to void.
Rationale: A boggy, displaced uterus suggests a full bladder, preventing uterine contraction and
increasing bleeding risk. Assisting the client to void is the priority. Fundal massage (A) and
oxytocin (B) follow if needed, and notification (D) is secondary.
Question 4: Newborn Care (NextGen: Intervention)
A newborn has an axillary temperature of 96.8°F under a radiant warmer. What should the nurse
do first?
A. Wrap the newborn in a blanket.
B. Place a temperature probe on the abdomen.
C. Increase the radiant warmer temperature.
D. Dry the newborn’s scalp.
Correct Answer: B. Place a temperature probe on the abdomen.
Rationale: A temperature probe on the abdomen ensures accurate monitoring and safe
thermoregulation under a radiant warmer. Blankets (A) interfere with heat transfer, increasing
the warmer (C) risks overheating, and drying the scalp (D) is secondary.
Question 5: Complications (NextGen: Prioritization)
A client at 34 weeks gestation reports severe headache and blurred vision. What is the nurse’s
priority action?
A. Assess blood pressure.
B. Monitor fetal heart rate.
C. Administer acetaminophen.
D. Encourage rest in a dark room.
Correct Answer: A. Assess blood pressure.
Rationale: Severe headache and blurred vision suggest preeclampsia, requiring immediate blood
pressure assessment to confirm severe features (BP ≥160/110). Fetal monitoring (B) is
secondary, acetaminophen (C) does not address the cause, and rest (D) is insufficient.
Question 6: Prenatal Care (NextGen: Screening)
When is the glucose challenge test typically performed to screen for gestational diabetes?
A. 12–16 weeks.
B. 20–24 weeks.
C. 24–28 weeks.
D. 32–36 weeks.
Correct Answer: C. 24–28 weeks.
Rationale: The glucose challenge test is performed at 24–28 weeks to screen for gestational
diabetes, per ACOG guidelines. Earlier (A, B) or later (D) testing is not standard unless risk
factors are present.
, Question 7: Labor and Delivery (NextGen: Clinical
Judgment)
A client receiving oxytocin for labor induction has contractions every 90 seconds lasting 70
seconds. What should the nurse do first?
A. Continue the oxytocin infusion.
B. Stop the oxytocin infusion.
C. Administer oxygen via face mask.
D. Document the contraction pattern.
Correct Answer: B. Stop the oxytocin infusion.
Rationale: Uterine hyperstimulation risks fetal hypoxia. Stopping oxytocin is the priority to
restore normal contraction patterns. Oxygen (C) and documentation (D) follow, and continuing
the infusion (A) is contraindicated.
Question 8: Postpartum Care (NextGen: Education)
A client asks how to care for her episiotomy at home. What should the nurse recommend?
A. Use a hairdryer to dry the site.
B. Clean the site with soap and water after voiding.
C. Apply petroleum jelly to the stitches.
D. Avoid sitz baths until stitches dissolve.
Correct Answer: B. Clean the site with soap and water after voiding.
Rationale: Cleaning the episiotomy site with soap and water after voiding prevents infection.
Hairdryers (A) are not recommended, petroleum jelly (C) may trap bacteria, and sitz baths (D)
are encouraged.
Question 9: Newborn Care (NextGen: Assessment)
A newborn has swelling on the head that crosses the suture line. How should the nurse document
this?
A. Cephalohematoma requiring monitoring.
B. Caput succedaneum, expected finding.
C. Hydrocephalus needing evaluation.
D. Subgaleal hemorrhage, urgent.
Correct Answer: B. Caput succedaneum, expected finding.
Rationale: Swelling across suture lines is caput succedaneum, a benign finding from birth
pressure that resolves spontaneously. Cephalohematoma (A) does not cross sutures,
hydrocephalus (C) involves increased head circumference, and subgaleal hemorrhage (D) is rare
and critical.
Question 10: Complications (NextGen: Analysis)
A client at 16 weeks gestation reports vaginal bleeding and severe cramping. What should the
nurse suspect?
55 Updated Questions with 100% Verified
Answers | Official Graded A+ Copy
Question 1: Prenatal Care (NextGen: Education)
A client at 10 weeks gestation asks how to prevent constipation. What should the nurse
recommend?
A. Limit fluid intake to reduce bloating.
B. Increase fiber and fluid intake.
C. Take a daily laxative.
D. Avoid exercise during pregnancy.
Correct Answer: B. Increase fiber and fluid intake.
Rationale: Increased fiber (e.g., fruits, vegetables) and fluids promote bowel motility, preventing
constipation common in pregnancy due to hormonal changes. Limiting fluids (A) worsens
constipation, laxatives (C) are not first-line, and exercise (D) is encouraged.
Question 2: Labor and Delivery (NextGen: Intervention)
A client in active labor has a fetal heart rate (FHR) of 80 bpm with prolonged decelerations.
What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Reposition the client to the left lateral position.
B. Administer oxygen at 10 L/min via face mask.
C. Prepare for immediate delivery.
D. Increase the IV fluid rate.
Correct Answer: B. Administer oxygen at 10 L/min via face mask.
Rationale: Prolonged decelerations and an FHR of 80 bpm indicate fetal distress, likely from
uteroplacental insufficiency. Oxygen administration improves fetal oxygenation and is the
priority. Repositioning (A) is secondary, delivery (C) requires provider orders, and fluids (D) are
less urgent.
Question 3: Postpartum Care (NextGen: Assessment)
A client 8 hours postpartum has a boggy uterus displaced to the right. What is the nurse’s first
action?
A. Perform fundal massage.
B. Administer oxytocin as prescribed.
C. Assist the client to void.
D. Notify the healthcare provider.
,Correct Answer: C. Assist the client to void.
Rationale: A boggy, displaced uterus suggests a full bladder, preventing uterine contraction and
increasing bleeding risk. Assisting the client to void is the priority. Fundal massage (A) and
oxytocin (B) follow if needed, and notification (D) is secondary.
Question 4: Newborn Care (NextGen: Intervention)
A newborn has an axillary temperature of 96.8°F under a radiant warmer. What should the nurse
do first?
A. Wrap the newborn in a blanket.
B. Place a temperature probe on the abdomen.
C. Increase the radiant warmer temperature.
D. Dry the newborn’s scalp.
Correct Answer: B. Place a temperature probe on the abdomen.
Rationale: A temperature probe on the abdomen ensures accurate monitoring and safe
thermoregulation under a radiant warmer. Blankets (A) interfere with heat transfer, increasing
the warmer (C) risks overheating, and drying the scalp (D) is secondary.
Question 5: Complications (NextGen: Prioritization)
A client at 34 weeks gestation reports severe headache and blurred vision. What is the nurse’s
priority action?
A. Assess blood pressure.
B. Monitor fetal heart rate.
C. Administer acetaminophen.
D. Encourage rest in a dark room.
Correct Answer: A. Assess blood pressure.
Rationale: Severe headache and blurred vision suggest preeclampsia, requiring immediate blood
pressure assessment to confirm severe features (BP ≥160/110). Fetal monitoring (B) is
secondary, acetaminophen (C) does not address the cause, and rest (D) is insufficient.
Question 6: Prenatal Care (NextGen: Screening)
When is the glucose challenge test typically performed to screen for gestational diabetes?
A. 12–16 weeks.
B. 20–24 weeks.
C. 24–28 weeks.
D. 32–36 weeks.
Correct Answer: C. 24–28 weeks.
Rationale: The glucose challenge test is performed at 24–28 weeks to screen for gestational
diabetes, per ACOG guidelines. Earlier (A, B) or later (D) testing is not standard unless risk
factors are present.
, Question 7: Labor and Delivery (NextGen: Clinical
Judgment)
A client receiving oxytocin for labor induction has contractions every 90 seconds lasting 70
seconds. What should the nurse do first?
A. Continue the oxytocin infusion.
B. Stop the oxytocin infusion.
C. Administer oxygen via face mask.
D. Document the contraction pattern.
Correct Answer: B. Stop the oxytocin infusion.
Rationale: Uterine hyperstimulation risks fetal hypoxia. Stopping oxytocin is the priority to
restore normal contraction patterns. Oxygen (C) and documentation (D) follow, and continuing
the infusion (A) is contraindicated.
Question 8: Postpartum Care (NextGen: Education)
A client asks how to care for her episiotomy at home. What should the nurse recommend?
A. Use a hairdryer to dry the site.
B. Clean the site with soap and water after voiding.
C. Apply petroleum jelly to the stitches.
D. Avoid sitz baths until stitches dissolve.
Correct Answer: B. Clean the site with soap and water after voiding.
Rationale: Cleaning the episiotomy site with soap and water after voiding prevents infection.
Hairdryers (A) are not recommended, petroleum jelly (C) may trap bacteria, and sitz baths (D)
are encouraged.
Question 9: Newborn Care (NextGen: Assessment)
A newborn has swelling on the head that crosses the suture line. How should the nurse document
this?
A. Cephalohematoma requiring monitoring.
B. Caput succedaneum, expected finding.
C. Hydrocephalus needing evaluation.
D. Subgaleal hemorrhage, urgent.
Correct Answer: B. Caput succedaneum, expected finding.
Rationale: Swelling across suture lines is caput succedaneum, a benign finding from birth
pressure that resolves spontaneously. Cephalohematoma (A) does not cross sutures,
hydrocephalus (C) involves increased head circumference, and subgaleal hemorrhage (D) is rare
and critical.
Question 10: Complications (NextGen: Analysis)
A client at 16 weeks gestation reports vaginal bleeding and severe cramping. What should the
nurse suspect?
