HESI Obstetrics/Maternity Practice
Exam Questions and Answers | Latest
Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
A pregnant patient at 32 weeks gestation reports sudden swelling of her hands and face. What is
the nurse’s priority action?
A. Encourage rest and hydration
✔✔B. Assess blood pressure and check for preeclampsia
C. Call the dietitian for low-salt diet advice
D. Document and continue routine care
A client at 38 weeks gestation is in active labor. Which contraction pattern indicates normal labor
progression?
A. Contractions every 10–15 minutes lasting 20 seconds
✔✔B. Contractions every 2–3 minutes lasting 60 seconds
C. Contractions every 30 minutes lasting 5 seconds
D. Continuous mild uterine tightening
A postpartum client reports soaking a pad with bright red blood every 30 minutes. What is the
nurse’s first action?
1
,A. Document the bleeding
✔✔B. Assess for postpartum hemorrhage and vital signs
C. Reassure the patient that it is normal
D. Change the pad and return later
A patient is scheduled for a non-stress test (NST). Which instruction is most appropriate?
A. Avoid fluids before the test
✔✔B. Eat a light snack before the test to stimulate fetal movement
C. Lie flat on her back throughout
D. Take medications only after the test
During labor, a patient’s fetal heart rate drops to 90 bpm for 2 minutes. What is the nurse’s first
action?
A. Notify the provider after labor
✔✔B. Reposition the patient and administer oxygen
C. Document the deceleration
D. Encourage the patient to push
2
,A client at 28 weeks gestation reports severe itching, especially at night. Which lab test is most
relevant?
A. Complete blood count
B. Blood glucose
✔✔C. Liver function tests (for cholestasis)
D. Urinalysis
A postpartum patient develops a fever of 101°F and lower abdominal tenderness. What should
the nurse suspect?
A. Normal postpartum changes
✔✔B. Endometritis
C. Urinary retention
D. Mastitis
A laboring patient has a high-risk pregnancy with gestational diabetes. Which intervention is
priority?
A. Encourage ambulation
✔✔B. Monitor maternal blood glucose and fetal status
C. Offer unlimited oral fluids
3
, D. Limit fetal monitoring
A pregnant patient reports decreased fetal movement over the past 12 hours. What should the
nurse do first?
A. Reassure the patient it is normal
✔✔B. Perform a non-stress test or fetal assessment
C. Encourage hydration only
D. Document and check next shift
A patient in the first stage of labor has a bulging perineum and strong urge to push. What should
the nurse do?
A. Encourage the patient to continue breathing normally
✔✔B. Assess cervical dilation and prepare for delivery
C. Advise the patient to walk around
D. Delay pushing until next contraction
A patient has preeclampsia and reports a severe headache and blurred vision. What is the priority
nursing action?
A. Apply cold compress to forehead
4
Exam Questions and Answers | Latest
Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
A pregnant patient at 32 weeks gestation reports sudden swelling of her hands and face. What is
the nurse’s priority action?
A. Encourage rest and hydration
✔✔B. Assess blood pressure and check for preeclampsia
C. Call the dietitian for low-salt diet advice
D. Document and continue routine care
A client at 38 weeks gestation is in active labor. Which contraction pattern indicates normal labor
progression?
A. Contractions every 10–15 minutes lasting 20 seconds
✔✔B. Contractions every 2–3 minutes lasting 60 seconds
C. Contractions every 30 minutes lasting 5 seconds
D. Continuous mild uterine tightening
A postpartum client reports soaking a pad with bright red blood every 30 minutes. What is the
nurse’s first action?
1
,A. Document the bleeding
✔✔B. Assess for postpartum hemorrhage and vital signs
C. Reassure the patient that it is normal
D. Change the pad and return later
A patient is scheduled for a non-stress test (NST). Which instruction is most appropriate?
A. Avoid fluids before the test
✔✔B. Eat a light snack before the test to stimulate fetal movement
C. Lie flat on her back throughout
D. Take medications only after the test
During labor, a patient’s fetal heart rate drops to 90 bpm for 2 minutes. What is the nurse’s first
action?
A. Notify the provider after labor
✔✔B. Reposition the patient and administer oxygen
C. Document the deceleration
D. Encourage the patient to push
2
,A client at 28 weeks gestation reports severe itching, especially at night. Which lab test is most
relevant?
A. Complete blood count
B. Blood glucose
✔✔C. Liver function tests (for cholestasis)
D. Urinalysis
A postpartum patient develops a fever of 101°F and lower abdominal tenderness. What should
the nurse suspect?
A. Normal postpartum changes
✔✔B. Endometritis
C. Urinary retention
D. Mastitis
A laboring patient has a high-risk pregnancy with gestational diabetes. Which intervention is
priority?
A. Encourage ambulation
✔✔B. Monitor maternal blood glucose and fetal status
C. Offer unlimited oral fluids
3
, D. Limit fetal monitoring
A pregnant patient reports decreased fetal movement over the past 12 hours. What should the
nurse do first?
A. Reassure the patient it is normal
✔✔B. Perform a non-stress test or fetal assessment
C. Encourage hydration only
D. Document and check next shift
A patient in the first stage of labor has a bulging perineum and strong urge to push. What should
the nurse do?
A. Encourage the patient to continue breathing normally
✔✔B. Assess cervical dilation and prepare for delivery
C. Advise the patient to walk around
D. Delay pushing until next contraction
A patient has preeclampsia and reports a severe headache and blurred vision. What is the priority
nursing action?
A. Apply cold compress to forehead
4
