HESI A2 Exit Exam Maternity Practice Exam
2025/2026 – Updated Questions & Study Guide
The nurse is calculating the estimated date of confinement (EDC) using Nägele's rule for a client whose
last menstrual period started on December 1. Which date is most accurate?
a.August 1.
b.August 10.
c.September 3.
d.September 8. - answer :d.September 8.
A client who is in the second trimester of pregnancy tells the nurse that she wants to use herbal therapy.
Which response is best for the nurse to provide?
a.Herbs are a cornerstone of good health to include in your treatment.
b.Touch is also therapeutic in relieving discomfort and anxiety.
c.Your healthcare provider should direct treatment options for herbal therapy.
d.It is important that you want to take part in your care. - answer :d.It is important that you want to
take part in your care.
The nurse observes a new mother is rooming-in and caring for her newborn infant. Which observation
indicates the need for further teaching?
a.Cuddles the baby close to her.
b.Rocks and soothes the infant in her arms.
c.Places the infant prone in the bassinet.
d. Wraps the baby in a warm blanket after bathing. - answer :c.Places the infant prone in the bassinet.
,A client who has an autosomal dominant inherited disorder is exploring family planning options and the
risk of transmission of the disorder to an infant. The nurse's response should be based on what
information?
a.Males inherit the disorder with a greater frequency than females.
b.Each pregnancy carries a 50% chance of inheriting the disorder.
c.The disorder occurs in 25% of pregnancies.
d.All children will be carriers of the disorder. - answer :b.Each pregnancy carries a 50% chance of
inheriting the disorder.
A 30-year-old multiparous woman who has a 3-year-old boy and an newborn girl tells the nurse, "My
son is so jealous of my daughter, I don't know how I'll ever manage both children when I get home."
How should the nurse respond?
a.Tell the older child that he is a big boy now and should love his new sister.
b.Ask friends and relatives not to bring gifts to the older sibling because you do not want to spoil him.
c.Let the older child stay with his grandparents for the first six weeks to allow him to adjust to the
newborn.
d.Regression in behaviors in the older child is a typical reaction so he needs attention at this time. -
answer :...
When explaining "postpartum blues" to a client who is 1 day postpartum, which symptoms should the
nurse include in the teaching plan? (Select all that apply.)
a.Mood swings.
b.Panic attacks.
c.Tearfulness
d.Decreased need for sleep.
e. Disinterest in the infant - answer :a.Mood swings.
c.Tearfulness
A primigravida at 40-weeks gestation is receiving oxytocin (Pitocin) to augment labor. Which adverse
effect should the nurse monitor for during the infusion of Pitocin?
,a.Dehydration.
b.Hyperstimulation.
c. Galactorrhea.
d.Fetal tachycardia. - answer :b.Hyperstimulation.
While breastfeeding, a new mother strokes the top of her baby's head and asks the nurse about the
baby's swollen scalp. The nurse responds that the swelling is caput succedaneum. Which additional
information should the nurse provide this new mother?
a.The infant should be positioned to reduce the swelling.
b.The swelling is a subperiosteal collection of blood.
c.The pediatrician will aspirate the blood if it gets larger.
d.The scalp edema will subside in a few days after birth. - answer :d.The scalp edema will subside in a
few days after birth.
The nurse observes a new mother avoiding eye contact with her newborn. Which action should the
nurse take?
a.Ask the mother why she won't look at the infant.
b.Observe the mother for other attachment behaviors.
c.Examine the newborn's eyes for the ability to focus.
d.Recognize this as a common reaction in new mothers. - answer :b.Observe the mother for other
attachment behaviors.
A 23-year-old client who is receiving Medicaid benefits is pregnant with her first child. Based on
knowledge of the statistics related to infant mortality, which plan should the nurse implement with this
client?
a.Refer the client to a social worker to arrange for home care.
b.Recommend perinatal care from an obstetrician, not a nurse-midwife.
c.Teach the client why keeping prenatal care appointments is important.
d.Advise the client that neonatal intensive care may be needed. - answer :c.Teach the client why
keeping prenatal care appointments is important.
, tells the nurse that she want to have an uncomplicated pregnancy and a healthy baby. What
information should the nurse share with the client?
a.Your current dose of Insulin should be maintained throughout your pregnancy.
b.Maintain blood sugar levels in a constant range within normal limits during pregnancy.
c.The course and outcome of your pregnancy is not an achievable goal with diabetes.
d.Expect an increase in insulin dosages by 5 units/week during the first trimester. - answer :b.Maintain
blood sugar levels in a constant range within normal limits during pregnancy.
A client who delivered an infant an hour ago tells the nurse that she feels wet underneath her buttock.
The nurse notes that both perineal pads are completely saturated and the client is lying in a 6-inch
diameter pool of blood. Which action should the nurse implement next?
a.Cleanse the perineum.
b.Obtain a blood pressure.
c.Palpate the firmness of the fundus
d. Inspect the perineum for lacerations. - answer :c.Palpate the firmness of the fundus
the nurse is assessing a 3-day old infant with a cephalohematoma in the newborn nursery. Which
assessment finding should the nurse report to the healthcare provider?
a.Yellowish tinge to the skin.
b. Babinski reflex present bilaterally.
c.Pink papular rash on the face.
d.Moro reflex noted after a loud noise. - answer :a.Yellowish tinge to the skin.
Which assessment finding should the nursery nurse report to the pediatric healthcare provider?
a.Blood glucose level of 45 mg/dl.
b. Blood pressure of 82/45 mmHg.
c.Non-bulging anterior fontanel.
d.Central cyanosis when crying. - answer :d.Central cyanosis when crying.
What action should the nurse implement to decrease the client's risk for hemorrhage after a cesarean
section?
2025/2026 – Updated Questions & Study Guide
The nurse is calculating the estimated date of confinement (EDC) using Nägele's rule for a client whose
last menstrual period started on December 1. Which date is most accurate?
a.August 1.
b.August 10.
c.September 3.
d.September 8. - answer :d.September 8.
A client who is in the second trimester of pregnancy tells the nurse that she wants to use herbal therapy.
Which response is best for the nurse to provide?
a.Herbs are a cornerstone of good health to include in your treatment.
b.Touch is also therapeutic in relieving discomfort and anxiety.
c.Your healthcare provider should direct treatment options for herbal therapy.
d.It is important that you want to take part in your care. - answer :d.It is important that you want to
take part in your care.
The nurse observes a new mother is rooming-in and caring for her newborn infant. Which observation
indicates the need for further teaching?
a.Cuddles the baby close to her.
b.Rocks and soothes the infant in her arms.
c.Places the infant prone in the bassinet.
d. Wraps the baby in a warm blanket after bathing. - answer :c.Places the infant prone in the bassinet.
,A client who has an autosomal dominant inherited disorder is exploring family planning options and the
risk of transmission of the disorder to an infant. The nurse's response should be based on what
information?
a.Males inherit the disorder with a greater frequency than females.
b.Each pregnancy carries a 50% chance of inheriting the disorder.
c.The disorder occurs in 25% of pregnancies.
d.All children will be carriers of the disorder. - answer :b.Each pregnancy carries a 50% chance of
inheriting the disorder.
A 30-year-old multiparous woman who has a 3-year-old boy and an newborn girl tells the nurse, "My
son is so jealous of my daughter, I don't know how I'll ever manage both children when I get home."
How should the nurse respond?
a.Tell the older child that he is a big boy now and should love his new sister.
b.Ask friends and relatives not to bring gifts to the older sibling because you do not want to spoil him.
c.Let the older child stay with his grandparents for the first six weeks to allow him to adjust to the
newborn.
d.Regression in behaviors in the older child is a typical reaction so he needs attention at this time. -
answer :...
When explaining "postpartum blues" to a client who is 1 day postpartum, which symptoms should the
nurse include in the teaching plan? (Select all that apply.)
a.Mood swings.
b.Panic attacks.
c.Tearfulness
d.Decreased need for sleep.
e. Disinterest in the infant - answer :a.Mood swings.
c.Tearfulness
A primigravida at 40-weeks gestation is receiving oxytocin (Pitocin) to augment labor. Which adverse
effect should the nurse monitor for during the infusion of Pitocin?
,a.Dehydration.
b.Hyperstimulation.
c. Galactorrhea.
d.Fetal tachycardia. - answer :b.Hyperstimulation.
While breastfeeding, a new mother strokes the top of her baby's head and asks the nurse about the
baby's swollen scalp. The nurse responds that the swelling is caput succedaneum. Which additional
information should the nurse provide this new mother?
a.The infant should be positioned to reduce the swelling.
b.The swelling is a subperiosteal collection of blood.
c.The pediatrician will aspirate the blood if it gets larger.
d.The scalp edema will subside in a few days after birth. - answer :d.The scalp edema will subside in a
few days after birth.
The nurse observes a new mother avoiding eye contact with her newborn. Which action should the
nurse take?
a.Ask the mother why she won't look at the infant.
b.Observe the mother for other attachment behaviors.
c.Examine the newborn's eyes for the ability to focus.
d.Recognize this as a common reaction in new mothers. - answer :b.Observe the mother for other
attachment behaviors.
A 23-year-old client who is receiving Medicaid benefits is pregnant with her first child. Based on
knowledge of the statistics related to infant mortality, which plan should the nurse implement with this
client?
a.Refer the client to a social worker to arrange for home care.
b.Recommend perinatal care from an obstetrician, not a nurse-midwife.
c.Teach the client why keeping prenatal care appointments is important.
d.Advise the client that neonatal intensive care may be needed. - answer :c.Teach the client why
keeping prenatal care appointments is important.
, tells the nurse that she want to have an uncomplicated pregnancy and a healthy baby. What
information should the nurse share with the client?
a.Your current dose of Insulin should be maintained throughout your pregnancy.
b.Maintain blood sugar levels in a constant range within normal limits during pregnancy.
c.The course and outcome of your pregnancy is not an achievable goal with diabetes.
d.Expect an increase in insulin dosages by 5 units/week during the first trimester. - answer :b.Maintain
blood sugar levels in a constant range within normal limits during pregnancy.
A client who delivered an infant an hour ago tells the nurse that she feels wet underneath her buttock.
The nurse notes that both perineal pads are completely saturated and the client is lying in a 6-inch
diameter pool of blood. Which action should the nurse implement next?
a.Cleanse the perineum.
b.Obtain a blood pressure.
c.Palpate the firmness of the fundus
d. Inspect the perineum for lacerations. - answer :c.Palpate the firmness of the fundus
the nurse is assessing a 3-day old infant with a cephalohematoma in the newborn nursery. Which
assessment finding should the nurse report to the healthcare provider?
a.Yellowish tinge to the skin.
b. Babinski reflex present bilaterally.
c.Pink papular rash on the face.
d.Moro reflex noted after a loud noise. - answer :a.Yellowish tinge to the skin.
Which assessment finding should the nursery nurse report to the pediatric healthcare provider?
a.Blood glucose level of 45 mg/dl.
b. Blood pressure of 82/45 mmHg.
c.Non-bulging anterior fontanel.
d.Central cyanosis when crying. - answer :d.Central cyanosis when crying.
What action should the nurse implement to decrease the client's risk for hemorrhage after a cesarean
section?
