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MATERNITY HESI TEST BANK 2026
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS| ACE YOUR GRADES|
LABOR, POSTPARTUM, NEWBORN
CARE, PRENATAL RISK.
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 - correct answer -B. hyperstimulation. Pitocin
causes the uterine myofibril to contract, so unless the infusion is
closely monitored, the client is at risk for hyperstimulation which
can lead to tetanic contractions, uterine rupture, and fetal distress
or demise.
A 23 year old client who is receiving Medicaid 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
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B. recommend prenatal 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 -
correct answer -C. teach the client why keeping prenatal care
appointments is important
A female client with insulin-dependent diabetes arrives at the
clinic seeking a plan to get pregnant in approximately 6 months.
She tells the nurse that she wants 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/wk during the
first trimester." - correct answer -B. "Maintain blood sugar levels in
a constant range within normal limits during pregnancy."
A multigravida client at 41 weeks gestation presents in the labor
and delivery unit after a non-stress test indicated that the fetus is
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experiencing some difficulties in utero. Which diagnostic test
should the nurse prepare the client for additional information
about fetal status?
A. biophysical profile (BPP)
B. ultrasound for fetal anomalies
C. maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (AF) screening
D. percutaneous umbilical blood sampling (PUBS) - correct
answer -A. biophysical profile (BPP). This test provides data
regarding fetal risk surveillance by examining 5 areas: fetal
breathing movements, fetal movements, amniotic fluid volume,
and fetal tone and heart rate. The client's gestation has
progressed past the estimated date of confinement, so the major
concern is fetal well-being related to the aging placenta.
A multigravida client arrives at the labor and delivery unit and tells
the nurse that her "bag of water" has broken. The nurse identifies
the presence of meconium fluid on the perineum and determines
the fetal heart rate is between 140-150 bpm. What action should
the nurse implement next?
A. complete a sterile vaginal exam
B. take maternal temperature every 2 hours
C. prepare for an immediate cesarean birth
D. obtain sterile suction equipment - correct answer -A. complete
a sterile vaginal exam. This is done to determine the presence of
a prolapsed umbilical cord.
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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 succadeaneum. 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. - correct
answer -D. the scalp edema will subside in a few days after birth.
Caput succadeaneum is edema of the fetal scalp that crosses
over the suture lines and is caused by pressure on the fetal head
against the cervix during labor. It will subside in a few days after
birth without treatment.
A client is admitted with the diagnosis of total placenta previa.
Which finding is most important for the nurse to report to the
healthcare provider immediately?
A. heart rate of 100 bpm
B. variable fetal heart rate
C. onset of uterine contractions
D. burning on urination - correct answer -C. onset of uterine
contractions. Total (complete) placenta previa involves the
placenta covering the entire cervical os (opening). The onset of
uterine contractions places the client at risk for dilation and
placental separation, which causes painless hemorrhaging.
MATERNITY HESI TEST BANK 2026
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS| ACE YOUR GRADES|
LABOR, POSTPARTUM, NEWBORN
CARE, PRENATAL RISK.
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 - correct answer -B. hyperstimulation. Pitocin
causes the uterine myofibril to contract, so unless the infusion is
closely monitored, the client is at risk for hyperstimulation which
can lead to tetanic contractions, uterine rupture, and fetal distress
or demise.
A 23 year old client who is receiving Medicaid 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
, Page | 2
B. recommend prenatal 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 -
correct answer -C. teach the client why keeping prenatal care
appointments is important
A female client with insulin-dependent diabetes arrives at the
clinic seeking a plan to get pregnant in approximately 6 months.
She tells the nurse that she wants 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/wk during the
first trimester." - correct answer -B. "Maintain blood sugar levels in
a constant range within normal limits during pregnancy."
A multigravida client at 41 weeks gestation presents in the labor
and delivery unit after a non-stress test indicated that the fetus is
, Page | 3
experiencing some difficulties in utero. Which diagnostic test
should the nurse prepare the client for additional information
about fetal status?
A. biophysical profile (BPP)
B. ultrasound for fetal anomalies
C. maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (AF) screening
D. percutaneous umbilical blood sampling (PUBS) - correct
answer -A. biophysical profile (BPP). This test provides data
regarding fetal risk surveillance by examining 5 areas: fetal
breathing movements, fetal movements, amniotic fluid volume,
and fetal tone and heart rate. The client's gestation has
progressed past the estimated date of confinement, so the major
concern is fetal well-being related to the aging placenta.
A multigravida client arrives at the labor and delivery unit and tells
the nurse that her "bag of water" has broken. The nurse identifies
the presence of meconium fluid on the perineum and determines
the fetal heart rate is between 140-150 bpm. What action should
the nurse implement next?
A. complete a sterile vaginal exam
B. take maternal temperature every 2 hours
C. prepare for an immediate cesarean birth
D. obtain sterile suction equipment - correct answer -A. complete
a sterile vaginal exam. This is done to determine the presence of
a prolapsed umbilical cord.
, Page | 4
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 succadeaneum. 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. - correct
answer -D. the scalp edema will subside in a few days after birth.
Caput succadeaneum is edema of the fetal scalp that crosses
over the suture lines and is caused by pressure on the fetal head
against the cervix during labor. It will subside in a few days after
birth without treatment.
A client is admitted with the diagnosis of total placenta previa.
Which finding is most important for the nurse to report to the
healthcare provider immediately?
A. heart rate of 100 bpm
B. variable fetal heart rate
C. onset of uterine contractions
D. burning on urination - correct answer -C. onset of uterine
contractions. Total (complete) placenta previa involves the
placenta covering the entire cervical os (opening). The onset of
uterine contractions places the client at risk for dilation and
placental separation, which causes painless hemorrhaging.
