HESI OBSTETRICS LATEST EXAM PREP
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS PDF 2026
▶ On admission to the prenatal clinic, a 23 year old woman tells the nurse
that her last menstrual period began on February 15 that previously her
periods were regular. Her pregnancy test is positive. This client's expected
date of delivery
a. November 22
b. November 8
c. December 22
d. October 22. Answer: a. November 22
▶ An off-duty finds a woman in a supermarket parking lot delivering an
infant while her husband is screaming for someone to help his wife. Which
intervention has the highest priority?
a. provide as much privacy as possible for the woman
b. use a thread to tie off the umbilical cord
c. put the newborn to breast
d. reassure the husband and try to keep him calm. Answer: c. put the
newborn to breast
▶ During a prenatal visit, the nurse discusses with a client the effects of
smoking on the fetus. When compared with nonsmokers, mothers who
smoke during pregnancy tend to produce infants who have
a. a higher rate of congenital abnormalities
b. respiratory distres
c. lower birth weights
d. lower APGAR scores. Answer: c. lower birth weights
▶ A new mother who has just had her first baby says to the nurse, "I saw
the baby in the recovery room. She sure has a funny looking head." Which
response by the nurse is best?
a. this is not an unusual shaped head especially for a first baby
b. that is normal the head will return to a round shape within 7 to 10 days
c. it may look funny to you but newborn babies are often born with heads
like your baby's
,d. your pelvis was too small so the baby's head had to adjust to the birth
canal. Answer: b. that is normal the head will return to a round shape
within 7 to 10 days
▶ After each feeding, a 3 day old newborn is spitting up large amounts of
newborn formula, a nonfat cow's milk formula. The pediatric healthcare
provider changes the neonates's formula to Similac. What information
should the nurse provide to the mother about the newly prescribed
formula?
a. Enfamil formula is demineralized whey formula that is needed with
diarrhea
b. The new formula is a coconut milk formula used with babies with
impaired fat absorption
c. the new formula is a casein protein source that is low in phenylalanine
d. similac is a soy based formula that contains sucrose. Answer: d. similac
is a soy based formula that contains sucrose
▶ 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. iron absorption is decreased in the GI tract during pregnancy
b. it is difficult to consume 18 mg of additional iron by diet alone
c. iron is needed to prevent megaloblastic anemia in the last trimester
d. supplementary iron is more efficiently utilized during pregnancy.
Answer: b. it is difficult to consume 18 mg of additional iron by diet alone
▶ 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. panic attacks
b. tearfulness
c. decreased need for sleep
d. mood swings
e. disinterest in the infant. Answer: b, d
▶ The nurse observes a new mother avoiding eye contact with her
newborn. Which action should the nurse take?
a. recognize this is a common reaction in new mothers
b. ask the mother why she won't look at the infant
c. observe the mother for other attachment behaviors
,d. examine the newborn's eyes for the ability to focus. Answer: c. observe
the mother for other attachment behaviors
▶ A couple concerned because the woman has not been able to conceive
is referred to a HCP for a fertility workup and a hysterosalpingography is
scheduled. Which postprocedure complaint indicates that the fallopian
tubes are patent?
a. shoulder pain
b. leg cramps
c. back pain
d. abdominal pain. Answer: a. shoulder pain
▶ 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 cline is lying in a 6 in diameter pool of blood.
Which action should the nurse implement next?
a. obtain a blood pressure
b. inspect the perineum for lacerations
c. cleanse the perineum
d. palpate the firmness of the fundus. Answer: d. palpate the firmness of
the fundus
▶ A 38 week primigravida who works as a secretary and sits at a computer
8 hrs each day tells the nurse that her feet have begun to swell. Which
instruction would be most effective in preventing pooling blood in the lower
extremities?
a. avoid constrictive clothing
b. move every hour
c. wear support stockings
d. reduce salt in her diet. Answer: b. move every hour
▶ The total bilirubin level of a 36 hour breastfeeding newborn is 14 mg/dl.
Based on this finding which intervention should the nurse implement?
a. feed the newborn sterile water hourly
b. assess the newborn's blood glucose level
c. provide phototherapy for 30 mins q8h
d. encourage the mother to breastfeed frequently. Answer: c. encourage
the mother to breastfeed frequently
, ▶ A newborn infant is brought to the nursery from the birthing suite. The
nurse notices that the infant is breathing satisfactorily but appears dusky.
What action should the nurse take first?
a. notify the pediatrician immediately
b. position the infant on the right side
c. suction the infant's nares then the oral cavity
d. check the infant's oxygen saturation rate. Answer: d. check the infant's
oxygen saturation rate
▶ 28 year old client in active labor complains of cramps in her leg.What
intervention should the nurse implement.
A. massage the calf and foot
B. extend the leg and dorsiflex the foot
C. lower the leg off the side of the bed
D. elevate the leg above the heart.. Answer: B. Extend the leg and
dorsiflex the foot.
▶ The nurse instructs a laboring client to use accelerated blow breathing.
The client begins to complain of tingling finger and dizziness. What action
should the nurse take?
a. administer o2 by face mask
b. notify the HCP for the client's syndrome
c. have the client breathe into her cupped hands
d. check the client's BP and fetal HR/. Answer: c. have the client breathe
into her cupped hands.
▶ When assessing a client who is at 12 week gestation, the nurse
recommends that she and her husband consider attending childbirth
preparation classes. When is the best time for the couple to attend these
classes?
A. at 16 weeks gestation
B.at 20 weeks gestation
C. at 24 weeks gestation
D. at 30 weeks gestation. Answer: D. At 30 weeks gestation.
▶ In developing a teaching plan for expectant parents the nurse plans to
include formation about when the parents can expect the infants fontanels
to close. The nurse bases the explanation on knowledge that for the normal
newborn, the
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS PDF 2026
▶ On admission to the prenatal clinic, a 23 year old woman tells the nurse
that her last menstrual period began on February 15 that previously her
periods were regular. Her pregnancy test is positive. This client's expected
date of delivery
a. November 22
b. November 8
c. December 22
d. October 22. Answer: a. November 22
▶ An off-duty finds a woman in a supermarket parking lot delivering an
infant while her husband is screaming for someone to help his wife. Which
intervention has the highest priority?
a. provide as much privacy as possible for the woman
b. use a thread to tie off the umbilical cord
c. put the newborn to breast
d. reassure the husband and try to keep him calm. Answer: c. put the
newborn to breast
▶ During a prenatal visit, the nurse discusses with a client the effects of
smoking on the fetus. When compared with nonsmokers, mothers who
smoke during pregnancy tend to produce infants who have
a. a higher rate of congenital abnormalities
b. respiratory distres
c. lower birth weights
d. lower APGAR scores. Answer: c. lower birth weights
▶ A new mother who has just had her first baby says to the nurse, "I saw
the baby in the recovery room. She sure has a funny looking head." Which
response by the nurse is best?
a. this is not an unusual shaped head especially for a first baby
b. that is normal the head will return to a round shape within 7 to 10 days
c. it may look funny to you but newborn babies are often born with heads
like your baby's
,d. your pelvis was too small so the baby's head had to adjust to the birth
canal. Answer: b. that is normal the head will return to a round shape
within 7 to 10 days
▶ After each feeding, a 3 day old newborn is spitting up large amounts of
newborn formula, a nonfat cow's milk formula. The pediatric healthcare
provider changes the neonates's formula to Similac. What information
should the nurse provide to the mother about the newly prescribed
formula?
a. Enfamil formula is demineralized whey formula that is needed with
diarrhea
b. The new formula is a coconut milk formula used with babies with
impaired fat absorption
c. the new formula is a casein protein source that is low in phenylalanine
d. similac is a soy based formula that contains sucrose. Answer: d. similac
is a soy based formula that contains sucrose
▶ 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. iron absorption is decreased in the GI tract during pregnancy
b. it is difficult to consume 18 mg of additional iron by diet alone
c. iron is needed to prevent megaloblastic anemia in the last trimester
d. supplementary iron is more efficiently utilized during pregnancy.
Answer: b. it is difficult to consume 18 mg of additional iron by diet alone
▶ 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. panic attacks
b. tearfulness
c. decreased need for sleep
d. mood swings
e. disinterest in the infant. Answer: b, d
▶ The nurse observes a new mother avoiding eye contact with her
newborn. Which action should the nurse take?
a. recognize this is a common reaction in new mothers
b. ask the mother why she won't look at the infant
c. observe the mother for other attachment behaviors
,d. examine the newborn's eyes for the ability to focus. Answer: c. observe
the mother for other attachment behaviors
▶ A couple concerned because the woman has not been able to conceive
is referred to a HCP for a fertility workup and a hysterosalpingography is
scheduled. Which postprocedure complaint indicates that the fallopian
tubes are patent?
a. shoulder pain
b. leg cramps
c. back pain
d. abdominal pain. Answer: a. shoulder pain
▶ 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 cline is lying in a 6 in diameter pool of blood.
Which action should the nurse implement next?
a. obtain a blood pressure
b. inspect the perineum for lacerations
c. cleanse the perineum
d. palpate the firmness of the fundus. Answer: d. palpate the firmness of
the fundus
▶ A 38 week primigravida who works as a secretary and sits at a computer
8 hrs each day tells the nurse that her feet have begun to swell. Which
instruction would be most effective in preventing pooling blood in the lower
extremities?
a. avoid constrictive clothing
b. move every hour
c. wear support stockings
d. reduce salt in her diet. Answer: b. move every hour
▶ The total bilirubin level of a 36 hour breastfeeding newborn is 14 mg/dl.
Based on this finding which intervention should the nurse implement?
a. feed the newborn sterile water hourly
b. assess the newborn's blood glucose level
c. provide phototherapy for 30 mins q8h
d. encourage the mother to breastfeed frequently. Answer: c. encourage
the mother to breastfeed frequently
, ▶ A newborn infant is brought to the nursery from the birthing suite. The
nurse notices that the infant is breathing satisfactorily but appears dusky.
What action should the nurse take first?
a. notify the pediatrician immediately
b. position the infant on the right side
c. suction the infant's nares then the oral cavity
d. check the infant's oxygen saturation rate. Answer: d. check the infant's
oxygen saturation rate
▶ 28 year old client in active labor complains of cramps in her leg.What
intervention should the nurse implement.
A. massage the calf and foot
B. extend the leg and dorsiflex the foot
C. lower the leg off the side of the bed
D. elevate the leg above the heart.. Answer: B. Extend the leg and
dorsiflex the foot.
▶ The nurse instructs a laboring client to use accelerated blow breathing.
The client begins to complain of tingling finger and dizziness. What action
should the nurse take?
a. administer o2 by face mask
b. notify the HCP for the client's syndrome
c. have the client breathe into her cupped hands
d. check the client's BP and fetal HR/. Answer: c. have the client breathe
into her cupped hands.
▶ When assessing a client who is at 12 week gestation, the nurse
recommends that she and her husband consider attending childbirth
preparation classes. When is the best time for the couple to attend these
classes?
A. at 16 weeks gestation
B.at 20 weeks gestation
C. at 24 weeks gestation
D. at 30 weeks gestation. Answer: D. At 30 weeks gestation.
▶ In developing a teaching plan for expectant parents the nurse plans to
include formation about when the parents can expect the infants fontanels
to close. The nurse bases the explanation on knowledge that for the normal
newborn, the
