.
HESI Health Promotion And
Maintenance Exam (Latest 2026)||
Questions And Answers With
Rationales/Graded A+/2026
Update/100% Correct /Instant
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Section 1: Prenatal and Maternal Health (Questions 1–12)
1. A nurse is teaching a client at 8 weeks gestation. Which statement indicates
understanding of folic acid supplementation?
A. “Folic acid helps prevent low birth weight.”
B. “Folic acid reduces risk of neural tube defects.”
C. “Folic acid prevents postpartum hemorrhage.”
D. “Folic acid improves iron absorption.”
Correct Answer: B – *Rationale: Folic acid (400-800 mcg daily) significantly
reduces neural tube defects like spina bifida. It does not directly affect birth
weight, hemorrhage, or iron absorption.*
2. A pregnant client asks about exercise. Which response is most appropriate?
A. “Avoid all exercise to prevent preterm labor.”
B. “You may continue moderate activity unless contraindicated.”
C. “Only swim during the third trimester.”
D. “Limit walking to 10 minutes daily.”
,Correct Answer: B – Rationale: Moderate exercise (e.g., walking, swimming) is
safe in uncomplicated pregnancies. Avoid high-impact or supine exercises after
first trimester.
3. A nurse provides prenatal education. Which substance is most teratogenic
during the first trimester?
A. Caffeine
B. Alcohol
C. Artificial sweeteners
D. Vitamin D
Correct Answer: B – Rationale: Alcohol is a known teratogen causing fetal
alcohol spectrum disorders. No safe amount is established during pregnancy.
4. A client at 36 weeks reports decreased fetal movement. What should the
nurse do first?
A. Advise client to eat a high-sugar snack.
B. Instruct client to perform a kick count for 2 hours.
C. Send client to labor and delivery for non-stress test.
D. Reassure client that movement decreases near term.
Correct Answer: C – Rationale: Decreased fetal movement may indicate fetal
distress. Immediate evaluation with NST or biophysical profile is needed.
5. A nurse is teaching about breastfeeding benefits for the newborn. Which is a
primary immunologic benefit?
A. High vitamin K content
B. Presence of secretory IgA
C. Increased iron absorption
D. Low lactose concentration
Correct Answer: B – Rationale: Colostrum and breast milk contain secretory IgA,
which provides passive immunity against GI and respiratory pathogens.
, 6. A postpartum client asks when to resume contraception. What is the nurse’s
best response?
A. “Wait until your 6-week checkup.”
B. “You can ovulate before your first period; start now if not breastfeeding
exclusively.”
C. “Breastfeeding prevents pregnancy for 6 months.”
D. “Use condoms only after lochia stops.”
Correct Answer: B – Rationale: Ovulation can occur as early as 3 weeks
postpartum. Breastfeeding is not reliable contraception after 6 months or if periods
return.
7. A nurse is assessing a client at 12 weeks gestation. Which finding requires
immediate follow-up?
A. Heartburn after meals
B. Urinary frequency
C. Severe headache with blurred vision
D. Breast tenderness
Correct Answer: C – Rationale: Severe headache with visual changes may
indicate preeclampsia or gestational hypertension, even before 20 weeks (rare but
serious).
8. Which vaccination is recommended during pregnancy (27–36 weeks) to
protect the newborn?
A. MMR
B. Varicella
C. Tdap
D. HPV
Correct Answer: C – Rationale: Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) is given
each pregnancy to pass pertussis antibodies to the newborn.
9. A nurse is counseling a client with gestational diabetes. Which meal plan is
most appropriate?
A. High carbohydrate, low fat
HESI Health Promotion And
Maintenance Exam (Latest 2026)||
Questions And Answers With
Rationales/Graded A+/2026
Update/100% Correct /Instant
Download
Section 1: Prenatal and Maternal Health (Questions 1–12)
1. A nurse is teaching a client at 8 weeks gestation. Which statement indicates
understanding of folic acid supplementation?
A. “Folic acid helps prevent low birth weight.”
B. “Folic acid reduces risk of neural tube defects.”
C. “Folic acid prevents postpartum hemorrhage.”
D. “Folic acid improves iron absorption.”
Correct Answer: B – *Rationale: Folic acid (400-800 mcg daily) significantly
reduces neural tube defects like spina bifida. It does not directly affect birth
weight, hemorrhage, or iron absorption.*
2. A pregnant client asks about exercise. Which response is most appropriate?
A. “Avoid all exercise to prevent preterm labor.”
B. “You may continue moderate activity unless contraindicated.”
C. “Only swim during the third trimester.”
D. “Limit walking to 10 minutes daily.”
,Correct Answer: B – Rationale: Moderate exercise (e.g., walking, swimming) is
safe in uncomplicated pregnancies. Avoid high-impact or supine exercises after
first trimester.
3. A nurse provides prenatal education. Which substance is most teratogenic
during the first trimester?
A. Caffeine
B. Alcohol
C. Artificial sweeteners
D. Vitamin D
Correct Answer: B – Rationale: Alcohol is a known teratogen causing fetal
alcohol spectrum disorders. No safe amount is established during pregnancy.
4. A client at 36 weeks reports decreased fetal movement. What should the
nurse do first?
A. Advise client to eat a high-sugar snack.
B. Instruct client to perform a kick count for 2 hours.
C. Send client to labor and delivery for non-stress test.
D. Reassure client that movement decreases near term.
Correct Answer: C – Rationale: Decreased fetal movement may indicate fetal
distress. Immediate evaluation with NST or biophysical profile is needed.
5. A nurse is teaching about breastfeeding benefits for the newborn. Which is a
primary immunologic benefit?
A. High vitamin K content
B. Presence of secretory IgA
C. Increased iron absorption
D. Low lactose concentration
Correct Answer: B – Rationale: Colostrum and breast milk contain secretory IgA,
which provides passive immunity against GI and respiratory pathogens.
, 6. A postpartum client asks when to resume contraception. What is the nurse’s
best response?
A. “Wait until your 6-week checkup.”
B. “You can ovulate before your first period; start now if not breastfeeding
exclusively.”
C. “Breastfeeding prevents pregnancy for 6 months.”
D. “Use condoms only after lochia stops.”
Correct Answer: B – Rationale: Ovulation can occur as early as 3 weeks
postpartum. Breastfeeding is not reliable contraception after 6 months or if periods
return.
7. A nurse is assessing a client at 12 weeks gestation. Which finding requires
immediate follow-up?
A. Heartburn after meals
B. Urinary frequency
C. Severe headache with blurred vision
D. Breast tenderness
Correct Answer: C – Rationale: Severe headache with visual changes may
indicate preeclampsia or gestational hypertension, even before 20 weeks (rare but
serious).
8. Which vaccination is recommended during pregnancy (27–36 weeks) to
protect the newborn?
A. MMR
B. Varicella
C. Tdap
D. HPV
Correct Answer: C – Rationale: Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) is given
each pregnancy to pass pertussis antibodies to the newborn.
9. A nurse is counseling a client with gestational diabetes. Which meal plan is
most appropriate?
A. High carbohydrate, low fat
