HESI MATERNITY EXAM –
PRACTICE TEST (2026–2027
EDITION) QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES/GRADED A+/2026
UPDATE/100% CORRECT
/INSTANT DOWNLOAD
Section 1: Antepartum – Normal Pregnancy & Prenatal Care
1. A nurse is calculating the estimated date of birth (EDB) using Naegele’s rule for a
client whose last menstrual period (LMP) began on June 10, 2026. What is the EDB?
a) March 3, 2027
b) March 17, 2027
c) March 17, 2027 *(Note: June 10 – 3 months = March 10 + 7 days = March 17)*
d) April 3, 2027
Rationale: Naegele’s rule: LMP – 3 months + 7 days. June 10 → March 10 + 7 =
March 17.
2. A pregnant client at 36 weeks reports painless, bright red vaginal bleeding. What
should the nurse do first?
a) Assess fetal heart rate and maternal vital signs
b) Perform a digital cervical exam
c) Prepare for immediate vaginal delivery
d) Administer tocolytics
, Rationale: Painless bleeding at 36 weeks suggests placenta previa until proven
otherwise. Digital exam can cause catastrophic hemorrhage. First: assess
fetal/maternal status.
3. A nurse is teaching a client about expected cardiovascular changes in pregnancy.
Which statement indicates understanding?
a) “My blood pressure will increase slightly in the first trimester.”
b) “My heart rate will decrease as pregnancy progresses.”
c) “I may feel lightheaded when lying on my back in the second trimester.”
d) “Blood flow to my uterus decreases in the third trimester.”
Rationale: Supine hypotensive syndrome occurs due to vena cava compression. BP
slightly ↓ in 2nd trimester. HR ↑, not ↓.
4. A client’s rubella titer is 1:8 (nonimmune). When should she receive the MMR
vaccine?
a) Immediately during this pregnancy
b) At 28 weeks gestation
c) Immediately postpartum before discharge
d) At the 6-week postpartum visit
Rationale: MMR is a live virus – contraindicated in pregnancy. Give postpartum to
protect future pregnancies.
5. A nurse is assessing deep tendon reflexes in a client with preeclampsia. Which
finding indicates hyperreflexia?
a) 1+
b) 2+
c) 3+
d) 0
Rationale: 0 = areflexia; 1+ = hypoactive; 2+ = normal; 3+ = brisk/hyperreflexia; 4+
= clonus. Hyperreflexia = CNS irritability in severe preeclampsia.
PRACTICE TEST (2026–2027
EDITION) QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES/GRADED A+/2026
UPDATE/100% CORRECT
/INSTANT DOWNLOAD
Section 1: Antepartum – Normal Pregnancy & Prenatal Care
1. A nurse is calculating the estimated date of birth (EDB) using Naegele’s rule for a
client whose last menstrual period (LMP) began on June 10, 2026. What is the EDB?
a) March 3, 2027
b) March 17, 2027
c) March 17, 2027 *(Note: June 10 – 3 months = March 10 + 7 days = March 17)*
d) April 3, 2027
Rationale: Naegele’s rule: LMP – 3 months + 7 days. June 10 → March 10 + 7 =
March 17.
2. A pregnant client at 36 weeks reports painless, bright red vaginal bleeding. What
should the nurse do first?
a) Assess fetal heart rate and maternal vital signs
b) Perform a digital cervical exam
c) Prepare for immediate vaginal delivery
d) Administer tocolytics
, Rationale: Painless bleeding at 36 weeks suggests placenta previa until proven
otherwise. Digital exam can cause catastrophic hemorrhage. First: assess
fetal/maternal status.
3. A nurse is teaching a client about expected cardiovascular changes in pregnancy.
Which statement indicates understanding?
a) “My blood pressure will increase slightly in the first trimester.”
b) “My heart rate will decrease as pregnancy progresses.”
c) “I may feel lightheaded when lying on my back in the second trimester.”
d) “Blood flow to my uterus decreases in the third trimester.”
Rationale: Supine hypotensive syndrome occurs due to vena cava compression. BP
slightly ↓ in 2nd trimester. HR ↑, not ↓.
4. A client’s rubella titer is 1:8 (nonimmune). When should she receive the MMR
vaccine?
a) Immediately during this pregnancy
b) At 28 weeks gestation
c) Immediately postpartum before discharge
d) At the 6-week postpartum visit
Rationale: MMR is a live virus – contraindicated in pregnancy. Give postpartum to
protect future pregnancies.
5. A nurse is assessing deep tendon reflexes in a client with preeclampsia. Which
finding indicates hyperreflexia?
a) 1+
b) 2+
c) 3+
d) 0
Rationale: 0 = areflexia; 1+ = hypoactive; 2+ = normal; 3+ = brisk/hyperreflexia; 4+
= clonus. Hyperreflexia = CNS irritability in severe preeclampsia.
