HESI MATERNAL NEWBORN PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
*
Core Domains
* Prenatal Care and Assessment
Labor and Delivery Management
Fetal Monitoring and Interpretation
Postpartum Care and Complications
Newborn Assessment and Stabilization
Neonatal Complications and Conditions
Obstetric Emergencies and Interventions
Maternal Medications and Pharmacology
Ethics and Legal Compliance in Maternity Care
Patient Education and Health Promotion
* This comprehensive practice exam is designed to prepare nursing students for the HESI Maternal Newborn
assessment by evaluating critical knowledge and clinical decision-making skills essential for safe maternity
care. The 100 multiple-choice and scenario-based questions assess competency across prenatal care, labor
management, postpartum assessment, and newborn care. Each question emphasizes real-world application,
requiring candidates to prioritize interventions, recognize complications, and make evidence-based decisions.
The exam mirrors the structure and difficulty of the actual HESI test, focusing on clinical judgment,
regulatory compliance, ethical standards, and professional nursing responsibilities. Success on this
assessment demonstrates readiness for clinical practice in maternal-newborn nursing settings.
*
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a pregnant client at 28 weeks gestation. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Fundal height of 28 cm
B. Blood pressure of 138/88 mmHg
C. Proteinuria present on urinalysis
D. Hemoglobin of 11.2 g/dL
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Proteinuria at 28 weeks gestation is a sign of preeclampsia and requires immediate
intervention including blood pressure monitoring, magnesium sulfate administration if severe, and possible
delivery planning. Normal fundal height equals weeks of gestation, BP under 140/90 is acceptable, and
hemoglobin of 11.2 is within normal range for pregnancy.
Question 2
Which intervention is most appropriate for a client experiencing postpartum hemorrhage due to uterine atony?
A. Administer ibuprofen 400 mg orally
B. Perform vigorous fundal massage
C. Encourage the client to void
D. Apply a warm compress to the abdomen
🟢 Correct answer: B
,🔴 RATIONALE: Vigorous fundal massage is the first-line intervention for uterine atony as it stimulates uterine
contraction and reduces bleeding. Uterotonics like oxytocin or misoprostol are administered next. Voiding is
important but not the immediate priority, and warm compresses do not address atony.
Question 3
A newborn is born with an APGAR score of 4 at 1 minute. What is the appropriate nursing action?
A. Routine post-delivery care
B. Administer blow-by oxygen and stimulate
C. Begin full resuscitation including chest compressions
D. Wait 5 minutes before reassessing
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: APGAR scores of 0-3 require full resuscitation measures including chest compressions,
intubation, and medication. Scores 4-6 require some resuscitation (oxygen/suction/stimulation), and 7-10
require routine care. An score of 4 at 1 minute indicates significant distress requiring immediate aggressive
intervention.
Question 4
Which medication is commonly administered to prevent respiratory distress syndrome in a preterm newborn?
A. Vitamin K
B. Betamethasone
C. Magnesium sulfate
D. Naloxone
, 🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Betamethasone (a corticosteroid) is given to pregnant clients at risk of preterm delivery to
accelerate fetal lung maturity and prevent respiratory distress syndrome. Vitamin K prevents bleeding,
magnesium sulfate prevents seizures in preeclampsia, and naloxone reverses opioid overdose.
Question 5
A client in labor at 39 weeks has a fetal heart rate pattern showing late decelerations. What does this indicate?
A. Normal fetal variation
B. Uteroplacental insufficiency
C. Head compression
D. Cord compression
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Late decelerations occur after the peak of contraction and indicate uteroplacental
insufficiency, requiring immediate intervention including position change, oxygen, and possible delivery. Early
decelerations indicate head compression, variable decelerations indicate cord compression, and normal
variation shows no decelerations.
Question 6
Which finding in a postpartum client indicates normal involution?
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
*
Core Domains
* Prenatal Care and Assessment
Labor and Delivery Management
Fetal Monitoring and Interpretation
Postpartum Care and Complications
Newborn Assessment and Stabilization
Neonatal Complications and Conditions
Obstetric Emergencies and Interventions
Maternal Medications and Pharmacology
Ethics and Legal Compliance in Maternity Care
Patient Education and Health Promotion
* This comprehensive practice exam is designed to prepare nursing students for the HESI Maternal Newborn
assessment by evaluating critical knowledge and clinical decision-making skills essential for safe maternity
care. The 100 multiple-choice and scenario-based questions assess competency across prenatal care, labor
management, postpartum assessment, and newborn care. Each question emphasizes real-world application,
requiring candidates to prioritize interventions, recognize complications, and make evidence-based decisions.
The exam mirrors the structure and difficulty of the actual HESI test, focusing on clinical judgment,
regulatory compliance, ethical standards, and professional nursing responsibilities. Success on this
assessment demonstrates readiness for clinical practice in maternal-newborn nursing settings.
*
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a pregnant client at 28 weeks gestation. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Fundal height of 28 cm
B. Blood pressure of 138/88 mmHg
C. Proteinuria present on urinalysis
D. Hemoglobin of 11.2 g/dL
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Proteinuria at 28 weeks gestation is a sign of preeclampsia and requires immediate
intervention including blood pressure monitoring, magnesium sulfate administration if severe, and possible
delivery planning. Normal fundal height equals weeks of gestation, BP under 140/90 is acceptable, and
hemoglobin of 11.2 is within normal range for pregnancy.
Question 2
Which intervention is most appropriate for a client experiencing postpartum hemorrhage due to uterine atony?
A. Administer ibuprofen 400 mg orally
B. Perform vigorous fundal massage
C. Encourage the client to void
D. Apply a warm compress to the abdomen
🟢 Correct answer: B
,🔴 RATIONALE: Vigorous fundal massage is the first-line intervention for uterine atony as it stimulates uterine
contraction and reduces bleeding. Uterotonics like oxytocin or misoprostol are administered next. Voiding is
important but not the immediate priority, and warm compresses do not address atony.
Question 3
A newborn is born with an APGAR score of 4 at 1 minute. What is the appropriate nursing action?
A. Routine post-delivery care
B. Administer blow-by oxygen and stimulate
C. Begin full resuscitation including chest compressions
D. Wait 5 minutes before reassessing
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: APGAR scores of 0-3 require full resuscitation measures including chest compressions,
intubation, and medication. Scores 4-6 require some resuscitation (oxygen/suction/stimulation), and 7-10
require routine care. An score of 4 at 1 minute indicates significant distress requiring immediate aggressive
intervention.
Question 4
Which medication is commonly administered to prevent respiratory distress syndrome in a preterm newborn?
A. Vitamin K
B. Betamethasone
C. Magnesium sulfate
D. Naloxone
, 🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Betamethasone (a corticosteroid) is given to pregnant clients at risk of preterm delivery to
accelerate fetal lung maturity and prevent respiratory distress syndrome. Vitamin K prevents bleeding,
magnesium sulfate prevents seizures in preeclampsia, and naloxone reverses opioid overdose.
Question 5
A client in labor at 39 weeks has a fetal heart rate pattern showing late decelerations. What does this indicate?
A. Normal fetal variation
B. Uteroplacental insufficiency
C. Head compression
D. Cord compression
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Late decelerations occur after the peak of contraction and indicate uteroplacental
insufficiency, requiring immediate intervention including position change, oxygen, and possible delivery. Early
decelerations indicate head compression, variable decelerations indicate cord compression, and normal
variation shows no decelerations.
Question 6
Which finding in a postpartum client indicates normal involution?
