HESI PN Obstetrics/Maternity Practice Exam
Questions and Correct Answers
Question 1
After reinforcing information to treat a sprained ankle, what statement by the
adolescent indicates tot he PN that further instruction is needed?
a) keep the leg elevated when sitting
b) put an ice pack on the ankle, alternating 30 minutes on & 30 minutes off
c) apply warm compresses to the ankle for the first 24 hours
d) wrap the ankle in an elastic bandage for support
Correct Answer
Answer: C
Rationale:
The "RICE" treatment (rest, ice, compression, & elevation) should be implemented
for a sprain. Warm compresses (C) reflects the need for further instruction because
heat causes vasodilation which can increase fluid accumulation in the injured area
and increase swelling. (A, B, and D) reflect correct understanding of the treatment
protocol.
Page 1 of 133
,Question 2
In which week of gestation would the nurse anticipate administering Rho(D) immune
globulin to an Rh-negative client?
A. 12 weeks
B. 28 weeks
C. 36 weeks
D. 40 weeks
Correct Answer
28 weeks
Rho(D) immune globulin (RhoGAM) administered during the 28th week of gestation
reduces an active antibody response in an Rh-negative individual exposed to Rh-
positive blood. It is difficult to determine whether Rh sensitization has occurred at
12 weeks in pregnancy. RhoGAM is given earlier than 36 weeks in the pregnancy; it
is a preventive measure, not a treatment for a woman who is already sensitized.
Forty weeks is around the time of birth; if the client has not been sensitized, she will
receive RhoGAM within 72 hours of birth.
Question 3
Moms Hgb and Hct is low, what food to tell her to eat that contains the most iron?
Correct Answer
chicken (other sources: liver, meats, whole grains, enriched bread, cereal, dried
fruits)
Question 4
A mother phones the clinic because her 6-year-old child has been taking prescribed
antibiotics for 7 of the previous 10 days and continues to cough. She also reports that
the cough is worsening and is nonproductive. What information should the practical
nurse (PN) provide to this mother?
Correct Answer
"Bring the child to the clinic today for an examination related to the cough."
Page 2 of 133
,Question 5
Which medication for depression would be safe to use with a breast-feeding mother
who wishes to continue breast-feeding the newborn?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Paroxetine
C. Valproic acid
D. Methotrexate
Correct Answer
Paroxetine
Paroxetine can be safely given during breast-feeding. Fluoxetine can easily enter
breast milk; therefore this medication would be used only when other selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitors are ineffective. Valproic acid is an antiepileptic
medication that can be given safely to breast-feeding women. Methotrexate is an
anticancer medication that cannot be given during breast-feeding because it enters
the breast milk and can cause adverse effects in the baby.
Question 6
To minimize separation anxiety in a hospitalized 2-year-old, which nursing
intervention is best for the practical nurse to implement?
a.Provide for privacy.
b.Encourage parents to room-in.
c.Explain procedures and routines.
d.Encourage contact with children of the same age.
Correct Answer
b.Encourage parents to room-in.
Rationale:Separation anxiety is especially threatening for toddlers, so encouraging
parents to room-in helps the toddler cope with this threat.
Page 3 of 133
, Question 7
Which first aid action should the practical nurse implement for a child who has
sustained a second degree thermal burn?
a) apply petroleum jelly to the burned skin
b) apply ice to the burned area
c) immerse the burned area in cold water
d) break any blisters that are present
Correct Answer
Answer: C
Rationale:
First aid treatment of a second degree thermal burn is immersion of the burned
area in cold water (C) to halt the burning process. (A, B, and D) are not indicated
due tot he risk of increased skin damage or infection.
Question 8
A 3 year old boy with cerebral palsy (CP) has difficulty swallowing, cannot hold a
utensil, and is slightly underweight for his height. Which action should the practical
nurse implement when feeding this child?
a) put the child in a well-supported semi-reclining position
b) offer a specialized formula per tube feeding
c) place the child in a sitting position with the neck hyperextended
d) stabilize the child's jaw with the caregiver's hand
Correct Answer
Answer: D
Rationale:
A child with CP should be fed in an upright, eating position, and manual stability of
the oral mechanisms during swallowing should be provided to minimize the risk of
aspiration. Hold the child's jaw (D) from the side or front of the face assists with
head control, correction of the neck and trunk hyperextension, and jaw stabilization.
(A, B, and C) are not indicated.
Page 4 of 133
Questions and Correct Answers
Question 1
After reinforcing information to treat a sprained ankle, what statement by the
adolescent indicates tot he PN that further instruction is needed?
a) keep the leg elevated when sitting
b) put an ice pack on the ankle, alternating 30 minutes on & 30 minutes off
c) apply warm compresses to the ankle for the first 24 hours
d) wrap the ankle in an elastic bandage for support
Correct Answer
Answer: C
Rationale:
The "RICE" treatment (rest, ice, compression, & elevation) should be implemented
for a sprain. Warm compresses (C) reflects the need for further instruction because
heat causes vasodilation which can increase fluid accumulation in the injured area
and increase swelling. (A, B, and D) reflect correct understanding of the treatment
protocol.
Page 1 of 133
,Question 2
In which week of gestation would the nurse anticipate administering Rho(D) immune
globulin to an Rh-negative client?
A. 12 weeks
B. 28 weeks
C. 36 weeks
D. 40 weeks
Correct Answer
28 weeks
Rho(D) immune globulin (RhoGAM) administered during the 28th week of gestation
reduces an active antibody response in an Rh-negative individual exposed to Rh-
positive blood. It is difficult to determine whether Rh sensitization has occurred at
12 weeks in pregnancy. RhoGAM is given earlier than 36 weeks in the pregnancy; it
is a preventive measure, not a treatment for a woman who is already sensitized.
Forty weeks is around the time of birth; if the client has not been sensitized, she will
receive RhoGAM within 72 hours of birth.
Question 3
Moms Hgb and Hct is low, what food to tell her to eat that contains the most iron?
Correct Answer
chicken (other sources: liver, meats, whole grains, enriched bread, cereal, dried
fruits)
Question 4
A mother phones the clinic because her 6-year-old child has been taking prescribed
antibiotics for 7 of the previous 10 days and continues to cough. She also reports that
the cough is worsening and is nonproductive. What information should the practical
nurse (PN) provide to this mother?
Correct Answer
"Bring the child to the clinic today for an examination related to the cough."
Page 2 of 133
,Question 5
Which medication for depression would be safe to use with a breast-feeding mother
who wishes to continue breast-feeding the newborn?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Paroxetine
C. Valproic acid
D. Methotrexate
Correct Answer
Paroxetine
Paroxetine can be safely given during breast-feeding. Fluoxetine can easily enter
breast milk; therefore this medication would be used only when other selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitors are ineffective. Valproic acid is an antiepileptic
medication that can be given safely to breast-feeding women. Methotrexate is an
anticancer medication that cannot be given during breast-feeding because it enters
the breast milk and can cause adverse effects in the baby.
Question 6
To minimize separation anxiety in a hospitalized 2-year-old, which nursing
intervention is best for the practical nurse to implement?
a.Provide for privacy.
b.Encourage parents to room-in.
c.Explain procedures and routines.
d.Encourage contact with children of the same age.
Correct Answer
b.Encourage parents to room-in.
Rationale:Separation anxiety is especially threatening for toddlers, so encouraging
parents to room-in helps the toddler cope with this threat.
Page 3 of 133
, Question 7
Which first aid action should the practical nurse implement for a child who has
sustained a second degree thermal burn?
a) apply petroleum jelly to the burned skin
b) apply ice to the burned area
c) immerse the burned area in cold water
d) break any blisters that are present
Correct Answer
Answer: C
Rationale:
First aid treatment of a second degree thermal burn is immersion of the burned
area in cold water (C) to halt the burning process. (A, B, and D) are not indicated
due tot he risk of increased skin damage or infection.
Question 8
A 3 year old boy with cerebral palsy (CP) has difficulty swallowing, cannot hold a
utensil, and is slightly underweight for his height. Which action should the practical
nurse implement when feeding this child?
a) put the child in a well-supported semi-reclining position
b) offer a specialized formula per tube feeding
c) place the child in a sitting position with the neck hyperextended
d) stabilize the child's jaw with the caregiver's hand
Correct Answer
Answer: D
Rationale:
A child with CP should be fed in an upright, eating position, and manual stability of
the oral mechanisms during swallowing should be provided to minimize the risk of
aspiration. Hold the child's jaw (D) from the side or front of the face assists with
head control, correction of the neck and trunk hyperextension, and jaw stabilization.
(A, B, and C) are not indicated.
Page 4 of 133
