HESI MATERNITY TESTBANK EXAM 2026/2027
COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS GRADED A+
A breastfeeding postpartum client is diagnosed with mastitis, and antibiotic therapy is prescribed.
Which instruction should the nurse provide to this client?
A.Breastfeed the infant, ensuring that both breasts are completely emptied.
B.Feed expressed breast milk to avoid the pain of the infant latching onto the infected breast.
C.Breastfeed on the unaffected breast only until the mastitis subsides.
D.Dilute expressed breast milk with sterile water to reduce the antibiotic effect on the infant.
A.Breastfeed the infant, ensuring that both breasts are completely emptied.
Rationale:Mastitis, caused by plugged milk ducts, is related to breast engorgement, and
breastfeeding during mastitis facilitates the complete emptying of engorged breasts, eliminating
the pressure on the inflamed breast tissue. Option B is less painful but does not facilitate
complete emptying of the breast tissue. Option C will not relieve the engorgement on the
affected side. Option D will not decrease antibiotic effects on the infant.
A 38-week primigravida who works as a secretary and sits at a computer 8 hours each day tells
the nurse that her feet have begun to swell. Which instruction will aid in the prevention of
pooling of blood in the lower extremities?
A.Wear support stockings.
,B.Reduce salt in the diet.
C.Move about every hour.
D.Avoid constrictive clothing.
C.Move about every hour.
Rationale:
Pooling of blood in the lower extremities results from the enlarged uterus exerting pressure on
the pelvic veins. Moving about every hour will relieve pressure on the pelvic veins and increase
venous return. Option A would increase venous return from varicose veins in the lower
extremities but would be of little help with swelling. Option B might be helpful with generalized
edema but is not specific for edematous lower extremities. Option D does not address venous
return, and there is no indication in the question that constrictive clothing is a problem.
Twenty-four hours after admission to the newborn nursery, a full-term male infant develops
localized swelling on the right side of his head. In a newborn, what is the most likely cause of
this accumulation of blood between the periosteum and skull that does not cross the suture line?
A.Cephalhematoma, which is caused by forceps trauma
B.Subarachnoid hematoma, which requires immediate drainage
C.Molding, which is caused by pressure during labor
D.Subdural hematoma, which can result in lifelong damage
A.Cephalhematoma, which is caused by forceps trauma
Rationale: Cephalhematoma, a slight abnormal variation of the newborn, usually arises within
the first 24 hours after delivery. Trauma from delivery causes capillary bleeding between the
,periosteum and skull. Option C is a cranial distortion lasting 5 to 7 days, caused by pressure on
the cranium during vaginal delivery, and is a common variation of the newborn. Options B and D
both involve intracranial bleeding and could not be detected by physical assessment alone.
Prior to discharge, what instructions should the nurse give to parents regarding the newborn's
umbilical cord care at home?
A.Wash the cord frequently with mild soap and water.
B.Cover the cord with a sterile dressing.
C.Allow the cord to air-dry as much as possible.
D.Apply baby lotion after the baby's daily bath
C.Allow the cord to air-dry as much as possible.
Rationale:Recent studies have indicated that air drying or plain water application may be equal to
or more effective than alcohol in the cord healing process. Options A, B, and D are incorrect
because they promote moisture and increase the potential for infection.
A mother expresses fear about changing the infant's diaper after circumcision. What information
should the nurse include in the teaching plan?
A.Cleanse the penis with prepackaged diaper wipes every 3 to 4 hours.
B.Wash off the yellow exudate on the glans once every day to prevent infection.
C.Place petroleum ointment around the glans with each diaper change and cleansing.
, D.Apply pressure by squeezing the penis with the fingers for 5 minutes if bleeding occurs.
C.Place petroleum ointment around the glans with each diaper change and cleansing.
Rationale:
With each diaper change, the glans penis should be washed with warm water to remove any
urine or feces, and petroleum ointment should be applied to prevent the diaper from sticking to
the healing surface. Prepackaged wipes often contain other products that may irritate the site.
The yellow exudate, which covers the glans penis as the area heals and epithelializes, is not an
infective process and should not be removed. If bleeding occurs at home, the client should be
instructed to apply gentle pressure to the site of the bleeding with sterile gauze squares and call
the health care provider.
An expectant father tells the nurse he fears that his wife is "losing her mind." He states that she is
constantly rubbing her abdomen and talking to the baby and that she actually reprimands the
baby when it moves too much. Which recommendation should the nurse make to this expectant
father?
A.Suggest that his wife seek professional counseling to deal with her symptoms.
B.Explain that his wife is exhibiting ambivalence about the pregnancy.
C. Ask him to report similar abnormal behaviors at the next prenatal visit.
D.Reassure him that normal maternal-fetal bonding is occurring.
D) Reassure him that normal maternal-fetal bonding is occurring.
Rationale:
These behaviors are positive signs of maternal-fetal bonding and do not reflect ambivalence. No
intervention is needed. Quickening, the first perception of fetal movement, occurs at 17 to 20
COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS GRADED A+
A breastfeeding postpartum client is diagnosed with mastitis, and antibiotic therapy is prescribed.
Which instruction should the nurse provide to this client?
A.Breastfeed the infant, ensuring that both breasts are completely emptied.
B.Feed expressed breast milk to avoid the pain of the infant latching onto the infected breast.
C.Breastfeed on the unaffected breast only until the mastitis subsides.
D.Dilute expressed breast milk with sterile water to reduce the antibiotic effect on the infant.
A.Breastfeed the infant, ensuring that both breasts are completely emptied.
Rationale:Mastitis, caused by plugged milk ducts, is related to breast engorgement, and
breastfeeding during mastitis facilitates the complete emptying of engorged breasts, eliminating
the pressure on the inflamed breast tissue. Option B is less painful but does not facilitate
complete emptying of the breast tissue. Option C will not relieve the engorgement on the
affected side. Option D will not decrease antibiotic effects on the infant.
A 38-week primigravida who works as a secretary and sits at a computer 8 hours each day tells
the nurse that her feet have begun to swell. Which instruction will aid in the prevention of
pooling of blood in the lower extremities?
A.Wear support stockings.
,B.Reduce salt in the diet.
C.Move about every hour.
D.Avoid constrictive clothing.
C.Move about every hour.
Rationale:
Pooling of blood in the lower extremities results from the enlarged uterus exerting pressure on
the pelvic veins. Moving about every hour will relieve pressure on the pelvic veins and increase
venous return. Option A would increase venous return from varicose veins in the lower
extremities but would be of little help with swelling. Option B might be helpful with generalized
edema but is not specific for edematous lower extremities. Option D does not address venous
return, and there is no indication in the question that constrictive clothing is a problem.
Twenty-four hours after admission to the newborn nursery, a full-term male infant develops
localized swelling on the right side of his head. In a newborn, what is the most likely cause of
this accumulation of blood between the periosteum and skull that does not cross the suture line?
A.Cephalhematoma, which is caused by forceps trauma
B.Subarachnoid hematoma, which requires immediate drainage
C.Molding, which is caused by pressure during labor
D.Subdural hematoma, which can result in lifelong damage
A.Cephalhematoma, which is caused by forceps trauma
Rationale: Cephalhematoma, a slight abnormal variation of the newborn, usually arises within
the first 24 hours after delivery. Trauma from delivery causes capillary bleeding between the
,periosteum and skull. Option C is a cranial distortion lasting 5 to 7 days, caused by pressure on
the cranium during vaginal delivery, and is a common variation of the newborn. Options B and D
both involve intracranial bleeding and could not be detected by physical assessment alone.
Prior to discharge, what instructions should the nurse give to parents regarding the newborn's
umbilical cord care at home?
A.Wash the cord frequently with mild soap and water.
B.Cover the cord with a sterile dressing.
C.Allow the cord to air-dry as much as possible.
D.Apply baby lotion after the baby's daily bath
C.Allow the cord to air-dry as much as possible.
Rationale:Recent studies have indicated that air drying or plain water application may be equal to
or more effective than alcohol in the cord healing process. Options A, B, and D are incorrect
because they promote moisture and increase the potential for infection.
A mother expresses fear about changing the infant's diaper after circumcision. What information
should the nurse include in the teaching plan?
A.Cleanse the penis with prepackaged diaper wipes every 3 to 4 hours.
B.Wash off the yellow exudate on the glans once every day to prevent infection.
C.Place petroleum ointment around the glans with each diaper change and cleansing.
, D.Apply pressure by squeezing the penis with the fingers for 5 minutes if bleeding occurs.
C.Place petroleum ointment around the glans with each diaper change and cleansing.
Rationale:
With each diaper change, the glans penis should be washed with warm water to remove any
urine or feces, and petroleum ointment should be applied to prevent the diaper from sticking to
the healing surface. Prepackaged wipes often contain other products that may irritate the site.
The yellow exudate, which covers the glans penis as the area heals and epithelializes, is not an
infective process and should not be removed. If bleeding occurs at home, the client should be
instructed to apply gentle pressure to the site of the bleeding with sterile gauze squares and call
the health care provider.
An expectant father tells the nurse he fears that his wife is "losing her mind." He states that she is
constantly rubbing her abdomen and talking to the baby and that she actually reprimands the
baby when it moves too much. Which recommendation should the nurse make to this expectant
father?
A.Suggest that his wife seek professional counseling to deal with her symptoms.
B.Explain that his wife is exhibiting ambivalence about the pregnancy.
C. Ask him to report similar abnormal behaviors at the next prenatal visit.
D.Reassure him that normal maternal-fetal bonding is occurring.
D) Reassure him that normal maternal-fetal bonding is occurring.
Rationale:
These behaviors are positive signs of maternal-fetal bonding and do not reflect ambivalence. No
intervention is needed. Quickening, the first perception of fetal movement, occurs at 17 to 20
