RN HESI MATERNITY EXAM QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 2026-2027 | COM… EXAM
P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
RN HESI Maternity Exam
Questions & Answers
2026-2027 |
Comprehensive Review
(Rationales)
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales
129 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This comprehensive review document provides 129 maternity nursing exam questions, each
paired with its correct answer and detailed rationales. It offers a focused study tool for maternal
and newborn care, directly aligning with the needs of nursing students preparing for exams,
reviewing course material, or seeking certification.
CONTENTS
• Labor & Delivery Management • Postpartum Care
• Newborn Assessment & Care • Pregnancy Complications
• Pharmacology & Anesthesia • Reproductive Health & Family Planning
• Pediatric Conditions • Fetal Assessment & Monitoring
Page 1
, • Maternal/Fetal Nutrition & Health
E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 129
A primigravida arrives at the observation unit of the maternity unit because thinks is in labor. The
nurse applies the external fetal heart monitor and determines that the fetal heart rate is 140
beats/minute and the contractions are occurring irregularly every 10 to 15 minutes. What
assessment finding confirms to the nurse that the client is not labor at this time?
CORRECT ANSWER
Contractions decrease with walking.
RATIONALE
True labor contractions intensify and become more frequent, even with changes in maternal activity,
whereas Braxton Hicks contractions often subside with walking or positional changes. The key concept
tested is the differential diagnosis between true and false labor based on contraction characteristics.
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 129
What is the most important assessment for the nurse to conduct following the administration of
epidural anesthesia to a client who is at 40-weeks gestation?
A. Level of pain sensation
B. Station of presenting part
C. Variability of fetal heart rate
D. Maternal blood pressure
CORRECT ANSWER
D. Maternal blood pressure
RATIONALE
Epidural anesthesia can cause sympathetic blockade, leading to vasodilation and hypotension, making
maternal blood pressure assessment paramount to detect and manage this risk. This addresses the key
concept of hemodynamic instability secondary to regional anesthesia.
Page 2
, Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 129
The nurse is planning care for a client at 30-weeks gestation who is experiencing preterm labor.
What maternal prescription is most important in preventing this fetus from developing
respiratory distress syndrome?
A. Betamethasone (Celestone) 12 mg deep IM
B. Butorphanol 1 mg IV push q2h PRN pain
C. Ampicillin 1 Gram IV push q8h
D. Terbutaline (Brethine) 0.25 mg subcutaneously q15 minutes x3
CORRECT ANSWER
A. Betamethasone (Celestone) 12 mg deep IM
RATIONALE
Corticosteroids like betamethasone accelerate fetal lung maturation by stimulating surfactant
production, which is key to preventing respiratory distress syndrome. This intervention directly
addresses the risk of premature lungs in a fetus born before 37 weeks gestation.
Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 129
While caring for a laboring client on continuous fetal monitoring, the nurse notes a fetal heart
rate pattern that falls and rises abruptly with a "V" shaped appearance. What action should the
nurse take first?
A. Prepare for a potential cesarean
B. Allow the client to begin pushing
C. Administer oxygen at 10/L by mask
D. Change the maternal position
CORRECT ANSWER
D. Change the maternal position
RATIONALE
Variable decelerations, often V-shaped, typically indicate umbilical cord compression, and the initial
intervention is to relieve pressure on the cord by changing the maternal position. This maneuver can
immediately improve fetal oxygenation by repositioning the cord away from the presenting part or
uterine wall.
Page 3
, Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 129
A client at 40-weeks' gestation presents to the obstetrical floor and indicates that the amniotic
membranes ruptured spontaneously at home. She is in active labor and feels the need to bear
down and push. What information is most important for the nurse to obtain first?
A. the estimated amount of fluid
B. time the membranes ruptured
C. color and consistency of the fluid
D. any odor noted when membranes ruptured.
CORRECT ANSWER
C. color and consistency of the fluid
RATIONALE
Assessing the amniotic fluid's color and consistency is paramount to detect potential meconium
staining, which indicates fetal distress requiring immediate intervention. This assessment directly
informs the management plan for the laboring patient.
Q6 QUESTION 6 OF 129
A client receiving oxytocin (Pitocin) to augment early labor. Which
assessment is most important for the nurse to obtain each time the infusion rate
is increased?
A. Pain level
B. Blood pressure
C. Infusion site
D. Contraction pattern
CORRECT ANSWER
D. Contraction pattern.
RATIONALE
Monitoring the contraction pattern is most important to prevent hyperstimulation, which can lead to
fetal distress or uterine rupture. This assessment directly evaluates the oxytocin's effect on uterine
activity.
Page 4
P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
RN HESI Maternity Exam
Questions & Answers
2026-2027 |
Comprehensive Review
(Rationales)
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales
129 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This comprehensive review document provides 129 maternity nursing exam questions, each
paired with its correct answer and detailed rationales. It offers a focused study tool for maternal
and newborn care, directly aligning with the needs of nursing students preparing for exams,
reviewing course material, or seeking certification.
CONTENTS
• Labor & Delivery Management • Postpartum Care
• Newborn Assessment & Care • Pregnancy Complications
• Pharmacology & Anesthesia • Reproductive Health & Family Planning
• Pediatric Conditions • Fetal Assessment & Monitoring
Page 1
, • Maternal/Fetal Nutrition & Health
E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 129
A primigravida arrives at the observation unit of the maternity unit because thinks is in labor. The
nurse applies the external fetal heart monitor and determines that the fetal heart rate is 140
beats/minute and the contractions are occurring irregularly every 10 to 15 minutes. What
assessment finding confirms to the nurse that the client is not labor at this time?
CORRECT ANSWER
Contractions decrease with walking.
RATIONALE
True labor contractions intensify and become more frequent, even with changes in maternal activity,
whereas Braxton Hicks contractions often subside with walking or positional changes. The key concept
tested is the differential diagnosis between true and false labor based on contraction characteristics.
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 129
What is the most important assessment for the nurse to conduct following the administration of
epidural anesthesia to a client who is at 40-weeks gestation?
A. Level of pain sensation
B. Station of presenting part
C. Variability of fetal heart rate
D. Maternal blood pressure
CORRECT ANSWER
D. Maternal blood pressure
RATIONALE
Epidural anesthesia can cause sympathetic blockade, leading to vasodilation and hypotension, making
maternal blood pressure assessment paramount to detect and manage this risk. This addresses the key
concept of hemodynamic instability secondary to regional anesthesia.
Page 2
, Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 129
The nurse is planning care for a client at 30-weeks gestation who is experiencing preterm labor.
What maternal prescription is most important in preventing this fetus from developing
respiratory distress syndrome?
A. Betamethasone (Celestone) 12 mg deep IM
B. Butorphanol 1 mg IV push q2h PRN pain
C. Ampicillin 1 Gram IV push q8h
D. Terbutaline (Brethine) 0.25 mg subcutaneously q15 minutes x3
CORRECT ANSWER
A. Betamethasone (Celestone) 12 mg deep IM
RATIONALE
Corticosteroids like betamethasone accelerate fetal lung maturation by stimulating surfactant
production, which is key to preventing respiratory distress syndrome. This intervention directly
addresses the risk of premature lungs in a fetus born before 37 weeks gestation.
Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 129
While caring for a laboring client on continuous fetal monitoring, the nurse notes a fetal heart
rate pattern that falls and rises abruptly with a "V" shaped appearance. What action should the
nurse take first?
A. Prepare for a potential cesarean
B. Allow the client to begin pushing
C. Administer oxygen at 10/L by mask
D. Change the maternal position
CORRECT ANSWER
D. Change the maternal position
RATIONALE
Variable decelerations, often V-shaped, typically indicate umbilical cord compression, and the initial
intervention is to relieve pressure on the cord by changing the maternal position. This maneuver can
immediately improve fetal oxygenation by repositioning the cord away from the presenting part or
uterine wall.
Page 3
, Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 129
A client at 40-weeks' gestation presents to the obstetrical floor and indicates that the amniotic
membranes ruptured spontaneously at home. She is in active labor and feels the need to bear
down and push. What information is most important for the nurse to obtain first?
A. the estimated amount of fluid
B. time the membranes ruptured
C. color and consistency of the fluid
D. any odor noted when membranes ruptured.
CORRECT ANSWER
C. color and consistency of the fluid
RATIONALE
Assessing the amniotic fluid's color and consistency is paramount to detect potential meconium
staining, which indicates fetal distress requiring immediate intervention. This assessment directly
informs the management plan for the laboring patient.
Q6 QUESTION 6 OF 129
A client receiving oxytocin (Pitocin) to augment early labor. Which
assessment is most important for the nurse to obtain each time the infusion rate
is increased?
A. Pain level
B. Blood pressure
C. Infusion site
D. Contraction pattern
CORRECT ANSWER
D. Contraction pattern.
RATIONALE
Monitoring the contraction pattern is most important to prevent hyperstimulation, which can lead to
fetal distress or uterine rupture. This assessment directly evaluates the oxytocin's effect on uterine
activity.
Page 4
