HESI RN Maternity Exam 2026 — Latest Practice
Questions & Rationales (200 Questions)
Antepartum Care
1. A pregnant client at 10 weeks' gestation asks the nurse when fetal cardiac activity
can usually be detected by Doppler. Which response is most appropriate?
A. 4 weeks
B. 6 weeks
C. 10–12 weeks
D. 20–24 weeks
Correct answer: C. 10–12 weeks
Rationale: Fetal heart tones can often be detected with a Doppler around 10–12 weeks,
although timing can vary.
2. Which finding is considered a positive sign of pregnancy?
A. Amenorrhea
B. Nausea and vomiting
C. Positive pregnancy test
D. Fetal heart activity
Correct answer: D. Fetal heart activity
Rationale: Positive signs of pregnancy are findings that can be directly attributed to the
fetus, such as fetal heart activity, fetal movement palpated by an examiner, and
visualization of the fetus.
,3. A pregnant client asks why folic acid is recommended before and during early
pregnancy. The nurse should explain that folic acid helps prevent:
A. Gestational diabetes
B. Neural tube defects
C. Placental abruption
D. Rh incompatibility
Correct answer: B. Neural tube defects
Rationale: Adequate folic acid intake before conception and during early pregnancy reduces
the risk of fetal neural tube defects.
4. Which assessment finding during pregnancy should the nurse report immediately?
A. Mild urinary frequency
B. Breast tenderness
C. Vaginal bleeding with abdominal pain
D. Increased appetite
Correct answer: C. Vaginal bleeding with abdominal pain
Rationale: Vaginal bleeding accompanied by abdominal pain can indicate a serious
pregnancy complication and requires prompt evaluation.
5. Which nutrient is especially important during pregnancy to support increased
maternal blood volume and fetal growth?
A. Iron
B. Sodium
C. Vitamin K
D. Fluoride
,Correct answer: A. Iron
Rationale: Pregnancy increases iron requirements because of expanded maternal blood
volume and fetal needs.
6. A client at 28 weeks' gestation reports sudden severe headache and blurred vision.
What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Encourage the client to rest at home
B. Assess blood pressure and notify the provider
C. Recommend increasing fluid intake
D. Tell the client this is a normal pregnancy symptom
Correct answer: B. Assess blood pressure and notify the provider
Rationale: Severe headache and visual disturbances may indicate preeclampsia and
require immediate assessment.
7. Which blood pressure finding in a pregnant client is most concerning for
hypertensive disease of pregnancy?
A. 100/60 mmHg
B. 110/70 mmHg
C. 118/76 mmHg
D. 150/96 mmHg
Correct answer: D. 150/96 mmHg
Rationale: A blood pressure of 150/96 mmHg is elevated and warrants further assessment
for hypertensive disorders.
, 8. Which instruction should the nurse provide to a pregnant client experiencing
nausea during early pregnancy?
A. Eat three large meals daily
B. Skip breakfast
C. Eat small, frequent meals
D. Drink large amounts of fluid with meals
Correct answer: C. Eat small, frequent meals
Rationale: Small, frequent meals and avoiding an empty stomach can help reduce
pregnancy-related nausea.
9. Which statement by a pregnant client indicates a need for further teaching about
prenatal nutrition?
A. "I will include iron-rich foods."
B. "I will eat a variety of fruits and vegetables."
C. "I need adequate protein."
D. "I should avoid all carbohydrates."
Correct answer: D. "I should avoid all carbohydrates."
Rationale: Carbohydrates are an important energy source during pregnancy and should not
generally be eliminated.
10. A client at 32 weeks' gestation reports decreased fetal movement. What should
the nurse instruct the client to do?
A. Ignore the finding until the next appointment
B. Report the change promptly for evaluation
Questions & Rationales (200 Questions)
Antepartum Care
1. A pregnant client at 10 weeks' gestation asks the nurse when fetal cardiac activity
can usually be detected by Doppler. Which response is most appropriate?
A. 4 weeks
B. 6 weeks
C. 10–12 weeks
D. 20–24 weeks
Correct answer: C. 10–12 weeks
Rationale: Fetal heart tones can often be detected with a Doppler around 10–12 weeks,
although timing can vary.
2. Which finding is considered a positive sign of pregnancy?
A. Amenorrhea
B. Nausea and vomiting
C. Positive pregnancy test
D. Fetal heart activity
Correct answer: D. Fetal heart activity
Rationale: Positive signs of pregnancy are findings that can be directly attributed to the
fetus, such as fetal heart activity, fetal movement palpated by an examiner, and
visualization of the fetus.
,3. A pregnant client asks why folic acid is recommended before and during early
pregnancy. The nurse should explain that folic acid helps prevent:
A. Gestational diabetes
B. Neural tube defects
C. Placental abruption
D. Rh incompatibility
Correct answer: B. Neural tube defects
Rationale: Adequate folic acid intake before conception and during early pregnancy reduces
the risk of fetal neural tube defects.
4. Which assessment finding during pregnancy should the nurse report immediately?
A. Mild urinary frequency
B. Breast tenderness
C. Vaginal bleeding with abdominal pain
D. Increased appetite
Correct answer: C. Vaginal bleeding with abdominal pain
Rationale: Vaginal bleeding accompanied by abdominal pain can indicate a serious
pregnancy complication and requires prompt evaluation.
5. Which nutrient is especially important during pregnancy to support increased
maternal blood volume and fetal growth?
A. Iron
B. Sodium
C. Vitamin K
D. Fluoride
,Correct answer: A. Iron
Rationale: Pregnancy increases iron requirements because of expanded maternal blood
volume and fetal needs.
6. A client at 28 weeks' gestation reports sudden severe headache and blurred vision.
What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Encourage the client to rest at home
B. Assess blood pressure and notify the provider
C. Recommend increasing fluid intake
D. Tell the client this is a normal pregnancy symptom
Correct answer: B. Assess blood pressure and notify the provider
Rationale: Severe headache and visual disturbances may indicate preeclampsia and
require immediate assessment.
7. Which blood pressure finding in a pregnant client is most concerning for
hypertensive disease of pregnancy?
A. 100/60 mmHg
B. 110/70 mmHg
C. 118/76 mmHg
D. 150/96 mmHg
Correct answer: D. 150/96 mmHg
Rationale: A blood pressure of 150/96 mmHg is elevated and warrants further assessment
for hypertensive disorders.
, 8. Which instruction should the nurse provide to a pregnant client experiencing
nausea during early pregnancy?
A. Eat three large meals daily
B. Skip breakfast
C. Eat small, frequent meals
D. Drink large amounts of fluid with meals
Correct answer: C. Eat small, frequent meals
Rationale: Small, frequent meals and avoiding an empty stomach can help reduce
pregnancy-related nausea.
9. Which statement by a pregnant client indicates a need for further teaching about
prenatal nutrition?
A. "I will include iron-rich foods."
B. "I will eat a variety of fruits and vegetables."
C. "I need adequate protein."
D. "I should avoid all carbohydrates."
Correct answer: D. "I should avoid all carbohydrates."
Rationale: Carbohydrates are an important energy source during pregnancy and should not
generally be eliminated.
10. A client at 32 weeks' gestation reports decreased fetal movement. What should
the nurse instruct the client to do?
A. Ignore the finding until the next appointment
B. Report the change promptly for evaluation
