1
HESI OB MATERNITY EXAM 2026/2027 |
VERSION 1 | 75 VERIFIED Q&A | MULTIPLE-
CHOICE | DETAILED RATIONALES | NGN-
ALIGNED | PASS GUARANTEED – A+ GRADED
SECTION 1: ANTEPARTUM CARE – Questions 1–15
Q1: Prenatal Care – Gravida and Para
A client is pregnant for the third time. She has one living child and had one miscarriage at 10 weeks.
How should the nurse document her GTPAL?
A. G3 T1 P0 A1 L1
B. G3 T0 P0 A1 L1
C. G3 T1 P1 A0 L1
D. G2 T1 P0 A1 L1
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: GTPAL: Gravida = total pregnancies (3). Term = births after 37 weeks (1). Preterm = births
20–37 weeks (0). Abortions = miscarriages or elective abortions (1). Living = current living children
(1). So G3 T1 P0 A1 L1. [100% CORRECT]
Q2: Prenatal Nutrition – Folic Acid
A nurse is teaching a pregnant client about folic acid. The nurse should instruct the client that folic
acid is most important for preventing:
A. Gestational diabetes
B. Neural tube defects
C. Preterm labor
D. Postpartum hemorrhage
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Folic acid (400–800 mcg daily) is crucial in early pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects
(spina bifida, anencephaly). It is recommended to start before conception. [100% CORRECT]
Q3: Prenatal Assessment – Fundal Height
At 20 weeks gestation, the nurse expects the fundal height to be located at:
A. Symphysis pubis
B. Umbilicus
,2
C. Xiphoid process
D. 2 cm above umbilicus
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Fundal height in centimeters roughly equals gestational age in weeks between 18–32
weeks. At 20 weeks, the fundus is at the umbilicus. [100% CORRECT]
Q4: Prenatal Testing – Alpha-Fetoprotein
A client asks about the purpose of an alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) test. The nurse should explain that AFP
is used to screen for:
A. Down syndrome only
B. Neural tube defects and chromosomal abnormalities
C. Gestational diabetes
D. Group B streptococcus
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: AFP is a screening test for neural tube defects (elevated AFP) and chromosomal
abnormalities like Down syndrome (low AFP). It is typically done between 15–20 weeks. [100%
CORRECT]
Q5: Prenatal Discomforts – Nausea and Vomiting
A client in her first trimester reports nausea and vomiting. Which suggestion by the nurse is most
appropriate?
A. Eat three large meals daily
B. Eat dry crackers before getting out of bed
C. Drink fluids with meals
D. Avoid all protein
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Eating dry crackers or toast before rising can help with morning sickness. Small, frequent
meals, avoiding fluids with meals, and avoiding greasy foods also help. [100% CORRECT]
Q6: Prenatal Warning Signs – Danger Signs
Which of the following is a danger sign in pregnancy that should be reported immediately?
A. Mild ankle edema
B. Vaginal bleeding
C. Occasional heartburn
D. Braxton Hicks contractions
Correct Answer: B
, 3
Rationale: Vaginal bleeding at any time in pregnancy is a danger sign and should be reported
immediately. Mild edema, heartburn, and Braxton Hicks are common discomforts. [100% CORRECT]
Q7: Prenatal Care – RhoGAM
A client who is Rh-negative and unsensitized should receive RhoGAM at:
A. 12 weeks and 24 weeks
B. 28 weeks and within 72 hours postpartum
C. Only after delivery
D. Only if the baby is Rh-negative
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: RhoGAM is given at 28 weeks and within 72 hours postpartum if the infant is Rh-positive.
It prevents Rh sensitization. [100% CORRECT]
Q8: Prenatal Education – Kegel Exercises
A nurse is teaching a pregnant client about Kegel exercises. The nurse should explain that these
exercises strengthen the:
A. Abdominal muscles
B. Pelvic floor muscles
C. Back muscles
D. Leg muscles
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Kegel exercises strengthen the pubococcygeus (pelvic floor) muscles, which can help
prevent urinary incontinence and improve delivery. [100% CORRECT]
Q9: Prenatal Nutrition – Calcium
A pregnant client should increase her intake of which nutrient to support fetal bone development?
A. Iron
B. Calcium
C. Vitamin C
D. Sodium
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Calcium (1000–1300 mg/day) is essential for fetal bone and teeth development. If
maternal intake is inadequate, calcium is drawn from maternal bones. [100% CORRECT]
Q10: Prenatal Assessment – Quickening
A client reports feeling fetal movement for the first time. The nurse documents this as:
HESI OB MATERNITY EXAM 2026/2027 |
VERSION 1 | 75 VERIFIED Q&A | MULTIPLE-
CHOICE | DETAILED RATIONALES | NGN-
ALIGNED | PASS GUARANTEED – A+ GRADED
SECTION 1: ANTEPARTUM CARE – Questions 1–15
Q1: Prenatal Care – Gravida and Para
A client is pregnant for the third time. She has one living child and had one miscarriage at 10 weeks.
How should the nurse document her GTPAL?
A. G3 T1 P0 A1 L1
B. G3 T0 P0 A1 L1
C. G3 T1 P1 A0 L1
D. G2 T1 P0 A1 L1
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: GTPAL: Gravida = total pregnancies (3). Term = births after 37 weeks (1). Preterm = births
20–37 weeks (0). Abortions = miscarriages or elective abortions (1). Living = current living children
(1). So G3 T1 P0 A1 L1. [100% CORRECT]
Q2: Prenatal Nutrition – Folic Acid
A nurse is teaching a pregnant client about folic acid. The nurse should instruct the client that folic
acid is most important for preventing:
A. Gestational diabetes
B. Neural tube defects
C. Preterm labor
D. Postpartum hemorrhage
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Folic acid (400–800 mcg daily) is crucial in early pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects
(spina bifida, anencephaly). It is recommended to start before conception. [100% CORRECT]
Q3: Prenatal Assessment – Fundal Height
At 20 weeks gestation, the nurse expects the fundal height to be located at:
A. Symphysis pubis
B. Umbilicus
,2
C. Xiphoid process
D. 2 cm above umbilicus
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Fundal height in centimeters roughly equals gestational age in weeks between 18–32
weeks. At 20 weeks, the fundus is at the umbilicus. [100% CORRECT]
Q4: Prenatal Testing – Alpha-Fetoprotein
A client asks about the purpose of an alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) test. The nurse should explain that AFP
is used to screen for:
A. Down syndrome only
B. Neural tube defects and chromosomal abnormalities
C. Gestational diabetes
D. Group B streptococcus
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: AFP is a screening test for neural tube defects (elevated AFP) and chromosomal
abnormalities like Down syndrome (low AFP). It is typically done between 15–20 weeks. [100%
CORRECT]
Q5: Prenatal Discomforts – Nausea and Vomiting
A client in her first trimester reports nausea and vomiting. Which suggestion by the nurse is most
appropriate?
A. Eat three large meals daily
B. Eat dry crackers before getting out of bed
C. Drink fluids with meals
D. Avoid all protein
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Eating dry crackers or toast before rising can help with morning sickness. Small, frequent
meals, avoiding fluids with meals, and avoiding greasy foods also help. [100% CORRECT]
Q6: Prenatal Warning Signs – Danger Signs
Which of the following is a danger sign in pregnancy that should be reported immediately?
A. Mild ankle edema
B. Vaginal bleeding
C. Occasional heartburn
D. Braxton Hicks contractions
Correct Answer: B
, 3
Rationale: Vaginal bleeding at any time in pregnancy is a danger sign and should be reported
immediately. Mild edema, heartburn, and Braxton Hicks are common discomforts. [100% CORRECT]
Q7: Prenatal Care – RhoGAM
A client who is Rh-negative and unsensitized should receive RhoGAM at:
A. 12 weeks and 24 weeks
B. 28 weeks and within 72 hours postpartum
C. Only after delivery
D. Only if the baby is Rh-negative
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: RhoGAM is given at 28 weeks and within 72 hours postpartum if the infant is Rh-positive.
It prevents Rh sensitization. [100% CORRECT]
Q8: Prenatal Education – Kegel Exercises
A nurse is teaching a pregnant client about Kegel exercises. The nurse should explain that these
exercises strengthen the:
A. Abdominal muscles
B. Pelvic floor muscles
C. Back muscles
D. Leg muscles
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Kegel exercises strengthen the pubococcygeus (pelvic floor) muscles, which can help
prevent urinary incontinence and improve delivery. [100% CORRECT]
Q9: Prenatal Nutrition – Calcium
A pregnant client should increase her intake of which nutrient to support fetal bone development?
A. Iron
B. Calcium
C. Vitamin C
D. Sodium
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Calcium (1000–1300 mg/day) is essential for fetal bone and teeth development. If
maternal intake is inadequate, calcium is drawn from maternal bones. [100% CORRECT]
Q10: Prenatal Assessment – Quickening
A client reports feeling fetal movement for the first time. The nurse documents this as:
