1
HESI OB MATERNITY PRACTICE EXAM 2026/2027 |
MATERNITY NURSING | 100 VERIFIED Q&A |
DETAILED RATIONALES | NGN-ALIGNED | PASS
GUARANTEED – A+ GRADED
SECTION 1: ANTEPARTUM CARE – Questions 1–20
Q1: Prenatal Care – GTPAL Documentation
A client is pregnant for the fifth time. She has three living children, all born at term. She had one
miscarriage at 12 weeks. How should the nurse document her GTPAL?
A. G5 T3 P0 A1 L3
B. G5 T3 P1 A0 L3
C. G4 T3 P0 A1 L3
D. G5 T4 P0 A1 L3
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: GTPAL: Gravida = total pregnancies (5). Term = births after 37 weeks (3). Preterm = births
20–37 weeks (0). Abortions = miscarriages or elective abortions (1). Living = current living children
(3). So G5 T3 P0 A1 L3. [100% CORRECT]
Q2: Prenatal Nutrition – Vitamin D
A pregnant client asks about vitamin D. The nurse should explain that vitamin D is important for:
A. Blood clotting
B. Calcium absorption and bone development
C. Oxygen transport
D. Immune function only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Vitamin D enhances calcium absorption and is essential for fetal bone and teeth
development. Deficiency can lead to neonatal hypocalcemia and rickets. [100% CORRECT]
Q3: Prenatal Assessment – Goodell's Sign
A nurse notes softening of the cervix during pregnancy. This is known as:
A. Chadwick's sign
B. Goodell's sign
C. Hegar's sign
D. Homans' sign
,2
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Goodell's sign is softening of the cervix due to increased vascularity and edema.
Chadwick's sign is bluish discoloration. Hegar's sign is softening of the lower uterus. [100% CORRECT]
Q4: Prenatal Testing – Contraction Stress Test
A client is scheduled for a contraction stress test (CST). The nurse should explain that the test
evaluates:
A. Fetal heart rate response to contractions
B. Fetal heart rate response to movement
C. Amniotic fluid volume
D. Placental maturity
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The CST evaluates fetal heart rate response to uterine contractions (induced by oxytocin
or nipple stimulation). Negative = no late decelerations. Positive = late decelerations. [100%
CORRECT]
Q5: Prenatal Discomforts – Leg Cramps
A pregnant client reports leg cramps at night. Which suggestion by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. Point toes downward
B. Dorsiflex the foot and massage the calf
C. Apply heat to the calf
D. Restrict calcium intake
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Leg cramps are relieved by dorsiflexing the foot (toes up) and massaging the calf. Avoid
pointing toes downward. Ensure adequate calcium intake. [100% CORRECT]
Q6: Prenatal Warning Signs – Preterm Labor
Which finding should the nurse report immediately in a pregnant client at 32 weeks?
A. Mild ankle edema
B. Regular uterine contractions
C. Occasional heartburn
D. Braxton Hicks contractions
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Regular uterine contractions before 37 weeks may indicate preterm labor. Report
immediately. Mild edema, heartburn, and Braxton Hicks are common. [100% CORRECT]
, 3
Q7: Prenatal Care – Amniocentesis
A client is scheduled for amniocentesis at 16 weeks. The nurse should instruct the client to:
A. Empty her bladder before the procedure
B. Drink plenty of fluids before the procedure
C. Avoid eating for 12 hours
D. Take aspirin before the procedure
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: For amniocentesis, the client should empty her bladder before the procedure to reduce
the risk of bladder puncture. A full bladder is required for first-trimester procedures but not for
second-trimester amniocentesis. [100% CORRECT]
Q8: Prenatal Education – Signs of Labor – Lightening
A nurse is teaching a client about signs of impending labor. Lightening refers to:
A. Descent of the fetus into the pelvis
B. Rupture of membranes
C. Loss of mucus plug
D. Onset of contractions
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Lightening is the descent of the fetal head into the pelvis, which often occurs 2–4 weeks
before labor in primigravidas. It may relieve shortness of breath but increase urinary frequency.
[100% CORRECT]
Q9: Prenatal Nutrition – Protein
A pregnant client should increase her intake of which nutrient to support fetal growth?
A. Protein
B. Sodium
C. Sugar
D. Saturated fat
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Protein is essential for fetal tissue growth and development. Recommended intake is 60–
75 g/day. Good sources: lean meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, beans. [100% CORRECT]
Q10: Prenatal Assessment – Ballottement
A nurse performs a pelvic exam and feels the fetus rebound against the examiner's fingers. This is
known as:
A. Lightening
B. Quickening
HESI OB MATERNITY PRACTICE EXAM 2026/2027 |
MATERNITY NURSING | 100 VERIFIED Q&A |
DETAILED RATIONALES | NGN-ALIGNED | PASS
GUARANTEED – A+ GRADED
SECTION 1: ANTEPARTUM CARE – Questions 1–20
Q1: Prenatal Care – GTPAL Documentation
A client is pregnant for the fifth time. She has three living children, all born at term. She had one
miscarriage at 12 weeks. How should the nurse document her GTPAL?
A. G5 T3 P0 A1 L3
B. G5 T3 P1 A0 L3
C. G4 T3 P0 A1 L3
D. G5 T4 P0 A1 L3
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: GTPAL: Gravida = total pregnancies (5). Term = births after 37 weeks (3). Preterm = births
20–37 weeks (0). Abortions = miscarriages or elective abortions (1). Living = current living children
(3). So G5 T3 P0 A1 L3. [100% CORRECT]
Q2: Prenatal Nutrition – Vitamin D
A pregnant client asks about vitamin D. The nurse should explain that vitamin D is important for:
A. Blood clotting
B. Calcium absorption and bone development
C. Oxygen transport
D. Immune function only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Vitamin D enhances calcium absorption and is essential for fetal bone and teeth
development. Deficiency can lead to neonatal hypocalcemia and rickets. [100% CORRECT]
Q3: Prenatal Assessment – Goodell's Sign
A nurse notes softening of the cervix during pregnancy. This is known as:
A. Chadwick's sign
B. Goodell's sign
C. Hegar's sign
D. Homans' sign
,2
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Goodell's sign is softening of the cervix due to increased vascularity and edema.
Chadwick's sign is bluish discoloration. Hegar's sign is softening of the lower uterus. [100% CORRECT]
Q4: Prenatal Testing – Contraction Stress Test
A client is scheduled for a contraction stress test (CST). The nurse should explain that the test
evaluates:
A. Fetal heart rate response to contractions
B. Fetal heart rate response to movement
C. Amniotic fluid volume
D. Placental maturity
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The CST evaluates fetal heart rate response to uterine contractions (induced by oxytocin
or nipple stimulation). Negative = no late decelerations. Positive = late decelerations. [100%
CORRECT]
Q5: Prenatal Discomforts – Leg Cramps
A pregnant client reports leg cramps at night. Which suggestion by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. Point toes downward
B. Dorsiflex the foot and massage the calf
C. Apply heat to the calf
D. Restrict calcium intake
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Leg cramps are relieved by dorsiflexing the foot (toes up) and massaging the calf. Avoid
pointing toes downward. Ensure adequate calcium intake. [100% CORRECT]
Q6: Prenatal Warning Signs – Preterm Labor
Which finding should the nurse report immediately in a pregnant client at 32 weeks?
A. Mild ankle edema
B. Regular uterine contractions
C. Occasional heartburn
D. Braxton Hicks contractions
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Regular uterine contractions before 37 weeks may indicate preterm labor. Report
immediately. Mild edema, heartburn, and Braxton Hicks are common. [100% CORRECT]
, 3
Q7: Prenatal Care – Amniocentesis
A client is scheduled for amniocentesis at 16 weeks. The nurse should instruct the client to:
A. Empty her bladder before the procedure
B. Drink plenty of fluids before the procedure
C. Avoid eating for 12 hours
D. Take aspirin before the procedure
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: For amniocentesis, the client should empty her bladder before the procedure to reduce
the risk of bladder puncture. A full bladder is required for first-trimester procedures but not for
second-trimester amniocentesis. [100% CORRECT]
Q8: Prenatal Education – Signs of Labor – Lightening
A nurse is teaching a client about signs of impending labor. Lightening refers to:
A. Descent of the fetus into the pelvis
B. Rupture of membranes
C. Loss of mucus plug
D. Onset of contractions
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Lightening is the descent of the fetal head into the pelvis, which often occurs 2–4 weeks
before labor in primigravidas. It may relieve shortness of breath but increase urinary frequency.
[100% CORRECT]
Q9: Prenatal Nutrition – Protein
A pregnant client should increase her intake of which nutrient to support fetal growth?
A. Protein
B. Sodium
C. Sugar
D. Saturated fat
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Protein is essential for fetal tissue growth and development. Recommended intake is 60–
75 g/day. Good sources: lean meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, beans. [100% CORRECT]
Q10: Prenatal Assessment – Ballottement
A nurse performs a pelvic exam and feels the fetus rebound against the examiner's fingers. This is
known as:
A. Lightening
B. Quickening
