,NSG 222 HESI Exam Family Nursing Questions And Answers
2026/2027 Herzing University
Q1. A client at 32 weeks' gestation presents with painless, bright-red vaginal
bleeding. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
A) Abruptio placentae
B) Placenta previa
C) Ectopic pregnancy
D) Hyperemesis gravidarum
Correct Answer: B) Placenta previa
Rationale: Placenta previa classically causes painless, bright-red vaginal
bleeding because the placenta is implanted near or over the cervical
opening.
Q2. Which intervention should the nurse avoid for a client with suspected
placenta previa?
A) Assessing fetal heart rate
B) Monitoring maternal vital signs
C) Performing a digital vaginal examination
D) Quantifying blood loss
Correct Answer: C) Performing a digital vaginal examination
Rationale: Vaginal manipulation can disrupt the placenta and cause severe
hemorrhage when placenta previa is present.
Q3. A client with abruptio placentae develops severe abdominal pain and a
rigid uterus. Which complication is the nurse most concerned about?
A) Maternal and fetal compromise from hemorrhage
B) Gestational diabetes
C) Hyperemesis gravidarum
D) Normal progression of pregnancy
Correct Answer: A) Maternal and fetal compromise from hemorrhage
Rationale: Placental separation can produce significant maternal bleeding
and reduce placental perfusion to the fetus.
Q4. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of abruptio placentae?
A) Painless bright-red bleeding
B) Painful bleeding with uterine tenderness
C) Severe nausea and vomiting
D) Unilateral pelvic pain in early pregnancy
Correct Answer: B) Painful bleeding with uterine tenderness
Rationale: Abruptio placentae commonly presents with painful bleeding,
uterine tenderness, and increased uterine tone.
, Q5. A pregnant client with placenta previa becomes hypotensive and
tachycardic. What is the priority nursing concern?
A) Maternal hypovolemia
B) Mild dehydration
C) Normal physiologic adaptation
D) Hyperglycemia
Correct Answer: A) Maternal hypovolemia
Rationale: Hypotension and tachycardia in the setting of bleeding suggest
significant blood loss and possible hypovolemic shock.
Q6. Which client is at greatest risk for ectopic pregnancy?
A) Client with previous pelvic inflammatory disease
B) Client with previous uncomplicated vaginal birth
C) Client with seasonal allergies
D) Client with iron-deficiency anemia
Correct Answer: A) Client with previous pelvic inflammatory disease
Rationale: Pelvic inflammatory disease can damage the fallopian tubes and
increase the risk of implantation outside the uterus.
Q7. A client at 8 weeks' gestation reports unilateral pelvic pain and vaginal
spotting. Which complication should the nurse suspect?
A) Placenta previa
B) Ectopic pregnancy
C) Hyperemesis gravidarum
D) Polyhydramnios
Correct Answer: B) Ectopic pregnancy
Rationale: Unilateral pelvic pain with early-pregnancy bleeding is a classic
presentation of ectopic pregnancy.
Q8. A client with suspected ectopic pregnancy suddenly develops severe
abdominal pain, dizziness, and shoulder pain. Which complication is most
likely?
A) Tubal rupture
B) Gestational diabetes
C) Premature rupture of membranes
D) Placenta previa
Correct Answer: A) Tubal rupture
Rationale: Rupture can cause intra-abdominal bleeding, hypotension,
severe pain, and referred shoulder pain.
Q9. Which finding is most consistent with hyperemesis gravidarum?
A) Mild morning nausea
2026/2027 Herzing University
Q1. A client at 32 weeks' gestation presents with painless, bright-red vaginal
bleeding. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
A) Abruptio placentae
B) Placenta previa
C) Ectopic pregnancy
D) Hyperemesis gravidarum
Correct Answer: B) Placenta previa
Rationale: Placenta previa classically causes painless, bright-red vaginal
bleeding because the placenta is implanted near or over the cervical
opening.
Q2. Which intervention should the nurse avoid for a client with suspected
placenta previa?
A) Assessing fetal heart rate
B) Monitoring maternal vital signs
C) Performing a digital vaginal examination
D) Quantifying blood loss
Correct Answer: C) Performing a digital vaginal examination
Rationale: Vaginal manipulation can disrupt the placenta and cause severe
hemorrhage when placenta previa is present.
Q3. A client with abruptio placentae develops severe abdominal pain and a
rigid uterus. Which complication is the nurse most concerned about?
A) Maternal and fetal compromise from hemorrhage
B) Gestational diabetes
C) Hyperemesis gravidarum
D) Normal progression of pregnancy
Correct Answer: A) Maternal and fetal compromise from hemorrhage
Rationale: Placental separation can produce significant maternal bleeding
and reduce placental perfusion to the fetus.
Q4. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of abruptio placentae?
A) Painless bright-red bleeding
B) Painful bleeding with uterine tenderness
C) Severe nausea and vomiting
D) Unilateral pelvic pain in early pregnancy
Correct Answer: B) Painful bleeding with uterine tenderness
Rationale: Abruptio placentae commonly presents with painful bleeding,
uterine tenderness, and increased uterine tone.
, Q5. A pregnant client with placenta previa becomes hypotensive and
tachycardic. What is the priority nursing concern?
A) Maternal hypovolemia
B) Mild dehydration
C) Normal physiologic adaptation
D) Hyperglycemia
Correct Answer: A) Maternal hypovolemia
Rationale: Hypotension and tachycardia in the setting of bleeding suggest
significant blood loss and possible hypovolemic shock.
Q6. Which client is at greatest risk for ectopic pregnancy?
A) Client with previous pelvic inflammatory disease
B) Client with previous uncomplicated vaginal birth
C) Client with seasonal allergies
D) Client with iron-deficiency anemia
Correct Answer: A) Client with previous pelvic inflammatory disease
Rationale: Pelvic inflammatory disease can damage the fallopian tubes and
increase the risk of implantation outside the uterus.
Q7. A client at 8 weeks' gestation reports unilateral pelvic pain and vaginal
spotting. Which complication should the nurse suspect?
A) Placenta previa
B) Ectopic pregnancy
C) Hyperemesis gravidarum
D) Polyhydramnios
Correct Answer: B) Ectopic pregnancy
Rationale: Unilateral pelvic pain with early-pregnancy bleeding is a classic
presentation of ectopic pregnancy.
Q8. A client with suspected ectopic pregnancy suddenly develops severe
abdominal pain, dizziness, and shoulder pain. Which complication is most
likely?
A) Tubal rupture
B) Gestational diabetes
C) Premature rupture of membranes
D) Placenta previa
Correct Answer: A) Tubal rupture
Rationale: Rupture can cause intra-abdominal bleeding, hypotension,
severe pain, and referred shoulder pain.
Q9. Which finding is most consistent with hyperemesis gravidarum?
A) Mild morning nausea
