[STUDY GUIDE] • HIGH-YIELD PRACTICE & REVIEW EDITION
HESI PN Maternity Exit Exam Questions &
Answers, High-Accuracy Updated 2026/2027
Edition
Comprehensive Examination Question Bank • In-Depth Rationales • Concept Mapping
TOTAL QUESTIONS EXAM TOPICS RATIONALES
100 Questions 10 Modules 100% Verified
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document contains 100 verified questions with detailed rationales covering maternity nursing. Each item
pairs a board-style question with the correct answer and a concise explanation of the underlying principle,
making it suitable for HESI PN exam preparation, course review, and rapid remediation.
EXAM BLUEPRINT & TOPIC DISTRIBUTION
Systematic breakdown of subject domains and exam coverage.
Topic Module Scope & Core Focus Questions Share (%)
Focuses on the evaluation and management of expectant
Prenatal Care and Assessment mothers during pregnancy. 11 Qs 11.0%
Covers the processes and interventions during labor and
Labor and Delivery Management delivery. 10 Qs 10.0%
Addresses care and complications that may arise after
Postpartum Care childbirth. 10 Qs 10.0%
Fetal Monitoring and Involves monitoring fetal well-being and growth during
Assessment pregnancy. 10 Qs 10.0%
Medication Management in Focuses on pharmacological interventions during pregnancy
Maternity Care and childbirth. 10 Qs 10.0%
Covers the dietary requirements and supplementation for
Nutritional Needs in Pregnancy pregnant women. 10 Qs 10.0%
Explores conditions such as preeclampsia and gestational
Complications of Pregnancy diabetes. 10 Qs 10.0%
Confidential • Student Study Edition • Practice & Review Guide Page 1 of 52
,STUDENT STUDY & MASTERY EDITION PRACTICE & REVIEW GUIDE
Involves assessment and management of newborns
Neonatal Care immediately after birth. 10 Qs 10.0%
Patient Safety and Quality in Focuses on safety protocols and quality improvement in
Maternity Care maternity settings. 10 Qs 10.0%
Psychosocial Factors in Addresses emotional and social determinants affecting
Maternity Care maternal health. 9 Qs 9.0%
Total Exam Coverage 10 Integrated Topic Modules 100 Qs 100.0%
Confidential • Student Study Edition • Practice & Review Guide Page 2 of 52
,STUDENT STUDY & MASTERY EDITION PRACTICE & REVIEW GUIDE
TOPIC 1: PRENATAL CARE AND ASSESSMENT
11 Questions • 11.0% of Exam • Focuses on the evaluation and management of expectant mothers during pregnancy.
QUESTION 1
A 28-year-old primigravida at 10 weeks gestation presents for her first prenatal visit.
According to current HESI PN standards, which laboratory test should be performed at
this visit to assess for potential hemoglobinopathies in a patient of Mediterranean
descent?
[A] Serum ferritin level
[B] Hemoglobin electrophoresis
[C] Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) assay
[D] Urine protein/creatinine ratio
Correct Answer: Hemoglobin electrophoresis.
Rationale: Hemoglobin electrophoresis screens for sickle cell disease and thalassemia, which are more prevalent in
Mediterranean populations and should be ordered early in prenatal care.
QUESTION 2
During the 24-28 week prenatal visit, the nurse must perform a glucose challenge test.
Which of the following criteria indicates a positive screening result requiring a
diagnostic oral glucose tolerance test?
[A] 1-hour plasma glucose ≥130 mg/dL after 50-g glucose load
[B] Fasting plasma glucose ≥95 mg/dL
[C] 2-hour plasma glucose ≥140 mg/dL after 75-g glucose load
[D] Random plasma glucose ≥180 mg/dL
Correct Answer: 1-Hour plasma glucose ≥130 mg/dL after 50-g glucose load.
Rationale: The standard 1-hour 50-g glucose challenge test uses a cutoff of ≥130 mg/dL to identify women who need a
3-hour 100-g oral glucose tolerance test for gestational diabetes diagnosis.
Confidential • Student Study Edition • Practice & Review Guide Page 3 of 52
, STUDENT STUDY & MASTERY EDITION PRACTICE & REVIEW GUIDE
QUESTION 3
A client at 32 weeks gestation reports occasional painless vaginal bleeding. Which
prenatal evaluation is the most appropriate initial step to differentiate placenta previa
from other causes of bleeding?
[A] Transabdominal ultrasound
[B] Speculum examination
[C] Digital cervical exam
[D] Non-stress test
Correct Answer: Transabdominal ultrasound.
Rationale: Transabdominal ultrasound safely visualizes placental location without risking further bleeding; a speculum or
digital exam could exacerbate hemorrhage in suspected placenta previa.
QUESTION 4
A 35-year-old gravida 2, para 1 client at 14 weeks gestation is diagnosed with chronic
hypertension. Which prenatal care principle is the priority for minimizing maternal and
fetal complications?
[A] Initiate low-dose aspirin therapy
[B] Schedule weekly non-stress tests
[C] Begin antihypertensive medication adjustment to maintain BP <140/90 mmHg
[D] Recommend bed rest for the remainder of pregnancy
Correct Answer: Begin antihypertensive medication adjustment to maintain BP <140/90 mmHg.
Rationale: Tight blood pressure control (<140/90 mmHg) reduces the risk of preeclampsia, placental insufficiency, and fetal
growth restriction; low-dose aspirin is adjunctive, and weekly NSTs are not indicated until later gestation or if complications
arise.
Confidential • Student Study Edition • Practice & Review Guide Page 4 of 52
HESI PN Maternity Exit Exam Questions &
Answers, High-Accuracy Updated 2026/2027
Edition
Comprehensive Examination Question Bank • In-Depth Rationales • Concept Mapping
TOTAL QUESTIONS EXAM TOPICS RATIONALES
100 Questions 10 Modules 100% Verified
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document contains 100 verified questions with detailed rationales covering maternity nursing. Each item
pairs a board-style question with the correct answer and a concise explanation of the underlying principle,
making it suitable for HESI PN exam preparation, course review, and rapid remediation.
EXAM BLUEPRINT & TOPIC DISTRIBUTION
Systematic breakdown of subject domains and exam coverage.
Topic Module Scope & Core Focus Questions Share (%)
Focuses on the evaluation and management of expectant
Prenatal Care and Assessment mothers during pregnancy. 11 Qs 11.0%
Covers the processes and interventions during labor and
Labor and Delivery Management delivery. 10 Qs 10.0%
Addresses care and complications that may arise after
Postpartum Care childbirth. 10 Qs 10.0%
Fetal Monitoring and Involves monitoring fetal well-being and growth during
Assessment pregnancy. 10 Qs 10.0%
Medication Management in Focuses on pharmacological interventions during pregnancy
Maternity Care and childbirth. 10 Qs 10.0%
Covers the dietary requirements and supplementation for
Nutritional Needs in Pregnancy pregnant women. 10 Qs 10.0%
Explores conditions such as preeclampsia and gestational
Complications of Pregnancy diabetes. 10 Qs 10.0%
Confidential • Student Study Edition • Practice & Review Guide Page 1 of 52
,STUDENT STUDY & MASTERY EDITION PRACTICE & REVIEW GUIDE
Involves assessment and management of newborns
Neonatal Care immediately after birth. 10 Qs 10.0%
Patient Safety and Quality in Focuses on safety protocols and quality improvement in
Maternity Care maternity settings. 10 Qs 10.0%
Psychosocial Factors in Addresses emotional and social determinants affecting
Maternity Care maternal health. 9 Qs 9.0%
Total Exam Coverage 10 Integrated Topic Modules 100 Qs 100.0%
Confidential • Student Study Edition • Practice & Review Guide Page 2 of 52
,STUDENT STUDY & MASTERY EDITION PRACTICE & REVIEW GUIDE
TOPIC 1: PRENATAL CARE AND ASSESSMENT
11 Questions • 11.0% of Exam • Focuses on the evaluation and management of expectant mothers during pregnancy.
QUESTION 1
A 28-year-old primigravida at 10 weeks gestation presents for her first prenatal visit.
According to current HESI PN standards, which laboratory test should be performed at
this visit to assess for potential hemoglobinopathies in a patient of Mediterranean
descent?
[A] Serum ferritin level
[B] Hemoglobin electrophoresis
[C] Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) assay
[D] Urine protein/creatinine ratio
Correct Answer: Hemoglobin electrophoresis.
Rationale: Hemoglobin electrophoresis screens for sickle cell disease and thalassemia, which are more prevalent in
Mediterranean populations and should be ordered early in prenatal care.
QUESTION 2
During the 24-28 week prenatal visit, the nurse must perform a glucose challenge test.
Which of the following criteria indicates a positive screening result requiring a
diagnostic oral glucose tolerance test?
[A] 1-hour plasma glucose ≥130 mg/dL after 50-g glucose load
[B] Fasting plasma glucose ≥95 mg/dL
[C] 2-hour plasma glucose ≥140 mg/dL after 75-g glucose load
[D] Random plasma glucose ≥180 mg/dL
Correct Answer: 1-Hour plasma glucose ≥130 mg/dL after 50-g glucose load.
Rationale: The standard 1-hour 50-g glucose challenge test uses a cutoff of ≥130 mg/dL to identify women who need a
3-hour 100-g oral glucose tolerance test for gestational diabetes diagnosis.
Confidential • Student Study Edition • Practice & Review Guide Page 3 of 52
, STUDENT STUDY & MASTERY EDITION PRACTICE & REVIEW GUIDE
QUESTION 3
A client at 32 weeks gestation reports occasional painless vaginal bleeding. Which
prenatal evaluation is the most appropriate initial step to differentiate placenta previa
from other causes of bleeding?
[A] Transabdominal ultrasound
[B] Speculum examination
[C] Digital cervical exam
[D] Non-stress test
Correct Answer: Transabdominal ultrasound.
Rationale: Transabdominal ultrasound safely visualizes placental location without risking further bleeding; a speculum or
digital exam could exacerbate hemorrhage in suspected placenta previa.
QUESTION 4
A 35-year-old gravida 2, para 1 client at 14 weeks gestation is diagnosed with chronic
hypertension. Which prenatal care principle is the priority for minimizing maternal and
fetal complications?
[A] Initiate low-dose aspirin therapy
[B] Schedule weekly non-stress tests
[C] Begin antihypertensive medication adjustment to maintain BP <140/90 mmHg
[D] Recommend bed rest for the remainder of pregnancy
Correct Answer: Begin antihypertensive medication adjustment to maintain BP <140/90 mmHg.
Rationale: Tight blood pressure control (<140/90 mmHg) reduces the risk of preeclampsia, placental insufficiency, and fetal
growth restriction; low-dose aspirin is adjunctive, and weekly NSTs are not indicated until later gestation or if complications
arise.
Confidential • Student Study Edition • Practice & Review Guide Page 4 of 52
