Maternity HESI Assignment Exam Expected Questions and
Verified Answers (2026-2027)
Question 1.
Which finding in the medical history of a post-par- tum client should the nurse withhold the
administration of a routine standing order for methylergonovine maleate (Methergine)?
Correct Answer: Pregnancy induced hypertension.
Rationale: Methergine is used for post-partum bleeding. A client's history of
pregnancy-induced hypertension is a contraindication for Methergine which causes
vasoconstriction and increases blood pressure, so the routine standing order should be
withheld and reported to the healthcare provider.
Question 2.
A client at 8-months gestation tells the nurse that she knows her baby listens to her, but
her husband thinks she is imagining things. What information should the nurse provide?
Correct Answer: The fetus in utero is capable of hearing and does respond to the
mother's voice.
Rationale: Fetal hearing and response to sound occurs by 24-weeks gestation, so the
fetus can be soothed by the familiar sound of the mother's voice.
Question 3.
A female client who wants to delivery at home asks the nurse to explain the role of a
nurse-midwife in providing obstetric care. What information should the nurse provide?
Correct Answer: The pregnancy should progress normally and be considered low
risk.
Rationale: A nurse midwife is an advanced practice nurse who is prepared to provide
quality perinatal care for a low-risk obstetric client.
Question 4.
What nursing action should be included in the plan of care for a newborn experiencing
symptoms of drug withdrawal ?
Correct Answer: Swaddle the infant snugly and hold tightly.
Rationale: An infant experiencing drug withdrawal should be swaddled, wrapped snugly,
or placed in a "kangaroo pouch" to reduce self-stimulation behaviors and protect skin from
abrasions that may occur due to muscular irritability.
, Question 5.
The nurse is teaching a new mother about diet and breastfeeding. Which instruction is
most important to include in the teaching plan?
Correct Answer: Avoid alcohol because it is excreted in breast milk.
Rationale: Alcohol should be avoided while breastfeeding because, when consumed by
the mother, it is excreted in breast milk.
Question 6.
A primigravida at 12-weeks gestation who just moved to the United States indicates she
has not received any immunizations. Which immunization(s) should the nurse administer
at this time? (Select all that apply.) Tetanus. Rubella. Diphtheria. Chickenpox. Hepatitis B.
Correct Answer: Correct selections are (A, C, and E).
Rationale: Vaccines composed of killed viruses may be administered during pregnancy.
Rubella (B) and chickenpox (D) consist of live or attenuated live viruses which would be
contraindicated during pregnancy due to potential teratogenicity.
Question 7.
A client at 25-weeks gestation tells the nurse that she dropped a cooking utensil last week
and her baby jumped in response to the noise. What information should the nurse provide?
Correct Answer: The fetus can respond to sound by 24-weeks gestation.
Rationale: At 24-weeks gestation, the fetus's ability to hear loud environment sounds can
illicit a startle response.
Question 8.
A client at 28-weeks gestation experiences blunt abdominal trauma. Which parameter
should the nurse assess first for signs of internal hemorrhage?
Correct Answer: Changes in fetal heart rate patterns.
Rationale: Hypoperfusion of the fetus may be present before the onset of clinical signs of
maternal compromise or shock in a pregnant woman, so the external fetal monitor
tracings should be assessed first to determine signs of fetal hypoxia due to internal
bleeding in the mother.
Verified Answers (2026-2027)
Question 1.
Which finding in the medical history of a post-par- tum client should the nurse withhold the
administration of a routine standing order for methylergonovine maleate (Methergine)?
Correct Answer: Pregnancy induced hypertension.
Rationale: Methergine is used for post-partum bleeding. A client's history of
pregnancy-induced hypertension is a contraindication for Methergine which causes
vasoconstriction and increases blood pressure, so the routine standing order should be
withheld and reported to the healthcare provider.
Question 2.
A client at 8-months gestation tells the nurse that she knows her baby listens to her, but
her husband thinks she is imagining things. What information should the nurse provide?
Correct Answer: The fetus in utero is capable of hearing and does respond to the
mother's voice.
Rationale: Fetal hearing and response to sound occurs by 24-weeks gestation, so the
fetus can be soothed by the familiar sound of the mother's voice.
Question 3.
A female client who wants to delivery at home asks the nurse to explain the role of a
nurse-midwife in providing obstetric care. What information should the nurse provide?
Correct Answer: The pregnancy should progress normally and be considered low
risk.
Rationale: A nurse midwife is an advanced practice nurse who is prepared to provide
quality perinatal care for a low-risk obstetric client.
Question 4.
What nursing action should be included in the plan of care for a newborn experiencing
symptoms of drug withdrawal ?
Correct Answer: Swaddle the infant snugly and hold tightly.
Rationale: An infant experiencing drug withdrawal should be swaddled, wrapped snugly,
or placed in a "kangaroo pouch" to reduce self-stimulation behaviors and protect skin from
abrasions that may occur due to muscular irritability.
, Question 5.
The nurse is teaching a new mother about diet and breastfeeding. Which instruction is
most important to include in the teaching plan?
Correct Answer: Avoid alcohol because it is excreted in breast milk.
Rationale: Alcohol should be avoided while breastfeeding because, when consumed by
the mother, it is excreted in breast milk.
Question 6.
A primigravida at 12-weeks gestation who just moved to the United States indicates she
has not received any immunizations. Which immunization(s) should the nurse administer
at this time? (Select all that apply.) Tetanus. Rubella. Diphtheria. Chickenpox. Hepatitis B.
Correct Answer: Correct selections are (A, C, and E).
Rationale: Vaccines composed of killed viruses may be administered during pregnancy.
Rubella (B) and chickenpox (D) consist of live or attenuated live viruses which would be
contraindicated during pregnancy due to potential teratogenicity.
Question 7.
A client at 25-weeks gestation tells the nurse that she dropped a cooking utensil last week
and her baby jumped in response to the noise. What information should the nurse provide?
Correct Answer: The fetus can respond to sound by 24-weeks gestation.
Rationale: At 24-weeks gestation, the fetus's ability to hear loud environment sounds can
illicit a startle response.
Question 8.
A client at 28-weeks gestation experiences blunt abdominal trauma. Which parameter
should the nurse assess first for signs of internal hemorrhage?
Correct Answer: Changes in fetal heart rate patterns.
Rationale: Hypoperfusion of the fetus may be present before the onset of clinical signs of
maternal compromise or shock in a pregnant woman, so the external fetal monitor
tracings should be assessed first to determine signs of fetal hypoxia due to internal
bleeding in the mother.
