HESI OB/MATERNITY [2026] | COMPLETE ANSWER
GUIDE | UPDATED ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS |
• At 28 weeks gestation, what should the fundal height measure approximately? -
✓✓ANSWER: 28 cm
• Which device should be used to auscultate the fetal heart rate at 11 weeks
gestation? -✓✓ANSWER: Doppler ultrasound
• What is the most appropriate diagnosis for a patient at 32 weeks gestation with
a blood pressure of 148/92 mmHg and no protein in urine? -✓✓ANSWER:
Gestational hypertension
• What finding confirms severe features of preeclampsia in a patient at 34 weeks
gestation? -✓✓ANSWER: Blood pressure ≥160/110 mmHg, thrombocytopenia
<100,000, and elevated liver enzymes
• Which task is most appropriate to delegate to an experienced LPN on the
antepartum unit? -✓✓ANSWER: Reinforcing prenatal vitamin teaching and
obtaining a fetal heart rate using Doppler on a stable patient
• What laboratory screening tests are standard for all pregnant patients during
the initial prenatal visit? -✓✓ANSWER: Complete blood count, blood type with Rh
factor, antibody screen, urinalysis, rubella titer, hepatitis B surface antigen, HIV,
and syphilis screening
• What is the priority nursing action for a patient at 30 weeks gestation with
sudden, painless, bright red vaginal bleeding? -✓✓ANSWER: Monitor maternal-
, fetal status, establish IV access, and prepare for possible cesarean birth; do NOT
perform a digital vaginal examination
• What is the priority action for a patient at 35 weeks gestation with painful
vaginal bleeding and a nonreassuring fetal heart rate? -✓✓ANSWER: Prepare for
immediate delivery based on maternal-fetal status
• How should a fetal heart rate tracing with a baseline of 135 bpm, moderate
variability, and no decelerations be classified? -✓✓ANSWER: Category I (Normal)
• What defines Category I fetal tracings? -✓✓ANSWER: Normal baseline (110-160
bpm), moderate variability, and absence of late or variable decelerations.
• What type of deceleration begins at the onset of a contraction and returns to
baseline by the end? -✓✓ANSWER: Early deceleration.
• What is the priority nursing intervention for a patient with recurrent late
decelerations? -✓✓ANSWER: Reposition the patient, administer oxygen, increase
IV fluids, notify the provider, and prepare for possible delivery.
• What should a nurse do for a fetal heart rate tracing with absent variability and
recurrent late decelerations? -✓✓ANSWER: Prepare for immediate delivery.
• What is the priority action for a patient with severe preeclampsia and
nonreassuring fetal status? -✓✓ANSWER: Administer a magnesium sulfate
loading dose, control blood pressure, notify the provider, prepare for emergent
delivery, and maintain continuous monitoring.
GUIDE | UPDATED ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS |
• At 28 weeks gestation, what should the fundal height measure approximately? -
✓✓ANSWER: 28 cm
• Which device should be used to auscultate the fetal heart rate at 11 weeks
gestation? -✓✓ANSWER: Doppler ultrasound
• What is the most appropriate diagnosis for a patient at 32 weeks gestation with
a blood pressure of 148/92 mmHg and no protein in urine? -✓✓ANSWER:
Gestational hypertension
• What finding confirms severe features of preeclampsia in a patient at 34 weeks
gestation? -✓✓ANSWER: Blood pressure ≥160/110 mmHg, thrombocytopenia
<100,000, and elevated liver enzymes
• Which task is most appropriate to delegate to an experienced LPN on the
antepartum unit? -✓✓ANSWER: Reinforcing prenatal vitamin teaching and
obtaining a fetal heart rate using Doppler on a stable patient
• What laboratory screening tests are standard for all pregnant patients during
the initial prenatal visit? -✓✓ANSWER: Complete blood count, blood type with Rh
factor, antibody screen, urinalysis, rubella titer, hepatitis B surface antigen, HIV,
and syphilis screening
• What is the priority nursing action for a patient at 30 weeks gestation with
sudden, painless, bright red vaginal bleeding? -✓✓ANSWER: Monitor maternal-
, fetal status, establish IV access, and prepare for possible cesarean birth; do NOT
perform a digital vaginal examination
• What is the priority action for a patient at 35 weeks gestation with painful
vaginal bleeding and a nonreassuring fetal heart rate? -✓✓ANSWER: Prepare for
immediate delivery based on maternal-fetal status
• How should a fetal heart rate tracing with a baseline of 135 bpm, moderate
variability, and no decelerations be classified? -✓✓ANSWER: Category I (Normal)
• What defines Category I fetal tracings? -✓✓ANSWER: Normal baseline (110-160
bpm), moderate variability, and absence of late or variable decelerations.
• What type of deceleration begins at the onset of a contraction and returns to
baseline by the end? -✓✓ANSWER: Early deceleration.
• What is the priority nursing intervention for a patient with recurrent late
decelerations? -✓✓ANSWER: Reposition the patient, administer oxygen, increase
IV fluids, notify the provider, and prepare for possible delivery.
• What should a nurse do for a fetal heart rate tracing with absent variability and
recurrent late decelerations? -✓✓ANSWER: Prepare for immediate delivery.
• What is the priority action for a patient with severe preeclampsia and
nonreassuring fetal status? -✓✓ANSWER: Administer a magnesium sulfate
loading dose, control blood pressure, notify the provider, prepare for emergent
delivery, and maintain continuous monitoring.
