HESI Exit Exam Maternal-Newborn
Practice Questions
80 Multiple-Choice Questions for Exam Preparation
Topics: Prenatal Care, Labor and Delivery, Postpartum Complications,
Newborn Assessment
May 31, 2025
Instructions
This document contains 80 multiple-choice questions designed to prepare you for the Maternal-
Newborn section of the HESI Exit Exam, formatted in NCLEX style. Each question includes
four answer choices (AD), with the correct answer clearly indicated. Topics cover prenatal
care, labor and delivery, postpartum complications, and newborn assessment. Use this practice
test to evaluate your knowledge and identify areas for improvement. Good luck!
Practice Questions
A client at 30 weeks gestation reports headaches and blurred vision. Her blood pressure is
150/90 mmHg. What should the nurse do first?
A) Administer an antihypertensive medication.
A) B) Notify the healthcare provider.
C) Encourage bed rest in a supine position.
D) Increase fluid intake.
Correct Answer: B
During labor, the fetal monitor shows late decelerations. What is the nurses priority action?
A) Increase the oxytocin infusion rate.
B) Reposition the client to the left lateral side.
B)
C) Administer a tocolytic medication.
D) Prepare for an immediate vaginal delivery.
Correct Answer: B
A postpartum client has a boggy uterus 2 hours after delivery. What should the nurse do first?
A) Administer oxytocin IV.
B) Massage the fundus.
C)
C) Catheterize the bladder.
D) Notify the healthcare provider.
Correct Answer: B
1
, A newborn has an Apgar score of 6 at 5 minutes. What should the nurse do next?
A) Initiate chest compressions.
B) Provide supplemental oxygen.
D)
C) Notify the pediatrician.
D) Document the score and monitor closely.
Correct Answer: C
A client at 36 weeks gestation is diagnosed with gestational diabetes. What should the nurse
include in the teaching plan?
A) Avoid all carbohydrates.
E) B) Monitor blood glucose levels regularly.
C) Increase intake of simple sugars.
D) Limit physical activity.
Correct Answer: B
A client asks about the purpose of an ultrasound at 20 weeks gestation. What is the nurses best
response?
A) It checks for fetal anomalies and growth.
F) B) It measures your cervical length.
C) It confirms your blood type.
D) It assesses your risk for preterm labor.
Correct Answer: A
A client in active labor at 5 cm dilation requests non-pharmacological pain relief. What should
the nurse suggest?
A) Epidural anesthesia.
G) B) Breathing and relaxation techniques.
C) IV opioid administration.
D) Immediate cesarean section.
Correct Answer: B
A newborn exhibits respiratory distress with nasal flaring and grunting. What should the nurse
do first?
A) Suction the airway.
H) B) Administer oxygen.
C) Notify the healthcare provider.
D) Place the newborn in a prone position.
Correct Answer: C
2
, A postpartum client reports heavy lochia and cramping on day 3. What should the nurse assess
first?
A) Fundal height and firmness.
I) B) Perineal lacerations.
C) Blood pressure.
D) Breast engorgement.
Correct Answer: A
A client at 34 weeks gestation reports decreased fetal movement for 24 hours. What should the
nurse do first?
A) Instruct the client to drink juice and count kicks.
J) B) Perform a nonstress test immediately.
C) Prepare for an emergency cesarean section.
D) Reassure the client that this is normal.
Correct Answer: A
During labor, the nurse observes variable decelerations on the fetal monitor. What should the
nurse do first?
A) Reposition the client.
K) B) Administer oxygen via face mask.
C) Increase IV fluid rate.
D) Notify the obstetrician.
Correct Answer: A
A postpartum client reports tenderness and warmth in her left leg. What should the nurse do
first?
A) Apply a warm compress.
L) B) Notify the healthcare provider.
C) Encourage ambulation.
D) Massage the affected area.
Correct Answer: B
A newborn has a gestational age of 36 weeks. What finding is expected during assessment?
A) Thick vernix caseosa.
B) Limited subcutaneous fat.
M)
C) Fully developed ear cartilage.
D) Strong grasp reflex.
Correct Answer: B
3
Practice Questions
80 Multiple-Choice Questions for Exam Preparation
Topics: Prenatal Care, Labor and Delivery, Postpartum Complications,
Newborn Assessment
May 31, 2025
Instructions
This document contains 80 multiple-choice questions designed to prepare you for the Maternal-
Newborn section of the HESI Exit Exam, formatted in NCLEX style. Each question includes
four answer choices (AD), with the correct answer clearly indicated. Topics cover prenatal
care, labor and delivery, postpartum complications, and newborn assessment. Use this practice
test to evaluate your knowledge and identify areas for improvement. Good luck!
Practice Questions
A client at 30 weeks gestation reports headaches and blurred vision. Her blood pressure is
150/90 mmHg. What should the nurse do first?
A) Administer an antihypertensive medication.
A) B) Notify the healthcare provider.
C) Encourage bed rest in a supine position.
D) Increase fluid intake.
Correct Answer: B
During labor, the fetal monitor shows late decelerations. What is the nurses priority action?
A) Increase the oxytocin infusion rate.
B) Reposition the client to the left lateral side.
B)
C) Administer a tocolytic medication.
D) Prepare for an immediate vaginal delivery.
Correct Answer: B
A postpartum client has a boggy uterus 2 hours after delivery. What should the nurse do first?
A) Administer oxytocin IV.
B) Massage the fundus.
C)
C) Catheterize the bladder.
D) Notify the healthcare provider.
Correct Answer: B
1
, A newborn has an Apgar score of 6 at 5 minutes. What should the nurse do next?
A) Initiate chest compressions.
B) Provide supplemental oxygen.
D)
C) Notify the pediatrician.
D) Document the score and monitor closely.
Correct Answer: C
A client at 36 weeks gestation is diagnosed with gestational diabetes. What should the nurse
include in the teaching plan?
A) Avoid all carbohydrates.
E) B) Monitor blood glucose levels regularly.
C) Increase intake of simple sugars.
D) Limit physical activity.
Correct Answer: B
A client asks about the purpose of an ultrasound at 20 weeks gestation. What is the nurses best
response?
A) It checks for fetal anomalies and growth.
F) B) It measures your cervical length.
C) It confirms your blood type.
D) It assesses your risk for preterm labor.
Correct Answer: A
A client in active labor at 5 cm dilation requests non-pharmacological pain relief. What should
the nurse suggest?
A) Epidural anesthesia.
G) B) Breathing and relaxation techniques.
C) IV opioid administration.
D) Immediate cesarean section.
Correct Answer: B
A newborn exhibits respiratory distress with nasal flaring and grunting. What should the nurse
do first?
A) Suction the airway.
H) B) Administer oxygen.
C) Notify the healthcare provider.
D) Place the newborn in a prone position.
Correct Answer: C
2
, A postpartum client reports heavy lochia and cramping on day 3. What should the nurse assess
first?
A) Fundal height and firmness.
I) B) Perineal lacerations.
C) Blood pressure.
D) Breast engorgement.
Correct Answer: A
A client at 34 weeks gestation reports decreased fetal movement for 24 hours. What should the
nurse do first?
A) Instruct the client to drink juice and count kicks.
J) B) Perform a nonstress test immediately.
C) Prepare for an emergency cesarean section.
D) Reassure the client that this is normal.
Correct Answer: A
During labor, the nurse observes variable decelerations on the fetal monitor. What should the
nurse do first?
A) Reposition the client.
K) B) Administer oxygen via face mask.
C) Increase IV fluid rate.
D) Notify the obstetrician.
Correct Answer: A
A postpartum client reports tenderness and warmth in her left leg. What should the nurse do
first?
A) Apply a warm compress.
L) B) Notify the healthcare provider.
C) Encourage ambulation.
D) Massage the affected area.
Correct Answer: B
A newborn has a gestational age of 36 weeks. What finding is expected during assessment?
A) Thick vernix caseosa.
B) Limited subcutaneous fat.
M)
C) Fully developed ear cartilage.
D) Strong grasp reflex.
Correct Answer: B
3
