1
2025/2026 HESI RN Maternity Actual
Exam – 150 Verified Questions with
Highlighted Answers and Expert
Rationales | Graded A+
1. A pregnant client at 12 weeks gestation reports nausea and vomiting. What is the nurse’s
priority intervention?
a) Administer an antiemetic without a prescription
b) Encourage small, frequent meals
c) Recommend fasting until symptoms subside
d) Suggest high-fat meals
Rationale: Small, frequent meals help stabilize stomach acid and reduce nausea in early
pregnancy.
2. A client at 38 weeks gestation is experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions. What should
the nurse teach?
a) Go to the hospital immediately
b) Rest and hydrate to ease contractions
c) Take pain medication
d) Ignore the contractions
Rationale: Braxton Hicks contractions are normal and often relieved by rest and
hydration.
3. A nurse is assessing a client’s fundal height at 32 weeks gestation. Where should the
fundus be located?
a) At the symphysis pubis
b) Halfway between the umbilicus and xiphoid process
c) At the umbilicus
d) Below the xiphoid process
Rationale: At 32 weeks, the fundus is typically halfway between the umbilicus and
xiphoid process.
4. A client asks about foods to increase iron intake during pregnancy. What should the nurse
recommend?
a) White bread
b) Lean red meat and spinach
c) Ice cream
d) Potatoes
Rationale: Lean red meat and spinach are rich in iron, essential for preventing anemia in
pregnancy.
5. A pregnant client is Rh-negative. When should the nurse expect RhoGAM to be
administered?
a) At delivery only
, 2
b) At 28 weeks gestation and postpartum
c) Every trimester
d) Only if bleeding occurs
Rationale: RhoGAM is given at 28 weeks and postpartum to prevent Rh
isoimmunization.
6. A client at 16 weeks gestation reports a lack of fetal movement. What is the nurse’s best
response?
a) Schedule an immediate ultrasound
b) Explain that fetal movement is typically felt at 18–20 weeks
c) Recommend bed rest
d) Administer oxygen
Rationale: Fetal movement is usually perceived between 18–20 weeks in primigravidas.
7. A nurse is teaching a client about prenatal vitamins. What is the primary purpose of folic
acid?
a) Improve digestion
b) Prevent neural tube defects
c) Increase energy levels
d) Reduce nausea
Rationale: Folic acid reduces the risk of neural tube defects in the fetus.
8. A client at 24 weeks gestation has a positive glucose tolerance test. What is the priority
nursing action?
a) Administer insulin immediately
b) Refer to a dietitian for nutritional counseling
c) Restrict all carbohydrates
d) Ignore the results
Rationale: Nutritional counseling is the first step in managing gestational diabetes.
9. A nurse is performing a Leopold’s maneuver. What does the first maneuver assess?
a) Fetal position
b) Fetal part in the fundus
c) Fetal heart rate
d) Cervical dilation
Rationale: The first Leopold’s maneuver determines the fetal part in the fundus.
10. A client at 36 weeks gestation reports swelling in her hands and face. What should the
nurse suspect?
a) Normal pregnancy changes
b) Preeclampsia
c) Dehydration
d) Gestational diabetes
Rationale: Facial and hand swelling may indicate preeclampsia, a serious complication.
11. A nurse is monitoring a fetal heart rate (FHR) strip. What indicates a reassuring pattern?
a) Absent variability
b) FHR 110–160 bpm with moderate variability
c) Late decelerations
d) Bradycardia
Rationale: A FHR of 110–160 bpm with moderate variability is reassuring.
, 3
12. A client in labor is receiving oxytocin. What is a potential adverse effect?
a) Hypoglycemia
b) Uterine hyperstimulation
c) Bradycardia in the mother
d) Increased fetal movement
Rationale: Oxytocin can cause uterine hyperstimulation, leading to fetal distress.
13. A nurse is caring for a client in the first stage of labor. What is the priority assessment?
a) Blood pressure
b) Fetal heart rate
c) Maternal temperature
d) Urine output
Rationale: Fetal heart rate is the priority to assess fetal well-being during labor.
14. A client at 39 weeks gestation reports a gush of fluid. What is the nurse’s priority action?
a) Administer pain medication
b) Assess for umbilical cord prolapse
c) Encourage ambulation
d) Ignore the report
Rationale: A gush of fluid may indicate rupture of membranes, requiring assessment for
cord prolapse.
15. A nurse is teaching a client about magnesium sulfate for preeclampsia. What is its
primary action?
a) Analgesic
b) Anticonvulsant
c) Antihypertensive
d) Diuretic
Rationale: Magnesium sulfate prevents seizures in preeclampsia.
16. A client in labor has a FHR with late decelerations. What is the nurse’s priority action?
a) Increase oxytocin infusion
b) Reposition the client to the left lateral position
c) Administer pain medication
d) Prepare for immediate delivery
Rationale: Late decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency; repositioning
improves blood flow.
17. A postpartum client reports heavy vaginal bleeding. What is the nurse’s priority action?
a) Administer an antiemetic
b) Assess fundal height and firmness
c) Encourage ambulation
d) Ignore the report
Rationale: Heavy bleeding may indicate postpartum hemorrhage, requiring fundal
assessment.
18. A nurse is teaching a client about breastfeeding. What position promotes effective latch?
a) Supine
b) Cradle hold
c) Prone
2025/2026 HESI RN Maternity Actual
Exam – 150 Verified Questions with
Highlighted Answers and Expert
Rationales | Graded A+
1. A pregnant client at 12 weeks gestation reports nausea and vomiting. What is the nurse’s
priority intervention?
a) Administer an antiemetic without a prescription
b) Encourage small, frequent meals
c) Recommend fasting until symptoms subside
d) Suggest high-fat meals
Rationale: Small, frequent meals help stabilize stomach acid and reduce nausea in early
pregnancy.
2. A client at 38 weeks gestation is experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions. What should
the nurse teach?
a) Go to the hospital immediately
b) Rest and hydrate to ease contractions
c) Take pain medication
d) Ignore the contractions
Rationale: Braxton Hicks contractions are normal and often relieved by rest and
hydration.
3. A nurse is assessing a client’s fundal height at 32 weeks gestation. Where should the
fundus be located?
a) At the symphysis pubis
b) Halfway between the umbilicus and xiphoid process
c) At the umbilicus
d) Below the xiphoid process
Rationale: At 32 weeks, the fundus is typically halfway between the umbilicus and
xiphoid process.
4. A client asks about foods to increase iron intake during pregnancy. What should the nurse
recommend?
a) White bread
b) Lean red meat and spinach
c) Ice cream
d) Potatoes
Rationale: Lean red meat and spinach are rich in iron, essential for preventing anemia in
pregnancy.
5. A pregnant client is Rh-negative. When should the nurse expect RhoGAM to be
administered?
a) At delivery only
, 2
b) At 28 weeks gestation and postpartum
c) Every trimester
d) Only if bleeding occurs
Rationale: RhoGAM is given at 28 weeks and postpartum to prevent Rh
isoimmunization.
6. A client at 16 weeks gestation reports a lack of fetal movement. What is the nurse’s best
response?
a) Schedule an immediate ultrasound
b) Explain that fetal movement is typically felt at 18–20 weeks
c) Recommend bed rest
d) Administer oxygen
Rationale: Fetal movement is usually perceived between 18–20 weeks in primigravidas.
7. A nurse is teaching a client about prenatal vitamins. What is the primary purpose of folic
acid?
a) Improve digestion
b) Prevent neural tube defects
c) Increase energy levels
d) Reduce nausea
Rationale: Folic acid reduces the risk of neural tube defects in the fetus.
8. A client at 24 weeks gestation has a positive glucose tolerance test. What is the priority
nursing action?
a) Administer insulin immediately
b) Refer to a dietitian for nutritional counseling
c) Restrict all carbohydrates
d) Ignore the results
Rationale: Nutritional counseling is the first step in managing gestational diabetes.
9. A nurse is performing a Leopold’s maneuver. What does the first maneuver assess?
a) Fetal position
b) Fetal part in the fundus
c) Fetal heart rate
d) Cervical dilation
Rationale: The first Leopold’s maneuver determines the fetal part in the fundus.
10. A client at 36 weeks gestation reports swelling in her hands and face. What should the
nurse suspect?
a) Normal pregnancy changes
b) Preeclampsia
c) Dehydration
d) Gestational diabetes
Rationale: Facial and hand swelling may indicate preeclampsia, a serious complication.
11. A nurse is monitoring a fetal heart rate (FHR) strip. What indicates a reassuring pattern?
a) Absent variability
b) FHR 110–160 bpm with moderate variability
c) Late decelerations
d) Bradycardia
Rationale: A FHR of 110–160 bpm with moderate variability is reassuring.
, 3
12. A client in labor is receiving oxytocin. What is a potential adverse effect?
a) Hypoglycemia
b) Uterine hyperstimulation
c) Bradycardia in the mother
d) Increased fetal movement
Rationale: Oxytocin can cause uterine hyperstimulation, leading to fetal distress.
13. A nurse is caring for a client in the first stage of labor. What is the priority assessment?
a) Blood pressure
b) Fetal heart rate
c) Maternal temperature
d) Urine output
Rationale: Fetal heart rate is the priority to assess fetal well-being during labor.
14. A client at 39 weeks gestation reports a gush of fluid. What is the nurse’s priority action?
a) Administer pain medication
b) Assess for umbilical cord prolapse
c) Encourage ambulation
d) Ignore the report
Rationale: A gush of fluid may indicate rupture of membranes, requiring assessment for
cord prolapse.
15. A nurse is teaching a client about magnesium sulfate for preeclampsia. What is its
primary action?
a) Analgesic
b) Anticonvulsant
c) Antihypertensive
d) Diuretic
Rationale: Magnesium sulfate prevents seizures in preeclampsia.
16. A client in labor has a FHR with late decelerations. What is the nurse’s priority action?
a) Increase oxytocin infusion
b) Reposition the client to the left lateral position
c) Administer pain medication
d) Prepare for immediate delivery
Rationale: Late decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency; repositioning
improves blood flow.
17. A postpartum client reports heavy vaginal bleeding. What is the nurse’s priority action?
a) Administer an antiemetic
b) Assess fundal height and firmness
c) Encourage ambulation
d) Ignore the report
Rationale: Heavy bleeding may indicate postpartum hemorrhage, requiring fundal
assessment.
18. A nurse is teaching a client about breastfeeding. What position promotes effective latch?
a) Supine
b) Cradle hold
c) Prone
