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HESI RN Maternity Exam (2025/2026)
– Actual Exam Questions and Verified
Answers with Expert Rationales |
Graded A+
Below are 100 expert-level questions for the HESI RN Maternity Exam, covering prenatal
care, labor and delivery, postpartum care, and high-risk conditions, aligned with the
2025/2026 exam style. The set includes 80 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and 20 select-
all-that-apply (SATA) questions. Correct answers are highlighted in yellow with concise
rationales in red. The format is clean, editable, and exam-ready.
Prenatal Care (25 Questions)
1. A pregnant client at 12 weeks gestation reports nausea and vomiting. Which intervention
should the nurse recommend first?
A. Take prescription antiemetics before meals.
B. Eat small, frequent meals with dry foods.
C. Avoid all food intake until symptoms subside.
D. Drink carbonated beverages to settle the stomach.
Rationale: Small, frequent meals with dry foods like crackers reduce nausea by
preventing an empty stomach, a common trigger in early pregnancy.
2. A client at 16 weeks gestation has a fundal height of 14 cm. What should the nurse do?
A. Document the finding as normal.
B. Notify the provider of a potential issue.
C. Schedule an immediate ultrasound.
D. Reassess the fundal height in 2 weeks.
Rationale: Fundal height should approximate gestational age in centimeters; 14 cm at
16 weeks suggests possible growth restriction, requiring provider notification.
3. Which laboratory test is most critical during the first prenatal visit?
A. Serum glucose level.
B. Blood type and Rh factor.
C. Thyroid function test.
D. Lipid profile.
, 2
Rationale: Blood type and Rh factor determine Rh incompatibility risk, critical for
preventing hemolytic disease in the fetus.
4. A client asks about safe exercise during pregnancy. Which response by the nurse is
appropriate?
A. Avoid all physical activity to prevent preterm labor.
B. Engage in moderate exercise like walking for 30 minutes daily.
C. Perform high-intensity workouts to maintain fitness.
D. Exercise only in the third trimester to avoid complications.
Rationale: Moderate exercise, like walking, is safe and promotes maternal health unless
contraindicated.
5. A client at 20 weeks gestation reports leg cramps. Which intervention should the nurse
suggest?
A. Increase sodium intake.
B. Stretch the calf muscles gently before bed.
C. Avoid weight-bearing activities.
D. Take over-the-counter pain relievers.
Rationale: Calf stretching relieves leg cramps caused by muscle tension and poor
circulation in pregnancy.
6. Which finding during a prenatal visit requires immediate action?
A. Blood pressure of 120/80 mmHg.
B. Severe headache with blurred vision.
C. Mild ankle edema.
D. Weight gain of 1 lb per week.
Rationale: Severe headache with blurred vision may indicate preeclampsia, a medical
emergency requiring immediate attention.
7. A client at 28 weeks gestation has a positive glucose tolerance test. What is the nurse’s
priority action?
A. Schedule a repeat test in 2 weeks.
B. Refer the client to a dietitian for gestational diabetes management.
C. Advise the client to avoid all carbohydrates.
D. Document the result as normal.
Rationale: A positive glucose tolerance test indicates gestational diabetes, requiring
dietary management to prevent complications.
8. Which vaccine is safe to administer during pregnancy?
A. Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR).
B. Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap).
, 3
C. Varicella.
D. Human papillomavirus (HPV).
Rationale: Tdap is recommended during pregnancy to protect the newborn from
pertussis; live vaccines like MMR and varicella are contraindicated.
9. A client at 10 weeks gestation reports spotting. What should the nurse do first?
A. Reassure the client that spotting is normal.
B. Assess the amount and color of the bleeding.
C. Schedule a routine ultrasound.
D. Advise bed rest for 48 hours.
Rationale: Assessing bleeding characteristics helps determine if it’s benign or indicates
a complication like miscarriage.
10. A client asks about folic acid intake. What should the nurse recommend?
A. Take 200 mcg daily.
B. Take 400–800 mcg daily to prevent neural tube defects.
C. Avoid folic acid after the first trimester.
D. Take folic acid only if anemic.
Rationale: 400–800 mcg of folic acid daily is recommended to prevent neural tube
defects, especially in early pregnancy.
11. Which prenatal screening is performed between 15–20 weeks gestation?
A. Nuchal translucency scan.
B. Quad screen.
C. Glucose challenge test.
D. Group B Streptococcus (GBS) culture.
Rationale: The quad screen, performed at 15–20 weeks, assesses risks for Down
syndrome and neural tube defects.
12. A client at 32 weeks gestation reports decreased fetal movement. What should the nurse
do?
A. Document the finding as normal.
B. Instruct the client to perform a fetal kick count and report results.
C. Advise the client to rest for 24 hours.
D. Schedule a routine prenatal visit.
Rationale: Decreased fetal movement may indicate fetal distress; kick counts monitor
fetal well-being.
13. A client with a history of hypertension is at 8 weeks gestation. Which medication is
contraindicated?
A. Labetalol.
HESI RN Maternity Exam (2025/2026)
– Actual Exam Questions and Verified
Answers with Expert Rationales |
Graded A+
Below are 100 expert-level questions for the HESI RN Maternity Exam, covering prenatal
care, labor and delivery, postpartum care, and high-risk conditions, aligned with the
2025/2026 exam style. The set includes 80 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and 20 select-
all-that-apply (SATA) questions. Correct answers are highlighted in yellow with concise
rationales in red. The format is clean, editable, and exam-ready.
Prenatal Care (25 Questions)
1. A pregnant client at 12 weeks gestation reports nausea and vomiting. Which intervention
should the nurse recommend first?
A. Take prescription antiemetics before meals.
B. Eat small, frequent meals with dry foods.
C. Avoid all food intake until symptoms subside.
D. Drink carbonated beverages to settle the stomach.
Rationale: Small, frequent meals with dry foods like crackers reduce nausea by
preventing an empty stomach, a common trigger in early pregnancy.
2. A client at 16 weeks gestation has a fundal height of 14 cm. What should the nurse do?
A. Document the finding as normal.
B. Notify the provider of a potential issue.
C. Schedule an immediate ultrasound.
D. Reassess the fundal height in 2 weeks.
Rationale: Fundal height should approximate gestational age in centimeters; 14 cm at
16 weeks suggests possible growth restriction, requiring provider notification.
3. Which laboratory test is most critical during the first prenatal visit?
A. Serum glucose level.
B. Blood type and Rh factor.
C. Thyroid function test.
D. Lipid profile.
, 2
Rationale: Blood type and Rh factor determine Rh incompatibility risk, critical for
preventing hemolytic disease in the fetus.
4. A client asks about safe exercise during pregnancy. Which response by the nurse is
appropriate?
A. Avoid all physical activity to prevent preterm labor.
B. Engage in moderate exercise like walking for 30 minutes daily.
C. Perform high-intensity workouts to maintain fitness.
D. Exercise only in the third trimester to avoid complications.
Rationale: Moderate exercise, like walking, is safe and promotes maternal health unless
contraindicated.
5. A client at 20 weeks gestation reports leg cramps. Which intervention should the nurse
suggest?
A. Increase sodium intake.
B. Stretch the calf muscles gently before bed.
C. Avoid weight-bearing activities.
D. Take over-the-counter pain relievers.
Rationale: Calf stretching relieves leg cramps caused by muscle tension and poor
circulation in pregnancy.
6. Which finding during a prenatal visit requires immediate action?
A. Blood pressure of 120/80 mmHg.
B. Severe headache with blurred vision.
C. Mild ankle edema.
D. Weight gain of 1 lb per week.
Rationale: Severe headache with blurred vision may indicate preeclampsia, a medical
emergency requiring immediate attention.
7. A client at 28 weeks gestation has a positive glucose tolerance test. What is the nurse’s
priority action?
A. Schedule a repeat test in 2 weeks.
B. Refer the client to a dietitian for gestational diabetes management.
C. Advise the client to avoid all carbohydrates.
D. Document the result as normal.
Rationale: A positive glucose tolerance test indicates gestational diabetes, requiring
dietary management to prevent complications.
8. Which vaccine is safe to administer during pregnancy?
A. Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR).
B. Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap).
, 3
C. Varicella.
D. Human papillomavirus (HPV).
Rationale: Tdap is recommended during pregnancy to protect the newborn from
pertussis; live vaccines like MMR and varicella are contraindicated.
9. A client at 10 weeks gestation reports spotting. What should the nurse do first?
A. Reassure the client that spotting is normal.
B. Assess the amount and color of the bleeding.
C. Schedule a routine ultrasound.
D. Advise bed rest for 48 hours.
Rationale: Assessing bleeding characteristics helps determine if it’s benign or indicates
a complication like miscarriage.
10. A client asks about folic acid intake. What should the nurse recommend?
A. Take 200 mcg daily.
B. Take 400–800 mcg daily to prevent neural tube defects.
C. Avoid folic acid after the first trimester.
D. Take folic acid only if anemic.
Rationale: 400–800 mcg of folic acid daily is recommended to prevent neural tube
defects, especially in early pregnancy.
11. Which prenatal screening is performed between 15–20 weeks gestation?
A. Nuchal translucency scan.
B. Quad screen.
C. Glucose challenge test.
D. Group B Streptococcus (GBS) culture.
Rationale: The quad screen, performed at 15–20 weeks, assesses risks for Down
syndrome and neural tube defects.
12. A client at 32 weeks gestation reports decreased fetal movement. What should the nurse
do?
A. Document the finding as normal.
B. Instruct the client to perform a fetal kick count and report results.
C. Advise the client to rest for 24 hours.
D. Schedule a routine prenatal visit.
Rationale: Decreased fetal movement may indicate fetal distress; kick counts monitor
fetal well-being.
13. A client with a history of hypertension is at 8 weeks gestation. Which medication is
contraindicated?
A. Labetalol.
