1
HESI RN Maternal Newborn Actual
Exam 2025/2026 – Verified Questions
with Correct Answers and Expert
Rationales | Graded A+
1. A client at 10 weeks gestation reports nausea and vomiting. What is the nurse’s priority
intervention?
a) Administer an antiemetic
b) Encourage small, frequent meals
c) Recommend fasting
d) Suggest high-fat meals
Rationale: Small, frequent meals stabilize stomach acid and reduce nausea in early
pregnancy.
2. A client at 36 weeks gestation reports decreased fetal movement. What is the nurse’s
priority action?
a) Encourage ambulation
b) Perform a nonstress test
c) Administer oxygen
d) Ignore the report
Rationale: Decreased fetal movement requires a nonstress test to assess fetal well-being.
3. A nurse is assessing fundal height at 28 weeks gestation. Where should the fundus be
located?
a) At the symphysis pubis
b) Above the umbilicus
c) Below the xiphoid process
d) At the pelvic brim
Rationale: At 28 weeks, the fundus is typically just above the umbilicus.
4. A client asks about foods to increase folate intake during pregnancy. What should the
nurse recommend?
a) White rice
b) Leafy green vegetables
c) Butter
d) Soda
Rationale: Leafy green vegetables are rich in folate, essential for preventing neural tube
defects.
5. A client at 28 weeks gestation is Rh-negative. When is RhoGAM typically administered?
a) At delivery only
b) At 28 weeks and postpartum
c) Every 4 weeks
d) Only if bleeding occurs
, 2
Rationale: RhoGAM is given at 28 weeks and postpartum to prevent Rh
isoimmunization.
6. A client at 16 weeks gestation reports no fetal movement. What is the nurse’s best
response?
a) Schedule an immediate ultrasound
b) Explain that movement is felt at 18–20 weeks
c) Recommend bed rest
d) Administer oxygen
Rationale: Fetal movement is typically felt between 18–20 weeks in primigravidas.
7. A nurse is teaching about prenatal vitamins. What is the primary purpose of iron?
a) Prevent nausea
b) Support hemoglobin production
c) Enhance fetal growth
d) Reduce fatigue
Rationale: Iron supports hemoglobin production to prevent anemia in pregnancy.
8. A client at 24 weeks gestation has a positive glucose tolerance test. What is the priority
action?
a) Administer insulin
b) Refer to a dietitian
c) Restrict all carbohydrates
d) Ignore the results
Rationale: Nutritional counseling is the first step in managing gestational diabetes.
9. A nurse performs Leopold’s maneuvers. What does the second maneuver assess?
a) Fetal lie
b) Fetal presentation
c) Fundal height
d) Cervical dilation
Rationale: The second maneuver identifies the fetal presentation (e.g., cephalic or
breech).
10. A client at 34 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 is a reassuring FHR range?
a) 80–100 bpm
b) 110–160 bpm
c) 160–180 bpm
d) 60–80 bpm
Rationale: A FHR of 110–160 bpm is normal and reassuring.
12. A client in labor is receiving oxytocin. What is a potential adverse effect?
a) Hypoglycemia
b) Uterine hyperstimulation
HESI RN Maternal Newborn Actual
Exam 2025/2026 – Verified Questions
with Correct Answers and Expert
Rationales | Graded A+
1. A client at 10 weeks gestation reports nausea and vomiting. What is the nurse’s priority
intervention?
a) Administer an antiemetic
b) Encourage small, frequent meals
c) Recommend fasting
d) Suggest high-fat meals
Rationale: Small, frequent meals stabilize stomach acid and reduce nausea in early
pregnancy.
2. A client at 36 weeks gestation reports decreased fetal movement. What is the nurse’s
priority action?
a) Encourage ambulation
b) Perform a nonstress test
c) Administer oxygen
d) Ignore the report
Rationale: Decreased fetal movement requires a nonstress test to assess fetal well-being.
3. A nurse is assessing fundal height at 28 weeks gestation. Where should the fundus be
located?
a) At the symphysis pubis
b) Above the umbilicus
c) Below the xiphoid process
d) At the pelvic brim
Rationale: At 28 weeks, the fundus is typically just above the umbilicus.
4. A client asks about foods to increase folate intake during pregnancy. What should the
nurse recommend?
a) White rice
b) Leafy green vegetables
c) Butter
d) Soda
Rationale: Leafy green vegetables are rich in folate, essential for preventing neural tube
defects.
5. A client at 28 weeks gestation is Rh-negative. When is RhoGAM typically administered?
a) At delivery only
b) At 28 weeks and postpartum
c) Every 4 weeks
d) Only if bleeding occurs
, 2
Rationale: RhoGAM is given at 28 weeks and postpartum to prevent Rh
isoimmunization.
6. A client at 16 weeks gestation reports no fetal movement. What is the nurse’s best
response?
a) Schedule an immediate ultrasound
b) Explain that movement is felt at 18–20 weeks
c) Recommend bed rest
d) Administer oxygen
Rationale: Fetal movement is typically felt between 18–20 weeks in primigravidas.
7. A nurse is teaching about prenatal vitamins. What is the primary purpose of iron?
a) Prevent nausea
b) Support hemoglobin production
c) Enhance fetal growth
d) Reduce fatigue
Rationale: Iron supports hemoglobin production to prevent anemia in pregnancy.
8. A client at 24 weeks gestation has a positive glucose tolerance test. What is the priority
action?
a) Administer insulin
b) Refer to a dietitian
c) Restrict all carbohydrates
d) Ignore the results
Rationale: Nutritional counseling is the first step in managing gestational diabetes.
9. A nurse performs Leopold’s maneuvers. What does the second maneuver assess?
a) Fetal lie
b) Fetal presentation
c) Fundal height
d) Cervical dilation
Rationale: The second maneuver identifies the fetal presentation (e.g., cephalic or
breech).
10. A client at 34 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 is a reassuring FHR range?
a) 80–100 bpm
b) 110–160 bpm
c) 160–180 bpm
d) 60–80 bpm
Rationale: A FHR of 110–160 bpm is normal and reassuring.
12. A client in labor is receiving oxytocin. What is a potential adverse effect?
a) Hypoglycemia
b) Uterine hyperstimulation
