HESI Maternity and Pediatrics Exam | 2025/2026 Edition |
Latest Questions with Verified Correct Answers | Graded A+
HESI Maternity and Pediatrics Exam | Fully updated for the 2025/2026 cycle, featuring the
latest verified exam-style questions with 100% correct answers. Core topics include maternal
health (prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum), fetal monitoring, newborn care, pediatric
growth and development, childhood illnesses, nutrition, safety, pharmacology, and
family-centered nursing interventions.
Overview
This HESI Maternity and Pediatrics Exam resource provides authentic and accurate questions
with expert-confirmed answers. Designed to reinforce critical thinking, strengthen clinical
judgment, and prepare students for success on HESI and NCLEX exams, it is graded A+ for
accuracy and reliability.
Answer Format
Correct answers are highlighted in bold green with rationales that explain maternal-child
priorities, growth and development considerations, and safe practice interventions to support
deeper learning and exam readiness.
HESI Maternity and Pediatrics Exam 2025/2026 (200 Questions)
Question 1: A pregnant patient at 28 weeks gestation reports vaginal bleeding.
What is the priority action?
A) Encourage bed rest
B) Notify the healthcare provider immediately
C) Perform a pelvic exam
D) Administer oxytocin
B) Notify the healthcare provider immediately
Rationale: Vaginal bleeding may indicate placenta previa or abruption, requiring urgent
evaluation.
Question 2: During labor, the fetal heart rate drops to 90 bpm. What should the
nurse do first?
A) Reposition the mother
B) Administer oxygen
C) Start an IV fluid bolus
D) Prepare for emergency cesarean
A) Reposition the mother
Rationale: Repositioning may relieve cord compression and improve fetal oxygenation.
,Question 3: A postpartum patient has a temperature of 100.6°F (38.1°C) on day 2.
What is the likely cause?
A) Normal postpartum response
B) Endometritis
C) Mastitis
D) Urinary tract infection
B) Endometritis
Rationale: Fever on day 2 may indicate uterine infection.
Question 4: A newborn’s Apgar score is 4 at 1 minute. What is the priority
intervention?
A) Begin resuscitation
B) Observe and reassess at 5 minutes
C) Administer vitamin K
D) Perform a heel stick
A) Begin resuscitation
Rationale: A score <7 requires immediate intervention.
Question 5: A 6-month-old infant is not yet rolling over. What should the nurse
recommend?
A) Consult a pediatrician
B) Encourage tummy time
C) Start physical therapy
D) Monitor for 1 month
B) Encourage tummy time
Rationale: Tummy time supports motor development.
Question 6: A 3-year-old child has a barking cough. What condition is suspected?
A) Asthma
B) Croup
C) Pneumonia
D) Bronchiolitis
B) Croup
Rationale: Barking cough is characteristic of croup.
Question 7: What is the best food introduction for a 6-month-old?
A) Whole milk
B) Iron-fortified cereal
C) Honey
D) Strawberries
B) Iron-fortified cereal
Rationale: Iron needs increase at 6 months.
Question 8: A toddler is at risk for falls. What safety measure is priority?
A) Use stair gates
B) Remove car seats
C) Allow climbing
,D) Skip helmets
A) Use stair gates
Rationale: Gates prevent stair-related injuries.
Question 9: A child is prescribed amoxicillin for an ear infection. What should the
nurse teach?
A) Take with food
B) Complete the full course
C) Stop if diarrhea occurs
D) Take every other day
B) Complete the full course
Rationale: Completing antibiotics prevents resistance.
Question 10: A mother asks how to bond with her newborn. What is the best
response?
A) Limit skin-to-skin contact
B) Encourage kangaroo care
C) Avoid eye contact
D) Feed on a schedule only
B) Encourage kangaroo care
Rationale: Skin-to-skin promotes bonding.
Question 11: A pregnant patient at 36 weeks has edema and hypertension. What is
the concern?
A) Gestational diabetes
B) Preeclampsia
C) Anemia
D) Hyperemesis gravidarum
B) Preeclampsia
Rationale: Edema and hypertension suggest preeclampsia.
Question 12: During labor, the nurse notes late decelerations. What action is
priority?
A) Increase IV fluids
B) Turn the mother to her left side
C) Administer epidural
D) Prepare for delivery
B) Turn the mother to her left side
Rationale: Left lateral position improves placental perfusion.
Question 4: A postpartum patient reports heavy bleeding with clots. What to do?
A) Massage the fundus
B) Encourage ambulation
C) Administer iron supplements
D) Apply a heat pack
A) Massage the fundus
Rationale: Fundal massage controls postpartum hemorrhage.
, Question 15: A newborn has jaundice on day 3. What is the priority?
A) Phototherapy
B) Breastfeeding support
C) Vitamin K injection
D) Heel stick for bilirubin
D) Heel stick for bilirubin
Rationale: Bilirubin levels confirm the need for treatment.
Question 16: A 9-month-old is not sitting unsupported. What should the nurse
suggest?
A) Refer to a specialist
B) Encourage playtime
C) Monitor for 3 months
D) Limit movement
B) Encourage playtime
Rationale: Play supports developmental milestones.
Question 17: A 5-year-old has a rash and fever. What condition is likely?
A) Measles
B) Chickenpox
C) Roseola
D) Scarlet fever
B) Chickenpox
Rationale: Rash and fever are classic signs.
Question 18: What is the recommended daily milk intake for a 2-year-old?
A) 16 ounces
B) 24 ounces
C) 32 ounces
D) 48 ounces
A) 16 ounces
Rationale: Excess milk can displace other nutrients.
Question 19: A child is prescribed acetaminophen for fever. What should the nurse
teach?
A) Use the correct dose
B) Take with juice only
C) Stop if rash appears
D) Give every 12 hours
A) Use the correct dose
Rationale: Accurate dosing prevents toxicity.
Question 20: A family asks about newborn sleep safety. What is the best advice?
A) Place on stomach to sleep
B) Use a firm mattress
C) Add pillows for comfort
D) Cover with heavy blankets
Latest Questions with Verified Correct Answers | Graded A+
HESI Maternity and Pediatrics Exam | Fully updated for the 2025/2026 cycle, featuring the
latest verified exam-style questions with 100% correct answers. Core topics include maternal
health (prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum), fetal monitoring, newborn care, pediatric
growth and development, childhood illnesses, nutrition, safety, pharmacology, and
family-centered nursing interventions.
Overview
This HESI Maternity and Pediatrics Exam resource provides authentic and accurate questions
with expert-confirmed answers. Designed to reinforce critical thinking, strengthen clinical
judgment, and prepare students for success on HESI and NCLEX exams, it is graded A+ for
accuracy and reliability.
Answer Format
Correct answers are highlighted in bold green with rationales that explain maternal-child
priorities, growth and development considerations, and safe practice interventions to support
deeper learning and exam readiness.
HESI Maternity and Pediatrics Exam 2025/2026 (200 Questions)
Question 1: A pregnant patient at 28 weeks gestation reports vaginal bleeding.
What is the priority action?
A) Encourage bed rest
B) Notify the healthcare provider immediately
C) Perform a pelvic exam
D) Administer oxytocin
B) Notify the healthcare provider immediately
Rationale: Vaginal bleeding may indicate placenta previa or abruption, requiring urgent
evaluation.
Question 2: During labor, the fetal heart rate drops to 90 bpm. What should the
nurse do first?
A) Reposition the mother
B) Administer oxygen
C) Start an IV fluid bolus
D) Prepare for emergency cesarean
A) Reposition the mother
Rationale: Repositioning may relieve cord compression and improve fetal oxygenation.
,Question 3: A postpartum patient has a temperature of 100.6°F (38.1°C) on day 2.
What is the likely cause?
A) Normal postpartum response
B) Endometritis
C) Mastitis
D) Urinary tract infection
B) Endometritis
Rationale: Fever on day 2 may indicate uterine infection.
Question 4: A newborn’s Apgar score is 4 at 1 minute. What is the priority
intervention?
A) Begin resuscitation
B) Observe and reassess at 5 minutes
C) Administer vitamin K
D) Perform a heel stick
A) Begin resuscitation
Rationale: A score <7 requires immediate intervention.
Question 5: A 6-month-old infant is not yet rolling over. What should the nurse
recommend?
A) Consult a pediatrician
B) Encourage tummy time
C) Start physical therapy
D) Monitor for 1 month
B) Encourage tummy time
Rationale: Tummy time supports motor development.
Question 6: A 3-year-old child has a barking cough. What condition is suspected?
A) Asthma
B) Croup
C) Pneumonia
D) Bronchiolitis
B) Croup
Rationale: Barking cough is characteristic of croup.
Question 7: What is the best food introduction for a 6-month-old?
A) Whole milk
B) Iron-fortified cereal
C) Honey
D) Strawberries
B) Iron-fortified cereal
Rationale: Iron needs increase at 6 months.
Question 8: A toddler is at risk for falls. What safety measure is priority?
A) Use stair gates
B) Remove car seats
C) Allow climbing
,D) Skip helmets
A) Use stair gates
Rationale: Gates prevent stair-related injuries.
Question 9: A child is prescribed amoxicillin for an ear infection. What should the
nurse teach?
A) Take with food
B) Complete the full course
C) Stop if diarrhea occurs
D) Take every other day
B) Complete the full course
Rationale: Completing antibiotics prevents resistance.
Question 10: A mother asks how to bond with her newborn. What is the best
response?
A) Limit skin-to-skin contact
B) Encourage kangaroo care
C) Avoid eye contact
D) Feed on a schedule only
B) Encourage kangaroo care
Rationale: Skin-to-skin promotes bonding.
Question 11: A pregnant patient at 36 weeks has edema and hypertension. What is
the concern?
A) Gestational diabetes
B) Preeclampsia
C) Anemia
D) Hyperemesis gravidarum
B) Preeclampsia
Rationale: Edema and hypertension suggest preeclampsia.
Question 12: During labor, the nurse notes late decelerations. What action is
priority?
A) Increase IV fluids
B) Turn the mother to her left side
C) Administer epidural
D) Prepare for delivery
B) Turn the mother to her left side
Rationale: Left lateral position improves placental perfusion.
Question 4: A postpartum patient reports heavy bleeding with clots. What to do?
A) Massage the fundus
B) Encourage ambulation
C) Administer iron supplements
D) Apply a heat pack
A) Massage the fundus
Rationale: Fundal massage controls postpartum hemorrhage.
, Question 15: A newborn has jaundice on day 3. What is the priority?
A) Phototherapy
B) Breastfeeding support
C) Vitamin K injection
D) Heel stick for bilirubin
D) Heel stick for bilirubin
Rationale: Bilirubin levels confirm the need for treatment.
Question 16: A 9-month-old is not sitting unsupported. What should the nurse
suggest?
A) Refer to a specialist
B) Encourage playtime
C) Monitor for 3 months
D) Limit movement
B) Encourage playtime
Rationale: Play supports developmental milestones.
Question 17: A 5-year-old has a rash and fever. What condition is likely?
A) Measles
B) Chickenpox
C) Roseola
D) Scarlet fever
B) Chickenpox
Rationale: Rash and fever are classic signs.
Question 18: What is the recommended daily milk intake for a 2-year-old?
A) 16 ounces
B) 24 ounces
C) 32 ounces
D) 48 ounces
A) 16 ounces
Rationale: Excess milk can displace other nutrients.
Question 19: A child is prescribed acetaminophen for fever. What should the nurse
teach?
A) Use the correct dose
B) Take with juice only
C) Stop if rash appears
D) Give every 12 hours
A) Use the correct dose
Rationale: Accurate dosing prevents toxicity.
Question 20: A family asks about newborn sleep safety. What is the best advice?
A) Place on stomach to sleep
B) Use a firm mattress
C) Add pillows for comfort
D) Cover with heavy blankets
