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RN HESI Maternity Questions and Answers
A primigravida arrives at the observation unit of the maternity
unit because thinks is in labor. The
nurse applies the external fetal heart monitor and determines that
the fetal heart rate is 140
beats/minute and the contractions are occurring irregularly every
10 to 15 minutes. What
assessment finding confirms to the nurse that the client is not
labor at this time?
Ans: Contractions decrease with walking.
A primipara has delivered a stillborn fetus at 30 weeks gestation.
To asses the parents in the grieving process which intervention is
most for the nurse to implement ?
A. explain the possible cause of the fetal demise
B. Provide a time for the parents to hold their infant in privacy
C. Encourage the parents to seek counseling within the next few
weeks
D. Assist the couple to request autopsy
Ans: B. provide a time for the parents to hold their infant in privacy
What is the priority nursing assessment immediately following the
birth of an infant with esophageal atresia and a tracheoesophageal
(the) fistula ?
A. body temperature
B. level of pain
C. time of first void
D. number of vessels in the cord
Ans: A. body temperature
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What is the most important assessment for the nurse to conduct
following the administration of epidural anesthesia to a client who
is at 40-weeks gestation?
A. Level of pain sensation
B. Station of presenting part
C. Variability of fetal heart rate
D. Maternal blood pressure
Ans: D. Maternal blood pressure
A 34-week primigravida with pregnancy induced hypertension
(PIH) is receiving Ringer's Lactate 500 ml with magnesium sulfate
20 grams at the rate of 3 grams/hour. How many ml/hour should
the nurse program the infusion pump? (Enter numeric value only)
A. 120
B. 70
C. 65
D. 75
Ans: D. 75
A mother of a 3-year-old boy has just given birth to a new baby
girl. The little boy asks the nurse, "Why is my baby sister eating my
mommy's breast?" How should the nurse respond? (Select all that
apply)
A. Explain that newborns get milk from their mothers in this way
B. Reassure the older brother that it does not hurt his mother
C. Remind him that his mother breastfed him too
D. Suggest that the baby can also drink from a bottle
E. Clarify that breastfeeding is his mother's choice
Ans: A. Explain that newborns get milk from their mothers in this way
B. Reassure the older brother that it does not hurt his mother
C. Remind him that his mother breastfed him too
The nurse is examining an infant for possible cryptorchidism.
Which exam technique should be used?
A. Place the infant in side-lying to facilitate the exam
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B. Hold the penis and retract the foreskin gently
C. Cleanse the penis with an antiseptic-soaked pad
D. Place the infant in warm room and use a calm approach
Ans: D. Place the infant in warm room and use a calm approach
The nurse is planning care for a client at 30-weeks gestation who
is experiencing preterm labor. What maternal prescription is most
important in preventing this fetus from developing respiratory
distress syndrome?
A. Betamethasone (Celestone) 12 mg deep IM
B. Butorphanol 1 mg IV push q2h PRN pain
C. Ampicillin 1 Gram IV push q8h
D. Terbutaline (Brethine) 0.25 mg subcutaneously q15 minutes x3
Ans: A. Betamethasone (Celestone) 12 mg deep IM
A 3-month-old with myelomeningocele and atonic bladder is
catheterized every 4 hours to prevent urinary retention. The home
health nurse notes that the child has developed episodes of
sneezing, urticaria, watery eyes, and a rash in the diaper area.
What action is most important for the nurse to take?
A. Auscultate the lungs for respiratory pneumonia.
B. Draw blood to analyze for streptococcal infection
C. Change to latex-free gloves when handling infant
D. Apply zinc oxide to perineum with each diaper change
Ans: C. Change to latex-free gloves when handling infant
The nurse is caring for a female client, a primigravida, with
preeclampsia. Findings include +2 proteinuria, BP 172/112 mmHg,
facial and hand swelling, complaints of blurry vision and a severe
frontal headache. Which medication should the nurse anticipate
for this client?
A. Clonidine hydrochloride
B. Carbamazepine
C. Furosemide
D. Magnesium sulfate
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Ans: D. Magnesium sulfate
A client at 35-weeks gestation complains of a "pain whenever the
baby moves." On assessment, the nurse notes the client's
temperature to be 101.2F, with severe abdominal or uterine
tenderness on palpation. The nurse knows that these findings are
indicative of what condition?
A. Round ligament strain
B. Chorioamnionitis
C. Abruptio placenta
D. Viral infection.
Ans: B. Chorioamnionitis
A male infant with a 2-day history of fever and diarrhea is
brought to a clinic by his mother who tells the nurse that the child
refuses to drink anything. The nurse determines that the child has
a weak cry with no tears. Which prescription is most important to
implement?
A. Provide a bottle of electrolyte solution
B. Infuse normal saline intravenously
C. Administer an antipyretic rectally
D. Apply external cooling blanket
Ans: B. Infuse normal saline intravenously
A 6-month old child who had a cleft-lip repair has elbow
restraints in place. What nursing intervention should the nurse
plan to implement?
A. remove restraints q4h for 30 minutes and place gloves on the
child's hands
B. record observations of the restraints q2h and ensure that they
are in place at all times
C. obtain the HCP advice as to when the restraints should be
removed
D. remove restraints one at a time to provide ROM exercises
© 2025 All rights reserved
RN HESI Maternity Questions and Answers
A primigravida arrives at the observation unit of the maternity
unit because thinks is in labor. The
nurse applies the external fetal heart monitor and determines that
the fetal heart rate is 140
beats/minute and the contractions are occurring irregularly every
10 to 15 minutes. What
assessment finding confirms to the nurse that the client is not
labor at this time?
Ans: Contractions decrease with walking.
A primipara has delivered a stillborn fetus at 30 weeks gestation.
To asses the parents in the grieving process which intervention is
most for the nurse to implement ?
A. explain the possible cause of the fetal demise
B. Provide a time for the parents to hold their infant in privacy
C. Encourage the parents to seek counseling within the next few
weeks
D. Assist the couple to request autopsy
Ans: B. provide a time for the parents to hold their infant in privacy
What is the priority nursing assessment immediately following the
birth of an infant with esophageal atresia and a tracheoesophageal
(the) fistula ?
A. body temperature
B. level of pain
C. time of first void
D. number of vessels in the cord
Ans: A. body temperature
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
What is the most important assessment for the nurse to conduct
following the administration of epidural anesthesia to a client who
is at 40-weeks gestation?
A. Level of pain sensation
B. Station of presenting part
C. Variability of fetal heart rate
D. Maternal blood pressure
Ans: D. Maternal blood pressure
A 34-week primigravida with pregnancy induced hypertension
(PIH) is receiving Ringer's Lactate 500 ml with magnesium sulfate
20 grams at the rate of 3 grams/hour. How many ml/hour should
the nurse program the infusion pump? (Enter numeric value only)
A. 120
B. 70
C. 65
D. 75
Ans: D. 75
A mother of a 3-year-old boy has just given birth to a new baby
girl. The little boy asks the nurse, "Why is my baby sister eating my
mommy's breast?" How should the nurse respond? (Select all that
apply)
A. Explain that newborns get milk from their mothers in this way
B. Reassure the older brother that it does not hurt his mother
C. Remind him that his mother breastfed him too
D. Suggest that the baby can also drink from a bottle
E. Clarify that breastfeeding is his mother's choice
Ans: A. Explain that newborns get milk from their mothers in this way
B. Reassure the older brother that it does not hurt his mother
C. Remind him that his mother breastfed him too
The nurse is examining an infant for possible cryptorchidism.
Which exam technique should be used?
A. Place the infant in side-lying to facilitate the exam
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 3 | Page
B. Hold the penis and retract the foreskin gently
C. Cleanse the penis with an antiseptic-soaked pad
D. Place the infant in warm room and use a calm approach
Ans: D. Place the infant in warm room and use a calm approach
The nurse is planning care for a client at 30-weeks gestation who
is experiencing preterm labor. What maternal prescription is most
important in preventing this fetus from developing respiratory
distress syndrome?
A. Betamethasone (Celestone) 12 mg deep IM
B. Butorphanol 1 mg IV push q2h PRN pain
C. Ampicillin 1 Gram IV push q8h
D. Terbutaline (Brethine) 0.25 mg subcutaneously q15 minutes x3
Ans: A. Betamethasone (Celestone) 12 mg deep IM
A 3-month-old with myelomeningocele and atonic bladder is
catheterized every 4 hours to prevent urinary retention. The home
health nurse notes that the child has developed episodes of
sneezing, urticaria, watery eyes, and a rash in the diaper area.
What action is most important for the nurse to take?
A. Auscultate the lungs for respiratory pneumonia.
B. Draw blood to analyze for streptococcal infection
C. Change to latex-free gloves when handling infant
D. Apply zinc oxide to perineum with each diaper change
Ans: C. Change to latex-free gloves when handling infant
The nurse is caring for a female client, a primigravida, with
preeclampsia. Findings include +2 proteinuria, BP 172/112 mmHg,
facial and hand swelling, complaints of blurry vision and a severe
frontal headache. Which medication should the nurse anticipate
for this client?
A. Clonidine hydrochloride
B. Carbamazepine
C. Furosemide
D. Magnesium sulfate
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 4 | Page
Ans: D. Magnesium sulfate
A client at 35-weeks gestation complains of a "pain whenever the
baby moves." On assessment, the nurse notes the client's
temperature to be 101.2F, with severe abdominal or uterine
tenderness on palpation. The nurse knows that these findings are
indicative of what condition?
A. Round ligament strain
B. Chorioamnionitis
C. Abruptio placenta
D. Viral infection.
Ans: B. Chorioamnionitis
A male infant with a 2-day history of fever and diarrhea is
brought to a clinic by his mother who tells the nurse that the child
refuses to drink anything. The nurse determines that the child has
a weak cry with no tears. Which prescription is most important to
implement?
A. Provide a bottle of electrolyte solution
B. Infuse normal saline intravenously
C. Administer an antipyretic rectally
D. Apply external cooling blanket
Ans: B. Infuse normal saline intravenously
A 6-month old child who had a cleft-lip repair has elbow
restraints in place. What nursing intervention should the nurse
plan to implement?
A. remove restraints q4h for 30 minutes and place gloves on the
child's hands
B. record observations of the restraints q2h and ensure that they
are in place at all times
C. obtain the HCP advice as to when the restraints should be
removed
D. remove restraints one at a time to provide ROM exercises
© 2025 All rights reserved
