OB HESI EXAM QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 2026-2027 | 2024 UP… EXAM
P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
OB HESI Exam
Questions & Answers
2026-2027 | 2024
Updated Edition
(Rationales)
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales
109 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This updated OB HESI exam preparation document contains 109 questions with provided
correct answers and detailed rationales, covering essential concepts in perinatal nursing. It
is an invaluable resource for students to study and review key information for certification
preparation.
CONTENTS
• Labor & Delivery Complications • Maternal-Infant Bonding & Support
• Maternal Nutrition & Health • Newborn Assessment & Care
• Postpartum Care & Complications • Pregnancy Physiology & Changes
Page 1
, • High-Risk Pregnancy & Antepartum • Fetal Monitoring & Assessment
E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 109
A multiparous client has been in labor for 8 hours when her membranes rupture. Which
action should the nurse implement first?
Prepare the client for imminent birth.
Assess the fetal heart rate and pattern.
Document the characteristics of the fluid.
Notify the client's primary healthcare provider.
CORRECT ANSWER
Assess the fetal heart rate and pattern.
RATIONALE
Assessing the fetal heart rate and pattern immediately after membrane rupture is paramount to
detect potential umbilical cord compression or fetal distress, which are emergent complications.
This action directly addresses the most immediate risk to fetal well-being.
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 109
A primigravida at 37 weeks gestation tells the nurse that her "bag of water" has broken.
While inspecting the client's perineum, the nurse notes the umbilical cord protruding from
the vagina. Which action should the nurse implement first?
Administer 10 L of oxygen via face mask.
Give the healthcare provider a status report.
Place the client in the knee-chest position.
Wrap the cord with gauze soaked in saline.
CORRECT ANSWER
Place the client in the knee-chest position.
Page 2
, RATIONALE
Placing the client in the knee-chest position helps relieve pressure on the umbilical cord,
promoting fetal circulation by gravity. This position is the immediate priority to prevent cord
compression and subsequent fetal hypoxia.
Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 109
A client in the first stage of active labor is using a shallow pattern of rapid breaths that is
twice the normal adult breathing rate. The client reports feeling light-headed and dizzy, and
she states that her fingers are tingling. Which action should the nurse implement?
Notify the healthcare provider.
Help her breathe into a paper bag.
Administer oxygen via nasal cannula.
Tell the client to slow her breathing.
CORRECT ANSWER
Help her breathe into a paper bag.
RATIONALE
The client is experiencing hyperventilation, evidenced by rapid breathing and symptoms of
respiratory alkalosis like light-headedness and paresthesia, which is corrected by rebreathing
exhaled carbon dioxide. Helping her breathe into a paper bag facilitates this rebreathing process,
increasing arterial PCO2 and alleviating symptoms.
Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 109
A client is receiving an oxytocin infusion for induction of labor. When the client begins
active labor, the fetal heart rate (FHR) slows at the onset of several contractions with
subsequent return to baseline before each contraction ends. Which action should the nurse
implement?
Insert an internal monitor device.
Change the client's position.
Discontinue the oxytocin infusion.
Document the finding in the client record.
CORRECT ANSWER
Document the finding in the client record.
Page 3
, RATIONALE
Variable decelerations that resolve before the end of the contraction are typically caused by
transient umbilical cord compression, and the priority intervention is to document the finding and
continue close maternal-fetal monitoring. While changing position can help alleviate cord
compression, the pattern described is not indicative of a severe or prolonged fetal hypoxia
requiring immediate discontinuation of oxytocin.
Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 109
A gravid client develops maternal hypotension following regional anesthesia. Which
intervention(s) should the nurse implement? (Select all that apply.)
Administer oxygen.
Increase IV fluids.
Perform a vaginal examination.
Assist the client to a sitting position.
Place the client in a lateral position.
Monitor fetal status.
CORRECT ANSWER
Administer oxygen.
Increase IV fluids.
Place the client in a lateral position.
Monitor fetal status.
RATIONALE
Maternal hypotension post-regional anesthesia is often due to aortocaval compression; therefore,
interventions focus on increasing venous return and improving oxygenation to mitigate fetal
hypoxia. Shifting the client laterally relieves compression, IV fluids increase circulating volume,
oxygenation supports maternal and fetal oxygen levels, and fetal monitoring assesses the response
to these interventions.
Q6 QUESTION 6 OF 109
The nurse notes a pattern of the fetal heart rate decreasing after each contraction. Which
action should the nurse implement?
Give 10 liters of oxygen via face mask.
Prepare for an emergency cesarean section.
Continue to monitor the fetal heart rate pattern.
Obtain an oral maternal temperature.
Page 4
P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
OB HESI Exam
Questions & Answers
2026-2027 | 2024
Updated Edition
(Rationales)
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales
109 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This updated OB HESI exam preparation document contains 109 questions with provided
correct answers and detailed rationales, covering essential concepts in perinatal nursing. It
is an invaluable resource for students to study and review key information for certification
preparation.
CONTENTS
• Labor & Delivery Complications • Maternal-Infant Bonding & Support
• Maternal Nutrition & Health • Newborn Assessment & Care
• Postpartum Care & Complications • Pregnancy Physiology & Changes
Page 1
, • High-Risk Pregnancy & Antepartum • Fetal Monitoring & Assessment
E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 109
A multiparous client has been in labor for 8 hours when her membranes rupture. Which
action should the nurse implement first?
Prepare the client for imminent birth.
Assess the fetal heart rate and pattern.
Document the characteristics of the fluid.
Notify the client's primary healthcare provider.
CORRECT ANSWER
Assess the fetal heart rate and pattern.
RATIONALE
Assessing the fetal heart rate and pattern immediately after membrane rupture is paramount to
detect potential umbilical cord compression or fetal distress, which are emergent complications.
This action directly addresses the most immediate risk to fetal well-being.
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 109
A primigravida at 37 weeks gestation tells the nurse that her "bag of water" has broken.
While inspecting the client's perineum, the nurse notes the umbilical cord protruding from
the vagina. Which action should the nurse implement first?
Administer 10 L of oxygen via face mask.
Give the healthcare provider a status report.
Place the client in the knee-chest position.
Wrap the cord with gauze soaked in saline.
CORRECT ANSWER
Place the client in the knee-chest position.
Page 2
, RATIONALE
Placing the client in the knee-chest position helps relieve pressure on the umbilical cord,
promoting fetal circulation by gravity. This position is the immediate priority to prevent cord
compression and subsequent fetal hypoxia.
Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 109
A client in the first stage of active labor is using a shallow pattern of rapid breaths that is
twice the normal adult breathing rate. The client reports feeling light-headed and dizzy, and
she states that her fingers are tingling. Which action should the nurse implement?
Notify the healthcare provider.
Help her breathe into a paper bag.
Administer oxygen via nasal cannula.
Tell the client to slow her breathing.
CORRECT ANSWER
Help her breathe into a paper bag.
RATIONALE
The client is experiencing hyperventilation, evidenced by rapid breathing and symptoms of
respiratory alkalosis like light-headedness and paresthesia, which is corrected by rebreathing
exhaled carbon dioxide. Helping her breathe into a paper bag facilitates this rebreathing process,
increasing arterial PCO2 and alleviating symptoms.
Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 109
A client is receiving an oxytocin infusion for induction of labor. When the client begins
active labor, the fetal heart rate (FHR) slows at the onset of several contractions with
subsequent return to baseline before each contraction ends. Which action should the nurse
implement?
Insert an internal monitor device.
Change the client's position.
Discontinue the oxytocin infusion.
Document the finding in the client record.
CORRECT ANSWER
Document the finding in the client record.
Page 3
, RATIONALE
Variable decelerations that resolve before the end of the contraction are typically caused by
transient umbilical cord compression, and the priority intervention is to document the finding and
continue close maternal-fetal monitoring. While changing position can help alleviate cord
compression, the pattern described is not indicative of a severe or prolonged fetal hypoxia
requiring immediate discontinuation of oxytocin.
Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 109
A gravid client develops maternal hypotension following regional anesthesia. Which
intervention(s) should the nurse implement? (Select all that apply.)
Administer oxygen.
Increase IV fluids.
Perform a vaginal examination.
Assist the client to a sitting position.
Place the client in a lateral position.
Monitor fetal status.
CORRECT ANSWER
Administer oxygen.
Increase IV fluids.
Place the client in a lateral position.
Monitor fetal status.
RATIONALE
Maternal hypotension post-regional anesthesia is often due to aortocaval compression; therefore,
interventions focus on increasing venous return and improving oxygenation to mitigate fetal
hypoxia. Shifting the client laterally relieves compression, IV fluids increase circulating volume,
oxygenation supports maternal and fetal oxygen levels, and fetal monitoring assesses the response
to these interventions.
Q6 QUESTION 6 OF 109
The nurse notes a pattern of the fetal heart rate decreasing after each contraction. Which
action should the nurse implement?
Give 10 liters of oxygen via face mask.
Prepare for an emergency cesarean section.
Continue to monitor the fetal heart rate pattern.
Obtain an oral maternal temperature.
Page 4
