HESI OBSTETRICS/MATERNITY
PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
When preparing a newborn care for expectant parents, what content should the nurse
teach concerning the newborn infant born at term gestation? - Answer-C. Vernix is a
white, cheesy substance, predominately located in the skin folds.
Twenty-four hours after admission to the newborn nursery, a full-term male infant
develops localized edema on the right side of his head. The nurse knows that, in the
newborn, an accumulation of blood between the periosteum and skull which does not
cross the suture line is a newborn variation known as - Answer-A. a cephalhematoma,
caused by forceps trauma and may last up to 8 weeks.
An expectant father tells the nurse he fears that his wife "is losing her mind". He states
she is constantly rubbing her abdomen and talking to the baby and that she actually
reprimands the baby when it moves too much. What recommendation should the nurse
make to the expectant father? - Answer-D. Let him know that these behaviors are part
of normal maternal/fetal bonding which occurs once the mother feels fetal movement.
A new mother asks the nurse, "How do I know my daughter is getting enough breast
milk? Which explanation will the nurse provide? - Answer-B. "your milk is sufficient if the
baby is voiding pale straw-colored urine 6-10 times a day.
A new mother who has just had her first baby says to the nurse, "I saw the baby in the
recovery room. She has a funny looking head". Which response by the nurse is the
best? - Answer-C. That is normal, the head will return to a round shape within 7-10
days.
A client who gave birth to a healthy 8 pound infant 3 hours ago is admitted to the
postpartum unit. Which nursing plan is best in assisting the mother to bond with her
newborn infant? - Answer-D. Meet the mother's physical needs and demonstrate
warmth toward the infant.
A couple, concerned because the woman has not been able to conceive, is referred to a
healthcare provider for a fertility workup and a hysterosalpingography is scheduled.
Which complaint would indicate to the nurse that the woman's fallopian tubes are
patent? - Answer-C. shoulder pain
Which nursing intervention is most helpful in relieving postpartum uterine contractions or
"afterpains?" - Answer-A. Lying prone with a pillow on the abdomen
, Which maternal behavior is the nurse most likely to see when a new mother receives
her infant for the first time? - Answer-B. Her arms and hands receive the infant and she
ten traces the infant's profile with her fingertips.
On admission to the prenatal clinic, a 23-year-old woman tells the nurse that her last
menstrual period began on February 15, and that previously her periods were regular.
Her pregnancy test is positive. This client's expected date of delivery (EDD) is - Answer-
A. November 22
The nurse is counseling a woman who wants to become pregnant. The woman tells the
nurse she has a 36-day menstrual cycle and the first day of her last menstrual period
was January 8. The nurse correctly calculates the woman's next fertile period will be -
Answer-C. January 30-31
A client at 32-weeks gestation is hospitalized with severe pregnancy-induced
hypertension (PIH), and magnesium sulfate is prescribed to control the symptoms.
Which assessment finding would indicate that therapeutic drug level has been
achieved? - Answer-C. a decrease in RR from 24 to 16.
Twenty minutes after a continuous epidural anesthetic is administered, a laboring
client's blood pressure drops from 120/80 to 90/60. What action will the nurse take? -
Answer-C. place the woman in a lateral position.
A client at 28-weeks gestation calls the antepartal clinic and states that she is
experiencing a small amount of vaginal bleeding which she describes as bright red. She
further states that she is not experiencing any uterine contractions or abdominal pain.
What instruction should the nurse provide? - Answer-A. Come to the clinic today for an
ultrasound.
An off-duty nurse finds a woman in a supermarket parking lot delivering an infant while
her husband is screaming for someone to help his wife. Which intervention has the
highest priority? - Answer-D. Put the newborn to breast.
A pregnant client with mitral stenosis Class III is prescribed complete bedrest. The client
asks the nurse. "Why must I stay in bed all the time?" Which response is the best for the
nurse to provide this client? - Answer-A. Complete bedrest decreases oxygen needs
and demands on the heart muscle tissue.
The nurse is teaching care of the newborn to a group of prospective parents and
describes the need for administering antibiotic ointment into the eyes of the newborn.
Which infectious organism will this treatment prevent from harming the infant? - Answer-
C. Gonorrhea
A newborn infant is brought to the nursery from the birthing suite. The nurse notices that
the infant is breathing satifactorily but appears dusky. What action should the nurse take
first? - Answer-C. Check the infant's oxygen saturation rate.
PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
When preparing a newborn care for expectant parents, what content should the nurse
teach concerning the newborn infant born at term gestation? - Answer-C. Vernix is a
white, cheesy substance, predominately located in the skin folds.
Twenty-four hours after admission to the newborn nursery, a full-term male infant
develops localized edema on the right side of his head. The nurse knows that, in the
newborn, an accumulation of blood between the periosteum and skull which does not
cross the suture line is a newborn variation known as - Answer-A. a cephalhematoma,
caused by forceps trauma and may last up to 8 weeks.
An expectant father tells the nurse he fears that his wife "is losing her mind". He states
she is constantly rubbing her abdomen and talking to the baby and that she actually
reprimands the baby when it moves too much. What recommendation should the nurse
make to the expectant father? - Answer-D. Let him know that these behaviors are part
of normal maternal/fetal bonding which occurs once the mother feels fetal movement.
A new mother asks the nurse, "How do I know my daughter is getting enough breast
milk? Which explanation will the nurse provide? - Answer-B. "your milk is sufficient if the
baby is voiding pale straw-colored urine 6-10 times a day.
A new mother who has just had her first baby says to the nurse, "I saw the baby in the
recovery room. She has a funny looking head". Which response by the nurse is the
best? - Answer-C. That is normal, the head will return to a round shape within 7-10
days.
A client who gave birth to a healthy 8 pound infant 3 hours ago is admitted to the
postpartum unit. Which nursing plan is best in assisting the mother to bond with her
newborn infant? - Answer-D. Meet the mother's physical needs and demonstrate
warmth toward the infant.
A couple, concerned because the woman has not been able to conceive, is referred to a
healthcare provider for a fertility workup and a hysterosalpingography is scheduled.
Which complaint would indicate to the nurse that the woman's fallopian tubes are
patent? - Answer-C. shoulder pain
Which nursing intervention is most helpful in relieving postpartum uterine contractions or
"afterpains?" - Answer-A. Lying prone with a pillow on the abdomen
, Which maternal behavior is the nurse most likely to see when a new mother receives
her infant for the first time? - Answer-B. Her arms and hands receive the infant and she
ten traces the infant's profile with her fingertips.
On admission to the prenatal clinic, a 23-year-old woman tells the nurse that her last
menstrual period began on February 15, and that previously her periods were regular.
Her pregnancy test is positive. This client's expected date of delivery (EDD) is - Answer-
A. November 22
The nurse is counseling a woman who wants to become pregnant. The woman tells the
nurse she has a 36-day menstrual cycle and the first day of her last menstrual period
was January 8. The nurse correctly calculates the woman's next fertile period will be -
Answer-C. January 30-31
A client at 32-weeks gestation is hospitalized with severe pregnancy-induced
hypertension (PIH), and magnesium sulfate is prescribed to control the symptoms.
Which assessment finding would indicate that therapeutic drug level has been
achieved? - Answer-C. a decrease in RR from 24 to 16.
Twenty minutes after a continuous epidural anesthetic is administered, a laboring
client's blood pressure drops from 120/80 to 90/60. What action will the nurse take? -
Answer-C. place the woman in a lateral position.
A client at 28-weeks gestation calls the antepartal clinic and states that she is
experiencing a small amount of vaginal bleeding which she describes as bright red. She
further states that she is not experiencing any uterine contractions or abdominal pain.
What instruction should the nurse provide? - Answer-A. Come to the clinic today for an
ultrasound.
An off-duty nurse finds a woman in a supermarket parking lot delivering an infant while
her husband is screaming for someone to help his wife. Which intervention has the
highest priority? - Answer-D. Put the newborn to breast.
A pregnant client with mitral stenosis Class III is prescribed complete bedrest. The client
asks the nurse. "Why must I stay in bed all the time?" Which response is the best for the
nurse to provide this client? - Answer-A. Complete bedrest decreases oxygen needs
and demands on the heart muscle tissue.
The nurse is teaching care of the newborn to a group of prospective parents and
describes the need for administering antibiotic ointment into the eyes of the newborn.
Which infectious organism will this treatment prevent from harming the infant? - Answer-
C. Gonorrhea
A newborn infant is brought to the nursery from the birthing suite. The nurse notices that
the infant is breathing satifactorily but appears dusky. What action should the nurse take
first? - Answer-C. Check the infant's oxygen saturation rate.
