Page 1 of 858
HESI MATERNITY OBSTETRICS (OB) EXAM QUESTION
BANK COMPLETE 2000 QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR
HESI OB MATERNITY exam
QUESTION: Twenty-four hours after admission to the newborn nursery, a full-term male infant
develops localized swelling on the right side of his head. In a newborn, what is the most likely
cause of this accumulation of blood between the periosteum and skull that does not cross the
suture line?
A.Cephalhematoma, which is caused by forceps trauma
B.Subarachnoid hematoma, which requires immediate drainage
C.Molding, which is caused by pressure during labor
D.Subdural hematoma, which can result in lifelong damage - ANSWER-A.Cephalhematoma,
which is caused by forceps trauma
Rationale: Cephalhematoma, a slight abnormal variation of the newborn, usually arises within
the first 24 hours after delivery. Trauma from delivery causes capillary bleeding between the
1
,Page 2 of 858
periosteum and skull. Option C is a cranial distortion lasting 5 to 7 days, caused by pressure on
the cranium during vaginal delivery, and is a common variation of the newborn. Options B and
D both involve intracranial bleeding and could not be detected by physical assessment alone.
QUESTION: Prior to discharge, what instructions should the nurse give to parents regarding the
newborn's umbilical cord care at home?
A.Wash the cord frequently with mild soap and water.
B.Cover the cord with a sterile dressing.
C.Allow the cord to air-dry as much as possible.
D.Apply baby lotion after the baby's daily bath - ANSWER-C.Allow the cord to air-dry as much
as possible.
Rationale:Recent studies have indicated that air drying or plain water application may be equal
to or more effective than alcohol in the cord healing process. Options A, B, and D are incorrect
because they promote moisture and increase the potential for infection.
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QUESTION: A mother expresses fear about changing the infant's diaper after circumcision.
What information should the nurse include in the teaching plan?
A.Cleanse the penis with prepackaged diaper wipes every 3 to 4 hours.
B.Wash off the yellow exudate on the glans once every day to prevent infection.
C.Place petroleum ointment around the glans with each diaper change and cleansing.
D.Apply pressure by squeezing the penis with the fingers for 5 minutes if bleeding occurs. -
ANSWER-C.Place petroleum ointment around the glans with each diaper change and cleansing.
Rationale:
With each diaper change, the glans penis should be washed with warm water to remove any
urine or feces, and petroleum ointment should be applied to prevent the diaper from sticking
to the healing surface. Prepackaged wipes often contain other products that may irritate the
site. The yellow exudate, which covers the glans penis as the area heals and epithelializes, is not
an infective process and should not be removed. If bleeding occurs at home, the client should
be instructed to apply gentle pressure to the site of the bleeding with sterile gauze squares and
call the health care provider.
3
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An expectant father tells the nurse he fears that his wife is "losing her mind." He states that
she is constantly rubbing her abdomen and talking to the baby and that she actually reprimands
the baby when it moves too much. Which recommendation should the nurse make to this
expectant father?
A.Suggest that his wife seek professional counseling to deal with her symptoms.
B.Explain that his wife is exhibiting ambivalence about the pregnancy.
C. Ask him to report similar abnormal behaviors at the next prenatal visit.
D.Reassure him that normal maternal-fetal bonding is occurring. - ANSWER-D) Reassure him
that normal maternal-fetal bonding is occurring.
Rationale:
These behaviors are positive signs of maternal-fetal bonding and do not reflect ambivalence.
No intervention is needed. Quickening, the first perception of fetal movement, occurs at 17 to
20 weeks of gestation and begins a new phase of prenatal bonding during the second trimester.
Options A and C are not necessary because the behaviors displayed are normal.
QUESTION: The nurse is preparing a laboring client for an amniotomy. Immediately after the
procedure is completed, it is most important for the nurse to obtain which information?
4
HESI MATERNITY OBSTETRICS (OB) EXAM QUESTION
BANK COMPLETE 2000 QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR
HESI OB MATERNITY exam
QUESTION: Twenty-four hours after admission to the newborn nursery, a full-term male infant
develops localized swelling on the right side of his head. In a newborn, what is the most likely
cause of this accumulation of blood between the periosteum and skull that does not cross the
suture line?
A.Cephalhematoma, which is caused by forceps trauma
B.Subarachnoid hematoma, which requires immediate drainage
C.Molding, which is caused by pressure during labor
D.Subdural hematoma, which can result in lifelong damage - ANSWER-A.Cephalhematoma,
which is caused by forceps trauma
Rationale: Cephalhematoma, a slight abnormal variation of the newborn, usually arises within
the first 24 hours after delivery. Trauma from delivery causes capillary bleeding between the
1
,Page 2 of 858
periosteum and skull. Option C is a cranial distortion lasting 5 to 7 days, caused by pressure on
the cranium during vaginal delivery, and is a common variation of the newborn. Options B and
D both involve intracranial bleeding and could not be detected by physical assessment alone.
QUESTION: Prior to discharge, what instructions should the nurse give to parents regarding the
newborn's umbilical cord care at home?
A.Wash the cord frequently with mild soap and water.
B.Cover the cord with a sterile dressing.
C.Allow the cord to air-dry as much as possible.
D.Apply baby lotion after the baby's daily bath - ANSWER-C.Allow the cord to air-dry as much
as possible.
Rationale:Recent studies have indicated that air drying or plain water application may be equal
to or more effective than alcohol in the cord healing process. Options A, B, and D are incorrect
because they promote moisture and increase the potential for infection.
2
,Page 3 of 858
QUESTION: A mother expresses fear about changing the infant's diaper after circumcision.
What information should the nurse include in the teaching plan?
A.Cleanse the penis with prepackaged diaper wipes every 3 to 4 hours.
B.Wash off the yellow exudate on the glans once every day to prevent infection.
C.Place petroleum ointment around the glans with each diaper change and cleansing.
D.Apply pressure by squeezing the penis with the fingers for 5 minutes if bleeding occurs. -
ANSWER-C.Place petroleum ointment around the glans with each diaper change and cleansing.
Rationale:
With each diaper change, the glans penis should be washed with warm water to remove any
urine or feces, and petroleum ointment should be applied to prevent the diaper from sticking
to the healing surface. Prepackaged wipes often contain other products that may irritate the
site. The yellow exudate, which covers the glans penis as the area heals and epithelializes, is not
an infective process and should not be removed. If bleeding occurs at home, the client should
be instructed to apply gentle pressure to the site of the bleeding with sterile gauze squares and
call the health care provider.
3
, Page 4 of 858
An expectant father tells the nurse he fears that his wife is "losing her mind." He states that
she is constantly rubbing her abdomen and talking to the baby and that she actually reprimands
the baby when it moves too much. Which recommendation should the nurse make to this
expectant father?
A.Suggest that his wife seek professional counseling to deal with her symptoms.
B.Explain that his wife is exhibiting ambivalence about the pregnancy.
C. Ask him to report similar abnormal behaviors at the next prenatal visit.
D.Reassure him that normal maternal-fetal bonding is occurring. - ANSWER-D) Reassure him
that normal maternal-fetal bonding is occurring.
Rationale:
These behaviors are positive signs of maternal-fetal bonding and do not reflect ambivalence.
No intervention is needed. Quickening, the first perception of fetal movement, occurs at 17 to
20 weeks of gestation and begins a new phase of prenatal bonding during the second trimester.
Options A and C are not necessary because the behaviors displayed are normal.
QUESTION: The nurse is preparing a laboring client for an amniotomy. Immediately after the
procedure is completed, it is most important for the nurse to obtain which information?
4
