Answers HESI Obstetrics/Maternity
Practice Exam 2026 Questions and
Client teaching is an important part of the maternity nurse's role. Which factor has
the greatest influence on successful teaching of the gravid client? - Correct answer-
A. The client's readiness to learn
A 38-week primagravida who works as a secretary and sits at a computer 8 hours a
day tells the nurse that her feet have begun to swell. Which instruction would be
most effective in preventing pooling of blood in the lower extremities? - Correct
answer-C. Move about every hour
During a prenatal visit, the nurse discusses with a client the effects of smoking on
the fetus. When compared with nonsmokers, mothers who smoke during pregnancy
tend to produce infants who have - Correct answer-B. lower birth weights
A 26-year-old, gravida 2, para 1 client is admitted to the hospital at 28-weeks
gestation in preterm labor. She is given 3 doses of terbutaline sulfate (Brethine)
0.25 mg subcutaneously to stop her labor contractions. The nurse plans to monitor
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,for which primary side effect of terbutaline sulfate? - Correct answer-C.
Tachycardia and a feeling of nervousness
A mother who is breastfeeding her baby receives instructions from the nurse.
Which instruction is most effective to prevent nipple soreness? - Correct answer-C.
correctly place the infant on the breast
A full term infant is transferred to the nursery from L & D. Which information is
most important for the nurse to receive when planning immediate care for the
newborn? - Correct answer-B. Infant's condition at birth and treatment received.
In developing a teaching plan for expectant parents, the nurse plans to include
information about when the parents can expect the infant's fontanels to close. The
nurse bases the explanation on knowledge that for the normal newborn, the -
Correct answer-D. anterior fontanel closes at 12-18 mos and the posterior fontanel
by the end of the second month.
When assessing a client who is 12-weeks gestation, the nurse recommends the she
and her husband consider attending childbirth preparation classes.
What is the best time for the couple to attend these classes? - Correct answer-D. At
30 weeks gestation.
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, The nurse should encourage the laboring client to begin pushing when - Correct
answer-C. the cervix is completely dilated
The nurse is counseling a couple who has sought information about conceiving.
For teaching purposes, the nurse should know that ovulation usually occurs -
Correct answer-A. two weeks before menstruation.
The nurse instructs a laboring client to use accelerated-blow breathing. The client
begins to complain of tingling fingers and dizziness. What action should the nurse
take? - Correct answer-C. have the client breath into her cupped hands
When preparing a newborn care for expectant parents, what content should the
nurse teach concerning the newborn infant born at term gestation? - Correct
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 - Correct 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
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
Practice Exam 2026 Questions and
Client teaching is an important part of the maternity nurse's role. Which factor has
the greatest influence on successful teaching of the gravid client? - Correct answer-
A. The client's readiness to learn
A 38-week primagravida who works as a secretary and sits at a computer 8 hours a
day tells the nurse that her feet have begun to swell. Which instruction would be
most effective in preventing pooling of blood in the lower extremities? - Correct
answer-C. Move about every hour
During a prenatal visit, the nurse discusses with a client the effects of smoking on
the fetus. When compared with nonsmokers, mothers who smoke during pregnancy
tend to produce infants who have - Correct answer-B. lower birth weights
A 26-year-old, gravida 2, para 1 client is admitted to the hospital at 28-weeks
gestation in preterm labor. She is given 3 doses of terbutaline sulfate (Brethine)
0.25 mg subcutaneously to stop her labor contractions. The nurse plans to monitor
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,for which primary side effect of terbutaline sulfate? - Correct answer-C.
Tachycardia and a feeling of nervousness
A mother who is breastfeeding her baby receives instructions from the nurse.
Which instruction is most effective to prevent nipple soreness? - Correct answer-C.
correctly place the infant on the breast
A full term infant is transferred to the nursery from L & D. Which information is
most important for the nurse to receive when planning immediate care for the
newborn? - Correct answer-B. Infant's condition at birth and treatment received.
In developing a teaching plan for expectant parents, the nurse plans to include
information about when the parents can expect the infant's fontanels to close. The
nurse bases the explanation on knowledge that for the normal newborn, the -
Correct answer-D. anterior fontanel closes at 12-18 mos and the posterior fontanel
by the end of the second month.
When assessing a client who is 12-weeks gestation, the nurse recommends the she
and her husband consider attending childbirth preparation classes.
What is the best time for the couple to attend these classes? - Correct answer-D. At
30 weeks gestation.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
, The nurse should encourage the laboring client to begin pushing when - Correct
answer-C. the cervix is completely dilated
The nurse is counseling a couple who has sought information about conceiving.
For teaching purposes, the nurse should know that ovulation usually occurs -
Correct answer-A. two weeks before menstruation.
The nurse instructs a laboring client to use accelerated-blow breathing. The client
begins to complain of tingling fingers and dizziness. What action should the nurse
take? - Correct answer-C. have the client breath into her cupped hands
When preparing a newborn care for expectant parents, what content should the
nurse teach concerning the newborn infant born at term gestation? - Correct
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 - Correct 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
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
