HESI maternal Exam 2026 Questions and
Answers
Which medication would the nurse identify as a potential cause for the formation
of abnormally small eyes in the newborn if used during pregnancy?
a. estrogens
b. nitrofurantoin
c. methotrexate
d. valproic acid - Correct answer-b. nitrofurantoin
Nitrofurantoin, an antimicrobial medication, causes formation of abnormally small
eyes in the newborn. Sex hormone supplements, such as estrogens, may cause
congenital defects of female reproductive organs. Methotrexate can cause
congenital abnormalities (central nervous system and limbs malformations) and
fetal death. Valproic acid is high teratogenic and cause neural tube defects, atrial
septal defect, cleft palate, hypospadias, polydactyly, and craniosynostosis.
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,The nurse understands which antihypertensive medication is contraindicated in
lactating women?
a. atenolol
b. labetalol
c. metoprolol
d. propranolol - Correct answer-a. atenolol
Atenolol is contraindicated in lactating women because it enters the breastmilk and
may cause adverse effects to the neonate. Labetalol and propanolol are safe to
administer during lactation. Metoprolol is considered a safe medication to be taken
during lactation
Which hormone levels do not require monitoring during the ministration of
menotropins for infertility?
a. estrogen
b. luteinizing hormone
c. follicle-stimulating hormone
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,d. gonadotropin-releasing hormone - Correct answer-d. gonadotropin-releasing
hormone
Menotropins that are administered for infertility act at the pituitary level.
Gonadotropin-releasing hormones act at the hypothalamus level; therefore this
hormone does not need to be monitored. Menotropins is a standardized mixture of
follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing; these hormones should be monitored.
Also, estrogen levels need to be monitored because the luteinizing hormone
directly stimulates the production of estrogen
Which birth control agent requires administration once every three months?
A. Progestin-only pills
B. Intramuscular progestin
C. Combination biphasic forms
D. Combination monophasic forms - Correct answer-b. intramuscular progestin
Intramuscular progestin requires the administration of a single injection every three
months. Progressed-only oral contraceptive pills should be taken on a daily basis
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, because of a higher incidence of ovulatory cycles. Combination biphasic and
monophasic forms are administered as either a 21 or 28 day course.
Which medication with the nurse identify as being used both for cervical ripening
during labor and has a stomach protectant?
a. raloxifene
b. clomiphene
c. misoprostol
d. dinoprostone - Correct answer-c. misoprostol
Misoprostol can be used for cervical ripening and as a stomach protectant.
Raloxifene is used to prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis. Clomiphene is used for
ovulation. Dinoprostone can be used for cervical ripening, but this medication does
not act as a stomach protectant.
Which effect with the nurse identify as seen when the fetus is exposed to a
teratogen during embryonic period?
a. delay in growth
b. gross malformations
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Answers
Which medication would the nurse identify as a potential cause for the formation
of abnormally small eyes in the newborn if used during pregnancy?
a. estrogens
b. nitrofurantoin
c. methotrexate
d. valproic acid - Correct answer-b. nitrofurantoin
Nitrofurantoin, an antimicrobial medication, causes formation of abnormally small
eyes in the newborn. Sex hormone supplements, such as estrogens, may cause
congenital defects of female reproductive organs. Methotrexate can cause
congenital abnormalities (central nervous system and limbs malformations) and
fetal death. Valproic acid is high teratogenic and cause neural tube defects, atrial
septal defect, cleft palate, hypospadias, polydactyly, and craniosynostosis.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,The nurse understands which antihypertensive medication is contraindicated in
lactating women?
a. atenolol
b. labetalol
c. metoprolol
d. propranolol - Correct answer-a. atenolol
Atenolol is contraindicated in lactating women because it enters the breastmilk and
may cause adverse effects to the neonate. Labetalol and propanolol are safe to
administer during lactation. Metoprolol is considered a safe medication to be taken
during lactation
Which hormone levels do not require monitoring during the ministration of
menotropins for infertility?
a. estrogen
b. luteinizing hormone
c. follicle-stimulating hormone
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
,d. gonadotropin-releasing hormone - Correct answer-d. gonadotropin-releasing
hormone
Menotropins that are administered for infertility act at the pituitary level.
Gonadotropin-releasing hormones act at the hypothalamus level; therefore this
hormone does not need to be monitored. Menotropins is a standardized mixture of
follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing; these hormones should be monitored.
Also, estrogen levels need to be monitored because the luteinizing hormone
directly stimulates the production of estrogen
Which birth control agent requires administration once every three months?
A. Progestin-only pills
B. Intramuscular progestin
C. Combination biphasic forms
D. Combination monophasic forms - Correct answer-b. intramuscular progestin
Intramuscular progestin requires the administration of a single injection every three
months. Progressed-only oral contraceptive pills should be taken on a daily basis
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
, because of a higher incidence of ovulatory cycles. Combination biphasic and
monophasic forms are administered as either a 21 or 28 day course.
Which medication with the nurse identify as being used both for cervical ripening
during labor and has a stomach protectant?
a. raloxifene
b. clomiphene
c. misoprostol
d. dinoprostone - Correct answer-c. misoprostol
Misoprostol can be used for cervical ripening and as a stomach protectant.
Raloxifene is used to prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis. Clomiphene is used for
ovulation. Dinoprostone can be used for cervical ripening, but this medication does
not act as a stomach protectant.
Which effect with the nurse identify as seen when the fetus is exposed to a
teratogen during embryonic period?
a. delay in growth
b. gross malformations
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 4
