-PN-MATERNITY HESI
PRACTICE EXAM
Which physiological cause(s) for constipation during pregnancy should the practical nurse (PN)
explain to a client in the first trimester? (Select all that apply.)
1. Displacement of the colon.
2. Tightening of the anal sphincter.
3. Change in nutrient absorption.
4. Shifting of liver placement.
5. Decrease in peristalsis.
6. Increase bile production. - CORRECT ANSWER-1. Displacement of the colon.
5. Decrease in peristalsis.
During pregnancy, the enlarging uterus compresses and displaces the colon (A), which leads to
a decrease in peristalsis (E), which contribute to constipation during pregnancy. (B, C, D, and F)
do not cause constipation in pregnancy.
Which intervention should the practical nurse (PN) provide a neonate during hospitalization?
1. Provide play activities in the hospital room.
2. Offer the neonate a pacifier between feedings.
3. Assign the neonate to a room with other neonates.
4. Request that parents bring security object from home. - CORRECT ANSWER-2. Offer the
neonate to a room with other neonates.
The neonate needs opportunities for nonnutritive sucking and oral stimulation using a pacifier
(B). (A , C and D) are not indicated for a neonate.
Which client is a candidate for the administration of human immune globulin (RhoGam) after
delivery?
1. The Rh-positive mother who delivers a Rh-positive baby.
2. The Rh-negative mother who delivers a Rh-negative baby.
3. The Rh-positive mother who delivers a Rh-negative baby.
4. The Rh-negative mother who delivers a Rh-positive baby. - CORRECT ANSWER-4. The Rh-
negative mother who delivers a Rh-positive baby.
RhoGam is a human immune globulin that prevents the formation of anti-Rh antibodies in an Rh-
negative mother who has given birth to an Rh-positive infant (D). (A, B, or C) are not candidates
for RhoGam.
, A client who took iron supplements during pregnancy delivers an infant by cesarean section. On
the second postpartum day, the client reports having a constipated stool that is greenish-black in
color. Which action should the practical nurse (PN) implement?
1. Collect a stool sample for guaiac testing.
2. Administer a prescribed rectal suppository.
3. Record color and consistency of the stool.
4. Report the complaints to the charge nurse.
4. Report the complaints to the charge nurse. - CORRECT ANSWER-3. Record color and
consistency of the stool.
Iron supplements cause constipation and contribute to the dark green-black color in stool, which
should be documented (C) as an expected finding. (A, B, and D) are not indicated at this time.
The mother asks the practical nurse (PN) what her infant may need if the phenylketonuria (PKU)
test is positive. What type of treatment should the PN tell the mother will be required?
1. Blood transfusions.
2. Iron-enriched formula.
3. Lifelong dietary management.
4. Medications to prevent infection. - CORRECT ANSWER-3. Lifelong dietary management
PKU is a condition related to the infant's inability to utilize the amino acid, phenylalanine, which
must be omitted or strictly minimized in the diet throughout life (C). (A, B, and D) are not
indicated.
A young adult female comes to the health clinic to confirm a positive home pregnancy test. After
determining the client's last menstrual period (LMP) as August 5, what expected date of birth
(EDB) should the practical nurse (PN)calculate?
1. April 29
2. May 12
3. July 1
4. July 12 - CORRECT ANSWER-2. May 12
Naegele's rule for calculation of EDB is determined by adding 7 days to the first day of the LMP
and then subtracting 3 months, so (B) is the correct calculation. (A, C, and D) incorrectly apply
Naegele's rule.
Which client should the practical nurse (PN) closely monitor for severe afterpains?
1. A mother who had oligohydramnios during the pregnancy.
2. A primiparous client who is bottle feeding.
3. A multigravida who is breastfeeding.
4. A primigravida who delivered a 5 pound 3 ounce infant. - CORRECT ANSWER-3. A
multigravida who is breastfeeding.
After multiple deliveries, the over-distended uterus establishes tonicity during early involution by
periodically relaxing and then vigorously contracting, which is also stimulated by breastfeeding
which releases oxytocin and causes post-delivery uterine contractions. A multigravida client who
PRACTICE EXAM
Which physiological cause(s) for constipation during pregnancy should the practical nurse (PN)
explain to a client in the first trimester? (Select all that apply.)
1. Displacement of the colon.
2. Tightening of the anal sphincter.
3. Change in nutrient absorption.
4. Shifting of liver placement.
5. Decrease in peristalsis.
6. Increase bile production. - CORRECT ANSWER-1. Displacement of the colon.
5. Decrease in peristalsis.
During pregnancy, the enlarging uterus compresses and displaces the colon (A), which leads to
a decrease in peristalsis (E), which contribute to constipation during pregnancy. (B, C, D, and F)
do not cause constipation in pregnancy.
Which intervention should the practical nurse (PN) provide a neonate during hospitalization?
1. Provide play activities in the hospital room.
2. Offer the neonate a pacifier between feedings.
3. Assign the neonate to a room with other neonates.
4. Request that parents bring security object from home. - CORRECT ANSWER-2. Offer the
neonate to a room with other neonates.
The neonate needs opportunities for nonnutritive sucking and oral stimulation using a pacifier
(B). (A , C and D) are not indicated for a neonate.
Which client is a candidate for the administration of human immune globulin (RhoGam) after
delivery?
1. The Rh-positive mother who delivers a Rh-positive baby.
2. The Rh-negative mother who delivers a Rh-negative baby.
3. The Rh-positive mother who delivers a Rh-negative baby.
4. The Rh-negative mother who delivers a Rh-positive baby. - CORRECT ANSWER-4. The Rh-
negative mother who delivers a Rh-positive baby.
RhoGam is a human immune globulin that prevents the formation of anti-Rh antibodies in an Rh-
negative mother who has given birth to an Rh-positive infant (D). (A, B, or C) are not candidates
for RhoGam.
, A client who took iron supplements during pregnancy delivers an infant by cesarean section. On
the second postpartum day, the client reports having a constipated stool that is greenish-black in
color. Which action should the practical nurse (PN) implement?
1. Collect a stool sample for guaiac testing.
2. Administer a prescribed rectal suppository.
3. Record color and consistency of the stool.
4. Report the complaints to the charge nurse.
4. Report the complaints to the charge nurse. - CORRECT ANSWER-3. Record color and
consistency of the stool.
Iron supplements cause constipation and contribute to the dark green-black color in stool, which
should be documented (C) as an expected finding. (A, B, and D) are not indicated at this time.
The mother asks the practical nurse (PN) what her infant may need if the phenylketonuria (PKU)
test is positive. What type of treatment should the PN tell the mother will be required?
1. Blood transfusions.
2. Iron-enriched formula.
3. Lifelong dietary management.
4. Medications to prevent infection. - CORRECT ANSWER-3. Lifelong dietary management
PKU is a condition related to the infant's inability to utilize the amino acid, phenylalanine, which
must be omitted or strictly minimized in the diet throughout life (C). (A, B, and D) are not
indicated.
A young adult female comes to the health clinic to confirm a positive home pregnancy test. After
determining the client's last menstrual period (LMP) as August 5, what expected date of birth
(EDB) should the practical nurse (PN)calculate?
1. April 29
2. May 12
3. July 1
4. July 12 - CORRECT ANSWER-2. May 12
Naegele's rule for calculation of EDB is determined by adding 7 days to the first day of the LMP
and then subtracting 3 months, so (B) is the correct calculation. (A, C, and D) incorrectly apply
Naegele's rule.
Which client should the practical nurse (PN) closely monitor for severe afterpains?
1. A mother who had oligohydramnios during the pregnancy.
2. A primiparous client who is bottle feeding.
3. A multigravida who is breastfeeding.
4. A primigravida who delivered a 5 pound 3 ounce infant. - CORRECT ANSWER-3. A
multigravida who is breastfeeding.
After multiple deliveries, the over-distended uterus establishes tonicity during early involution by
periodically relaxing and then vigorously contracting, which is also stimulated by breastfeeding
which releases oxytocin and causes post-delivery uterine contractions. A multigravida client who
