HESI Obstetrics/Maternity Practice
Questions and Answers | Latest
Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
A client at 34 weeks reports sudden painless vaginal bleeding. What condition should the nurse
suspect?
✔✔Placenta previa.
A newborn is jittery, irritable, and has a high-pitched cry. The mother admits to cocaine use
during pregnancy. What is the priority nursing concern?
✔✔Neonatal withdrawal symptoms.
A postpartum client with a cesarean delivery complains of shortness of breath and chest pain.
What is the nurse’s first action?
✔✔Assess for signs of pulmonary embolism.
A client asks why folic acid is important during pregnancy. What is the best response?
✔✔It helps prevent neural tube defects in the baby.
1
,A nurse notes a firm fundus displaced to the right after delivery. What should the nurse do first?
✔✔Assist the client to void.
A client at 36 weeks has blood pressure 160/100, proteinuria, and severe headaches. What is the
likely complication?
✔✔Preeclampsia.
A nurse observes meconium-stained amniotic fluid during labor. What is the priority
intervention?
✔✔Prepare for possible neonatal resuscitation at birth.
A postpartum client with mastitis asks if she can continue breastfeeding. What should the nurse
advise?
✔✔Yes, continue breastfeeding on both breasts.
A newborn’s temperature is 96.8°F (36°C). What is the first nursing intervention?
✔✔Dry and place the infant under a radiant warmer.
2
,A client in active labor has variable decelerations on the fetal monitor. What is the priority
intervention?
✔✔Reposition the client to relieve cord compression.
A nurse teaches a pregnant client about iron supplementation. What should the nurse include?
✔✔Take iron with vitamin C to improve absorption.
A client with a history of herpes simplex virus presents in labor with active lesions. What is the
safest delivery method?
✔✔Cesarean delivery.
A postpartum client reports foul-smelling lochia and fever. What complication does the nurse
suspect?
✔✔Endometritis.
A client with polyhydramnios is at risk for what complication during labor?
✔✔Umbilical cord prolapse.
3
, A nurse is caring for a newborn with hypoglycemia. What is the first intervention?
✔✔Feed the infant with breast milk or formula.
A client at 39 weeks is scheduled for induction with oxytocin. What is the nurse’s priority during
administration?
✔✔Monitor fetal heart rate and uterine contractions closely.
A postpartum woman reports difficulty bonding with her baby and frequent crying. What
condition should the nurse suspect?
✔✔Postpartum depression.
A client at 28 weeks reports swelling in the face and hands. What should the nurse assess for?
✔✔Signs of preeclampsia.
A nurse notes absent variability on the fetal heart monitor. What is the priority action?
✔✔Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
4
Questions and Answers | Latest
Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
A client at 34 weeks reports sudden painless vaginal bleeding. What condition should the nurse
suspect?
✔✔Placenta previa.
A newborn is jittery, irritable, and has a high-pitched cry. The mother admits to cocaine use
during pregnancy. What is the priority nursing concern?
✔✔Neonatal withdrawal symptoms.
A postpartum client with a cesarean delivery complains of shortness of breath and chest pain.
What is the nurse’s first action?
✔✔Assess for signs of pulmonary embolism.
A client asks why folic acid is important during pregnancy. What is the best response?
✔✔It helps prevent neural tube defects in the baby.
1
,A nurse notes a firm fundus displaced to the right after delivery. What should the nurse do first?
✔✔Assist the client to void.
A client at 36 weeks has blood pressure 160/100, proteinuria, and severe headaches. What is the
likely complication?
✔✔Preeclampsia.
A nurse observes meconium-stained amniotic fluid during labor. What is the priority
intervention?
✔✔Prepare for possible neonatal resuscitation at birth.
A postpartum client with mastitis asks if she can continue breastfeeding. What should the nurse
advise?
✔✔Yes, continue breastfeeding on both breasts.
A newborn’s temperature is 96.8°F (36°C). What is the first nursing intervention?
✔✔Dry and place the infant under a radiant warmer.
2
,A client in active labor has variable decelerations on the fetal monitor. What is the priority
intervention?
✔✔Reposition the client to relieve cord compression.
A nurse teaches a pregnant client about iron supplementation. What should the nurse include?
✔✔Take iron with vitamin C to improve absorption.
A client with a history of herpes simplex virus presents in labor with active lesions. What is the
safest delivery method?
✔✔Cesarean delivery.
A postpartum client reports foul-smelling lochia and fever. What complication does the nurse
suspect?
✔✔Endometritis.
A client with polyhydramnios is at risk for what complication during labor?
✔✔Umbilical cord prolapse.
3
, A nurse is caring for a newborn with hypoglycemia. What is the first intervention?
✔✔Feed the infant with breast milk or formula.
A client at 39 weeks is scheduled for induction with oxytocin. What is the nurse’s priority during
administration?
✔✔Monitor fetal heart rate and uterine contractions closely.
A postpartum woman reports difficulty bonding with her baby and frequent crying. What
condition should the nurse suspect?
✔✔Postpartum depression.
A client at 28 weeks reports swelling in the face and hands. What should the nurse assess for?
✔✔Signs of preeclampsia.
A nurse notes absent variability on the fetal heart monitor. What is the priority action?
✔✔Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
4
