HESI MATERNAL NEW BORN UPDATED NEW EXAM
WITH SIMPLIFIED QUESTIONS AND CERTIFIED
ANSWERS WITH SIMPLE RATIONALES NOW AVAILABLE
FOR BETTER GRADE A+ PASS
A 38-week primigravida who works as a secretary and sits at a computer for 8 hours each
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?
A. Wear tight compression stockings at all times
B. Elevate the feet only at the end of the workday
C. Move about every hour
D. Limit fluid intake during the workday
Correct Answer: Move about every hour
Rationale: Pooling of blood in the lower extremities during late pregnancy occurs because
the enlarged uterus places pressure on the pelvic veins, reducing venous return. Moving
about every hour helps straighten the pelvic veins, promotes circulation, and improves
venous return. Elevating the feet only at the end of the day is less effective, limiting fluids is
inappropriate in pregnancy, and tight stockings alone do not address prolonged immobility.
A 26-year-old gravida 2, para 1 client is admitted at 28 weeks gestation in preterm labor. She
receives three doses of terbutaline sulfate 0.25 mg subcutaneously to suppress contractions.
Which side effect should the nurse most closely monitor for?
A. Hypotension and bradycardia
B. Tachycardia and feelings of nervousness
C. Respiratory depression
D. Hypoglycemia
Correct Answer: Tachycardia and feelings of nervousness
Rationale: Terbutaline sulfate is a beta-adrenergic agonist that relaxes uterine smooth
muscle to stop contractions. Stimulation of beta-adrenergic receptors can also affect the
cardiovascular and central nervous systems, leading to tachycardia, increased cardiac
output, restlessness, headache, and feelings of nervousness. Respiratory depression and
hypoglycemia are not typical effects of this medication.
,The nurse provides education to new parents regarding normal infant skull development.
When should the anterior and posterior fontanels normally close?
A. Anterior by 6 months; posterior by birth
B. Anterior by 12–18 months; posterior by 2 months
C. Anterior by 24 months; posterior by 6 months
D. Anterior by 9 months; posterior by 3 months
Correct Answer: Anterior by 12–18 months; posterior by 2 months
Rationale: The posterior fontanel typically closes by the end of the second month of life,
while the anterior fontanel remains open longer to allow for rapid brain growth and usually
closes between 12 and 18 months. Closure outside of these timeframes may indicate
abnormal cranial development.
A client at 12 weeks gestation asks the nurse about childbirth preparation classes. When is
the most appropriate time for the couple to attend these classes?
A. 16 weeks gestation
B. 20 weeks gestation
C. 30 weeks gestation
D. After delivery
Correct Answer: 30 weeks gestation
Rationale: Childbirth preparation classes are most beneficial during the third trimester,
typically around 30 weeks gestation. At this point, the pregnancy is well established, and the
information is more easily retained and applied as labor approaches. Attending too early
may lead to forgetting important details, while attending after delivery eliminates the
benefit entirely.
Question
A primigravida arrives at the maternity observation unit believing she is in labor. The fetal
heart rate is 140 beats/min, and contractions are irregular every 10–15 minutes. Which
assessment finding confirms that the client is not in true labor?
A. Cervical dilation of 1 cm
B. Regular contractions every 5 minutes
C. Contractions decrease with walking
D. Presence of bloody show
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: False labor contractions often lessen or stop with ambulation, while true labor
contractions become stronger, more regular, and do not decrease with activity.
, Question
A primipara delivers a stillborn fetus at 30 weeks’ gestation. Which nursing intervention is
most appropriate to assess and support the parents during the grieving process?
A. Explain the possible cause of fetal demise
B. Provide time for the parents to hold their infant in privacy
C. Encourage counseling within the next few weeks
D. Assist the couple in requesting an autopsy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Allowing parents to hold their infant promotes bonding, acknowledgment of the
loss, and healthy grieving. Other interventions may be appropriate later but are not the
priority initially.
Question
What is the priority nursing assessment immediately following the birth of an infant with
esophageal atresia and a tracheoesophageal fistula?
A. Body temperature
B. Level of pain
C. Time of first void
D. Number of vessels in the umbilical cord
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Newborns with congenital anomalies are at high risk for hypothermia.
Maintaining thermal stability is the immediate priority after birth.
Question
What is the most important assessment for the nurse to conduct following administration of
epidural anesthesia to a client at 40 weeks’ gestation?
A. Level of pain sensation
B. Station of the presenting part
C. Variability of fetal heart rate
D. Maternal blood pressure
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Epidural anesthesia can cause maternal hypotension due to vasodilation, which
can compromise uteroplacental perfusion. Blood pressure must be closely monitored.
WITH SIMPLIFIED QUESTIONS AND CERTIFIED
ANSWERS WITH SIMPLE RATIONALES NOW AVAILABLE
FOR BETTER GRADE A+ PASS
A 38-week primigravida who works as a secretary and sits at a computer for 8 hours each
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?
A. Wear tight compression stockings at all times
B. Elevate the feet only at the end of the workday
C. Move about every hour
D. Limit fluid intake during the workday
Correct Answer: Move about every hour
Rationale: Pooling of blood in the lower extremities during late pregnancy occurs because
the enlarged uterus places pressure on the pelvic veins, reducing venous return. Moving
about every hour helps straighten the pelvic veins, promotes circulation, and improves
venous return. Elevating the feet only at the end of the day is less effective, limiting fluids is
inappropriate in pregnancy, and tight stockings alone do not address prolonged immobility.
A 26-year-old gravida 2, para 1 client is admitted at 28 weeks gestation in preterm labor. She
receives three doses of terbutaline sulfate 0.25 mg subcutaneously to suppress contractions.
Which side effect should the nurse most closely monitor for?
A. Hypotension and bradycardia
B. Tachycardia and feelings of nervousness
C. Respiratory depression
D. Hypoglycemia
Correct Answer: Tachycardia and feelings of nervousness
Rationale: Terbutaline sulfate is a beta-adrenergic agonist that relaxes uterine smooth
muscle to stop contractions. Stimulation of beta-adrenergic receptors can also affect the
cardiovascular and central nervous systems, leading to tachycardia, increased cardiac
output, restlessness, headache, and feelings of nervousness. Respiratory depression and
hypoglycemia are not typical effects of this medication.
,The nurse provides education to new parents regarding normal infant skull development.
When should the anterior and posterior fontanels normally close?
A. Anterior by 6 months; posterior by birth
B. Anterior by 12–18 months; posterior by 2 months
C. Anterior by 24 months; posterior by 6 months
D. Anterior by 9 months; posterior by 3 months
Correct Answer: Anterior by 12–18 months; posterior by 2 months
Rationale: The posterior fontanel typically closes by the end of the second month of life,
while the anterior fontanel remains open longer to allow for rapid brain growth and usually
closes between 12 and 18 months. Closure outside of these timeframes may indicate
abnormal cranial development.
A client at 12 weeks gestation asks the nurse about childbirth preparation classes. When is
the most appropriate time for the couple to attend these classes?
A. 16 weeks gestation
B. 20 weeks gestation
C. 30 weeks gestation
D. After delivery
Correct Answer: 30 weeks gestation
Rationale: Childbirth preparation classes are most beneficial during the third trimester,
typically around 30 weeks gestation. At this point, the pregnancy is well established, and the
information is more easily retained and applied as labor approaches. Attending too early
may lead to forgetting important details, while attending after delivery eliminates the
benefit entirely.
Question
A primigravida arrives at the maternity observation unit believing she is in labor. The fetal
heart rate is 140 beats/min, and contractions are irregular every 10–15 minutes. Which
assessment finding confirms that the client is not in true labor?
A. Cervical dilation of 1 cm
B. Regular contractions every 5 minutes
C. Contractions decrease with walking
D. Presence of bloody show
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: False labor contractions often lessen or stop with ambulation, while true labor
contractions become stronger, more regular, and do not decrease with activity.
, Question
A primipara delivers a stillborn fetus at 30 weeks’ gestation. Which nursing intervention is
most appropriate to assess and support the parents during the grieving process?
A. Explain the possible cause of fetal demise
B. Provide time for the parents to hold their infant in privacy
C. Encourage counseling within the next few weeks
D. Assist the couple in requesting an autopsy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Allowing parents to hold their infant promotes bonding, acknowledgment of the
loss, and healthy grieving. Other interventions may be appropriate later but are not the
priority initially.
Question
What is the priority nursing assessment immediately following the birth of an infant with
esophageal atresia and a tracheoesophageal fistula?
A. Body temperature
B. Level of pain
C. Time of first void
D. Number of vessels in the umbilical cord
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Newborns with congenital anomalies are at high risk for hypothermia.
Maintaining thermal stability is the immediate priority after birth.
Question
What is the most important assessment for the nurse to conduct following administration of
epidural anesthesia to a client at 40 weeks’ gestation?
A. Level of pain sensation
B. Station of the presenting part
C. Variability of fetal heart rate
D. Maternal blood pressure
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Epidural anesthesia can cause maternal hypotension due to vasodilation, which
can compromise uteroplacental perfusion. Blood pressure must be closely monitored.
