RN HESI MATERNITY ACTUAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS 2026
▶ What is the priority nursing assessment immediately following the birth of
an infant with esophageal atresia and a tracheoesophageal (the) fistula ?
A. body temperature
B. level of pain
C. time of first void
D. number of vessels in the cord Answer: A. body temperature
▶ What is the most important assessment for the nurse to conduct
following the administration of epidural anesthesia to a client who is at 40-
weeks gestation?
A. Level of pain sensation
B. Station of presenting part
C. Variability of fetal heart rate
D. Maternal blood pressure Answer: D. Maternal blood pressure
▶ A 34-week primigravida with pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) is
receiving Ringer's Lactate 500 ml with magnesium sulfate 20 grams at the
rate of 3 grams/hour. How many ml/hour should the nurse program the
infusion pump? (Enter numeric value only)
A. 120
B. 70
C. 65
D. 75 Answer: D. 75
▶ A mother of a 3-year-old boy has just given birth to a new baby girl. The
little boy asks the nurse, "Why is my baby sister eating my mommy's
breast?" How should the nurse respond? (Select all that apply)
A. Explain that newborns get milk from their mothers in this way
B. Reassure the older brother that it does not hurt his mother
C. Remind him that his mother breastfed him too
,D. Suggest that the baby can also drink from a bottle
E. Clarify that breastfeeding is his mother's choice Answer: A. Explain that
newborns get milk from their mothers in this way
B. Reassure the older brother that it does not hurt his mother
C. Remind him that his mother breastfed him too
▶ The nurse is examining an infant for possible cryptorchidism. Which
exam technique should be used?
A. Place the infant in side-lying to facilitate the exam
B. Hold the penis and retract the foreskin gently
C. Cleanse the penis with an antiseptic-soaked pad
D. Place the infant in warm room and use a calm approach Answer: D.
Place the infant in warm room and use a calm approach
▶ The nurse is planning care for a client at 30-weeks gestation who is
experiencing preterm labor. What maternal prescription is most important in
preventing this fetus from developing respiratory distress syndrome?
A. Betamethasone (Celestone) 12 mg deep IM
B. Butorphanol 1 mg IV push q2h PRN pain
C. Ampicillin 1 Gram IV push q8h
D. Terbutaline (Brethine) 0.25 mg subcutaneously q15 minutes x3 Answer:
A. Betamethasone (Celestone) 12 mg deep IM
▶ A 3-month-old with myelomeningocele and atonic bladder is catheterized
every 4 hours to prevent urinary retention. The home health nurse notes
that the child has developed episodes of sneezing, urticaria, watery eyes,
and a rash in the diaper area. What action is most important for the nurse
to take?
A. Auscultate the lungs for respiratory pneumonia.
B. Draw blood to analyze for streptococcal infection
C. Change to latex-free gloves when handling infant
D. Apply zinc oxide to perineum with each diaper change Answer: C.
Change to latex-free gloves when handling infant
▶ The nurse is caring for a female client, a primigravida, with
preeclampsia. Findings include +2 proteinuria, BP 172/112 mmHg, facial
and hand swelling, complaints of blurry vision and a severe frontal
headache. Which medication should the nurse anticipate for this client?
A. Clonidine hydrochloride
B. Carbamazepine
, C. Furosemide
D. Magnesium sulfate Answer: D. Magnesium sulfate
▶ A client at 35-weeks gestation complains of a "pain whenever the baby
moves." On assessment, the nurse notes the client's temperature to be
101.2F, with severe abdominal or uterine tenderness on palpation. The
nurse knows that these findings are indicative of what condition?
A. Round ligament strain
B. Chorioamnionitis
C. Abruptio placenta
D. Viral infection. Answer: B. Chorioamnionitis
▶ A male infant with a 2-day history of fever and diarrhea is brought to a
clinic by his mother who tells the nurse that the child refuses to drink
anything. The nurse determines that the child has a weak cry with no tears.
Which prescription is most important to implement?
A. Provide a bottle of electrolyte solution
B. Infuse normal saline intravenously
C. Administer an antipyretic rectally
D. Apply external cooling blanket Answer: B. Infuse normal saline
intravenously
▶ A 6-month old child who had a cleft-lip repair has elbow restraints in
place. What nursing intervention should the nurse plan to implement?
A. remove restraints q4h for 30 minutes and place gloves on the child's
hands
B. record observations of the restraints q2h and ensure that they are in
place at all times
C. obtain the HCP advice as to when the restraints should be removed
D. remove restraints one at a time to provide ROM exercises Answer: D.
remove restraints one at a time to provide ROM exercises
▶ A new mother calls the nurse stating that she wants to start feeding her
6-month-old child something besides breast milk, but is concerned that the
infant is too young to start eating solid foods. How should the nurse
respond?
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS 2026
▶ What is the priority nursing assessment immediately following the birth of
an infant with esophageal atresia and a tracheoesophageal (the) fistula ?
A. body temperature
B. level of pain
C. time of first void
D. number of vessels in the cord Answer: A. body temperature
▶ What is the most important assessment for the nurse to conduct
following the administration of epidural anesthesia to a client who is at 40-
weeks gestation?
A. Level of pain sensation
B. Station of presenting part
C. Variability of fetal heart rate
D. Maternal blood pressure Answer: D. Maternal blood pressure
▶ A 34-week primigravida with pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) is
receiving Ringer's Lactate 500 ml with magnesium sulfate 20 grams at the
rate of 3 grams/hour. How many ml/hour should the nurse program the
infusion pump? (Enter numeric value only)
A. 120
B. 70
C. 65
D. 75 Answer: D. 75
▶ A mother of a 3-year-old boy has just given birth to a new baby girl. The
little boy asks the nurse, "Why is my baby sister eating my mommy's
breast?" How should the nurse respond? (Select all that apply)
A. Explain that newborns get milk from their mothers in this way
B. Reassure the older brother that it does not hurt his mother
C. Remind him that his mother breastfed him too
,D. Suggest that the baby can also drink from a bottle
E. Clarify that breastfeeding is his mother's choice Answer: A. Explain that
newborns get milk from their mothers in this way
B. Reassure the older brother that it does not hurt his mother
C. Remind him that his mother breastfed him too
▶ The nurse is examining an infant for possible cryptorchidism. Which
exam technique should be used?
A. Place the infant in side-lying to facilitate the exam
B. Hold the penis and retract the foreskin gently
C. Cleanse the penis with an antiseptic-soaked pad
D. Place the infant in warm room and use a calm approach Answer: D.
Place the infant in warm room and use a calm approach
▶ The nurse is planning care for a client at 30-weeks gestation who is
experiencing preterm labor. What maternal prescription is most important in
preventing this fetus from developing respiratory distress syndrome?
A. Betamethasone (Celestone) 12 mg deep IM
B. Butorphanol 1 mg IV push q2h PRN pain
C. Ampicillin 1 Gram IV push q8h
D. Terbutaline (Brethine) 0.25 mg subcutaneously q15 minutes x3 Answer:
A. Betamethasone (Celestone) 12 mg deep IM
▶ A 3-month-old with myelomeningocele and atonic bladder is catheterized
every 4 hours to prevent urinary retention. The home health nurse notes
that the child has developed episodes of sneezing, urticaria, watery eyes,
and a rash in the diaper area. What action is most important for the nurse
to take?
A. Auscultate the lungs for respiratory pneumonia.
B. Draw blood to analyze for streptococcal infection
C. Change to latex-free gloves when handling infant
D. Apply zinc oxide to perineum with each diaper change Answer: C.
Change to latex-free gloves when handling infant
▶ The nurse is caring for a female client, a primigravida, with
preeclampsia. Findings include +2 proteinuria, BP 172/112 mmHg, facial
and hand swelling, complaints of blurry vision and a severe frontal
headache. Which medication should the nurse anticipate for this client?
A. Clonidine hydrochloride
B. Carbamazepine
, C. Furosemide
D. Magnesium sulfate Answer: D. Magnesium sulfate
▶ A client at 35-weeks gestation complains of a "pain whenever the baby
moves." On assessment, the nurse notes the client's temperature to be
101.2F, with severe abdominal or uterine tenderness on palpation. The
nurse knows that these findings are indicative of what condition?
A. Round ligament strain
B. Chorioamnionitis
C. Abruptio placenta
D. Viral infection. Answer: B. Chorioamnionitis
▶ A male infant with a 2-day history of fever and diarrhea is brought to a
clinic by his mother who tells the nurse that the child refuses to drink
anything. The nurse determines that the child has a weak cry with no tears.
Which prescription is most important to implement?
A. Provide a bottle of electrolyte solution
B. Infuse normal saline intravenously
C. Administer an antipyretic rectally
D. Apply external cooling blanket Answer: B. Infuse normal saline
intravenously
▶ A 6-month old child who had a cleft-lip repair has elbow restraints in
place. What nursing intervention should the nurse plan to implement?
A. remove restraints q4h for 30 minutes and place gloves on the child's
hands
B. record observations of the restraints q2h and ensure that they are in
place at all times
C. obtain the HCP advice as to when the restraints should be removed
D. remove restraints one at a time to provide ROM exercises Answer: D.
remove restraints one at a time to provide ROM exercises
▶ A new mother calls the nurse stating that she wants to start feeding her
6-month-old child something besides breast milk, but is concerned that the
infant is too young to start eating solid foods. How should the nurse
respond?
