HESI OB Practice Exam 2026| Actual
Exam Questions and Correct Answers
1. The mother of a neonate asks the nurse why it is so important to keep the infant warm. What
information should the nurse provide?
A. The kidneys and renal function are not fully developed.
B. Warmth promotes sleep so the infant will grow quickly.
C. A large body surface area favors heat loss to the environment.
D. The thick layer of subcutaneous fat is inadequate for insulation.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Neonates have a larger body surface area relative to body weight, which causes
rapid heat loss to the environment. This predisposes them to cold stress, increased metabolic
demand, and hypoglycemia. Keeping them warm prevents these complications.
2. The nurse prepares to administer an injection of vitamin K to a newborn infant. The mother
tells the nurse, "Wait..." Which response would be best for the nurse to make?
A. "I will give the vitamin K later after you feed the baby."
B. "Vitamin K is required by law for all newborns."
C. "Tell me your concerns about your infant receiving vitamin K."
D. "The doctor ordered this to prevent bleeding."
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Exploring the mother's concerns first uses therapeutic communication, builds trust,
and allows the nurse to address specific fears or misconceptions before proceeding.
3. The nurse is discussing the stages of labor... Which position should the nurse address that
provides the best advantage of gravity during delivery?
A. Lithotomy
B. Kneeling
C. Squatting
D. Walking
,Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Squatting aligns the fetus with the pelvic outlet, widens the pelvic diameter, and
uses gravity to assist fetal descent, making it advantageous for the second stage of labor.
4. A primigravida at 12-weeks gestation who just moved to the United States indicates she has
not received any immunizations. Which immunization(s) should the nurse administer at this
time? (Select all that apply.)
A. Hepatitis B
B. Chickenpox
C. Rubella
D. Tetanus
E. Diphtheria
Correct Answers: A, D, E (Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Diphtheria)
Explanation: Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) and Hepatitis B are safe in pregnancy. Live
vaccines like varicella (chickenpox) and MMR (rubella) are contraindicated during pregnancy
due to risk to the fetus.
5. The father of a newborn tells the nurse, "My son just died." How should the nurse respond?
A. "I understand how you feel."
B. "I am sorry for your loss."
C. "There is an angel in heaven."
D. "You can have other children."
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: "I am sorry for your loss" is an empathetic, open-ended response that
acknowledges grief without assuming feelings or offering false reassurance.
6. A multiparous client delivered a 7 lb 10 oz infant 5 hours ago. Upon fundal assessment, the
nurse determines the uterus is boggy and is displaced above and to the right of the umbilicus.
Which action should the nurse implement next?
A. Observe maternal vital signs.
B. Document the color of the lochia.
C. Notify the healthcare provider.
D. Assist the client to the bathroom.
, Correct Answer: D
Explanation: A boggy, displaced uterus in the early postpartum period is most commonly caused
by a full bladder. Assisting the client to void allows the uterus to contract properly and descend
into the pelvis.
7. An infant who weighs 3.8 kg is delivered vaginally at 39-weeks gestation with a nuchal cord...
The nurse identifies petechiae over the face and upper back... What information should the nurse
provide the parents?
A. The pinpoint spots are benign and disappear within 48 hours.
B. Further assessment is indicated.
C. Petechiae occurs with forceps delivery.
D. An increased blood volume causes broken blood vessels.
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Facial and upper body petechiae are common after a nuchal cord or prolonged
second stage due to transient increased venous pressure. They are benign and usually resolve
quickly.
8. The uterine contractions... are assessed by an internal uterine pressure catheter (IUPC). ... On
the basis of this information, the nurse should:
A. Document the findings, because they reflect the expected contraction pattern for the active
phase of labor.
B. Notify the healthcare provider of hyperstimulation.
C. Reposition the client to the left side.
D. Decrease the oxytocin rate.
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Contractions every 3–4 minutes, lasting 55–60 seconds, with peak pressure 65–70
mm Hg and resting tone 6–10 mm Hg are normal for the active phase of labor.
9. What action should the nurse implement to prevent conductive heat loss in a newborn?
A. Place the infant under a radiant warmer.
B. Dry the infant thoroughly after birth.
C. Place a warm blanket on the scale before weighing.
D. Cover the infant’s head with a cap.
Exam Questions and Correct Answers
1. The mother of a neonate asks the nurse why it is so important to keep the infant warm. What
information should the nurse provide?
A. The kidneys and renal function are not fully developed.
B. Warmth promotes sleep so the infant will grow quickly.
C. A large body surface area favors heat loss to the environment.
D. The thick layer of subcutaneous fat is inadequate for insulation.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Neonates have a larger body surface area relative to body weight, which causes
rapid heat loss to the environment. This predisposes them to cold stress, increased metabolic
demand, and hypoglycemia. Keeping them warm prevents these complications.
2. The nurse prepares to administer an injection of vitamin K to a newborn infant. The mother
tells the nurse, "Wait..." Which response would be best for the nurse to make?
A. "I will give the vitamin K later after you feed the baby."
B. "Vitamin K is required by law for all newborns."
C. "Tell me your concerns about your infant receiving vitamin K."
D. "The doctor ordered this to prevent bleeding."
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Exploring the mother's concerns first uses therapeutic communication, builds trust,
and allows the nurse to address specific fears or misconceptions before proceeding.
3. The nurse is discussing the stages of labor... Which position should the nurse address that
provides the best advantage of gravity during delivery?
A. Lithotomy
B. Kneeling
C. Squatting
D. Walking
,Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Squatting aligns the fetus with the pelvic outlet, widens the pelvic diameter, and
uses gravity to assist fetal descent, making it advantageous for the second stage of labor.
4. A primigravida at 12-weeks gestation who just moved to the United States indicates she has
not received any immunizations. Which immunization(s) should the nurse administer at this
time? (Select all that apply.)
A. Hepatitis B
B. Chickenpox
C. Rubella
D. Tetanus
E. Diphtheria
Correct Answers: A, D, E (Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Diphtheria)
Explanation: Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) and Hepatitis B are safe in pregnancy. Live
vaccines like varicella (chickenpox) and MMR (rubella) are contraindicated during pregnancy
due to risk to the fetus.
5. The father of a newborn tells the nurse, "My son just died." How should the nurse respond?
A. "I understand how you feel."
B. "I am sorry for your loss."
C. "There is an angel in heaven."
D. "You can have other children."
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: "I am sorry for your loss" is an empathetic, open-ended response that
acknowledges grief without assuming feelings or offering false reassurance.
6. A multiparous client delivered a 7 lb 10 oz infant 5 hours ago. Upon fundal assessment, the
nurse determines the uterus is boggy and is displaced above and to the right of the umbilicus.
Which action should the nurse implement next?
A. Observe maternal vital signs.
B. Document the color of the lochia.
C. Notify the healthcare provider.
D. Assist the client to the bathroom.
, Correct Answer: D
Explanation: A boggy, displaced uterus in the early postpartum period is most commonly caused
by a full bladder. Assisting the client to void allows the uterus to contract properly and descend
into the pelvis.
7. An infant who weighs 3.8 kg is delivered vaginally at 39-weeks gestation with a nuchal cord...
The nurse identifies petechiae over the face and upper back... What information should the nurse
provide the parents?
A. The pinpoint spots are benign and disappear within 48 hours.
B. Further assessment is indicated.
C. Petechiae occurs with forceps delivery.
D. An increased blood volume causes broken blood vessels.
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Facial and upper body petechiae are common after a nuchal cord or prolonged
second stage due to transient increased venous pressure. They are benign and usually resolve
quickly.
8. The uterine contractions... are assessed by an internal uterine pressure catheter (IUPC). ... On
the basis of this information, the nurse should:
A. Document the findings, because they reflect the expected contraction pattern for the active
phase of labor.
B. Notify the healthcare provider of hyperstimulation.
C. Reposition the client to the left side.
D. Decrease the oxytocin rate.
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Contractions every 3–4 minutes, lasting 55–60 seconds, with peak pressure 65–70
mm Hg and resting tone 6–10 mm Hg are normal for the active phase of labor.
9. What action should the nurse implement to prevent conductive heat loss in a newborn?
A. Place the infant under a radiant warmer.
B. Dry the infant thoroughly after birth.
C. Place a warm blanket on the scale before weighing.
D. Cover the infant’s head with a cap.
