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Maternity Hesi Exam Questions Comprehensive 2026
Questions Exam Latest Version Solved Questions &
Answers Verified 100 %
Test bank (combined red hesi and other sources)
A 26-year-old gravida 2, para 1, client is admitted to the hospital at 28 weeks of
gestation in preterm labor. She is given three doses of terbutaline sulfate
(Brethine), 0.25 mg subcutaneously, to stop her labor contractions. What are
the primary side effects of terbutaline sulfate?
A.Drowsiness and paroxysmal bradycardia
B.Depressed reflexes and increased respirations
C.Tachycardia and a feeling of nervousness
D.A flushed warm feeling and dry mouth
C.Tachycardia and a feeling of nervousness
Rationale: Terbutaline sulfate (Brethine), a beta-sympathomimetic drug, stimulates
beta-adrenergic receptors in the uterine muscle to stop contractions. The beta-
adrenergic agonist properties of the drug may cause tachycardia, increased cardiac
output, restlessness, headache, and a feeling of nervousness. Option A is not a side
effect. Options B and D are side effects of magnesium sulfate.
A mother who is breastfeeding her baby receives instructions from the nurse.
Which instruction is most effective in preventing nipple soreness?
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A.Wear a cotton bra with nonbinding support.
B.Increase nursing time gradually over several days.
C.Ensure that the baby is positioned correctly for latching on.
D.Manually express a small amount of milk before nursing.
C.Ensure that the baby is positioned correctly for latching on.
Rationale: The most common cause of nipple soreness is incorrect positioning of the
infant on the breast for latching on. The baby's body is in alignment with the ears,
shoulders, and hips in a straight line, with the nose, cheeks, and chin touching the
breast. Option A helps prevent chafing, and nonbinding support aids in prevention of
discomfort from the stretching of the Cooper ligament. Option B is important but is
not necessary for all women. Option D helps soften an engorged breast and
encourages correct infant latching on but is not the best answer.
A new mother asks the nurse, "How do I know that my daughter is getting
enough breast milk?" Which explanation is appropriate?
A."Weigh the baby daily, and if she is gaining weight, she is getting enough to
eat."
B."Your milk is sufficient if the baby is voiding pale, straw-colored urine six to
ten times a day."
C."Offer the baby extra bottled milk after her feeding and see if she still seems
hungry."
D."If you're concerned, you might consider bottle feeding so that you can
monitor intake."
B."Your milk is sufficient if the baby is voiding pale, straw-colored urine six to ten
times a day."
Rationale: The urine will be dilute (straw-colored) and frequent (>6 to 10 times/day),
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if the infant is adequately hydrated. Although a weight gain of 30 g/day is indicative
of adequate nutrition, most home scales do not measure this accurately, and the
suggestion will likely make the mother anxious. Option C causes nipple confusion
and diminishes the mother's milk production. Option D does not address the client's
question.
The client comes to the hospital assuming she is in labor. Which assessment
findings by the nurse would indicate that the client is in true labor? (Select all
that apply.)
A.Pain in the lower back that radiates to abdomen
B.Contractions decreased in frequency with ambulation
C.Progressive cervical dilation and effacement
D.Discomfort localized in the abdomen
E.Regular and rhythmic painful contractions
A.Pain in the lower back that radiates to abdomen
C.Progressive cervical dilation and effacement
E.Regular and rhythmic painful contractions
Rationale: These are all signs of true labor. Options B and D are signs of false labor.
Which statement made by the client indicates that the mother understands the
limitations of breastfeeding her newborn?
A."Breastfeeding my infant consistently every 3 to 4 hours stops ovulation and
my period."
B."Breastfeeding my baby immediately after drinking alcohol is safer than
waiting for the alcohol to clear my breast milk."
C."I can start smoking cigarettes while breastfeeding because it will not affect
my breast milk."
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D."When I take a warm shower after I breastfeed, it relieves the pain from being
engorged between breastfeedings.
A."Breastfeeding my infant consistently every 3 to 4 hours stops ovulation and my
period."
Rationale: Continuous breastfeeding on a 3- to 4-hour schedule during the day will
cause a release of prolactin, which will suppress ovulation and menses, but is not
completely effective as a birth control method. Option B is incorrect because alcohol
can immediately enter the breast milk. Nicotine is transferred to the infant in breast
milk. Taking a warm shower will stimulate the production of milk, which will be more
painful after breastfeedings.
A new mother who has just had her first baby says to the nurse, "I saw the
baby in the recovery room. She sure has a funny-looking head." Which
response by the nurse is best?
A."This is not an unusually shaped head, especially for a first baby."
B."It may look odd, but newborn babies are often born with heads like that."
C."That is normal. The head will return to a round shape within 7 to 10 days."
D."Your pelvis was too small, so the head had to adjust to the birth canal."
C."That is normal. The head will return to a round shape within 7 to 10 days."
Rationale: Option C reassures the mother that this is normal in the newborn and
provides correct information regarding the return to a normal shape. Although option
A is correct, it implies that the client should not worry. Any implied or spoken "don't
worry" is usually the wrong answer. Option B is condescending and dismissing; the
mother is seeking reassurance and information. Option D is a negative statement
and implies that molding is the mother's fault.
Twenty minutes after a continuous epidural anesthetic is administered, a
laboring client's blood pressure drops from 120/80 to 90/60 mm Hg. Which
action should the nurse take immediately?
Maternity Hesi Exam Questions Comprehensive 2026
Questions Exam Latest Version Solved Questions &
Answers Verified 100 %
Test bank (combined red hesi and other sources)
A 26-year-old gravida 2, para 1, client is admitted to the hospital at 28 weeks of
gestation in preterm labor. She is given three doses of terbutaline sulfate
(Brethine), 0.25 mg subcutaneously, to stop her labor contractions. What are
the primary side effects of terbutaline sulfate?
A.Drowsiness and paroxysmal bradycardia
B.Depressed reflexes and increased respirations
C.Tachycardia and a feeling of nervousness
D.A flushed warm feeling and dry mouth
C.Tachycardia and a feeling of nervousness
Rationale: Terbutaline sulfate (Brethine), a beta-sympathomimetic drug, stimulates
beta-adrenergic receptors in the uterine muscle to stop contractions. The beta-
adrenergic agonist properties of the drug may cause tachycardia, increased cardiac
output, restlessness, headache, and a feeling of nervousness. Option A is not a side
effect. Options B and D are side effects of magnesium sulfate.
A mother who is breastfeeding her baby receives instructions from the nurse.
Which instruction is most effective in preventing nipple soreness?
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A.Wear a cotton bra with nonbinding support.
B.Increase nursing time gradually over several days.
C.Ensure that the baby is positioned correctly for latching on.
D.Manually express a small amount of milk before nursing.
C.Ensure that the baby is positioned correctly for latching on.
Rationale: The most common cause of nipple soreness is incorrect positioning of the
infant on the breast for latching on. The baby's body is in alignment with the ears,
shoulders, and hips in a straight line, with the nose, cheeks, and chin touching the
breast. Option A helps prevent chafing, and nonbinding support aids in prevention of
discomfort from the stretching of the Cooper ligament. Option B is important but is
not necessary for all women. Option D helps soften an engorged breast and
encourages correct infant latching on but is not the best answer.
A new mother asks the nurse, "How do I know that my daughter is getting
enough breast milk?" Which explanation is appropriate?
A."Weigh the baby daily, and if she is gaining weight, she is getting enough to
eat."
B."Your milk is sufficient if the baby is voiding pale, straw-colored urine six to
ten times a day."
C."Offer the baby extra bottled milk after her feeding and see if she still seems
hungry."
D."If you're concerned, you might consider bottle feeding so that you can
monitor intake."
B."Your milk is sufficient if the baby is voiding pale, straw-colored urine six to ten
times a day."
Rationale: The urine will be dilute (straw-colored) and frequent (>6 to 10 times/day),
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if the infant is adequately hydrated. Although a weight gain of 30 g/day is indicative
of adequate nutrition, most home scales do not measure this accurately, and the
suggestion will likely make the mother anxious. Option C causes nipple confusion
and diminishes the mother's milk production. Option D does not address the client's
question.
The client comes to the hospital assuming she is in labor. Which assessment
findings by the nurse would indicate that the client is in true labor? (Select all
that apply.)
A.Pain in the lower back that radiates to abdomen
B.Contractions decreased in frequency with ambulation
C.Progressive cervical dilation and effacement
D.Discomfort localized in the abdomen
E.Regular and rhythmic painful contractions
A.Pain in the lower back that radiates to abdomen
C.Progressive cervical dilation and effacement
E.Regular and rhythmic painful contractions
Rationale: These are all signs of true labor. Options B and D are signs of false labor.
Which statement made by the client indicates that the mother understands the
limitations of breastfeeding her newborn?
A."Breastfeeding my infant consistently every 3 to 4 hours stops ovulation and
my period."
B."Breastfeeding my baby immediately after drinking alcohol is safer than
waiting for the alcohol to clear my breast milk."
C."I can start smoking cigarettes while breastfeeding because it will not affect
my breast milk."
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D."When I take a warm shower after I breastfeed, it relieves the pain from being
engorged between breastfeedings.
A."Breastfeeding my infant consistently every 3 to 4 hours stops ovulation and my
period."
Rationale: Continuous breastfeeding on a 3- to 4-hour schedule during the day will
cause a release of prolactin, which will suppress ovulation and menses, but is not
completely effective as a birth control method. Option B is incorrect because alcohol
can immediately enter the breast milk. Nicotine is transferred to the infant in breast
milk. Taking a warm shower will stimulate the production of milk, which will be more
painful after breastfeedings.
A new mother who has just had her first baby says to the nurse, "I saw the
baby in the recovery room. She sure has a funny-looking head." Which
response by the nurse is best?
A."This is not an unusually shaped head, especially for a first baby."
B."It may look odd, but newborn babies are often born with heads like that."
C."That is normal. The head will return to a round shape within 7 to 10 days."
D."Your pelvis was too small, so the head had to adjust to the birth canal."
C."That is normal. The head will return to a round shape within 7 to 10 days."
Rationale: Option C reassures the mother that this is normal in the newborn and
provides correct information regarding the return to a normal shape. Although option
A is correct, it implies that the client should not worry. Any implied or spoken "don't
worry" is usually the wrong answer. Option B is condescending and dismissing; the
mother is seeking reassurance and information. Option D is a negative statement
and implies that molding is the mother's fault.
Twenty minutes after a continuous epidural anesthetic is administered, a
laboring client's blood pressure drops from 120/80 to 90/60 mm Hg. Which
action should the nurse take immediately?
