HESI OB MATERNITY VERSION 2 ACTUAL TEST
PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS ANSWERS GRADED
A+
◉ A nurse receives a shift change report for a newborn who is 12
hours post-vaginal delivery. In developing a plan of care, the nurse
should give the highest priority to which finding?
A.Cyanosis of the hands and feet
B.Skin color that is slightly jaundiced
C.Tiny white papules on the nose or chin
D.Red patches on the cheeks and trunk. Answer: B. Skin color that is
slightly jaundiced
Rationale: Jaundice, a yellow skin coloration, is caused by elevated
levels of bilirubin, which should be further evaluated in a newborn
<24 hours old. Acrocyanosis (blue color of the hands and feet) is a
common finding in newborns; it occurs because the capillary system
is immature. Milia are small white papules present on the nose and
chin that are caused by sebaceous gland blockage and disappear in a
,few weeks. Small red patches on the cheeks and trunk are called
erythema toxicum neonatorum, a common finding in newborns.
◉ A breastfeeding postpartum client is diagnosed with mastitis, and
antibiotic therapy is prescribed. Which instruction should the nurse
provide to this client?
A.Breastfeed the infant, ensuring that both breasts are completely
emptied.
B.Feed expressed breast milk to avoid the pain of the infant latching
onto the infected breast.
C.Breastfeed on the unaffected breast only until the mastitis
subsides.
D.Dilute expressed breast milk with sterile water to reduce the
antibiotic effect on the infant.. Answer: A.Breastfeed the infant,
ensuring that both breasts are completely emptied.
Rationale:Mastitis, caused by plugged milk ducts, is related to breast
engorgement, and breastfeeding during mastitis facilitates the
complete emptying of engorged breasts, eliminating the pressure on
the inflamed breast tissue. Option B is less painful but does not
facilitate complete emptying of the breast tissue. Option C will not
,relieve the engorgement on the affected side. Option D will not
decrease antibiotic effects on the infant.
◉ A 38-week primigravida who works as a secretary and sits at a
computer 8 hours each day tells the nurse that her feet have begun
to swell. Which instruction will aid in the prevention of pooling of
blood in the lower extremities?
A.Wear support stockings.
B.Reduce salt in the diet.
C.Move about every hour.
D.Avoid constrictive clothing.. Answer: C.Move about every hour.
Rationale:
Pooling of blood in the lower extremities results from the enlarged
uterus exerting pressure on the pelvic veins. Moving about every
hour will relieve pressure on the pelvic veins and increase venous
return. Option A would increase venous return from varicose veins
in the lower extremities but would be of little help with swelling.
Option B might be helpful with generalized edema but is not specific
for edematous lower extremities. Option D does not address venous
, return, and there is no indication in the question that constrictive
clothing is a problem.
◉ Twenty-four hours after admission to the newborn nursery, a full-
term male infant develops localized swelling on the right side of his
head. In a newborn, what is the most likely cause of this
accumulation of blood between the periosteum and skull that does
not cross the suture line?
A.Cephalhematoma, which is caused by forceps trauma
B.Subarachnoid hematoma, which requires immediate drainage
C.Molding, which is caused by pressure during labor
D.Subdural hematoma, which can result in lifelong damage. Answer:
A.Cephalhematoma, which is caused by forceps trauma
Rationale: Cephalhematoma, a slight abnormal variation of the
newborn, usually arises within the first 24 hours after delivery.
Trauma from delivery causes capillary bleeding between the
periosteum and skull. Option C is a cranial distortion lasting 5 to 7
days, caused by pressure on the cranium during vaginal delivery, and
is a common variation of the newborn. Options B and D both involve
PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS ANSWERS GRADED
A+
◉ A nurse receives a shift change report for a newborn who is 12
hours post-vaginal delivery. In developing a plan of care, the nurse
should give the highest priority to which finding?
A.Cyanosis of the hands and feet
B.Skin color that is slightly jaundiced
C.Tiny white papules on the nose or chin
D.Red patches on the cheeks and trunk. Answer: B. Skin color that is
slightly jaundiced
Rationale: Jaundice, a yellow skin coloration, is caused by elevated
levels of bilirubin, which should be further evaluated in a newborn
<24 hours old. Acrocyanosis (blue color of the hands and feet) is a
common finding in newborns; it occurs because the capillary system
is immature. Milia are small white papules present on the nose and
chin that are caused by sebaceous gland blockage and disappear in a
,few weeks. Small red patches on the cheeks and trunk are called
erythema toxicum neonatorum, a common finding in newborns.
◉ A breastfeeding postpartum client is diagnosed with mastitis, and
antibiotic therapy is prescribed. Which instruction should the nurse
provide to this client?
A.Breastfeed the infant, ensuring that both breasts are completely
emptied.
B.Feed expressed breast milk to avoid the pain of the infant latching
onto the infected breast.
C.Breastfeed on the unaffected breast only until the mastitis
subsides.
D.Dilute expressed breast milk with sterile water to reduce the
antibiotic effect on the infant.. Answer: A.Breastfeed the infant,
ensuring that both breasts are completely emptied.
Rationale:Mastitis, caused by plugged milk ducts, is related to breast
engorgement, and breastfeeding during mastitis facilitates the
complete emptying of engorged breasts, eliminating the pressure on
the inflamed breast tissue. Option B is less painful but does not
facilitate complete emptying of the breast tissue. Option C will not
,relieve the engorgement on the affected side. Option D will not
decrease antibiotic effects on the infant.
◉ A 38-week primigravida who works as a secretary and sits at a
computer 8 hours each day tells the nurse that her feet have begun
to swell. Which instruction will aid in the prevention of pooling of
blood in the lower extremities?
A.Wear support stockings.
B.Reduce salt in the diet.
C.Move about every hour.
D.Avoid constrictive clothing.. Answer: C.Move about every hour.
Rationale:
Pooling of blood in the lower extremities results from the enlarged
uterus exerting pressure on the pelvic veins. Moving about every
hour will relieve pressure on the pelvic veins and increase venous
return. Option A would increase venous return from varicose veins
in the lower extremities but would be of little help with swelling.
Option B might be helpful with generalized edema but is not specific
for edematous lower extremities. Option D does not address venous
, return, and there is no indication in the question that constrictive
clothing is a problem.
◉ Twenty-four hours after admission to the newborn nursery, a full-
term male infant develops localized swelling on the right side of his
head. In a newborn, what is the most likely cause of this
accumulation of blood between the periosteum and skull that does
not cross the suture line?
A.Cephalhematoma, which is caused by forceps trauma
B.Subarachnoid hematoma, which requires immediate drainage
C.Molding, which is caused by pressure during labor
D.Subdural hematoma, which can result in lifelong damage. Answer:
A.Cephalhematoma, which is caused by forceps trauma
Rationale: Cephalhematoma, a slight abnormal variation of the
newborn, usually arises within the first 24 hours after delivery.
Trauma from delivery causes capillary bleeding between the
periosteum and skull. Option C is a cranial distortion lasting 5 to 7
days, caused by pressure on the cranium during vaginal delivery, and
is a common variation of the newborn. Options B and D both involve
