Page 1 of 35
31 May 2026
HESI OB/Maternity 2026/2027 Latest PREP EXAM with
150 Questions and Correct Answers WITH DETAILED
EXPLANATIONS/ OB HESI Maternity Exam COVERING
RECENT AND MOST TESTED QUESTIONS A+ GRADE
ASSURED…
A client is admitted with the diagnosis of total placenta previa. Which finding is most important
for the nurse to report to the healthcare provider immediately?
A. Heart rate of 100 beats/minute
B. Variable fetal heart rate
C. Onset of uterine contractions
D. Burning on urination - correct answer-C. Onset of uterine contractions
Total (complete) placenta previa involves the placenta covering the entire cervical os (opening). The
onset of uterine contractions places the client at risk for dilation and placental separation, which
causes painless hemorrhaging.
A 42-week gestational client is receiving an intravenous infusion of oxytocin (Pitocin) to augment
early labor. the nurse should discontinue the oxytocin infusion for which pattern of contractions?
A. Transition labor with contractions every 2 minutes, lasting 90 seconds each
B. Early labor with contractions every 5 minutes, lasting 40 seconds each
C. Active labor with contractions every 31 minutes, lasting 60 seconds each
D. Active labor with contractions every 3 to 3 minutes, lasting 70 to 80 seconds each - correct
answer-A. Transition labor with contractions every 2 minutes, lasting 90 seconds each
When oxytocin causes uterine hyperstimulation as evidence by inadequate resting time between
contractions, the oxytocin infusion should be discontinued because placental perfusion is impeded
Twenty-four hours after admission to the newborn nursery, a full-term male infant develops
localized edema on the right side of his head. The nurse knows that, in the newborn, an
accumulation of blood between the periosteum and skull which does not cross the suture line is a
newborn variation known as
A. a cephalhematoma, caused by forceps trauma and may last up to 8 weeks
B. a subarachnoid hematoma, which requires immediate drainage to prevent further complications
C. molding, caused by pressure during labor and will disappear withing 2 to 3 days
D. a subdural hematoma which can result in lifelong damage - correct answer-A. a
cephalhematoma, caused by forceps trauma and may last up to 8 weeks
, Page 2 of 35
31 May 2026
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 the skull.
The nurse is assessing a 3-day old infant with a cephalohematoma in the newborn nursery. Which
assessment finding should the nurse report to the healthcare provider?
A. Yellowish tinge to the skin
B. Babinski reflex present bilaterally
C. Pink papular rash on the face
D. Moro reflex noted after a loud noise - correct answer-A. Yellowish tinge to the skin
Cephalohematomas are characterized by bleeding between the bone and its covering, the
periosteum. Due to the breakdown of the red blood cells within a hematoma, the infant is at a
greater risk for jaundice, so a yellowish tinge to the skin should be reported.
After each feeding, a 3-day-old newborn is spitting up large amounts of Enfamil Newborn Formula,
a nonfat cow's milk formula. The pediatric healthcare provider changes the neonate's formula to
Simialc Soy Isomil formula, a soy protein isolate based infant formula. What information should
the nurse provide to the mother about the newly prescribed formula?
A. The new formula is a coconut milk formula used with babies with impaired fat absorption
B. enfamil Formula is a demineralized whey formula that is needed with diarrhea
C. The new formula is a casein protein source that is low in phenylalanine
D. Similac Soy Isomil Formula is a soy-based formula that contains sucrose - correct answer-D.
Similac Soy Isomil Formula is a soy-based formula that contains sucrose
The nurse should explain that the newborn's feeding intolerance may be related to the lactose found
in cow's milk formula and is being replaced with the soy-based formula that contains sucrose, which
is well-tolerated in infants with milk allergies and lactose intolerance.
A full term infant is transferred to the nursery from labor and delivery. Which information is most
important for the nurse to receive when planning immediate care for the newborn?
A. Length of labor and method of delivery
B. Infant's condition at birth and treatment received
C. Feeding method chosen by the parents
D. History of drugs given to the mother during labor - correct answer-B. Infant's condition at birth
and treatment received
Immediate care is most dependent on the infant's current status (i.e., Apgar scores at 1 and 5
minutes) and any treatment or resuscitation that was indicated.
, Page 3 of 35
31 May 2026
Client teaching is an important part of the maternity nurse's role. Which factor has the greatest
influence on successful teaching of the gravid client?
A. The client's readiness to learn
B. The client's educational background
C. The order in which the information is presented
D. The extent to which the pregnancy was planned - correct answer-A. The client's readiness to
learn
When teaching any client, readiness to learn is the most important criterion. For example, the client
with severe morning sickness in the first trimester may not be "ready to learn" about labor and
delivery, but is probably very "ready to learn" about ways to relieve morning sickness
Twenty minutes after a continuous epidural anesthetic is administered, a laboring client's blood
pressure drops from 120/80 to 90/60. What action will the nurse take?
A. Notify the healthcare provider or anesthesiologist immediately
B. Continue to assess the blood pressure q5 minutes
C. Place the woman in a lateral position
D. Turn off the continuous epidural - correct answer-C. Place the woman in a lateral position
These symptoms are suggestive of hypotension which is a side effect of epidural anesthesia. Raising
the foot of the bed will increase venous return and provide blood to the vital areas. Increasing the IV
fluid rate using a balanced non-dextrose solution and ensuring that the client is in a lateral position
are also appropriate interventions, and then checking the patients blood pressure.
A newborn infant is brought to the nursery from the birthing suite. The nurse notices that the
infant is breathing satisfactorily but appears dusky. What action should the nurse take first?
A. Notify the pediatrician immediately
B. Suction the infant's nares, then the oral cavity
C. Check the infant's oxygen saturation rate
D. Position the infant on the right side - correct answer-C. Check the infant's oxygen saturation rate
When possible, the nurse should first obtain measurable objective data; an oxygen saturation rate
provides such information.
FYI. The pediatrician should be notified if the oxygen saturation rate is below 90%
The nurse is teaching breastfeeding to prospective parents in a childbirth education class. Which
instruction should the nurse include as content in the class?
, Page 4 of 35
31 May 2026
A. Begin as soon as your baby is born to establish a four-hour feeding schedule
B. Resting helps with milk production. Ask that your baby be fed at night in the nursery
C. Feed your baby every 2 to 3 hours or on demand, whichever comes first
D. Do not allow your baby to nurse any longer than the prescribed number of minutes - correct
answer-C. Feed your baby every 2 to 3 hours or on demand, whichever comes first Breastfeeding
infants should be kept in the room with the mother and fed every 2 to 3 hours or on demand--
whichever comes first.
The healthcare provider prescribes terbutaline (Brethine) for a client in preterm labor. Before
initiating this prescription, it is most important for the nurse to assess the client for which
condition?
A. Gestational diabetes
B. Elevated blood pressure
C. Urinary tract infection
D. Swelling in lower extremities - correct answer-A. Gestational diabetes
The nurse should evaluate the client for gestational diabetes because terbutaline (Brethine)
increases blood glucose levels.
A client with NO prenatal care arrives at the labor unit screaming, "The baby is coming!" The nurse
performs a vaginal examination that reveals the cervix is 3 centimeters dilated and 75% effaced.
What additional information is most important for the nurse to obtain?
A. Gravidity and parity
B. Time and amount of last oral intake
C. Date of last normal menstrual period
D. Frequency and intensity of contractions - correct answer-C. Date of last normal menstrual period
Evaluating the gestation of the pregnancy takes priority. If the fetus is preterm and the fetal heart
pattern is reassuring, the healthcare provider may attempt to prolong the pregnancy and administer
corticosteroids to mature the lungs of the fetus.
The nurse assesses a client admitted to the labor and delivery unit and obtains the following data:
dark red vaginal bleeding, uterus slightly tense between contractions, BP 110/68, FHR 110
beats/minute, cervix 1 cm dilated and uneffaced. Based on these assessment findings, what
intervention should the nurse implement?
A. Insert an internal fetal monitor
B. Assess for cervical changes q1h
31 May 2026
HESI OB/Maternity 2026/2027 Latest PREP EXAM with
150 Questions and Correct Answers WITH DETAILED
EXPLANATIONS/ OB HESI Maternity Exam COVERING
RECENT AND MOST TESTED QUESTIONS A+ GRADE
ASSURED…
A client is admitted with the diagnosis of total placenta previa. Which finding is most important
for the nurse to report to the healthcare provider immediately?
A. Heart rate of 100 beats/minute
B. Variable fetal heart rate
C. Onset of uterine contractions
D. Burning on urination - correct answer-C. Onset of uterine contractions
Total (complete) placenta previa involves the placenta covering the entire cervical os (opening). The
onset of uterine contractions places the client at risk for dilation and placental separation, which
causes painless hemorrhaging.
A 42-week gestational client is receiving an intravenous infusion of oxytocin (Pitocin) to augment
early labor. the nurse should discontinue the oxytocin infusion for which pattern of contractions?
A. Transition labor with contractions every 2 minutes, lasting 90 seconds each
B. Early labor with contractions every 5 minutes, lasting 40 seconds each
C. Active labor with contractions every 31 minutes, lasting 60 seconds each
D. Active labor with contractions every 3 to 3 minutes, lasting 70 to 80 seconds each - correct
answer-A. Transition labor with contractions every 2 minutes, lasting 90 seconds each
When oxytocin causes uterine hyperstimulation as evidence by inadequate resting time between
contractions, the oxytocin infusion should be discontinued because placental perfusion is impeded
Twenty-four hours after admission to the newborn nursery, a full-term male infant develops
localized edema on the right side of his head. The nurse knows that, in the newborn, an
accumulation of blood between the periosteum and skull which does not cross the suture line is a
newborn variation known as
A. a cephalhematoma, caused by forceps trauma and may last up to 8 weeks
B. a subarachnoid hematoma, which requires immediate drainage to prevent further complications
C. molding, caused by pressure during labor and will disappear withing 2 to 3 days
D. a subdural hematoma which can result in lifelong damage - correct answer-A. a
cephalhematoma, caused by forceps trauma and may last up to 8 weeks
, Page 2 of 35
31 May 2026
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 the skull.
The nurse is assessing a 3-day old infant with a cephalohematoma in the newborn nursery. Which
assessment finding should the nurse report to the healthcare provider?
A. Yellowish tinge to the skin
B. Babinski reflex present bilaterally
C. Pink papular rash on the face
D. Moro reflex noted after a loud noise - correct answer-A. Yellowish tinge to the skin
Cephalohematomas are characterized by bleeding between the bone and its covering, the
periosteum. Due to the breakdown of the red blood cells within a hematoma, the infant is at a
greater risk for jaundice, so a yellowish tinge to the skin should be reported.
After each feeding, a 3-day-old newborn is spitting up large amounts of Enfamil Newborn Formula,
a nonfat cow's milk formula. The pediatric healthcare provider changes the neonate's formula to
Simialc Soy Isomil formula, a soy protein isolate based infant formula. What information should
the nurse provide to the mother about the newly prescribed formula?
A. The new formula is a coconut milk formula used with babies with impaired fat absorption
B. enfamil Formula is a demineralized whey formula that is needed with diarrhea
C. The new formula is a casein protein source that is low in phenylalanine
D. Similac Soy Isomil Formula is a soy-based formula that contains sucrose - correct answer-D.
Similac Soy Isomil Formula is a soy-based formula that contains sucrose
The nurse should explain that the newborn's feeding intolerance may be related to the lactose found
in cow's milk formula and is being replaced with the soy-based formula that contains sucrose, which
is well-tolerated in infants with milk allergies and lactose intolerance.
A full term infant is transferred to the nursery from labor and delivery. Which information is most
important for the nurse to receive when planning immediate care for the newborn?
A. Length of labor and method of delivery
B. Infant's condition at birth and treatment received
C. Feeding method chosen by the parents
D. History of drugs given to the mother during labor - correct answer-B. Infant's condition at birth
and treatment received
Immediate care is most dependent on the infant's current status (i.e., Apgar scores at 1 and 5
minutes) and any treatment or resuscitation that was indicated.
, Page 3 of 35
31 May 2026
Client teaching is an important part of the maternity nurse's role. Which factor has the greatest
influence on successful teaching of the gravid client?
A. The client's readiness to learn
B. The client's educational background
C. The order in which the information is presented
D. The extent to which the pregnancy was planned - correct answer-A. The client's readiness to
learn
When teaching any client, readiness to learn is the most important criterion. For example, the client
with severe morning sickness in the first trimester may not be "ready to learn" about labor and
delivery, but is probably very "ready to learn" about ways to relieve morning sickness
Twenty minutes after a continuous epidural anesthetic is administered, a laboring client's blood
pressure drops from 120/80 to 90/60. What action will the nurse take?
A. Notify the healthcare provider or anesthesiologist immediately
B. Continue to assess the blood pressure q5 minutes
C. Place the woman in a lateral position
D. Turn off the continuous epidural - correct answer-C. Place the woman in a lateral position
These symptoms are suggestive of hypotension which is a side effect of epidural anesthesia. Raising
the foot of the bed will increase venous return and provide blood to the vital areas. Increasing the IV
fluid rate using a balanced non-dextrose solution and ensuring that the client is in a lateral position
are also appropriate interventions, and then checking the patients blood pressure.
A newborn infant is brought to the nursery from the birthing suite. The nurse notices that the
infant is breathing satisfactorily but appears dusky. What action should the nurse take first?
A. Notify the pediatrician immediately
B. Suction the infant's nares, then the oral cavity
C. Check the infant's oxygen saturation rate
D. Position the infant on the right side - correct answer-C. Check the infant's oxygen saturation rate
When possible, the nurse should first obtain measurable objective data; an oxygen saturation rate
provides such information.
FYI. The pediatrician should be notified if the oxygen saturation rate is below 90%
The nurse is teaching breastfeeding to prospective parents in a childbirth education class. Which
instruction should the nurse include as content in the class?
, Page 4 of 35
31 May 2026
A. Begin as soon as your baby is born to establish a four-hour feeding schedule
B. Resting helps with milk production. Ask that your baby be fed at night in the nursery
C. Feed your baby every 2 to 3 hours or on demand, whichever comes first
D. Do not allow your baby to nurse any longer than the prescribed number of minutes - correct
answer-C. Feed your baby every 2 to 3 hours or on demand, whichever comes first Breastfeeding
infants should be kept in the room with the mother and fed every 2 to 3 hours or on demand--
whichever comes first.
The healthcare provider prescribes terbutaline (Brethine) for a client in preterm labor. Before
initiating this prescription, it is most important for the nurse to assess the client for which
condition?
A. Gestational diabetes
B. Elevated blood pressure
C. Urinary tract infection
D. Swelling in lower extremities - correct answer-A. Gestational diabetes
The nurse should evaluate the client for gestational diabetes because terbutaline (Brethine)
increases blood glucose levels.
A client with NO prenatal care arrives at the labor unit screaming, "The baby is coming!" The nurse
performs a vaginal examination that reveals the cervix is 3 centimeters dilated and 75% effaced.
What additional information is most important for the nurse to obtain?
A. Gravidity and parity
B. Time and amount of last oral intake
C. Date of last normal menstrual period
D. Frequency and intensity of contractions - correct answer-C. Date of last normal menstrual period
Evaluating the gestation of the pregnancy takes priority. If the fetus is preterm and the fetal heart
pattern is reassuring, the healthcare provider may attempt to prolong the pregnancy and administer
corticosteroids to mature the lungs of the fetus.
The nurse assesses a client admitted to the labor and delivery unit and obtains the following data:
dark red vaginal bleeding, uterus slightly tense between contractions, BP 110/68, FHR 110
beats/minute, cervix 1 cm dilated and uneffaced. Based on these assessment findings, what
intervention should the nurse implement?
A. Insert an internal fetal monitor
B. Assess for cervical changes q1h
