HESI RN Maternity Exam 2026 | 145 Real Exam
Questions & Correct Answers | OB Childbearing
Family Comprehensive Review Guide
Section 1: Antepartum and Prenatal Care
1. 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 relieves
pressure on the pelvic veins and increases venous return .
2. An expectant father tells the nurse he fears that his wife is "losing her mind."
He states that she is constantly rubbing her abdomen and talking to the baby
and that she actually reprimands the baby when it moves too much. Which
recommendation should the nurse make to this expectant father?
A. Suggest that his wife seek professional counseling to deal with her symptoms.
B. Explain that his wife is exhibiting ambivalence about the pregnancy.
C. Ask him to report similar abnormal behaviors at the next prenatal visit.
D. Reassure him that normal maternal-fetal bonding is occurring.
Answer: D. Reassure him that normal maternal-fetal bonding is occurring.
,Rationale: These behaviors are positive signs of maternal-fetal bonding and do not
reflect ambivalence. Quickening, the first perception of fetal movement, occurs at
17 to 20 weeks of gestation and begins a new phase of prenatal bonding during
the second trimester .
3. A community health nurse visits a family in which a 16-year-old unmarried
daughter is pregnant with her first child and is at 32-weeks gestation. The client
tells the nurse that she has been having intermittent back pain since the night
before. What is the priority nursing intervention?
(Question from flashcard set )
4. 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
Rationale: Betamethasone is a corticosteroid administered to accelerate fetal lung
maturity by promoting surfactant production, reducing the risk of respiratory
distress syndrome in preterm infants .
5. 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
,Rationale: 20 grams / 500 ml = 0.04 grams/ml. 3 grams/hour ÷ 0.04 grams/ml =
75 ml/hour .
6. A client at 35-weeks gestation complains of "pain whenever the baby moves."
On assessment, the nurse notes the client's temperature to be 101.2°F, 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
Rationale: Chorioamnionitis is an intra-amniotic infection presenting with
maternal fever, uterine tenderness, and fetal tachycardia. These findings require
immediate intervention .
7. A client with preeclampsia has findings including +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
Rationale: Magnesium sulfate is the medication of choice to prevent seizures in
preeclampsia with severe features. The client is showing signs of severe
preeclampsia with elevated blood pressure, proteinuria, and neurologic
symptoms .
8. A primigravida arrives at the observation unit of the maternity unit because
she thinks she is in labor. The nurse applies the external fetal heart monitor and
determines that the FHR is 140 bpm and contractions are occurring irregularly
, every 10 to 15 minutes. What assessment finding confirms to the nurse that the
client is NOT in labor at this time?
A. Contractions decrease with walking.
B. Cervical dilation of 2 cm.
C. Fetal heart rate remains stable.
D. Contractions increase in intensity.
Answer: A. Contractions decrease with walking.
Rationale: True labor contractions typically increase with activity, while false labor
contractions often decrease or stop with walking and position changes .
9. The nurse is caring for a female client, a primigravida, with preeclampsia.
Which medication should the nurse anticipate for this client?
(Question from flashcard set )
10. A client at 40-weeks' gestation presents to the obstetrical floor and indicates
that the amniotic membranes ruptured spontaneously at home. She is in active
labor and feels the need to bear down and push. What information is most
important for the nurse to obtain first?
A. The estimated amount of fluid
B. The time the membranes ruptured
C. Color and consistency of the fluid
D. Any odor noted when membranes ruptured
Answer: C. Color and consistency of the fluid
Rationale: The color and consistency of amniotic fluid is critical to assess. Clear
fluid is normal; green or meconium-stained fluid indicates fetal distress and
potential meconium aspiration .
Section 2: Intrapartum and Labor Management (Questions 11-25)
Questions & Correct Answers | OB Childbearing
Family Comprehensive Review Guide
Section 1: Antepartum and Prenatal Care
1. 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 relieves
pressure on the pelvic veins and increases venous return .
2. An expectant father tells the nurse he fears that his wife is "losing her mind."
He states that she is constantly rubbing her abdomen and talking to the baby
and that she actually reprimands the baby when it moves too much. Which
recommendation should the nurse make to this expectant father?
A. Suggest that his wife seek professional counseling to deal with her symptoms.
B. Explain that his wife is exhibiting ambivalence about the pregnancy.
C. Ask him to report similar abnormal behaviors at the next prenatal visit.
D. Reassure him that normal maternal-fetal bonding is occurring.
Answer: D. Reassure him that normal maternal-fetal bonding is occurring.
,Rationale: These behaviors are positive signs of maternal-fetal bonding and do not
reflect ambivalence. Quickening, the first perception of fetal movement, occurs at
17 to 20 weeks of gestation and begins a new phase of prenatal bonding during
the second trimester .
3. A community health nurse visits a family in which a 16-year-old unmarried
daughter is pregnant with her first child and is at 32-weeks gestation. The client
tells the nurse that she has been having intermittent back pain since the night
before. What is the priority nursing intervention?
(Question from flashcard set )
4. 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
Rationale: Betamethasone is a corticosteroid administered to accelerate fetal lung
maturity by promoting surfactant production, reducing the risk of respiratory
distress syndrome in preterm infants .
5. 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
,Rationale: 20 grams / 500 ml = 0.04 grams/ml. 3 grams/hour ÷ 0.04 grams/ml =
75 ml/hour .
6. A client at 35-weeks gestation complains of "pain whenever the baby moves."
On assessment, the nurse notes the client's temperature to be 101.2°F, 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
Rationale: Chorioamnionitis is an intra-amniotic infection presenting with
maternal fever, uterine tenderness, and fetal tachycardia. These findings require
immediate intervention .
7. A client with preeclampsia has findings including +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
Rationale: Magnesium sulfate is the medication of choice to prevent seizures in
preeclampsia with severe features. The client is showing signs of severe
preeclampsia with elevated blood pressure, proteinuria, and neurologic
symptoms .
8. A primigravida arrives at the observation unit of the maternity unit because
she thinks she is in labor. The nurse applies the external fetal heart monitor and
determines that the FHR is 140 bpm and contractions are occurring irregularly
, every 10 to 15 minutes. What assessment finding confirms to the nurse that the
client is NOT in labor at this time?
A. Contractions decrease with walking.
B. Cervical dilation of 2 cm.
C. Fetal heart rate remains stable.
D. Contractions increase in intensity.
Answer: A. Contractions decrease with walking.
Rationale: True labor contractions typically increase with activity, while false labor
contractions often decrease or stop with walking and position changes .
9. The nurse is caring for a female client, a primigravida, with preeclampsia.
Which medication should the nurse anticipate for this client?
(Question from flashcard set )
10. A client at 40-weeks' gestation presents to the obstetrical floor and indicates
that the amniotic membranes ruptured spontaneously at home. She is in active
labor and feels the need to bear down and push. What information is most
important for the nurse to obtain first?
A. The estimated amount of fluid
B. The time the membranes ruptured
C. Color and consistency of the fluid
D. Any odor noted when membranes ruptured
Answer: C. Color and consistency of the fluid
Rationale: The color and consistency of amniotic fluid is critical to assess. Clear
fluid is normal; green or meconium-stained fluid indicates fetal distress and
potential meconium aspiration .
Section 2: Intrapartum and Labor Management (Questions 11-25)
