Macomb Community College
HESI Obstetrics/Maternity Practice Exam
1. 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
2. A 38-week primagravida who works as a secretary and sits at a
computer 8 hours a day tells the nurse that her feet have begun to
swell. Which instruction would be most effective in preventing pooling
of blood in the lower extremities? - C. Move about every hour
3. During a prenatal visit, the nurse discusses with a client the effects of
smoking on the fetus. When compared with nonsmokers, mothers who
smoke during pregnancy tend to produce infants who have - B. lower
birth weights
4. A 26-year-old, gravida 2, para 1 client is admitted to the hospital at 28-
weeks gestation in preterm labor. She is given 3 doses of terbutaline
sulfate (Brethine) 0.25 mg subcutaneously to stop her labor
contractions. The nurse plans to monitor for which primary side effect
of terbutaline sulfate? - C. Tachycardia and a feeling of nervousness
5. A mother who is breastfeeding her baby receives instructions from the
nurse. Which instruction is most effective to prevent nipple soreness? -
C. correctly place the infant on the breast
6. A full term infant is transferred to the nursery from L & D. Which
information is most important for the nurse to receive when planning
immediate care for the newborn? - B. Infant's condition at birth and
treatment received.
7. In developing a teaching plan for expectant parents, the nurse plans to
include information about when the parents can expect the infant's
,Macomb Community College
HESI Obstetrics/Maternity Practice Exam
fontanels to close. The nurse bases the explanation on knowledge that
for the normal newborn, the - D. anterior fontanel closes at 12-18 mos
and the posterior fontanel by the end of the second month.
8. When assessing a client who is 12-weeks gestation, the nurse
recommends the she and her husband consider attending childbirth
preparation classes.
9. What is the best time for the couple to attend these classes? - D. At 30
weeks gestation.
10. The nurse should encourage the laboring client to begin pushing
when - C. the cervix is completely dilated
11. The nurse is counseling a couple who has sought information
about conceiving. For teaching purposes, the nurse should know that
ovulation usually occurs - A. two weeks before menstruation.
12. The nurse instructs a laboring client to use accelerated-blow
breathing. The client begins to complain of tingling fingers and
dizziness. What action should the nurse take? - C. have the client
breath into her cupped hands
13. When preparing a newborn care for expectant parents, what
content should the nurse teach concerning the newborn infant born at
term gestation? - C. Vernix is a white, cheesy substance,
predominately located in the skin folds.
14. 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
, Macomb Community College
HESI Obstetrics/Maternity Practice Exam
is a newborn variation known as - A. a cephalhematoma, caused by
forceps trauma and may last up to 8 weeks.
15. An expectant father tells the nurse he fears that his wife "is
losing her mind". He states she is constantly rubbing her abdomen and
talking to the baby and that she actually reprimands the baby when it
moves too much. What recommendation should the nurse make to the
expectant father? - D. Let him know that these behaviors are part of
normal maternal/fetal bonding which occurs once the mother feels
fetal movement.
16. A new mother asks the nurse, "How do I know my daughter is
getting enough breast milk? Which explanation will the nurse provide? -
B. "your milk is sufficient if the baby is voiding pale straw-colored urine
6-10 times a day.
17. A new mother who has just had her first baby says to the nurse,
"I saw the baby in the recovery room. She has a funny looking head".
Which response by the nurse is the best? - C. That is normal, the head
will return to a round shape within 7-10 days.
18. A client who gave birth to a healthy 8 pound infant 3 hours ago is
admitted to the postpartum unit. Which nursing plan is best in assisting
the mother to bond with her newborn infant? - D. Meet the mother's
physical needs and demonstrate warmth toward the infant.
19. A couple, concerned because the woman has not been able to
conceive, is referred to a healthcare provider for a fertility workup and
a hysterosalpingography is scheduled. Which complaint would indicate
to the nurse that the woman's fallopian tubes are patent? - C. shoulder
pain
HESI Obstetrics/Maternity Practice Exam
1. 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
2. A 38-week primagravida who works as a secretary and sits at a
computer 8 hours a day tells the nurse that her feet have begun to
swell. Which instruction would be most effective in preventing pooling
of blood in the lower extremities? - C. Move about every hour
3. During a prenatal visit, the nurse discusses with a client the effects of
smoking on the fetus. When compared with nonsmokers, mothers who
smoke during pregnancy tend to produce infants who have - B. lower
birth weights
4. A 26-year-old, gravida 2, para 1 client is admitted to the hospital at 28-
weeks gestation in preterm labor. She is given 3 doses of terbutaline
sulfate (Brethine) 0.25 mg subcutaneously to stop her labor
contractions. The nurse plans to monitor for which primary side effect
of terbutaline sulfate? - C. Tachycardia and a feeling of nervousness
5. A mother who is breastfeeding her baby receives instructions from the
nurse. Which instruction is most effective to prevent nipple soreness? -
C. correctly place the infant on the breast
6. A full term infant is transferred to the nursery from L & D. Which
information is most important for the nurse to receive when planning
immediate care for the newborn? - B. Infant's condition at birth and
treatment received.
7. In developing a teaching plan for expectant parents, the nurse plans to
include information about when the parents can expect the infant's
,Macomb Community College
HESI Obstetrics/Maternity Practice Exam
fontanels to close. The nurse bases the explanation on knowledge that
for the normal newborn, the - D. anterior fontanel closes at 12-18 mos
and the posterior fontanel by the end of the second month.
8. When assessing a client who is 12-weeks gestation, the nurse
recommends the she and her husband consider attending childbirth
preparation classes.
9. What is the best time for the couple to attend these classes? - D. At 30
weeks gestation.
10. The nurse should encourage the laboring client to begin pushing
when - C. the cervix is completely dilated
11. The nurse is counseling a couple who has sought information
about conceiving. For teaching purposes, the nurse should know that
ovulation usually occurs - A. two weeks before menstruation.
12. The nurse instructs a laboring client to use accelerated-blow
breathing. The client begins to complain of tingling fingers and
dizziness. What action should the nurse take? - C. have the client
breath into her cupped hands
13. When preparing a newborn care for expectant parents, what
content should the nurse teach concerning the newborn infant born at
term gestation? - C. Vernix is a white, cheesy substance,
predominately located in the skin folds.
14. 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
, Macomb Community College
HESI Obstetrics/Maternity Practice Exam
is a newborn variation known as - A. a cephalhematoma, caused by
forceps trauma and may last up to 8 weeks.
15. An expectant father tells the nurse he fears that his wife "is
losing her mind". He states she is constantly rubbing her abdomen and
talking to the baby and that she actually reprimands the baby when it
moves too much. What recommendation should the nurse make to the
expectant father? - D. Let him know that these behaviors are part of
normal maternal/fetal bonding which occurs once the mother feels
fetal movement.
16. A new mother asks the nurse, "How do I know my daughter is
getting enough breast milk? Which explanation will the nurse provide? -
B. "your milk is sufficient if the baby is voiding pale straw-colored urine
6-10 times a day.
17. A new mother who has just had her first baby says to the nurse,
"I saw the baby in the recovery room. She has a funny looking head".
Which response by the nurse is the best? - C. That is normal, the head
will return to a round shape within 7-10 days.
18. A client who gave birth to a healthy 8 pound infant 3 hours ago is
admitted to the postpartum unit. Which nursing plan is best in assisting
the mother to bond with her newborn infant? - D. Meet the mother's
physical needs and demonstrate warmth toward the infant.
19. A couple, concerned because the woman has not been able to
conceive, is referred to a healthcare provider for a fertility workup and
a hysterosalpingography is scheduled. Which complaint would indicate
to the nurse that the woman's fallopian tubes are patent? - C. shoulder
pain
