EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 100% CORRECT LATEST
Maternity HESI Test Bank
1. A 38-week primigravida who works as a secretary and sits at a computer
for 8 hours each 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?
Move about every hour
Pooling of blood in the lower extremities results from the enlarged uterus exerting
pressure on the pelvic veins. Moving about every hour will straighten out the
pelvic veins and increase venous return.
2. 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?
Tachycardia and a feeling of nervousness
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".
,3. What does a diaphragmatic hernia
look like? Scaphoid abdomen and
anorexia
4. A new mother is afraid to touch her baby's head for fear of hurting the
"large soft spot." Which explanation should the nurse give to this anxious
client?
There's a strong, tough membrane there to protect the baby so you
need not be afraid to wash or comb his/her hair.
5. A client who is attending antepartum classes asks the nurse why her
healthcare provider has prescribed iron tablets. The nurse's response
is based on what knowledge?
It is difficult to consume 18 mg of additional iron by diet alone.
Consuming enough iron-containing foods to facilitate adequate fetal storage of iron
and to meet the demands of pregnancy is difficult so iron supplements are often
recommended.
6. What is megaloblastic anemia
caused by? folic acid deficiency
7. A woman who thinks she could be pregnant calls her neighbor, a nurse, to
ask when she could use a home pregnancy test to diagnose pregnancy.
Which response is best?
A home pregnancy test can be used right after your first missed period.
Home urine tests are based on the chemical detection of human chorionic
gonadotrophin, which begins to increase 6 to 8 days after conception and is
best detected at 2 weeks’gestation or immediately after the first missed period.
,8. A 28-year-old client in active labor complains of cramps in her leg. What
intervention should the nurse implement?
, Extend the leg and dorsiflex the foot
Dorsiflexing the foot by pushing the sole of the foot forward or by standing (if the client
is capable) and putting the heel of the foot on the floor is the best means of relieving
leg cramps.
9. A client at 30-weeks’gestation, complaining of pressure over the pubic area,
is admitted for observation. She is contracting irregularly and demonstrates
underlying uterine irritability. Vaginal examination reveals that her cervix is
closed, thick, and high. Based on these data, which intervention should the
nurse implement first?
Obtaining a urine analysis should be done first because preterm clients
with uterine irritability and contractions are often suffering from a
urinary tract infection, and this should be ruled out first.
10. A client in active labor is admitted with preeclampsia. Which assessment
finding is most significant in planning this client's care?
A 4+ reflex in a client with pregnancy-induced hypertension indicates
hyperreflexia, which is an indication of an impending seizure.
11. What is Epogen for?
Changes an apical heart rate from the 180s to the 140s.
Epogen, given to prevent or treat anemia, stimulates erythropoietin production,
resulting in an increase in RBCs. Since the body has not had to compensate for
anemia with an increased heart rate, changes in heart rate from high to normal is one
indicator that Epogen is effective
12. The healthcare provider prescribes terbutaline (Brethine) for a client in
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Maternity HESI Test Bank
1. A 38-week primigravida who works as a secretary and sits at a computer
for 8 hours each 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?
Move about every hour
Pooling of blood in the lower extremities results from the enlarged uterus exerting
pressure on the pelvic veins. Moving about every hour will straighten out the
pelvic veins and increase venous return.
2. 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?
Tachycardia and a feeling of nervousness
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".
,3. What does a diaphragmatic hernia
look like? Scaphoid abdomen and
anorexia
4. A new mother is afraid to touch her baby's head for fear of hurting the
"large soft spot." Which explanation should the nurse give to this anxious
client?
There's a strong, tough membrane there to protect the baby so you
need not be afraid to wash or comb his/her hair.
5. A client who is attending antepartum classes asks the nurse why her
healthcare provider has prescribed iron tablets. The nurse's response
is based on what knowledge?
It is difficult to consume 18 mg of additional iron by diet alone.
Consuming enough iron-containing foods to facilitate adequate fetal storage of iron
and to meet the demands of pregnancy is difficult so iron supplements are often
recommended.
6. What is megaloblastic anemia
caused by? folic acid deficiency
7. A woman who thinks she could be pregnant calls her neighbor, a nurse, to
ask when she could use a home pregnancy test to diagnose pregnancy.
Which response is best?
A home pregnancy test can be used right after your first missed period.
Home urine tests are based on the chemical detection of human chorionic
gonadotrophin, which begins to increase 6 to 8 days after conception and is
best detected at 2 weeks’gestation or immediately after the first missed period.
,8. A 28-year-old client in active labor complains of cramps in her leg. What
intervention should the nurse implement?
, Extend the leg and dorsiflex the foot
Dorsiflexing the foot by pushing the sole of the foot forward or by standing (if the client
is capable) and putting the heel of the foot on the floor is the best means of relieving
leg cramps.
9. A client at 30-weeks’gestation, complaining of pressure over the pubic area,
is admitted for observation. She is contracting irregularly and demonstrates
underlying uterine irritability. Vaginal examination reveals that her cervix is
closed, thick, and high. Based on these data, which intervention should the
nurse implement first?
Obtaining a urine analysis should be done first because preterm clients
with uterine irritability and contractions are often suffering from a
urinary tract infection, and this should be ruled out first.
10. A client in active labor is admitted with preeclampsia. Which assessment
finding is most significant in planning this client's care?
A 4+ reflex in a client with pregnancy-induced hypertension indicates
hyperreflexia, which is an indication of an impending seizure.
11. What is Epogen for?
Changes an apical heart rate from the 180s to the 140s.
Epogen, given to prevent or treat anemia, stimulates erythropoietin production,
resulting in an increase in RBCs. Since the body has not had to compensate for
anemia with an increased heart rate, changes in heart rate from high to normal is one
indicator that Epogen is effective
12. The healthcare provider prescribes terbutaline (Brethine) for a client in
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