1 | Page
2025 HESI PN Maternity & Pediatrics Practice Exam – 200
Questions with Verified Answers & Detailed Rationales
Question 1
A 28-year-old primigravida at 32 weeks gestation reports sudden painless vaginal bleeding.
Nursing action:
a. Assess vital signs and notify provider immediately
b. Encourage ambulation
c. Administer prenatal vitamins
d. Reassure the patient
ANS: a
Rationale: Sudden painless bleeding in the third trimester may indicate placenta previa, a
potentially life-threatening condition. Immediate assessment of maternal hemodynamic status
and provider notification are priority interventions to prevent complications. Ambulation and
reassurance are inappropriate until the source and severity of bleeding are determined.
DIF: Hard | OBJ: Obstetric Assessment | TOP: Third-Trimester Complications | MSC: Safe and
Effective Care
,2 | Page
Question 2
A 3-year-old presents with fever, irritability, and a rash on the trunk. Nursing priority:
a. Encourage oral fluids
b. Obtain full vital signs and notify provider
c. Apply topical lotion
d. Allow unrestricted activity
ANS: b
Rationale: Fever with rash may indicate a communicable disease requiring isolation and prompt
evaluation. Vital signs determine severity and guide treatment. Topical lotion and unrestricted
activity are secondary considerations.
DIF: Moderate | OBJ: Pediatric Assessment | TOP: Infectious Disease | MSC: Physiological
Integrity
Question 3
A postpartum client reports heavy vaginal bleeding and dizziness 2 hours after delivery. Nursing
action:
a. Encourage ambulation
b. Assess fundus, vital signs, and notify provider
c. Administer routine pain medication
d. Reassure and observe
ANS: b
Rationale: Heavy bleeding and dizziness indicate postpartum hemorrhage. Assessing fundus
,3 | Page
tone and vital signs is priority, and provider notification is essential for immediate intervention to
prevent shock.
DIF: Hard | OBJ: Postpartum Care | TOP: Hemorrhage | MSC: Physiological Integrity
Question 4
A 6-month-old infant presents with lethargy, poor feeding, and a bulging fontanel. Nursing
action:
a. Provide oral fluids
b. Notify provider; assess for signs of increased intracranial pressure
c. Encourage supine positioning only
d. Reassure parents
ANS: b
Rationale: Lethargy, poor feeding, and bulging fontanel may indicate increased intracranial
pressure or meningitis. Prompt provider notification and thorough assessment are critical for
early intervention.
DIF: Hard | OBJ: Pediatric Assessment | TOP: Neurologic Disorders | MSC: Physiological
Integrity
Question 5
A 24-year-old pregnant client at 36 weeks reports severe right upper quadrant pain, nausea, and
vomiting. Nursing action:
, 4 | Page
a. Encourage ambulation
b. Assess vital signs and notify provider for possible preeclampsia or HELLP syndrome
c. Administer routine prenatal vitamins
d. Reassure patient
ANS: b
Rationale: Right upper quadrant pain with nausea in the third trimester may indicate severe
preeclampsia or HELLP syndrome. Rapid assessment and provider notification are essential to
prevent maternal and fetal complications.
DIF: Hard | OBJ: Obstetric Assessment | TOP: Maternal Complications | MSC: Physiological
Integrity
Question 6
A toddler with asthma presents with wheezing, accessory muscle use, and SpO₂ 88%. Nursing
priority:
a. Encourage ambulation
b. Assess airway, breathing, and provide oxygen
c. Provide oral fluids
d. Reassure the child
ANS: b
Rationale: Respiratory distress with hypoxia is an emergency. Immediate assessment and
oxygen administration are required to prevent respiratory failure.
DIF: Hard | OBJ: Pediatric Respiratory Care | TOP: Asthma | MSC: Physiological Integrity
2025 HESI PN Maternity & Pediatrics Practice Exam – 200
Questions with Verified Answers & Detailed Rationales
Question 1
A 28-year-old primigravida at 32 weeks gestation reports sudden painless vaginal bleeding.
Nursing action:
a. Assess vital signs and notify provider immediately
b. Encourage ambulation
c. Administer prenatal vitamins
d. Reassure the patient
ANS: a
Rationale: Sudden painless bleeding in the third trimester may indicate placenta previa, a
potentially life-threatening condition. Immediate assessment of maternal hemodynamic status
and provider notification are priority interventions to prevent complications. Ambulation and
reassurance are inappropriate until the source and severity of bleeding are determined.
DIF: Hard | OBJ: Obstetric Assessment | TOP: Third-Trimester Complications | MSC: Safe and
Effective Care
,2 | Page
Question 2
A 3-year-old presents with fever, irritability, and a rash on the trunk. Nursing priority:
a. Encourage oral fluids
b. Obtain full vital signs and notify provider
c. Apply topical lotion
d. Allow unrestricted activity
ANS: b
Rationale: Fever with rash may indicate a communicable disease requiring isolation and prompt
evaluation. Vital signs determine severity and guide treatment. Topical lotion and unrestricted
activity are secondary considerations.
DIF: Moderate | OBJ: Pediatric Assessment | TOP: Infectious Disease | MSC: Physiological
Integrity
Question 3
A postpartum client reports heavy vaginal bleeding and dizziness 2 hours after delivery. Nursing
action:
a. Encourage ambulation
b. Assess fundus, vital signs, and notify provider
c. Administer routine pain medication
d. Reassure and observe
ANS: b
Rationale: Heavy bleeding and dizziness indicate postpartum hemorrhage. Assessing fundus
,3 | Page
tone and vital signs is priority, and provider notification is essential for immediate intervention to
prevent shock.
DIF: Hard | OBJ: Postpartum Care | TOP: Hemorrhage | MSC: Physiological Integrity
Question 4
A 6-month-old infant presents with lethargy, poor feeding, and a bulging fontanel. Nursing
action:
a. Provide oral fluids
b. Notify provider; assess for signs of increased intracranial pressure
c. Encourage supine positioning only
d. Reassure parents
ANS: b
Rationale: Lethargy, poor feeding, and bulging fontanel may indicate increased intracranial
pressure or meningitis. Prompt provider notification and thorough assessment are critical for
early intervention.
DIF: Hard | OBJ: Pediatric Assessment | TOP: Neurologic Disorders | MSC: Physiological
Integrity
Question 5
A 24-year-old pregnant client at 36 weeks reports severe right upper quadrant pain, nausea, and
vomiting. Nursing action:
, 4 | Page
a. Encourage ambulation
b. Assess vital signs and notify provider for possible preeclampsia or HELLP syndrome
c. Administer routine prenatal vitamins
d. Reassure patient
ANS: b
Rationale: Right upper quadrant pain with nausea in the third trimester may indicate severe
preeclampsia or HELLP syndrome. Rapid assessment and provider notification are essential to
prevent maternal and fetal complications.
DIF: Hard | OBJ: Obstetric Assessment | TOP: Maternal Complications | MSC: Physiological
Integrity
Question 6
A toddler with asthma presents with wheezing, accessory muscle use, and SpO₂ 88%. Nursing
priority:
a. Encourage ambulation
b. Assess airway, breathing, and provide oxygen
c. Provide oral fluids
d. Reassure the child
ANS: b
Rationale: Respiratory distress with hypoxia is an emergency. Immediate assessment and
oxygen administration are required to prevent respiratory failure.
DIF: Hard | OBJ: Pediatric Respiratory Care | TOP: Asthma | MSC: Physiological Integrity
