HESI Maternity and Pediatrics exam GRADED A+ QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
100% VERIFIED 2025-2026
During which type of molar pregnancy is there no fetus present?
complete
During which type of molar pregnancy is there fetal tissues or membranes
present?
partial
What are some life threatening complications of hydatidiform mole?
Malignant change and proliferation of residual trophoblastic tissue(choriocarcinoma
or gestational trophoblastic neoplasm). Also respiratory distress is vesicles of the
mole enter the woman's circulation and embolize to the lung.
Signs and symptoms of molar pregnancy
vaginal bleeding, a uterus larger than expected for duration of pregnancy, excessive
N/V, early development of preeclampsia.
Diagnosis of molar pregnancy
US, high levels of beta hCG.
How is a molar pregnancy treated?
Vacuum aspiration to extract the mole and after tissue is removed, Pitocin is used to
contract the uterus.
Follow up protocol for molar pregnancy
evaluation of serum hCG Q1-2 weeks until 3 normal prepregnancy levels are
attained. The levels are repeated Q1-2 months for up to a year.
What should you teach a woman post molar pregnancy?
Avoid getting pregnant until follow up is completed.
Implantation of the placenta in the lower uterus, near the fetal presenting part
Placenta Previa
3 types of placenta previa
marginal, partial, total
What is marginal placenta previa?
Placenta is planted in lower uterus, but its lower border is more than 3 cm from the
internal os.
What is partial placenta previa?
Lower border of placenta is within 3 cm of the internal os but does not cover the os
completely.
What is total placenta previa
placenta completely covers internal cervical os
,Classic sign of placenta previa
painless uterine bleeding in last half of pregnancy
What should be avoided in a patient who presents with painless vaginal
bleeding in the latter half of pregnancy?
Manual examination and administration of oxytocin
Management of placenta previa
Conservative management if mother's cardiovascular status is stable and the fetus is
immature and has a reassuring status.
Patient teaching for the mother who is at home with placenta previa
1.) assess vaginal discharge or bleeding after urination or BM 2.) count fetal
movements daily 3.) assess uterine activity daily. 4.)No sexual intercourse
Separation of a normally implanted placenta before the fetus is born
Abruptio placentae
Types of abruptio placenta
Marginal abruption with external bleeding, partial abruption with concealed bleeding
and complete abruption with concealed bleeding.
5 classic signs and symptoms of abruptio placentae
1. vaginal bleeding 2. abdominal and lower back pain 3. uterine irritability 4. high
uterine resting tone 5. uterine tenderness that may be localized to the site of the
abruption.
How can the abdomen be described in abruptio placentae?
May become exceedingly firm (board like) and tender.
Treatment for mild abruptio placentae, where the fetus is less than 34 weeks
showing no distress and bleeding is minimal.
Bedrest, possible tocolytic, RhoGAM
What is hyperemesis gravidarum?
persistent, uncontrollable vomiting that begins in the first weeks of pregnancy and
may continue throughout pregnancy; Associated with 5% or more of prepregnancy
weight loss, dehydration and acidosis from starvation.
hyperemesis gravidarum is more common in
unmarried white women during their first pregnancies.
Treatment for hyperemesis
Vitamin B6, ginger, antiemetics and the steroid methylprednisone
If home treatment methods to relieve N/V in hyperemesis are unsuccessful,
what is the medical management?
IVF and electrolyte replacement, TPN or feeding tube may be necessary
How is EDD calculated using Nagele's rule?
1. Determine the first day of the LMP
2. Subtract 3 months
3. Add 7 days
4. Adjust the year
What is gravidity?
, the number of pregnancies including current pregnancy.
includes miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies, stillbirths.
What is parity?
number of births in which the fetus is carried past 20 weeks gestation(not number of
fetuses [e.g., twins]
GTPAL
Gravida, Term, Preterm, Abortions, Living
What are presumptive signs of pregnancy?
Subjective signs perceived by the woman
- Signs: amenorrhea, breast changes & tenderness, nausea
- Symptoms: N/V, urinary freq, weight gain, fatigue, quickening (fetal movement),
discoloration of vaginal mucosa
Probable signs of pregnancy
Uterine enlargement, Goodell's sign, Chadwick's sign, Hegar's sign, Ballottement, +
Pregnancy test, Braxton Hicks contractions
Goodell's sign
softening of the cervix
Chadwick's sign
Bluish purple discoloration of the cervix, vagina, and labia during pregnancy as a
result of increased vascular congestion.
Hegar's sign
softening of the lower uterine segment
Ballottement
The rebounding of the fetus against the examiner's fingers on palpation
Positive signs of pregnancy
audible fetal heartbeat, fetal movement felt by examiner, ultrasound visualization of
fetus
How to measure Fundal Height
Symphysis pubis to top of uterine fundus. # of cm is usually equivalent to gestation
age, give or take 1-2 cm
--At 36 weeks fetus moves down into the pelvis, measurement not as reliable
Smoking tobacco during pregnancy can lead to
low birth weight, a higher incidence of birth defects, and still births
Cholasma
Pigmented area of the face (mask of pregnancy)
"Linea Nigra" of pregnancy
Dark line of hyperpigmentation down the midline of the abdomen
stiae gravidarum
stretch marks
What are some interventions that the nurse can teach the patient for nausea
and vomiting in pregnancy(occurs during 1st trimester)?
100% VERIFIED 2025-2026
During which type of molar pregnancy is there no fetus present?
complete
During which type of molar pregnancy is there fetal tissues or membranes
present?
partial
What are some life threatening complications of hydatidiform mole?
Malignant change and proliferation of residual trophoblastic tissue(choriocarcinoma
or gestational trophoblastic neoplasm). Also respiratory distress is vesicles of the
mole enter the woman's circulation and embolize to the lung.
Signs and symptoms of molar pregnancy
vaginal bleeding, a uterus larger than expected for duration of pregnancy, excessive
N/V, early development of preeclampsia.
Diagnosis of molar pregnancy
US, high levels of beta hCG.
How is a molar pregnancy treated?
Vacuum aspiration to extract the mole and after tissue is removed, Pitocin is used to
contract the uterus.
Follow up protocol for molar pregnancy
evaluation of serum hCG Q1-2 weeks until 3 normal prepregnancy levels are
attained. The levels are repeated Q1-2 months for up to a year.
What should you teach a woman post molar pregnancy?
Avoid getting pregnant until follow up is completed.
Implantation of the placenta in the lower uterus, near the fetal presenting part
Placenta Previa
3 types of placenta previa
marginal, partial, total
What is marginal placenta previa?
Placenta is planted in lower uterus, but its lower border is more than 3 cm from the
internal os.
What is partial placenta previa?
Lower border of placenta is within 3 cm of the internal os but does not cover the os
completely.
What is total placenta previa
placenta completely covers internal cervical os
,Classic sign of placenta previa
painless uterine bleeding in last half of pregnancy
What should be avoided in a patient who presents with painless vaginal
bleeding in the latter half of pregnancy?
Manual examination and administration of oxytocin
Management of placenta previa
Conservative management if mother's cardiovascular status is stable and the fetus is
immature and has a reassuring status.
Patient teaching for the mother who is at home with placenta previa
1.) assess vaginal discharge or bleeding after urination or BM 2.) count fetal
movements daily 3.) assess uterine activity daily. 4.)No sexual intercourse
Separation of a normally implanted placenta before the fetus is born
Abruptio placentae
Types of abruptio placenta
Marginal abruption with external bleeding, partial abruption with concealed bleeding
and complete abruption with concealed bleeding.
5 classic signs and symptoms of abruptio placentae
1. vaginal bleeding 2. abdominal and lower back pain 3. uterine irritability 4. high
uterine resting tone 5. uterine tenderness that may be localized to the site of the
abruption.
How can the abdomen be described in abruptio placentae?
May become exceedingly firm (board like) and tender.
Treatment for mild abruptio placentae, where the fetus is less than 34 weeks
showing no distress and bleeding is minimal.
Bedrest, possible tocolytic, RhoGAM
What is hyperemesis gravidarum?
persistent, uncontrollable vomiting that begins in the first weeks of pregnancy and
may continue throughout pregnancy; Associated with 5% or more of prepregnancy
weight loss, dehydration and acidosis from starvation.
hyperemesis gravidarum is more common in
unmarried white women during their first pregnancies.
Treatment for hyperemesis
Vitamin B6, ginger, antiemetics and the steroid methylprednisone
If home treatment methods to relieve N/V in hyperemesis are unsuccessful,
what is the medical management?
IVF and electrolyte replacement, TPN or feeding tube may be necessary
How is EDD calculated using Nagele's rule?
1. Determine the first day of the LMP
2. Subtract 3 months
3. Add 7 days
4. Adjust the year
What is gravidity?
, the number of pregnancies including current pregnancy.
includes miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies, stillbirths.
What is parity?
number of births in which the fetus is carried past 20 weeks gestation(not number of
fetuses [e.g., twins]
GTPAL
Gravida, Term, Preterm, Abortions, Living
What are presumptive signs of pregnancy?
Subjective signs perceived by the woman
- Signs: amenorrhea, breast changes & tenderness, nausea
- Symptoms: N/V, urinary freq, weight gain, fatigue, quickening (fetal movement),
discoloration of vaginal mucosa
Probable signs of pregnancy
Uterine enlargement, Goodell's sign, Chadwick's sign, Hegar's sign, Ballottement, +
Pregnancy test, Braxton Hicks contractions
Goodell's sign
softening of the cervix
Chadwick's sign
Bluish purple discoloration of the cervix, vagina, and labia during pregnancy as a
result of increased vascular congestion.
Hegar's sign
softening of the lower uterine segment
Ballottement
The rebounding of the fetus against the examiner's fingers on palpation
Positive signs of pregnancy
audible fetal heartbeat, fetal movement felt by examiner, ultrasound visualization of
fetus
How to measure Fundal Height
Symphysis pubis to top of uterine fundus. # of cm is usually equivalent to gestation
age, give or take 1-2 cm
--At 36 weeks fetus moves down into the pelvis, measurement not as reliable
Smoking tobacco during pregnancy can lead to
low birth weight, a higher incidence of birth defects, and still births
Cholasma
Pigmented area of the face (mask of pregnancy)
"Linea Nigra" of pregnancy
Dark line of hyperpigmentation down the midline of the abdomen
stiae gravidarum
stretch marks
What are some interventions that the nurse can teach the patient for nausea
and vomiting in pregnancy(occurs during 1st trimester)?
