HESI Maternal Exam Questions And
Answers || Updated and Verified
\.Which medication would the nurse identify as a potential cause for the formation of
abnormally small eyes in the newborn if used during pregnancy?
a. estrogens
b. nitrofurantoin
c. methotrexate
d. valproic acid
b. nitrofurantoin
Nitrofurantoin, an antimicrobial medication, causes formation of abnormally small eyes in the
newborn. Sex hormone supplements, such as estrogens, may cause congenital defects of female
reproductive organs. Methotrexate can cause congenital abnormalities (central nervous system
and limbs malformations) and fetal death. Valproic acid is high teratogenic and cause neural
tube defects, atrial septal defect, cleft palate, hypospadias, polydactyly, and craniosynostosis.
\.The nurse understands which antihypertensive medication is contraindicated in lactating
women?
a. atenolol
b. labetalol
c. metoprolol
d. propranolol
a. atenolol
Atenolol is contraindicated in lactating women because it enters the breastmilk and may cause
adverse effects to the neonate. Labetalol and propanolol are safe to administer during lactation.
Metoprolol is considered a safe medication to be taken during lactation
\.Which hormone levels do not require monitoring during the ministration of menotropins for
infertility?
a. estrogen
b. luteinizing hormone
,c. follicle-stimulating hormone
d. gonadotropin-releasing hormone
d. gonadotropin-releasing hormone
Menotropins that are administered for infertility act at the pituitary level. Gonadotropin-
releasing hormones act at the hypothalamus level; therefore this hormone does not need to be
monitored. Menotropins is a standardized mixture of follicle-stimulating hormone and
luteinizing; these hormones should be monitored. Also, estrogen levels need to be monitored
because the luteinizing hormone directly stimulates the production of estrogen
\.Which birth control agent requires administration once every three months?
A. Progestin-only pills
B. Intramuscular progestin
C. Combination biphasic forms
D. Combination monophasic forms
b. intramuscular progestin
Intramuscular progestin requires the administration of a single injection every three months.
Progressed-only oral contraceptive pills should be taken on a daily basis because of a higher
incidence of ovulatory cycles. Combination biphasic and monophasic forms are administered as
either a 21 or 28 day course.
\.Which medication with the nurse identify as being used both for cervical ripening during
labor and has a stomach protectant?
a. raloxifene
b. clomiphene
c. misoprostol
d. dinoprostone
c. misoprostol
Misoprostol can be used for cervical ripening and as a stomach protectant. Raloxifene is used to
prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis. Clomiphene is used for ovulation. Dinoprostone can be
used for cervical ripening, but this medication does not act as a stomach protectant.
\.Which effect with the nurse identify as seen when the fetus is exposed to a teratogen during
embryonic period?
a. delay in growth
b. gross malformations
, c. death of the conceptus
d. disruption of brain development
b. gross malformations
Gross malformations occur if there is exposure to a teratogen during the embryonic period or
the first trimester. During the fetal period, exposure to a teratogen causes delays in growth and
development of the fetus. Death of the conceptus occurs if exposed to a lethal dose of
teratogen during the pre-implantation period. Exposure to a teratogen during the fetal period
(second or third trimester) causes disruption of brain development.
\.Which medication may be used to treat postpartum hemorrhage?
a. clomiphene
b. menotropins
c. dinoprostone
d. methylergonovine
d. methylergonovine
Methylergonovine is a medication of choice used to treat postpartum hemorrhage. Clomiphene
and menotropins are ovulation stimulants given to induce ovulation in infertile women.
Dinoprostone is used to induce cervical ripening and cause termination of a pregnancy.
\.Which teratogenic effect is seen because of lithium?
a. stillbirth
b. shortened limbs
c. Ebstein anomaly
d. neural tube defects
c. Ebstein anomaly
Ebstein anomaly (cardiac defects) in the newborn occurs because of taking lithium during
pregnancy. Stillbirth may occur because of alcohol use. Shortened limbs may occur because of
thalidomide. Neural tube defects are due to anti seizure medications.
\.Which medication may cause malformations of the male external genitalia?
a. Etretinate
b. Dutasteride
c. Methimazole
d. Propylthiouracil
Answers || Updated and Verified
\.Which medication would the nurse identify as a potential cause for the formation of
abnormally small eyes in the newborn if used during pregnancy?
a. estrogens
b. nitrofurantoin
c. methotrexate
d. valproic acid
b. nitrofurantoin
Nitrofurantoin, an antimicrobial medication, causes formation of abnormally small eyes in the
newborn. Sex hormone supplements, such as estrogens, may cause congenital defects of female
reproductive organs. Methotrexate can cause congenital abnormalities (central nervous system
and limbs malformations) and fetal death. Valproic acid is high teratogenic and cause neural
tube defects, atrial septal defect, cleft palate, hypospadias, polydactyly, and craniosynostosis.
\.The nurse understands which antihypertensive medication is contraindicated in lactating
women?
a. atenolol
b. labetalol
c. metoprolol
d. propranolol
a. atenolol
Atenolol is contraindicated in lactating women because it enters the breastmilk and may cause
adverse effects to the neonate. Labetalol and propanolol are safe to administer during lactation.
Metoprolol is considered a safe medication to be taken during lactation
\.Which hormone levels do not require monitoring during the ministration of menotropins for
infertility?
a. estrogen
b. luteinizing hormone
,c. follicle-stimulating hormone
d. gonadotropin-releasing hormone
d. gonadotropin-releasing hormone
Menotropins that are administered for infertility act at the pituitary level. Gonadotropin-
releasing hormones act at the hypothalamus level; therefore this hormone does not need to be
monitored. Menotropins is a standardized mixture of follicle-stimulating hormone and
luteinizing; these hormones should be monitored. Also, estrogen levels need to be monitored
because the luteinizing hormone directly stimulates the production of estrogen
\.Which birth control agent requires administration once every three months?
A. Progestin-only pills
B. Intramuscular progestin
C. Combination biphasic forms
D. Combination monophasic forms
b. intramuscular progestin
Intramuscular progestin requires the administration of a single injection every three months.
Progressed-only oral contraceptive pills should be taken on a daily basis because of a higher
incidence of ovulatory cycles. Combination biphasic and monophasic forms are administered as
either a 21 or 28 day course.
\.Which medication with the nurse identify as being used both for cervical ripening during
labor and has a stomach protectant?
a. raloxifene
b. clomiphene
c. misoprostol
d. dinoprostone
c. misoprostol
Misoprostol can be used for cervical ripening and as a stomach protectant. Raloxifene is used to
prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis. Clomiphene is used for ovulation. Dinoprostone can be
used for cervical ripening, but this medication does not act as a stomach protectant.
\.Which effect with the nurse identify as seen when the fetus is exposed to a teratogen during
embryonic period?
a. delay in growth
b. gross malformations
, c. death of the conceptus
d. disruption of brain development
b. gross malformations
Gross malformations occur if there is exposure to a teratogen during the embryonic period or
the first trimester. During the fetal period, exposure to a teratogen causes delays in growth and
development of the fetus. Death of the conceptus occurs if exposed to a lethal dose of
teratogen during the pre-implantation period. Exposure to a teratogen during the fetal period
(second or third trimester) causes disruption of brain development.
\.Which medication may be used to treat postpartum hemorrhage?
a. clomiphene
b. menotropins
c. dinoprostone
d. methylergonovine
d. methylergonovine
Methylergonovine is a medication of choice used to treat postpartum hemorrhage. Clomiphene
and menotropins are ovulation stimulants given to induce ovulation in infertile women.
Dinoprostone is used to induce cervical ripening and cause termination of a pregnancy.
\.Which teratogenic effect is seen because of lithium?
a. stillbirth
b. shortened limbs
c. Ebstein anomaly
d. neural tube defects
c. Ebstein anomaly
Ebstein anomaly (cardiac defects) in the newborn occurs because of taking lithium during
pregnancy. Stillbirth may occur because of alcohol use. Shortened limbs may occur because of
thalidomide. Neural tube defects are due to anti seizure medications.
\.Which medication may cause malformations of the male external genitalia?
a. Etretinate
b. Dutasteride
c. Methimazole
d. Propylthiouracil
