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HESI Obstetrics/Maternity Practice Exam Questions and Answers | Latest Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
A postpartum client experiences dizziness when standing. What should the nurse do first?
- Document and continue monitoring
- Administer oxygen by mask
- Call the healthcare provider immediately
✔✔B. Assist the client to sit or lie down and assess blood pressure
A laboring patient reports intense back pain during contractions. Which intervention is most appropriate?
- Place client in supine position
- Administer an antiemetic
- Restrict all movement until delivery
✔✔C. Apply firm counterpressure to the sacral area
A newborn is jittery and irritable 2 hours after birth. Which action should the nurse take first?
- Measure temperature 1 / 4
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- Assess skin turgor
- Administer an antibiotic
✔✔C. Check blood glucose level
A pregnant patient at 38 weeks has bright red vaginal bleeding but no pain. What condition is most likely?
- Placental abruption
- Preterm labor
- Uterine rupture
✔✔B. Placenta previa
A nurse prepares to administer Rho(D) immune globulin. Which patient requires it?
- Rh positive mother, Rh positive infant
- Rh negative mother, Rh negative infant
- Rh positive mother, Rh negative infant
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✔✔B. Rh negative mother, Rh positive infant
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A client in the second stage of labor is exhausted. Which nursing action supports effective pushing?
- Encourage holding breath throughout contraction
- Discourage all pushing until crowning
- Increase IV fluids for energy
✔✔B. Encourage open-glottis pushing with rest between efforts
A newborn is placed under a radiant warmer. What assessment confirms effectiveness?
- Skin appears mottled
- Infant continues to cry vigorously
- Capillary refill exceeds 4 seconds
✔✔B. Axillary temperature remains stable at 36.5°C (97.7°F)
A pregnant patient reports severe headache, blurred vision, and upper abdominal pain. What complication is suspected?
- Gestational diabetes
- Preterm labor 3 / 4
✔✔B. Severe preeclampsia
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- Hyperemesis gravidarum
A client’s amniotic sac ruptures. What is the nurse’s priority?
- Assess contraction pattern
- Measure maternal temperature
- Perform a sterile vaginal exam
✔✔C. Check fetal heart rate
A nurse is educating a postpartum client about preventing infection. Which instruction is correct?
- Avoid handwashing before breastfeeding
- Keep catheter in place for comfort
- Delay showering for 2 weeks
✔✔B. Change perineal pads frequently
A laboring woman states she feels the urge to push but is only 6 cm dilated. What is the nurse’s best action?
- Encourage pushing with contractions
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✔✔B. Instruct client to pant or blow through contractions