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HESI Obstetrics/Maternity Practice Exam Questions and Answers | Latest Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
A pregnant patient at 32 weeks gestation reports sudden swelling of her hands and face. What is the nurse’s priority action?
- Encourage rest and hydration
- Call the dietitian for low-salt diet advice
- Document and continue routine care
✔✔B. Assess blood pressure and check for preeclampsia
A client at 38 weeks gestation is in active labor. Which contraction pattern indicates normal labor progression?
- Contractions every 10–15 minutes lasting 20 seconds
- Contractions every 30 minutes lasting 5 seconds
- Continuous mild uterine tightening
✔✔B. Contractions every 2–3 minutes lasting 60 seconds
A postpartum client reports soaking a pad with bright red blood every 30 minutes. What is the nurse’s first action? 1 / 4
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- Document the bleeding
- Reassure the patient that it is normal
- Change the pad and return later
✔✔B. Assess for postpartum hemorrhage and vital signs
A patient is scheduled for a non-stress test (NST). Which instruction is most appropriate?
- Avoid fluids before the test
- Lie flat on her back throughout
- Take medications only after the test
✔✔B. Eat a light snack before the test to stimulate fetal movement
During labor, a patient’s fetal heart rate drops to 90 bpm for 2 minutes. What is the nurse’s first action?
- Notify the provider after labor
- Document the deceleration
- Encourage the patient to push
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✔✔B. Reposition the patient and administer oxygen
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A client at 28 weeks gestation reports severe itching, especially at night. Which lab test is most relevant?
- Complete blood count
- Blood glucose
- Urinalysis
✔✔C. Liver function tests (for cholestasis)
A postpartum patient develops a fever of 101°F and lower abdominal tenderness. What should the nurse suspect?
- Normal postpartum changes
- Urinary retention
- Mastitis
✔✔B. Endometritis
A laboring patient has a high-risk pregnancy with gestational diabetes. Which intervention is priority?
- Encourage ambulation
- Offer unlimited oral fluids 3 / 4
✔✔B. Monitor maternal blood glucose and fetal status
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- Limit fetal monitoring
A pregnant patient reports decreased fetal movement over the past 12 hours. What should the nurse do first?
- Reassure the patient it is normal
- Encourage hydration only
- Document and check next shift
✔✔B. Perform a non-stress test or fetal assessment
A patient in the first stage of labor has a bulging perineum and strong urge to push. What should the nurse do?
- Encourage the patient to continue breathing normally
- Advise the patient to walk around
- Delay pushing until next contraction
✔✔B. Assess cervical dilation and prepare for delivery
A patient has preeclampsia and reports a severe headache and blurred vision. What is the priority nursing action?
- Apply cold compress to forehead
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