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Maternity HESI Test Bank
Question and Answers
Complete study Guide, A+ Rated
1
, Maternity HESI Test Bank
1. A 38-week primigravida who works as a secretary and sits at a computer for 8 hours each day
tells the nurse that her feet have begun to swell. Which instruction would be most effective in
preventing pooling of blood in the lower extremities?
Move about every hour
Pooling of blood in the lower extremities results from the enlarged uterus exerting pressure
on the pelvic veins. Moving about every hour will straighten out the pelvic veins and
increase venous return.
2. A 26-year-old, gravida 2, para 1 client is admitted to the hospital at 28-weeks gestation in
preterm labor. She is given 3 doses of terbutaline sulfate (Brethine) 0.25 mg subcutaneously to
stop her labor contractions. The nurse plans to monitor for which primary side effect of
terbutaline sulfate?
Tachycardia and a feeling of nervousness
Terbutaline sulfate (Brethine), a beta-sympathomimetic drug, stimulates beta-adrenergic
receptors in the uterine muscle to stop contractions. The beta-adrenergic agonist properties of
the drug may cause tachycardia, increased cardiac output, restlessness, headache, and a feeling
of "nervousness".
3. When do the anterior and posterior fontanels close?
anterior fontanel closes at 12 to 18 months and the posterior by the end of the second month.
4. When assessing a client who is at 12-weeks gestation, the nurse recommends that she and her
husband consider attending childbirth preparation classes. When is the best time for the couple
to attend these classes?
30 weeks gestation
at 30 weeks gestation is closest (of the options) to the time parents would be ready for such
classes. Learning is facilitated by an interested pupil! The couple is most interested in
childbirth toward the end of the pregnancy when they are
psychologically ready for the termination of the pregnancy, and the birth of their child is an
immediate concern.
5. The nurse should encourage the laboring client to begin pushing when...
the cervix is completely dilated.
Pushing begins with the second stage of labor, i.e., when the cervix is completely dilated at 10 cm
(C). If pushing begins before the cervix is completely dilated the cervix
, can become edematous and may never completely dilate, necessitating an operative delivery.
Many primigravida’s begin active labor 100%and theneffacedproceed to dilate.
6. The nurse instructs a laboring client to use accelerated-blow breathing. The client begins to
complain of tingling fingers and dizziness. What action should the nurse take?
Have the client breathe into her cupped hands
Tingling fingers and dizziness are signs of hyperventilation (blowing off too much carbon
dioxide). Hyperventilation is treated by retaining carbon dioxide. This can be facilitated by
breathing into a paper bag or cupped hands.
7. Twenty-four hours after admission to the newborn nursery, a full-term male infant develops
localized edema on the right side of his head. The nurse knows that, in the newborn, an
accumulation of blood between the periosteum and skull which does not cross the suture line
is a newborn variation known as... a cephalohematoma, caused by forceps trauma and may last
up to 8 weeks.
Cephalohematoma, a slight abnormal variation of the newborn, usually arises within the first 24
hours after delivery. Trauma from delivery causes capillary bleeding between the periosteum and
the skull.
8. When does the head return to its normal
shape? 7-10 days
9. What did Nurse theorist Reva Rubin describe?
The initial postpartum period as the "taking-in phase," which is characterized by maternal
reliance on others to satisfy the needs for comfort, rest, nourishment, and closeness to families
and the newborn.
10. A couple, concerned because the woman has not been able to conceive, is referred to a
healthcare provider for a fertility workup and a hysterosalpingography is scheduled. Which post
procedure complaint indicates that the fallopian tubes are patent?
Shoulder pain
If the tubes are patent (open), pain is referred to the shoulder from a sub diaphragmatic
collection of peritoneal dye/gas.
11. Which nursing intervention is most helpful in relieving postpartum uterine contractions or
"afterpains?"
Lying prone with a pillow on the abdomen
2
Lying prone keeps the fundus contracted and is especially useful with multiparas, who
commonly experience afterpains due to lack of uterine tone.
3
, 12. Which maternal behavior is the nurse most likely to see when a new mother receives her infant
for the first time?
Her arms and hands receive the infant and she then traces the infant's profile with her
fingertips.
Attachment/bonding theory indicates that most mothers will demonstrate behaviors described in
during the first visit with the newborn, which may be at delivery or later.
13. A client at 32-weeks gestation is hospitalized with severe pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH),
and magnesium sulfate is prescribed to control the symptoms. Which assessment finding indicates
the therapeutic drug level has been achieved?
A decreased in respiratory rate from 24 to 16
Magnesium sulfate, a CNS depressant, helps prevent seizures. A decreased respiratory rate
indicates that the drug is effective. (Respiratory rate below 12 indicates toxic effects.)
14. Urinary output must be monitored when administering magnesium sulfate and should be at
least 30 ml per hour. (The therapeutic level of magnesium sulfate for a PIH client is 4.8 to 9.6
mg/dl.) What is the therapeutic level of magnesium sulfate?
The therapeutic level of magnesium sulfate for a PIH client is 4.8 to 9.6
mg/dl. What does it help prevent? helps prevent seizures What indicates
toxic levels? 3
Respiratory rate below 12 indicates toxic effects.
Urine output of less than 100 ml/4 hours Absent
DTRs
15. Twenty minutes after a continuous epidural anesthetic is administered, a laboring client's blood
pressure drops from 120/80 to 90/60. What action should the nurse take?
Place woman in a lateral position
The nurse should immediately turn the woman to a lateral position, place a pillow or wedge
under the right hip to deflect the uterus, increase the rate of the main line IV infusion, and
administer oxygen by face mask at 10-12 L/min. If the blood pressure remains low, especially
if it further decreases, the anesthesiologist/healthcare provider should be notified
immediately.
16. A client at 28-weeks gestation calls the antepartum clinic and states that she is experiencing a
small amount of vaginal bleeding which she describes as bright red. She further states that she
is not experiencing any uterine contractions or abdominal pain. What instruction should the
nurse provide?
Come to the clinic today for an ultrasound
Third trimester painless bleeding is characteristic of a placenta previa. Bright red bleeding
may be intermittent, occur in gushes, or be continuous. Rarely is the first incidence life-
Maternity HESI Test Bank
Question and Answers
Complete study Guide, A+ Rated
1
, Maternity HESI Test Bank
1. A 38-week primigravida who works as a secretary and sits at a computer for 8 hours each day
tells the nurse that her feet have begun to swell. Which instruction would be most effective in
preventing pooling of blood in the lower extremities?
Move about every hour
Pooling of blood in the lower extremities results from the enlarged uterus exerting pressure
on the pelvic veins. Moving about every hour will straighten out the pelvic veins and
increase venous return.
2. A 26-year-old, gravida 2, para 1 client is admitted to the hospital at 28-weeks gestation in
preterm labor. She is given 3 doses of terbutaline sulfate (Brethine) 0.25 mg subcutaneously to
stop her labor contractions. The nurse plans to monitor for which primary side effect of
terbutaline sulfate?
Tachycardia and a feeling of nervousness
Terbutaline sulfate (Brethine), a beta-sympathomimetic drug, stimulates beta-adrenergic
receptors in the uterine muscle to stop contractions. The beta-adrenergic agonist properties of
the drug may cause tachycardia, increased cardiac output, restlessness, headache, and a feeling
of "nervousness".
3. When do the anterior and posterior fontanels close?
anterior fontanel closes at 12 to 18 months and the posterior by the end of the second month.
4. When assessing a client who is at 12-weeks gestation, the nurse recommends that she and her
husband consider attending childbirth preparation classes. When is the best time for the couple
to attend these classes?
30 weeks gestation
at 30 weeks gestation is closest (of the options) to the time parents would be ready for such
classes. Learning is facilitated by an interested pupil! The couple is most interested in
childbirth toward the end of the pregnancy when they are
psychologically ready for the termination of the pregnancy, and the birth of their child is an
immediate concern.
5. The nurse should encourage the laboring client to begin pushing when...
the cervix is completely dilated.
Pushing begins with the second stage of labor, i.e., when the cervix is completely dilated at 10 cm
(C). If pushing begins before the cervix is completely dilated the cervix
, can become edematous and may never completely dilate, necessitating an operative delivery.
Many primigravida’s begin active labor 100%and theneffacedproceed to dilate.
6. The nurse instructs a laboring client to use accelerated-blow breathing. The client begins to
complain of tingling fingers and dizziness. What action should the nurse take?
Have the client breathe into her cupped hands
Tingling fingers and dizziness are signs of hyperventilation (blowing off too much carbon
dioxide). Hyperventilation is treated by retaining carbon dioxide. This can be facilitated by
breathing into a paper bag or cupped hands.
7. Twenty-four hours after admission to the newborn nursery, a full-term male infant develops
localized edema on the right side of his head. The nurse knows that, in the newborn, an
accumulation of blood between the periosteum and skull which does not cross the suture line
is a newborn variation known as... a cephalohematoma, caused by forceps trauma and may last
up to 8 weeks.
Cephalohematoma, a slight abnormal variation of the newborn, usually arises within the first 24
hours after delivery. Trauma from delivery causes capillary bleeding between the periosteum and
the skull.
8. When does the head return to its normal
shape? 7-10 days
9. What did Nurse theorist Reva Rubin describe?
The initial postpartum period as the "taking-in phase," which is characterized by maternal
reliance on others to satisfy the needs for comfort, rest, nourishment, and closeness to families
and the newborn.
10. A couple, concerned because the woman has not been able to conceive, is referred to a
healthcare provider for a fertility workup and a hysterosalpingography is scheduled. Which post
procedure complaint indicates that the fallopian tubes are patent?
Shoulder pain
If the tubes are patent (open), pain is referred to the shoulder from a sub diaphragmatic
collection of peritoneal dye/gas.
11. Which nursing intervention is most helpful in relieving postpartum uterine contractions or
"afterpains?"
Lying prone with a pillow on the abdomen
2
Lying prone keeps the fundus contracted and is especially useful with multiparas, who
commonly experience afterpains due to lack of uterine tone.
3
, 12. Which maternal behavior is the nurse most likely to see when a new mother receives her infant
for the first time?
Her arms and hands receive the infant and she then traces the infant's profile with her
fingertips.
Attachment/bonding theory indicates that most mothers will demonstrate behaviors described in
during the first visit with the newborn, which may be at delivery or later.
13. A client at 32-weeks gestation is hospitalized with severe pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH),
and magnesium sulfate is prescribed to control the symptoms. Which assessment finding indicates
the therapeutic drug level has been achieved?
A decreased in respiratory rate from 24 to 16
Magnesium sulfate, a CNS depressant, helps prevent seizures. A decreased respiratory rate
indicates that the drug is effective. (Respiratory rate below 12 indicates toxic effects.)
14. Urinary output must be monitored when administering magnesium sulfate and should be at
least 30 ml per hour. (The therapeutic level of magnesium sulfate for a PIH client is 4.8 to 9.6
mg/dl.) What is the therapeutic level of magnesium sulfate?
The therapeutic level of magnesium sulfate for a PIH client is 4.8 to 9.6
mg/dl. What does it help prevent? helps prevent seizures What indicates
toxic levels? 3
Respiratory rate below 12 indicates toxic effects.
Urine output of less than 100 ml/4 hours Absent
DTRs
15. Twenty minutes after a continuous epidural anesthetic is administered, a laboring client's blood
pressure drops from 120/80 to 90/60. What action should the nurse take?
Place woman in a lateral position
The nurse should immediately turn the woman to a lateral position, place a pillow or wedge
under the right hip to deflect the uterus, increase the rate of the main line IV infusion, and
administer oxygen by face mask at 10-12 L/min. If the blood pressure remains low, especially
if it further decreases, the anesthesiologist/healthcare provider should be notified
immediately.
16. A client at 28-weeks gestation calls the antepartum clinic and states that she is experiencing a
small amount of vaginal bleeding which she describes as bright red. She further states that she
is not experiencing any uterine contractions or abdominal pain. What instruction should the
nurse provide?
Come to the clinic today for an ultrasound
Third trimester painless bleeding is characteristic of a placenta previa. Bright red bleeding
may be intermittent, occur in gushes, or be continuous. Rarely is the first incidence life-
