HESI LPN
Maternity HESI Practice Questions
1. A healthcare provider is assessing a newborn immediately following a vaginal birth. For which of the following findings should the provider intervene?
- A. Molding
- B. Vernix Caseosa
- C. Acrocyanosis
- D. Sternal retractions
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Sternal retractions in a newborn indicate respiratory distress and require immediate intervention. This finding suggests the newborn is having difficulty breathing and needs prompt attention to ensure adequate oxygenation. Molding, the overlapping of fetal skull bones during birth, is a normal and expected process that does not require intervention. Vernix Caseosa, the protective white substance on the skin, and Acrocyanosis, the bluish discoloration of extremities, are both common and benign findings in newborns that do not necessitate immediate action. Therefore, the healthcare provider should focus on addressing sternal retractions to manage the respiratory distress effectively.
2. The _____ is the inner layer of the embryo from which the lungs and digestive system develop.
- A. neural tube
- B. mesoderm
- C. endoderm
- D. umbilical cord
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The endoderm is the correct answer. It is the innermost layer of the embryo that gives rise to organs such as the lungs, digestive system, liver, and pancreas. The neural tube (Choice A) forms the brain and spinal cord, not the lungs or digestive system. Mesoderm (Choice B) develops into structures like muscles, bones, and circulatory system, not the lungs or digestive system. The umbilical cord (Choice D) serves as a connection between the embryo and the placenta, providing nutrients and oxygen, but it is not the layer from which lungs and digestive system develop.
3. Which of the following pairs of bases is present in the rungs of the ladder-like structure of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)?
- A. Cytosine with guanine.
- B. Rhodamine with biotin.
- C. Diaminopurine with ribozyme.
- D. Serine with tyrosine.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Cytosine with guanine. In the DNA double helix, cytosine always pairs with guanine forming a base pair, and adenine pairs with thymine. These complementary base pairs form the rungs of the ladder-like structure of DNA. Choice B, Rhodamine with biotin, is incorrect as they are not base pairs found in DNA. Choice D, Serine with tyrosine, is incorrect as they are amino acids, not DNA bases. Choice C, Diaminopurine with ribozyme, is also incorrect as ribozyme is an enzyme, not a base, and diaminopurine is not one of the standard bases found in DNA.
4. A client in the transition phase of labor reports a pain level of 7 on a scale of 0 to 10. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
- A. Instruct the client to use effleurage.
- B. Apply counterpressure to the client's sacrum.
- C. Assist the client with patterned-paced breathing.
- D. Teach the client the technique of biofeedback.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: During the transition phase of labor, a client may experience intense back pain due to the pressure of the baby descending. Applying counterpressure to the client's sacrum can help alleviate this discomfort. Effleurage is a light stroking massage technique that may not provide adequate relief for intense back pain. Patterned-paced breathing is beneficial for managing contractions but may not directly address back pain. Biofeedback is a technique that helps individuals gain awareness and control of certain physiological functions, but it may not be the most appropriate intervention for acute labor pain.
5. A healthcare provider is reviewing laboratory results for a client who is pregnant. The healthcare provider should expect which of the following laboratory values to increase?
- A. RBC count
- B. Bilirubin
- C. Fasting blood glucose
- D. BUN
Correct answer: A
Rationale: During pregnancy, the body increases the production of red blood cells (RBCs) to meet the increased oxygen demands. This physiological response is known as physiological anemia of pregnancy. Therefore, the RBC count is expected to increase during pregnancy. Bilirubin levels may remain relatively stable, fasting blood glucose levels might fluctuate due to gestational diabetes, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels are not typically affected by pregnancy, making them less likely to increase in this scenario. The correct answer is A because an increase in RBC count is a normal physiological adaptation to pregnancy to support the increased oxygen needs of the mother and the growing fetus. Bilirubin, a product of red blood cell breakdown, is more related to liver function and not expected to increase during pregnancy. Fasting blood glucose levels may vary due to gestational diabetes, but it is not a consistent finding in all pregnant individuals. BUN levels are related to kidney function and are not typically impacted by pregnancy, making it an unlikely choice for an expected increase in laboratory values during pregnancy.
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