HESI RN
HESI Maternity Test Bank
1. When can a woman who thinks she may be pregnant use a home pregnancy test to diagnose pregnancy?
- A. A home pregnancy test can be used right after your first missed period.
- B. These tests are most accurate after you have missed your second period.
- C. Home pregnancy tests often give false positives and should not be trusted.
- D. The test can provide accurate information when used right after ovulation.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. Home pregnancy tests detect hCG, a hormone produced during pregnancy, and are most accurate after the first missed period when hCG levels are higher. Testing too early may result in a false negative. Waiting until after the first missed period increases the reliability of the test results. Choice B is incorrect as waiting until after the second missed period is unnecessary and may delay seeking appropriate healthcare. Choice C is incorrect as home pregnancy tests are generally reliable when used correctly. Choice D is incorrect because ovulation occurs before the period, and testing immediately after ovulation may not provide accurate results.
2. During a routine prenatal health assessment for a client in her third trimester, the client reports that she had fluid leakage on her way to the appointment. Which technique should the nurse implement to evaluate the leakage?
- A. Insert a straight urinary catheter to drain the bladder.
- B. Scan the bladder for urinary retention.
- C. Palpate the suprapubic area for fetal head position.
- D. Test the fluid with a nitrazine strip.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Testing the fluid with a nitrazine strip is the appropriate technique to differentiate between amniotic fluid and urine. This test helps in determining if the fluid leakage is amniotic fluid, which is crucial for guiding further management and ensuring appropriate care for the client during the third trimester of pregnancy. Inserting a straight urinary catheter to drain the bladder (Choice A) is unnecessary and invasive in this scenario as the concern is fluid leakage, not urinary retention. Scanning the bladder for urinary retention (Choice B) is also not indicated since the client reported fluid leakage, not retention. Palpating the suprapubic area for fetal head position (Choice C) is unrelated to assessing fluid leakage and not the appropriate technique in this situation.
3. A woman at 36-weeks' gestation who is Rh negative is admitted to labor and delivery reporting abdominal cramping. She is placed on strict bedrest, and the fetal heart rate and contraction pattern are monitored with an external fetal monitor. The nurse notes a large amount of bright red vaginal bleeding. Which nursing intervention has the highest priority?
- A. Perform a sterile vaginal examination to determine dilatation.
- B. Determine fetal position by performing Leopold maneuvers.
- C. Assess the fetal heart rate and client's contraction pattern.
- D. Confirm Rh and Coombs status for Rho(D) immunoglobulin administration.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The highest priority nursing intervention in this scenario is to assess the fetal heart rate and the client's contraction pattern. The presence of a large amount of bright red vaginal bleeding in a woman at 36-weeks' gestation who is Rh negative raises concerns about the well-being of the fetus. Monitoring the fetal heart rate and contraction pattern will provide crucial information about fetal status and help determine the appropriate course of action to ensure the safety and health of both the mother and the baby.
4. A 36-week primigravida is admitted to labor and delivery with severe abdominal pain and bright red vaginal bleeding. Her abdomen is rigid and tender to touch. The fetal heart rate (FHR) is 90 beats/minute, and the maternal heart rate is 120 beats/minute. What action should the nurse implement first?
- A. Alert the neonatal team and prepare for neonatal resuscitation
- B. Notify the healthcare provider from the client’s bedside
- C. Obtain written consent for an emergency cesarean section
- D. Draw a blood sample for stat hemoglobin and hematocrit
Correct answer: B
Rationale: In this scenario, the priority action for the nurse is to notify the healthcare provider from the client's bedside. The clinical presentation of severe abdominal pain, bright red vaginal bleeding, rigid and tender abdomen, along with fetal bradycardia (FHR 90 bpm) and maternal tachycardia (120 bpm) indicates an urgent need for medical intervention. Notifying the healthcare provider promptly allows for immediate assessment and decision-making to address the critical condition and ensure timely and appropriate management for both the mother and fetus.
5. What action should the nurse take if an infant, who was born yesterday weighing 7.5 lbs (3,402 grams), weighs 7 lbs (3,175 grams) today?
- A. Inform and assure the mother that this is normal weight loss.
- B. Encourage the mother to increase the frequency of breastfeeding.
- C. After verifying the accuracy of weight, notify the healthcare provider.
- D. Monitor the stool and urine output of the neonate for the last 24 hours.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take in this situation is to inform and assure the mother that this weight loss is normal. Newborns can lose up to 10% of their birth weight in the first few days after birth, which is attributed to fluid loss and adjustment to life outside the womb. This weight loss is typically regained within the first two weeks of life. It is crucial for the nurse to educate and provide reassurance to the mother about this common occurrence in newborns.
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