HESI RN
HESI Maternity Test Bank
1. During a woman's first prenatal visit, the nurse reviews her health care record, noting a history of chickenpox as a child and syphilis as a teenager. Which action is most important for the nurse to take?
- A. Obtain blood and urine for prenatal screens.
- B. Schedule prenatal visits to occur monthly.
- C. Explain common complications of pregnancy.
- D. Obtain baseline blood pressure and weight.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Obtaining blood and urine for prenatal screens is crucial in identifying any potential infections or conditions that may require monitoring throughout the pregnancy. Screening for infections such as syphilis is essential to ensure appropriate management and prevent adverse outcomes. This action helps in early detection and timely intervention, promoting the health and well-being of both the mother and the developing fetus. The other options, while important during prenatal care, are not as critical as obtaining prenatal screens to assess for any existing infections that could impact the pregnancy.
2. The healthcare provider is preparing to suture a 10-year-old with a lacerated forehead. Both parents and the 12-year-old sibling are at the child’s bedside. Which instruction best supports the family?
- A. While waiting for the healthcare provider, only one family member may stay with the child.
- B. All family members should leave while the healthcare provider sutures the child’s forehead.
- C. It is best if the sibling goes to the waiting room until the suturing is completed.
- D. Please decide among yourselves who will stay when the healthcare provider begins suturing.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Choice D is the best instruction as it involves the family in the decision-making process, allowing them to choose who will stay with the child during the suturing procedure. This approach supports the family's comfort and participation in the child's care, promoting a sense of control and family-centered care. Choices A, B, and C do not promote family involvement and may lead to feelings of exclusion or lack of control among the family members.
3. A new mother is having trouble breastfeeding her newborn son. He is making frantic rooting motions and will not grasp the nipple. What intervention would be most helpful to this mother?
- A. Ask the mother to stop feeding, comfort the infant, and then assist the mother to help the baby latch on.
- B. Use a nipple shield to help the baby latch on.
- C. Try a different breastfeeding position.
- D. Have another person help the mother with breastfeeding.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: In this scenario, the best intervention is to ask the mother to stop feeding, comfort the infant, and then assist her in helping the baby latch on. Stopping the feeding and providing comfort can reduce the infant's frustration and create a calmer environment for successful breastfeeding. Choice B, using a nipple shield, may not address the underlying issue causing the baby's difficulty latching. Choice C, trying a different breastfeeding position, can be attempted after the baby is calm and ready to latch. Choice D, having another person help, may not be necessary if the mother can be guided effectively on latching techniques.
4. A client at 32-weeks gestation comes to the prenatal clinic with complaints of pedal edema, dyspnea, fatigue, and a moist cough. Which question is most important for the LPN/LVN to ask this client?
- A. Which symptom did you experience first?
- B. Are you consuming large amounts of salty foods?
- C. Have you traveled to a foreign country recently?
- D. Do you have a history of rheumatic fever?
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. Rheumatic fever can lead to rheumatic heart disease, which may be exacerbated during pregnancy, causing symptoms like pedal edema and dyspnea. Asking about a history of rheumatic fever is crucial in this case to assess the potential impact on the client's current symptoms. Choices A, B, and C are less relevant in this scenario as they do not directly relate to the presenting symptoms and history of rheumatic fever.
5. A client is admitted to the postpartum unit and tells the nurse she had rheumatic fever as a child, which resulted in some 'heart damage'. The nurse knows that this client is at particular risk for developing heart failure during the immediate postpartum period. Based on the client's history, which nursing problem has the highest priority?
- A. Nausea and vomiting.
- B. Risk for infection.
- C. Sleep deprivation.
- D. Fluid volume excess.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Fluid volume excess is a priority concern in this client, as heart damage from rheumatic fever can impair the heart's ability to manage increased blood volume postpartum, leading to potential heart failure. Monitoring and managing fluid volume status are crucial to prevent complications in this high-risk client. Choices A, B, and C are not the highest priority in this situation. Nausea and vomiting, risk for infection, and sleep deprivation are important but do not pose an immediate threat to the client's physiologic stability compared to the risk of heart failure due to fluid volume excess.
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