HESI RN
HESI Maternity Test Bank
1. When preparing a class on newborn care for expectant parents, what content should be taught concerning the newborn infant born at term gestation?
- A. Milia are white marks caused by sebaceous glands and typically resolve within 2 to 4 weeks.
- B. Meconium is the first stool and is typically dark green or black in color.
- C. Vernix caseosa is a white, cheesy substance mainly found in skin folds, providing a protective layer.
- D. Pseudostrabismus in newborns usually self-resolves without the need for intervention.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Vernix caseosa is a white, cheesy substance that acts as a protective barrier on the skin of newborns, particularly present in skin folds. It helps to prevent dehydration and protect the delicate skin of the newborn from the amniotic fluid in utero. Educating expectant parents about the presence and function of vernix caseosa can help them understand the importance of its preservation during the immediate postnatal period. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect as they do not directly relate to the protective function of vernix caseosa in newborns. Milia are small, white bumps on the skin due to blocked oil glands, meconium is the first stool of a newborn and is typically dark green or black in color, and pseudostrabismus refers to false appearance of misalignment of the eyes, which usually resolves on its own without intervention.
2. A new mother calls the nurse stating that she wants to start feeding her 6-month-old child something besides breast milk, but is concerned that the infant is too young to start eating solid foods. How should the nurse respond?
- A. Advise the mother to wait at least another month before starting any solid foods.
- B. Instruct the mother to offer a few spoons of 2 or 3 pureed fruits at each meal.
- C. Reassure the mother that the infant is old enough to eat iron-fortified cereal.
- D. Encourage the mother to schedule a developmental assessment of the infant.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: At 6 months, infants are generally ready to start eating iron-fortified cereals as their iron stores begin to deplete. Introducing iron-fortified cereals at this age helps meet the infant's nutritional needs, particularly for iron, which becomes deficient as the infant's iron reserves diminish. It is a safe and appropriate first food to introduce to infants around 6 months of age, along with continued breastfeeding or formula feeding. Choice A is incorrect because waiting another month is not necessary if the infant is 6 months old. Choice B is incorrect as introducing pureed fruits as the first food may not provide the necessary iron that the infant needs at this stage. Choice D is also incorrect as scheduling a developmental assessment is not indicated solely based on the desire to start solid foods; it is more appropriate to reassure the mother about starting iron-fortified cereal.
3. A mother calls the school nurse to report that her preschool-aged child was bitten by a tick during a school outing last week. The mother removed the tick and flushed it down the toilet. What action should the school nurse take?
- A. Refer the mother to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- B. Report the incident to the school principal.
- C. Culture the bite site when the child returns to school.
- D. Schedule a test for Lyme disease if a rash appears.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct action to take in this situation is to schedule a test for Lyme disease if a rash appears. Lyme disease can be transmitted through tick bites, and a rash is a common early symptom of the disease. Testing for Lyme disease is crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment to prevent complications. Referring the mother to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Choice A) is not necessary at this point, as immediate testing for Lyme disease is more appropriate. Reporting the incident to the school principal (Choice B) is not the most direct action to address the potential health concern. Culturing the bite site when the child returns to school (Choice C) may not be as effective as scheduling a test for Lyme disease if a rash appears, as the latter is a more specific diagnostic measure for Lyme disease.
4. At 35 weeks gestation, a client complains of 'pain whenever the baby moves.' The nurse notes a temperature of 101.2 F (38.4 C) with severe abdominal or uterine tenderness on palpation. What condition do these findings indicate?
- A. Round ligament strain.
- B. Chorioamnionitis.
- C. Abruptio placentae.
- D. Viral infection.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The client's symptoms of fever and abdominal tenderness, along with the gestational age, are classic signs of chorioamnionitis, an infection of the amniotic fluid. Chorioamnionitis is a serious condition that requires prompt recognition and treatment to prevent maternal and fetal complications. Round ligament strain (Choice A) typically presents with sharp, stabbing pain on the sides of the abdomen and is not associated with fever or uterine tenderness. Abruptio placentae (Choice C) presents with sudden-onset vaginal bleeding and severe abdominal pain, often with a board-like uterus. Viral infections (Choice D) may present with a variety of symptoms, but the combination of fever, abdominal tenderness, and gestational age in this scenario points more towards chorioamnionitis.
5. A newborn with a yellow abdomen and chest is being assessed. What should be the nurse's initial action?
- A. Assess bilirubin level.
- B. Administer phototherapy.
- C. Encourage feeding to help reduce bilirubin levels.
- D. Perform a bilirubin test every hour.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct action when assessing a newborn with a yellow abdomen and chest is to initially assess the bilirubin level. This helps determine the severity of jaundice in the newborn. Administering phototherapy (choice B) is a treatment intervention that follows the assessment. Encouraging feeding (choice C) can help with bilirubin excretion but is not the initial assessment. Performing a bilirubin test every hour (choice D) may not be necessary initially and could lead to unnecessary interventions.
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