HESI LPN
Maternity HESI Practice Questions
1. What is the process in which the double helix of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) duplicates?
- A. Amniocentesis
- B. Mitosis
- C. Meiosis
- D. Mutation
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Mitosis is the correct answer because it is the process of cell division in which a cell duplicates its DNA and divides into two identical daughter cells. During mitosis, the DNA is replicated, and each daughter cell receives an identical copy of the genetic material. Amniocentesis is a medical procedure to collect amniotic fluid for prenatal genetic testing and is not related to DNA duplication. Meiosis is a type of cell division that produces gametes with half the genetic material of the parent cell, leading to genetic diversity. Mutation is a permanent alteration in the DNA sequence that can lead to genetic variations but is not the process of DNA duplication.
2. A newborn assessment reveals spina bifida occulta. Which maternal factor should the nurse identify as having the greatest impact on the development of this newborn complication?
- A. Tobacco use.
- B. Folic acid deficiency.
- C. Short interval between pregnancies.
- D. Preeclampsia.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Folic acid deficiency during pregnancy is strongly associated with neural tube defects like spina bifida occulta. Adequate folic acid intake before and during early pregnancy significantly reduces the risk of such complications. Tobacco use (Choice A) is linked to other adverse outcomes but not specifically spina bifida occulta. Short intervals between pregnancies (Choice C) can increase the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight but are not directly linked to spina bifida occulta. Preeclampsia (Choice D) is a hypertensive disorder that poses risks to both the mother and baby but is not the primary factor contributing to spina bifida occulta development.
3. A woman at 26 weeks of gestation is being assessed to determine whether she is experiencing preterm labor. Which finding indicates that preterm labor is occurring?
- A. Estriol is not found in maternal saliva.
- B. Irregular, mild uterine contractions occur every 12 to 15 minutes.
- C. Fetal fibronectin is present in vaginal secretions.
- D. The cervix is effacing and dilated to 2 cm.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. Cervical changes such as effacement and dilation to 2 cm are strong indicators of imminent preterm labor. These changes, combined with regular contractions, can signify labor at any gestation. Estriol can be detected in maternal plasma as early as 9 weeks of gestation. Levels of salivary estriol have been linked to preterm birth. Irregular, mild contractions occurring every 12 to 15 minutes without cervical change are generally not concerning. While the presence of fetal fibronectin in vaginal secretions between 24 and 36 weeks of gestation may predict preterm labor, its predictive value is limited (20%-40%). Therefore, cervical changes provide more reliable information regarding the risk of preterm labor.
4. A nurse is caring for an infant who has signs of neonatal abstinence syndrome. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
- A. Provide a calm environment
- B. Monitor blood glucose levels every hour
- C. Initiate seizure precautions
- D. Place the infant on their back with legs extended
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Initiating seizure precautions is crucial when caring for an infant with neonatal abstinence syndrome due to the increased risk of seizures. Providing a calm environment (Choice A) is important to reduce stimulation as these infants may be irritable. Monitoring blood glucose levels (Choice B) is not typically a priority in neonatal abstinence syndrome unless specific signs or symptoms suggest the need for this assessment. Placing the infant on their back with legs extended (Choice D) does not directly address the potential complications associated with neonatal abstinence syndrome, such as seizures.
5. A client comes to the clinic for her first prenatal visit and reports that July 10 was the first day of her last menstrual period. Using Nagele’s Rule, the nurse calculates the estimated date of birth for the client to be _________.
- A. 4/17.
- B. 4/10.
- C. 5/10.
- D. 5/17.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Nagele's Rule is a common method used to estimate the due date. To calculate it, subtract 3 months and add 7 days to the first day of the last menstrual period. In this case, if the last menstrual period started on July 10, subtracting 3 months (April) and adding 7 days gives an estimated due date of April 17. This is the correct answer. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not follow the Nagele's Rule calculation method.
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