HESI LPN
Maternity HESI Practice Questions
1. A woman has experienced iron deficiency anemia during her pregnancy. She had been taking iron for 3 months before the birth. The client gave birth by cesarean 2 days earlier and has been having problems with constipation. After assisting her back to bed from the bathroom, the nurse notes that the woman’s stools are dark (greenish-black). What should the nurse’s initial action be?
- A. Perform a guaiac test and record the results.
- B. Recognize the finding as abnormal and report it to the primary health care provider.
- C. Recognize the finding as a normal result of iron therapy.
- D. Check the woman’s next stool to validate the observation.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The nurse should recognize that dark stools are a common side effect in clients who are taking iron replacement therapy. Dark stools are a known, expected result of iron supplementation and are not indicative of a complication unless other symptoms of GI bleeding are present. A guaiac test would be necessary if there were concerns about gastrointestinal bleeding. Recognizing dark stools as a consequence of iron therapy is an essential nursing assessment skill and does not require immediate reporting. Checking the next stool to confirm the observation is unnecessary as the presence of dark stools in this context is already an expected outcome of iron supplementation.
2. At 12 hours after the birth of a healthy infant, the mother complains of feeling constant vaginal pressure. The nurse determines the fundus is firm and at midline with moderate rubra lochia. Which action should the nurse take?
- A. Check the suprapubic area for distention
- B. Inform the client to take a warm sitz bath
- C. Inspect the client's perineal and rectal areas
- D. Apply a fresh pad and check in 1 hour
Correct answer: C
Rationale: In this situation, the mother's complaint of constant vaginal pressure along with a firm fundus and moderate rubra lochia indicates a potential perineal injury or hematoma. The correct action for the nurse to take is to inspect the client's perineal and rectal areas to assess for any signs of trauma or hematoma. Checking the suprapubic area for distention (Choice A) is not the priority here since the symptoms suggest a perineal issue. Advising a warm sitz bath (Choice B) may not address the underlying issue and could potentially worsen any existing trauma. Applying a fresh pad and checking in 1 hour (Choice D) does not address the need for immediate assessment of the perineal and rectal areas in response to the reported symptoms.
3. A newborn is 1 hour old with a respiratory rate of 50/min, a heart rate of 130/min, and an axillary temperature of 36.1°C (97°F). Which of the following actions should be taken?
- A. Give the newborn a warm bath.
- B. Apply a cap to the newborn's head.
- C. Reposition the newborn.
- D. Obtain an oxygen saturation level.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Applying a cap to the newborn's head is the correct action in this scenario. Newborns are at risk of heat loss due to their high surface area to volume ratio, and maintaining their body temperature is crucial to prevent hypothermia. Giving a warm bath can further increase heat loss and is not recommended. Repositioning the newborn may not address the primary concern of temperature regulation. While monitoring oxygen saturation is important, addressing thermal regulation takes precedence in this situation.
4. A newborn who was born post-term is being assessed by a nurse. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
- A. A Rh-negative mother who has an Rh-positive infant
- B. A Rh-positive mother who has an Rh-negative infant
- C. A Rh-positive mother who has an Rh-positive infant
- D. A Rh-negative mother who has an Rh-negative infant
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'A Rh-negative mother who has an Rh-positive infant.' In cases where the newborn is born post-term, the mismatched Rh factor between the mother (Rh-negative) and the infant (Rh-positive) can lead to hemolytic disease of the newborn. This condition occurs when maternal antibodies attack fetal red blood cells, causing hemolysis. This can result in jaundice, anemia, and other serious complications for the infant. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not reflect the mismatched Rh factor scenario that poses a risk for hemolytic disease of the newborn.
5. Is color blindness a sex-linked abnormality?
- A. TRUE
- B. FALSE
- C. Sometimes
- D. Always
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: TRUE. Color blindness is indeed a sex-linked abnormality as it is often associated with genes on the X chromosome. Since males have only one X chromosome, they are more likely to inherit color blindness if the gene is present. This makes color blindness more common in males. Choice B (FALSE) is incorrect because color blindness is linked to the X chromosome. Choices C (Sometimes) and D (Always) are incorrect as color blindness is consistently tied to the X chromosome.
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