HESI LPN
Maternity HESI Practice Questions
1. What causes sickle-cell anemia?
- A. A chromosomal abnormality.
- B. A single segment found only on the Y chromosome.
- C. A recessive gene.
- D. A decrease in estrogen levels.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Sickle-cell anemia is a genetic disorder caused by inheriting two copies of a recessive gene, one from each parent. The correct answer is C. Choice A is incorrect because sickle-cell anemia is not primarily caused by a chromosomal abnormality. Choice B is incorrect as the condition is not linked to a single segment found only on the Y chromosome. Choice D is unrelated as it mentions a decrease in estrogen levels, which is not a cause of sickle-cell anemia.
2. On the first postpartum day, the nurse examines the breasts of a new mother. Which condition is the nurse most likely to find?
- A. Firm, larger, and very tender to the touch
- B. Slightly firm with an immediate let-down response
- C. Soft with no change from before delivery
- D. Filling and secreting colostrum
Correct answer: D
Rationale: On the first postpartum day, the nurse is most likely to find the breasts filling and secreting colostrum. Colostrum secretion is common as the body prepares for breastfeeding in the initial days after delivery. Choice A is incorrect as breasts are not typically very tender immediately postpartum. Choice B is incorrect as an immediate let-down response is more related to lactation rather than the first postpartum day. Choice C is incorrect as the breasts typically undergo changes, such as filling with colostrum, after delivery.
3. What is the typical sex chromosome pattern for females?
- A. XX
- B. XYY
- C. XY
- D. XXY
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The typical sex chromosome pattern for females is XX. Females have two X chromosomes, which is represented as XX. Choice B (XYY) is incorrect as it represents the sex chromosome pattern for males with an extra Y chromosome. Choice C (XY) is the sex chromosome pattern for males. Choice D (XXY) represents a genetic disorder known as Klinefelter syndrome, where males have an extra X chromosome.
4. 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.
5. Which of the following pairs of bases is present in the rungs of the ladder-like structure of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)?
- A. Cytosine with guanine.
- B. Rhodamine with biotin.
- C. Diaminopurine with ribozyme.
- D. Serine with tyrosine.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Cytosine with guanine. In the DNA double helix, cytosine always pairs with guanine forming a base pair, and adenine pairs with thymine. These complementary base pairs form the rungs of the ladder-like structure of DNA. Choice B, Rhodamine with biotin, is incorrect as they are not base pairs found in DNA. Choice D, Serine with tyrosine, is incorrect as they are amino acids, not DNA bases. Choice C, Diaminopurine with ribozyme, is also incorrect as ribozyme is an enzyme, not a base, and diaminopurine is not one of the standard bases found in DNA.
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