HESI LPN
HESI Focus on Maternity Exam Questions
Question 1 of 9
Which of the following statements is true of a sperm cell?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. A sperm cell is indeed one of the smallest cells in the human body, much smaller than an egg cell. Choice A is incorrect as sperm cells are much smaller than egg cells. Choice B is incorrect because a sperm cell carries either an X or a Y chromosome, not two Y chromosomes. Choice C is incorrect since sperm cells move in a purposeful manner guided by various factors within a woman's reproductive tract, not randomly.
Question 2 of 9
What term is used to describe each member of a pair of genes?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is 'allele.' An allele refers to one of two or more versions of a gene located at the same position on a chromosome. In genetics, alleles are responsible for variations in inherited traits. Choice B, 'zygote,' is incorrect as a zygote is a fertilized egg cell formed by the fusion of two gametes. Choice C, 'autosome,' is incorrect as autosomes are non-sex chromosomes that determine an individual's genetic traits excluding sex-linked characteristics. Choice D, 'node,' is incorrect as it does not relate to the concept of genes or genetic inheritance.
Question 3 of 9
A client who delivered a healthy newborn an hour ago asked the nurse when she can go home. Which information is most important for the nurse to provide the client?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The most critical information for the nurse to provide the client is ensuring that there is no significant vaginal bleeding before discharge. This is vital to prevent complications such as postpartum hemorrhage. Options A, B, and C are important aspects of postpartum care, but assessing and managing vaginal bleeding takes precedence due to its potential seriousness.
Question 4 of 9
A healthcare professional is caring for a client who is 14 weeks of gestation. At which of the following locations should the healthcare professional place the Doppler device when assessing the fetal heart rate?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: At 14 weeks of gestation, the uterus is still relatively low in the abdomen. Placing the Doppler midline 2 to 3 cm above the symphysis pubis is appropriate for assessing the fetal heart rate. This location allows for better detection of the fetal heart tones as the uterus is at a lower position during this stage of pregnancy. Placing the Doppler on the left upper abdomen would not be ideal at 14 weeks gestation as the uterus is not yet at that level. Placing it two fingerbreadths above the umbilicus or lateral at the xiphoid process would also not be accurate for locating the fetal heart rate at this stage of gestation.
Question 5 of 9
When reviewing the electronic medical record of a postpartum client, which of the following factors places the client at risk for infection?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Midline episiotomy. An episiotomy is a surgical incision made during childbirth to enlarge the vaginal opening. This procedure increases the risk of infection in the postpartum period due to the incision site being a potential entry point for pathogens. Meconium-stained amniotic fluid (choice A) is a risk factor for fetal distress but does not directly increase the mother's risk of infection. Placenta previa (choice B) is a condition where the placenta partially or completely covers the cervix, leading to potential bleeding issues but not necessarily an increased risk of infection. Gestational hypertension (choice D) is a hypertensive disorder that affects some pregnant women but is not directly associated with an increased risk of infection in the postpartum period.
Question 6 of 9
A client is receiving an epidural block with an opioid analgesic. The nurse should monitor for which of the following findings as an adverse effect of the medication?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Bilateral crackles. Bilateral crackles indicate respiratory complications, which can occur as an adverse effect of an epidural block with opioid analgesics. Hypotension (Choice A) is a common side effect of epidural opioids but is not typically monitored via crackles. Polyuria (Choice B) is excessive urination and is not directly associated with epidural blocks. Hyperglycemia (Choice D) is high blood sugar levels and is not a typical adverse effect of epidural opioids.
Question 7 of 9
Which of the following pairs share 100% of their genes?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is Monozygotic (MZ) twins. Monozygotic twins, also known as identical twins, share 100% of their genes because they originate from the same fertilized egg that splits into two. Fraternal twins (choice B), also known as dizygotic (DZ) twins (choice C), result from two separate fertilized eggs and share approximately 50% of their genes. Biovular twins (choice A) is not a term used in genetics and does not describe a type of twinning.
Question 8 of 9
What is the highest priority nursing intervention when admitting a pregnant woman who has experienced a bleeding episode in late pregnancy?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The highest priority nursing intervention when admitting a pregnant woman who has experienced a bleeding episode in late pregnancy is to assess the fetal heart rate (FHR) and maternal vital signs. This assessment is crucial in determining the extent of blood loss and its impact on both the mother and the fetus. Ensuring the well-being of both the mother and the fetus is the top priority in this situation. While obtaining hemoglobin and hematocrit levels is important, it can be done after the initial assessment. Placing clean disposable pads is necessary for managing any drainage but does not take precedence over assessing vital signs. Monitoring uterine contractions is important but is not the highest priority when compared to assessing the FHR and maternal vital signs.
Question 9 of 9
Which synthetic hormone is used to prevent miscarriages and can cause masculinization of the fetus?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Progestin is the synthetic hormone used to prevent miscarriages. While it is beneficial in maintaining pregnancy, in some cases, it can lead to masculinization of the fetus. Testosterone (Choice A) and estrogen (Choice B) are not typically used to prevent miscarriages and do not cause masculinization of the fetus in this context. Oxytocin (Choice D) is a hormone involved in labor and breastfeeding, but it is not used to prevent miscarriages nor does it cause masculinization of the fetus.