Maternity HESI Practice Questions

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: double helix. DNA is structured as a double helix, resembling a twisted ladder made up of two strands of nucleotides. Choice A, single spiral, is incorrect as DNA is not a single spiral structure. Choice C, sphere, is incorrect as DNA does not form a spherical shape. Choice D, cube, is incorrect as DNA does not have a cubic structure. Understanding the double helix structure of DNA is essential as it allows for the storage and transmission of genetic information in living organisms.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Post-term newborns often have longer nails that extend over the tips of their fingers due to the extended gestation period. This occurs because the baby continues to grow in utero past the typical 40 weeks of gestation. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as large deposits of subcutaneous fat, pale translucent skin, and a thin covering of fine hair on shoulders and back are not typically associated with post-term newborns. Longer nails are a common finding in post-term newborns due to the prolonged time spent in the womb, allowing for more nail growth compared to infants born at term.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct statement regarding menstruation is that during this time, an unfertilized egg is discharged along with the shedding of the uterine lining. Choice A is incorrect because the endometrium is shed during menstruation. Choice C is incorrect as menstruation does not prevent a female from engaging in sexual activity with her partner. Choice D is incorrect as a fertilized egg does not undergo mitosis during menstruation but rather implants in the uterine lining for further development.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder caused by inheriting two copies of a recessive gene, one from each parent. This means that both parents must carry at least one copy of the faulty gene for a child to inherit the condition. Choice A is incorrect because cystic fibrosis is not linked to the sex chromosomes. Choice B is incorrect as cystic fibrosis is not caused by an abnormality in the 21st pair of chromosomes but by a specific gene mutation. Choice D is also incorrect as cystic fibrosis is not related to the Y chromosome, which is specific to males.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The priority nursing action when a client with ruptured membranes is admitted to the labor and delivery suite is to take the client's temperature. This is crucial to assess for infection, especially when the duration of membrane rupture is unknown. Beginning a pad count, preparing to start an IV, and monitoring amniotic fluid for meconium are important actions but are not as immediate or critical as assessing for infection through temperature measurement.