Pediatrics HESI PN exam Review Questions and Answers With Verified Solutions
2025
The practical nurse (PN) is monitoring a child who is manifesting signs of shock after a motor vehicle
collision. Which finding is most important for the PN to report to the charge nurse?
a) narrowing pulse pressure
b) apprehension
c) irritability
d) thirst - ✔✔Answer: A
Rationale:
As shock progresses, perfusion in the microcirculation becomes marginal despite compensatory
adjustments, and the signs of decompensated shock become pronounced, such as tachycardia and
narrowing pulse pressure (A). (The difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure), which
should be reported immediately. (B,C, and D) are not as significant as (A).
The mother of a 9 month old male infant is concerned because he cries whenever she leaves him with a
sitter. What is the best response for the practical nurse (PN) to provide?
a) "Have you noticed whether your baby is teething?"
b) "Crying when you leave him in a healthy sign of attachment."
c) "Consider taking the baby to the doctor because he may be ill."
d) "You could consider leaving the infant more often so he can adjust." - ✔✔Answer: B
Rationale:
Healthy attachment is manifested by stranger anxiety in late infancy (B). Pain from teething expressed
by the infant's cries does not occur only when the mother leaves the infant with another person (A). The
PN should evaluate the infant's developmental needs (C) before suggesting the infant may be ill. An
infant who manifests stranger anxiety is best supported by the mother if the infant is left for shorter
periods of time, not (D).
,Which preoperative action is most important for the practical nurse (PN) to implement for a newborn
with meningomyelocele?
a) document vital signs
b) prevent skin breakdown
c) minimize the risk for infection
d) monitor neurologic functioning - ✔✔Answer: C
Rationale:
A meningomyelocele provides a direct entry for bacteria into the central nervous system, leading to
meningitis. Measures that protect the integrity of the meningomyelocele sac and infection control
measures should be implemented to minimize the risk of infection (C). (A,B, and D) should be
implemented but do not have the priority of (C).
The practical nurse is caring for a 6 year old girl who had surgery 12 hours ago. The child tells the PN
that she does not have pain but a few minutes later, tells her parents that she does. What child
development concept is relevant to this situation?
a) inconsistency in pain reporting suggests that pain not present
b) a child may have pain yet deny its presence to the nurse
c) truthful reporting of pain should occur by this age
d) children use pain experiences to manipulate their parents - ✔✔Answer: B
Rationale:
A child may fear receiving an injection for pain or may believe that pain is a deserved punishment for
some misdeed, so the pain is denied (D) when the nurse asks the child, who then readily admits having
pain to a parent. This behavior should not be interpreted as (C) but as a valid indication of pain. (A and
C) are incorrect interpretations of this behavior.
A 6 year old who had a tonsillectomy 12 hours ago is complaining of thirst. What should the practical
nurse (PN) offer?
, a) popsicle
b) lemonade
c) orange juice
d) chocolate milk - ✔✔Answer: A
Rationale:
Small amounts of clear liquids without red dyes should be offered to the child. Popsicles (A) are cold and
help soothe a dry throat. Citrus drinks (B and C) are acidic and irritate the operative site in the posterior
oropharynx. Milk (D) thickens oral mucus which makes swallowing more difficult and causes coughing.
The mother of a male newborn calls the clinic to inquire about the formation of a yellow crust over her
son's circumcision area. What information should the practical nurse (PN) provide?
a) do not remove the yellow crust from the site
b) stop using petroleum around the head of the penis
c) bring him into the clinic
d) tightly fasten the diaper - ✔✔Answer: A
Rationale:
Crust formation is part of the healing process and should be removed (A). (C) is not indicated at this
time. The diaper should be fastened loosely, not tightly (D) which can place pressure on the incision site.
(B) assists in the healing process and should not be discontinued.
The mother of a child with croup is having barking, coughing episodes calls the clinic for assistance.
What action should the practical nurse (PN) recommend that the mother implement first?
a) take the child outside in the cool air
b) bring the child directly to the emergency room
c) sit with the child in bathroom with a hot shower running
d) have the child drink plenty of fluids - ✔✔Answer: C
2025
The practical nurse (PN) is monitoring a child who is manifesting signs of shock after a motor vehicle
collision. Which finding is most important for the PN to report to the charge nurse?
a) narrowing pulse pressure
b) apprehension
c) irritability
d) thirst - ✔✔Answer: A
Rationale:
As shock progresses, perfusion in the microcirculation becomes marginal despite compensatory
adjustments, and the signs of decompensated shock become pronounced, such as tachycardia and
narrowing pulse pressure (A). (The difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure), which
should be reported immediately. (B,C, and D) are not as significant as (A).
The mother of a 9 month old male infant is concerned because he cries whenever she leaves him with a
sitter. What is the best response for the practical nurse (PN) to provide?
a) "Have you noticed whether your baby is teething?"
b) "Crying when you leave him in a healthy sign of attachment."
c) "Consider taking the baby to the doctor because he may be ill."
d) "You could consider leaving the infant more often so he can adjust." - ✔✔Answer: B
Rationale:
Healthy attachment is manifested by stranger anxiety in late infancy (B). Pain from teething expressed
by the infant's cries does not occur only when the mother leaves the infant with another person (A). The
PN should evaluate the infant's developmental needs (C) before suggesting the infant may be ill. An
infant who manifests stranger anxiety is best supported by the mother if the infant is left for shorter
periods of time, not (D).
,Which preoperative action is most important for the practical nurse (PN) to implement for a newborn
with meningomyelocele?
a) document vital signs
b) prevent skin breakdown
c) minimize the risk for infection
d) monitor neurologic functioning - ✔✔Answer: C
Rationale:
A meningomyelocele provides a direct entry for bacteria into the central nervous system, leading to
meningitis. Measures that protect the integrity of the meningomyelocele sac and infection control
measures should be implemented to minimize the risk of infection (C). (A,B, and D) should be
implemented but do not have the priority of (C).
The practical nurse is caring for a 6 year old girl who had surgery 12 hours ago. The child tells the PN
that she does not have pain but a few minutes later, tells her parents that she does. What child
development concept is relevant to this situation?
a) inconsistency in pain reporting suggests that pain not present
b) a child may have pain yet deny its presence to the nurse
c) truthful reporting of pain should occur by this age
d) children use pain experiences to manipulate their parents - ✔✔Answer: B
Rationale:
A child may fear receiving an injection for pain or may believe that pain is a deserved punishment for
some misdeed, so the pain is denied (D) when the nurse asks the child, who then readily admits having
pain to a parent. This behavior should not be interpreted as (C) but as a valid indication of pain. (A and
C) are incorrect interpretations of this behavior.
A 6 year old who had a tonsillectomy 12 hours ago is complaining of thirst. What should the practical
nurse (PN) offer?
, a) popsicle
b) lemonade
c) orange juice
d) chocolate milk - ✔✔Answer: A
Rationale:
Small amounts of clear liquids without red dyes should be offered to the child. Popsicles (A) are cold and
help soothe a dry throat. Citrus drinks (B and C) are acidic and irritate the operative site in the posterior
oropharynx. Milk (D) thickens oral mucus which makes swallowing more difficult and causes coughing.
The mother of a male newborn calls the clinic to inquire about the formation of a yellow crust over her
son's circumcision area. What information should the practical nurse (PN) provide?
a) do not remove the yellow crust from the site
b) stop using petroleum around the head of the penis
c) bring him into the clinic
d) tightly fasten the diaper - ✔✔Answer: A
Rationale:
Crust formation is part of the healing process and should be removed (A). (C) is not indicated at this
time. The diaper should be fastened loosely, not tightly (D) which can place pressure on the incision site.
(B) assists in the healing process and should not be discontinued.
The mother of a child with croup is having barking, coughing episodes calls the clinic for assistance.
What action should the practical nurse (PN) recommend that the mother implement first?
a) take the child outside in the cool air
b) bring the child directly to the emergency room
c) sit with the child in bathroom with a hot shower running
d) have the child drink plenty of fluids - ✔✔Answer: C
