HESI Pediatric Practice Exam
[2026/2027] Updated Version | Verified
Questions & Detailed Rationales for Top
Performance
The nurse is giving pre-op instructions to a 14 yr old female scheduled for surgery
to correct a spinal curvature. Which stmt best demonstrates that leaning has
taken place? - ANSWER-"I understand that I will be in a body cast and I will show
you how you taught me to turn"
To take the v/s of a 4 month old, which ordered will give the most accurate
results? - ANSWER-RR - HR - rectal temp
During routine screening at a school clinic, an otoscope exam reveals a tympanic
mb that is pearly gray, slightly bulging, and not movable. What action should the
nurse take next? - ANSWER-Ask the child if they have had a cold, runny nose, or
any ear pain lately
Which restraint should be used for a toddler after a cleft palate repair? - ANSWER-
Elbow
What pre-op nsg intervention should be included in the POC for an infant w/
pyloric stenosis? - ANSWER-Observe for projectile vomiting
,(remember that projectile vomiting leads to metabolic alkalosis)
A 6 month old returns from surgery w/ elbow restraints in place. What nsg care
should be included when caring for any restrained child? - ANSWER-Remove the
restraints one at a time and provide ROM exercises
(Removing them 1 at a time is safer than all at once)
A 2 yr old w/ Down syndrome is brought to the clinic for his regular physical exam.
The nurse knows which problem is requently associated w/ Downs? - ANSWER-
Congenital heart disease
(CHD is the most common associated defect w/ Downs. - also, remember
Professor Moore said that heart and ear problems go hand in hand)
When assessing a child w/ asthma, the nurse should expect intercostal retractions
during - ANSWER-Inspriation
When planning the care for a child who has had a cleft lip repair, the nurse know
that crying should be minimized because it - ANSWER-Stresses the suture line
A full-term infant is admitted to the newborn nursery. After careful assessment,
the nurse suspects that the infant may have an esophageal atresia. Which sx's is
this newborn likely to have exhibited? - ANSWER-Choking , coughing, and cyanosis
, (this ANSWER includes the 3 "C"s of esophageal atresia caused by the overflow of
secretions to the trachea)
Which behavior would the nurse expect a 2 yr old to exhibit? - ANSWER-Display
possessiveness of toys
(they are egocentric and unable to share w/ others)
the other of a preschool-aged child asks the nurse if it is all right to administer
Pepto Bismol to her son when he has a tummy ache. After reminding her to check
the label of all OTC meds for the presence of ASA, which instruction should the
nurse include when replying to the mom's question? - ANSWER-Do not give if they
have chicken pox, the flue, or any other viral illness
(ASA can cause Reye's syndrome)
the nurse observes a 4 yr old boy in a daycare. Which behavior should the nurse
consider normal for this child? - ANSWER-Demonstrates aggressiveness by
boasting when telling a story
A burned child is brought to the ER. In estimating the % of body burned, the nurse
uses a modified "Rule of Nines." Which part of the body is calculated as a larger %
of total body surface than an adult? - ANSWER-Head and neck
(a child's head and neck are proportionately larger to their body than an adult's)
[2026/2027] Updated Version | Verified
Questions & Detailed Rationales for Top
Performance
The nurse is giving pre-op instructions to a 14 yr old female scheduled for surgery
to correct a spinal curvature. Which stmt best demonstrates that leaning has
taken place? - ANSWER-"I understand that I will be in a body cast and I will show
you how you taught me to turn"
To take the v/s of a 4 month old, which ordered will give the most accurate
results? - ANSWER-RR - HR - rectal temp
During routine screening at a school clinic, an otoscope exam reveals a tympanic
mb that is pearly gray, slightly bulging, and not movable. What action should the
nurse take next? - ANSWER-Ask the child if they have had a cold, runny nose, or
any ear pain lately
Which restraint should be used for a toddler after a cleft palate repair? - ANSWER-
Elbow
What pre-op nsg intervention should be included in the POC for an infant w/
pyloric stenosis? - ANSWER-Observe for projectile vomiting
,(remember that projectile vomiting leads to metabolic alkalosis)
A 6 month old returns from surgery w/ elbow restraints in place. What nsg care
should be included when caring for any restrained child? - ANSWER-Remove the
restraints one at a time and provide ROM exercises
(Removing them 1 at a time is safer than all at once)
A 2 yr old w/ Down syndrome is brought to the clinic for his regular physical exam.
The nurse knows which problem is requently associated w/ Downs? - ANSWER-
Congenital heart disease
(CHD is the most common associated defect w/ Downs. - also, remember
Professor Moore said that heart and ear problems go hand in hand)
When assessing a child w/ asthma, the nurse should expect intercostal retractions
during - ANSWER-Inspriation
When planning the care for a child who has had a cleft lip repair, the nurse know
that crying should be minimized because it - ANSWER-Stresses the suture line
A full-term infant is admitted to the newborn nursery. After careful assessment,
the nurse suspects that the infant may have an esophageal atresia. Which sx's is
this newborn likely to have exhibited? - ANSWER-Choking , coughing, and cyanosis
, (this ANSWER includes the 3 "C"s of esophageal atresia caused by the overflow of
secretions to the trachea)
Which behavior would the nurse expect a 2 yr old to exhibit? - ANSWER-Display
possessiveness of toys
(they are egocentric and unable to share w/ others)
the other of a preschool-aged child asks the nurse if it is all right to administer
Pepto Bismol to her son when he has a tummy ache. After reminding her to check
the label of all OTC meds for the presence of ASA, which instruction should the
nurse include when replying to the mom's question? - ANSWER-Do not give if they
have chicken pox, the flue, or any other viral illness
(ASA can cause Reye's syndrome)
the nurse observes a 4 yr old boy in a daycare. Which behavior should the nurse
consider normal for this child? - ANSWER-Demonstrates aggressiveness by
boasting when telling a story
A burned child is brought to the ER. In estimating the % of body burned, the nurse
uses a modified "Rule of Nines." Which part of the body is calculated as a larger %
of total body surface than an adult? - ANSWER-Head and neck
(a child's head and neck are proportionately larger to their body than an adult's)
