Page 1 of 171
PEDS HESI EXAM 2026/27 GUARANTEED
A+ ACTUAL QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS AND ELABORATE RATIONALES
COMPLETE 100% SUCCESS GUARANTEED
||COMPLETE A+ GUIDE
1. The mother of a 4-month-old asks when to introduce rice
cereal. What is the nurse’s best response?
A) “Start now, at 4 months.”
B) “Wait until 6 months of age.”
C) “Begin at 12 months.”
D) “Only after the first tooth erupts.”
,Page 2 of 171
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: AAP recommends exclusive breastfeeding or
formula for 6 months. Introducing solids before 4–6 months
increases choking and allergy risk. At 4 months, extrusion
reflex is still present.
2. A 2-year-old throws a tantrum when told it is time for bed.
Which action demonstrates understanding of toddler
development?
A) Spank the child for misbehavior.
B) Offer two choices: “Do you want to hop or skip to bed?”
C) Ignore the child until the tantrum stops.
D) Tell the child, “Big boys don’t cry.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Toddlers seek autonomy. Offering limited choices
gives control while setting limits. Ignoring may work for
attention-seeking but not always safe at bedtime.
,Page 3 of 171
3. Which fine motor skill is expected in a 10-month-old?
A) Scribbles spontaneously
B) Uses pincer grasp
C) Builds a tower of 2 cubes
D) Turns pages of a book
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pincer grasp (thumb and forefinger) develops
around 9–10 months. Scribbling occurs at 12–15 months;
stacking cubes at 12–15 months; turning pages at 12–18
months.
4. The nurse is assessing a 15-month-old. Which finding
requires further evaluation?
A) Walks independently
B) Says 3 words besides “mama/dada”
C) Uses a spoon with spilling
D) Does not point to objects of interest
, Page 4 of 171
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: By 12–15 months, pointing is a key communication
milestone. Lack of pointing may indicate language delay or
autism spectrum disorder.
5. A school-age child is hospitalized. Which activity best
supports industry versus inferiority (Erikson)?
A) Allowing the child to draw and display artwork
B) Rocking the child to sleep
C) Offering a pacifier
D) Letting the child watch unlimited TV
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Industry vs. inferiority (6–12 years) focuses on
competence and achievement. Completing and displaying
tasks builds self-esteem.
6. A 5-year-old insists that her doll is “sad because she lost her
mommy.” This is an example of:
A) Animism
PEDS HESI EXAM 2026/27 GUARANTEED
A+ ACTUAL QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS AND ELABORATE RATIONALES
COMPLETE 100% SUCCESS GUARANTEED
||COMPLETE A+ GUIDE
1. The mother of a 4-month-old asks when to introduce rice
cereal. What is the nurse’s best response?
A) “Start now, at 4 months.”
B) “Wait until 6 months of age.”
C) “Begin at 12 months.”
D) “Only after the first tooth erupts.”
,Page 2 of 171
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: AAP recommends exclusive breastfeeding or
formula for 6 months. Introducing solids before 4–6 months
increases choking and allergy risk. At 4 months, extrusion
reflex is still present.
2. A 2-year-old throws a tantrum when told it is time for bed.
Which action demonstrates understanding of toddler
development?
A) Spank the child for misbehavior.
B) Offer two choices: “Do you want to hop or skip to bed?”
C) Ignore the child until the tantrum stops.
D) Tell the child, “Big boys don’t cry.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Toddlers seek autonomy. Offering limited choices
gives control while setting limits. Ignoring may work for
attention-seeking but not always safe at bedtime.
,Page 3 of 171
3. Which fine motor skill is expected in a 10-month-old?
A) Scribbles spontaneously
B) Uses pincer grasp
C) Builds a tower of 2 cubes
D) Turns pages of a book
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pincer grasp (thumb and forefinger) develops
around 9–10 months. Scribbling occurs at 12–15 months;
stacking cubes at 12–15 months; turning pages at 12–18
months.
4. The nurse is assessing a 15-month-old. Which finding
requires further evaluation?
A) Walks independently
B) Says 3 words besides “mama/dada”
C) Uses a spoon with spilling
D) Does not point to objects of interest
, Page 4 of 171
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: By 12–15 months, pointing is a key communication
milestone. Lack of pointing may indicate language delay or
autism spectrum disorder.
5. A school-age child is hospitalized. Which activity best
supports industry versus inferiority (Erikson)?
A) Allowing the child to draw and display artwork
B) Rocking the child to sleep
C) Offering a pacifier
D) Letting the child watch unlimited TV
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Industry vs. inferiority (6–12 years) focuses on
competence and achievement. Completing and displaying
tasks builds self-esteem.
6. A 5-year-old insists that her doll is “sad because she lost her
mommy.” This is an example of:
A) Animism
