HESI Pediatrics Exam 2026 questions and well detailed
answers
,HESI Pediatrics Exam 2026 questions and well detailed
answers
1.
Question: An 8-month-old infant is brought to the clinic for a routine
well-child checkup. Which developmental milestone should the nurse
expect the infant to have achieved?
• A. Walking independently
• B. Sitting unsupported and transferring objects from hand to hand
• C. Building a tower of two blocks
• D. Saying three to five words with meaning
• Answer: B
• Rationale: By 8 months of age, most infants can sit steadily
without support and demonstrate hand-to-hand transfer of
objects. Walking independently and building block towers occur
during toddlerhood, and speaking words with meaning typically
begins around 10 to 12 months.
2
Question: A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old toddler during a routine
clinic visit. The parent expresses concern because the child has become
picky about eating and consumes very little food at meals. How should
the nurse respond?
• A. "This is a normal phase called physiological anorexia due to a
slowed growth rate in toddlers."
• B. "You should force the child to finish every meal to ensure
adequate nutrition."
,HESI Pediatrics Exam 2026 questions and well detailed
answers
• C. "This indicates a severe metabolic deficiency requiring
immediate blood tests."
• D. "Supplement the child's diet exclusively with high-sugar snacks
to maintain caloric intake."
• Answer: A
• Rationale: Toddlers experience a slower growth rate compared to
infancy, leading to a natural decrease in appetite known as
physiological anorexia. Parents should be reassured that offering
nutritious choices on demand is appropriate.
3
Question: An infant is admitted to the pediatric unit with respiratory
syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis. Which infection control precaution
should the nurse implement?
• A. Airborne precautions
• B. Droplet precautions
• C. Contact precautions
• D. Protective environment precautions
• Answer: C
• Rationale: RSV is primarily transmitted through direct contact with
respiratory secretions or contaminated surfaces. Contact
precautions, along with standard precautions (gloves and gowns),
are essential.
4
, HESI Pediatrics Exam 2026 questions and well detailed
answers
Question: A child with cystic fibrosis is prescribed pancrelipase
capsules. When should the nurse instruct the parents to administer this
medication?
• A. Once daily at bedtime on an empty stomach
• B. Immediately prior to or with all meals and snacks
• C. Only after consuming high-fat meals
• D. Mixed into hot cereal or boiling liquids
• Answer: B
• Rationale: Pancrelipase contains essential digestive enzymes
(lipase, protease, amylase) that must be taken with all meals and
snacks to ensure proper digestion and absorption of fats, proteins,
and carbohydrates.
5
Question: An infant is brought to the emergency department with
sudden, severe episodes of crying, drawing the legs up toward the
abdomen, and passing stool mixed with blood and mucus that
resembles currant jelly. What condition does the nurse suspect?
• A. Pyloric stenosis
• B. Intussusception
• C. Hirschsprung disease
• D. Appendicitis
• Answer: B
answers
,HESI Pediatrics Exam 2026 questions and well detailed
answers
1.
Question: An 8-month-old infant is brought to the clinic for a routine
well-child checkup. Which developmental milestone should the nurse
expect the infant to have achieved?
• A. Walking independently
• B. Sitting unsupported and transferring objects from hand to hand
• C. Building a tower of two blocks
• D. Saying three to five words with meaning
• Answer: B
• Rationale: By 8 months of age, most infants can sit steadily
without support and demonstrate hand-to-hand transfer of
objects. Walking independently and building block towers occur
during toddlerhood, and speaking words with meaning typically
begins around 10 to 12 months.
2
Question: A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old toddler during a routine
clinic visit. The parent expresses concern because the child has become
picky about eating and consumes very little food at meals. How should
the nurse respond?
• A. "This is a normal phase called physiological anorexia due to a
slowed growth rate in toddlers."
• B. "You should force the child to finish every meal to ensure
adequate nutrition."
,HESI Pediatrics Exam 2026 questions and well detailed
answers
• C. "This indicates a severe metabolic deficiency requiring
immediate blood tests."
• D. "Supplement the child's diet exclusively with high-sugar snacks
to maintain caloric intake."
• Answer: A
• Rationale: Toddlers experience a slower growth rate compared to
infancy, leading to a natural decrease in appetite known as
physiological anorexia. Parents should be reassured that offering
nutritious choices on demand is appropriate.
3
Question: An infant is admitted to the pediatric unit with respiratory
syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis. Which infection control precaution
should the nurse implement?
• A. Airborne precautions
• B. Droplet precautions
• C. Contact precautions
• D. Protective environment precautions
• Answer: C
• Rationale: RSV is primarily transmitted through direct contact with
respiratory secretions or contaminated surfaces. Contact
precautions, along with standard precautions (gloves and gowns),
are essential.
4
, HESI Pediatrics Exam 2026 questions and well detailed
answers
Question: A child with cystic fibrosis is prescribed pancrelipase
capsules. When should the nurse instruct the parents to administer this
medication?
• A. Once daily at bedtime on an empty stomach
• B. Immediately prior to or with all meals and snacks
• C. Only after consuming high-fat meals
• D. Mixed into hot cereal or boiling liquids
• Answer: B
• Rationale: Pancrelipase contains essential digestive enzymes
(lipase, protease, amylase) that must be taken with all meals and
snacks to ensure proper digestion and absorption of fats, proteins,
and carbohydrates.
5
Question: An infant is brought to the emergency department with
sudden, severe episodes of crying, drawing the legs up toward the
abdomen, and passing stool mixed with blood and mucus that
resembles currant jelly. What condition does the nurse suspect?
• A. Pyloric stenosis
• B. Intussusception
• C. Hirschsprung disease
• D. Appendicitis
• Answer: B
