2026 HESI PEDS RN EXIT EXAM
cv cv cv cv cv | Study Edition V1 & cv cv
2026 HESI PEDIATRIC (PEDS) RN EXIT EXAM
VERSIONS 1 & 2 — REDESIGNED STUDY EDITION
SPRING 2026 | COMPILED WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE | V1 uses multiple-choice format with highlighted correct answer(s). V2 uses short-answer/fill-
cv cv cv cv c v c v cv ws cv cv cv cv ws cv cv cv
in format with the answer displayed directly. Questions marked with a note contain clarifications where answers are debated.
cv ws cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv
VERSION1 — MultipleChoice(55Questions) c
v c v c v c
v c
v c
v
The nurse is assessing a 9-year-
Q1
ws ws ws ws ws
old boy admitted with possible acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN). In obtainin
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws c v g ws
his history, what information is most significant?
ws ws ws ws ws ws
A ✔A wsc v c v wscv sore throat last week w scv wscv ws
B A history of hypertension
ws cv cv
C Diuresis during the night cv cv ws
D Back pain for a few days cv cv cv cv cv
ANSWER: A ws
The nurse is measuring the frontal occipital circumference (FOC) of a 3-month-
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws
Q2 old infant, and notes that the FOC has increased 5 inches (12.7cm) since birth and the child's
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws wsc v c
vhead appears large in relation to body size. Which action is most important for the nurse to tak
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws
e next?
ws
A Plot the measurement on the infant's growth chart
cv cv cv cv cv cv cv
B Observe the infant for sunset eyes cv cv ws cv cv
C Measure the infant's head-to-heel length ws cv ws cv
D ✔P alpate the anterior fontanel for tension and bulging
wsc v ws ws ws ws ws ws ws
ANSWER: D ws
A female infant recently admitted with vomiting and diarrhea now weighs 10 kg. Her weight at
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws wscv
Q3 a previous well-
ws ws
baby visit was 11 kg. What is the percentage of body weight loss for this infant?
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws
A 4%
B ✔9 % wsc v
C 10%
D 5%
ANSWER: B ws
c v | For Study Purposes Onl
cv cv cv
y
,2026 HESI PEDS RN EXIT EXAM
cv cv cv cv cv | Study Edition V1 & cv cv
A male high school student with Type 1 diabetes tests his blood glucose level before playing
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws
Q4 a game of soccer, and he obtains a reading of 180 mg/dL (10 mmol/L). Based on this reading
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws
, which action should the nurse take?
ws ws ws ws ws ws
A ✔T ell him to eat a sandwich and fruit before beginning the game
wsc v ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws
B Check his urine for ketones cv cv cv cv
C Give him permission to go ahead and play soccer
cv cv cv cv ws cv cv cv
D Call the healthcare providercv cv cv
ANSWER: A ws
A 7-year- ws
Q5 old child is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever. In obtaining a he
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws c v a
lth history from the child's mother, the recent occurrence of which illness is most significant?
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws
A ✔S ore throat
wsc v c v ws
B Chickenpox
C Mumps
D Influenza
ANSWER: A ws
A mother brings her 2-month-old son to the clinic for a well-
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws
Q6 baby exam. During the assessment the nurse finds that the right testicle is not descended int o
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws c v
the scrotum but the left is palpable. Which action should the nurse take?
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws
A Prepare to obtain a catheterized urine specimen for culture
ws cv cv cv cv cv cv cv
B Address possible concerns about the child's future fertility
ws cv cv ws cv cv cv
C ✔A sk if the right testis has been seen in the scrotum before
wsc v ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws
D Schedule an IV pyelogram to validate presence of testicle cv cv cv cv ws cv cv cv
ANSWER: C ws
The nurse is assessing a 6-month-
Q7
ws ws ws ws ws
old infant. Which response requires further evaluation by the nurse?
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws
A Has doubled birth weight ws cv cv
B Turns head to locate sound ws cv cv cv
C Plays peek-a-boo ws
D ✔D emonstrates startle reflex
wsc v c v wcvscv wcvscv
ANSWER: D ws
A 4-year- ws
Q8 old girl returns to the pediatrician's office for a postoperative visit following hospitalization for
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws wsc v c
vminor surgery. When observing the child in the waiting area, which behavior should the nurse
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws wsc v c
vconsider normal for this age child? ws ws ws ws ws
A Ignores other children in the play area ws cv cv cv cv cv
B Draws picture of self with facial features cv cv cv cv cv cv
C ✔T alks to an imaginary friend
wsc v ws ws ws ws
c v | For Study Purposes Onl
cv cv cv
y
, 2026 HESI PEDS RN EXIT EXAM
cv cv cv cv cv | Study Edition V1 & cv cv
D Sits quietly in her mother's lap
cv cv cv cv cv
ANSWER: C ws
A preschool-
ws
aged child experiencing respiratory distress is brought to the emergency department by the p ar
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws c v
Q9 ents. The child is anxious, has a temperature of 102.8°F (39.3°C), and is drooling from the m out
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws c v
h while leaning forward when sitting. Which action should the nurse prepare the child for n ext?
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws c v
A ✔O btain bedside trays for intubation or tracheotomy by the healthcare provider
wsc v c v ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws
B Begin prescribed intravenous antibiotic administration
cv cv cv cv
C Provide a nebulizer treatment with bronchodilators cv cv cv cv cv
D Schedule the child for a stat magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the neck
cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv ws
ANSWER: A ws
The nurse is caring for a preschool-
ws ws ws ws ws ws
aged child with a congenital heart defect who is admitted with intermittent low-
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws
Q10 grade fever, fatigue, and weight loss. Further physical assessment findings include a new mur
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws c v
mur, splinter hemorrhages under the nails, and painless red lesions on the palms of the hands
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws
. Which diagnostic procedure should the nurse prepare the parents to expect the healthcare pr ovi
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws c v
der to prescribe? ws ws
A ✔E chocardiogram
wsc v c v
B Electrocardiogram
C Chest radiography cv
D Computerized tomography (CT) scan cv cv cv
ANSWER: A ws w c v sc v | wc v sc v Note: A or B are debated; Echocardiogram is preferred
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws
A 6-year- ws
old male with a body mass index (BMI) in the 95th percentile arrives at the clinic after a referr a
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws c v
Q11 l from the school nurse. His laboratory findings include hemoglobin A1c of 5.5%, blood pres su
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws c v
re (BP) in the 50th percentile, height in the 75th percentile, and an LDL cholesterol of 90 m g/dL
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws c v
. Which lifestyle modification should the nurse discuss with the parents?
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws
A ✔R ecommend increasing daily fruits and vegetables and daily exercise
wsc v c v ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws
B Return in one month for another evaluation of serum lipids and blood pressure
cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv
C Instruct the parents to weigh the child weekly and measure his BP daily
cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv
D See a healthcare provider to further assess for diabetes and hypertension
cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv
ANSWER: A ws
When administering indomethacin to a premature infant who has patent ductus arteriosus, the
Q12
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws
nurse should anticipate which outcome?
ws ws ws ws ws
A Decreased urinary output cv cv
B ✔D ecreased cardiac murmur
wsc v c v w scv w scv
C Increased number of red blood cells cv cv cv cv cv
D Increased respiratory effort cv cv
ANSWER: B ws
c v | For Study Purposes Onl
cv cv cv
y
cv cv cv cv cv | Study Edition V1 & cv cv
2026 HESI PEDIATRIC (PEDS) RN EXIT EXAM
VERSIONS 1 & 2 — REDESIGNED STUDY EDITION
SPRING 2026 | COMPILED WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE | V1 uses multiple-choice format with highlighted correct answer(s). V2 uses short-answer/fill-
cv cv cv cv c v c v cv ws cv cv cv cv ws cv cv cv
in format with the answer displayed directly. Questions marked with a note contain clarifications where answers are debated.
cv ws cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv
VERSION1 — MultipleChoice(55Questions) c
v c v c v c
v c
v c
v
The nurse is assessing a 9-year-
Q1
ws ws ws ws ws
old boy admitted with possible acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN). In obtainin
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws c v g ws
his history, what information is most significant?
ws ws ws ws ws ws
A ✔A wsc v c v wscv sore throat last week w scv wscv ws
B A history of hypertension
ws cv cv
C Diuresis during the night cv cv ws
D Back pain for a few days cv cv cv cv cv
ANSWER: A ws
The nurse is measuring the frontal occipital circumference (FOC) of a 3-month-
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws
Q2 old infant, and notes that the FOC has increased 5 inches (12.7cm) since birth and the child's
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws wsc v c
vhead appears large in relation to body size. Which action is most important for the nurse to tak
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws
e next?
ws
A Plot the measurement on the infant's growth chart
cv cv cv cv cv cv cv
B Observe the infant for sunset eyes cv cv ws cv cv
C Measure the infant's head-to-heel length ws cv ws cv
D ✔P alpate the anterior fontanel for tension and bulging
wsc v ws ws ws ws ws ws ws
ANSWER: D ws
A female infant recently admitted with vomiting and diarrhea now weighs 10 kg. Her weight at
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws wscv
Q3 a previous well-
ws ws
baby visit was 11 kg. What is the percentage of body weight loss for this infant?
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws
A 4%
B ✔9 % wsc v
C 10%
D 5%
ANSWER: B ws
c v | For Study Purposes Onl
cv cv cv
y
,2026 HESI PEDS RN EXIT EXAM
cv cv cv cv cv | Study Edition V1 & cv cv
A male high school student with Type 1 diabetes tests his blood glucose level before playing
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws
Q4 a game of soccer, and he obtains a reading of 180 mg/dL (10 mmol/L). Based on this reading
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws
, which action should the nurse take?
ws ws ws ws ws ws
A ✔T ell him to eat a sandwich and fruit before beginning the game
wsc v ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws
B Check his urine for ketones cv cv cv cv
C Give him permission to go ahead and play soccer
cv cv cv cv ws cv cv cv
D Call the healthcare providercv cv cv
ANSWER: A ws
A 7-year- ws
Q5 old child is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever. In obtaining a he
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws c v a
lth history from the child's mother, the recent occurrence of which illness is most significant?
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws
A ✔S ore throat
wsc v c v ws
B Chickenpox
C Mumps
D Influenza
ANSWER: A ws
A mother brings her 2-month-old son to the clinic for a well-
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws
Q6 baby exam. During the assessment the nurse finds that the right testicle is not descended int o
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws c v
the scrotum but the left is palpable. Which action should the nurse take?
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws
A Prepare to obtain a catheterized urine specimen for culture
ws cv cv cv cv cv cv cv
B Address possible concerns about the child's future fertility
ws cv cv ws cv cv cv
C ✔A sk if the right testis has been seen in the scrotum before
wsc v ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws
D Schedule an IV pyelogram to validate presence of testicle cv cv cv cv ws cv cv cv
ANSWER: C ws
The nurse is assessing a 6-month-
Q7
ws ws ws ws ws
old infant. Which response requires further evaluation by the nurse?
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws
A Has doubled birth weight ws cv cv
B Turns head to locate sound ws cv cv cv
C Plays peek-a-boo ws
D ✔D emonstrates startle reflex
wsc v c v wcvscv wcvscv
ANSWER: D ws
A 4-year- ws
Q8 old girl returns to the pediatrician's office for a postoperative visit following hospitalization for
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws wsc v c
vminor surgery. When observing the child in the waiting area, which behavior should the nurse
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws wsc v c
vconsider normal for this age child? ws ws ws ws ws
A Ignores other children in the play area ws cv cv cv cv cv
B Draws picture of self with facial features cv cv cv cv cv cv
C ✔T alks to an imaginary friend
wsc v ws ws ws ws
c v | For Study Purposes Onl
cv cv cv
y
, 2026 HESI PEDS RN EXIT EXAM
cv cv cv cv cv | Study Edition V1 & cv cv
D Sits quietly in her mother's lap
cv cv cv cv cv
ANSWER: C ws
A preschool-
ws
aged child experiencing respiratory distress is brought to the emergency department by the p ar
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws c v
Q9 ents. The child is anxious, has a temperature of 102.8°F (39.3°C), and is drooling from the m out
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws c v
h while leaning forward when sitting. Which action should the nurse prepare the child for n ext?
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws c v
A ✔O btain bedside trays for intubation or tracheotomy by the healthcare provider
wsc v c v ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws
B Begin prescribed intravenous antibiotic administration
cv cv cv cv
C Provide a nebulizer treatment with bronchodilators cv cv cv cv cv
D Schedule the child for a stat magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the neck
cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv ws
ANSWER: A ws
The nurse is caring for a preschool-
ws ws ws ws ws ws
aged child with a congenital heart defect who is admitted with intermittent low-
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws
Q10 grade fever, fatigue, and weight loss. Further physical assessment findings include a new mur
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws c v
mur, splinter hemorrhages under the nails, and painless red lesions on the palms of the hands
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws
. Which diagnostic procedure should the nurse prepare the parents to expect the healthcare pr ovi
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws c v
der to prescribe? ws ws
A ✔E chocardiogram
wsc v c v
B Electrocardiogram
C Chest radiography cv
D Computerized tomography (CT) scan cv cv cv
ANSWER: A ws w c v sc v | wc v sc v Note: A or B are debated; Echocardiogram is preferred
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws
A 6-year- ws
old male with a body mass index (BMI) in the 95th percentile arrives at the clinic after a referr a
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws c v
Q11 l from the school nurse. His laboratory findings include hemoglobin A1c of 5.5%, blood pres su
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws c v
re (BP) in the 50th percentile, height in the 75th percentile, and an LDL cholesterol of 90 m g/dL
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws c v
. Which lifestyle modification should the nurse discuss with the parents?
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws
A ✔R ecommend increasing daily fruits and vegetables and daily exercise
wsc v c v ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws
B Return in one month for another evaluation of serum lipids and blood pressure
cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv
C Instruct the parents to weigh the child weekly and measure his BP daily
cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv
D See a healthcare provider to further assess for diabetes and hypertension
cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv cv
ANSWER: A ws
When administering indomethacin to a premature infant who has patent ductus arteriosus, the
Q12
ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws ws
nurse should anticipate which outcome?
ws ws ws ws ws
A Decreased urinary output cv cv
B ✔D ecreased cardiac murmur
wsc v c v w scv w scv
C Increased number of red blood cells cv cv cv cv cv
D Increased respiratory effort cv cv
ANSWER: B ws
c v | For Study Purposes Onl
cv cv cv
y
