2026 HESI PEDIATRIC (PEDS) RN EXIT EXAM Versions 1 & 2 — Redesigned Study Edition Spring 2026 | Compiled with Correct Answers

2026 HESI PEDS RN EXIT EXAM
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2026HESIPEDIATRIC(PEDS)RNEXITEXAM a aa aa aa aa aa




Versions1&2 — Redesigned Study Edition aa aa aa a a a a aa aa




Spring2026 | Compiledwith CorrectAnswers aa a a a a aa aa aa




HOW TO USETHIS GUIDE | V1 uses multiple-choice format with highlighted correct answer(s). V2 uses short-answer/fill-in format
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with the answer displayed directly. Questions marked with a note contain clarifications where answers are debated.
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VERSION 1 — MultipleChoice(55Questions) aa a a a a aa aa aa




The nurse is assessing a 9-year-old boy admitted with possible acute poststreptococcal
Q1
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glomerulonephritis (APSGN). In obtaining hishistory,whatinformation is mostsignificant?
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A ✔A sore throat last week
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B A history of hypertension
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C Diuresisduring the night a aa aa




D Back pain for a few days aa aa aa aa aa




ANSWER: A aa




The nurse is measuring the frontal occipital circumference (FOC) of a 3-month-old infant, and
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Q2 notes that the FOC has increased 5 inches (12.7cm) since birth and the child's head appears
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large in relation to body size. Which action is most important for the nurse to take next?
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A Plot the measurement onthe infant's growth chart
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B Observe the infant for sunset eyes aa aa aa aa aa




C Measurethe infant's head-to-heel length aa aa aa aa




D ✔Palpatetheanterior fontanel for tension and bulging
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ANSWER: D aa




A female infantrecently admitted withvomiting and diarrhea now weighs 10kg. Her weight at a
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Q3 previous well-baby visit was 11 kg. What is the percentage of body weight loss for this infant?
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A 4%
B ✔9% a




C 10%
D 5%
ANSWER: B aa

,2026 HESI PEDS RN EXIT EXAM
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A male high school student with Type 1 diabetes tests his blood glucose level before playing a
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Q4 game of soccer, and he obtains a reading of 180 mg/dL (10 mmol/L). Based on this reading,
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which action should the nurse take?
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A ✔Tell him to eat a sandwich and fruit before beginning the game
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B Check his urine for ketones aa aa aa aa




C Give him permission to go ahead and play soccer
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D Callthehealthcare provider
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ANSWER: A aa




A 7-year-old child is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever. In
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Q5 obtaining a health history fromthe child's mother, the recent occurrence of which illness is most
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significant?
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A ✔Sore throat
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B Chickenpox
C Mumps
D Influenza
ANSWER: A aa




A mother brings her 2-month-old son to the clinic for a well-baby exam. During the assessment
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Q6 the nurse finds that the right testicle is not descended into the scrotum but the left is palpable.
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Which action should the nurse take?
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A Prepare toobtain a catheterizedurine specimenfor culture aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa




B Address possible concerns about thechild's future fertility aa aa aa aa aa aa aa




C ✔Ask if the right testis has been seen in the scrotum before
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D Schedule an IV pyelogram tovalidate presenceof testicle aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa




ANSWER: C aa




Thenurseis assessing a 6-month-oldinfant. Which response requires further evaluation by the
Q7
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nurse?
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A Has doubled birth weight
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B Turns head to locate sound aa aa aa aa




C Playspeek-a-boo a




D ✔Demonstrates startle reflex
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ANSWER: D aa




A 4-year-old girl returns to the pediatrician's office for a postoperative visit following
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Q8 hospitalization for minor surgery.When observing the child in the waiting area, which behavior
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should the nurse consider normal for this age child?
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A Ignores other children in the play area aa aa aa aa aa aa




B Draws picture of self with facial features aa aa aa aa aa aa




C ✔Talks to an imaginaryfriend
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, 2026 HESI PEDS RN EXIT EXAM
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D Sits quietly in her mother's lapa a a a a a a a a a




ANSWER:teC a




A preschool-aged child experiencing respiratory distress is brought to the emergency
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department by the parents. The child is anxious, has a temperature of 102.8°F (39.3°C),
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Q9
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and is drooling from the mouth while leaning forward when sitting. Which action should
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the nurse prepare the child for next?
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A ✔ Obtain bedside trays for intubation or tracheotomy by the healthcare provider
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B Begin prescribed intravenous antibiotic administration a a a a a a a a




C Provide a nebulizer treatment with bronchodilators a a a a a a a a a a




D Schedule the child for a stat magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the neck a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a




ANSWER:teA a




The nurse is caring for a preschool-aged child with a congenital heart defect who is
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admitted with intermittent low-grade fever, fatigue, and weight loss. Further physical
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Q10 assessment findings include a new murmur, splinter hemorrhages under the nails, and
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painless red lesions on the palms of the hands. Which diagnostic procedure should the
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nurse prepare the parents to expect the healthcare provider to prescribe?
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A ✔ Echocardiogram te



B Electrocardiogram
C Chest radiography a a




D Computerized tomography (CT) scan a a a a a a




ANSWER:teA t e | t e Note:teAteorteBtearetedebated;teEchocardiogramteistepreferred
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A 6-year-old male with a body mass index (BMI) in the 95th percentile arrives at the clinic
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after a referral from the school nurse. His laboratory findings include hemoglobin A1c of
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Q11 a5.5%, blood pressure (BP) in the 50th percentile, height in the 75th percentile, and an
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aLDL cholesterol of 90 mg/dL. Which lifestyle modification should the nurse discuss with
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athe parents?
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A ✔ Recommend increasing daily fruits and vegetables and daily exercise
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B Return in one month for another evaluation of serum lipids and blood pressure
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C Instruct the parents to weigh the child weekly and measure his BP daily a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a




D See a healthcare provider to further assess for diabetes and hypertension
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When administering indomethacin to a premature infant who has patent ductus arteriosus,
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Q12
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the nurse should anticipate which outcome?
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A Decreased urinary output a a a a




B ✔ Decreased cardiac murmur
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C Increased number of red blood cells a a a a a a a a a a




D Increased respiratory effort a a a a




ANSWER:teB a




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