HESI Pediatric Exam (21 Versions, 1200+ Q and A,
Latest-2023) / Pediatric HESI Exam / HESI Pediatrics
Exam / Pediatrics HESI Exam / HESI Peds Exam /
Peds HESI Exam |Real + Practice Exam
Section 1: Growth & Development (Q1–Q20)
1. A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant. Which finding should the nurse expect?
A. Birth weight doubled
B. Birth weight tripled
C. Able to sit without support
D. Pincer grasp present
Correct: A. Birth weight doubles by 5–6 months and triples by 12 months. Sitting
without support occurs at ~8 months; pincer grasp at 9–10 months.
2. Which toy is most developmentally appropriate for a 4-month-old?
A. Stacking blocks
B. Musical mobile
C. Push-pull toy
D. Building blocks
Correct: B. Infants at 4 months visually track and respond to sound; mobiles provide
appropriate visual/auditory stimulation. Stacking/push-pull toys are for older
toddlers/preschoolers.
3. The nurse observes a 9-month-old pick up a small piece of cereal with thumb and index
finger. This is documented as:
A. Palmer grasp
B. Pincer grasp
C. Raking grasp
D. Moro reflex
Correct: B. Pincer grasp (thumb + index finger) develops at 9–10 months. Palmer grasp
is a newborn reflex; raking grasp appears ~7 months.
4. According to Erikson, the developmental task of a 3-year-old is:
A. Trust vs. mistrust
,B. Autonomy vs. shame
C. Initiative vs. guilt
D. Industry vs. inferiority
Correct: C. Initiative vs. guilt (ages 3–6). Trust = infancy; Autonomy = 1–3 years; Industry
= 6–12 years.
5. A nurse is teaching parents about toilet training. Which statement indicates correct
understanding?
A. "We should start when she is 12 months old."
B. "We should start when she shows readiness signs like staying dry for 2 hours."
C. "Punishment speeds up the process."
D. "Nighttime dryness always comes before daytime dryness."
Correct: B. Readiness signs (dry 2+ hours, interest, verbalizing need) typically appear
18–24 months. Daytime control precedes nighttime.
6. Which finding in a 2-year-old indicates a possible developmental delay?
A. Vocabulary of 50 words
B. Unable to walk independently
C. Able to run
D. Stacks 4 blocks
Correct: B. Independent walking should be achieved by 15–18 months. Inability at 2
years warrants evaluation. The other findings are age-appropriate.
7. The nurse is assessing a 5-year-old. Which behavior best demonstrates magical thinking?
A. Sharing toys with a friend
B. Believing a monster lives under the bed
C. Understanding that death is permanent
D. Following rules to avoid punishment
Correct: B. Magical thinking is typical of preschoolers (Piaget preoperational stage).
Understanding death as permanent is a school-age concept.
8. A 10-year-old is hospitalized. Which intervention best supports Erikson's stage of industry vs.
inferiority?
A. Allowing the child to choose meal times
B. Providing schoolwork and praising accomplishments
C. Encouraging the parent to stay at the bedside
D. Offering a security blanket
, Correct: B. School-age children need to feel competent. Schoolwork and praise for
achievement support industry.
9. Which physical finding is expected in an adolescent?
A. Decreased sebaceous gland activity
B. Deciduous tooth eruption
C. Growth spurt and secondary sexual characteristics
D. Closure of the anterior fontanel
Correct: C. Adolescence involves rapid growth and sexual maturation. Fontanel closure
occurs by 18 months; primary teeth erupt in infancy.
10. The nurse is teaching a mother about stranger anxiety. At what age does it typically peak?
A. 2 months
B. 7–9 months
C. 18 months
D. 3 years
Correct: B. Stranger anxiety peaks at 7–9 months and resolves by ~2 years.
11. Which statement by a parent of a 15-month-old indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I should toddler-proof the cabinets."
B. "I can give whole milk instead of formula."
C. "I should give her a pillow in the crib."
D. "She may have temper tantrums."
Correct: C. Pillows in a crib increase risk of suffocation and SIDS; they should not be
used for toddlers either. The other statements are correct.
12. The nurse is assessing a 3-month-old. Which milestone should be present?
A. Rolling from back to stomach
B. Head control when held upright
C. Transferring objects hand to hand
D. Sitting with support
Correct: B. Head control develops by 3–4 months. Rolling back-to-stomach ~5–6
months; hand transfer ~6 months; sitting with support ~6–8 months.
13. A 4-year-old is in the preoperational stage. Which characteristic should the nurse expect?
A. Conservation of volume
B. Egocentric thinking
Latest-2023) / Pediatric HESI Exam / HESI Pediatrics
Exam / Pediatrics HESI Exam / HESI Peds Exam /
Peds HESI Exam |Real + Practice Exam
Section 1: Growth & Development (Q1–Q20)
1. A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant. Which finding should the nurse expect?
A. Birth weight doubled
B. Birth weight tripled
C. Able to sit without support
D. Pincer grasp present
Correct: A. Birth weight doubles by 5–6 months and triples by 12 months. Sitting
without support occurs at ~8 months; pincer grasp at 9–10 months.
2. Which toy is most developmentally appropriate for a 4-month-old?
A. Stacking blocks
B. Musical mobile
C. Push-pull toy
D. Building blocks
Correct: B. Infants at 4 months visually track and respond to sound; mobiles provide
appropriate visual/auditory stimulation. Stacking/push-pull toys are for older
toddlers/preschoolers.
3. The nurse observes a 9-month-old pick up a small piece of cereal with thumb and index
finger. This is documented as:
A. Palmer grasp
B. Pincer grasp
C. Raking grasp
D. Moro reflex
Correct: B. Pincer grasp (thumb + index finger) develops at 9–10 months. Palmer grasp
is a newborn reflex; raking grasp appears ~7 months.
4. According to Erikson, the developmental task of a 3-year-old is:
A. Trust vs. mistrust
,B. Autonomy vs. shame
C. Initiative vs. guilt
D. Industry vs. inferiority
Correct: C. Initiative vs. guilt (ages 3–6). Trust = infancy; Autonomy = 1–3 years; Industry
= 6–12 years.
5. A nurse is teaching parents about toilet training. Which statement indicates correct
understanding?
A. "We should start when she is 12 months old."
B. "We should start when she shows readiness signs like staying dry for 2 hours."
C. "Punishment speeds up the process."
D. "Nighttime dryness always comes before daytime dryness."
Correct: B. Readiness signs (dry 2+ hours, interest, verbalizing need) typically appear
18–24 months. Daytime control precedes nighttime.
6. Which finding in a 2-year-old indicates a possible developmental delay?
A. Vocabulary of 50 words
B. Unable to walk independently
C. Able to run
D. Stacks 4 blocks
Correct: B. Independent walking should be achieved by 15–18 months. Inability at 2
years warrants evaluation. The other findings are age-appropriate.
7. The nurse is assessing a 5-year-old. Which behavior best demonstrates magical thinking?
A. Sharing toys with a friend
B. Believing a monster lives under the bed
C. Understanding that death is permanent
D. Following rules to avoid punishment
Correct: B. Magical thinking is typical of preschoolers (Piaget preoperational stage).
Understanding death as permanent is a school-age concept.
8. A 10-year-old is hospitalized. Which intervention best supports Erikson's stage of industry vs.
inferiority?
A. Allowing the child to choose meal times
B. Providing schoolwork and praising accomplishments
C. Encouraging the parent to stay at the bedside
D. Offering a security blanket
, Correct: B. School-age children need to feel competent. Schoolwork and praise for
achievement support industry.
9. Which physical finding is expected in an adolescent?
A. Decreased sebaceous gland activity
B. Deciduous tooth eruption
C. Growth spurt and secondary sexual characteristics
D. Closure of the anterior fontanel
Correct: C. Adolescence involves rapid growth and sexual maturation. Fontanel closure
occurs by 18 months; primary teeth erupt in infancy.
10. The nurse is teaching a mother about stranger anxiety. At what age does it typically peak?
A. 2 months
B. 7–9 months
C. 18 months
D. 3 years
Correct: B. Stranger anxiety peaks at 7–9 months and resolves by ~2 years.
11. Which statement by a parent of a 15-month-old indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I should toddler-proof the cabinets."
B. "I can give whole milk instead of formula."
C. "I should give her a pillow in the crib."
D. "She may have temper tantrums."
Correct: C. Pillows in a crib increase risk of suffocation and SIDS; they should not be
used for toddlers either. The other statements are correct.
12. The nurse is assessing a 3-month-old. Which milestone should be present?
A. Rolling from back to stomach
B. Head control when held upright
C. Transferring objects hand to hand
D. Sitting with support
Correct: B. Head control develops by 3–4 months. Rolling back-to-stomach ~5–6
months; hand transfer ~6 months; sitting with support ~6–8 months.
13. A 4-year-old is in the preoperational stage. Which characteristic should the nurse expect?
A. Conservation of volume
B. Egocentric thinking
