HESI PN PEDIATRICS EXAM QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS |
100% CORRECT | GRADE A+
CORE DOMAINS
• Growth and Development Milestones
• Pediatric Assessment and Communication
• Health Promotion and Immunizations
• Pediatric Pharmacology and Pain Management
• Respiratory Disorders
• Cardiovascular Disorders
• Gastrointestinal and Genitourinary Disorders
• Neurological and Musculoskeletal Disorders
• Hematologic and Oncologic Disorders
• Infectious Diseases and Safety
• NGN Unfolding Case Studies: Clinical Judgment
INTRODUCTION
This comprehensive examination is designed for practical nursing students
preparing for the HESI PN Pediatrics Exam. It contains verified questions
with correct answers and detailed rationales covering the core domains of
pediatric nursing. The examination mirrors the actual HESI PN proctored
exam format, including Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) style unfolding
case studies that assess clinical judgment. Emphasis is placed on
developmental considerations, family-centered care, medication safety, and
priority-setting. Each question is accompanied by a detailed rationale to
reinforce understanding of pediatric nursing concepts and safe clinical
decision-making.
SECTION ONE: GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT MILESTONES
(QUESTIONS 1–15)
,1. A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant during a well-child visit.
Which developmental milestone should the nurse expect the infant to
achieve?
A. Sitting without support
B. Rolling from abdomen to back
C. Pulling to a standing position
D. Walking independently
B. Rolling from abdomen to back
RATIONALE: Rolling from abdomen to back typically occurs by 4-6
months. Sitting without support occurs around 6-8 months. Pulling to stand
occurs around 9-10 months. Walking independently occurs around 12-15
months.
2. A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old toddler. Which fine motor skill
should the nurse expect?
A. Building a tower of 6 blocks
B. Using a spoon without spilling
C. Drawing a circle
D. Tying shoelaces
B. Using a spoon without spilling
RATIONALE: A 2-year-old can use a spoon without spilling. Building a
tower of 6 blocks is expected at 2.5-3 years. Drawing a circle is expected at
3 years. Tying shoelaces is expected at 5-6 years.
3. A nurse is assessing a 4-year-old child. Which language milestone
should the nurse expect?
A. Speaking in complete sentences
B. Using two-word phrases
C. Telling simple stories
D. Understanding abstract concepts
C. Telling simple stories
RATIONALE: A 4-year-old can tell simple stories. Speaking in complete
,sentences is expected at 3 years. Two-word phrases are expected at 2
years. Abstract concepts are expected in school-age children.
4. According to Erikson, the primary psychosocial conflict of the
toddler (1-3 years) is:
A. Trust vs. mistrust
B. Autonomy vs. shame and doubt
C. Initiative vs. guilt
D. Industry vs. inferiority
B. Autonomy vs. shame and doubt
RATIONALE: Toddlers are in Erikson's stage of autonomy vs. shame
and doubt, where they assert independence. Trust vs. mistrust is infancy.
Initiative vs. guilt is preschool. Industry vs. inferiority is school age.
5. A nurse is teaching parents about appropriate toys for a 9-month-
old infant. Which toy should the nurse recommend?
A. Nesting cups
B. Board games
C. Small building blocks
D. Video games
A. Nesting cups
RATIONALE: Nesting cups support fine motor development and object
exploration in a 9-month-old. Board games and video games are for older
children. Small blocks pose a choking hazard.
6. A nurse is assessing a 12-month-old infant. Which gross motor
milestone should the nurse expect?
A. Walking independently
B. Running
C. Jumping in place
D. Riding a tricycle
A. Walking independently
RATIONALE: Walking independently typically occurs around 12-15
, months. Running is 18-24 months. Jumping in place is 2-3 years. Riding a
tricycle is 3-4 years.
7. A nurse is assessing a 5-year-old child. Which developmental
milestone should the nurse expect?
A. Playing cooperatively with other children
B. Engaging in parallel play
C. Displaying stranger anxiety
D. Having imaginary friends
A. Playing cooperatively with other children
RATIONALE: By age 5, children engage in cooperative play. Parallel
play is typical of toddlers. Stranger anxiety peaks in infancy. Imaginary
friends are common in preschoolers (3-5 years).
8. A nurse is teaching parents about injury prevention for a 2-year-old.
Which statement indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "We have installed safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs."
B. "We keep medications in a locked cabinet."
C. "We leave small toys on the floor for the child to play with."
D. "We set the water heater temperature to 120°F or lower."
C. "We leave small toys on the floor for the child to play with."
RATIONALE: Small toys are a choking hazard for toddlers. They should
be kept out of reach. The other statements reflect appropriate injury
prevention strategies.
9. A nurse is assessing a 15-month-old toddler. Which finding would
be most concerning?
A. Uses 4-6 words
B. Points to desired objects
C. Follows simple one-step commands
D. Does not use any words
D. Does not use any words
RATIONALE: By 15 months, toddlers should use at least 4-6 words.
100% CORRECT | GRADE A+
CORE DOMAINS
• Growth and Development Milestones
• Pediatric Assessment and Communication
• Health Promotion and Immunizations
• Pediatric Pharmacology and Pain Management
• Respiratory Disorders
• Cardiovascular Disorders
• Gastrointestinal and Genitourinary Disorders
• Neurological and Musculoskeletal Disorders
• Hematologic and Oncologic Disorders
• Infectious Diseases and Safety
• NGN Unfolding Case Studies: Clinical Judgment
INTRODUCTION
This comprehensive examination is designed for practical nursing students
preparing for the HESI PN Pediatrics Exam. It contains verified questions
with correct answers and detailed rationales covering the core domains of
pediatric nursing. The examination mirrors the actual HESI PN proctored
exam format, including Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) style unfolding
case studies that assess clinical judgment. Emphasis is placed on
developmental considerations, family-centered care, medication safety, and
priority-setting. Each question is accompanied by a detailed rationale to
reinforce understanding of pediatric nursing concepts and safe clinical
decision-making.
SECTION ONE: GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT MILESTONES
(QUESTIONS 1–15)
,1. A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant during a well-child visit.
Which developmental milestone should the nurse expect the infant to
achieve?
A. Sitting without support
B. Rolling from abdomen to back
C. Pulling to a standing position
D. Walking independently
B. Rolling from abdomen to back
RATIONALE: Rolling from abdomen to back typically occurs by 4-6
months. Sitting without support occurs around 6-8 months. Pulling to stand
occurs around 9-10 months. Walking independently occurs around 12-15
months.
2. A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old toddler. Which fine motor skill
should the nurse expect?
A. Building a tower of 6 blocks
B. Using a spoon without spilling
C. Drawing a circle
D. Tying shoelaces
B. Using a spoon without spilling
RATIONALE: A 2-year-old can use a spoon without spilling. Building a
tower of 6 blocks is expected at 2.5-3 years. Drawing a circle is expected at
3 years. Tying shoelaces is expected at 5-6 years.
3. A nurse is assessing a 4-year-old child. Which language milestone
should the nurse expect?
A. Speaking in complete sentences
B. Using two-word phrases
C. Telling simple stories
D. Understanding abstract concepts
C. Telling simple stories
RATIONALE: A 4-year-old can tell simple stories. Speaking in complete
,sentences is expected at 3 years. Two-word phrases are expected at 2
years. Abstract concepts are expected in school-age children.
4. According to Erikson, the primary psychosocial conflict of the
toddler (1-3 years) is:
A. Trust vs. mistrust
B. Autonomy vs. shame and doubt
C. Initiative vs. guilt
D. Industry vs. inferiority
B. Autonomy vs. shame and doubt
RATIONALE: Toddlers are in Erikson's stage of autonomy vs. shame
and doubt, where they assert independence. Trust vs. mistrust is infancy.
Initiative vs. guilt is preschool. Industry vs. inferiority is school age.
5. A nurse is teaching parents about appropriate toys for a 9-month-
old infant. Which toy should the nurse recommend?
A. Nesting cups
B. Board games
C. Small building blocks
D. Video games
A. Nesting cups
RATIONALE: Nesting cups support fine motor development and object
exploration in a 9-month-old. Board games and video games are for older
children. Small blocks pose a choking hazard.
6. A nurse is assessing a 12-month-old infant. Which gross motor
milestone should the nurse expect?
A. Walking independently
B. Running
C. Jumping in place
D. Riding a tricycle
A. Walking independently
RATIONALE: Walking independently typically occurs around 12-15
, months. Running is 18-24 months. Jumping in place is 2-3 years. Riding a
tricycle is 3-4 years.
7. A nurse is assessing a 5-year-old child. Which developmental
milestone should the nurse expect?
A. Playing cooperatively with other children
B. Engaging in parallel play
C. Displaying stranger anxiety
D. Having imaginary friends
A. Playing cooperatively with other children
RATIONALE: By age 5, children engage in cooperative play. Parallel
play is typical of toddlers. Stranger anxiety peaks in infancy. Imaginary
friends are common in preschoolers (3-5 years).
8. A nurse is teaching parents about injury prevention for a 2-year-old.
Which statement indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "We have installed safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs."
B. "We keep medications in a locked cabinet."
C. "We leave small toys on the floor for the child to play with."
D. "We set the water heater temperature to 120°F or lower."
C. "We leave small toys on the floor for the child to play with."
RATIONALE: Small toys are a choking hazard for toddlers. They should
be kept out of reach. The other statements reflect appropriate injury
prevention strategies.
9. A nurse is assessing a 15-month-old toddler. Which finding would
be most concerning?
A. Uses 4-6 words
B. Points to desired objects
C. Follows simple one-step commands
D. Does not use any words
D. Does not use any words
RATIONALE: By 15 months, toddlers should use at least 4-6 words.
