HESI Pediatric Nursing Examination
100 Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A Instant Download Pdf
Questions 1–50
1. A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant. Which finding should the
nurse recognize as an expected developmental milestone?
A. Walking independently
B. Using a pincer grasp
C. Rolling from abdomen to back
D. Speaking in two-word phrases
Answer: Rolling from abdomen to back
Rationale: Rolling from abdomen to back is an expected gross-motor
milestone around 4–6 months. Walking, a pincer grasp, and two-word
phrases develop later.
2. A nurse is caring for a child with suspected epiglottitis. Which action is
most appropriate?
A. Inspect the throat with a tongue blade
B. Obtain a throat culture immediately
C. Keep the child calm and prepare for airway management
D. Place the child supine for examination
Answer: Keep the child calm and prepare for airway management
Rationale: Epiglottitis can cause sudden, life-threatening airway obstruction.
The child should remain calm, and the nurse should avoid throat examination
with a tongue blade because it may precipitate complete obstruction.
, 3. A child with asthma is experiencing acute wheezing and respiratory
distress. Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering
first?
A. Montelukast
B. Albuterol
C. Fluticasone
D. Prednisone
Answer: Albuterol
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist that rapidly
relaxes bronchial smooth muscle and is used for acute bronchospasm.
4. A nurse is teaching parents about preventing otitis media in an infant.
Which instruction is appropriate?
A. Feed the infant while lying flat
B. Avoid breastfeeding
C. Avoid exposure to cigarette smoke
D. Clean the infant's ears daily with cotton swabs
Answer: Avoid exposure to cigarette smoke
Rationale: Environmental tobacco smoke increases the risk of otitis media.
Infants should also be fed in an upright position, and cotton swabs should not
be inserted into the ear canal.
5. A child with type 1 diabetes mellitus is experiencing diabetic
ketoacidosis. Which finding should the nurse expect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Kussmaul respirations
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Respiratory alkalosis
Answer: Kussmaul respirations
Rationale: Metabolic acidosis associated with diabetic ketoacidosis causes
deep, rapid Kussmaul respirations as the body attempts to eliminate carbon
dioxide.
, 6. Which finding is most characteristic of nephrotic syndrome in a child?
A. Periorbital edema
B. Hemoptysis
C. Severe hypertension only
D. Increased urine output
Answer: Periorbital edema
Rationale: Nephrotic syndrome causes significant protein loss in the urine,
resulting in hypoalbuminemia and edema, commonly first noted around the
eyes.
7. A nurse is caring for a child with tetralogy of Fallot who develops a
hypercyanotic spell. Which intervention should the nurse perform?
A. Place the child in the knee-chest position
B. Encourage vigorous activity
C. Place the child flat
D. Restrict oxygen administration
Answer: Place the child in the knee-chest position
Rationale: The knee-chest position increases systemic vascular resistance and
reduces right-to-left shunting, improving pulmonary blood flow and
oxygenation.
8. A child with cystic fibrosis is prescribed pancreatic enzymes. When
should the nurse instruct the parents to administer the enzymes?
A. At bedtime only
B. Before and with meals and snacks
C. Once each morning
D. Two hours after meals
Answer: Before and with meals and snacks
Rationale: Pancreatic enzymes help digest nutrients and should be taken with
meals and snacks so they are present when food enters the intestine.
9. A nurse is assessing a child with dehydration. Which finding indicates
severe dehydration?
, A. Moist mucous membranes
B. Bounding pulse
C. Delayed capillary refill and lethargy
D. Increased urine output
Answer: Delayed capillary refill and lethargy
Rationale: Delayed capillary refill, lethargy, weak pulses, decreased urine
output, and poor skin perfusion are concerning findings associated with
significant dehydration.
10.A child with bacterial meningitis is admitted to the pediatric unit. Which
isolation precaution is initially appropriate?
A. Contact precautions only
B. Droplet precautions
C. Airborne precautions
D. Protective isolation
Answer: Droplet precautions
Rationale: Bacterial meningitis caused by organisms such as Neisseria
meningitidis requires droplet precautions in addition to standard precautions.
11.A nurse is teaching parents about oral rehydration for a child with
diarrhea. Which statement indicates understanding?
A. "I will give large amounts of plain water."
B. "I will use an oral rehydration solution in small, frequent amounts."
C. "I will stop all fluids until the diarrhea stops."
D. "I will give only fruit juice."
Answer: I will use an oral rehydration solution in small, frequent amounts.
Rationale: Oral rehydration solutions contain appropriate concentrations of
electrolytes and glucose and are administered in small, frequent amounts to
reduce vomiting and correct dehydration.
12.Which assessment finding is most concerning in an infant with
bronchiolitis?
100 Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A Instant Download Pdf
Questions 1–50
1. A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant. Which finding should the
nurse recognize as an expected developmental milestone?
A. Walking independently
B. Using a pincer grasp
C. Rolling from abdomen to back
D. Speaking in two-word phrases
Answer: Rolling from abdomen to back
Rationale: Rolling from abdomen to back is an expected gross-motor
milestone around 4–6 months. Walking, a pincer grasp, and two-word
phrases develop later.
2. A nurse is caring for a child with suspected epiglottitis. Which action is
most appropriate?
A. Inspect the throat with a tongue blade
B. Obtain a throat culture immediately
C. Keep the child calm and prepare for airway management
D. Place the child supine for examination
Answer: Keep the child calm and prepare for airway management
Rationale: Epiglottitis can cause sudden, life-threatening airway obstruction.
The child should remain calm, and the nurse should avoid throat examination
with a tongue blade because it may precipitate complete obstruction.
, 3. A child with asthma is experiencing acute wheezing and respiratory
distress. Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering
first?
A. Montelukast
B. Albuterol
C. Fluticasone
D. Prednisone
Answer: Albuterol
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist that rapidly
relaxes bronchial smooth muscle and is used for acute bronchospasm.
4. A nurse is teaching parents about preventing otitis media in an infant.
Which instruction is appropriate?
A. Feed the infant while lying flat
B. Avoid breastfeeding
C. Avoid exposure to cigarette smoke
D. Clean the infant's ears daily with cotton swabs
Answer: Avoid exposure to cigarette smoke
Rationale: Environmental tobacco smoke increases the risk of otitis media.
Infants should also be fed in an upright position, and cotton swabs should not
be inserted into the ear canal.
5. A child with type 1 diabetes mellitus is experiencing diabetic
ketoacidosis. Which finding should the nurse expect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Kussmaul respirations
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Respiratory alkalosis
Answer: Kussmaul respirations
Rationale: Metabolic acidosis associated with diabetic ketoacidosis causes
deep, rapid Kussmaul respirations as the body attempts to eliminate carbon
dioxide.
, 6. Which finding is most characteristic of nephrotic syndrome in a child?
A. Periorbital edema
B. Hemoptysis
C. Severe hypertension only
D. Increased urine output
Answer: Periorbital edema
Rationale: Nephrotic syndrome causes significant protein loss in the urine,
resulting in hypoalbuminemia and edema, commonly first noted around the
eyes.
7. A nurse is caring for a child with tetralogy of Fallot who develops a
hypercyanotic spell. Which intervention should the nurse perform?
A. Place the child in the knee-chest position
B. Encourage vigorous activity
C. Place the child flat
D. Restrict oxygen administration
Answer: Place the child in the knee-chest position
Rationale: The knee-chest position increases systemic vascular resistance and
reduces right-to-left shunting, improving pulmonary blood flow and
oxygenation.
8. A child with cystic fibrosis is prescribed pancreatic enzymes. When
should the nurse instruct the parents to administer the enzymes?
A. At bedtime only
B. Before and with meals and snacks
C. Once each morning
D. Two hours after meals
Answer: Before and with meals and snacks
Rationale: Pancreatic enzymes help digest nutrients and should be taken with
meals and snacks so they are present when food enters the intestine.
9. A nurse is assessing a child with dehydration. Which finding indicates
severe dehydration?
, A. Moist mucous membranes
B. Bounding pulse
C. Delayed capillary refill and lethargy
D. Increased urine output
Answer: Delayed capillary refill and lethargy
Rationale: Delayed capillary refill, lethargy, weak pulses, decreased urine
output, and poor skin perfusion are concerning findings associated with
significant dehydration.
10.A child with bacterial meningitis is admitted to the pediatric unit. Which
isolation precaution is initially appropriate?
A. Contact precautions only
B. Droplet precautions
C. Airborne precautions
D. Protective isolation
Answer: Droplet precautions
Rationale: Bacterial meningitis caused by organisms such as Neisseria
meningitidis requires droplet precautions in addition to standard precautions.
11.A nurse is teaching parents about oral rehydration for a child with
diarrhea. Which statement indicates understanding?
A. "I will give large amounts of plain water."
B. "I will use an oral rehydration solution in small, frequent amounts."
C. "I will stop all fluids until the diarrhea stops."
D. "I will give only fruit juice."
Answer: I will use an oral rehydration solution in small, frequent amounts.
Rationale: Oral rehydration solutions contain appropriate concentrations of
electrolytes and glucose and are administered in small, frequent amounts to
reduce vomiting and correct dehydration.
12.Which assessment finding is most concerning in an infant with
bronchiolitis?
