1
HESI Pediatric (PEDS) Exam Practice Questions with Answers
Below are 100 questions compiled from verified HESI Pediatric exam materials, covering
growth & development, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, genitourinary,
hematologic, and emergency topics. Each question includes the correct answer and a
detailed rationale.
Growth & Development (Erikson, Piaget, Milestones)
Q1. A parent asks the nurse when their 4-month-old infant will be able to sit unsupported.
Which response by the nurse is accurate?
A. "Your baby should be sitting unsupported by 5 months."
B. "Most infants sit unsupported between 6 and 8 months of age."
C. "This milestone is usually delayed until 10 months."
D. "Infants can sit unsupported as soon as they can roll over."
:B
Rationale: Gross motor development follows a cephalocaudal pattern. Sitting unsupported
requires strong back and neck muscles, typically developing between 6 and 8 months.
Rolling over (4–6 months) precedes sitting but does not guarantee it immediately.
Q2. According to Erikson's psychosocial theory, which developmental conflict is the priority
for a 4-year-old child?
A. Trust vs. Mistrust
B. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
C. Initiative vs. Guilt
D. Industry vs. Inferiority
Answer: C
Rationale: The preschool stage (3–6 years) is Initiative vs. Guilt. The child asserts control over
their environment and initiates activities. Trust vs. Mistrust is infancy (0–1 year); Autonomy
vs. Shame is toddlerhood (1–3 years); Industry vs. Inferiority is school-age (6–12 years).
Q3. The parent of a 15-month-old toddler asks why the child says "no" to everything. The
nurse explains this behavior is consistent with which Erikson stage?
A. Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt
B. Trust vs. Mistrust
C. Initiative vs. Guilt
D. Industry vs. Inferiority
Answer: A
Rationale: Toddlerhood (1–3 years) is characterized by Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt. Saying
"no" is a healthy assertion of autonomy. Shame develops if parents overcontrol.
,2
Q4. According to Piaget, a 7-month-old infant drops a rattle, and the nurse picks it up. The
infant repeats this several times, watching intently. This behavior demonstrates:
A. Object permanence
B. Secondary circular reaction
C. Transductive reasoning
D. Centration
Answer: B
Rationale: Secondary circular reactions (4–8 months) involve the infant repeating actions to
make an interesting result last. Object permanence occurs around 8–12 months.
Q5. During a well-baby check, the nurse hides a block under the baby's blanket, and the
baby looks for the block. Which normal growth and development milestone is the baby
developing?
A. Separation anxiety
B. Associative play
C. Object prehension
D. Object permanence
Answer: D
Rationale: Object permanence is the understanding that objects continue to exist even when
they cannot be seen. This typically develops around 8–12 months.
Q6. The nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant. Which response requires further evaluation
by the nurse?
A. Has doubled birth weight
B. Turns head to locate sound
C. Plays peek-a-boo
D. Demonstrates startle reflex
Answer: D
Rationale: The startle (Moro) reflex should disappear by 4–6 months. Its presence at 6
months requires further evaluation. Doubling birth weight, turning to sound, and playing
peek-a-boo are appropriate for this age.
Q7. A 4-month-old infant is brought to the clinic. The nurse observes that the infant does
not yet roll from prone to supine. Which response is most appropriate?
A. Rolling typically begins after 8 months, so this finding is expected at 4 months
B. Most infants roll from prone to supine by 4 to 5 months; continue monitoring and
reassess soon
C. Immediate referral to a neurologist is required for any delayed motor milestone
D. The infant should already be sitting independently without support at this age
, 3
Answer: B
Rationale: Rolling prone to supine commonly appears around 4–5 months. The nurse should
provide accurate timing, encourage monitoring, and plan follow-up rather than immediate
specialist referral.
Q8. A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to the parents of a 6-month-old infant. Which
safety instruction is the priority topic for this age group?
A. Gun safety in the home
B. Avoiding domestic pets
C. Importance of rear-facing car seats
D. Teaching the child to swim
Answer: C
Rationale: Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of injury death in infants. The AAP
recommends rear-facing car seats until age 2 or until the child reaches the maximum
height/weight limit.
Q9. Which developmental milestone is typically achieved by a 12-month-old infant?
A. Using a spoon effectively
B. Standing alone and taking a few steps
C. Saying sentences of 4–5 words
D. Jumping in place
Answer: B
Rationale: By 12 months, most infants can stand alone and take their first steps. Spoon usage
and jumping are toddler milestones (18–24 months).
Q10. A nurse is teaching parents of a 2-week-old newborn about safe sleep practices. Which
instruction correctly reflects current recommendations?
A. Place the infant prone with a soft pillow to support the neck
B. Place the infant supine on a firm flat surface without soft bedding or loose objects
C. Allow side-sleeping with a wedge to prevent aspiration of spit-up
D. Share the adult bed for the first month to facilitate breastfeeding
Answer: B
Rationale: Supine positioning on a firm surface without soft objects reduces sudden infant
death risk. Prone or side positions and bed-sharing increase risk.
Q11. A 9-year-old child steals a toy from a peer. The child says, "I wanted it, so I took it." The
nurse recognizes this behavior is characteristic of which level of Kohlberg's moral
development?
A. Pre-conventional Stage 1 (Obedience and Punishment)
B. Pre-conventional Stage 2 (Individualism and Exchange)
HESI Pediatric (PEDS) Exam Practice Questions with Answers
Below are 100 questions compiled from verified HESI Pediatric exam materials, covering
growth & development, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, genitourinary,
hematologic, and emergency topics. Each question includes the correct answer and a
detailed rationale.
Growth & Development (Erikson, Piaget, Milestones)
Q1. A parent asks the nurse when their 4-month-old infant will be able to sit unsupported.
Which response by the nurse is accurate?
A. "Your baby should be sitting unsupported by 5 months."
B. "Most infants sit unsupported between 6 and 8 months of age."
C. "This milestone is usually delayed until 10 months."
D. "Infants can sit unsupported as soon as they can roll over."
:B
Rationale: Gross motor development follows a cephalocaudal pattern. Sitting unsupported
requires strong back and neck muscles, typically developing between 6 and 8 months.
Rolling over (4–6 months) precedes sitting but does not guarantee it immediately.
Q2. According to Erikson's psychosocial theory, which developmental conflict is the priority
for a 4-year-old child?
A. Trust vs. Mistrust
B. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
C. Initiative vs. Guilt
D. Industry vs. Inferiority
Answer: C
Rationale: The preschool stage (3–6 years) is Initiative vs. Guilt. The child asserts control over
their environment and initiates activities. Trust vs. Mistrust is infancy (0–1 year); Autonomy
vs. Shame is toddlerhood (1–3 years); Industry vs. Inferiority is school-age (6–12 years).
Q3. The parent of a 15-month-old toddler asks why the child says "no" to everything. The
nurse explains this behavior is consistent with which Erikson stage?
A. Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt
B. Trust vs. Mistrust
C. Initiative vs. Guilt
D. Industry vs. Inferiority
Answer: A
Rationale: Toddlerhood (1–3 years) is characterized by Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt. Saying
"no" is a healthy assertion of autonomy. Shame develops if parents overcontrol.
,2
Q4. According to Piaget, a 7-month-old infant drops a rattle, and the nurse picks it up. The
infant repeats this several times, watching intently. This behavior demonstrates:
A. Object permanence
B. Secondary circular reaction
C. Transductive reasoning
D. Centration
Answer: B
Rationale: Secondary circular reactions (4–8 months) involve the infant repeating actions to
make an interesting result last. Object permanence occurs around 8–12 months.
Q5. During a well-baby check, the nurse hides a block under the baby's blanket, and the
baby looks for the block. Which normal growth and development milestone is the baby
developing?
A. Separation anxiety
B. Associative play
C. Object prehension
D. Object permanence
Answer: D
Rationale: Object permanence is the understanding that objects continue to exist even when
they cannot be seen. This typically develops around 8–12 months.
Q6. The nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant. Which response requires further evaluation
by the nurse?
A. Has doubled birth weight
B. Turns head to locate sound
C. Plays peek-a-boo
D. Demonstrates startle reflex
Answer: D
Rationale: The startle (Moro) reflex should disappear by 4–6 months. Its presence at 6
months requires further evaluation. Doubling birth weight, turning to sound, and playing
peek-a-boo are appropriate for this age.
Q7. A 4-month-old infant is brought to the clinic. The nurse observes that the infant does
not yet roll from prone to supine. Which response is most appropriate?
A. Rolling typically begins after 8 months, so this finding is expected at 4 months
B. Most infants roll from prone to supine by 4 to 5 months; continue monitoring and
reassess soon
C. Immediate referral to a neurologist is required for any delayed motor milestone
D. The infant should already be sitting independently without support at this age
, 3
Answer: B
Rationale: Rolling prone to supine commonly appears around 4–5 months. The nurse should
provide accurate timing, encourage monitoring, and plan follow-up rather than immediate
specialist referral.
Q8. A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to the parents of a 6-month-old infant. Which
safety instruction is the priority topic for this age group?
A. Gun safety in the home
B. Avoiding domestic pets
C. Importance of rear-facing car seats
D. Teaching the child to swim
Answer: C
Rationale: Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of injury death in infants. The AAP
recommends rear-facing car seats until age 2 or until the child reaches the maximum
height/weight limit.
Q9. Which developmental milestone is typically achieved by a 12-month-old infant?
A. Using a spoon effectively
B. Standing alone and taking a few steps
C. Saying sentences of 4–5 words
D. Jumping in place
Answer: B
Rationale: By 12 months, most infants can stand alone and take their first steps. Spoon usage
and jumping are toddler milestones (18–24 months).
Q10. A nurse is teaching parents of a 2-week-old newborn about safe sleep practices. Which
instruction correctly reflects current recommendations?
A. Place the infant prone with a soft pillow to support the neck
B. Place the infant supine on a firm flat surface without soft bedding or loose objects
C. Allow side-sleeping with a wedge to prevent aspiration of spit-up
D. Share the adult bed for the first month to facilitate breastfeeding
Answer: B
Rationale: Supine positioning on a firm surface without soft objects reduces sudden infant
death risk. Prone or side positions and bed-sharing increase risk.
Q11. A 9-year-old child steals a toy from a peer. The child says, "I wanted it, so I took it." The
nurse recognizes this behavior is characteristic of which level of Kohlberg's moral
development?
A. Pre-conventional Stage 1 (Obedience and Punishment)
B. Pre-conventional Stage 2 (Individualism and Exchange)
