HESI Pediatrics Practice Exam | 2025/2026
Edition
Guaranteed A+ | Actual Questions and Verified Answers | Complete and
100% Correct
1 Introduction
This document features a complete set of verified, 100% correct questions and
answers from the HESI Pediatrics Practice Exam, fully updated for the 2025/2026
academic year. It covers essential pediatric nursing topics such as growth and
development, pediatric medication dosages, common childhood diseases, immu-
nizations, and family-centered care. Crafted to reflect the format and complexity
of the actual HESI Pediatrics exam, this A+ rated study tool is ideal for nursing
students preparing for pediatric care assessments.
2 Exam Questions and Answers
1. A 4-year-old child is admitted with suspected bacterial meningitis. Which
action should the nurse prioritize?
A) Administer oral antibiotics immediately
B) Initiate droplet precautions
C) Encourage family visitation
D) Perform a developmental assessment
Rationale: Bacterial meningitis is highly contagious and requires droplet pre-
cautions to prevent spread until antibiotics are effective for 24 hours.
2. A nurse is calculating the maintenance fluid rate for a 10-kg child. What is
the correct daily fluid requirement?
A) 500 mL/day
B) 1000 mL/day
C) 1500 mL/day
D) 2000 mL/day
Rationale: For children weighing 10–20 kg, maintenance fluid is calculated
as 100 mL/kg for the first 10 kg, equaling 1000 mL/day for a 10-kg child.
3. A 6-month-old infant is diagnosed with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Which intervention is most appropriate?
A) Administer antibiotics
B) Provide supplemental oxygen as needed
C) Encourage oral feeding
D) Restrict parental contact
Rationale: RSV is a viral infection; supplemental oxygen supports breathing
difficulties, which are common in infants with RSV.
4. A nurse is teaching parents about the varicella vaccine. At what age is the
first dose typically given?
HESI | Pediatrics Practice Exam | Verified Questions and Answers |
Guaranteed A+ | 100% Correct | 2025/2026
, A) 6 months
B) 12–15 months
C) 2 years
D) 4 years
Rationale: The first dose of the varicella vaccine is recommended at 12–15
months, with a second dose at 4–6 years.
5. A 2-year-old is admitted with dehydration due to gastroenteritis. Which
assessment finding indicates severe dehydration?
A) Moist mucous membranes
B) Sunken fontanelles
C) Normal skin turgor
D) Active behavior
Rationale: Sunken fontanelles in a young child indicate severe dehydration
due to significant fluid loss.
6. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a 3-year-old with heart fail-
ure. What should the nurse check first?
A) Blood pressure
B) Apical pulse
C) Respiratory rate
D) Temperature
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia; checking the apical pulse ensures
it is within a safe range before administration.
7. A 5-year-old with asthma is experiencing an acute exacerbation. Which
medication should the nurse administer first?
A) Prednisone
B) Albuterol
C) Montelukast
D) Ipratropium
Rationale: Albuterol, a short-acting beta-agonist, is the first-line treatment
for acute asthma exacerbations to relieve bronchospasm.
8. A nurse is assessing a 9-month-old for developmental milestones. Which
finding indicates a developmental delay?
A) Sits without support
B) Unable to transfer objects between hands
C) Responds to own name
D) Babbles vowel sounds
Rationale: By 9 months, infants should transfer objects between hands; in-
ability to do so suggests a fine motor delay.
9. A 12-year-old with type 1 diabetes reports feeling shaky and sweaty. What
is the nurse’s priority action?
A) Administer insulin
B) Provide a fast-acting carbohydrate
C) Check blood pressure
D) Encourage rest
Rationale: Shaking and sweating indicate hypoglycemia; a fast-acting carbo-
HESI | Pediatrics Practice Exam | Verified Questions and Answers |
Guaranteed A+ | 100% Correct | 2025/2026
Edition
Guaranteed A+ | Actual Questions and Verified Answers | Complete and
100% Correct
1 Introduction
This document features a complete set of verified, 100% correct questions and
answers from the HESI Pediatrics Practice Exam, fully updated for the 2025/2026
academic year. It covers essential pediatric nursing topics such as growth and
development, pediatric medication dosages, common childhood diseases, immu-
nizations, and family-centered care. Crafted to reflect the format and complexity
of the actual HESI Pediatrics exam, this A+ rated study tool is ideal for nursing
students preparing for pediatric care assessments.
2 Exam Questions and Answers
1. A 4-year-old child is admitted with suspected bacterial meningitis. Which
action should the nurse prioritize?
A) Administer oral antibiotics immediately
B) Initiate droplet precautions
C) Encourage family visitation
D) Perform a developmental assessment
Rationale: Bacterial meningitis is highly contagious and requires droplet pre-
cautions to prevent spread until antibiotics are effective for 24 hours.
2. A nurse is calculating the maintenance fluid rate for a 10-kg child. What is
the correct daily fluid requirement?
A) 500 mL/day
B) 1000 mL/day
C) 1500 mL/day
D) 2000 mL/day
Rationale: For children weighing 10–20 kg, maintenance fluid is calculated
as 100 mL/kg for the first 10 kg, equaling 1000 mL/day for a 10-kg child.
3. A 6-month-old infant is diagnosed with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Which intervention is most appropriate?
A) Administer antibiotics
B) Provide supplemental oxygen as needed
C) Encourage oral feeding
D) Restrict parental contact
Rationale: RSV is a viral infection; supplemental oxygen supports breathing
difficulties, which are common in infants with RSV.
4. A nurse is teaching parents about the varicella vaccine. At what age is the
first dose typically given?
HESI | Pediatrics Practice Exam | Verified Questions and Answers |
Guaranteed A+ | 100% Correct | 2025/2026
, A) 6 months
B) 12–15 months
C) 2 years
D) 4 years
Rationale: The first dose of the varicella vaccine is recommended at 12–15
months, with a second dose at 4–6 years.
5. A 2-year-old is admitted with dehydration due to gastroenteritis. Which
assessment finding indicates severe dehydration?
A) Moist mucous membranes
B) Sunken fontanelles
C) Normal skin turgor
D) Active behavior
Rationale: Sunken fontanelles in a young child indicate severe dehydration
due to significant fluid loss.
6. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a 3-year-old with heart fail-
ure. What should the nurse check first?
A) Blood pressure
B) Apical pulse
C) Respiratory rate
D) Temperature
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia; checking the apical pulse ensures
it is within a safe range before administration.
7. A 5-year-old with asthma is experiencing an acute exacerbation. Which
medication should the nurse administer first?
A) Prednisone
B) Albuterol
C) Montelukast
D) Ipratropium
Rationale: Albuterol, a short-acting beta-agonist, is the first-line treatment
for acute asthma exacerbations to relieve bronchospasm.
8. A nurse is assessing a 9-month-old for developmental milestones. Which
finding indicates a developmental delay?
A) Sits without support
B) Unable to transfer objects between hands
C) Responds to own name
D) Babbles vowel sounds
Rationale: By 9 months, infants should transfer objects between hands; in-
ability to do so suggests a fine motor delay.
9. A 12-year-old with type 1 diabetes reports feeling shaky and sweaty. What
is the nurse’s priority action?
A) Administer insulin
B) Provide a fast-acting carbohydrate
C) Check blood pressure
D) Encourage rest
Rationale: Shaking and sweating indicate hypoglycemia; a fast-acting carbo-
HESI | Pediatrics Practice Exam | Verified Questions and Answers |
Guaranteed A+ | 100% Correct | 2025/2026
