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HESI PN Obstetrics & Pediatrics Practice Exam – Verified Review
Questions and Answers with Rationales
The practical nurse (PN) is monitoring a child who is manifesting signs
of shock after a motor vehicle collision. Which finding is most important
for the PN to report to the charge nurse?
a) narrowing pulse pressure
b) apprehension
c) irritability
d) thirst - ANSWER-Answer: A
Rationale:
As shock progresses, perfusion in the microcirculation becomes
marginal despite compensatory adjustments, and the signs of
decompensated shock become pronounced, such as tachycardia and
narrowing pulse pressure (A). (The difference between systolic and
diastolic blood pressure), which should be reported immediately. (B,C,
and D) are not as significant as (A).
The mother of a 9 month old male infant is concerned because he cries
whenever she leaves him with a sitter. What is the best response for
the practical nurse (PN) to provide?
a) "Have you noticed whether your baby is teething?"
b) "Crying when you leave him in a healthy sign of attachment."
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c) "Consider taking the baby to the doctor because he may be ill."
d) "You could consider leaving the infant more often so he can adjust." -
ANSWER-Answer: B
Rationale:
Healthy attachment is manifested by stranger anxiety in late infancy
(B). Pain from teething expressed by the infant's cries does not occur
only when the mother leaves the infant with another person (A). The
PN should evaluate the infant's developmental needs (C) before
suggesting the infant may be ill. An infant who manifests stranger
anxiety is best supported by the mother if the infant is left for shorter
periods of time, not (D).
Which preoperative action is most important for the practical nurse
(PN) to implement for a newborn with meningomyelocele?
a) document vital signs
b) prevent skin breakdown
c) minimize the risk for infection
d) monitor neurologic functioning - ANSWER-Answer: C
Rationale:
A meningomyelocele provides a direct entry for bacteria into the
central nervous system, leading to meningitis. Measures that protect
the integrity of the meningomyelocele sac and infection control
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measures should be implemented to minimize the risk of infection (C).
(A,B, and D) should be implemented but do not have the priority of (C).
The practical nurse is caring for a 6 year old girl who had surgery 12
hours ago. The child tells the PN that she does not have pain but a few
minutes later, tells her parents that she does. What child development
concept is relevant to this situation?
a) inconsistency in pain reporting suggests that pain not present
b) a child may have pain yet deny its presence to the nurse
c) truthful reporting of pain should occur by this age
d) children use pain experiences to manipulate their parents - ANSWER-
Answer: B
Rationale:
A child may fear receiving an injection for pain or may believe that pain
is a deserved punishment for some misdeed, so the pain is denied (D)
when the nurse asks the child, who then readily admits having pain to a
parent. This behavior should not be interpreted as (C) but as a valid
indication of pain. (A and C) are incorrect interpretations of this
behavior.
A 6 year old who had a tonsillectomy 12 hours ago is complaining of
thirst. What should the practical nurse (PN) offer?
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a) popsicle
b) lemonade
c) orange juice
d) chocolate milk - ANSWER-Answer: A
Rationale:
Small amounts of clear liquids without red dyes should be offered to
the child. Popsicles (A) are cold and help soothe a dry throat. Citrus
drinks (B and C) are acidic and irritate the operative site in the posterior
oropharynx. Milk (D) thickens oral mucus which makes swallowing
more difficult and causes coughing.
The mother of a male newborn calls the clinic to inquire about the
formation of a yellow crust over her son's circumcision area. What
information should the practical nurse (PN) provide?
a) do not remove the yellow crust from the site
b) stop using petroleum around the head of the penis
c) bring him into the clinic
d) tightly fasten the diaper - ANSWER-Answer: A
Rationale:
Crust formation is part of the healing process and should be removed
(A). (C) is not indicated at this time. The diaper should be fastened
HESI PN Obstetrics & Pediatrics Practice Exam – Verified Review
Questions and Answers with Rationales
The practical nurse (PN) is monitoring a child who is manifesting signs
of shock after a motor vehicle collision. Which finding is most important
for the PN to report to the charge nurse?
a) narrowing pulse pressure
b) apprehension
c) irritability
d) thirst - ANSWER-Answer: A
Rationale:
As shock progresses, perfusion in the microcirculation becomes
marginal despite compensatory adjustments, and the signs of
decompensated shock become pronounced, such as tachycardia and
narrowing pulse pressure (A). (The difference between systolic and
diastolic blood pressure), which should be reported immediately. (B,C,
and D) are not as significant as (A).
The mother of a 9 month old male infant is concerned because he cries
whenever she leaves him with a sitter. What is the best response for
the practical nurse (PN) to provide?
a) "Have you noticed whether your baby is teething?"
b) "Crying when you leave him in a healthy sign of attachment."
,2|Page
c) "Consider taking the baby to the doctor because he may be ill."
d) "You could consider leaving the infant more often so he can adjust." -
ANSWER-Answer: B
Rationale:
Healthy attachment is manifested by stranger anxiety in late infancy
(B). Pain from teething expressed by the infant's cries does not occur
only when the mother leaves the infant with another person (A). The
PN should evaluate the infant's developmental needs (C) before
suggesting the infant may be ill. An infant who manifests stranger
anxiety is best supported by the mother if the infant is left for shorter
periods of time, not (D).
Which preoperative action is most important for the practical nurse
(PN) to implement for a newborn with meningomyelocele?
a) document vital signs
b) prevent skin breakdown
c) minimize the risk for infection
d) monitor neurologic functioning - ANSWER-Answer: C
Rationale:
A meningomyelocele provides a direct entry for bacteria into the
central nervous system, leading to meningitis. Measures that protect
the integrity of the meningomyelocele sac and infection control
,3|Page
measures should be implemented to minimize the risk of infection (C).
(A,B, and D) should be implemented but do not have the priority of (C).
The practical nurse is caring for a 6 year old girl who had surgery 12
hours ago. The child tells the PN that she does not have pain but a few
minutes later, tells her parents that she does. What child development
concept is relevant to this situation?
a) inconsistency in pain reporting suggests that pain not present
b) a child may have pain yet deny its presence to the nurse
c) truthful reporting of pain should occur by this age
d) children use pain experiences to manipulate their parents - ANSWER-
Answer: B
Rationale:
A child may fear receiving an injection for pain or may believe that pain
is a deserved punishment for some misdeed, so the pain is denied (D)
when the nurse asks the child, who then readily admits having pain to a
parent. This behavior should not be interpreted as (C) but as a valid
indication of pain. (A and C) are incorrect interpretations of this
behavior.
A 6 year old who had a tonsillectomy 12 hours ago is complaining of
thirst. What should the practical nurse (PN) offer?
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a) popsicle
b) lemonade
c) orange juice
d) chocolate milk - ANSWER-Answer: A
Rationale:
Small amounts of clear liquids without red dyes should be offered to
the child. Popsicles (A) are cold and help soothe a dry throat. Citrus
drinks (B and C) are acidic and irritate the operative site in the posterior
oropharynx. Milk (D) thickens oral mucus which makes swallowing
more difficult and causes coughing.
The mother of a male newborn calls the clinic to inquire about the
formation of a yellow crust over her son's circumcision area. What
information should the practical nurse (PN) provide?
a) do not remove the yellow crust from the site
b) stop using petroleum around the head of the penis
c) bring him into the clinic
d) tightly fasten the diaper - ANSWER-Answer: A
Rationale:
Crust formation is part of the healing process and should be removed
(A). (C) is not indicated at this time. The diaper should be fastened
