HESI RN Pediatrics Final Exam
2025/2026 – Updated Questions &
Answers
Question 1: Growth & Development - Infant Milestones
A 2-month-old infant is at a well-child visit. According to AAP 2025 developmental milestones, which
social/emotional achievement should the nurse anticipate assessing?
A. Rolls over from back to tummy.
B. Social smile in response to parent's face.
C. Says first word.
D. Walks independently.
B. Social smile in response to parent's face.
Detailed Rationale: At 2 months, infants typically exhibit a social smile, coos, and turns toward sounds,
marking early attachment per AAP Bright Futures 2025 guidelines. The nurse assesses this to screen for
delays (e.g., autism spectrum indicators if absent), educating parents on responsive caregiving to foster
secure bonding and prevent developmental regressions.
Question 2: Growth & Development - Toddler Nutrition
A 18-month-old toddler's parent reports picky eating and refusal of vegetables. What is the nurse's best
growth promotion advice based on CDC 2025 milestones?
A. Force-feed pureed vegetables.
B. Offer choices and model healthy eating.
C. Switch to all formula until age 3.
D. Use supplements only.
B. Offer choices and model healthy eating.
Detailed Rationale: Toddlers (12-24 months) assert independence, leading to neophobia; CDC 2025
nutrition guidelines recommend repeated exposure (8-10 times) and family meals to build preferences.
,This prevents obesity risks, with nurses teaching portion control (e.g., 1/4 adult plate) for balanced
growth.
Question 3: Growth & Development - School-Age Cognition
During a check-up, a 6-year-old demonstrates logical thinking by sorting toys by color and shape. This
aligns with which Piaget stage per AAP 2025?
A. Sensorimotor.
B. Preoperational.
C. Concrete operational.
D. Formal operational.
C. Concrete operational.
Detailed Rationale: Ages 7-11 (concrete operational) involve classification and conservation; AAP 2025
emphasizes school readiness screenings. Nurses use this to identify learning needs, recommending
activities like puzzles to enhance cognitive skills and support academic success.
Question 4: Growth & Development - Adolescent Psychosocial
A 14-year-old expresses identity confusion and peer pressure concerns. Erikson's stage for this is?
A. Trust vs. mistrust.
B. Industry vs. inferiority.
C. Identity vs. role confusion.
D. Intimacy vs. isolation.
C. Identity vs. role confusion.
Detailed Rationale: Adolescence (12-18 years) focuses on self-concept formation per Erikson, updated in
AAP 2025 mental health guidelines. Nurses screen for depression/suicide risks, promoting open dialogue
and resources like Teen Line to guide healthy exploration.
Question 5: Growth & Development - Motor Milestones
A 9-month-old should demonstrate which gross motor skill per CDC 2025 Act Early milestones?
, A. Crawls reciprocally.
B. Stands alone.
C. Runs well.
D. Pedals tricycle.
A. Crawls reciprocally.
Detailed Rationale: By 9 months, infants creep on hands/knees; delays may indicate cerebral palsy. CDC
2025 advises surveillance with ASQ tools; nurses refer for PT if absent, educating on tummy time (15-30
min/day) for strength.
Question 6: Growth & Development - Language Development
At 24 months, a toddler typically uses?
A. 50 words and 2-word sentences.
B. Babbling only.
C. Complex sentences.
D. Reads simple words.
A. 50 words and 2-word sentences.
Detailed Rationale: Expressive vocabulary explodes; AAP 2025 screens via Ages & Stages
Questionnaire. Nurses address delays (e.g., hearing loss) with early intervention, teaching read-aloud
strategies (20 min/day) for literacy foundations.
Question 7: Growth & Development - Fine Motor
A 4-year-old draws a circle and copies a square, indicating?
A. Primitive grasp.
B. Pincer grasp refinement.
C. Fine motor delay.
D. Gross motor focus.
B. Pincer grasp refinement.
Detailed Rationale: Preschoolers (3-5 years) refine precision per CDC 2025; this supports self-care like
dressing. Nurses assess for dyspraxia, recommending play therapy with crayons/beads to enhance
independence.
2025/2026 – Updated Questions &
Answers
Question 1: Growth & Development - Infant Milestones
A 2-month-old infant is at a well-child visit. According to AAP 2025 developmental milestones, which
social/emotional achievement should the nurse anticipate assessing?
A. Rolls over from back to tummy.
B. Social smile in response to parent's face.
C. Says first word.
D. Walks independently.
B. Social smile in response to parent's face.
Detailed Rationale: At 2 months, infants typically exhibit a social smile, coos, and turns toward sounds,
marking early attachment per AAP Bright Futures 2025 guidelines. The nurse assesses this to screen for
delays (e.g., autism spectrum indicators if absent), educating parents on responsive caregiving to foster
secure bonding and prevent developmental regressions.
Question 2: Growth & Development - Toddler Nutrition
A 18-month-old toddler's parent reports picky eating and refusal of vegetables. What is the nurse's best
growth promotion advice based on CDC 2025 milestones?
A. Force-feed pureed vegetables.
B. Offer choices and model healthy eating.
C. Switch to all formula until age 3.
D. Use supplements only.
B. Offer choices and model healthy eating.
Detailed Rationale: Toddlers (12-24 months) assert independence, leading to neophobia; CDC 2025
nutrition guidelines recommend repeated exposure (8-10 times) and family meals to build preferences.
,This prevents obesity risks, with nurses teaching portion control (e.g., 1/4 adult plate) for balanced
growth.
Question 3: Growth & Development - School-Age Cognition
During a check-up, a 6-year-old demonstrates logical thinking by sorting toys by color and shape. This
aligns with which Piaget stage per AAP 2025?
A. Sensorimotor.
B. Preoperational.
C. Concrete operational.
D. Formal operational.
C. Concrete operational.
Detailed Rationale: Ages 7-11 (concrete operational) involve classification and conservation; AAP 2025
emphasizes school readiness screenings. Nurses use this to identify learning needs, recommending
activities like puzzles to enhance cognitive skills and support academic success.
Question 4: Growth & Development - Adolescent Psychosocial
A 14-year-old expresses identity confusion and peer pressure concerns. Erikson's stage for this is?
A. Trust vs. mistrust.
B. Industry vs. inferiority.
C. Identity vs. role confusion.
D. Intimacy vs. isolation.
C. Identity vs. role confusion.
Detailed Rationale: Adolescence (12-18 years) focuses on self-concept formation per Erikson, updated in
AAP 2025 mental health guidelines. Nurses screen for depression/suicide risks, promoting open dialogue
and resources like Teen Line to guide healthy exploration.
Question 5: Growth & Development - Motor Milestones
A 9-month-old should demonstrate which gross motor skill per CDC 2025 Act Early milestones?
, A. Crawls reciprocally.
B. Stands alone.
C. Runs well.
D. Pedals tricycle.
A. Crawls reciprocally.
Detailed Rationale: By 9 months, infants creep on hands/knees; delays may indicate cerebral palsy. CDC
2025 advises surveillance with ASQ tools; nurses refer for PT if absent, educating on tummy time (15-30
min/day) for strength.
Question 6: Growth & Development - Language Development
At 24 months, a toddler typically uses?
A. 50 words and 2-word sentences.
B. Babbling only.
C. Complex sentences.
D. Reads simple words.
A. 50 words and 2-word sentences.
Detailed Rationale: Expressive vocabulary explodes; AAP 2025 screens via Ages & Stages
Questionnaire. Nurses address delays (e.g., hearing loss) with early intervention, teaching read-aloud
strategies (20 min/day) for literacy foundations.
Question 7: Growth & Development - Fine Motor
A 4-year-old draws a circle and copies a square, indicating?
A. Primitive grasp.
B. Pincer grasp refinement.
C. Fine motor delay.
D. Gross motor focus.
B. Pincer grasp refinement.
Detailed Rationale: Preschoolers (3-5 years) refine precision per CDC 2025; this supports self-care like
dressing. Nurses assess for dyspraxia, recommending play therapy with crayons/beads to enhance
independence.
