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HESI RN Pediatrics Exam 55 Actual Exam
2026/2027 | Questions and Verified Answers |
Complete Test Bank for HESI & NCLEX
Prep | A+ Graded
SECTION 1: GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT (Questions 1-10)
Q1: The nurse is assessing a 4-year-old child during a well-child visit. Which behavior would the
nurse expect to observe as developmentally appropriate for this age?
A. Engaging in parallel play beside other children
B. Understanding that the same quantity of liquid remains the same when poured into different
shaped glasses
C. Developing a conscience and experiencing guilt when rules are broken. [CORRECT]
D. Abstract thinking and ability to consider hypothetical situations
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: According to Erikson's theory, the preschooler (ages 3-6) is in the initiative vs. guilt
stage, developing a conscience and experiencing guilt when rules are broken (C). Parallel play
(A) is typical of toddlers (ages 2-3). Conservation of liquid (B) is a concrete operational skill
developing around age 7 (school-age). Abstract thinking (D) develops in adolescence (formal
operational stage).
Q2: The parents of a 9-month-old infant express concern that their baby cries when strangers
approach and clings to them in new situations. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. "This behavior suggests your baby is not well-socialized and needs more exposure to others."
B. "This is normal stranger anxiety indicating healthy attachment to you." [CORRECT]
C. "Your baby may be developing an insecure attachment style that requires intervention."
D. "This behavior typically doesn't appear until 18 months of age."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Stranger anxiety peaks between 6-12 months and indicates healthy attachment
formation (B), a normal milestone per Piaget's sensorimotor stage. Option A incorrectly
,2
pathologizes normal behavior. Option C misinterprets normal anxiety as insecure attachment.
Option D is incorrect as stranger anxiety begins around 6 months, not 18 months.
Q3: A nurse is teaching parents of a 2-year-old about appropriate developmental expectations.
Which activity should the nurse suggest to promote autonomy?
A. Enforcing strict toilet training schedules to ensure readiness
B. Allowing the child to choose between two acceptable clothing options [CORRECT]
C. Expecting the child to share toys willingly with other children
D. Teaching the child to read simple words
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Toddlers (1-3 years) are in Erikson's autonomy vs. shame/doubt stage; offering limited
choices (B) fosters independence while maintaining boundaries. Forced toilet training (A) creates
shame. Sharing (C) is beyond toddler capacity (parallel play stage). Reading (D) is inappropriate
for preoperational cognitive development.
Q4: During a well-child visit, the nurse notes that a 7-year-old child demonstrates the ability to
classify objects by size, color, and shape simultaneously. This ability reflects which cognitive
developmental stage?
A. Sensorimotor stage
B. Preoperational stage
C. Concrete operational stage [CORRECT]
D. Formal operational stage
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Conservation and classification abilities emerge in Piaget's concrete operational stage
(ages 7-11) (C). Sensorimotor (A) is birth-2 years. Preoperational (B) is ages 2-7 years
(egocentric, lack conservation). Formal operational (D) is adolescence (abstract reasoning).
Q5: The nurse is caring for a 15-year-old hospitalized for appendicitis. Which nursing approach
best supports this patient's developmental needs?
A. Encourage dependence on parents for all decision-making
B. Allow participation in care decisions and respect privacy [CORRECT]
C. Use simple language and concrete explanations only
D. Discourage questions about the surgical procedure
, 3
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Adolescents (12-18 years) are in Erikson's identity vs. role confusion stage, requiring
autonomy, privacy, and participation in decisions (B). Option A undermines identity formation.
Option C underestimates formal operational thinking. Option D violates trust and increases
anxiety.
Q6: A mother asks when her 18-month-old will stop putting everything in his mouth. The nurse
should explain that oral exploration typically decreases when:
A. The child enters the formal operational stage
B. The child develops object permanence
C. The child enters the anal stage and focuses on bowel/bladder control [CORRECT]
D. The child begins to walk independently
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Freud's psychosexual theory places the toddler in the anal stage (18-36 months),
shifting focus from oral to anal zone (C). Formal operational stage (A) is adolescence. Object
permanence (B) develops around 8-12 months. Walking (D) doesn't directly reduce oral
behavior.
Q7: The nurse is planning care for a hospitalized 6-year-old. Which intervention best supports
industry vs. inferiority stage development?
A. Providing opportunities to complete age-appropriate tasks and praising efforts [CORRECT]
B. Allowing unlimited screen time to reduce stress
C. Completing all self-care for the child to ensure rest
D. Encouraging regression to earlier behaviors for comfort
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: School-age children (6-12 years) in Erikson's industry vs. inferiority stage need
mastery experiences and recognition of competence (A). Unlimited screen time (B) is unhealthy.
Doing everything for the child (C) fosters inferiority. Regression encouragement (D) undermines
industry development.
Q8: Which statement by a parent indicates understanding of anticipatory guidance for their 4-
month-old infant?
A. "I should expect my baby to sleep through the night by now."
B. "My baby will likely start rolling from front to back soon." [CORRECT]
HESI RN Pediatrics Exam 55 Actual Exam
2026/2027 | Questions and Verified Answers |
Complete Test Bank for HESI & NCLEX
Prep | A+ Graded
SECTION 1: GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT (Questions 1-10)
Q1: The nurse is assessing a 4-year-old child during a well-child visit. Which behavior would the
nurse expect to observe as developmentally appropriate for this age?
A. Engaging in parallel play beside other children
B. Understanding that the same quantity of liquid remains the same when poured into different
shaped glasses
C. Developing a conscience and experiencing guilt when rules are broken. [CORRECT]
D. Abstract thinking and ability to consider hypothetical situations
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: According to Erikson's theory, the preschooler (ages 3-6) is in the initiative vs. guilt
stage, developing a conscience and experiencing guilt when rules are broken (C). Parallel play
(A) is typical of toddlers (ages 2-3). Conservation of liquid (B) is a concrete operational skill
developing around age 7 (school-age). Abstract thinking (D) develops in adolescence (formal
operational stage).
Q2: The parents of a 9-month-old infant express concern that their baby cries when strangers
approach and clings to them in new situations. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. "This behavior suggests your baby is not well-socialized and needs more exposure to others."
B. "This is normal stranger anxiety indicating healthy attachment to you." [CORRECT]
C. "Your baby may be developing an insecure attachment style that requires intervention."
D. "This behavior typically doesn't appear until 18 months of age."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Stranger anxiety peaks between 6-12 months and indicates healthy attachment
formation (B), a normal milestone per Piaget's sensorimotor stage. Option A incorrectly
,2
pathologizes normal behavior. Option C misinterprets normal anxiety as insecure attachment.
Option D is incorrect as stranger anxiety begins around 6 months, not 18 months.
Q3: A nurse is teaching parents of a 2-year-old about appropriate developmental expectations.
Which activity should the nurse suggest to promote autonomy?
A. Enforcing strict toilet training schedules to ensure readiness
B. Allowing the child to choose between two acceptable clothing options [CORRECT]
C. Expecting the child to share toys willingly with other children
D. Teaching the child to read simple words
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Toddlers (1-3 years) are in Erikson's autonomy vs. shame/doubt stage; offering limited
choices (B) fosters independence while maintaining boundaries. Forced toilet training (A) creates
shame. Sharing (C) is beyond toddler capacity (parallel play stage). Reading (D) is inappropriate
for preoperational cognitive development.
Q4: During a well-child visit, the nurse notes that a 7-year-old child demonstrates the ability to
classify objects by size, color, and shape simultaneously. This ability reflects which cognitive
developmental stage?
A. Sensorimotor stage
B. Preoperational stage
C. Concrete operational stage [CORRECT]
D. Formal operational stage
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Conservation and classification abilities emerge in Piaget's concrete operational stage
(ages 7-11) (C). Sensorimotor (A) is birth-2 years. Preoperational (B) is ages 2-7 years
(egocentric, lack conservation). Formal operational (D) is adolescence (abstract reasoning).
Q5: The nurse is caring for a 15-year-old hospitalized for appendicitis. Which nursing approach
best supports this patient's developmental needs?
A. Encourage dependence on parents for all decision-making
B. Allow participation in care decisions and respect privacy [CORRECT]
C. Use simple language and concrete explanations only
D. Discourage questions about the surgical procedure
, 3
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Adolescents (12-18 years) are in Erikson's identity vs. role confusion stage, requiring
autonomy, privacy, and participation in decisions (B). Option A undermines identity formation.
Option C underestimates formal operational thinking. Option D violates trust and increases
anxiety.
Q6: A mother asks when her 18-month-old will stop putting everything in his mouth. The nurse
should explain that oral exploration typically decreases when:
A. The child enters the formal operational stage
B. The child develops object permanence
C. The child enters the anal stage and focuses on bowel/bladder control [CORRECT]
D. The child begins to walk independently
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Freud's psychosexual theory places the toddler in the anal stage (18-36 months),
shifting focus from oral to anal zone (C). Formal operational stage (A) is adolescence. Object
permanence (B) develops around 8-12 months. Walking (D) doesn't directly reduce oral
behavior.
Q7: The nurse is planning care for a hospitalized 6-year-old. Which intervention best supports
industry vs. inferiority stage development?
A. Providing opportunities to complete age-appropriate tasks and praising efforts [CORRECT]
B. Allowing unlimited screen time to reduce stress
C. Completing all self-care for the child to ensure rest
D. Encouraging regression to earlier behaviors for comfort
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: School-age children (6-12 years) in Erikson's industry vs. inferiority stage need
mastery experiences and recognition of competence (A). Unlimited screen time (B) is unhealthy.
Doing everything for the child (C) fosters inferiority. Regression encouragement (D) undermines
industry development.
Q8: Which statement by a parent indicates understanding of anticipatory guidance for their 4-
month-old infant?
A. "I should expect my baby to sleep through the night by now."
B. "My baby will likely start rolling from front to back soon." [CORRECT]
