HESI RN Pediatrics Exam Latest 2026/2027
Edition: Versions 1 & 2 – Actual Questions with
Detailed Answers & Rationales – Complete
Study Guide – Graded A+
SECTION 1: GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT (Questions 1-11)
Q1: A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which
developmental milestone should the nurse expect to observe?
A. Walking while holding onto furniture
B. Sitting with support
C. Speaking two-word phrases
D. Climbing stairs with assistance
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: At 6 months, infants typically achieve the milestone of sitting with support,
demonstrating adequate head control and truncal stability. Walking while holding
furniture (A) typically occurs around 9-12 months. Two-word phrases (C) emerge around
18-24 months. Climbing stairs (D) is a skill mastered by toddlers aged 2-3 years.
Understanding developmental sequences is critical for identifying delays and providing
anticipatory guidance to parents.
,(Topic: Growth & Development | Difficulty: Easy | Version: V1)
Q2: According to Erikson's psychosocial theory, which developmental crisis is most
relevant when caring for a hospitalized toddler?
A. Trust vs. Mistrust
B. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
C. Initiative vs. Guilt
D. Industry vs. Inferiority
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Toddlers (1-3 years) navigate Erikson's stage of Autonomy vs. Shame and
Doubt, characterized by the drive for independence and frequent use of "no."
Hospitalization threatens this autonomy, making limit-setting and offering choices
essential nursing strategies. Trust vs. Mistrust (A) applies to infancy. Initiative vs. Guilt
(C) characterizes preschoolers. Industry vs. Inferiority (D) applies to school-age children
focused on competence and achievement.
(Topic: Growth & Development | Difficulty: Easy | Version: V1)
Q3: A parent asks the nurse about expected weight gain for their 2-year-old child. Which
response is most accurate?
A. Approximately 5-6 kg per year
B. Approximately 2-3 kg per year
C. Approximately 0.5-1 kg per year
,D. Weight gain should remain consistent with infancy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: After age 2, the growth rate slows significantly to approximately 2-3 kg
(4.4-6.6 lbs) per year, compared to rapid infancy gains. This deceleration is normal and
expected. Five to six kg annually (A) exceeds typical gains and would suggest
overnutrition. Minimal gain (C) would indicate failure to thrive. Growth velocity naturally
decreases after the first year of life.
(Topic: Growth & Development | Difficulty: Easy | Version: V2)
Q4: A preschooler is admitted for a surgical procedure and appears fearful. What is the
best nursing action?
A. Provide detailed medical explanations using anatomically correct terminology
B. Use play therapy and simple explanations; allow choices when possible
C. Minimize parental presence to encourage independence
D. Proceed quickly without discussion to reduce anxiety time
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Preschoolers (3-5 years) benefit from play therapy and concrete, simple
explanations that reduce anxiety without overwhelming them with details. Offering
appropriate choices supports their developing sense of initiative. Medical terminology
(A) increases fear due to magical thinking. Removing parents (C) exacerbates
separation anxiety. Proceeding without explanation (D) violates trust and intensifies fear
through loss of control.
, (Topic: Growth & Development | Difficulty: Medium | Version: V1)
Q5: Which characteristic best describes the cognitive development of a school-age child
according to Piaget?
A. Magical thinking and egocentrism
B. Abstract reasoning and hypothesis testing
C. Logical thinking and understanding cause and effect
D. Reflexive responses and sensory exploration
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: School-age children (6-12 years) operate in Piaget's Concrete Operational
stage, demonstrating logical thought, understanding cause-effect relationships, and
organizing information systematically. Magical thinking (A) characterizes the
Preoperational stage (preschoolers). Abstract reasoning (B) emerges in adolescence
(Formal Operational). Reflexive responses (D) describe the Sensorimotor stage of
infancy.
(Topic: Growth & Development | Difficulty: Medium | Version: V2)
Q6: A nurse is conducting a psychosocial assessment of a 16-year-old patient. Which
framework is most appropriate for organizing this assessment?
A. APGAR scoring
B. HEEADSSS assessment
C. Denver II screening
Edition: Versions 1 & 2 – Actual Questions with
Detailed Answers & Rationales – Complete
Study Guide – Graded A+
SECTION 1: GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT (Questions 1-11)
Q1: A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which
developmental milestone should the nurse expect to observe?
A. Walking while holding onto furniture
B. Sitting with support
C. Speaking two-word phrases
D. Climbing stairs with assistance
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: At 6 months, infants typically achieve the milestone of sitting with support,
demonstrating adequate head control and truncal stability. Walking while holding
furniture (A) typically occurs around 9-12 months. Two-word phrases (C) emerge around
18-24 months. Climbing stairs (D) is a skill mastered by toddlers aged 2-3 years.
Understanding developmental sequences is critical for identifying delays and providing
anticipatory guidance to parents.
,(Topic: Growth & Development | Difficulty: Easy | Version: V1)
Q2: According to Erikson's psychosocial theory, which developmental crisis is most
relevant when caring for a hospitalized toddler?
A. Trust vs. Mistrust
B. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
C. Initiative vs. Guilt
D. Industry vs. Inferiority
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Toddlers (1-3 years) navigate Erikson's stage of Autonomy vs. Shame and
Doubt, characterized by the drive for independence and frequent use of "no."
Hospitalization threatens this autonomy, making limit-setting and offering choices
essential nursing strategies. Trust vs. Mistrust (A) applies to infancy. Initiative vs. Guilt
(C) characterizes preschoolers. Industry vs. Inferiority (D) applies to school-age children
focused on competence and achievement.
(Topic: Growth & Development | Difficulty: Easy | Version: V1)
Q3: A parent asks the nurse about expected weight gain for their 2-year-old child. Which
response is most accurate?
A. Approximately 5-6 kg per year
B. Approximately 2-3 kg per year
C. Approximately 0.5-1 kg per year
,D. Weight gain should remain consistent with infancy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: After age 2, the growth rate slows significantly to approximately 2-3 kg
(4.4-6.6 lbs) per year, compared to rapid infancy gains. This deceleration is normal and
expected. Five to six kg annually (A) exceeds typical gains and would suggest
overnutrition. Minimal gain (C) would indicate failure to thrive. Growth velocity naturally
decreases after the first year of life.
(Topic: Growth & Development | Difficulty: Easy | Version: V2)
Q4: A preschooler is admitted for a surgical procedure and appears fearful. What is the
best nursing action?
A. Provide detailed medical explanations using anatomically correct terminology
B. Use play therapy and simple explanations; allow choices when possible
C. Minimize parental presence to encourage independence
D. Proceed quickly without discussion to reduce anxiety time
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Preschoolers (3-5 years) benefit from play therapy and concrete, simple
explanations that reduce anxiety without overwhelming them with details. Offering
appropriate choices supports their developing sense of initiative. Medical terminology
(A) increases fear due to magical thinking. Removing parents (C) exacerbates
separation anxiety. Proceeding without explanation (D) violates trust and intensifies fear
through loss of control.
, (Topic: Growth & Development | Difficulty: Medium | Version: V1)
Q5: Which characteristic best describes the cognitive development of a school-age child
according to Piaget?
A. Magical thinking and egocentrism
B. Abstract reasoning and hypothesis testing
C. Logical thinking and understanding cause and effect
D. Reflexive responses and sensory exploration
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: School-age children (6-12 years) operate in Piaget's Concrete Operational
stage, demonstrating logical thought, understanding cause-effect relationships, and
organizing information systematically. Magical thinking (A) characterizes the
Preoperational stage (preschoolers). Abstract reasoning (B) emerges in adolescence
(Formal Operational). Reflexive responses (D) describe the Sensorimotor stage of
infancy.
(Topic: Growth & Development | Difficulty: Medium | Version: V2)
Q6: A nurse is conducting a psychosocial assessment of a 16-year-old patient. Which
framework is most appropriate for organizing this assessment?
A. APGAR scoring
B. HEEADSSS assessment
C. Denver II screening
