HESI RN PEDIATRICS ACTUAL EXAM
2026–2027 | 300 PRACTICE
QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES |
GUARANTEED HIGH-YIELD REVIEW
HESI RN PEDS Practice Exam
1. A nurse is assessing a newborn. Which finding requires
immediate action?
A. Acrocyanosis
B. Heart rate 140 bpm
C. Respiratory rate 30/min
D. Central cyanosis
Answer: D
Central cyanosis indicates hypoxia and is an emergency, unlike normal
acrocyanosis.
2. When should the first dose of Hepatitis B vaccine be given?
A. At 2 months
B. At birth
C. At 6 months
D. At 1 year
Answer: B
The first Hep B vaccine is administered within 24 hours of birth.
3. A child with croup has a barking cough. What is the priority
intervention?
A. Give antibiotics
B. Provide humidified oxygen
,C. Restrict fluids
D. Encourage crying
Answer: B
Humidified oxygen helps reduce airway inflammation and ease
breathing.
4. Which sign indicates dehydration in an infant?
A. Bulging fontanelle
B. Decreased urine output
C. Increased tears
D. Moist mucous membranes
Answer: B
Decreased urine output is a key indicator of dehydration.
5. A nurse is caring for a child with measles. Which precaution
is required?
A. Contact
B. Droplet
C. Airborne
D. Standard only
Answer: C
Measles is highly contagious and requires airborne precautions.
6. Which toy is appropriate for a toddler?
A. Small beads
B. Puzzle with large pieces
C. Video game console
D. Sharp tools
Answer: B
Toddlers need safe, large-piece toys to avoid choking hazards.
7. A child with asthma is prescribed albuterol. What is its
purpose?
,A. Reduce inflammation
B. Dilate bronchioles
C. Prevent infection
D. Suppress cough
Answer: B
Albuterol is a bronchodilator that opens airways.
8. What is the normal heart rate for a toddler?
A. 60–80 bpm
B. 80–130 bpm
C. 140–180 bpm
D. 40–60 bpm
Answer: B
Toddlers typically have a heart rate of 80–130 bpm.
9. Which condition is associated with a “machine-like”
murmur?
A. ASD
B. VSD
C. PDA
D. TOF
Answer: C
Patent ductus arteriosus produces a continuous machinery murmur.
10. A nurse is teaching about SIDS prevention. What should be
included?
A. Prone sleeping
B. Soft bedding
C. Back sleeping
D. Co-sleeping
Answer: C
Infants should be placed on their backs to sleep.
, 11. Which electrolyte imbalance is common in diarrhea?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: B
Potassium is lost in stool, leading to hypokalemia.
12. A child with type 1 diabetes has fruity breath. What does
this indicate?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Hyperglycemia
C. DKA
D. Infection
Answer: C
Fruity breath is a classic sign of diabetic ketoacidosis.
13. Which vaccine is contraindicated in immunocompromised
children?
A. IPV
B. MMR
C. Hep B
D. DTaP
Answer: B
MMR is a live vaccine and contraindicated in immunocompromised
patients.
14. What is the priority nursing action for epiglottitis?
A. Throat inspection
B. IV fluids
C. Airway management
D. Antibiotics
Answer: C
Airway obstruction risk makes airway management the priority.
2026–2027 | 300 PRACTICE
QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES |
GUARANTEED HIGH-YIELD REVIEW
HESI RN PEDS Practice Exam
1. A nurse is assessing a newborn. Which finding requires
immediate action?
A. Acrocyanosis
B. Heart rate 140 bpm
C. Respiratory rate 30/min
D. Central cyanosis
Answer: D
Central cyanosis indicates hypoxia and is an emergency, unlike normal
acrocyanosis.
2. When should the first dose of Hepatitis B vaccine be given?
A. At 2 months
B. At birth
C. At 6 months
D. At 1 year
Answer: B
The first Hep B vaccine is administered within 24 hours of birth.
3. A child with croup has a barking cough. What is the priority
intervention?
A. Give antibiotics
B. Provide humidified oxygen
,C. Restrict fluids
D. Encourage crying
Answer: B
Humidified oxygen helps reduce airway inflammation and ease
breathing.
4. Which sign indicates dehydration in an infant?
A. Bulging fontanelle
B. Decreased urine output
C. Increased tears
D. Moist mucous membranes
Answer: B
Decreased urine output is a key indicator of dehydration.
5. A nurse is caring for a child with measles. Which precaution
is required?
A. Contact
B. Droplet
C. Airborne
D. Standard only
Answer: C
Measles is highly contagious and requires airborne precautions.
6. Which toy is appropriate for a toddler?
A. Small beads
B. Puzzle with large pieces
C. Video game console
D. Sharp tools
Answer: B
Toddlers need safe, large-piece toys to avoid choking hazards.
7. A child with asthma is prescribed albuterol. What is its
purpose?
,A. Reduce inflammation
B. Dilate bronchioles
C. Prevent infection
D. Suppress cough
Answer: B
Albuterol is a bronchodilator that opens airways.
8. What is the normal heart rate for a toddler?
A. 60–80 bpm
B. 80–130 bpm
C. 140–180 bpm
D. 40–60 bpm
Answer: B
Toddlers typically have a heart rate of 80–130 bpm.
9. Which condition is associated with a “machine-like”
murmur?
A. ASD
B. VSD
C. PDA
D. TOF
Answer: C
Patent ductus arteriosus produces a continuous machinery murmur.
10. A nurse is teaching about SIDS prevention. What should be
included?
A. Prone sleeping
B. Soft bedding
C. Back sleeping
D. Co-sleeping
Answer: C
Infants should be placed on their backs to sleep.
, 11. Which electrolyte imbalance is common in diarrhea?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: B
Potassium is lost in stool, leading to hypokalemia.
12. A child with type 1 diabetes has fruity breath. What does
this indicate?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Hyperglycemia
C. DKA
D. Infection
Answer: C
Fruity breath is a classic sign of diabetic ketoacidosis.
13. Which vaccine is contraindicated in immunocompromised
children?
A. IPV
B. MMR
C. Hep B
D. DTaP
Answer: B
MMR is a live vaccine and contraindicated in immunocompromised
patients.
14. What is the priority nursing action for epiglottitis?
A. Throat inspection
B. IV fluids
C. Airway management
D. Antibiotics
Answer: C
Airway obstruction risk makes airway management the priority.
