HESI RN PEDIATRICS EXAM 55 (2025) EXAM –QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
*Core Domains*
*Growth and Development*
*Pharmacological Interventions*
*Congenital Abnormalities*
*Acute and Chronic Illnesses*
*Psychosocial Family Assessment*
*Safety and Infection Control*
*Fluid and Electrolyte Balance*
*Emergency Pediatric Nursing*
*Introduction*
*The purpose of this comprehensive assessment is to evaluate the clinical proficiency
and theoretical knowledge of nursing students regarding pediatric healthcare.
This exam focuses on the specialized needs of infants, children, and adolescents,
emphasizing safe and effective care environments. The assessment utilizes
multiple-choice and scenario-based questions to measure competency in areas
such as physiological adaptation, health promotion, and risk reduction.
Candidates are expected to demonstrate critical thinking and professional
decision-making skills applicable to real-world clinical settings. This
rigorous evaluation ensures that nursing practitioners can provide high-quality,
evidence-based care while adhering to regulatory and ethical standards in
pediatrics.*
1. A 4-year-old child is admitted with a diagnosis of Wilms tumor. Which nursing intervention is most
important during the preoperative period?
,A. Palpate the abdomen every 4 hours to assess tumor growth
B. Maintain the child in a high-Fowler's position
C. Place a sign above the bed that reads "Do Not Palpate Abdomen"
D. Encourage high-protein, high-calorie liquid supplements
🟢 Correct Answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: To prevent the risk of rupturing the encapsulated tumor and causing the seeding of cancer cells
into the peritoneal cavity, the abdomen should not be palpated.
2. A toddler is hospitalized with laryngotracheobronchitis (croup). Which clinical manifestation should the
nurse recognize as an early sign of respiratory distress?
A. Central cyanosis
B. Diaphoresis and restlessness
C. Bradypnea
D. Hypotended blood pressure
🟢 Correct Answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Restlessness, tachycardia, and diaphoresis are early compensatory signs of hypoxia in a child
with croup. Cyanosis is a late and ominous sign.
3. The nurse is teaching the parents of a child with Celiac disease about dietary restrictions. Which food
choice indicates that the parents understand the teaching?
A. Wheat crackers with cheese
B. Malted milk balls
C. Rice cakes with peanut butter
D. Barley soup
🟢 Correct Answer: C
,🔴 RATIONALE: Celiac disease requires a gluten-free diet. Rice, corn, and millet are acceptable grains, while
wheat, barley, rye, and malt must be avoided.
4. An infant with Tetralogy of Fallot becomes acutely cyanotic and hyperpneic during a blood draw. Which
action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer morphine sulfate intravenously
B. Place the infant in the knee-chest position
C. Provide 100% oxygen via face mask
D. Prepare for emergency intubation
🟢 Correct Answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: The knee-chest position increases systemic vascular resistance, which helps reduce the right-to-
left shunt and improves pulmonary blood flow during a "tet" spell.
5. Which developmental milestone should the nurse expect a 6-month-old infant to have achieved?
A. Walking while holding onto furniture
B. Sitting steadily without support
C. Using a pincer grasp to pick up food
D. Rolling from back to abdomen
🟢 Correct Answer: D
🔴 RATIONALE: By 6 months of age, infants typically roll over in both directions. Sitting steadily and pincer grasp
are usually achieved between 8 and 10 months.
6. A school-aged child with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus is found trembling and complaining of a headache after
gym class. What is the nurse's priority action?
, A. Administer 15 grams of a fast-acting carbohydrate
B. Check the urine for ketones
C. Give a dose of rapid-acting insulin
D. Contact the healthcare provider immediately
🟢 Correct Answer: A
🔴 RATIONALE: Trembling and headache are symptoms of hypoglycemia. The immediate priority is to raise the
blood glucose level with a simple carbohydrate.
7. The nurse is assessing a child with suspected acute glomerulonephritis. Which finding is most
characteristic of this condition?
A. Massive proteinuria and hypotension
B. Periorbital edema and smoky-colored urine
C. Increased appetite and polyuria
D. Loose, foul-smelling stools
🟢 Correct Answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Acute glomerulonephritis typically presents with periorbital edema, hypertension, and hematuria
(often described as tea-colored or smoky urine).
8. Which toy is most appropriate for the nurse to provide to a hospitalized 2-year-old child?
A. A 50-piece jigsaw puzzle
B. Large wooden building blocks
C. A chemistry set for beginners
D. Small plastic soldiers
🟢 Correct Answer: B
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
*Core Domains*
*Growth and Development*
*Pharmacological Interventions*
*Congenital Abnormalities*
*Acute and Chronic Illnesses*
*Psychosocial Family Assessment*
*Safety and Infection Control*
*Fluid and Electrolyte Balance*
*Emergency Pediatric Nursing*
*Introduction*
*The purpose of this comprehensive assessment is to evaluate the clinical proficiency
and theoretical knowledge of nursing students regarding pediatric healthcare.
This exam focuses on the specialized needs of infants, children, and adolescents,
emphasizing safe and effective care environments. The assessment utilizes
multiple-choice and scenario-based questions to measure competency in areas
such as physiological adaptation, health promotion, and risk reduction.
Candidates are expected to demonstrate critical thinking and professional
decision-making skills applicable to real-world clinical settings. This
rigorous evaluation ensures that nursing practitioners can provide high-quality,
evidence-based care while adhering to regulatory and ethical standards in
pediatrics.*
1. A 4-year-old child is admitted with a diagnosis of Wilms tumor. Which nursing intervention is most
important during the preoperative period?
,A. Palpate the abdomen every 4 hours to assess tumor growth
B. Maintain the child in a high-Fowler's position
C. Place a sign above the bed that reads "Do Not Palpate Abdomen"
D. Encourage high-protein, high-calorie liquid supplements
🟢 Correct Answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: To prevent the risk of rupturing the encapsulated tumor and causing the seeding of cancer cells
into the peritoneal cavity, the abdomen should not be palpated.
2. A toddler is hospitalized with laryngotracheobronchitis (croup). Which clinical manifestation should the
nurse recognize as an early sign of respiratory distress?
A. Central cyanosis
B. Diaphoresis and restlessness
C. Bradypnea
D. Hypotended blood pressure
🟢 Correct Answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Restlessness, tachycardia, and diaphoresis are early compensatory signs of hypoxia in a child
with croup. Cyanosis is a late and ominous sign.
3. The nurse is teaching the parents of a child with Celiac disease about dietary restrictions. Which food
choice indicates that the parents understand the teaching?
A. Wheat crackers with cheese
B. Malted milk balls
C. Rice cakes with peanut butter
D. Barley soup
🟢 Correct Answer: C
,🔴 RATIONALE: Celiac disease requires a gluten-free diet. Rice, corn, and millet are acceptable grains, while
wheat, barley, rye, and malt must be avoided.
4. An infant with Tetralogy of Fallot becomes acutely cyanotic and hyperpneic during a blood draw. Which
action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer morphine sulfate intravenously
B. Place the infant in the knee-chest position
C. Provide 100% oxygen via face mask
D. Prepare for emergency intubation
🟢 Correct Answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: The knee-chest position increases systemic vascular resistance, which helps reduce the right-to-
left shunt and improves pulmonary blood flow during a "tet" spell.
5. Which developmental milestone should the nurse expect a 6-month-old infant to have achieved?
A. Walking while holding onto furniture
B. Sitting steadily without support
C. Using a pincer grasp to pick up food
D. Rolling from back to abdomen
🟢 Correct Answer: D
🔴 RATIONALE: By 6 months of age, infants typically roll over in both directions. Sitting steadily and pincer grasp
are usually achieved between 8 and 10 months.
6. A school-aged child with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus is found trembling and complaining of a headache after
gym class. What is the nurse's priority action?
, A. Administer 15 grams of a fast-acting carbohydrate
B. Check the urine for ketones
C. Give a dose of rapid-acting insulin
D. Contact the healthcare provider immediately
🟢 Correct Answer: A
🔴 RATIONALE: Trembling and headache are symptoms of hypoglycemia. The immediate priority is to raise the
blood glucose level with a simple carbohydrate.
7. The nurse is assessing a child with suspected acute glomerulonephritis. Which finding is most
characteristic of this condition?
A. Massive proteinuria and hypotension
B. Periorbital edema and smoky-colored urine
C. Increased appetite and polyuria
D. Loose, foul-smelling stools
🟢 Correct Answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Acute glomerulonephritis typically presents with periorbital edema, hypertension, and hematuria
(often described as tea-colored or smoky urine).
8. Which toy is most appropriate for the nurse to provide to a hospitalized 2-year-old child?
A. A 50-piece jigsaw puzzle
B. Large wooden building blocks
C. A chemistry set for beginners
D. Small plastic soldiers
🟢 Correct Answer: B
