HESI PEDIATRICS EXAM LATEST
ASSESSMENT 2026 QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES/GRADED A+/2026
UPDATE/100% CORRECT
/INSTANT DOWNLOAD
SECTION ONE: GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
1. A 6-month-old infant is brought to the clinic for a routine wellness checkup.
Which developmental milestone should the nurse expect the infant to have
achieved?
A. Sitting upright without support
B. Rolling from back to abdomen
C. Walking while holding onto furniture
D. Pincer grasp for small objects
Correct Answer: B - Rolling from back to abdomen
Rationale: By 6 months, most infants can roll from back to abdomen and sit with
support. Sitting without support typically occurs at 8 months, cruising at 9-10
months, and pincer grasp at 10 months.
2. A 2-year-old child throws a tantrum when told it is time for bed. Which
action demonstrates understanding of toddler development?
A. Spank the child for misbehavior
B. Offer two choices: "Do you want to hop or skip to bed?"
,C. Ignore the child until the tantrum stops
D. Tell the child, "Big boys don't cry"
Correct Answer: B - Offer two choices
Rationale: Toddlers seek autonomy according to Erikson's psychosocial development
(autonomy vs. shame/doubt). Offering limited choices gives control while setting
limits. Ignoring may work for attention-seeking but not always safe at bedtime.
3. A mother asks the nurse when to introduce rice cereal to her 4-month-old
infant. What is the nurse's best response?
A. "Start now, at 4 months"
B. "Wait until 6 months of age"
C. "Begin at 12 months"
D. "Only after the first tooth erupts"
Correct Answer: B - Wait until 6 months of age
Rationale: The AAP recommends exclusive breastfeeding or formula for 6 months.
Introducing solids before 4-6 months increases choking and allergy risk. At 4 months,
the extrusion reflex is still present.
4. The nurse is assessing a male adolescent client's knowledge of contraception.
The teen states, "I have all the info I need." What is the best response by the
nurse?
A. "Tell me what you know about birth control"
B. "Do you know how to apply a condom?"
C. "Teen pregnancy should not be taken lightly"
D. "You need to visit with your guidance counselor"
Correct Answer: A - "Tell me what you know about birth control"
Rationale: Teens often obtain information from peers, which may not be accurate.
Knowing the source of information helps the nurse evaluate the accuracy of the
teenager's knowledge regarding contraception. A general open-ended question is
most effective.
,5. A mother of a 9-month-old male infant is concerned because he cries
whenever she leaves him with a sitter. What is the best response for the nurse
to provide?
A. "Have you noticed whether your baby is teething?"
B. "Crying when you leave him is a healthy sign of attachment"
C. "Consider taking the baby to the doctor because he may be ill"
D. "You could consider leaving the infant more often so he can adjust"
Correct Answer: B - "Crying when you leave him is a healthy sign of
attachment"
Rationale: Healthy attachment is manifested by stranger anxiety in late infancy (8-12
months). This is a normal developmental milestone indicating secure attachment to
primary caregivers.
6. According to Piaget, a 9-year-old child is in which cognitive stage?
A. Sensorimotor
B. Preoperational
C. Concrete operational
D. Formal operational
Correct Answer: C - Concrete operational
Rationale: The concrete operational stage (ages 7-11 years) is characterized by logical
thinking about concrete events, understanding conservation, and using inductive
reasoning.
7. A 5-year-old insists that her doll is "sad because she lost her mommy." This is
an example of which concept?
A. Animism
B. Egocentrism
C. Centration
D. Conservation
, Correct Answer: A - Animism
Rationale: Animism is characteristic of the preoperational stage (ages 2-7 years) and
involves attributing lifelike qualities and emotions to inanimate objects.
8. A 13-year-old girl asks the school nurse if she can use tampons. What should
the nurse advise?
A. Advise against tampons until age 16
B. Explain tampon use is safe with proper hygiene and changing every 4-8 hours
C. Tell her to use pads only
D. Say she needs a pelvic exam first
Correct Answer: B - Explain tampon use is safe with proper hygiene and
changing every 4-8 hours
Rationale: Tampons are safe at any age after menarche with proper education about
hygiene and prevention of toxic shock syndrome (TSS). Tampons should be changed
every 4-8 hours.
9. A 14-month-old is brought in because he is not walking. He pulls to stand
and cruises. The nurse should:
A. Refer for developmental evaluation
B. Reassure that this is within normal limits
C. Order physical therapy immediately
D. Tell the mother to force him to walk
Correct Answer: B - Reassure that this is within normal limits
Rationale: Walking independently can occur as late as 18 months and still be within
normal range. Cruising (walking while holding furniture) at 14 months is an
appropriate precursor to independent walking.
10. Which play pattern is most typical for a 3-year-old child?
ASSESSMENT 2026 QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES/GRADED A+/2026
UPDATE/100% CORRECT
/INSTANT DOWNLOAD
SECTION ONE: GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
1. A 6-month-old infant is brought to the clinic for a routine wellness checkup.
Which developmental milestone should the nurse expect the infant to have
achieved?
A. Sitting upright without support
B. Rolling from back to abdomen
C. Walking while holding onto furniture
D. Pincer grasp for small objects
Correct Answer: B - Rolling from back to abdomen
Rationale: By 6 months, most infants can roll from back to abdomen and sit with
support. Sitting without support typically occurs at 8 months, cruising at 9-10
months, and pincer grasp at 10 months.
2. A 2-year-old child throws a tantrum when told it is time for bed. Which
action demonstrates understanding of toddler development?
A. Spank the child for misbehavior
B. Offer two choices: "Do you want to hop or skip to bed?"
,C. Ignore the child until the tantrum stops
D. Tell the child, "Big boys don't cry"
Correct Answer: B - Offer two choices
Rationale: Toddlers seek autonomy according to Erikson's psychosocial development
(autonomy vs. shame/doubt). Offering limited choices gives control while setting
limits. Ignoring may work for attention-seeking but not always safe at bedtime.
3. A mother asks the nurse when to introduce rice cereal to her 4-month-old
infant. What is the nurse's best response?
A. "Start now, at 4 months"
B. "Wait until 6 months of age"
C. "Begin at 12 months"
D. "Only after the first tooth erupts"
Correct Answer: B - Wait until 6 months of age
Rationale: The AAP recommends exclusive breastfeeding or formula for 6 months.
Introducing solids before 4-6 months increases choking and allergy risk. At 4 months,
the extrusion reflex is still present.
4. The nurse is assessing a male adolescent client's knowledge of contraception.
The teen states, "I have all the info I need." What is the best response by the
nurse?
A. "Tell me what you know about birth control"
B. "Do you know how to apply a condom?"
C. "Teen pregnancy should not be taken lightly"
D. "You need to visit with your guidance counselor"
Correct Answer: A - "Tell me what you know about birth control"
Rationale: Teens often obtain information from peers, which may not be accurate.
Knowing the source of information helps the nurse evaluate the accuracy of the
teenager's knowledge regarding contraception. A general open-ended question is
most effective.
,5. A mother of a 9-month-old male infant is concerned because he cries
whenever she leaves him with a sitter. What is the best response for the nurse
to provide?
A. "Have you noticed whether your baby is teething?"
B. "Crying when you leave him is a healthy sign of attachment"
C. "Consider taking the baby to the doctor because he may be ill"
D. "You could consider leaving the infant more often so he can adjust"
Correct Answer: B - "Crying when you leave him is a healthy sign of
attachment"
Rationale: Healthy attachment is manifested by stranger anxiety in late infancy (8-12
months). This is a normal developmental milestone indicating secure attachment to
primary caregivers.
6. According to Piaget, a 9-year-old child is in which cognitive stage?
A. Sensorimotor
B. Preoperational
C. Concrete operational
D. Formal operational
Correct Answer: C - Concrete operational
Rationale: The concrete operational stage (ages 7-11 years) is characterized by logical
thinking about concrete events, understanding conservation, and using inductive
reasoning.
7. A 5-year-old insists that her doll is "sad because she lost her mommy." This is
an example of which concept?
A. Animism
B. Egocentrism
C. Centration
D. Conservation
, Correct Answer: A - Animism
Rationale: Animism is characteristic of the preoperational stage (ages 2-7 years) and
involves attributing lifelike qualities and emotions to inanimate objects.
8. A 13-year-old girl asks the school nurse if she can use tampons. What should
the nurse advise?
A. Advise against tampons until age 16
B. Explain tampon use is safe with proper hygiene and changing every 4-8 hours
C. Tell her to use pads only
D. Say she needs a pelvic exam first
Correct Answer: B - Explain tampon use is safe with proper hygiene and
changing every 4-8 hours
Rationale: Tampons are safe at any age after menarche with proper education about
hygiene and prevention of toxic shock syndrome (TSS). Tampons should be changed
every 4-8 hours.
9. A 14-month-old is brought in because he is not walking. He pulls to stand
and cruises. The nurse should:
A. Refer for developmental evaluation
B. Reassure that this is within normal limits
C. Order physical therapy immediately
D. Tell the mother to force him to walk
Correct Answer: B - Reassure that this is within normal limits
Rationale: Walking independently can occur as late as 18 months and still be within
normal range. Cruising (walking while holding furniture) at 14 months is an
appropriate precursor to independent walking.
10. Which play pattern is most typical for a 3-year-old child?
