PEDIATRICS - HESI PRACTICE EXAM. LATEST UPDATE
2026
1. The nurse is giving preoperative instructions to a 14-year old female client
who is scheduled for surgery to correct a spinal curvature. Which statement
by the client best demonstrates that learning has taken place?
A. I will read all the literature you gave me before surgery.
B. I have had surgery before when I broke my wrist in a bike accident, so I
know what to expect.
C. All the things people have told me will help me take care of my back.
D. I understand that I will be in a body cast and I will show you how you taught
me to turn.
*Answer√√ D. I understand that I will be in a body cast and I will show you how you taught me to turn.
Outcome of learning is best demonstrated when the client not only verbalizes an understanding, but also can provide
a return demonstration. A 14-year old may or may not follow through with reading material and there is no way of
measuring that way of learning. Have a previous surgery may help the client understand the surgical process, but
,wrist surgery is very ditterent from spinal surgery and emergency surgery is ditterent than elective surgery. In (C),
the client may be saying what the nurse wants to hear, without expressing any real understanding of what to do after
surgery.
2. To take the vital signs of a 4-month old child, which order will give the most
accurate results?
A. Respiratory rate, heart rate, then rectal temperature
B. Heart rate, rectal temperature, then respiratory rate.
C. Rectal temperature, heart rate, then respiratory rate
D. Rectal temperature, respiratory rate, then heart rate
*Answer√√ A. Respiratory rate, heart rate, then rectal temperature
The respiratory rate should be taken first in infants, since touching them or performing unpleasant procedures usually
makes them cry, elevating the heart rate and making respirations diflcult to count. Rectal temperature is the most
invasive procedure, and is mot likely to precipitate crying, so should be done last.
3. During routine screening at a school clinic, an otoscope examination of a
child's ear reveals a tympanic membrane that is pearly gray, slightly bulging,
,and not movable. What action should the nurse take next?
A. No action required, as this is an expected finding for a school-aged child
B. Ask the child if he/she has had a cold, runny nose, or any ear pain lately.
, C. Send a note home advising the parents to have the child evaluated by a
healthcare provider as soon as possible.
d. Call the parents and have them take the child home from school for the rest
of the day.
*Answer√√ B. Ask the child if he/she has had a cold, runny nose, or any ear pain lately.
More information is needed to interpret these findings. The tympanic membrane is normally pearly gray, not bulging,
and moves when the client blows against resistance or a small putt of air is blown into the ear canal. Since this child's
findings are not completely normal, further assessment of history and related signs and symptoms is indicated for
accurate interpretation of the findings. (A), (C), and (D) are inappropriate actions based on the data obtained from
the otoscope examination.
4. Which restraint should be used for a toddler after a cleft palate repair?
A. clove hitch
B. Mummy
C. elbow
D. jacket
2026
1. The nurse is giving preoperative instructions to a 14-year old female client
who is scheduled for surgery to correct a spinal curvature. Which statement
by the client best demonstrates that learning has taken place?
A. I will read all the literature you gave me before surgery.
B. I have had surgery before when I broke my wrist in a bike accident, so I
know what to expect.
C. All the things people have told me will help me take care of my back.
D. I understand that I will be in a body cast and I will show you how you taught
me to turn.
*Answer√√ D. I understand that I will be in a body cast and I will show you how you taught me to turn.
Outcome of learning is best demonstrated when the client not only verbalizes an understanding, but also can provide
a return demonstration. A 14-year old may or may not follow through with reading material and there is no way of
measuring that way of learning. Have a previous surgery may help the client understand the surgical process, but
,wrist surgery is very ditterent from spinal surgery and emergency surgery is ditterent than elective surgery. In (C),
the client may be saying what the nurse wants to hear, without expressing any real understanding of what to do after
surgery.
2. To take the vital signs of a 4-month old child, which order will give the most
accurate results?
A. Respiratory rate, heart rate, then rectal temperature
B. Heart rate, rectal temperature, then respiratory rate.
C. Rectal temperature, heart rate, then respiratory rate
D. Rectal temperature, respiratory rate, then heart rate
*Answer√√ A. Respiratory rate, heart rate, then rectal temperature
The respiratory rate should be taken first in infants, since touching them or performing unpleasant procedures usually
makes them cry, elevating the heart rate and making respirations diflcult to count. Rectal temperature is the most
invasive procedure, and is mot likely to precipitate crying, so should be done last.
3. During routine screening at a school clinic, an otoscope examination of a
child's ear reveals a tympanic membrane that is pearly gray, slightly bulging,
,and not movable. What action should the nurse take next?
A. No action required, as this is an expected finding for a school-aged child
B. Ask the child if he/she has had a cold, runny nose, or any ear pain lately.
, C. Send a note home advising the parents to have the child evaluated by a
healthcare provider as soon as possible.
d. Call the parents and have them take the child home from school for the rest
of the day.
*Answer√√ B. Ask the child if he/she has had a cold, runny nose, or any ear pain lately.
More information is needed to interpret these findings. The tympanic membrane is normally pearly gray, not bulging,
and moves when the client blows against resistance or a small putt of air is blown into the ear canal. Since this child's
findings are not completely normal, further assessment of history and related signs and symptoms is indicated for
accurate interpretation of the findings. (A), (C), and (D) are inappropriate actions based on the data obtained from
the otoscope examination.
4. Which restraint should be used for a toddler after a cleft palate repair?
A. clove hitch
B. Mummy
C. elbow
D. jacket
