HESI Maternity & Pediatrics (PED) Exam
2026–2027
The Ultimate Study Guide with Real Questions
and Rationales to Pass on Your First Attempt
Question 1
Which information is most important for the PN to reinforce with
an adolescent who has hepatitis A about preventing the spread of
hepatitis in the home?
A. Wash the adolescent's dishes separately.
B. Ensure that all family members wash their hands before eating.
C. Prevent the adolescent from preparing food.
D. Encourage the adolescent to wear a mask over the nose and mouth.
Answer: C
Rationale:
Hepatitis A is spread through fecal-oral contamination, so the chance of
contaminating others is best reduced when the client does not participate
in any food preparation (C). Although handwashing (B) is always
recommended, the adolescent is an infectious reservoir and should
refrain from family meal preparation during the period of
communicability. (A and D) are not necessary.
,Question 2
The mother of a 9-month-old girl provides the PN information
about her daughter's diet. Which statement by the mother may
indicate why the infant has been diagnosed with iron deficiency
anemia?
A. She doesn't like to eat peaches or pears.
B. She has been on whole milk for 7 months.
C. She almost never drinks sugar water.
D. She likes to chew on bread as a snack.
Answer: B
Rationale:
Since cow's milk lacks iron, zinc, and vitamin E, which are necessary for
a 9-month-old infant's growth and development, (B) indicates a possible
etiology for the anemia. (A, C, and D) are not related to the etiology of
iron deficiency anemia.
Question 3
The practical nurse (PN) palpates the anterior fontanel of a 14-
month-old toddler and finds that it is closed. What action should the
PN implement?
A. Refer the toddler for a developmental evaluation.
B. Perform a focused neurological examination.
C. Report premature cranial suture closure to the healthcare provider.
D. Document the normal finding for the 14-month-old toddler.
Answer: D
Rationale:
The anterior fontanel normally closes between 12 and 18 months of
,age, so this finding should be documented as a normal finding for the
14-month-old toddler. (A, B, and C) are unnecessary.
Question 4
When reviewing the adverse effects of the DTaP (diphtheria,
tetanus, and acellular pertussis) vaccine with parents whose child is
being immunized, what side effect should the practical nurse convey
as most common?
A. Persistent crying and hyperpyrexia
B. Local erythema and edema at the injection site
C. Vomiting and dehydration
D. Seizures and hypo-responsive episodes
Answer: B
Rationale:
Mild side effects of the DTaP vaccine that usually resolve within 24–48
hours include mild fever, redness, and swelling at the injection site (B),
fussiness, and a slight decrease in appetite. Serious side effects are
uncommon and may include persistent inconsolable crying, fever
≥104.8°F (40.4°C), seizures, and hypotonic hyporesponsive episodes.
Vomiting and dehydration are not expected reactions.
Question 5
When reviewing the dietary guidelines for a child with nephrotic
syndrome, which diet should the practical nurse reinforce with the
parents?
A. Low sodium
B. High protein
, C. Low fat
D. High carbohydrate
Answer: A
Rationale:
Anasarca (generalized edema) associated with nephrotic syndrome
indicates fluid retention, which is best managed with a low-sodium diet
(A). The other options are not standard dietary recommendations for
managing nephrotic syndrome.
Question 6
What age-appropriate play activity should the PN suggest to the
parents of a 7-month-old infant to encourage visual stimulation?
A. Play peek-a-boo
B. Show how to clasp hands
C. Play pat-a-cake
D. Imitate animal sounds
Answer: A
Rationale:
Play is an important part of development between 6 months and 1 year.
Peek-a-boo (A) promotes visual stimulation and object permanence.
Clasping hands is more appropriate for kinesthetic stimulation, while
pat-a-cake and imitating animal sounds emphasize auditory stimulation.
Question 7
A male adolescent who is newly diagnosed with a seizure disorder
receives a prescription for an anticonvulsant. Which statement
2026–2027
The Ultimate Study Guide with Real Questions
and Rationales to Pass on Your First Attempt
Question 1
Which information is most important for the PN to reinforce with
an adolescent who has hepatitis A about preventing the spread of
hepatitis in the home?
A. Wash the adolescent's dishes separately.
B. Ensure that all family members wash their hands before eating.
C. Prevent the adolescent from preparing food.
D. Encourage the adolescent to wear a mask over the nose and mouth.
Answer: C
Rationale:
Hepatitis A is spread through fecal-oral contamination, so the chance of
contaminating others is best reduced when the client does not participate
in any food preparation (C). Although handwashing (B) is always
recommended, the adolescent is an infectious reservoir and should
refrain from family meal preparation during the period of
communicability. (A and D) are not necessary.
,Question 2
The mother of a 9-month-old girl provides the PN information
about her daughter's diet. Which statement by the mother may
indicate why the infant has been diagnosed with iron deficiency
anemia?
A. She doesn't like to eat peaches or pears.
B. She has been on whole milk for 7 months.
C. She almost never drinks sugar water.
D. She likes to chew on bread as a snack.
Answer: B
Rationale:
Since cow's milk lacks iron, zinc, and vitamin E, which are necessary for
a 9-month-old infant's growth and development, (B) indicates a possible
etiology for the anemia. (A, C, and D) are not related to the etiology of
iron deficiency anemia.
Question 3
The practical nurse (PN) palpates the anterior fontanel of a 14-
month-old toddler and finds that it is closed. What action should the
PN implement?
A. Refer the toddler for a developmental evaluation.
B. Perform a focused neurological examination.
C. Report premature cranial suture closure to the healthcare provider.
D. Document the normal finding for the 14-month-old toddler.
Answer: D
Rationale:
The anterior fontanel normally closes between 12 and 18 months of
,age, so this finding should be documented as a normal finding for the
14-month-old toddler. (A, B, and C) are unnecessary.
Question 4
When reviewing the adverse effects of the DTaP (diphtheria,
tetanus, and acellular pertussis) vaccine with parents whose child is
being immunized, what side effect should the practical nurse convey
as most common?
A. Persistent crying and hyperpyrexia
B. Local erythema and edema at the injection site
C. Vomiting and dehydration
D. Seizures and hypo-responsive episodes
Answer: B
Rationale:
Mild side effects of the DTaP vaccine that usually resolve within 24–48
hours include mild fever, redness, and swelling at the injection site (B),
fussiness, and a slight decrease in appetite. Serious side effects are
uncommon and may include persistent inconsolable crying, fever
≥104.8°F (40.4°C), seizures, and hypotonic hyporesponsive episodes.
Vomiting and dehydration are not expected reactions.
Question 5
When reviewing the dietary guidelines for a child with nephrotic
syndrome, which diet should the practical nurse reinforce with the
parents?
A. Low sodium
B. High protein
, C. Low fat
D. High carbohydrate
Answer: A
Rationale:
Anasarca (generalized edema) associated with nephrotic syndrome
indicates fluid retention, which is best managed with a low-sodium diet
(A). The other options are not standard dietary recommendations for
managing nephrotic syndrome.
Question 6
What age-appropriate play activity should the PN suggest to the
parents of a 7-month-old infant to encourage visual stimulation?
A. Play peek-a-boo
B. Show how to clasp hands
C. Play pat-a-cake
D. Imitate animal sounds
Answer: A
Rationale:
Play is an important part of development between 6 months and 1 year.
Peek-a-boo (A) promotes visual stimulation and object permanence.
Clasping hands is more appropriate for kinesthetic stimulation, while
pat-a-cake and imitating animal sounds emphasize auditory stimulation.
Question 7
A male adolescent who is newly diagnosed with a seizure disorder
receives a prescription for an anticonvulsant. Which statement
