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HESI PEDIATRICS EXAM LATEST VERSION
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026 EDITION
HESI PEDIATRICS EXAM — 250 Practice Questions
10-Point Summary of HESI Pediatrics Exam Coverage
Growth and Development: Milestones across developmental stages (infant, toddler,
preschooler, school-age, adolescent), Erikson's and Piaget's theories, and anticipatory
guidance.
Pediatric Assessment: Age-appropriate physical assessment, vital signs, pain
assessment, and developmental screening.
Respiratory Disorders: Asthma, bronchiolitis (RSV), croup, pneumonia, epiglottitis,
cystic fibrosis, and foreign body aspiration.
Gastrointestinal Disorders: Gastroenteritis, GERD, pyloric stenosis, Hirschsprung's
disease, celiac disease, and appendicitis.
Cardiac Disorders: Congenital heart defects (VSD, ASD, Tetralogy of Fallot), Kawasaki
disease, and rheumatic fever.
Neurological Disorders: Seizures, meningitis, head injuries, cerebral palsy, and
hydrocephalus.
Endocrine Disorders: Type 1 diabetes, growth hormone deficiency, and thyroid
disorders.
Renal & Urinary Disorders: UTIs, nephrotic syndrome, acute glomerulonephritis, and
enuresis.
Hematological & Immunological Disorders: Sickle cell anemia, iron deficiency
anemia, hemophilia, and leukemia.
Musculoskeletal & Integumentary Disorders: Fractures, developmental dysplasia of
the hip, scoliosis, burns, and skin infections.
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SECTION 1: GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT (Questions 1-30)
1. The nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to the parents of a 4-month-old
infant. Which developmental milestone should the nurse discuss?
A. The infant will be able to sit without support.
B. The infant will be able to roll from back to front.
C. The infant will be able to walk independently.
D. The infant will be able to speak in sentences.
Answer: B. Rationale: Rolling over typically occurs between 4-6 months. Sitting without
support occurs around 7-8 months. Walking independently occurs around 12-15
months. Speaking in sentences occurs around 2-3 years.
2. The nurse is assessing a 12-month-old infant. Which finding indicates normal
growth and development?
A. The infant weighs approximately double their birth weight.
B. The infant weighs approximately triple their birth weight.
C. The infant weighs approximately quadruple their birth weight.
D. The infant weighs approximately five times their birth weight.
Answer: B. Rationale: By 12 months, an infant's weight typically triples from birth
weight. It doubles at about 4-6 months and quadruples by 2 years.
3. The nurse is assessing a 2-year-old toddler. Which behavior is expected for this
age group according to Erikson's theory?
A. The child is developing a sense of trust.
B. The child is developing a sense of autonomy.
C. The child is developing a sense of initiative.
D. The child is developing a sense of industry.
Answer: B. Rationale: Erikson's stage for toddlers (1-3 years) is autonomy vs. shame
and doubt. Trust vs. mistrust is for infants (0-1 year). Initiative vs. guilt is for
preschoolers (3-5 years). Industry vs. inferiority is for school-age children (6-12 years).
4. The nurse is assessing a 4-year-old child. Which gross motor skill is
developmentally appropriate?
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A. The child can hop on one foot.
B. The child can skip and jump rope.
C. The child can ride a bicycle without training wheels.
D. The child can tie their shoes.
Answer: A. Rationale: Hopping on one foot is typical for a 4-year-old. Skipping and
jumping rope typically develop around age 5-6. Riding a bicycle without training wheels
develops around age 6-7. Tying shoes typically develops around age 6-7.
5. The nurse is assessing a 6-year-old child. Which fine motor skill is
developmentally appropriate?
A. The child can copy a circle.
B. The child can copy a square.
C. The child can copy a triangle.
D. The child can write their name legibly.
Answer: D. Rationale: By age 6, a child can typically write their name legibly. Copying a
circle occurs around age 3, a square around age 4-5, and a triangle around age 5.
6. The nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to the parents of an 18-month-old
toddler. Which statement by the parents indicates understanding?
A. "My child will be potty trained by 18 months."
B. "My child will have temper tantrums as a normal part of development."
C. "My child will be able to tie their shoes by 18 months."
D. "My child will be able to ride a tricycle by 18 months."
Answer: B. Rationale: Temper tantrums are normal for toddlers as they assert
autonomy. Potty training typically begins around 2-3 years. Tying shoes occurs around
age 6-7. Riding a tricycle occurs around age 3-4.
7. The nurse is assessing a 3-year-old child. Which cognitive milestone is expected
according to Piaget's theory?
A. The child uses abstract reasoning.
B. The child uses symbolic play and imitation.
C. The child uses logical reasoning.
D. The child uses hypothetical thinking.
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Answer: B. Rationale: According to Piaget, the preoperational stage (2-7 years) is
characterized by symbolic play and imitation. Abstract reasoning and logical reasoning
develop in the concrete operational stage (7-11 years). Hypothetical thinking develops
in the formal operational stage (11+ years).
8. The nurse is assessing a 10-year-old child. Which psychosocial development is
expected according to Erikson's theory?
A. The child is developing a sense of trust.
B. The child is developing a sense of autonomy.
C. The child is developing a sense of industry.
D. The child is developing a sense of identity.
Answer: C. Rationale: Erikson's stage for school-age children (6-12 years) is industry vs.
inferiority. Trust vs. mistrust is for infants. Autonomy vs. shame and doubt is for
toddlers. Identity vs. role confusion is for adolescents.
9. The nurse is assessing a 15-year-old adolescent. Which developmental task is
most important for this age group?
A. Developing a sense of trust.
B. Developing a sense of autonomy.
C. Developing a sense of industry.
D. Developing a sense of identity.
Answer: D. Rationale: According to Erikson, adolescents (12-18 years) are in the stage
of identity vs. role confusion. Developing a sense of identity is the primary
developmental task.
10. The nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to the parents of a 2-year-old child.
Which safety instruction is most important?
A. "Keep all medications and cleaning supplies locked and out of reach."
B. "Teach your child to swim."
C. "Teach your child to ride a bicycle safely."
D. "Teach your child about stranger danger."
Answer: A. Rationale: Toddlers are at risk for poisoning due to their curiosity and oral
exploration. Medications and cleaning supplies should be locked and out of reach.
11. The nurse is assessing a 5-year-old child. Which language development
milestone is expected?
HESI PEDIATRICS EXAM LATEST VERSION
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026 EDITION
HESI PEDIATRICS EXAM — 250 Practice Questions
10-Point Summary of HESI Pediatrics Exam Coverage
Growth and Development: Milestones across developmental stages (infant, toddler,
preschooler, school-age, adolescent), Erikson's and Piaget's theories, and anticipatory
guidance.
Pediatric Assessment: Age-appropriate physical assessment, vital signs, pain
assessment, and developmental screening.
Respiratory Disorders: Asthma, bronchiolitis (RSV), croup, pneumonia, epiglottitis,
cystic fibrosis, and foreign body aspiration.
Gastrointestinal Disorders: Gastroenteritis, GERD, pyloric stenosis, Hirschsprung's
disease, celiac disease, and appendicitis.
Cardiac Disorders: Congenital heart defects (VSD, ASD, Tetralogy of Fallot), Kawasaki
disease, and rheumatic fever.
Neurological Disorders: Seizures, meningitis, head injuries, cerebral palsy, and
hydrocephalus.
Endocrine Disorders: Type 1 diabetes, growth hormone deficiency, and thyroid
disorders.
Renal & Urinary Disorders: UTIs, nephrotic syndrome, acute glomerulonephritis, and
enuresis.
Hematological & Immunological Disorders: Sickle cell anemia, iron deficiency
anemia, hemophilia, and leukemia.
Musculoskeletal & Integumentary Disorders: Fractures, developmental dysplasia of
the hip, scoliosis, burns, and skin infections.
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SECTION 1: GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT (Questions 1-30)
1. The nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to the parents of a 4-month-old
infant. Which developmental milestone should the nurse discuss?
A. The infant will be able to sit without support.
B. The infant will be able to roll from back to front.
C. The infant will be able to walk independently.
D. The infant will be able to speak in sentences.
Answer: B. Rationale: Rolling over typically occurs between 4-6 months. Sitting without
support occurs around 7-8 months. Walking independently occurs around 12-15
months. Speaking in sentences occurs around 2-3 years.
2. The nurse is assessing a 12-month-old infant. Which finding indicates normal
growth and development?
A. The infant weighs approximately double their birth weight.
B. The infant weighs approximately triple their birth weight.
C. The infant weighs approximately quadruple their birth weight.
D. The infant weighs approximately five times their birth weight.
Answer: B. Rationale: By 12 months, an infant's weight typically triples from birth
weight. It doubles at about 4-6 months and quadruples by 2 years.
3. The nurse is assessing a 2-year-old toddler. Which behavior is expected for this
age group according to Erikson's theory?
A. The child is developing a sense of trust.
B. The child is developing a sense of autonomy.
C. The child is developing a sense of initiative.
D. The child is developing a sense of industry.
Answer: B. Rationale: Erikson's stage for toddlers (1-3 years) is autonomy vs. shame
and doubt. Trust vs. mistrust is for infants (0-1 year). Initiative vs. guilt is for
preschoolers (3-5 years). Industry vs. inferiority is for school-age children (6-12 years).
4. The nurse is assessing a 4-year-old child. Which gross motor skill is
developmentally appropriate?
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A. The child can hop on one foot.
B. The child can skip and jump rope.
C. The child can ride a bicycle without training wheels.
D. The child can tie their shoes.
Answer: A. Rationale: Hopping on one foot is typical for a 4-year-old. Skipping and
jumping rope typically develop around age 5-6. Riding a bicycle without training wheels
develops around age 6-7. Tying shoes typically develops around age 6-7.
5. The nurse is assessing a 6-year-old child. Which fine motor skill is
developmentally appropriate?
A. The child can copy a circle.
B. The child can copy a square.
C. The child can copy a triangle.
D. The child can write their name legibly.
Answer: D. Rationale: By age 6, a child can typically write their name legibly. Copying a
circle occurs around age 3, a square around age 4-5, and a triangle around age 5.
6. The nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to the parents of an 18-month-old
toddler. Which statement by the parents indicates understanding?
A. "My child will be potty trained by 18 months."
B. "My child will have temper tantrums as a normal part of development."
C. "My child will be able to tie their shoes by 18 months."
D. "My child will be able to ride a tricycle by 18 months."
Answer: B. Rationale: Temper tantrums are normal for toddlers as they assert
autonomy. Potty training typically begins around 2-3 years. Tying shoes occurs around
age 6-7. Riding a tricycle occurs around age 3-4.
7. The nurse is assessing a 3-year-old child. Which cognitive milestone is expected
according to Piaget's theory?
A. The child uses abstract reasoning.
B. The child uses symbolic play and imitation.
C. The child uses logical reasoning.
D. The child uses hypothetical thinking.
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Answer: B. Rationale: According to Piaget, the preoperational stage (2-7 years) is
characterized by symbolic play and imitation. Abstract reasoning and logical reasoning
develop in the concrete operational stage (7-11 years). Hypothetical thinking develops
in the formal operational stage (11+ years).
8. The nurse is assessing a 10-year-old child. Which psychosocial development is
expected according to Erikson's theory?
A. The child is developing a sense of trust.
B. The child is developing a sense of autonomy.
C. The child is developing a sense of industry.
D. The child is developing a sense of identity.
Answer: C. Rationale: Erikson's stage for school-age children (6-12 years) is industry vs.
inferiority. Trust vs. mistrust is for infants. Autonomy vs. shame and doubt is for
toddlers. Identity vs. role confusion is for adolescents.
9. The nurse is assessing a 15-year-old adolescent. Which developmental task is
most important for this age group?
A. Developing a sense of trust.
B. Developing a sense of autonomy.
C. Developing a sense of industry.
D. Developing a sense of identity.
Answer: D. Rationale: According to Erikson, adolescents (12-18 years) are in the stage
of identity vs. role confusion. Developing a sense of identity is the primary
developmental task.
10. The nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to the parents of a 2-year-old child.
Which safety instruction is most important?
A. "Keep all medications and cleaning supplies locked and out of reach."
B. "Teach your child to swim."
C. "Teach your child to ride a bicycle safely."
D. "Teach your child about stranger danger."
Answer: A. Rationale: Toddlers are at risk for poisoning due to their curiosity and oral
exploration. Medications and cleaning supplies should be locked and out of reach.
11. The nurse is assessing a 5-year-old child. Which language development
milestone is expected?
