HESI PEDIATRIC EXAM QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 2026-2027 | LATEST PEDIATRI… EXAM
P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
HESI Pediatric Exam
Questions & Answers 2026-
2027 | Latest Pediatric
Nursing Questions
(Rationales)
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales
84 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document provides 84 HESI Pediatric exam questions, each with the correct answer and a detailed
rationale. It covers fundamental pediatric nursing concepts, offering a comprehensive resource for
students to study, review, and prepare for certification exams.
CONTENTS
Pediatric Conditions & Interventions Q1–Q68
Pediatric Assessment & Vital Signs Q69–Q75
Pediatric Growth & Development Q76–Q83
Pediatric Nutrition & Fluid Balance Q84–Q84
Page 1
, E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 84
The nurse is giving pre-op instructions to a 14 yr old female scheduled for surgery to correct a spinal
curvature. Which stmt best demonstrates that leaning has taken place?
CORRECT ANSWER
"I understand that I will be in a body cast and I will show you how you taught me to turn"
RATIONALE
Demonstrating understanding of post-operative care, including the body cast and specific turning techniques,
signifies that the adolescent has internalized and can apply the health education provided, indicating learning has
occurred. This reflects the principle of demonstrating learned behaviors and knowledge retention.
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 84
Which restraint should be used for a toddler after a cleft palate repair?
CORRECT ANSWER
Elbow
RATIONALE
Elbow restraints are used to prevent the toddler from placing their hands in their mouth, which could disrupt the
surgical site and impede healing of the cleft palate. This addresses the key principle of maintaining surgical site
integrity post-operatively.
Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 84
What pre-op nsg intervention should be included in the POC for an infant w/ pyloric stenosis?
CORRECT ANSWER
Observe for projectile vomiting
(remember that projectile vomiting leads to metabolic alkalosis)
RATIONALE
Monitoring for projectile vomiting is critical because it signifies the hallmark symptom of pyloric stenosis and can
lead to significant fluid and electrolyte imbalances, particularly metabolic alkalosis due to loss of gastric acid. The
key concept tested is recognizing the primary clinical manifestation of pyloric stenosis and its immediate
physiological consequence.
Page 2
, Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 84
A 6 month old returns from surgery w/ elbow restraints in place. What nsg care should be included when
caring for any restrained child?
CORRECT ANSWER
Remove the restraints one at a time and provide ROM exercises
(Removing them 1 at a time is safer than all at once)
RATIONALE
Restraints impede circulation and mobility, necessitating regular removal for range-of-motion exercises to prevent
contractures and maintain joint function. This practice also allows for skin assessment and comfort measures,
promoting the child's well-being while ensuring safety.
Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 84
A 2 yr old w/ Down syndrome is brought to the clinic for his regular physical exam. The nurse knows which
problem is requently associated w/ Downs?
CORRECT ANSWER
Congenital heart disease
(CHD is the most common associated defect w/ Downs. - also, remember Professor Moore said that heart and
ear problems go hand in hand)
RATIONALE
Congenital heart disease is the most common comorbidity in children with Down syndrome, affecting
approximately 40-50% of affected individuals. This association underscores the importance of cardiac screening in
this population.
Q6 QUESTION 6 OF 84
When assessing a child w/ asthma, the nurse should expect intercostal retractions during
CORRECT ANSWER
Inspriation
RATIONALE
Intercostal retractions occur when negative intrathoracic pressure during inspiration exceeds the elastic recoil of
the chest wall, indicating significant respiratory distress in a child with asthma. This phenomenon highlights the
increased work of breathing required to overcome airway obstruction.
Page 3
, Q7 QUESTION 7 OF 84
When planning the care for a child who has had a cleft lip repair, the nurse know that crying should be
minimized because it
CORRECT ANSWER
Stresses the suture line
RATIONALE
Minimizing crying after cleft lip repair prevents increased intraoral pressure and tension on the fragile suture line,
promoting optimal wound healing and preventing dehiscence. This intervention directly addresses the principle of
protecting surgical sites from undue stress.
Q8 QUESTION 8 OF 84
the other of a preschool-aged child asks the nurse if it is all right to administer Pepto Bismol to her son
when he has a tummy ache. After reminding her to check the label of all OTC meds for the presence of ASA,
which instruction should the nurse include when replying to the mom's question?
CORRECT ANSWER
Do not give if they have chicken pox, the flue, or any other viral illness
(ASA can cause Reye's syndrome)
RATIONALE
Aspirin (ASA) administration in children with viral illnesses like chickenpox or influenza poses a significant risk for
developing Reye syndrome, a rare but serious condition causing swelling in the liver and brain. Therefore, parents
must be instructed to avoid ASA-containing products during such illnesses.
Q9 QUESTION 9 OF 84
A burned child is brought to the ER. In estimating the % of body burned, the nurse uses a modified "Rule of
Nines." Which part of the body is calculated as a larger % of total body surface than an adult?
CORRECT ANSWER
Head and neck
(a child's head and neck are proportionately larger to their body than an adult's)
RATIONALE
In pediatric patients, the head and neck represent a proportionally larger percentage of total body surface area
compared to adults, necessitating a modification of the Rule of Nines for accurate burn assessment. This reflects
the developmental differences in body proportions between children and adults.
Page 4
P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
HESI Pediatric Exam
Questions & Answers 2026-
2027 | Latest Pediatric
Nursing Questions
(Rationales)
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales
84 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document provides 84 HESI Pediatric exam questions, each with the correct answer and a detailed
rationale. It covers fundamental pediatric nursing concepts, offering a comprehensive resource for
students to study, review, and prepare for certification exams.
CONTENTS
Pediatric Conditions & Interventions Q1–Q68
Pediatric Assessment & Vital Signs Q69–Q75
Pediatric Growth & Development Q76–Q83
Pediatric Nutrition & Fluid Balance Q84–Q84
Page 1
, E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 84
The nurse is giving pre-op instructions to a 14 yr old female scheduled for surgery to correct a spinal
curvature. Which stmt best demonstrates that leaning has taken place?
CORRECT ANSWER
"I understand that I will be in a body cast and I will show you how you taught me to turn"
RATIONALE
Demonstrating understanding of post-operative care, including the body cast and specific turning techniques,
signifies that the adolescent has internalized and can apply the health education provided, indicating learning has
occurred. This reflects the principle of demonstrating learned behaviors and knowledge retention.
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 84
Which restraint should be used for a toddler after a cleft palate repair?
CORRECT ANSWER
Elbow
RATIONALE
Elbow restraints are used to prevent the toddler from placing their hands in their mouth, which could disrupt the
surgical site and impede healing of the cleft palate. This addresses the key principle of maintaining surgical site
integrity post-operatively.
Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 84
What pre-op nsg intervention should be included in the POC for an infant w/ pyloric stenosis?
CORRECT ANSWER
Observe for projectile vomiting
(remember that projectile vomiting leads to metabolic alkalosis)
RATIONALE
Monitoring for projectile vomiting is critical because it signifies the hallmark symptom of pyloric stenosis and can
lead to significant fluid and electrolyte imbalances, particularly metabolic alkalosis due to loss of gastric acid. The
key concept tested is recognizing the primary clinical manifestation of pyloric stenosis and its immediate
physiological consequence.
Page 2
, Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 84
A 6 month old returns from surgery w/ elbow restraints in place. What nsg care should be included when
caring for any restrained child?
CORRECT ANSWER
Remove the restraints one at a time and provide ROM exercises
(Removing them 1 at a time is safer than all at once)
RATIONALE
Restraints impede circulation and mobility, necessitating regular removal for range-of-motion exercises to prevent
contractures and maintain joint function. This practice also allows for skin assessment and comfort measures,
promoting the child's well-being while ensuring safety.
Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 84
A 2 yr old w/ Down syndrome is brought to the clinic for his regular physical exam. The nurse knows which
problem is requently associated w/ Downs?
CORRECT ANSWER
Congenital heart disease
(CHD is the most common associated defect w/ Downs. - also, remember Professor Moore said that heart and
ear problems go hand in hand)
RATIONALE
Congenital heart disease is the most common comorbidity in children with Down syndrome, affecting
approximately 40-50% of affected individuals. This association underscores the importance of cardiac screening in
this population.
Q6 QUESTION 6 OF 84
When assessing a child w/ asthma, the nurse should expect intercostal retractions during
CORRECT ANSWER
Inspriation
RATIONALE
Intercostal retractions occur when negative intrathoracic pressure during inspiration exceeds the elastic recoil of
the chest wall, indicating significant respiratory distress in a child with asthma. This phenomenon highlights the
increased work of breathing required to overcome airway obstruction.
Page 3
, Q7 QUESTION 7 OF 84
When planning the care for a child who has had a cleft lip repair, the nurse know that crying should be
minimized because it
CORRECT ANSWER
Stresses the suture line
RATIONALE
Minimizing crying after cleft lip repair prevents increased intraoral pressure and tension on the fragile suture line,
promoting optimal wound healing and preventing dehiscence. This intervention directly addresses the principle of
protecting surgical sites from undue stress.
Q8 QUESTION 8 OF 84
the other of a preschool-aged child asks the nurse if it is all right to administer Pepto Bismol to her son
when he has a tummy ache. After reminding her to check the label of all OTC meds for the presence of ASA,
which instruction should the nurse include when replying to the mom's question?
CORRECT ANSWER
Do not give if they have chicken pox, the flue, or any other viral illness
(ASA can cause Reye's syndrome)
RATIONALE
Aspirin (ASA) administration in children with viral illnesses like chickenpox or influenza poses a significant risk for
developing Reye syndrome, a rare but serious condition causing swelling in the liver and brain. Therefore, parents
must be instructed to avoid ASA-containing products during such illnesses.
Q9 QUESTION 9 OF 84
A burned child is brought to the ER. In estimating the % of body burned, the nurse uses a modified "Rule of
Nines." Which part of the body is calculated as a larger % of total body surface than an adult?
CORRECT ANSWER
Head and neck
(a child's head and neck are proportionately larger to their body than an adult's)
RATIONALE
In pediatric patients, the head and neck represent a proportionally larger percentage of total body surface area
compared to adults, necessitating a modification of the Rule of Nines for accurate burn assessment. This reflects
the developmental differences in body proportions between children and adults.
Page 4
