HESI PEDIATRICS EXAM
COMPREHENSIVE TEST BANK (2026/2027 EDITION)
200 Multiple-Choice Questions - Complete Test Bank
Independent-Study Disclaimer
This test bank is an independent study aid and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Elsevier/HESI
or any other organization. It is provided for educational and self-assessment purposes only and is not a substitute
for official nursing curricula, the NCLEX-RN test plan, or professional guidance. Standards are subject to change;
always consult current HESI, AAP, and clinical references.
, Section 1: Growth & Development – Infancy through Adolescence (30
questions)
Q1: Which gross motor milestone is typically expected by 12 months of age?
A. Sitting without support
B. Rolling over
C. Running
D. Walking with support or independently [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Most infants walk with support or independently by 12 months. The others are earlier/later
milestones.
Q2: According to Erikson, the primary psychosocial task of the toddler is:
A. Trust versus mistrust
B. Industry versus inferiority
C. Autonomy versus shame and doubt [CORRECT]
D. Identity versus role confusion
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Toddlers work on autonomy versus shame and doubt. The others are different stages.
Q3: According to Erikson, the primary psychosocial task of infancy is:
A. Trust versus mistrust [CORRECT]
B. Autonomy versus shame
C. Initiative versus guilt
D. Intimacy versus isolation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Infants develop trust versus mistrust based on consistent care. The others are later stages.
Q4: According to Piaget, the sensorimotor stage spans:
A. 2 to 7 years
B. Birth to 2 years [CORRECT]
C. 7 to 11 years
D. 11 years and older
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Piaget's sensorimotor stage spans birth to 2 years. The others are different stages.
Q5: A preschooler is in which of Erikson's stages?
A. Autonomy versus shame
B. Initiative versus guilt [CORRECT]
C. Industry versus inferiority
D. Identity versus confusion
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Preschoolers are in initiative versus guilt. The others are different stages.
HESI Pediatrics Exam Test Bank - 2026/2027 Edition Page 2
, Q6: Which fine motor skill is typically expected in a 2-year-old?
A. Writing sentences
B. Using a spoon and building a tower of blocks [CORRECT]
C. Tying shoelaces
D. Using scissors neatly
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A 2-year-old can use a spoon and build block towers. The others are later milestones.
Q7: Which language milestone is normal for an 18-month-old?
A. Speaking in full sentences
B. Using several single words and understanding simple commands [CORRECT]
C. Reciting the alphabet
D. Reading simple words
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An 18-month-old typically uses several single words and follows simple commands. The others
are later.
Q8: The leading cause of death in toddlers is:
A. Cancer
B. Infectious disease
C. Congenital anomalies
D. Unintentional injury (accidents) [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Unintentional injury is the leading cause of death in toddlers. The others are not.
Q9: Which play activity is most appropriate for a preschooler?
A. Solitary play only
B. Competitive organized sports
C. Electronic gambling
D. Dramatic/pretend play and group games [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Preschoolers engage in dramatic and group play. The others are not appropriate.
Q10: Which cognitive development is typical of the school-age child (6-12 years)?
A. Abstract reasoning about philosophy
B. Understanding conservation and logical thinking [CORRECT]
C. Egocentric thinking
D. Sensorimotor exploration
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: School-age children achieve conservation and concrete logical thinking. The others are different
stages.
HESI Pediatrics Exam Test Bank - 2026/2027 Edition Page 3
, Q11: Which gross motor skill is typically mastered by a 4-year-old?
A. Hopping on one foot and going up/down stairs [CORRECT]
B. Running but falling often
C. Rolling over
D. Crawling
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A 4-year-old can hop on one foot and use stairs. The others are earlier milestones.
Q12: According to Erikson, the adolescent is working on:
A. Identity versus role confusion [CORRECT]
B. Initiative versus guilt
C. Trust versus mistrust
D. Integrity versus despair
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Adolescents work on identity versus role confusion. The others are different stages.
Q13: A 3-year-old who insists on doing tasks 'by myself' is exhibiting:
A. A developmental delay
B. Regression
C. Autonomy and independence typical of this age [CORRECT]
D. Failure to thrive
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Insisting on independence reflects autonomy, normal at this age. The others are incorrect.
Q14: Which is a normal finding in the infant at 6 months?
A. Walking independently
B. Speaking in sentences
C. Sitting with support and beginning solid foods [CORRECT]
D. Tying shoes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: At 6 months, infants sit with support and begin solids. The others are later.
Q15: Separation anxiety typically peaks in which age group?
A. Infants and toddlers (around 8-18 months) [CORRECT]
B. Adolescents
C. Newborns
D. School-age children
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Separation anxiety peaks in infancy/toddlerhood. The others are not typical.
HESI Pediatrics Exam Test Bank - 2026/2027 Edition Page 4
COMPREHENSIVE TEST BANK (2026/2027 EDITION)
200 Multiple-Choice Questions - Complete Test Bank
Independent-Study Disclaimer
This test bank is an independent study aid and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Elsevier/HESI
or any other organization. It is provided for educational and self-assessment purposes only and is not a substitute
for official nursing curricula, the NCLEX-RN test plan, or professional guidance. Standards are subject to change;
always consult current HESI, AAP, and clinical references.
, Section 1: Growth & Development – Infancy through Adolescence (30
questions)
Q1: Which gross motor milestone is typically expected by 12 months of age?
A. Sitting without support
B. Rolling over
C. Running
D. Walking with support or independently [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Most infants walk with support or independently by 12 months. The others are earlier/later
milestones.
Q2: According to Erikson, the primary psychosocial task of the toddler is:
A. Trust versus mistrust
B. Industry versus inferiority
C. Autonomy versus shame and doubt [CORRECT]
D. Identity versus role confusion
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Toddlers work on autonomy versus shame and doubt. The others are different stages.
Q3: According to Erikson, the primary psychosocial task of infancy is:
A. Trust versus mistrust [CORRECT]
B. Autonomy versus shame
C. Initiative versus guilt
D. Intimacy versus isolation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Infants develop trust versus mistrust based on consistent care. The others are later stages.
Q4: According to Piaget, the sensorimotor stage spans:
A. 2 to 7 years
B. Birth to 2 years [CORRECT]
C. 7 to 11 years
D. 11 years and older
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Piaget's sensorimotor stage spans birth to 2 years. The others are different stages.
Q5: A preschooler is in which of Erikson's stages?
A. Autonomy versus shame
B. Initiative versus guilt [CORRECT]
C. Industry versus inferiority
D. Identity versus confusion
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Preschoolers are in initiative versus guilt. The others are different stages.
HESI Pediatrics Exam Test Bank - 2026/2027 Edition Page 2
, Q6: Which fine motor skill is typically expected in a 2-year-old?
A. Writing sentences
B. Using a spoon and building a tower of blocks [CORRECT]
C. Tying shoelaces
D. Using scissors neatly
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A 2-year-old can use a spoon and build block towers. The others are later milestones.
Q7: Which language milestone is normal for an 18-month-old?
A. Speaking in full sentences
B. Using several single words and understanding simple commands [CORRECT]
C. Reciting the alphabet
D. Reading simple words
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An 18-month-old typically uses several single words and follows simple commands. The others
are later.
Q8: The leading cause of death in toddlers is:
A. Cancer
B. Infectious disease
C. Congenital anomalies
D. Unintentional injury (accidents) [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Unintentional injury is the leading cause of death in toddlers. The others are not.
Q9: Which play activity is most appropriate for a preschooler?
A. Solitary play only
B. Competitive organized sports
C. Electronic gambling
D. Dramatic/pretend play and group games [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Preschoolers engage in dramatic and group play. The others are not appropriate.
Q10: Which cognitive development is typical of the school-age child (6-12 years)?
A. Abstract reasoning about philosophy
B. Understanding conservation and logical thinking [CORRECT]
C. Egocentric thinking
D. Sensorimotor exploration
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: School-age children achieve conservation and concrete logical thinking. The others are different
stages.
HESI Pediatrics Exam Test Bank - 2026/2027 Edition Page 3
, Q11: Which gross motor skill is typically mastered by a 4-year-old?
A. Hopping on one foot and going up/down stairs [CORRECT]
B. Running but falling often
C. Rolling over
D. Crawling
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A 4-year-old can hop on one foot and use stairs. The others are earlier milestones.
Q12: According to Erikson, the adolescent is working on:
A. Identity versus role confusion [CORRECT]
B. Initiative versus guilt
C. Trust versus mistrust
D. Integrity versus despair
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Adolescents work on identity versus role confusion. The others are different stages.
Q13: A 3-year-old who insists on doing tasks 'by myself' is exhibiting:
A. A developmental delay
B. Regression
C. Autonomy and independence typical of this age [CORRECT]
D. Failure to thrive
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Insisting on independence reflects autonomy, normal at this age. The others are incorrect.
Q14: Which is a normal finding in the infant at 6 months?
A. Walking independently
B. Speaking in sentences
C. Sitting with support and beginning solid foods [CORRECT]
D. Tying shoes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: At 6 months, infants sit with support and begin solids. The others are later.
Q15: Separation anxiety typically peaks in which age group?
A. Infants and toddlers (around 8-18 months) [CORRECT]
B. Adolescents
C. Newborns
D. School-age children
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Separation anxiety peaks in infancy/toddlerhood. The others are not typical.
HESI Pediatrics Exam Test Bank - 2026/2027 Edition Page 4
