,HESI RN Pediatrics Nursing Content Exam Questions And Answers
2026/2027
1.** A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old child during a well-child visit. Which
developmental milestone should the nurse expect the child to have
achieved?
A) Builds a tower of 6 cubes
B) Uses a spoon with minimal spilling
C) Walks up stairs with assistance
D) All of the above
**Correct Answer:** D) All of the above
**Rationale:** By 24 months (2 years), a child typically builds a tower of 6
cubes, uses a spoon with some spilling, and walks up stairs with assistance.
These are expected fine and gross motor milestones for this age.
---
**2.** A parent asks the nurse when their child's birth length is expected to
double. What is the nurse's best response?
A) 6 months
B) 12 months
C) 18 months
D) 24 months
**Correct Answer:** B) 12 months
,**Rationale:** A child's birth length typically doubles by 12 months of age.
Birth weight triples by 12 months and quadruples by 24 months. This is an
expected growth pattern in healthy infants.
---
**3.** A 4-month-old infant is brought to the clinic for a well-child visit. The
parent asks what developmental milestones to expect by 6 months of age.
Which response by the nurse is correct?
A) "Your baby will be able to sit unsupported."
B) "Your baby will begin to roll from back to front."
C) "Your baby will begin to crawl."
D) "Your baby will be able to walk with assistance."
**Correct Answer:** B) "Your baby will begin to roll from back to front."
**Rationale:** By 6 months, infants typically roll from back to front, sit with
support, and begin to transfer objects from one hand to the other. Sitting
unsupported occurs around 7–8 months; crawling around 8–10 months;
walking with assistance around 11–12 months.
---
**4.** A nurse is assessing the fine motor skills of a 9-month-old infant.
Which observation would be considered a developmental delay requiring
further evaluation?
A) The infant uses a raking motion to pick up a Cheerio.
B) The infant is unable to hold a sippy cup independently.
, C) The infant has not yet developed a crude pincer grasp.
D) The infant shows hand dominance.
**Correct Answer:** D) The infant shows hand dominance.
**Rationale:** Hand dominance is not typically established until 18–24
months. A 9-month-old showing hand dominance may indicate a
developmental concern. A raking motion and crude pincer grasp are
expected at this age.
---
**5.** The nurse is measuring the frontal occipital circumference (FOC) of a
3-month-old infant and notes that the FOC has increased 5 cm (2 inches)
since birth and the child's head appears large in relation to body size. What
is the nurse's priority action?
A) Plot the measurement on the infant's growth chart
B) Observe the infant for sunset eyes
C) Measure the infant's head-to-heel length
D) Palpate the anterior fontanel for tension and bulging
**Correct Answer:** D) Palpate the anterior fontanel for tension and bulging
**Rationale:** A rapidly increasing head circumference in an infant may
indicate increased intracranial pressure from conditions such as
hydrocephalus. The nurse should palpate the anterior fontanel for bulging or
tension. A bulging fontanel requires immediate further evaluation.
---
2026/2027
1.** A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old child during a well-child visit. Which
developmental milestone should the nurse expect the child to have
achieved?
A) Builds a tower of 6 cubes
B) Uses a spoon with minimal spilling
C) Walks up stairs with assistance
D) All of the above
**Correct Answer:** D) All of the above
**Rationale:** By 24 months (2 years), a child typically builds a tower of 6
cubes, uses a spoon with some spilling, and walks up stairs with assistance.
These are expected fine and gross motor milestones for this age.
---
**2.** A parent asks the nurse when their child's birth length is expected to
double. What is the nurse's best response?
A) 6 months
B) 12 months
C) 18 months
D) 24 months
**Correct Answer:** B) 12 months
,**Rationale:** A child's birth length typically doubles by 12 months of age.
Birth weight triples by 12 months and quadruples by 24 months. This is an
expected growth pattern in healthy infants.
---
**3.** A 4-month-old infant is brought to the clinic for a well-child visit. The
parent asks what developmental milestones to expect by 6 months of age.
Which response by the nurse is correct?
A) "Your baby will be able to sit unsupported."
B) "Your baby will begin to roll from back to front."
C) "Your baby will begin to crawl."
D) "Your baby will be able to walk with assistance."
**Correct Answer:** B) "Your baby will begin to roll from back to front."
**Rationale:** By 6 months, infants typically roll from back to front, sit with
support, and begin to transfer objects from one hand to the other. Sitting
unsupported occurs around 7–8 months; crawling around 8–10 months;
walking with assistance around 11–12 months.
---
**4.** A nurse is assessing the fine motor skills of a 9-month-old infant.
Which observation would be considered a developmental delay requiring
further evaluation?
A) The infant uses a raking motion to pick up a Cheerio.
B) The infant is unable to hold a sippy cup independently.
, C) The infant has not yet developed a crude pincer grasp.
D) The infant shows hand dominance.
**Correct Answer:** D) The infant shows hand dominance.
**Rationale:** Hand dominance is not typically established until 18–24
months. A 9-month-old showing hand dominance may indicate a
developmental concern. A raking motion and crude pincer grasp are
expected at this age.
---
**5.** The nurse is measuring the frontal occipital circumference (FOC) of a
3-month-old infant and notes that the FOC has increased 5 cm (2 inches)
since birth and the child's head appears large in relation to body size. What
is the nurse's priority action?
A) Plot the measurement on the infant's growth chart
B) Observe the infant for sunset eyes
C) Measure the infant's head-to-heel length
D) Palpate the anterior fontanel for tension and bulging
**Correct Answer:** D) Palpate the anterior fontanel for tension and bulging
**Rationale:** A rapidly increasing head circumference in an infant may
indicate increased intracranial pressure from conditions such as
hydrocephalus. The nurse should palpate the anterior fontanel for bulging or
tension. A bulging fontanel requires immediate further evaluation.
---
