HESI Pediatrics Exam Newest 2026/2027 Questions and Correct
Detailed Answers with Rationales Already Graded A+
Question 1
The mother of a 2-month-old infant is concerned because the infant's anterior
fontanel is still open. What is the nurse's best response?
A. "This is a normal finding and is expected to close between 12-18 months of
age."
B. "This indicates hydrocephalus and requires immediate surgical intervention."
C. "The fontanel should have closed by 2 months; I will inform the pediatrician."
D. "This is a sign of dehydration and we need to start IV fluids."
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The anterior fontanel is diamond-shaped and normally closes between
12-18 months of age. The posterior fontanel closes by 2-3 months. An open
anterior fontanel at 2 months is an expected finding .
,Why Others Are Wrong: Option B is incorrect because an open anterior fontanel
at 2 months does not indicate hydrocephalus. Option C is wrong because the
anterior fontanel should not be closed by 2 months. Option D is incorrect because
a bulging or sunken fontanel, not simply an open one, indicates dehydration or
increased intracranial pressure.
Question 2
A nurse is assessing a 4-year-old child. Which behavior best reflects the child's
expected psychosocial stage per Erikson?
A. The child cries when the parent leaves the room.
B. The child insists on choosing their own clothes and dressing independently.
C. The child repeatedly lines up toy cars in a precise row.
D. The child becomes upset when a puzzle piece doesn't fit.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Preschoolers (ages 3-5) are in Erikson's Initiative vs. Guilt stage. They
assert control over their environment through independent choices and actions.
Insisting on choosing clothes and dressing independently demonstrates this
developmental task .
,Why Others Are Wrong: Option A reflects Trust vs. Mistrust (infant stage). Option
C represents preoperational rigidity (Piaget, not Erikson). Option D relates to
frustration tolerance rather than a psychosocial stage hallmark .
Question 3
According to Piaget, a 7-month-old infant drops a rattle, and the nurse picks it up.
The infant repeats this several times, watching intently. This behavior
demonstrates:
A. Object permanence
B. Secondary circular reaction
C. Transductive reasoning
D. Centration
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Secondary circular reactions occur from 4-8 months when infants
repeat actions to make an interesting result last. The infant learns that dropping
the rattle causes the nurse to pick it up and repeats the action intentionally .
, Why Others Are Wrong: Object permanence (Option A) typically develops around
8-12 months. Transductive reasoning (Option C) and centration (Option D) are
characteristics of the preoperational stage (ages 2-7) .
Question 4
The parent of a 15-month-old toddler asks why the child says "no" to everything.
The nurse explains this behavior is consistent with which Erikson stage?
A. Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt
B. Trust vs. Mistrust
C. Initiative vs. Guilt
D. Industry vs. Inferiority
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Toddlerhood (ages 1-3) is Erikson's Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt stage.
Saying "no" is a healthy assertion of autonomy and independence. Shame
develops if parents are overcontrolling .
Detailed Answers with Rationales Already Graded A+
Question 1
The mother of a 2-month-old infant is concerned because the infant's anterior
fontanel is still open. What is the nurse's best response?
A. "This is a normal finding and is expected to close between 12-18 months of
age."
B. "This indicates hydrocephalus and requires immediate surgical intervention."
C. "The fontanel should have closed by 2 months; I will inform the pediatrician."
D. "This is a sign of dehydration and we need to start IV fluids."
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The anterior fontanel is diamond-shaped and normally closes between
12-18 months of age. The posterior fontanel closes by 2-3 months. An open
anterior fontanel at 2 months is an expected finding .
,Why Others Are Wrong: Option B is incorrect because an open anterior fontanel
at 2 months does not indicate hydrocephalus. Option C is wrong because the
anterior fontanel should not be closed by 2 months. Option D is incorrect because
a bulging or sunken fontanel, not simply an open one, indicates dehydration or
increased intracranial pressure.
Question 2
A nurse is assessing a 4-year-old child. Which behavior best reflects the child's
expected psychosocial stage per Erikson?
A. The child cries when the parent leaves the room.
B. The child insists on choosing their own clothes and dressing independently.
C. The child repeatedly lines up toy cars in a precise row.
D. The child becomes upset when a puzzle piece doesn't fit.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Preschoolers (ages 3-5) are in Erikson's Initiative vs. Guilt stage. They
assert control over their environment through independent choices and actions.
Insisting on choosing clothes and dressing independently demonstrates this
developmental task .
,Why Others Are Wrong: Option A reflects Trust vs. Mistrust (infant stage). Option
C represents preoperational rigidity (Piaget, not Erikson). Option D relates to
frustration tolerance rather than a psychosocial stage hallmark .
Question 3
According to Piaget, a 7-month-old infant drops a rattle, and the nurse picks it up.
The infant repeats this several times, watching intently. This behavior
demonstrates:
A. Object permanence
B. Secondary circular reaction
C. Transductive reasoning
D. Centration
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Secondary circular reactions occur from 4-8 months when infants
repeat actions to make an interesting result last. The infant learns that dropping
the rattle causes the nurse to pick it up and repeats the action intentionally .
, Why Others Are Wrong: Object permanence (Option A) typically develops around
8-12 months. Transductive reasoning (Option C) and centration (Option D) are
characteristics of the preoperational stage (ages 2-7) .
Question 4
The parent of a 15-month-old toddler asks why the child says "no" to everything.
The nurse explains this behavior is consistent with which Erikson stage?
A. Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt
B. Trust vs. Mistrust
C. Initiative vs. Guilt
D. Industry vs. Inferiority
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Toddlerhood (ages 1-3) is Erikson's Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt stage.
Saying "no" is a healthy assertion of autonomy and independence. Shame
develops if parents are overcontrolling .
