• HESI RN 09/11/2026
PEDIATRICS Exam
HESI RN 1 PEDIATRICS V3 3 FULL SET EXAMS
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS (NGN-STYLE
QUESTIONS & CASE SCENARIOS) Answers with
detailed Rationale
A 7-month-old male infant diagnosed with spastic cerebral palsy is seen by the nurse in the clinic. Which
statement by the parent warrants immediate intervention by the nurse?
A."My son often chokes while I am feeding him."
B."Is it normal for my child's legs to cross each other?"
P 1
, • HESI RN 09/11/2026
PEDIATRICS Exam
C."He gets stiff when I pull him up to a sitting position."
D."My 4-year-old son is jealous of his little brother." - Correct Answer :ANS: A
Airway obstruction (A) is always a priority when caring for any client. (B and C) are characteristics of spastic
cerebral palsy and may involve one or both sides. These children have difficulty with fine motor skills, and
attempts at motion increase abnormal postures. (D) is an expected behavior and may need to be addressed, but
it is not a priority over choking.
When caring for a child with congenital heart disease and polycythemia, which nursing intervention has the
highest priority?
A.Administering oxygen therapy continuously
B.Restricting fluids as ordered
C.Maintaining adequate hydration
D.Maintaining digoxin (Lanoxin) levels - Correct Answer :ANS:
The key word in this question is polycythemia. Hydration (C) decreases blood viscosity and the risk for thrombus
formation, the most common complication of polycythemia. (A and D) are nursing interventions for the cardiac
client but do not treat polycythemia. Fluid intake should be increased, not restricted (B).
An 18-month-old child returns to the unit following a cardiac catheterization with a cannulated femoral artery
site. Which intervention should the nurse implement?
A.Teach the parents how to ambulate the child in the room safely.
B.Show the parents how to hold the child with the extremity extended.
P 2
, • HESI RN 09/11/2026
PEDIATRICS Exam
C.Restrain the child's lower extremities for a minimum of 4 hours.
D.Place the child in a prone position to apply pressure to the site. - Correct Answer :ANS: B
The extremity should be extended to prevent trauma to the femoral catheterization site (B). (A and D) increase
the risk for complications and are contraindicated. (C) is not necessary. Only the extremity that was catheterized
requires immobilization.
The nurse assigns an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) to provide morning care to a newly admitted child
with bacterial meningitis. What is the most important instruction for the nurse to review with the UAP?
A.Use designated isolation precautions.
B.Keep the lighting in the room dim.
C.Allow the parents to assist with care.
D.Report any pain that the child experiences. - Correct Answer :ANS: A
All these are important measures to review with the UAP, but the most important is (A). Improper use of
isolation precautions can place other staff and clients at risk for infection. (B, C, and D) promote client comfort
and reduce anxiety but are of a lower priority than (A).
A child is admitted to the hospital for confirmation of a diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. During the
initial nursing assessment, which symptoms will this child most likely exhibit?
A.Bone pain, pallor
B.Weakness, tremors
P 3
, • HESI RN 09/11/2026
PEDIATRICS Exam
C.Nystagmus, anorexia
D.Fever, abdominal distention - Correct Answer :ANS: A
(A) lists the most common presenting symptoms of leukemia. Leukemic cells invade the bone marrow, gradually
causing a weakening of the bone and a tendency toward pathologic fractures. As leukemic cells invade the
periosteum, increasing pressure causes severe pain and anemia results from decreased erythrocytes, causing
pallor. (B and C) could be associated with central nervous system disorders. (D) commonly occurs in children but
is not specific for leukemia.
Following the administration of immunizations to a 6-month-old girl, the nurse provides the family with home
care instructions. Which statement by the mother indicates that further teaching is needed?
A."I will give her a baby aspirin every 4 hours as needed for fever."
B."I will call the clinic if her cry becomes high-pitched or unusual."
C."I know I can expect her to be irritable over the next 2 days."
D."I will exercise her legs regularly to decrease the soreness." - Correct Answer :ANS: A
Although fever may occur, non-aspirin-containing medications should be used because of the risk of Reye's
syndrome (A). (B) indicates a severe reaction, whereas (C) is a common side effect. (D) decreases soreness in
the thigh injection site.
Ampicillin, 75 mg/kg, is prescribed for a 22-lb child. It is available in a solution that contains 250 mg/5 mL. How
many milliliters should the nurse administer in one dose?
A.10
P 4
PEDIATRICS Exam
HESI RN 1 PEDIATRICS V3 3 FULL SET EXAMS
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS (NGN-STYLE
QUESTIONS & CASE SCENARIOS) Answers with
detailed Rationale
A 7-month-old male infant diagnosed with spastic cerebral palsy is seen by the nurse in the clinic. Which
statement by the parent warrants immediate intervention by the nurse?
A."My son often chokes while I am feeding him."
B."Is it normal for my child's legs to cross each other?"
P 1
, • HESI RN 09/11/2026
PEDIATRICS Exam
C."He gets stiff when I pull him up to a sitting position."
D."My 4-year-old son is jealous of his little brother." - Correct Answer :ANS: A
Airway obstruction (A) is always a priority when caring for any client. (B and C) are characteristics of spastic
cerebral palsy and may involve one or both sides. These children have difficulty with fine motor skills, and
attempts at motion increase abnormal postures. (D) is an expected behavior and may need to be addressed, but
it is not a priority over choking.
When caring for a child with congenital heart disease and polycythemia, which nursing intervention has the
highest priority?
A.Administering oxygen therapy continuously
B.Restricting fluids as ordered
C.Maintaining adequate hydration
D.Maintaining digoxin (Lanoxin) levels - Correct Answer :ANS:
The key word in this question is polycythemia. Hydration (C) decreases blood viscosity and the risk for thrombus
formation, the most common complication of polycythemia. (A and D) are nursing interventions for the cardiac
client but do not treat polycythemia. Fluid intake should be increased, not restricted (B).
An 18-month-old child returns to the unit following a cardiac catheterization with a cannulated femoral artery
site. Which intervention should the nurse implement?
A.Teach the parents how to ambulate the child in the room safely.
B.Show the parents how to hold the child with the extremity extended.
P 2
, • HESI RN 09/11/2026
PEDIATRICS Exam
C.Restrain the child's lower extremities for a minimum of 4 hours.
D.Place the child in a prone position to apply pressure to the site. - Correct Answer :ANS: B
The extremity should be extended to prevent trauma to the femoral catheterization site (B). (A and D) increase
the risk for complications and are contraindicated. (C) is not necessary. Only the extremity that was catheterized
requires immobilization.
The nurse assigns an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) to provide morning care to a newly admitted child
with bacterial meningitis. What is the most important instruction for the nurse to review with the UAP?
A.Use designated isolation precautions.
B.Keep the lighting in the room dim.
C.Allow the parents to assist with care.
D.Report any pain that the child experiences. - Correct Answer :ANS: A
All these are important measures to review with the UAP, but the most important is (A). Improper use of
isolation precautions can place other staff and clients at risk for infection. (B, C, and D) promote client comfort
and reduce anxiety but are of a lower priority than (A).
A child is admitted to the hospital for confirmation of a diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. During the
initial nursing assessment, which symptoms will this child most likely exhibit?
A.Bone pain, pallor
B.Weakness, tremors
P 3
, • HESI RN 09/11/2026
PEDIATRICS Exam
C.Nystagmus, anorexia
D.Fever, abdominal distention - Correct Answer :ANS: A
(A) lists the most common presenting symptoms of leukemia. Leukemic cells invade the bone marrow, gradually
causing a weakening of the bone and a tendency toward pathologic fractures. As leukemic cells invade the
periosteum, increasing pressure causes severe pain and anemia results from decreased erythrocytes, causing
pallor. (B and C) could be associated with central nervous system disorders. (D) commonly occurs in children but
is not specific for leukemia.
Following the administration of immunizations to a 6-month-old girl, the nurse provides the family with home
care instructions. Which statement by the mother indicates that further teaching is needed?
A."I will give her a baby aspirin every 4 hours as needed for fever."
B."I will call the clinic if her cry becomes high-pitched or unusual."
C."I know I can expect her to be irritable over the next 2 days."
D."I will exercise her legs regularly to decrease the soreness." - Correct Answer :ANS: A
Although fever may occur, non-aspirin-containing medications should be used because of the risk of Reye's
syndrome (A). (B) indicates a severe reaction, whereas (C) is a common side effect. (D) decreases soreness in
the thigh injection site.
Ampicillin, 75 mg/kg, is prescribed for a 22-lb child. It is available in a solution that contains 250 mg/5 mL. How
many milliliters should the nurse administer in one dose?
A.10
P 4
