2025–2026 HESI RN PEDIATRIC (PEDS) ACTUAL EXAM V1
& V2 | 300 VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES | GRADED A+ |
GUARANTEED PASS
Section 1: Growth & Development (Q1–Q20)
1. A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant. Which finding should the nurse expect?
A. Birth weight doubled
B. Birth weight tripled
C. Able to sit unsupported
D. Pincer grasp present
Correct Answer: A. Birth weight doubled
Birth weight typically doubles by 5–6 months and triples by 12 months. Sitting unsupported
occurs around 8 months, and pincer grasp develops around 9–10 months.
2. Which developmental milestone should a 15-month-old toddler demonstrate?
A. Uses 2–3 word sentences
B. Walks independently
C. Throws a ball overhand
D. Builds a tower of 6 blocks
Correct Answer: B. Walks independently
Walking independently is expected by 12–15 months. Two- to three-word sentences occur
around 2 years, overhand throwing around 18–24 months, and 6-block towers around 2 years.
3. A nurse is teaching parents about Piaget's stages. A 4-year-old is in which stage?
A. Sensorimotor
B. Preoperational
C. Concrete operational
D. Formal operational
Correct Answer: B. Preoperational
The preoperational stage (2–7 years) is characterized by egocentric thinking, magical
,thinking, and symbolic play. Sensorimotor is 0–2 years, concrete operational 7–11 years, and
formal operational 11+ years.
4. Which behavior indicates a 3-year-old has achieved Erikson's stage of initiative vs. guilt?
A. Cries when separated from parent
B. Initiates play and asks questions
C. Follows rules to avoid punishment
D. Shares toys without prompting
Correct Answer: B. Initiates play and asks questions
Initiative vs. guilt (3–6 years) is marked by purposeful exploration, curiosity, and initiating
activities. Separation anxiety is autonomy vs. shame (1–3 years), and rule-following is industry
vs. inferiority (6–12 years).
5. A 9-month-old infant should be able to do which of the following?
A. Say "mama" and "dada" specifically
B. Sit without support
C. Walk with one hand held
D. Drink from a cup independently
Correct Answer: B. Sit without support
Sitting without support is expected by 8–9 months. Specific words occur around 10–12
months, walking with one hand held around 12 months, and independent cup drinking around
15–18 months.
6. A nurse is assessing a 5-year-old. Which finding suggests a developmental delay?
A. Can count to 10
B. Cannot hop on one foot
C. Can draw a person with 6 parts
D. Knows own age and address
Correct Answer: B. Cannot hop on one foot
Hopping on one foot is expected by 4–5 years. Counting to 10, drawing a person with 6
parts, and knowing age/address are appropriate for 5 years.
,7. Which toy is most appropriate for a 4-month-old infant?
A. Stuffed animal with button eyes
B. Brightly colored mobile
C. Small building blocks
D. Board game
Correct Answer: B. Brightly colored mobile
At 4 months, infants visually track and reach for objects; mobiles provide visual stimulation.
Button eyes pose a choking hazard, blocks are for older infants/toddlers, and board games are
for school-age children.
8. A nurse is teaching about fine motor development. At what age does a pincer grasp
typically appear?
A. 4 months
B. 6 months
C. 9 months
D. 12 months
Correct Answer: C. 9 months
The pincer grasp (thumb and index finger) develops around 9 months. A raking grasp
appears around 6 months.
9. A 2-year-old is brought to the clinic. Which behavior should the nurse expect?
A. Parallel play
B. Cooperative play
C. Imaginary friends
D. Team sports
Correct Answer: A. Parallel play
Toddlers engage in parallel play (playing alongside but not with others). Cooperative play
begins around 4 years, imaginary friends around 3–4 years, and team sports in school-age
children.
10. Which statement by a parent indicates understanding of toilet training readiness?
A. "I started training at 12 months."
B. "My child stays dry for 2 hours at a time."
, C. "My child has frequent diaper rashes."
D. "My child cannot pull down pants yet."
Correct Answer: B. "My child stays dry for 2 hours at a time."
Toilet training readiness includes staying dry for 2 hours, ability to pull pants down, and
showing interest — typically 18–24 months. Starting at 12 months is too early.
11. A nurse is assessing a 7-year-old's cognitive development. Which task should the child be
able to complete?
A. Conservation of mass
B. Abstract reasoning
C. Egocentric thinking
D. Object permanence
Correct Answer: A. Conservation of mass
Concrete operational stage (7–11 years) includes conservation. Abstract reasoning is formal
operational (11+), egocentric thinking is preoperational, and object permanence is
sensorimotor.
12. Which finding in a 12-month-old warrants further evaluation?
A. Birth weight tripled
B. Uses 2-word phrases
C. Cannot walk independently
D. Has 6 teeth
Correct Answer: B. Uses 2-word phrases
Two-word phrases are expected around 18–24 months, not 12 months. Birth weight tripling,
walking by 12–15 months, and 6 teeth are normal at 12 months.
13. A nurse is teaching about stranger anxiety. At what age does it typically peak?
A. 2–3 months
B. 6–8 months
C. 12–15 months
D. 2 years
& V2 | 300 VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES | GRADED A+ |
GUARANTEED PASS
Section 1: Growth & Development (Q1–Q20)
1. A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant. Which finding should the nurse expect?
A. Birth weight doubled
B. Birth weight tripled
C. Able to sit unsupported
D. Pincer grasp present
Correct Answer: A. Birth weight doubled
Birth weight typically doubles by 5–6 months and triples by 12 months. Sitting unsupported
occurs around 8 months, and pincer grasp develops around 9–10 months.
2. Which developmental milestone should a 15-month-old toddler demonstrate?
A. Uses 2–3 word sentences
B. Walks independently
C. Throws a ball overhand
D. Builds a tower of 6 blocks
Correct Answer: B. Walks independently
Walking independently is expected by 12–15 months. Two- to three-word sentences occur
around 2 years, overhand throwing around 18–24 months, and 6-block towers around 2 years.
3. A nurse is teaching parents about Piaget's stages. A 4-year-old is in which stage?
A. Sensorimotor
B. Preoperational
C. Concrete operational
D. Formal operational
Correct Answer: B. Preoperational
The preoperational stage (2–7 years) is characterized by egocentric thinking, magical
,thinking, and symbolic play. Sensorimotor is 0–2 years, concrete operational 7–11 years, and
formal operational 11+ years.
4. Which behavior indicates a 3-year-old has achieved Erikson's stage of initiative vs. guilt?
A. Cries when separated from parent
B. Initiates play and asks questions
C. Follows rules to avoid punishment
D. Shares toys without prompting
Correct Answer: B. Initiates play and asks questions
Initiative vs. guilt (3–6 years) is marked by purposeful exploration, curiosity, and initiating
activities. Separation anxiety is autonomy vs. shame (1–3 years), and rule-following is industry
vs. inferiority (6–12 years).
5. A 9-month-old infant should be able to do which of the following?
A. Say "mama" and "dada" specifically
B. Sit without support
C. Walk with one hand held
D. Drink from a cup independently
Correct Answer: B. Sit without support
Sitting without support is expected by 8–9 months. Specific words occur around 10–12
months, walking with one hand held around 12 months, and independent cup drinking around
15–18 months.
6. A nurse is assessing a 5-year-old. Which finding suggests a developmental delay?
A. Can count to 10
B. Cannot hop on one foot
C. Can draw a person with 6 parts
D. Knows own age and address
Correct Answer: B. Cannot hop on one foot
Hopping on one foot is expected by 4–5 years. Counting to 10, drawing a person with 6
parts, and knowing age/address are appropriate for 5 years.
,7. Which toy is most appropriate for a 4-month-old infant?
A. Stuffed animal with button eyes
B. Brightly colored mobile
C. Small building blocks
D. Board game
Correct Answer: B. Brightly colored mobile
At 4 months, infants visually track and reach for objects; mobiles provide visual stimulation.
Button eyes pose a choking hazard, blocks are for older infants/toddlers, and board games are
for school-age children.
8. A nurse is teaching about fine motor development. At what age does a pincer grasp
typically appear?
A. 4 months
B. 6 months
C. 9 months
D. 12 months
Correct Answer: C. 9 months
The pincer grasp (thumb and index finger) develops around 9 months. A raking grasp
appears around 6 months.
9. A 2-year-old is brought to the clinic. Which behavior should the nurse expect?
A. Parallel play
B. Cooperative play
C. Imaginary friends
D. Team sports
Correct Answer: A. Parallel play
Toddlers engage in parallel play (playing alongside but not with others). Cooperative play
begins around 4 years, imaginary friends around 3–4 years, and team sports in school-age
children.
10. Which statement by a parent indicates understanding of toilet training readiness?
A. "I started training at 12 months."
B. "My child stays dry for 2 hours at a time."
, C. "My child has frequent diaper rashes."
D. "My child cannot pull down pants yet."
Correct Answer: B. "My child stays dry for 2 hours at a time."
Toilet training readiness includes staying dry for 2 hours, ability to pull pants down, and
showing interest — typically 18–24 months. Starting at 12 months is too early.
11. A nurse is assessing a 7-year-old's cognitive development. Which task should the child be
able to complete?
A. Conservation of mass
B. Abstract reasoning
C. Egocentric thinking
D. Object permanence
Correct Answer: A. Conservation of mass
Concrete operational stage (7–11 years) includes conservation. Abstract reasoning is formal
operational (11+), egocentric thinking is preoperational, and object permanence is
sensorimotor.
12. Which finding in a 12-month-old warrants further evaluation?
A. Birth weight tripled
B. Uses 2-word phrases
C. Cannot walk independently
D. Has 6 teeth
Correct Answer: B. Uses 2-word phrases
Two-word phrases are expected around 18–24 months, not 12 months. Birth weight tripling,
walking by 12–15 months, and 6 teeth are normal at 12 months.
13. A nurse is teaching about stranger anxiety. At what age does it typically peak?
A. 2–3 months
B. 6–8 months
C. 12–15 months
D. 2 years
