HESI RN PEDIATRIC NURSING EXAM – QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED
AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES | GUARANTEED PASS |
LATEST EXAM UPDATE
Core Domains
Growth and Development
Pediatric Assessment and Health Promotion
Immunizations and Communicable Diseases
Respiratory and Cardiovascular Disorders
Gastrointestinal and Genitourinary Disorders
Neurological and Musculoskeletal Disorders
Hematologic and Oncologic Disorders
Pharmacology and Medication Safety
Nutrition and Fluid/Electrolyte Balance
Pediatric Emergencies and Safety
Introduction
The HESI RN Pediatric Nursing Exam evaluates the candidate's ability to apply
nursing knowledge and clinical judgment to the care of infants, children, and
adolescents. It assesses understanding of growth and development, health
promotion, disease prevention, and management of acute and chronic pediatric
conditions. Multiple-choice and scenario-based questions emphasize real-world
application, critical thinking, and safe decision-making. This assessment ensures
readiness for professional pediatric nursing practice by testing both foundational
theory and applied clinical skills.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–50
,1. A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which
finding should the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A. The infant has a positive Moro reflex.
B. The infant's anterior fontanel is flat and soft.
C. The infant demonstrates a persistent tonic neck reflex.
D. The infant's weight has doubled since birth.
🟢 Correct Answer: C. The infant demonstrates a persistent tonic neck reflex.
🔴 Rationale: The tonic neck reflex typically disappears by 3 to 4 months of age.
Persistence beyond 6 months may indicate neurological abnormality and requires
further evaluation.
2. A nurse is teaching the parents of a 2-year-old toddler about toilet training.
Which statement by the parent indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I will praise my child after each successful trip to the potty."
B. "I will start training when my child shows readiness signs."
C. "I will punish my child for accidents to speed up the process."
D. "I will use a potty chair that my child can reach easily."
🟢 Correct Answer: C. "I will punish my child for accidents to speed up the
process."
🔴 Rationale: Punishment during toilet training can cause regression, anxiety, and
low self-esteem. Positive reinforcement and readiness are key to successful
training.
3. A nurse is caring for a 4-year-old child who is prescribed liquid amoxicillin.
The child weighs 16 kg. The prescribed dose is 45 mg/kg/day divided every 12
,hours. The medication is available as 250 mg/5 mL. How many mL should the
nurse administer per dose?
A. 7.2 mL
B. 5.4 mL
C. 3.6 mL
D. 9.0 mL
🟢 Correct Answer: A. 7.2 mL
🔴 Rationale: 45 mg/kg/day × 16 kg = 720 mg/day. Divided every 12 hours = 360
mg/dose. 360 mg ÷ 250 mg × 5 mL = 7.2 mL.
4. A nurse is assessing a 9-month-old infant. Which developmental milestone
should the nurse expect to observe?
A. Walking independently
B. Sitting without support
C. Speaking two-word sentences
D. Stacking three blocks
🟢 Correct Answer: B. Sitting without support
🔴 Rationale: Sitting without support is typically achieved by 8 to 9 months.
Walking independently, two-word sentences, and stacking blocks are expected at
later ages.
5. A nurse is providing education to the parents of a child with febrile seizures.
Which statement by the parent indicates correct understanding?
, A. "I should place a tongue blade in my child's mouth during a seizure."
B. "I will give my child aspirin to lower the fever."
C. "I will place my child on the side during a seizure."
D. "I will restrain my child's limbs to stop the shaking."
🟢 Correct Answer: C. "I will place my child on the side during a seizure."
🔴 Rationale: Positioning the child on the side maintains airway patency and
prevents aspiration. Never place objects in the mouth, restrain limbs, or give
aspirin to children.
6. A nurse is caring for a 3-year-old child admitted with dehydration. Which
assessment finding indicates severe dehydration?
A. Moist mucous membranes
B. Capillary refill of 2 seconds
C. Sunken fontanel and lethargy
D. Urine output of 1 mL/kg/hr
🟢 Correct Answer: C. Sunken fontanel and lethargy
🔴 Rationale: Severe dehydration in a toddler manifests as sunken fontanel,
lethargy, poor skin turgor, and decreased urine output. Moist mucous membranes
and normal capillary refill indicate adequate hydration.
7. A nurse is preparing to administer immunizations to a 2-month-old infant.
Which vaccine is contraindicated if the infant has a history of anaphylaxis to a
previous dose?
A. Hepatitis B
B. DTaP
AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES | GUARANTEED PASS |
LATEST EXAM UPDATE
Core Domains
Growth and Development
Pediatric Assessment and Health Promotion
Immunizations and Communicable Diseases
Respiratory and Cardiovascular Disorders
Gastrointestinal and Genitourinary Disorders
Neurological and Musculoskeletal Disorders
Hematologic and Oncologic Disorders
Pharmacology and Medication Safety
Nutrition and Fluid/Electrolyte Balance
Pediatric Emergencies and Safety
Introduction
The HESI RN Pediatric Nursing Exam evaluates the candidate's ability to apply
nursing knowledge and clinical judgment to the care of infants, children, and
adolescents. It assesses understanding of growth and development, health
promotion, disease prevention, and management of acute and chronic pediatric
conditions. Multiple-choice and scenario-based questions emphasize real-world
application, critical thinking, and safe decision-making. This assessment ensures
readiness for professional pediatric nursing practice by testing both foundational
theory and applied clinical skills.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–50
,1. A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which
finding should the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A. The infant has a positive Moro reflex.
B. The infant's anterior fontanel is flat and soft.
C. The infant demonstrates a persistent tonic neck reflex.
D. The infant's weight has doubled since birth.
🟢 Correct Answer: C. The infant demonstrates a persistent tonic neck reflex.
🔴 Rationale: The tonic neck reflex typically disappears by 3 to 4 months of age.
Persistence beyond 6 months may indicate neurological abnormality and requires
further evaluation.
2. A nurse is teaching the parents of a 2-year-old toddler about toilet training.
Which statement by the parent indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I will praise my child after each successful trip to the potty."
B. "I will start training when my child shows readiness signs."
C. "I will punish my child for accidents to speed up the process."
D. "I will use a potty chair that my child can reach easily."
🟢 Correct Answer: C. "I will punish my child for accidents to speed up the
process."
🔴 Rationale: Punishment during toilet training can cause regression, anxiety, and
low self-esteem. Positive reinforcement and readiness are key to successful
training.
3. A nurse is caring for a 4-year-old child who is prescribed liquid amoxicillin.
The child weighs 16 kg. The prescribed dose is 45 mg/kg/day divided every 12
,hours. The medication is available as 250 mg/5 mL. How many mL should the
nurse administer per dose?
A. 7.2 mL
B. 5.4 mL
C. 3.6 mL
D. 9.0 mL
🟢 Correct Answer: A. 7.2 mL
🔴 Rationale: 45 mg/kg/day × 16 kg = 720 mg/day. Divided every 12 hours = 360
mg/dose. 360 mg ÷ 250 mg × 5 mL = 7.2 mL.
4. A nurse is assessing a 9-month-old infant. Which developmental milestone
should the nurse expect to observe?
A. Walking independently
B. Sitting without support
C. Speaking two-word sentences
D. Stacking three blocks
🟢 Correct Answer: B. Sitting without support
🔴 Rationale: Sitting without support is typically achieved by 8 to 9 months.
Walking independently, two-word sentences, and stacking blocks are expected at
later ages.
5. A nurse is providing education to the parents of a child with febrile seizures.
Which statement by the parent indicates correct understanding?
, A. "I should place a tongue blade in my child's mouth during a seizure."
B. "I will give my child aspirin to lower the fever."
C. "I will place my child on the side during a seizure."
D. "I will restrain my child's limbs to stop the shaking."
🟢 Correct Answer: C. "I will place my child on the side during a seizure."
🔴 Rationale: Positioning the child on the side maintains airway patency and
prevents aspiration. Never place objects in the mouth, restrain limbs, or give
aspirin to children.
6. A nurse is caring for a 3-year-old child admitted with dehydration. Which
assessment finding indicates severe dehydration?
A. Moist mucous membranes
B. Capillary refill of 2 seconds
C. Sunken fontanel and lethargy
D. Urine output of 1 mL/kg/hr
🟢 Correct Answer: C. Sunken fontanel and lethargy
🔴 Rationale: Severe dehydration in a toddler manifests as sunken fontanel,
lethargy, poor skin turgor, and decreased urine output. Moist mucous membranes
and normal capillary refill indicate adequate hydration.
7. A nurse is preparing to administer immunizations to a 2-month-old infant.
Which vaccine is contraindicated if the infant has a history of anaphylaxis to a
previous dose?
A. Hepatitis B
B. DTaP
