Pediatrics HESI Practice Questions
A 1-year-old is being seen in the pediatrician's office. He is UTD on his immunizations. The
mother asks, "will my child need any shots today?" Which of the following responses by the
nurse is appropriate?
(A) "The rotavirus will be given today to prevent serious diarrhea"
(B) "Children's first influenza will be administered today and given every year at the same time"
(C) "The last hepatitis B vaccine is due to administered today"
(D) "The measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), varicella, and hepatitis A vaccines are given when a
child reaches 1 year of age" - ANS - (D)
A 10-month-old infant has been exposed to chicken pox. The nurse would expect the
pediatrician to order which intervention to protect the baby from contracting the disease?
(A) IV antibiotics
(B) Varicella zoster immune globulin
(C) Varicella immunization
(D) Nothing because the baby is protected by the mother's antibodies - ANS - (D)
The vaccine isn't given until 1-year-of age
A 2-year-old child has just been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. The nurse is providing
education to parents regarding signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia. Which should the nurse
include?
(A) The child's breathe will smell like fruit
(B) The child will complain of excessive thirst
(C) The child will appear sleepy and fatigued
(D) The child will have more frequent temper tantrums and appear angry - ANS - (D)
The other three options resemble hyperglycemia
A 9-month-old child is seen in the well clinic. Which of the following behaviors would the nurse
expect to see? SATA
(A) Plays peek-a-boo
(B) Walks independently
(C) Feeds self with a spoon
(D) Stacks 2 blocks together
(E) Transfers objects from hand to hand - ANS - A, E
-walks independently at 15 months
-feeds self with spoon at 18 months
-stacks 2 blocks together at 18 months
A child has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The nurse knows the following relatives should be
tested (SATA):
(A) Mother
, (B) Sister
(C) Brother
(D) Aunts and all female cousins
(E) Uncles and all male cousins - ANS - A, B
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is an X-linked trait. Women carry the disease and males are
affected. Genetic counseling is important
A child who is bleeding heavily is in hypovolemic shock. The nurse determines the child is
currently compensating for the loss of blood when the nurse notes which of the following?
(A) Hypotension
(B) Cyanosis
(C) Tachycardia
(D) Bradypnea - ANS - (C)
Hypotension, cyanosis, and bradypnea would be late signs and show decompensation.
A child with nephrotic syndrome is receiving corticosteroids. Which of the following statements
by the parent would cause the nurse to reinforce the instructions? SATA
(A) "My child's blood pressure is good because of the steroids"
(B) "Steroids reduce inflammation"
(C) "Steroids are making my child's urine have solid particles"
(D) "Steroids prevent my child from getting an infection"
(E) "Steroids make the kidneys work better" - ANS - A, C, D
The desired effect of corticosteroids in treating a child with nephrotic syndrome is to reduce
inflammation and cause fluid to be removed from the body. It may increase blood pressure or
make the child more prone to infections, but it is not a desired outcome. An increase of protein
in the urine would suggest that the child is worse and not improving from treatment
A child with type 1 diabetes is brought to the ER by his mother who states the child has been
complaining of abdominal pain and is lethargic. Diabetic ketoacidosis is diagnosed. Which type
of IV solution should the nurse anticipate will be ordered?
(A) Potassium infusion
(B) NPH insulin infusion
(C) 5% dextrose infusion
(D) NS infusion - ANS - (D)
DKA is a complication of diabetes mellitus when severe insulin deficiency occurs.
Hyperglycemia occurs and the body breaks down fat for energy causing ketones to form. NS is
the initial IV fluids along with regular insulin, not NPH
A mother asks the nurse why she should immunize her child for human papillomavirus (HPV)
when my child is only 11-years-old? Isn't this a sexually transmitted disease? Which of the
following responses by the nurse is appropriate?
(A) "I agree with you. I will ask the doctor is the HPV vaccine can wait until she is sexually
active"
A 1-year-old is being seen in the pediatrician's office. He is UTD on his immunizations. The
mother asks, "will my child need any shots today?" Which of the following responses by the
nurse is appropriate?
(A) "The rotavirus will be given today to prevent serious diarrhea"
(B) "Children's first influenza will be administered today and given every year at the same time"
(C) "The last hepatitis B vaccine is due to administered today"
(D) "The measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), varicella, and hepatitis A vaccines are given when a
child reaches 1 year of age" - ANS - (D)
A 10-month-old infant has been exposed to chicken pox. The nurse would expect the
pediatrician to order which intervention to protect the baby from contracting the disease?
(A) IV antibiotics
(B) Varicella zoster immune globulin
(C) Varicella immunization
(D) Nothing because the baby is protected by the mother's antibodies - ANS - (D)
The vaccine isn't given until 1-year-of age
A 2-year-old child has just been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. The nurse is providing
education to parents regarding signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia. Which should the nurse
include?
(A) The child's breathe will smell like fruit
(B) The child will complain of excessive thirst
(C) The child will appear sleepy and fatigued
(D) The child will have more frequent temper tantrums and appear angry - ANS - (D)
The other three options resemble hyperglycemia
A 9-month-old child is seen in the well clinic. Which of the following behaviors would the nurse
expect to see? SATA
(A) Plays peek-a-boo
(B) Walks independently
(C) Feeds self with a spoon
(D) Stacks 2 blocks together
(E) Transfers objects from hand to hand - ANS - A, E
-walks independently at 15 months
-feeds self with spoon at 18 months
-stacks 2 blocks together at 18 months
A child has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The nurse knows the following relatives should be
tested (SATA):
(A) Mother
, (B) Sister
(C) Brother
(D) Aunts and all female cousins
(E) Uncles and all male cousins - ANS - A, B
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is an X-linked trait. Women carry the disease and males are
affected. Genetic counseling is important
A child who is bleeding heavily is in hypovolemic shock. The nurse determines the child is
currently compensating for the loss of blood when the nurse notes which of the following?
(A) Hypotension
(B) Cyanosis
(C) Tachycardia
(D) Bradypnea - ANS - (C)
Hypotension, cyanosis, and bradypnea would be late signs and show decompensation.
A child with nephrotic syndrome is receiving corticosteroids. Which of the following statements
by the parent would cause the nurse to reinforce the instructions? SATA
(A) "My child's blood pressure is good because of the steroids"
(B) "Steroids reduce inflammation"
(C) "Steroids are making my child's urine have solid particles"
(D) "Steroids prevent my child from getting an infection"
(E) "Steroids make the kidneys work better" - ANS - A, C, D
The desired effect of corticosteroids in treating a child with nephrotic syndrome is to reduce
inflammation and cause fluid to be removed from the body. It may increase blood pressure or
make the child more prone to infections, but it is not a desired outcome. An increase of protein
in the urine would suggest that the child is worse and not improving from treatment
A child with type 1 diabetes is brought to the ER by his mother who states the child has been
complaining of abdominal pain and is lethargic. Diabetic ketoacidosis is diagnosed. Which type
of IV solution should the nurse anticipate will be ordered?
(A) Potassium infusion
(B) NPH insulin infusion
(C) 5% dextrose infusion
(D) NS infusion - ANS - (D)
DKA is a complication of diabetes mellitus when severe insulin deficiency occurs.
Hyperglycemia occurs and the body breaks down fat for energy causing ketones to form. NS is
the initial IV fluids along with regular insulin, not NPH
A mother asks the nurse why she should immunize her child for human papillomavirus (HPV)
when my child is only 11-years-old? Isn't this a sexually transmitted disease? Which of the
following responses by the nurse is appropriate?
(A) "I agree with you. I will ask the doctor is the HPV vaccine can wait until she is sexually
active"
