HESI RN Pediatric (PEDS) Actual Exam Version 1 –
2024/2025 | All Questions and Answers | Graded A+
Multiple-Choice Questions
Question 1:
A 4-year-old child is admitted with suspected appendicitis. What is the priority nursing
action?
A. Administer pain medication
B. Assess abdominal pain and vital signs
C. Encourage ambulation
D. Provide a high-fiber diet
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Assessing abdominal pain and vital signs is the priority to determine the
severity of the condition and monitor for complications like perforation, per pediatric
nursing standards for acute abdominal issues.
Question 2:
A 6-month-old infant is diagnosed with dehydration. Which clinical sign should the nurse
expect?
A. Moist mucous membranes
B. Sunken fontanelles
C. Increased urine output
D. Normal skin turgor
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sunken fontanelles are a key sign of dehydration in infants due to fluid loss
affecting intracranial volume, a critical assessment finding in pediatric nursing.
Question 3:
A nurse is teaching parents about safety for a 2-year-old. Which instruction is most
important?
A. Allow free access to stairs
B. Keep small objects out of reach
C. Use a microwave to heat food
D. Encourage unsupervised play
1
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Keeping small objects out of reach prevents choking, a leading cause of injury
in toddlers, aligning with pediatric safety guidelines.
Question 4:
A 10-year-old with asthma is prescribed albuterol via nebulizer. What should the nurse
monitor?
A. Blood glucose levels
B. Heart rate and tremors
C. Urine output
D. Skin turgor
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Albuterol, a beta-agonist, can cause tachycardia and tremors as side effects,
requiring close monitoring in pediatric patients to ensure safety.
Question 5:
According to Erikson’s developmental theory, what is the primary task for a 5-year-old?
A. Trust vs. Mistrust
B. Initiative vs. Guilt
C. Industry vs. Inferiority
D. Autonomy vs. Shame
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Initiative vs. Guilt is the developmental task for preschoolers (ages 3–6),
where children learn to take initiative while managing feelings of guilt, per pediatric
growth and development standards.
Question 6:
A 3-year-old with a fever is prescribed acetaminophen. What is the priority nursing
action?
A. Administer the dose immediately
B. Verify the dose based on weight
C. Give with a full meal
D. Check blood pressure
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Verifying the dose based on weight ensures safe administration, as pediatric
medication dosing is weight-based to prevent overdose or underdose.
2
, Question 7:
A child with cystic fibrosis is admitted. Which precaution is most appropriate?
A. Standard precautions
B. Contact precautions
C. Droplet precautions
D. Airborne precautions
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Contact precautions are used for cystic fibrosis to prevent cross-infection
with pathogens like Pseudomonas, per pediatric infection control standards.
Question 8:
A nurse is assessing a 1-year-old for developmental milestones. Which finding is expected?
A. Riding a tricycle
B. Walking independently
C. Reading simple words
D. Drawing a circle
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Walking independently is a typical milestone for a 1-year-old, reflecting gross
motor development, per pediatric growth and development norms.
Question 9:
A 7-year-old with type 1 diabetes reports shakiness. What should the nurse do first?
A. Administer insulin
B. Check blood glucose level
C. Provide a high-protein snack
D. Notify the healthcare provider
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Checking blood glucose confirms hypoglycemia, guiding appropriate treat-
ment like administering a fast-acting carbohydrate, per pediatric diabetes management.
Question 10:
A parent asks how to prevent ear infections in a 2-year-old. What should the nurse
recommend?
A. Clean ears with cotton swabs
B. Avoid exposure to cigarette smoke
C. Use ear drops daily
3
2024/2025 | All Questions and Answers | Graded A+
Multiple-Choice Questions
Question 1:
A 4-year-old child is admitted with suspected appendicitis. What is the priority nursing
action?
A. Administer pain medication
B. Assess abdominal pain and vital signs
C. Encourage ambulation
D. Provide a high-fiber diet
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Assessing abdominal pain and vital signs is the priority to determine the
severity of the condition and monitor for complications like perforation, per pediatric
nursing standards for acute abdominal issues.
Question 2:
A 6-month-old infant is diagnosed with dehydration. Which clinical sign should the nurse
expect?
A. Moist mucous membranes
B. Sunken fontanelles
C. Increased urine output
D. Normal skin turgor
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sunken fontanelles are a key sign of dehydration in infants due to fluid loss
affecting intracranial volume, a critical assessment finding in pediatric nursing.
Question 3:
A nurse is teaching parents about safety for a 2-year-old. Which instruction is most
important?
A. Allow free access to stairs
B. Keep small objects out of reach
C. Use a microwave to heat food
D. Encourage unsupervised play
1
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Keeping small objects out of reach prevents choking, a leading cause of injury
in toddlers, aligning with pediatric safety guidelines.
Question 4:
A 10-year-old with asthma is prescribed albuterol via nebulizer. What should the nurse
monitor?
A. Blood glucose levels
B. Heart rate and tremors
C. Urine output
D. Skin turgor
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Albuterol, a beta-agonist, can cause tachycardia and tremors as side effects,
requiring close monitoring in pediatric patients to ensure safety.
Question 5:
According to Erikson’s developmental theory, what is the primary task for a 5-year-old?
A. Trust vs. Mistrust
B. Initiative vs. Guilt
C. Industry vs. Inferiority
D. Autonomy vs. Shame
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Initiative vs. Guilt is the developmental task for preschoolers (ages 3–6),
where children learn to take initiative while managing feelings of guilt, per pediatric
growth and development standards.
Question 6:
A 3-year-old with a fever is prescribed acetaminophen. What is the priority nursing
action?
A. Administer the dose immediately
B. Verify the dose based on weight
C. Give with a full meal
D. Check blood pressure
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Verifying the dose based on weight ensures safe administration, as pediatric
medication dosing is weight-based to prevent overdose or underdose.
2
, Question 7:
A child with cystic fibrosis is admitted. Which precaution is most appropriate?
A. Standard precautions
B. Contact precautions
C. Droplet precautions
D. Airborne precautions
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Contact precautions are used for cystic fibrosis to prevent cross-infection
with pathogens like Pseudomonas, per pediatric infection control standards.
Question 8:
A nurse is assessing a 1-year-old for developmental milestones. Which finding is expected?
A. Riding a tricycle
B. Walking independently
C. Reading simple words
D. Drawing a circle
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Walking independently is a typical milestone for a 1-year-old, reflecting gross
motor development, per pediatric growth and development norms.
Question 9:
A 7-year-old with type 1 diabetes reports shakiness. What should the nurse do first?
A. Administer insulin
B. Check blood glucose level
C. Provide a high-protein snack
D. Notify the healthcare provider
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Checking blood glucose confirms hypoglycemia, guiding appropriate treat-
ment like administering a fast-acting carbohydrate, per pediatric diabetes management.
Question 10:
A parent asks how to prevent ear infections in a 2-year-old. What should the nurse
recommend?
A. Clean ears with cotton swabs
B. Avoid exposure to cigarette smoke
C. Use ear drops daily
3
