Pediatric HESI Practice Questions
The mother of a 4-year-old child asks the nurse what she can do to help her other children cope with
their sibling's repeated hospitalizations. Which is the best response that the nurse should offer?
A. Inform the parent that the child is too young to visit the hospital.
B. Suggest that the child visit a grandmother until the sibling returns home.
C. Ask the mother if the child asks when the sibling will be discharged.
D. Encourage the mother to have the children visit the hospitalized sibling. -
☑️D. Encourage the mother to have the children visit the hospitalized sibling.
When planning the care for a child who has had a cleft lip repair the nurse knows that crying should
be minimized because it
A. Increases salivation.
B. Increases the respiratory rate.
C. Stresses the suture line.
D. Leads to vomiting. -
☑️C. Stresses the suture line.
The nurse assigning care for a 5-year-old child with otitis media is concerned about the child's
increasing temperature over the past 24 hours. Which statement is accurate and should be
considered when planning care for the remainder of the shift?
A. An RN should be assigned to take temperatures frequently.
B. Tympanic and oral temperatures are equally accurate.
C. The PN should take rectal temperatures on this child.
D. The pediatrician should decide how to assess the temperature. -
☑️B. Tympanic and oral temperatures are equally accurate.
A 2-year-old child with gastro-esophageal reflux has developed a fear of eating. What instruction
should the nurse include in the parents' teaching plan?
A. Invite other children home to share meals
B. Accept that he will eat when he is hungry.
C. Reward the child with a nap after eating.
D. Consistently follow a set mealtime routine. -
☑️D. Consistently follow a set mealtime routine.
What preoperative nursing intervention should be included in the plan of care for an infant with
pyloric stenosis?
A. Monitor for signs of metabolic acidosis.
B. Estimate the quantity of diarrhea stools.
C. Place in a supine position after feeding.
D. Observe for projectile vomiting. -
☑️D. Observe for projectile vomiting.
The nurse is assessing a 2-year-old. What behavior indicates that the child's language development
is within normal limits?
A. Is able to name four colors.
B. Half of child's speech is understandable.
C. Can count five blocks.
1
,D. Is capable of making a three word sentence. -
☑️B. Half of child's speech is understandable.
The nurse receives a lab report stating a child with asthma has a theophylline level of 15 mcg/dl.
What action will the nurse take?
A. Pass the information on in the report.
B. Notify the healthcare provider because the value is high.
C. Repeat the lab study because the value is too high.
D. Hold the next dose of theophylline. -
☑️ A. Pass the information on in the report.
A 4- year- old girl continues to interrupt her mother during a routine clinic visit. The mother appears
irritated with the child and asks the nurse, "Is this normal behavior for a child this age?" The nurse's
response should be based on which information?
A. Role conflict is a common problem of children this age. She is just wondering where she fits into
society.
B. Children need to retain a sense of initiative without impinging on the rights and privileges of
others.
C. Negative feelings of doubt and shame are characteristic of 4-year-old children.
D. At this age children compete and like to produce and carry through with tasks. She is just
competing with her mother. -
☑️B. Children need to retain a sense of initiative without impinging on the rights and
privileges of others.
A 6-month-old infant with congestive heart failure (CHF) is receiving digoxin elixir. Which
observation by the nurse warrants immediate intervention?
A. Sweating across the forehead.
B. Doesn't suck well.
C. Apical heart rate of 60.
D. Respiratory rate of 30 breaths per minute. -
☑️C. Apical heart rate of 60.
Which restraint should be used for a toddler after a cleft palate repair?
A. Elbow.
B. Clove hitch.
C. Mummy.
D. Jacket. -
☑️ A. Elbow.
When taking the health history of a child, the nurse know what which finding is an early indication
of hypothyroidism in children?
A. Hyperactive behavioral traits.
B. Delay in the eruption of permanent teeth.
C. Slow sexual development, but within normal range.
D. Cessation of growth in a child that had been normal. -
☑️D. Cessation of growth in a child that had been normal.
The mother of a preschool aged child asks the nurse if it is all right to administer Pepto Bismol to
her son when he has a "tummy ache" After reminding the mother to check the label of all OTC
2
, drugs for the presence of aspirin, which instruction should the nurse include when replying to this
mother's question?
A. If the child's tongue darkens, discontinue the Pepto Bismol immediately.
B. Do not give if the child has chickenpox, the flu, or any other viral illness.
C. Avoid the use of Pepto Bismol until the child is at least 16 years old.
D. Pepto Bismol may cause a rebound hyperacidity, worsening the "tummy ache." -
☑️B. Do not give if the child has chickenpox, the flu, or any other viral illness.
Which growth and development characteristic should the nurse consider when monitoring the
effects of a topical medication for an infant?
A. A thin stratum corneum that increases topical absorption.
B. A lower sensitivity reactions to skin irritants.
C. A smaller percentage of muscle mass.
D. A greater body surface area that requires larger dosages. -
☑️ A. A thin stratum corneum that increases topical absorption.
The nurse is preparing a health teaching program for parents of toddlers and preschoolers and plans
to include information about prevention of accidental poisonings. It is most important for the nurse
to include which instruction?
A. Tell children they should not taste anything but food.
B. Store all toxic agents and medicines in locked cabinets.
C. Provide special play areas in the house and restrict play in other areas.
D. Punish children if they open cabinets that contain household chemicals. -
☑️B. Store all toxic agents and medicines in locked cabinets.
A 16-year-old is brought to the Emergency Center with a crushed leg after falling off a horse. The
adolescent's last tetanus toxoid booster was received eight years ago. What action should the nurse
take?
A. Dispense a tetanus antitoxin.
B. Prepare human tetanus immune globulin.
C. Administer tetanus toxoid booster.
D. Delay the tetanus toxoid booster until due. -
☑️C. Administer tetanus toxoid booster.
During administration of a blood transfusion, a child complains of chills, headache, and nausea.
Which action should the nurse implement?
A. Start another IV of dextrose solution and stay with the child.
B. Continue the transfusion and monitor the child's vital signs.
C. Slow the transfusion and assess for cessation of symptoms.
D. Stop the infusion immediately and notify the healthcare provider. -
☑️D. Stop the infusion immediately and notify the healthcare provider.
A hospitalized 16-year-old male refuses all visits from his classmates because he is concerned about
his distorted appearance. To increase the client's social interaction, what intervention is best for the
nurse to initiate?
A. Encourage the client to use a hand-held video game that is popular with all his friends.
B. Assign a 25-year-old female nursing student to offer support to the client.
C. Arrange for an Internet connection in the client's room for email communication.
D. Encourage the client's mother to arrange a surprise get together in the cafeteria. -
☑️C. Arrange for an Internet connection in the client's room for email communication.
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The mother of a 4-year-old child asks the nurse what she can do to help her other children cope with
their sibling's repeated hospitalizations. Which is the best response that the nurse should offer?
A. Inform the parent that the child is too young to visit the hospital.
B. Suggest that the child visit a grandmother until the sibling returns home.
C. Ask the mother if the child asks when the sibling will be discharged.
D. Encourage the mother to have the children visit the hospitalized sibling. -
☑️D. Encourage the mother to have the children visit the hospitalized sibling.
When planning the care for a child who has had a cleft lip repair the nurse knows that crying should
be minimized because it
A. Increases salivation.
B. Increases the respiratory rate.
C. Stresses the suture line.
D. Leads to vomiting. -
☑️C. Stresses the suture line.
The nurse assigning care for a 5-year-old child with otitis media is concerned about the child's
increasing temperature over the past 24 hours. Which statement is accurate and should be
considered when planning care for the remainder of the shift?
A. An RN should be assigned to take temperatures frequently.
B. Tympanic and oral temperatures are equally accurate.
C. The PN should take rectal temperatures on this child.
D. The pediatrician should decide how to assess the temperature. -
☑️B. Tympanic and oral temperatures are equally accurate.
A 2-year-old child with gastro-esophageal reflux has developed a fear of eating. What instruction
should the nurse include in the parents' teaching plan?
A. Invite other children home to share meals
B. Accept that he will eat when he is hungry.
C. Reward the child with a nap after eating.
D. Consistently follow a set mealtime routine. -
☑️D. Consistently follow a set mealtime routine.
What preoperative nursing intervention should be included in the plan of care for an infant with
pyloric stenosis?
A. Monitor for signs of metabolic acidosis.
B. Estimate the quantity of diarrhea stools.
C. Place in a supine position after feeding.
D. Observe for projectile vomiting. -
☑️D. Observe for projectile vomiting.
The nurse is assessing a 2-year-old. What behavior indicates that the child's language development
is within normal limits?
A. Is able to name four colors.
B. Half of child's speech is understandable.
C. Can count five blocks.
1
,D. Is capable of making a three word sentence. -
☑️B. Half of child's speech is understandable.
The nurse receives a lab report stating a child with asthma has a theophylline level of 15 mcg/dl.
What action will the nurse take?
A. Pass the information on in the report.
B. Notify the healthcare provider because the value is high.
C. Repeat the lab study because the value is too high.
D. Hold the next dose of theophylline. -
☑️ A. Pass the information on in the report.
A 4- year- old girl continues to interrupt her mother during a routine clinic visit. The mother appears
irritated with the child and asks the nurse, "Is this normal behavior for a child this age?" The nurse's
response should be based on which information?
A. Role conflict is a common problem of children this age. She is just wondering where she fits into
society.
B. Children need to retain a sense of initiative without impinging on the rights and privileges of
others.
C. Negative feelings of doubt and shame are characteristic of 4-year-old children.
D. At this age children compete and like to produce and carry through with tasks. She is just
competing with her mother. -
☑️B. Children need to retain a sense of initiative without impinging on the rights and
privileges of others.
A 6-month-old infant with congestive heart failure (CHF) is receiving digoxin elixir. Which
observation by the nurse warrants immediate intervention?
A. Sweating across the forehead.
B. Doesn't suck well.
C. Apical heart rate of 60.
D. Respiratory rate of 30 breaths per minute. -
☑️C. Apical heart rate of 60.
Which restraint should be used for a toddler after a cleft palate repair?
A. Elbow.
B. Clove hitch.
C. Mummy.
D. Jacket. -
☑️ A. Elbow.
When taking the health history of a child, the nurse know what which finding is an early indication
of hypothyroidism in children?
A. Hyperactive behavioral traits.
B. Delay in the eruption of permanent teeth.
C. Slow sexual development, but within normal range.
D. Cessation of growth in a child that had been normal. -
☑️D. Cessation of growth in a child that had been normal.
The mother of a preschool aged child asks the nurse if it is all right to administer Pepto Bismol to
her son when he has a "tummy ache" After reminding the mother to check the label of all OTC
2
, drugs for the presence of aspirin, which instruction should the nurse include when replying to this
mother's question?
A. If the child's tongue darkens, discontinue the Pepto Bismol immediately.
B. Do not give if the child has chickenpox, the flu, or any other viral illness.
C. Avoid the use of Pepto Bismol until the child is at least 16 years old.
D. Pepto Bismol may cause a rebound hyperacidity, worsening the "tummy ache." -
☑️B. Do not give if the child has chickenpox, the flu, or any other viral illness.
Which growth and development characteristic should the nurse consider when monitoring the
effects of a topical medication for an infant?
A. A thin stratum corneum that increases topical absorption.
B. A lower sensitivity reactions to skin irritants.
C. A smaller percentage of muscle mass.
D. A greater body surface area that requires larger dosages. -
☑️ A. A thin stratum corneum that increases topical absorption.
The nurse is preparing a health teaching program for parents of toddlers and preschoolers and plans
to include information about prevention of accidental poisonings. It is most important for the nurse
to include which instruction?
A. Tell children they should not taste anything but food.
B. Store all toxic agents and medicines in locked cabinets.
C. Provide special play areas in the house and restrict play in other areas.
D. Punish children if they open cabinets that contain household chemicals. -
☑️B. Store all toxic agents and medicines in locked cabinets.
A 16-year-old is brought to the Emergency Center with a crushed leg after falling off a horse. The
adolescent's last tetanus toxoid booster was received eight years ago. What action should the nurse
take?
A. Dispense a tetanus antitoxin.
B. Prepare human tetanus immune globulin.
C. Administer tetanus toxoid booster.
D. Delay the tetanus toxoid booster until due. -
☑️C. Administer tetanus toxoid booster.
During administration of a blood transfusion, a child complains of chills, headache, and nausea.
Which action should the nurse implement?
A. Start another IV of dextrose solution and stay with the child.
B. Continue the transfusion and monitor the child's vital signs.
C. Slow the transfusion and assess for cessation of symptoms.
D. Stop the infusion immediately and notify the healthcare provider. -
☑️D. Stop the infusion immediately and notify the healthcare provider.
A hospitalized 16-year-old male refuses all visits from his classmates because he is concerned about
his distorted appearance. To increase the client's social interaction, what intervention is best for the
nurse to initiate?
A. Encourage the client to use a hand-held video game that is popular with all his friends.
B. Assign a 25-year-old female nursing student to offer support to the client.
C. Arrange for an Internet connection in the client's room for email communication.
D. Encourage the client's mother to arrange a surprise get together in the cafeteria. -
☑️C. Arrange for an Internet connection in the client's room for email communication.
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