HESI RN Pediatric Nursing Exam |
Child Health Questions with
Verified Answers | 2025/2026
Edition
Section 1: Introduction
This Docment covers growth and development, common pediatric illnesses,
immunization schedules, and child safety protocols. Designed to mirror the HESI
Pediatric Exam format, it’s tailored for nursing students needing accurate
preparation for pediatric clinical care. Fully updated and A+ graded for 2025/2026.
Section 2: Exam Questions and Full Answers
1. What should the nurse do first when a 2-year-old child presents with a fever of 39°C
and lethargy?
A. Administer acetaminophen
B. Assess respiratory status
C. Obtain a detailed history
D. Notify the healthcare provider
Full Answer: Answer B. Assess respiratory status. A fever with lethargy in a toddler
may indicate a serious condition like sepsis or meningitis, making respiratory
assessment the priority to ensure airway patency and oxygenation. The nurse should
then proceed with history, medication, and provider notification as needed.
2. What is the nurse’s priority when a 6-month-old infant refuses to feed and has sunken
fontanelles?
A. Administer oral rehydration solution
B. Check for signs of dehydration
C. Initiate IV fluid therapy
D. Encourage breastfeeding
Full Answer: Answer B. Check for signs of dehydration. Sunken fontanelles suggest
dehydration, and a thorough assessment (e.g., mucous membranes, skin turgor) is
needed to confirm severity before initiating rehydration or IV therapy.
3. What should the nurse do when a 4-year-old child with asthma has wheezing and a
respiratory rate of 40 breaths per minute?
A. Administer a nebulized bronchodilator
B. Position the child upright
C. Monitor oxygen saturation
D. Encourage fluid intake
Full Answer: Answer A. Administer a nebulized bronchodilator. Wheezing and an
elevated respiratory rate indicate an acute asthma exacerbation, requiring immediate
bronchodilator administration to relieve airway obstruction, followed by monitoring
and positioning.
,4. What should the nurse instruct the parents of a 1-year-old receiving the MMR
vaccine?
A. Monitor for fever within 7-12 days
B. Avoid live virus exposure for 2 weeks
C. Administer acetaminophen prophylactically
D. Expect immediate immunity
Full Answer: Answer A. Monitor for fever within 7-12 days. The MMR vaccine may
cause a mild fever as a side effect, and parents should be advised to monitor and
manage it, consulting a provider if it exceeds 38.5°C.
5. What is the nurse’s first action when a 3-year-old child has a seizure lasting 2
minutes?
A. Place the child in a side-lying position
B. Administer diazepam rectally
C. Restrain the child’s movements
D. Check the child’s blood glucose
Full Answer: Answer A. Place the child in a side-lying position. During a brief
seizure, the priority is to protect the airway by positioning the child to prevent
aspiration, with further assessment and medication considered post-seizure if needed.
6. What should the nurse do when a 5-year-old with type 1 diabetes has a blood glucose
of 50 mg/dL?
A. Administer 15-30 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates
B. Recheck glucose in 1 hour
C. Inject insulin immediately
D. Encourage a full meal
Full Answer: Answer A. Administer 15-30 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates. A
glucose level of 50 mg/dL indicates hypoglycemia, requiring immediate carbohydrate
intake (e.g., juice) followed by rechecking in 15 minutes.
7. What is the nurse’s priority when a 7-year-old child with a fractured femur is in
severe pain?
A. Administer prescribed analgesics
B. Immobilize the affected limb
C. Apply a cold pack to the injury
D. Assess neurovascular status
Full Answer: Answer D. Assess neurovascular status. Before pain management or
immobilization, checking circulation, sensation, and movement ensures no
compartment syndrome or vascular compromise.
8. What should the nurse teach parents about preventing sudden infant death syndrome
(SIDS) in a 2-month-old?
A. Place the infant on their back to sleep
B. Use a soft mattress with blankets
C. Allow co-sleeping with parents
D. Keep the room temperature warm
Full Answer: Answer A. Place the infant on their back to sleep. Back sleeping on a
firm surface reduces SIDS risk, and parents should avoid soft bedding or overheating.
9. What should the nurse do when a 10-year-old with appendicitis has a temperature of
38.7°C and rebound tenderness?
A. Prepare for surgical intervention
B. Administer antibiotics
C. Apply a heating pad to the abdomen
D. Encourage oral fluids
, Full Answer: Answer A. Prepare for surgical intervention. Rebound tenderness and
fever suggest perforated appendicitis, requiring urgent surgery, with antibiotics as an
adjunct.
10. What is the nurse’s first action when a 6-year-old child chokes on a small object?
A. Perform abdominal thrusts
B. Encourage the child to cough
C. Check for a pulse
D. Call for emergency assistance
Full Answer: Answer B. Encourage the child to cough. If the child is conscious and
coughing, this is the first step to dislodge the object; thrusts or help are next if
ineffective.
11. What should the nurse do when a 9-month-old infant has a positive tuberculosis skin
test?
A. Initiate isoniazid therapy
B. Obtain a chest X-ray
C. Isolate the infant
D. Administer the BCG vaccine
Full Answer: Answer B. Obtain a chest X-ray. A positive test requires further
evaluation to confirm active disease before starting treatment or isolation.
12. What should the nurse teach parents about administering an EpiPen for a 4-year-old
with a peanut allergy?
A. Inject into the thigh and seek emergency care
B. Apply to the arm and monitor at home
C. Give orally with water
D. Use only if breathing stops
Full Answer: Answer A. Inject into the thigh and seek emergency care. The EpiPen
treats anaphylaxis, requiring immediate injection and urgent medical follow-up.
13. What is the nurse’s priority when a 2-year-old with croup has stridor and a barking
cough?
A. Administer humidified oxygen
B. Give oral corticosteroids
C. Perform a throat culture
D. Encourage deep breathing
Full Answer: Answer A. Administer humidified oxygen. Stridor and barking cough
indicate airway obstruction, requiring oxygen to maintain saturation, followed by
corticosteroids.
14. What should the nurse do when a 3-month-old infant has a heart rate of 180 bpm
while crying?
A. Recheck the heart rate when calm
B. Administer beta-blockers
C. Notify the provider immediately
D. Start CPR
Full Answer: Answer A. Recheck the heart rate when calm. A high heart rate during
crying is normal; rechecking when calm assesses baseline, with further action if
persistent.
15. What should the nurse do when a 5-year-old with otitis media pulls at their ear and
has a fever?
A. Administer prescribed antibiotics
B. Irrigate the ear canal
C. Apply warm compresses
Child Health Questions with
Verified Answers | 2025/2026
Edition
Section 1: Introduction
This Docment covers growth and development, common pediatric illnesses,
immunization schedules, and child safety protocols. Designed to mirror the HESI
Pediatric Exam format, it’s tailored for nursing students needing accurate
preparation for pediatric clinical care. Fully updated and A+ graded for 2025/2026.
Section 2: Exam Questions and Full Answers
1. What should the nurse do first when a 2-year-old child presents with a fever of 39°C
and lethargy?
A. Administer acetaminophen
B. Assess respiratory status
C. Obtain a detailed history
D. Notify the healthcare provider
Full Answer: Answer B. Assess respiratory status. A fever with lethargy in a toddler
may indicate a serious condition like sepsis or meningitis, making respiratory
assessment the priority to ensure airway patency and oxygenation. The nurse should
then proceed with history, medication, and provider notification as needed.
2. What is the nurse’s priority when a 6-month-old infant refuses to feed and has sunken
fontanelles?
A. Administer oral rehydration solution
B. Check for signs of dehydration
C. Initiate IV fluid therapy
D. Encourage breastfeeding
Full Answer: Answer B. Check for signs of dehydration. Sunken fontanelles suggest
dehydration, and a thorough assessment (e.g., mucous membranes, skin turgor) is
needed to confirm severity before initiating rehydration or IV therapy.
3. What should the nurse do when a 4-year-old child with asthma has wheezing and a
respiratory rate of 40 breaths per minute?
A. Administer a nebulized bronchodilator
B. Position the child upright
C. Monitor oxygen saturation
D. Encourage fluid intake
Full Answer: Answer A. Administer a nebulized bronchodilator. Wheezing and an
elevated respiratory rate indicate an acute asthma exacerbation, requiring immediate
bronchodilator administration to relieve airway obstruction, followed by monitoring
and positioning.
,4. What should the nurse instruct the parents of a 1-year-old receiving the MMR
vaccine?
A. Monitor for fever within 7-12 days
B. Avoid live virus exposure for 2 weeks
C. Administer acetaminophen prophylactically
D. Expect immediate immunity
Full Answer: Answer A. Monitor for fever within 7-12 days. The MMR vaccine may
cause a mild fever as a side effect, and parents should be advised to monitor and
manage it, consulting a provider if it exceeds 38.5°C.
5. What is the nurse’s first action when a 3-year-old child has a seizure lasting 2
minutes?
A. Place the child in a side-lying position
B. Administer diazepam rectally
C. Restrain the child’s movements
D. Check the child’s blood glucose
Full Answer: Answer A. Place the child in a side-lying position. During a brief
seizure, the priority is to protect the airway by positioning the child to prevent
aspiration, with further assessment and medication considered post-seizure if needed.
6. What should the nurse do when a 5-year-old with type 1 diabetes has a blood glucose
of 50 mg/dL?
A. Administer 15-30 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates
B. Recheck glucose in 1 hour
C. Inject insulin immediately
D. Encourage a full meal
Full Answer: Answer A. Administer 15-30 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates. A
glucose level of 50 mg/dL indicates hypoglycemia, requiring immediate carbohydrate
intake (e.g., juice) followed by rechecking in 15 minutes.
7. What is the nurse’s priority when a 7-year-old child with a fractured femur is in
severe pain?
A. Administer prescribed analgesics
B. Immobilize the affected limb
C. Apply a cold pack to the injury
D. Assess neurovascular status
Full Answer: Answer D. Assess neurovascular status. Before pain management or
immobilization, checking circulation, sensation, and movement ensures no
compartment syndrome or vascular compromise.
8. What should the nurse teach parents about preventing sudden infant death syndrome
(SIDS) in a 2-month-old?
A. Place the infant on their back to sleep
B. Use a soft mattress with blankets
C. Allow co-sleeping with parents
D. Keep the room temperature warm
Full Answer: Answer A. Place the infant on their back to sleep. Back sleeping on a
firm surface reduces SIDS risk, and parents should avoid soft bedding or overheating.
9. What should the nurse do when a 10-year-old with appendicitis has a temperature of
38.7°C and rebound tenderness?
A. Prepare for surgical intervention
B. Administer antibiotics
C. Apply a heating pad to the abdomen
D. Encourage oral fluids
, Full Answer: Answer A. Prepare for surgical intervention. Rebound tenderness and
fever suggest perforated appendicitis, requiring urgent surgery, with antibiotics as an
adjunct.
10. What is the nurse’s first action when a 6-year-old child chokes on a small object?
A. Perform abdominal thrusts
B. Encourage the child to cough
C. Check for a pulse
D. Call for emergency assistance
Full Answer: Answer B. Encourage the child to cough. If the child is conscious and
coughing, this is the first step to dislodge the object; thrusts or help are next if
ineffective.
11. What should the nurse do when a 9-month-old infant has a positive tuberculosis skin
test?
A. Initiate isoniazid therapy
B. Obtain a chest X-ray
C. Isolate the infant
D. Administer the BCG vaccine
Full Answer: Answer B. Obtain a chest X-ray. A positive test requires further
evaluation to confirm active disease before starting treatment or isolation.
12. What should the nurse teach parents about administering an EpiPen for a 4-year-old
with a peanut allergy?
A. Inject into the thigh and seek emergency care
B. Apply to the arm and monitor at home
C. Give orally with water
D. Use only if breathing stops
Full Answer: Answer A. Inject into the thigh and seek emergency care. The EpiPen
treats anaphylaxis, requiring immediate injection and urgent medical follow-up.
13. What is the nurse’s priority when a 2-year-old with croup has stridor and a barking
cough?
A. Administer humidified oxygen
B. Give oral corticosteroids
C. Perform a throat culture
D. Encourage deep breathing
Full Answer: Answer A. Administer humidified oxygen. Stridor and barking cough
indicate airway obstruction, requiring oxygen to maintain saturation, followed by
corticosteroids.
14. What should the nurse do when a 3-month-old infant has a heart rate of 180 bpm
while crying?
A. Recheck the heart rate when calm
B. Administer beta-blockers
C. Notify the provider immediately
D. Start CPR
Full Answer: Answer A. Recheck the heart rate when calm. A high heart rate during
crying is normal; rechecking when calm assesses baseline, with further action if
persistent.
15. What should the nurse do when a 5-year-old with otitis media pulls at their ear and
has a fever?
A. Administer prescribed antibiotics
B. Irrigate the ear canal
C. Apply warm compresses
