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HESI Pediatrics Exit Exam
2025 – Latest Verified
Questions & Correct Answers
| Graded A+
Growth and Development (Questions 1–40)
Question 1 (Multiple-Choice):
A nurse is assessing a 3-year-old child. Which developmental milestone is expected?
A. Copies a square
B. Rides a tricycle
C. Reads simple words
D. Ties shoelaces
Correct Answer: B. Rides a tricycle
Rationale: At 3 years, children typically master gross motor skills like riding a tricycle. Copying
a square, reading, and tying shoelaces are expected at 4–5 years.
Question 2 (SATA):
Which behaviors indicate a 2-year-old is meeting developmental milestones? (Select all that
apply.)
A. Uses two-word phrases
B. Follows two-step commands
C. Draws a circle
D. Walks up stairs alternating feet
E. Recognizes shapes
Correct Answers: A. Uses two-word phrases, B. Follows two-step commands
Rationale: At 2 years, children use short phrases and follow simple commands. Drawing circles,
alternating feet, and recognizing shapes are expected at 3–4 years.
Question 3 (Multiple-Choice):
A 6-month-old infant is assessed for motor development. Which finding requires further
evaluation?
A. Sits with support
B. Rolls from back to stomach
C. Unable to hold a rattle
D. Reaches for objects
, 2
Correct Answer: C. Unable to hold a rattle
Rationale: By 6 months, infants should grasp objects like a rattle. Sitting with support, rolling,
and reaching are expected milestones.
Question 4 (Multiple-Choice):
A nurse observes a 4-year-old playing with peers. Which behavior is expected?
A. Engages in cooperative play
B. Plays independently only
C. Shares toys consistently
D. Understands abstract rules
Correct Answer: A. Engages in cooperative play
Rationale: At 4 years, children begin cooperative play, interacting with peers in group activities.
Question 5 (SATA):
Which gross motor skills are expected in a 5-year-old? (Select all that apply.)
A. Skips with alternating feet
B. Rides a bicycle without training wheels
C. Jumps rope consistently
D. Balances on one foot for 5 seconds
E. Climbs stairs without support
Correct Answers: A. Skips with alternating feet, D. Balances on one foot for 5 seconds, E.
Climbs stairs without support
Rationale: These are typical for 5-year-olds. Riding without training wheels and jumping rope
are mastered around 6–7 years.
Question 6 (Multiple-Choice):
A 12-month-old is assessed for developmental milestones. Which finding is expected?
A. Walks independently
B. Speaks in sentences
C. Stacks six blocks
D. Draws a straight line
Correct Answer: A. Walks independently
Rationale: Most 12-month-olds walk independently. Sentences, stacking six blocks, and drawing
lines are expected later.
Question 7 (Multiple-Choice):
A 7-year-old struggles to follow rules during a group activity. What should the nurse consider?
A. Normal behavior for age
B. Potential developmental delay
C. Lack of physical activity
D. Need for discipline
Correct Answer: B. Potential developmental delay
Rationale: By 7 years, children typically follow group rules. Difficulty may suggest a
developmental issue requiring evaluation.
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Question 8 (SATA):
Which fine motor skills are expected in a 4-year-old? (Select all that apply.)
A. Copies a circle
B. Uses scissors to cut shapes
C. Writes their name
D. Buttons clothing
E. Ties shoelaces
Correct Answers: A. Copies a circle, B. Uses scissors to cut shapes, D. Buttons clothing
Rationale: These are typical at 4 years. Writing a name and tying shoelaces are mastered at 5–6
years.
Question 9 (Multiple-Choice):
A nurse is counseling parents about a 2-year-old’s temper tantrums. What is the best advice?
A. Punish the child to stop tantrums.
B. Ignore tantrums unless unsafe.
C. Give in to the child’s demands.
D. Restrict playtime to prevent tantrums.
Correct Answer: B. Ignore tantrums unless unsafe.
Rationale: Ignoring tantrums is effective at 2 years, as they often seek attention. Giving in
reinforces the behavior.
Question 10 (Multiple-Choice):
A 9-month-old is assessed for developmental milestones. Which finding is expected?
A. Walks with assistance
B. Says “mama” specifically
C. Crawls on hands and knees
D. Stacks two blocks
Correct Answer: C. Crawls on hands and knees
Rationale: Crawling is typical at 9 months. Walking with assistance, specific words, and
stacking blocks occur closer to 12 months.
Question 11 (Multiple-Choice):
A 6-year-old demonstrates concrete operational thinking. Which behavior reflects this stage?
A. Understands conservation of volume
B. Believes objects have feelings
C. Thinks egocentrically
D. Solves abstract problems
Correct Answer: A. Understands conservation of volume
Rationale: Concrete operational thinking (ages 7–11) includes understanding conservation.
Egocentrism and animism are earlier stages, and abstract thinking develops later.
Question 12 (SATA):
Which milestones are expected for an 18-month-old? (Select all that apply.)
A. Uses a spoon to eat
B. Says 10–20 words
C. Runs without falling
, 4
D. Copies a square
E. Builds a tower of four blocks
Correct Answers: A. Uses a spoon to eat, B. Says 10–20 words, C. Runs without falling, E.
Builds a tower of four blocks
Rationale: These are typical 18-month milestones. Copying a square is expected at 4 years.
Question 13 (Multiple-Choice):
A 3-year-old’s speech is only 50% intelligible to strangers. What should the nurse do?
A. Reassure parents this is normal.
B. Recommend a speech evaluation.
C. Suggest limiting screen time.
D. Ignore the finding for now.
Correct Answer: A. Reassure parents this is normal.
Rationale: At 3 years, speech is typically 50–75% intelligible to strangers, which is normal.
Evaluation is needed if less intelligible or other delays are present.
Question 14 (Multiple-Choice):
A 5-year-old is afraid of monsters under the bed. What is the nurse’s best response?
A. Dismiss the fear as childish.
B. Provide a nightlight and reassurance.
C. Suggest co-sleeping with parents.
D. Ignore the fear as it will resolve.
Correct Answer: B. Provide a nightlight and reassurance.
Rationale: A nightlight and reassurance address fear while promoting independence. Co-
sleeping may reinforce fear.
Question 15 (SATA):
Which social-emotional milestones are expected in a 4-year-old? (Select all that apply.)
A. Engages in cooperative play
B. Shows empathy for others
C. Takes turns during play
D. Experiences stranger anxiety
E. Separates easily from parents
Correct Answers: A. Engages in cooperative play, C. Takes turns during play
Rationale: Cooperative play and turn-taking are typical at 4 years. Empathy and easy separation
develop later, while stranger anxiety peaks earlier.
Question 16 (Multiple-Choice):
A 12-year-old is assessed for cognitive development. Which ability is expected?
A. Solves algebraic equations
B. Understands conservation of mass
C. Thinks egocentrically
D. Believes in magical thinking
Correct Answer: B. Understands conservation of mass
Rationale: By 12 years, children in the concrete operational stage understand conservation.
HESI Pediatrics Exit Exam
2025 – Latest Verified
Questions & Correct Answers
| Graded A+
Growth and Development (Questions 1–40)
Question 1 (Multiple-Choice):
A nurse is assessing a 3-year-old child. Which developmental milestone is expected?
A. Copies a square
B. Rides a tricycle
C. Reads simple words
D. Ties shoelaces
Correct Answer: B. Rides a tricycle
Rationale: At 3 years, children typically master gross motor skills like riding a tricycle. Copying
a square, reading, and tying shoelaces are expected at 4–5 years.
Question 2 (SATA):
Which behaviors indicate a 2-year-old is meeting developmental milestones? (Select all that
apply.)
A. Uses two-word phrases
B. Follows two-step commands
C. Draws a circle
D. Walks up stairs alternating feet
E. Recognizes shapes
Correct Answers: A. Uses two-word phrases, B. Follows two-step commands
Rationale: At 2 years, children use short phrases and follow simple commands. Drawing circles,
alternating feet, and recognizing shapes are expected at 3–4 years.
Question 3 (Multiple-Choice):
A 6-month-old infant is assessed for motor development. Which finding requires further
evaluation?
A. Sits with support
B. Rolls from back to stomach
C. Unable to hold a rattle
D. Reaches for objects
, 2
Correct Answer: C. Unable to hold a rattle
Rationale: By 6 months, infants should grasp objects like a rattle. Sitting with support, rolling,
and reaching are expected milestones.
Question 4 (Multiple-Choice):
A nurse observes a 4-year-old playing with peers. Which behavior is expected?
A. Engages in cooperative play
B. Plays independently only
C. Shares toys consistently
D. Understands abstract rules
Correct Answer: A. Engages in cooperative play
Rationale: At 4 years, children begin cooperative play, interacting with peers in group activities.
Question 5 (SATA):
Which gross motor skills are expected in a 5-year-old? (Select all that apply.)
A. Skips with alternating feet
B. Rides a bicycle without training wheels
C. Jumps rope consistently
D. Balances on one foot for 5 seconds
E. Climbs stairs without support
Correct Answers: A. Skips with alternating feet, D. Balances on one foot for 5 seconds, E.
Climbs stairs without support
Rationale: These are typical for 5-year-olds. Riding without training wheels and jumping rope
are mastered around 6–7 years.
Question 6 (Multiple-Choice):
A 12-month-old is assessed for developmental milestones. Which finding is expected?
A. Walks independently
B. Speaks in sentences
C. Stacks six blocks
D. Draws a straight line
Correct Answer: A. Walks independently
Rationale: Most 12-month-olds walk independently. Sentences, stacking six blocks, and drawing
lines are expected later.
Question 7 (Multiple-Choice):
A 7-year-old struggles to follow rules during a group activity. What should the nurse consider?
A. Normal behavior for age
B. Potential developmental delay
C. Lack of physical activity
D. Need for discipline
Correct Answer: B. Potential developmental delay
Rationale: By 7 years, children typically follow group rules. Difficulty may suggest a
developmental issue requiring evaluation.
, 3
Question 8 (SATA):
Which fine motor skills are expected in a 4-year-old? (Select all that apply.)
A. Copies a circle
B. Uses scissors to cut shapes
C. Writes their name
D. Buttons clothing
E. Ties shoelaces
Correct Answers: A. Copies a circle, B. Uses scissors to cut shapes, D. Buttons clothing
Rationale: These are typical at 4 years. Writing a name and tying shoelaces are mastered at 5–6
years.
Question 9 (Multiple-Choice):
A nurse is counseling parents about a 2-year-old’s temper tantrums. What is the best advice?
A. Punish the child to stop tantrums.
B. Ignore tantrums unless unsafe.
C. Give in to the child’s demands.
D. Restrict playtime to prevent tantrums.
Correct Answer: B. Ignore tantrums unless unsafe.
Rationale: Ignoring tantrums is effective at 2 years, as they often seek attention. Giving in
reinforces the behavior.
Question 10 (Multiple-Choice):
A 9-month-old is assessed for developmental milestones. Which finding is expected?
A. Walks with assistance
B. Says “mama” specifically
C. Crawls on hands and knees
D. Stacks two blocks
Correct Answer: C. Crawls on hands and knees
Rationale: Crawling is typical at 9 months. Walking with assistance, specific words, and
stacking blocks occur closer to 12 months.
Question 11 (Multiple-Choice):
A 6-year-old demonstrates concrete operational thinking. Which behavior reflects this stage?
A. Understands conservation of volume
B. Believes objects have feelings
C. Thinks egocentrically
D. Solves abstract problems
Correct Answer: A. Understands conservation of volume
Rationale: Concrete operational thinking (ages 7–11) includes understanding conservation.
Egocentrism and animism are earlier stages, and abstract thinking develops later.
Question 12 (SATA):
Which milestones are expected for an 18-month-old? (Select all that apply.)
A. Uses a spoon to eat
B. Says 10–20 words
C. Runs without falling
, 4
D. Copies a square
E. Builds a tower of four blocks
Correct Answers: A. Uses a spoon to eat, B. Says 10–20 words, C. Runs without falling, E.
Builds a tower of four blocks
Rationale: These are typical 18-month milestones. Copying a square is expected at 4 years.
Question 13 (Multiple-Choice):
A 3-year-old’s speech is only 50% intelligible to strangers. What should the nurse do?
A. Reassure parents this is normal.
B. Recommend a speech evaluation.
C. Suggest limiting screen time.
D. Ignore the finding for now.
Correct Answer: A. Reassure parents this is normal.
Rationale: At 3 years, speech is typically 50–75% intelligible to strangers, which is normal.
Evaluation is needed if less intelligible or other delays are present.
Question 14 (Multiple-Choice):
A 5-year-old is afraid of monsters under the bed. What is the nurse’s best response?
A. Dismiss the fear as childish.
B. Provide a nightlight and reassurance.
C. Suggest co-sleeping with parents.
D. Ignore the fear as it will resolve.
Correct Answer: B. Provide a nightlight and reassurance.
Rationale: A nightlight and reassurance address fear while promoting independence. Co-
sleeping may reinforce fear.
Question 15 (SATA):
Which social-emotional milestones are expected in a 4-year-old? (Select all that apply.)
A. Engages in cooperative play
B. Shows empathy for others
C. Takes turns during play
D. Experiences stranger anxiety
E. Separates easily from parents
Correct Answers: A. Engages in cooperative play, C. Takes turns during play
Rationale: Cooperative play and turn-taking are typical at 4 years. Empathy and easy separation
develop later, while stranger anxiety peaks earlier.
Question 16 (Multiple-Choice):
A 12-year-old is assessed for cognitive development. Which ability is expected?
A. Solves algebraic equations
B. Understands conservation of mass
C. Thinks egocentrically
D. Believes in magical thinking
Correct Answer: B. Understands conservation of mass
Rationale: By 12 years, children in the concrete operational stage understand conservation.
