1
HESI Pediatrics Exit Exam
2025 – 155 actual Questions &
Accurate Answers | Verified
A+ Bundle
Section 1: Immunizations (30 Questions)
1. A 2-month-old infant is scheduled for routine vaccinations. Which vaccines should the
nurse administer?
A. Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
B. DTaP, Hib, PCV13, IPV
C. Varicella
D. Hepatitis A
Rationale: At 2 months, infants receive DTaP, Hib, PCV13, and IPV per the CDC
schedule. MMR and varicella are given at 12 months, and hepatitis A at 12–23 months.
2. (SATA) Which instructions should the nurse provide to parents after a 4-year-old
receives the MMR vaccine?
A. Monitor for fever for 7–12 days
B. Report rash or swelling at the injection site
C. Avoid all physical activity for 24 hours
D. Administer acetaminophen for discomfort
Rationale: MMR may cause fever or rash 7–12 days post-vaccination. Acetaminophen
manages discomfort. Physical activity restriction is unnecessary.
3. A 6-month-old infant’s parent refuses the influenza vaccine. What is the nurse’s best
response?
A. “You’re putting your child at risk for serious illness.”
B. “Can you share your concerns about the influenza vaccine?”
C. “The vaccine is mandatory for all infants.”
D. “Your child won’t need the vaccine until 12 months.”
Rationale: Exploring concerns promotes trust and addresses vaccine hesitancy
therapeutically.
4. A 12-month-old child receives the hepatitis A vaccine. When should the second dose be
administered?
A. 14 months
B. 18 months
C. 24 months
D. 36 months
, 2
Rationale: The second dose of hepatitis A vaccine is given 6–18 months after the first,
typically at 18 months.
5. (SATA) Which findings indicate a possible adverse reaction to the DTaP vaccine in a 4-
month-old?
A. Fever of 101°F
B. Swelling at the injection site
C. Increased appetite
D. Persistent crying for 3 hours
Rationale: Fever, swelling, and persistent crying are common adverse reactions to DTaP.
Increased appetite is not associated.
6. A 15-month-old child missed the 12-month MMR vaccine. What should the nurse do?
A. Wait until the 4-year visit to administer
B. Administer the MMR vaccine as soon as possible
C. Skip the MMR vaccine entirely
D. Administer a half-dose now
Rationale: Missed vaccines should be administered as soon as possible to ensure
protection against measles, mumps, and rubella.
7. A parent asks why the rotavirus vaccine is given orally. What is the nurse’s best
response?
A. “It’s easier for children to tolerate.”
B. “It stimulates immunity in the gastrointestinal tract.”
C. “It reduces the risk of injection site reactions.”
D. “It’s less expensive than injectable vaccines.”
Rationale: The oral rotavirus vaccine targets the gastrointestinal tract, where the virus
causes infection, ensuring effective immunity.
8. A 4-year-old child is due for the varicella vaccine. Which condition is a contraindication?
A. Recent cold
B. Immunosuppression
C. Mild fever
D. Recent antibiotic use
Rationale: Immunosuppression is a contraindication for live vaccines like varicella due
to the risk of disseminated infection.
9. (SATA) Which vaccines are recommended for a 6-year-old child?
A. DTaP booster
B. MMR booster
C. Hepatitis A
D. IPV booster
Rationale: At 6 years, children receive DTaP, MMR, and IPV boosters, and may
complete hepatitis A if not previously done.
10. A 2-year-old child with a fever of 102°F is scheduled for vaccinations. What is the
nurse’s best action?
A. Administer the vaccines as scheduled
B. Postpone the vaccines until the fever resolves
C. Administer half-doses of the vaccines
D. Administer an antipyretic and proceed
, 3
Rationale: Moderate fever is a temporary contraindication for vaccines to avoid
compounding adverse reactions.
11. A parent asks about the side effects of the PCV13 vaccine. What should the nurse include
in the response?
A. Severe allergic reactions are common
B. Mild fever and redness at the injection site
C. Persistent vomiting is expected
D. Seizures occur in most children
Rationale: PCV13 commonly causes mild fever and local redness. Severe reactions are
rare.
12. A 6-month-old infant receives the hepatitis B vaccine. Which laboratory test should the
nurse anticipate for a child born to an HBsAg-positive mother?
A. Complete blood count
B. HBsAg and anti-HBs testing
C. Liver function tests
D. Renal function tests
Rationale: HBsAg and anti-HBs testing assess for hepatitis B infection or immunity in
infants born to HBsAg-positive mothers.
13. (SATA) Which instructions should the nurse provide to parents after a child receives the
influenza vaccine?
A. Monitor for fever or soreness
B. Report difficulty breathing immediately
C. Restrict physical activity for 48 hours
D. Administer ibuprofen for discomfort
Rationale: Fever, soreness, and rare allergic reactions like difficulty breathing are
possible. Activity restriction is unnecessary.
14. A 4-month-old infant is scheduled for the Hib vaccine. What is the primary purpose of
this vaccine?
A. Prevent measles
B. Prevent bacterial meningitis
C. Prevent rotavirus infection
D. Prevent pertussis
Rationale: The Hib vaccine protects against Haemophilus influenzae type b, a cause of
bacterial meningitis in children.
15. A parent refuses the HPV vaccine for their 11-year-old. What is the nurse’s best
response?
A. “The vaccine is optional and not necessary.”
B. “Can you share your concerns so I can provide more information?”
C. “Your child will be at risk for cervical cancer.”
D. “The vaccine is only for sexually active children.”
Rationale: Exploring concerns encourages dialogue and addresses misconceptions about
the HPV vaccine.
16. A 12-year-old child is due for the meningococcal vaccine. When should the booster dose
be given?
A. 14 years
B. 16 years
HESI Pediatrics Exit Exam
2025 – 155 actual Questions &
Accurate Answers | Verified
A+ Bundle
Section 1: Immunizations (30 Questions)
1. A 2-month-old infant is scheduled for routine vaccinations. Which vaccines should the
nurse administer?
A. Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
B. DTaP, Hib, PCV13, IPV
C. Varicella
D. Hepatitis A
Rationale: At 2 months, infants receive DTaP, Hib, PCV13, and IPV per the CDC
schedule. MMR and varicella are given at 12 months, and hepatitis A at 12–23 months.
2. (SATA) Which instructions should the nurse provide to parents after a 4-year-old
receives the MMR vaccine?
A. Monitor for fever for 7–12 days
B. Report rash or swelling at the injection site
C. Avoid all physical activity for 24 hours
D. Administer acetaminophen for discomfort
Rationale: MMR may cause fever or rash 7–12 days post-vaccination. Acetaminophen
manages discomfort. Physical activity restriction is unnecessary.
3. A 6-month-old infant’s parent refuses the influenza vaccine. What is the nurse’s best
response?
A. “You’re putting your child at risk for serious illness.”
B. “Can you share your concerns about the influenza vaccine?”
C. “The vaccine is mandatory for all infants.”
D. “Your child won’t need the vaccine until 12 months.”
Rationale: Exploring concerns promotes trust and addresses vaccine hesitancy
therapeutically.
4. A 12-month-old child receives the hepatitis A vaccine. When should the second dose be
administered?
A. 14 months
B. 18 months
C. 24 months
D. 36 months
, 2
Rationale: The second dose of hepatitis A vaccine is given 6–18 months after the first,
typically at 18 months.
5. (SATA) Which findings indicate a possible adverse reaction to the DTaP vaccine in a 4-
month-old?
A. Fever of 101°F
B. Swelling at the injection site
C. Increased appetite
D. Persistent crying for 3 hours
Rationale: Fever, swelling, and persistent crying are common adverse reactions to DTaP.
Increased appetite is not associated.
6. A 15-month-old child missed the 12-month MMR vaccine. What should the nurse do?
A. Wait until the 4-year visit to administer
B. Administer the MMR vaccine as soon as possible
C. Skip the MMR vaccine entirely
D. Administer a half-dose now
Rationale: Missed vaccines should be administered as soon as possible to ensure
protection against measles, mumps, and rubella.
7. A parent asks why the rotavirus vaccine is given orally. What is the nurse’s best
response?
A. “It’s easier for children to tolerate.”
B. “It stimulates immunity in the gastrointestinal tract.”
C. “It reduces the risk of injection site reactions.”
D. “It’s less expensive than injectable vaccines.”
Rationale: The oral rotavirus vaccine targets the gastrointestinal tract, where the virus
causes infection, ensuring effective immunity.
8. A 4-year-old child is due for the varicella vaccine. Which condition is a contraindication?
A. Recent cold
B. Immunosuppression
C. Mild fever
D. Recent antibiotic use
Rationale: Immunosuppression is a contraindication for live vaccines like varicella due
to the risk of disseminated infection.
9. (SATA) Which vaccines are recommended for a 6-year-old child?
A. DTaP booster
B. MMR booster
C. Hepatitis A
D. IPV booster
Rationale: At 6 years, children receive DTaP, MMR, and IPV boosters, and may
complete hepatitis A if not previously done.
10. A 2-year-old child with a fever of 102°F is scheduled for vaccinations. What is the
nurse’s best action?
A. Administer the vaccines as scheduled
B. Postpone the vaccines until the fever resolves
C. Administer half-doses of the vaccines
D. Administer an antipyretic and proceed
, 3
Rationale: Moderate fever is a temporary contraindication for vaccines to avoid
compounding adverse reactions.
11. A parent asks about the side effects of the PCV13 vaccine. What should the nurse include
in the response?
A. Severe allergic reactions are common
B. Mild fever and redness at the injection site
C. Persistent vomiting is expected
D. Seizures occur in most children
Rationale: PCV13 commonly causes mild fever and local redness. Severe reactions are
rare.
12. A 6-month-old infant receives the hepatitis B vaccine. Which laboratory test should the
nurse anticipate for a child born to an HBsAg-positive mother?
A. Complete blood count
B. HBsAg and anti-HBs testing
C. Liver function tests
D. Renal function tests
Rationale: HBsAg and anti-HBs testing assess for hepatitis B infection or immunity in
infants born to HBsAg-positive mothers.
13. (SATA) Which instructions should the nurse provide to parents after a child receives the
influenza vaccine?
A. Monitor for fever or soreness
B. Report difficulty breathing immediately
C. Restrict physical activity for 48 hours
D. Administer ibuprofen for discomfort
Rationale: Fever, soreness, and rare allergic reactions like difficulty breathing are
possible. Activity restriction is unnecessary.
14. A 4-month-old infant is scheduled for the Hib vaccine. What is the primary purpose of
this vaccine?
A. Prevent measles
B. Prevent bacterial meningitis
C. Prevent rotavirus infection
D. Prevent pertussis
Rationale: The Hib vaccine protects against Haemophilus influenzae type b, a cause of
bacterial meningitis in children.
15. A parent refuses the HPV vaccine for their 11-year-old. What is the nurse’s best
response?
A. “The vaccine is optional and not necessary.”
B. “Can you share your concerns so I can provide more information?”
C. “Your child will be at risk for cervical cancer.”
D. “The vaccine is only for sexually active children.”
Rationale: Exploring concerns encourages dialogue and addresses misconceptions about
the HPV vaccine.
16. A 12-year-old child is due for the meningococcal vaccine. When should the booster dose
be given?
A. 14 years
B. 16 years
