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Pediatrics HESI 2026 Comprehensive
Question Bank with Verified Solutions and
Detailed Explanations for Pediatric Nursing,
Covering Congenital Disorders, Chronic
Conditions, Emergency Care, and
Developmental Milestones, Updated for
2025-2026, Graded A+
A 6-month-old infant with congestive heart failure (CHF) is receiving digoxin
elixir. Which observation by the nurse warrants immediate intervention?
Apical heart rate of 60.
Sweating across the forehead.
Doesn't suck well.
Respiratory rate of 30 breaths per minute.
Answer: Apical heart rate of 60.
A heart rate of 60 (A) is much lower than normal for a 6-month-old and warrants
immediate intervention. The normal heart rate for a 6-month-old is 80 to 150 BPM
when awake, and a rate of 70 while sleeping is considered within normal limits. (B
and C) are expected symptoms of heart failure in an infant. (D) is within normal
limits for an infant.
The nurse is teaching the parents of a 5-year-old with cystic fibrosis about
respiratory treatments. Which statement indicates to the nurse that the parents
understand?
Perform postural drainage before starting aerosol therapy.
Give respiratory treatments when the child is coughing a lot.
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Administer aerosol therapy followed by postural drainage before meals.
Ensure respiratory therapy is done daily during any respiratory infection.
Answer: Administer aerosol therapy followed by postural drainage before meals.
Postural drainage for a child with cystic fibrosis is most effective when performed
after nebulization and before meals (C) or at least 1 hour after eating to prevent
nausea and vomiting. Postural drainage uses gravity to promote mucous removal
after nebulization (A) treatments which open the airways. Pulmonary toileting or
respiratory treatments should be given 3 to 4 times daily, not episodically (B and
D).
A female teenager is taking oral tetracycline HCL (Achromycin V) for acne
vulgaris. What is the most important instruction for the nurse to include in this
client's teaching plan?
Use sunscreen when lying by the pool.
Cleanse the skin at least 4 times a day.
Take the medication with a glass of milk.
Menstrual periods may become irregular.
Answer: Use sunscreen when lying by the pool.
Photosensitivity is a common side effect of tetracycline HCL (Achromycin V)
therapy. Severe sunburn can occur with minimal sun exposure and clients should
be instructed to avoid sunlight and to use sunscreen (A). (B and D) are not related
to tetracycline HCL (Achromycin V) therapy. (C) should be avoided because dairy
products interfere with the absorption of tetracyclines.
What preoperative nursing intervention should be included in the plan of care for
an infant with pyloric stenosis?
Monitor for signs of metabolic acidosis.
Estimate the quantity of diarrhea stools.
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Place in a supine position after feeding.
Observe for projectile vomiting.
Answer: Observe for projectile vomiting.
Projectile vomiting (D), which contributes to metabolic alkalosis (A), is the classic
sign of pyloric stenosis. (B) is not indicated. (C) is dangerous, due to the potential
for aspiration with frequent vomiting.
An infant is born with a ventricular septal defect (VSD) and surgery is planned to
correct the defect. The nurse recognizes that surgical correction is designed to
achieve which outcome?
Stop the flow of unoxygenated blood into systemic circulation.
Increase the flow of unoxygenated blood to the lungs.
Prevent the return of oxygenated blood to the lungs.
Reduce peripheral tissue hypoxia and nailbed clubbing
Answer: Prevent the return of oxygenated blood to the lungs.
Closure of VSDs stops oxygenated blood from being shunted from the left
ventricle to the right ventricle (C). VSDs are acyanotic defects, which means that
no unoxygenated blood enters the systemic circulation (A and B). (D) is common
with Tetrology of Fallot, which is a cyanotic defect.
A 3-week-old newborn is brought to the clinic for follow-up after a home birth.
The mother reports that her child bottle feeds for 5 minutes only and then falls
asleep. The nurse auscultates a loud murmur characteristic of a ventricular septal
defect (VSD), and finds the newborn is acyanotic with a respiratory rate of 64
breaths per minute. What instruction should the nurse provide the mother to ensure
the infant is receiving adequate intake? (Select all that apply.)
A. Monitor the the infant's weight and number of wet diapers per day.
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B. Increase the infant's intake per feeding by 1 to 2 ounces per week.
C. Mix the dose of prophylactic antibiotic in a full bottle of formula.
D. Allow the infant to rest and refeed on demand or every 2 hours.
E. Use a softer nipple or increase the size of the nipple opening.
Answer: A. Monitor the the infant's weight and number of wet diapers per day.
B. Increase the infant's intake per feeding by 1 to 2 ounces per week.
D. Allow the infant to rest and refeed on demand or every 2 hours.
E. Use a softer nipple or increase the size of the nipple opening.
Antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended for infants with VSDs, but should not be
mixed in a bottle of formula (C) because it is difficult to ensure that the total dose
is consumedThey should be monitored for weight gain and at least 6 wet diapers
per day (A). A one-month old infant should ingest 2 to 4 ounces of formula per
feeding and progress to about 30 ounces per day by 4-months of age (B)
Preoperative nursing care for a child with Wilms' tumor should include which
intervention?
Gently percuss the abdomen for evidence of trapped air.
Observe the abdomen for any noticeable discolorations.
Apply cold compresses to the abdomen to reduce edema.
Put a sign on the bed reading, "DO NOT PALPATE ABDOMEN."
Answer: Put a sign on the bed reading, "DO NOT PALPATE ABDOMEN."
Prevention of abdominal palpation (D) minimizes the risk of rupturing the
encapsulated tumor and subsequent metastasis. (A) is unnecessary, and this action
could traumatize the tumor in the same manner as palpation. (B and C) are
incorrect since the abdomen is not discolored and cold compresses are not
indicated.
Pediatrics HESI 2026 Comprehensive
Question Bank with Verified Solutions and
Detailed Explanations for Pediatric Nursing,
Covering Congenital Disorders, Chronic
Conditions, Emergency Care, and
Developmental Milestones, Updated for
2025-2026, Graded A+
A 6-month-old infant with congestive heart failure (CHF) is receiving digoxin
elixir. Which observation by the nurse warrants immediate intervention?
Apical heart rate of 60.
Sweating across the forehead.
Doesn't suck well.
Respiratory rate of 30 breaths per minute.
Answer: Apical heart rate of 60.
A heart rate of 60 (A) is much lower than normal for a 6-month-old and warrants
immediate intervention. The normal heart rate for a 6-month-old is 80 to 150 BPM
when awake, and a rate of 70 while sleeping is considered within normal limits. (B
and C) are expected symptoms of heart failure in an infant. (D) is within normal
limits for an infant.
The nurse is teaching the parents of a 5-year-old with cystic fibrosis about
respiratory treatments. Which statement indicates to the nurse that the parents
understand?
Perform postural drainage before starting aerosol therapy.
Give respiratory treatments when the child is coughing a lot.
,2|Page
Administer aerosol therapy followed by postural drainage before meals.
Ensure respiratory therapy is done daily during any respiratory infection.
Answer: Administer aerosol therapy followed by postural drainage before meals.
Postural drainage for a child with cystic fibrosis is most effective when performed
after nebulization and before meals (C) or at least 1 hour after eating to prevent
nausea and vomiting. Postural drainage uses gravity to promote mucous removal
after nebulization (A) treatments which open the airways. Pulmonary toileting or
respiratory treatments should be given 3 to 4 times daily, not episodically (B and
D).
A female teenager is taking oral tetracycline HCL (Achromycin V) for acne
vulgaris. What is the most important instruction for the nurse to include in this
client's teaching plan?
Use sunscreen when lying by the pool.
Cleanse the skin at least 4 times a day.
Take the medication with a glass of milk.
Menstrual periods may become irregular.
Answer: Use sunscreen when lying by the pool.
Photosensitivity is a common side effect of tetracycline HCL (Achromycin V)
therapy. Severe sunburn can occur with minimal sun exposure and clients should
be instructed to avoid sunlight and to use sunscreen (A). (B and D) are not related
to tetracycline HCL (Achromycin V) therapy. (C) should be avoided because dairy
products interfere with the absorption of tetracyclines.
What preoperative nursing intervention should be included in the plan of care for
an infant with pyloric stenosis?
Monitor for signs of metabolic acidosis.
Estimate the quantity of diarrhea stools.
,3|Page
Place in a supine position after feeding.
Observe for projectile vomiting.
Answer: Observe for projectile vomiting.
Projectile vomiting (D), which contributes to metabolic alkalosis (A), is the classic
sign of pyloric stenosis. (B) is not indicated. (C) is dangerous, due to the potential
for aspiration with frequent vomiting.
An infant is born with a ventricular septal defect (VSD) and surgery is planned to
correct the defect. The nurse recognizes that surgical correction is designed to
achieve which outcome?
Stop the flow of unoxygenated blood into systemic circulation.
Increase the flow of unoxygenated blood to the lungs.
Prevent the return of oxygenated blood to the lungs.
Reduce peripheral tissue hypoxia and nailbed clubbing
Answer: Prevent the return of oxygenated blood to the lungs.
Closure of VSDs stops oxygenated blood from being shunted from the left
ventricle to the right ventricle (C). VSDs are acyanotic defects, which means that
no unoxygenated blood enters the systemic circulation (A and B). (D) is common
with Tetrology of Fallot, which is a cyanotic defect.
A 3-week-old newborn is brought to the clinic for follow-up after a home birth.
The mother reports that her child bottle feeds for 5 minutes only and then falls
asleep. The nurse auscultates a loud murmur characteristic of a ventricular septal
defect (VSD), and finds the newborn is acyanotic with a respiratory rate of 64
breaths per minute. What instruction should the nurse provide the mother to ensure
the infant is receiving adequate intake? (Select all that apply.)
A. Monitor the the infant's weight and number of wet diapers per day.
, 4|Page
B. Increase the infant's intake per feeding by 1 to 2 ounces per week.
C. Mix the dose of prophylactic antibiotic in a full bottle of formula.
D. Allow the infant to rest and refeed on demand or every 2 hours.
E. Use a softer nipple or increase the size of the nipple opening.
Answer: A. Monitor the the infant's weight and number of wet diapers per day.
B. Increase the infant's intake per feeding by 1 to 2 ounces per week.
D. Allow the infant to rest and refeed on demand or every 2 hours.
E. Use a softer nipple or increase the size of the nipple opening.
Antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended for infants with VSDs, but should not be
mixed in a bottle of formula (C) because it is difficult to ensure that the total dose
is consumedThey should be monitored for weight gain and at least 6 wet diapers
per day (A). A one-month old infant should ingest 2 to 4 ounces of formula per
feeding and progress to about 30 ounces per day by 4-months of age (B)
Preoperative nursing care for a child with Wilms' tumor should include which
intervention?
Gently percuss the abdomen for evidence of trapped air.
Observe the abdomen for any noticeable discolorations.
Apply cold compresses to the abdomen to reduce edema.
Put a sign on the bed reading, "DO NOT PALPATE ABDOMEN."
Answer: Put a sign on the bed reading, "DO NOT PALPATE ABDOMEN."
Prevention of abdominal palpation (D) minimizes the risk of rupturing the
encapsulated tumor and subsequent metastasis. (A) is unnecessary, and this action
could traumatize the tumor in the same manner as palpation. (B and C) are
incorrect since the abdomen is not discolored and cold compresses are not
indicated.
