HESI PN Pediatrics (PEDS) Actual Exam
2025/2026 – 82 Questions with Correct Detailed
Answers and Rationales (Graded A+)
1. Question: What is the most common cause of bronchiolitis in infants?
Answer: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Rationale: RSV is the primary cause of bronchiolitis, leading to inflammation of the
bronchioles and respiratory distress in infants.
2. Question: What is the priority intervention for a child with cystic fibrosis admitted with
pneumonia?
Answer: Performing chest physiotherapy
Rationale: Chest physiotherapy clears mucus from the lungs, critical in cystic fibrosis to
prevent worsening of pneumonia.
3. Question: Which toy is most appropriate for a 3-year-old in a spica cast after a motor
vehicle collision?
Answer: Cloth hand puppets
Rationale: Cloth puppets allow imaginative play without requiring mobility, suitable for
an immobilized child.
4. Question: What is the first action for an infant with tetralogy of Fallot experiencing acute
cyanosis?
Answer: Place in knee-chest position
Rationale: The knee-chest position increases systemic vascular resistance, reducing
right-to-left shunting in tetralogy of Fallot.
5. Question: Which finding in a 6-month-old receiving digoxin for congestive heart failure
requires immediate intervention?
Answer: Apical heart rate of 60
Rationale: A heart rate of 60 is below the normal range (80–150 BPM) for a 6-month-
old, indicating possible digoxin toxicity.
,6. Question: What is the best response to a parent whose 9-month-old cries when left with a
sitter?
Answer: Crying when you leave is a healthy sign of attachment.
Rationale: Crying at separation reflects normal attachment behavior in a 9-month-old,
indicating healthy bonding.
7. Question: Which behaviors are expected in a 9-month-old during a well-child visit?
(Select all that apply.)
Answer: Plays peek-a-boo, Transfers objects hand to hand
Rationale: At 9 months, infants can play peek-a-boo and transfer objects; walking and
spoon-feeding occur later.
8. Question: What requires further investigation in a child with suspected chlamydia
conjunctivitis?
Answer: Possible sexual abuse
Rationale: Chlamydia conjunctivitis in a child may indicate sexual abuse, requiring
immediate investigation.
9. Question: What information is most important to obtain for a 3-week-old infant vomiting
after each feeding?
Answer: Description of vomiting episodes
Rationale: Describing vomiting (e.g., projectile) helps identify conditions like pyloric
stenosis.
10. Question: Which measurement is most accurate for calculating pediatric medication
dosage?
Answer: Child’s height and weight
Rationale: Height and weight provide precise data for body surface area-based dosing.
11. Question: What is the priority nursing intervention for a 12-month-old with a respiratory
infection in a mist tent with oxygen?
Answer: Have a bulb syringe available
Rationale: A patent airway is the priority; a bulb syringe clears secretions in a mist tent.
, 12. Question: What should the nurse recommend for a 14-year-old female concerned about
recent acne?
Answer: Wash hair and skin with soap and hot water
Rationale: Frequent washing removes oil and debris, reducing acne.
13. Question: How should the nurse reduce hospitalization anxiety for a 6-year-old admitted
after a bicycle fall?
Answer: Explain hospital schedules
Rationale: Explaining schedules familiarizes the child with the hospital, reducing
anxiety.
14. Question: What nursing action is appropriate for a newborn with myelomeningocele
scheduled for surgery?
Answer: Assess head circumference
Rationale: Monitoring head circumference detects increased intracranial pressure in
myelomeningocele.
15. Question: What is the priority intervention for a child with autism spectrum disorder
(ASD) admitted with pneumonia?
Answer: Maintain a structured routine
Rationale: A structured routine minimizes stress for a child with ASD.
16. Question: What is a key nursing intervention for a child with acute glomerulonephritis?
Answer: Monitor blood pressure
Rationale: Glomerulonephritis can cause hypertension due to fluid retention, requiring
close monitoring.
17. Question: What complication should the nurse monitor in a 4-year-old with a fractured
leg who is immobilized?
Answer: Joint contractures
Rationale: Immobility increases the risk of joint contractures due to muscle disuse.
2025/2026 – 82 Questions with Correct Detailed
Answers and Rationales (Graded A+)
1. Question: What is the most common cause of bronchiolitis in infants?
Answer: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Rationale: RSV is the primary cause of bronchiolitis, leading to inflammation of the
bronchioles and respiratory distress in infants.
2. Question: What is the priority intervention for a child with cystic fibrosis admitted with
pneumonia?
Answer: Performing chest physiotherapy
Rationale: Chest physiotherapy clears mucus from the lungs, critical in cystic fibrosis to
prevent worsening of pneumonia.
3. Question: Which toy is most appropriate for a 3-year-old in a spica cast after a motor
vehicle collision?
Answer: Cloth hand puppets
Rationale: Cloth puppets allow imaginative play without requiring mobility, suitable for
an immobilized child.
4. Question: What is the first action for an infant with tetralogy of Fallot experiencing acute
cyanosis?
Answer: Place in knee-chest position
Rationale: The knee-chest position increases systemic vascular resistance, reducing
right-to-left shunting in tetralogy of Fallot.
5. Question: Which finding in a 6-month-old receiving digoxin for congestive heart failure
requires immediate intervention?
Answer: Apical heart rate of 60
Rationale: A heart rate of 60 is below the normal range (80–150 BPM) for a 6-month-
old, indicating possible digoxin toxicity.
,6. Question: What is the best response to a parent whose 9-month-old cries when left with a
sitter?
Answer: Crying when you leave is a healthy sign of attachment.
Rationale: Crying at separation reflects normal attachment behavior in a 9-month-old,
indicating healthy bonding.
7. Question: Which behaviors are expected in a 9-month-old during a well-child visit?
(Select all that apply.)
Answer: Plays peek-a-boo, Transfers objects hand to hand
Rationale: At 9 months, infants can play peek-a-boo and transfer objects; walking and
spoon-feeding occur later.
8. Question: What requires further investigation in a child with suspected chlamydia
conjunctivitis?
Answer: Possible sexual abuse
Rationale: Chlamydia conjunctivitis in a child may indicate sexual abuse, requiring
immediate investigation.
9. Question: What information is most important to obtain for a 3-week-old infant vomiting
after each feeding?
Answer: Description of vomiting episodes
Rationale: Describing vomiting (e.g., projectile) helps identify conditions like pyloric
stenosis.
10. Question: Which measurement is most accurate for calculating pediatric medication
dosage?
Answer: Child’s height and weight
Rationale: Height and weight provide precise data for body surface area-based dosing.
11. Question: What is the priority nursing intervention for a 12-month-old with a respiratory
infection in a mist tent with oxygen?
Answer: Have a bulb syringe available
Rationale: A patent airway is the priority; a bulb syringe clears secretions in a mist tent.
, 12. Question: What should the nurse recommend for a 14-year-old female concerned about
recent acne?
Answer: Wash hair and skin with soap and hot water
Rationale: Frequent washing removes oil and debris, reducing acne.
13. Question: How should the nurse reduce hospitalization anxiety for a 6-year-old admitted
after a bicycle fall?
Answer: Explain hospital schedules
Rationale: Explaining schedules familiarizes the child with the hospital, reducing
anxiety.
14. Question: What nursing action is appropriate for a newborn with myelomeningocele
scheduled for surgery?
Answer: Assess head circumference
Rationale: Monitoring head circumference detects increased intracranial pressure in
myelomeningocele.
15. Question: What is the priority intervention for a child with autism spectrum disorder
(ASD) admitted with pneumonia?
Answer: Maintain a structured routine
Rationale: A structured routine minimizes stress for a child with ASD.
16. Question: What is a key nursing intervention for a child with acute glomerulonephritis?
Answer: Monitor blood pressure
Rationale: Glomerulonephritis can cause hypertension due to fluid retention, requiring
close monitoring.
17. Question: What complication should the nurse monitor in a 4-year-old with a fractured
leg who is immobilized?
Answer: Joint contractures
Rationale: Immobility increases the risk of joint contractures due to muscle disuse.
