HESI PN Pediatrics Exam 2025/2026 –
Actual Exam 68 Questions with Verified
Correct Answers and Expert Rationales
Question 1
A 5-month-old infant is admitted to the pediatric unit with vomiting and
diarrhea. The pediatrician prescribes dextrose 5% and 0.25% normal
saline with 2 mEq KCl/100 mL to be infused at 25 mL/hr. What is the
most important nursing action?
A. Monitor the infant's electrolyte levels every 4 hours. B. Encourage
oral fluid intake between IV infusions. C. Assess the IV site for
infiltration every hour. D. Position the infant on the side to prevent
aspiration.
C. Assess the IV site for infiltration every hour. Rationale: Infants are at
high risk for fluid overload or infiltration due to fragile veins. Frequent
assessment ensures early detection of complications, prioritizing
safety over other actions.
Question 2
A 2-year-old child recently diagnosed with hemophilia A is discharged
home. What information should the nurse include in the teaching plan
about home care?
,A. Administer aspirin for pain relief as needed. B. Avoid contact sports
and use protective gear. C. Encourage rough play to build strength. D.
Apply ice packs directly to bruises.
B. Avoid contact sports and use protective gear. Rationale: Hemophilia
increases bleeding risk, so preventing trauma through activity
modification is essential. Aspirin is contraindicated, and ice should be
wrapped to avoid vasoconstriction issues.
Question 3
A 15-month-old is admitted with a history of upper respiratory
infection. Which symptom is consistent with laryngotracheobronchitis
(croup)?
A. High fever and drooling. B. Barking cough and stridor. C. Wheezing
and retractions. D. Productive cough and rhinorrhea.
B. Barking cough and stridor. Rationale: Croup classically presents with
a barking cough and inspiratory stridor due to subglottic edema,
distinguishing it from epiglottitis (drooling) or asthma (wheezing).
Question 4
The nurse is preparing a child with intussusception for a barium enema.
What is the main purpose of this procedure prior to surgery?
A. Evacuate impacted feces. B. Reduce the intussusception. C. Diagnose
bowel obstruction. D. Relieve abdominal pain.
, B. Reduce the intussusception. Rationale: Barium enema is
therapeutic in 80-90% of cases, hydrostatic pressure reduces the
telescoping bowel, avoiding surgery unless it fails.
Question 5
A 9-month-old child is seen in the well clinic. Which behaviors would
the nurse expect? (Select all that apply)
A. Plays peek-a-boo. B. Walks independently. C. Feeds self with a spoon.
D. Stacks 2 blocks. E. Transfers objects hand-to-hand.
A, C, E. Rationale: At 9 months, infants develop social (peek-a-boo),
fine motor (spoon feeding), and gross motor (transferring) skills.
Independent walking and block stacking occur around 12 months.
Question 6
The mother of a preschool-aged child asks if Pepto-Bismol is safe for
tummy aches. After reminding her to check for ASA, what instruction
should the nurse give?
A. Give with milk to reduce upset stomach. B. Do not give if the child
has chickenpox or flu. C. Administer before meals for best absorption. D.
Use for diarrhea only, not pain.
B. Do not give if the child has chickenpox or flu. Rationale: Pepto-
Bismol contains salicylates; use with viral illnesses risks Reye's
syndrome, causing encephalopathy and liver failure.
Actual Exam 68 Questions with Verified
Correct Answers and Expert Rationales
Question 1
A 5-month-old infant is admitted to the pediatric unit with vomiting and
diarrhea. The pediatrician prescribes dextrose 5% and 0.25% normal
saline with 2 mEq KCl/100 mL to be infused at 25 mL/hr. What is the
most important nursing action?
A. Monitor the infant's electrolyte levels every 4 hours. B. Encourage
oral fluid intake between IV infusions. C. Assess the IV site for
infiltration every hour. D. Position the infant on the side to prevent
aspiration.
C. Assess the IV site for infiltration every hour. Rationale: Infants are at
high risk for fluid overload or infiltration due to fragile veins. Frequent
assessment ensures early detection of complications, prioritizing
safety over other actions.
Question 2
A 2-year-old child recently diagnosed with hemophilia A is discharged
home. What information should the nurse include in the teaching plan
about home care?
,A. Administer aspirin for pain relief as needed. B. Avoid contact sports
and use protective gear. C. Encourage rough play to build strength. D.
Apply ice packs directly to bruises.
B. Avoid contact sports and use protective gear. Rationale: Hemophilia
increases bleeding risk, so preventing trauma through activity
modification is essential. Aspirin is contraindicated, and ice should be
wrapped to avoid vasoconstriction issues.
Question 3
A 15-month-old is admitted with a history of upper respiratory
infection. Which symptom is consistent with laryngotracheobronchitis
(croup)?
A. High fever and drooling. B. Barking cough and stridor. C. Wheezing
and retractions. D. Productive cough and rhinorrhea.
B. Barking cough and stridor. Rationale: Croup classically presents with
a barking cough and inspiratory stridor due to subglottic edema,
distinguishing it from epiglottitis (drooling) or asthma (wheezing).
Question 4
The nurse is preparing a child with intussusception for a barium enema.
What is the main purpose of this procedure prior to surgery?
A. Evacuate impacted feces. B. Reduce the intussusception. C. Diagnose
bowel obstruction. D. Relieve abdominal pain.
, B. Reduce the intussusception. Rationale: Barium enema is
therapeutic in 80-90% of cases, hydrostatic pressure reduces the
telescoping bowel, avoiding surgery unless it fails.
Question 5
A 9-month-old child is seen in the well clinic. Which behaviors would
the nurse expect? (Select all that apply)
A. Plays peek-a-boo. B. Walks independently. C. Feeds self with a spoon.
D. Stacks 2 blocks. E. Transfers objects hand-to-hand.
A, C, E. Rationale: At 9 months, infants develop social (peek-a-boo),
fine motor (spoon feeding), and gross motor (transferring) skills.
Independent walking and block stacking occur around 12 months.
Question 6
The mother of a preschool-aged child asks if Pepto-Bismol is safe for
tummy aches. After reminding her to check for ASA, what instruction
should the nurse give?
A. Give with milk to reduce upset stomach. B. Do not give if the child
has chickenpox or flu. C. Administer before meals for best absorption. D.
Use for diarrhea only, not pain.
B. Do not give if the child has chickenpox or flu. Rationale: Pepto-
Bismol contains salicylates; use with viral illnesses risks Reye's
syndrome, causing encephalopathy and liver failure.
