HESI Pediatric Practice Exam with
Answers
The nurse is giving preoperative instructions to a 14 year y/o female client who is scheduled for
surgery to correct a spinal curvature. Which statement by the client best demonstrates that
learning has taken place?
A. "I will read all the literature you gave me before surgery"
B. "I have had surgery before when I broke my wrist in a bike acdient, so I know what to expect"
C. "All the things people have told me will help me take care of my back"
D. "I understand that I will be in a body cast and I will show you how taught me to turn" - ✔✔D
Rationale: Outcome of learning is best demonstrated when the client not only verbalizes an
understanding but can also provide a return demonstration (D)
A: 14 y/o might not do that
B: Spinal surgery is different from wrist surgery
C: Client may be saying what the nurse wants to hear w/o expressing any real understanding of
what to do after surgery
A 2 y/o with Down syndrome is brought to the clinic for his regular physical examination. The
nurse knows which problem is frequently associated with Down syndrome?
A. Congenital heart disease
B. Fragile X chromosome
C. Trisomy 13
D. Pyloric stenosis - ✔✔A
B: Causes mental retardation
D: Not associated with Down syndrome
When assessing a child with asthma, the nurse should expect intercostal retractions during...
A. Inspiration
,B. Coughing
C. Apneic episodes
D. Expiration - ✔✔A.
Intercostal retractions result from respiratory effort to draw air into restricted airways
Which behavior would the nurse expect a 2 y/o child to exhibit?
A. Build a house with blocks
B. Ride a tricycle
C. Display possessiveness of toys
D. Look at a picture book for 15 minutes - ✔✔C
Remember 2 y/o are egocentric aka everything is about them so they are unable to share with
other children
ABC are behaviors of a preschooler
The mother of a preschool-aged child asks the nurse if it all right to administer Pepto Bismol to
her son when he "has a tummy ache". After reminding the mother to check the label of all OTC
drugs for prescence of aspirin, which instruction should the nurse include when replying to this
mother's question?
A. If the child's tongue darkens, d/c the Pepto Bismol immediately
B. Don't give if the child has chicken pox, the flu, or any other viral illness
C. Avoid the use of Pepto Bismol until the child is at least 16 y/o
D. Pepto Bismol may cause a rebound hyperacidity, worsening the tummy ache - ✔✔B
Pepto Bismol contains aspirin and there is the potential of Reye's syndrome.
A: Is a common effect of Pepto bismol doesn't warrant d/c
C: Pepto Bismol doesn't cause rebound hyperacidity
D: Complication of antacids containing calcium
, The nurse observes a 4 y/o boy in a daycare setting. Which behavior should the nurse consider
normal for this child?
A. Has a temper tantrum when told he must shares his toys
B. Plays by himself most of the day
C. Demonstrates aggressiveness by boasting when telling a story
D. Begins to cry & is fearful when separated from his parents - ✔✔C
4 y/o children are aggressive in their behavior and enjoy "tale telling".
AD: Typical of toddlers. The play of preschooler is cooperative, so playing B is not typical
A burned child is brought to the ER. In estimating the % of the body burned, the nurse uses a
modified "rule of nines". Which part of a child's body is calculated as a larger percentage of
total body surface than an adult's?
A. Head & Neck
B. Arms & Chest
C. Legs & abs
D. Back & Abdomen - ✔✔A
The nurse receives a lab report stating a child with asthma has theophyline level of 15 mcg/dl.
Which action will the nurse take?
A. Pass the information on in the report
B. Notify the healthcare provider bc the value is high
C. Repeat the lab study because the value is too high
D. Hold the next dose of theophyline - ✔✔A.
Therapeutic level of theophyline is 10-20 mcg/dl, so the child's level is within the therapeutic
range. This information evaluates the prescribed therapy & should be communicated in the
nurse's report
A 12 month old boy is admitted with a respiratory infection and possible pneumonia. He is
place din a mist tent with oxygen. Which nursing intervention has the greatest priority for this
infant?
Answers
The nurse is giving preoperative instructions to a 14 year y/o female client who is scheduled for
surgery to correct a spinal curvature. Which statement by the client best demonstrates that
learning has taken place?
A. "I will read all the literature you gave me before surgery"
B. "I have had surgery before when I broke my wrist in a bike acdient, so I know what to expect"
C. "All the things people have told me will help me take care of my back"
D. "I understand that I will be in a body cast and I will show you how taught me to turn" - ✔✔D
Rationale: Outcome of learning is best demonstrated when the client not only verbalizes an
understanding but can also provide a return demonstration (D)
A: 14 y/o might not do that
B: Spinal surgery is different from wrist surgery
C: Client may be saying what the nurse wants to hear w/o expressing any real understanding of
what to do after surgery
A 2 y/o with Down syndrome is brought to the clinic for his regular physical examination. The
nurse knows which problem is frequently associated with Down syndrome?
A. Congenital heart disease
B. Fragile X chromosome
C. Trisomy 13
D. Pyloric stenosis - ✔✔A
B: Causes mental retardation
D: Not associated with Down syndrome
When assessing a child with asthma, the nurse should expect intercostal retractions during...
A. Inspiration
,B. Coughing
C. Apneic episodes
D. Expiration - ✔✔A.
Intercostal retractions result from respiratory effort to draw air into restricted airways
Which behavior would the nurse expect a 2 y/o child to exhibit?
A. Build a house with blocks
B. Ride a tricycle
C. Display possessiveness of toys
D. Look at a picture book for 15 minutes - ✔✔C
Remember 2 y/o are egocentric aka everything is about them so they are unable to share with
other children
ABC are behaviors of a preschooler
The mother of a preschool-aged child asks the nurse if it all right to administer Pepto Bismol to
her son when he "has a tummy ache". After reminding the mother to check the label of all OTC
drugs for prescence of aspirin, which instruction should the nurse include when replying to this
mother's question?
A. If the child's tongue darkens, d/c the Pepto Bismol immediately
B. Don't give if the child has chicken pox, the flu, or any other viral illness
C. Avoid the use of Pepto Bismol until the child is at least 16 y/o
D. Pepto Bismol may cause a rebound hyperacidity, worsening the tummy ache - ✔✔B
Pepto Bismol contains aspirin and there is the potential of Reye's syndrome.
A: Is a common effect of Pepto bismol doesn't warrant d/c
C: Pepto Bismol doesn't cause rebound hyperacidity
D: Complication of antacids containing calcium
, The nurse observes a 4 y/o boy in a daycare setting. Which behavior should the nurse consider
normal for this child?
A. Has a temper tantrum when told he must shares his toys
B. Plays by himself most of the day
C. Demonstrates aggressiveness by boasting when telling a story
D. Begins to cry & is fearful when separated from his parents - ✔✔C
4 y/o children are aggressive in their behavior and enjoy "tale telling".
AD: Typical of toddlers. The play of preschooler is cooperative, so playing B is not typical
A burned child is brought to the ER. In estimating the % of the body burned, the nurse uses a
modified "rule of nines". Which part of a child's body is calculated as a larger percentage of
total body surface than an adult's?
A. Head & Neck
B. Arms & Chest
C. Legs & abs
D. Back & Abdomen - ✔✔A
The nurse receives a lab report stating a child with asthma has theophyline level of 15 mcg/dl.
Which action will the nurse take?
A. Pass the information on in the report
B. Notify the healthcare provider bc the value is high
C. Repeat the lab study because the value is too high
D. Hold the next dose of theophyline - ✔✔A.
Therapeutic level of theophyline is 10-20 mcg/dl, so the child's level is within the therapeutic
range. This information evaluates the prescribed therapy & should be communicated in the
nurse's report
A 12 month old boy is admitted with a respiratory infection and possible pneumonia. He is
place din a mist tent with oxygen. Which nursing intervention has the greatest priority for this
infant?
