HESI Pediatric Practice Exam with
Answers
When taking the health history of a child, the nurse know what which finding is an early
indication of hypothyroidism in children? - ✔✔Cessation of growth in a child that had been
normal
The nurse received a lab report stating a child w/ asthma has theophyline level of 15 mcg/dl.
What action will the nurse take? - ✔✔Hold the next dose of theophylline
a.i. Therapeutic levels of theophylline is 10-10 mcg/dl, so the child's level is w/in the
therapeutic rage.
Surgery is being delayed for an infant with undescended testes. In collaboration w/ the health
care provider and the family, which prescription should the nurse anticipapte? - ✔✔trial of
human chorionic gonadotrophic hormone
a.i A trial of HCG may aid in testicular descent, but does not replace surgical repair for true
undescended testes. (cryptorchidism: may be found in the inguinal canal due to exaggerated
creamasteric reflex
Which menu selection by a child w/ celiac disease indicates to the nurse that the child
understands necessary dietary considerations? - ✔✔a. Oven baked potato chips & cola
a.i. Celiac disease causes an intolerance to the protein gluten found in oats, rye, wheat, and
barley. The child should avoid any produces containing these indredients to avoid symptoms
such as diarrhea.
The mother of a 2-year-old boy consults the nurse about her son's increased temper tantrums.
The mother states, "yesterday he threw a fit in the grocery store, and I did not know what to
do. I was so embarrassed. What can I do if this occurs again?" Which recommendation is best
for the nurse to provide this mother? - ✔✔a. Walk away from him and ignore the behavior
a.i. The best approach for a toddler is to ignor the attention-seeking behavior. The parents
should be somewhat nearby, w/in view of the child but should avoid reinforcing the behavior in
any way. Tantrums can sometimes be avoided by talking to the child before the situation occurs
,Which restraint should be used for a toddler after a cleft palate repair? - ✔✔a. Elbow
a.i. Elbow restraints prevent children from bending their arms and brining their hands to the
oral surgical site, (A) restrains the hands but the child can bend and bring their head to their
ands. (B) is used during procedures (mummy). (D)-jacket, restrains the body torso and is not
appropriate
The mother of a 4-year-old child asks the nurse what she can do to help her other children cope
with their sibling's hospitalizations. Which is the best response that the nurse should offer? -
✔✔a. Encourage the mother to have the children visit the hospitalized sibling.
a.i. Needs of a sibling will be better met with facture information and contact w/ the ill child, so
siblings visitation should be encouraged (D). Parents are experts on their children and should
determine when their children are old enough to visit. (A) in the hospital/ Separation fr. a
family & home (B) may intensify fear & anxiety (suggest that the child visit a grandmother until
the sibling returns home. Children may have difficulty expressing questions (C) ask the mother
if the child asks when the sibling will be discharged, so the support of parents & other
caregivers are needed to help alleviate their fears.
The nurse is giving preoperative instruction to a 14-year-old 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 understand that I will be in a body cast and I will show you
how you taught me to turn
a.i. Outcome of learning is best demonstrated when the client not only verbalizes an
understand, but can also provide a return demonstration
During administration of a blood transfusion, a child complains of chills, headache, and nausea.
Which action should the nurse implement? - ✔✔a. Stop the infusion immediately and notify the
healthcare provider
a.i. The child is exhibiting signs of a reaction to the blood transfusion. The blood transfusion
should be stopped immediately and the healthcare provider notified ©. After the transfusion is
discontinused, IV access should be maintained. (A) w/ fluids that do not introduce any more
cellular products. (B & D) place the child @ risk for further blood reactions
, The clinic nurse is taking the hx for a new 6-month-old client. The mother reports that she took
a great deal of aspirin while pregnant. Which assessment should the nurse obtain? - ✔✔a. Type
of reaction to loud noises
a.i. Ototoxicity diminishes hear acuity and causes symptoms of tinnitus and vertigo in older
children who can express subjective symptoms, so assessing the infant's reation to loud noises
(A) helps to determine an infant's risk for hearing deficit r/t to a hx of the mother taking
ototoxic drug, such as aspirin, while pregnancy (B,C,D are not assoc w/ the exposure to aspirin
in utero
The mother of a preschool aged child asks the nurse if it is 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 the presence of aspirin, which instruction should the nurse include when replying
to this mother's question? - ✔✔a. Do not give if the child has chickenpox, the flu, or any other
viral illness
a.i. Pepto Bismol contains aspirin and there is the potential of Reye's syndrome (B). (a) is a
common effect of peptobismol and does not warrant discontinuation. Pepto Bismol can be
used by children (C). Pepto Bismol does not cause rebound hyperacidity (D) complication of
antacids containing calcium
A 3 moth old infant develops oral thrush. Which pharmacologic agent should the nurse plan to
administer for treatment of this disorder? - ✔✔a. Nystatin (Mycostatin)
a.i. Nystatin (mycostatin) (A) is an antifungal drug that is effective in treating thrush, an oral
fungal infection
The nurse is developing a plan of care for a 3 yr old who is scheduled for a cardiac catherization.
To assist in decreasing anxiety for the child on the day of the procedure, which intervention is
best for the nurse to implement? - ✔✔a. C-give the child a ride on a gurney to visit the cardiac
catheterization lab and meet a nurse who works there
a.i. Familizaring the child and mother w/ the department will help decrease anxiety of the child
and mother (who may have more anxiety than the child). Three is a difficult age to undergo a
procedure that requires cooperation. Restraints and possible sedation may be required
Answers
When taking the health history of a child, the nurse know what which finding is an early
indication of hypothyroidism in children? - ✔✔Cessation of growth in a child that had been
normal
The nurse received a lab report stating a child w/ asthma has theophyline level of 15 mcg/dl.
What action will the nurse take? - ✔✔Hold the next dose of theophylline
a.i. Therapeutic levels of theophylline is 10-10 mcg/dl, so the child's level is w/in the
therapeutic rage.
Surgery is being delayed for an infant with undescended testes. In collaboration w/ the health
care provider and the family, which prescription should the nurse anticipapte? - ✔✔trial of
human chorionic gonadotrophic hormone
a.i A trial of HCG may aid in testicular descent, but does not replace surgical repair for true
undescended testes. (cryptorchidism: may be found in the inguinal canal due to exaggerated
creamasteric reflex
Which menu selection by a child w/ celiac disease indicates to the nurse that the child
understands necessary dietary considerations? - ✔✔a. Oven baked potato chips & cola
a.i. Celiac disease causes an intolerance to the protein gluten found in oats, rye, wheat, and
barley. The child should avoid any produces containing these indredients to avoid symptoms
such as diarrhea.
The mother of a 2-year-old boy consults the nurse about her son's increased temper tantrums.
The mother states, "yesterday he threw a fit in the grocery store, and I did not know what to
do. I was so embarrassed. What can I do if this occurs again?" Which recommendation is best
for the nurse to provide this mother? - ✔✔a. Walk away from him and ignore the behavior
a.i. The best approach for a toddler is to ignor the attention-seeking behavior. The parents
should be somewhat nearby, w/in view of the child but should avoid reinforcing the behavior in
any way. Tantrums can sometimes be avoided by talking to the child before the situation occurs
,Which restraint should be used for a toddler after a cleft palate repair? - ✔✔a. Elbow
a.i. Elbow restraints prevent children from bending their arms and brining their hands to the
oral surgical site, (A) restrains the hands but the child can bend and bring their head to their
ands. (B) is used during procedures (mummy). (D)-jacket, restrains the body torso and is not
appropriate
The mother of a 4-year-old child asks the nurse what she can do to help her other children cope
with their sibling's hospitalizations. Which is the best response that the nurse should offer? -
✔✔a. Encourage the mother to have the children visit the hospitalized sibling.
a.i. Needs of a sibling will be better met with facture information and contact w/ the ill child, so
siblings visitation should be encouraged (D). Parents are experts on their children and should
determine when their children are old enough to visit. (A) in the hospital/ Separation fr. a
family & home (B) may intensify fear & anxiety (suggest that the child visit a grandmother until
the sibling returns home. Children may have difficulty expressing questions (C) ask the mother
if the child asks when the sibling will be discharged, so the support of parents & other
caregivers are needed to help alleviate their fears.
The nurse is giving preoperative instruction to a 14-year-old 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 understand that I will be in a body cast and I will show you
how you taught me to turn
a.i. Outcome of learning is best demonstrated when the client not only verbalizes an
understand, but can also provide a return demonstration
During administration of a blood transfusion, a child complains of chills, headache, and nausea.
Which action should the nurse implement? - ✔✔a. Stop the infusion immediately and notify the
healthcare provider
a.i. The child is exhibiting signs of a reaction to the blood transfusion. The blood transfusion
should be stopped immediately and the healthcare provider notified ©. After the transfusion is
discontinused, IV access should be maintained. (A) w/ fluids that do not introduce any more
cellular products. (B & D) place the child @ risk for further blood reactions
, The clinic nurse is taking the hx for a new 6-month-old client. The mother reports that she took
a great deal of aspirin while pregnant. Which assessment should the nurse obtain? - ✔✔a. Type
of reaction to loud noises
a.i. Ototoxicity diminishes hear acuity and causes symptoms of tinnitus and vertigo in older
children who can express subjective symptoms, so assessing the infant's reation to loud noises
(A) helps to determine an infant's risk for hearing deficit r/t to a hx of the mother taking
ototoxic drug, such as aspirin, while pregnancy (B,C,D are not assoc w/ the exposure to aspirin
in utero
The mother of a preschool aged child asks the nurse if it is 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 the presence of aspirin, which instruction should the nurse include when replying
to this mother's question? - ✔✔a. Do not give if the child has chickenpox, the flu, or any other
viral illness
a.i. Pepto Bismol contains aspirin and there is the potential of Reye's syndrome (B). (a) is a
common effect of peptobismol and does not warrant discontinuation. Pepto Bismol can be
used by children (C). Pepto Bismol does not cause rebound hyperacidity (D) complication of
antacids containing calcium
A 3 moth old infant develops oral thrush. Which pharmacologic agent should the nurse plan to
administer for treatment of this disorder? - ✔✔a. Nystatin (Mycostatin)
a.i. Nystatin (mycostatin) (A) is an antifungal drug that is effective in treating thrush, an oral
fungal infection
The nurse is developing a plan of care for a 3 yr old who is scheduled for a cardiac catherization.
To assist in decreasing anxiety for the child on the day of the procedure, which intervention is
best for the nurse to implement? - ✔✔a. C-give the child a ride on a gurney to visit the cardiac
catheterization lab and meet a nurse who works there
a.i. Familizaring the child and mother w/ the department will help decrease anxiety of the child
and mother (who may have more anxiety than the child). Three is a difficult age to undergo a
procedure that requires cooperation. Restraints and possible sedation may be required
