HESI RN Pediatrics
Exam | 2025/2026
Verified Questions &
100% Correct
Answers
Growth and Development (Questions 1-25)
1. Question: A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant's developmental
milestones. Which finding indicates normal gross motor development?
Options:
o A. Rolls from prone to supine
o B. Sits without support
o C. Pulls to stand
o D. Walks independently Answer: A. Rolls from prone to supine
Rationale: AAP 2024 developmental surveillance guidelines identify
rolling over as a key 6-month gross motor milestone, reflecting core
strength; delays prompt referral for early intervention.
2. Question: A 2-year-old toddler exhibits parallel play during a clinic visit.
This is an expected social milestone because it demonstrates? Options:
o A. Early independence in social interactions
o B. Advanced cooperative play
o C. Solitary play preference
o D. Stranger anxiety resolution Answer: A. Early independence in
social interactions Rationale: CDC 2025 milestone tracker notes
parallel play at 2 years fosters self-identity; it precedes associative
play, supporting Erikson's autonomy vs. shame stage.
,3. Question: During a well-child visit, a 4-month-old infant demonstrates
social smile and cooing. These are indicators of? Options:
o A. Secure attachment development
o B. Language precursor skills
o C. Both A and B
o D. Motor delay Answer: C. Both A and B Rationale: AAP 2024
guidelines highlight social smiling as attachment (Bowlby theory) and
cooing as preverbal communication; early signs predict
cognitive/social outcomes.
4. Question: A 9-month-old infant begins stranger anxiety. The nurse explains
this as? Options:
o A. Normal separation anxiety phase
o B. Attachment disorder
o C. Sensory processing issue
o D. Autism spectrum indicator Answer: A. Normal separation anxiety
phase Rationale: CDC 2025 development milestones; peaks 8-10
months, resolves by 18 months, reflecting object permanence (Piaget).
5. Question: A 3-year-old child's language development includes 1,000-word
vocabulary and 3-4 word sentences. This aligns with? Options:
o A. Expected expressive language growth
o B. Receptive delay
o C. Bilingual confusion
o D. Hyperlexia Answer: A. Expected expressive language growth
Rationale: ASHA 2024 language milestones; 900-1,000 words
typical, with telegraphic speech evolving to complex sentences.
6. Question: A 15-month-old toddler's fine motor milestone includes?
Options:
o A. Using pincer grasp to pick up small objects
o B. Scribbling with crayon
o C. Throwing ball overhead
o D. Riding tricycle Answer: A. Using pincer grasp to pick up small
objects Rationale: AAP 2024; inferior pincer (thumb/index) emerges
at 9-12 months, superior by 15, enabling self-feeding.
7. Question: A 10-month-old infant's cognitive development is assessed by?
Options:
o A. Object permanence through peek-a-boo
o B. Symbolic play
o C. Problem-solving puzzles
, oD. Counting objects Answer: A. Object permanence through peek-a-
boo Rationale: CDC 2025; sensorimotor stage (Piaget), where infants
search for hidden objects, indicating mental representation.
8. Question: A 5-year-old's moral development per Kohlberg involves?
Options:
o A. Understanding rules as social conventions
o B. Obeying to avoid punishment
o C. Empathy-based decisions
o D. Self-interest only Answer: A. Understanding rules as social
conventions Rationale: AAP 2024 psychosocial development;
conventional level, where children follow norms for approval.
9. Question: A 18-month-old toddler's sleep pattern typically includes?
Options:
o A. 11-14 hours total, with 1 nap
o B. 16-18 hours, no naps
o C. 8-10 hours, 2 naps
o D. Irregular patterns Answer: A. 11-14 hours total, with 1 nap
Rationale: AASM 2024 sleep guidelines; consistent routines reduce
night wakings, supporting growth hormone release.
10.Question: A 7-year-old child's gross motor development includes? Options:
• A. Riding bike without training wheels
• B. Crawling
• C. Pulling to stand
• D. Rolling over Answer: A. Riding bike without training wheels Rationale:
CDC 2025 milestones; balance/coordination advances, reducing injury risk
with helmet use.
11.Question: A 4-month-old's fine motor development features? Options:
• A. Reaching for and grasping rattle
• B. Pincher grasp
• C. Feeding self
• D. Scribbling Answer: A. Reaching for and grasping rattle Rationale: AAP
2024; palmar grasp emerges, precursor to pincer; tummy time promotes.
12.Question: Separation anxiety peaks at? Options:
• A. 12-18 months
• B. 6 months
Exam | 2025/2026
Verified Questions &
100% Correct
Answers
Growth and Development (Questions 1-25)
1. Question: A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant's developmental
milestones. Which finding indicates normal gross motor development?
Options:
o A. Rolls from prone to supine
o B. Sits without support
o C. Pulls to stand
o D. Walks independently Answer: A. Rolls from prone to supine
Rationale: AAP 2024 developmental surveillance guidelines identify
rolling over as a key 6-month gross motor milestone, reflecting core
strength; delays prompt referral for early intervention.
2. Question: A 2-year-old toddler exhibits parallel play during a clinic visit.
This is an expected social milestone because it demonstrates? Options:
o A. Early independence in social interactions
o B. Advanced cooperative play
o C. Solitary play preference
o D. Stranger anxiety resolution Answer: A. Early independence in
social interactions Rationale: CDC 2025 milestone tracker notes
parallel play at 2 years fosters self-identity; it precedes associative
play, supporting Erikson's autonomy vs. shame stage.
,3. Question: During a well-child visit, a 4-month-old infant demonstrates
social smile and cooing. These are indicators of? Options:
o A. Secure attachment development
o B. Language precursor skills
o C. Both A and B
o D. Motor delay Answer: C. Both A and B Rationale: AAP 2024
guidelines highlight social smiling as attachment (Bowlby theory) and
cooing as preverbal communication; early signs predict
cognitive/social outcomes.
4. Question: A 9-month-old infant begins stranger anxiety. The nurse explains
this as? Options:
o A. Normal separation anxiety phase
o B. Attachment disorder
o C. Sensory processing issue
o D. Autism spectrum indicator Answer: A. Normal separation anxiety
phase Rationale: CDC 2025 development milestones; peaks 8-10
months, resolves by 18 months, reflecting object permanence (Piaget).
5. Question: A 3-year-old child's language development includes 1,000-word
vocabulary and 3-4 word sentences. This aligns with? Options:
o A. Expected expressive language growth
o B. Receptive delay
o C. Bilingual confusion
o D. Hyperlexia Answer: A. Expected expressive language growth
Rationale: ASHA 2024 language milestones; 900-1,000 words
typical, with telegraphic speech evolving to complex sentences.
6. Question: A 15-month-old toddler's fine motor milestone includes?
Options:
o A. Using pincer grasp to pick up small objects
o B. Scribbling with crayon
o C. Throwing ball overhead
o D. Riding tricycle Answer: A. Using pincer grasp to pick up small
objects Rationale: AAP 2024; inferior pincer (thumb/index) emerges
at 9-12 months, superior by 15, enabling self-feeding.
7. Question: A 10-month-old infant's cognitive development is assessed by?
Options:
o A. Object permanence through peek-a-boo
o B. Symbolic play
o C. Problem-solving puzzles
, oD. Counting objects Answer: A. Object permanence through peek-a-
boo Rationale: CDC 2025; sensorimotor stage (Piaget), where infants
search for hidden objects, indicating mental representation.
8. Question: A 5-year-old's moral development per Kohlberg involves?
Options:
o A. Understanding rules as social conventions
o B. Obeying to avoid punishment
o C. Empathy-based decisions
o D. Self-interest only Answer: A. Understanding rules as social
conventions Rationale: AAP 2024 psychosocial development;
conventional level, where children follow norms for approval.
9. Question: A 18-month-old toddler's sleep pattern typically includes?
Options:
o A. 11-14 hours total, with 1 nap
o B. 16-18 hours, no naps
o C. 8-10 hours, 2 naps
o D. Irregular patterns Answer: A. 11-14 hours total, with 1 nap
Rationale: AASM 2024 sleep guidelines; consistent routines reduce
night wakings, supporting growth hormone release.
10.Question: A 7-year-old child's gross motor development includes? Options:
• A. Riding bike without training wheels
• B. Crawling
• C. Pulling to stand
• D. Rolling over Answer: A. Riding bike without training wheels Rationale:
CDC 2025 milestones; balance/coordination advances, reducing injury risk
with helmet use.
11.Question: A 4-month-old's fine motor development features? Options:
• A. Reaching for and grasping rattle
• B. Pincher grasp
• C. Feeding self
• D. Scribbling Answer: A. Reaching for and grasping rattle Rationale: AAP
2024; palmar grasp emerges, precursor to pincer; tummy time promotes.
12.Question: Separation anxiety peaks at? Options:
• A. 12-18 months
• B. 6 months
