EVOLVE HESI Pediatrics Exam Study Guide PDF |
Comprehensive Pediatric Nursing Review |
Growth & Development, Pediatric Disorders,
Medication Safety, Family-Centered Care,
Pediatric Assessment & HESI Exit Exam Prep
Bundle
Question 1: Which developmental stage according to Erikson is characterized by the conflict of
autonomy versus shame and doubt?
A. Infancy
B. Toddlerhood
C. Preschool
D. School Age
**CORRECT ANSWER: ** B. Toddlerhood
RATIONALE: Erikson's stage for toddlers (1 to 3 years) is autonomy versus shame and doubt, where
children strive for independence. Infancy is trust versus mistrust, preschool is initiative versus guilt, and
school age is industry versus inferiority.
**Question 2: What is the expected weight gain for a healthy infant during the first 6 months of life?
A. Double the birth weight
B. Triple the birth weight
C. Gain 1 pound per month
D. Gain 2 pounds per month
**CORRECT ANSWER: ** A. Double the birth weight
RATIONALE: Infants typically double their birth weight by 6 months of age and triple it by 1 year.
Gaining 1 pound per month is an average estimate but doubling is the standard milestone.
**Question 3: Which vaccine is typically administered to a newborn within 24 hours of birth?
A. DTaP
B. Hepatitis B
C. Polio
D. MMR
**CORRECT ANSWER: ** B. Hepatitis B
RATIONALE: The first dose of the Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended within 24 hours of birth to
prevent vertical transmission. DTaP, Polio, and MMR are given later in infancy.
**Question 4: A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old child. Which finding is considered normal for this age?
,A. Bow-legged appearance
B. Knock-kneed appearance
C. Flat feet
D. Lordosis
**CORRECT ANSWER: ** A. Bow-legged appearance
RATIONALE: A bow-legged (genu varum) appearance is normal in toddlers due to intrauterine
positioning and typically resolves by age 3. Knock-knees develop later, and lordosis is common in
preschoolers.
**Question 5: What is the priority nursing intervention for a child with a fever of 103°F (39.4°C)?
A. Administer a cold bath
B. Encourage fluid intake
C. Bundle the child in blankets
D. Administer aspirin
**CORRECT ANSWER: ** B. Encourage fluid intake
RATIONALE: Preventing dehydration is a priority during fever. Cold baths can cause shivering and
increase temperature, bundling traps heat, and aspirin is contraindicated in children due to Reye's
syndrome.
**Question 6: Which sign indicates increased intracranial pressure in an infant?
A. Sunken fontanel
B. Bulging fontanel
C. Decreased head circumference
D. Hyperactivity
**CORRECT ANSWER: ** B. Bulging fontanel
RATIONALE: A bulging anterior fontanel is a classic sign of increased intracranial pressure in infants. A
sunken fontanel indicates dehydration.
**Question 7: A child is diagnosed with otitis media. Which symptom is most commonly reported by
parents?
A. Rash
B. Tugging at the ear
C. Diarrhea
D. Coughing up blood
**CORRECT ANSWER: ** B. Tugging at the ear
RATIONALE: Ear tugging, irritability, and fever are common signs of otitis media in young children who
cannot verbalize pain. Rash and diarrhea are not typical primary symptoms.
**Question 8: What is the appropriate suction pressure setting for a child when using a wall suction
unit?
,A. 60 to 80 mmHg
B. 80 to 100 mmHg
C. 100 to 120 mmHg
D. 120 to 140 mmHg
**CORRECT ANSWER: ** B. 80 to 100 mmHg
RATIONALE: For children, the recommended suction pressure is 80 to 100 mmHg. Infants require lower
pressure (60 to 80 mmHg), and adults require higher (100 to 120 mmHg).
**Question 9: Which food should be avoided in a child under 1 year of age due to the risk of botulism?
A. Cow's milk
B. Honey
C. Eggs
D. Peanuts
**CORRECT ANSWER: ** B. Honey
RATIONALE: Honey may contain Clostridium botulinum spores that can cause infant botulism. Cow's
milk is avoided due to iron deficiency risk, not botulism.
**Question 10: A nurse is teaching a parent about car seat safety. Which statement indicates
understanding?
A. "I will place the seat in the front passenger seat."
B. "I will keep my child rear-facing until age 2."
C. "I will use a booster seat immediately after birth."
D. "I will loosen the straps for comfort."
**CORRECT ANSWER: ** B. "I will keep my child rear-facing until age 2."
RATIONALE: Current guidelines recommend keeping children rear-facing until at least age 2 or until
they reach the maximum height/weight limit of the seat. Front seats are dangerous due to airbags.
**Question 11: Which condition is characterized by a barking cough and stridor?
A. Bronchiolitis
B. Croup
C. Pneumonia
D. Asthma
**CORRECT ANSWER: ** B. Croup
RATIONALE: Croup (laryngotracheobronchitis) presents with a characteristic barking cough and
inspiratory stridor. Bronchiolitis presents with wheezing, and asthma with expiratory wheezing.
**Question 12: What is the primary nursing action for a child experiencing a seizure?
A. Restrain the child
B. Place a tongue depressor in the mouth
, C. Protect the head and maintain airway
D. Administer water immediately
**CORRECT ANSWER: ** C. Protect the head and maintain airway
RATIONALE: Safety is the priority. Protecting the head prevents injury, and positioning maintains the
airway. Restraints and objects in the mouth can cause harm.
**Question 13: Which assessment finding is expected in a child with dehydration?
A. Moist mucous membranes
B. Poor skin turgor
C. Increased urine output
D. Bounding pulse
**CORRECT ANSWER: ** B. Poor skin turgor
RATIONALE: Poor skin turgor, dry mucous membranes, and decreased urine output are signs of
dehydration. Moist membranes and bounding pulse suggest fluid overload.
**Question 14: A child with cystic fibrosis requires which dietary modification?
A. Low fat, low protein
B. High calorie, high protein
C. Low sodium, high sugar
D. High fiber, low calorie
**CORRECT ANSWER: ** B. High calorie, high protein
RATIONALE: Children with cystic fibrosis have malabsorption and increased metabolic needs, requiring
a high-calorie, high-protein diet and enzyme supplementation.
**Question 15: Which medication is commonly used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD)?
A. Insulin
B. Methylphenidate
C. Albuterol
D. Digoxin
**CORRECT ANSWER: ** B. Methylphenidate
RATIONALE: Methylphenidate is a central nervous system stimulant commonly prescribed for ADHD.
Insulin is for diabetes, albuterol for asthma, and digoxin for heart conditions.
**Question 16: What is the normal respiratory rate for a toddler?
A. 10 to 20 breaths/min
B. 20 to 30 breaths/min
C. 24 to 40 breaths/min
D. 30 to 60 breaths/min
Comprehensive Pediatric Nursing Review |
Growth & Development, Pediatric Disorders,
Medication Safety, Family-Centered Care,
Pediatric Assessment & HESI Exit Exam Prep
Bundle
Question 1: Which developmental stage according to Erikson is characterized by the conflict of
autonomy versus shame and doubt?
A. Infancy
B. Toddlerhood
C. Preschool
D. School Age
**CORRECT ANSWER: ** B. Toddlerhood
RATIONALE: Erikson's stage for toddlers (1 to 3 years) is autonomy versus shame and doubt, where
children strive for independence. Infancy is trust versus mistrust, preschool is initiative versus guilt, and
school age is industry versus inferiority.
**Question 2: What is the expected weight gain for a healthy infant during the first 6 months of life?
A. Double the birth weight
B. Triple the birth weight
C. Gain 1 pound per month
D. Gain 2 pounds per month
**CORRECT ANSWER: ** A. Double the birth weight
RATIONALE: Infants typically double their birth weight by 6 months of age and triple it by 1 year.
Gaining 1 pound per month is an average estimate but doubling is the standard milestone.
**Question 3: Which vaccine is typically administered to a newborn within 24 hours of birth?
A. DTaP
B. Hepatitis B
C. Polio
D. MMR
**CORRECT ANSWER: ** B. Hepatitis B
RATIONALE: The first dose of the Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended within 24 hours of birth to
prevent vertical transmission. DTaP, Polio, and MMR are given later in infancy.
**Question 4: A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old child. Which finding is considered normal for this age?
,A. Bow-legged appearance
B. Knock-kneed appearance
C. Flat feet
D. Lordosis
**CORRECT ANSWER: ** A. Bow-legged appearance
RATIONALE: A bow-legged (genu varum) appearance is normal in toddlers due to intrauterine
positioning and typically resolves by age 3. Knock-knees develop later, and lordosis is common in
preschoolers.
**Question 5: What is the priority nursing intervention for a child with a fever of 103°F (39.4°C)?
A. Administer a cold bath
B. Encourage fluid intake
C. Bundle the child in blankets
D. Administer aspirin
**CORRECT ANSWER: ** B. Encourage fluid intake
RATIONALE: Preventing dehydration is a priority during fever. Cold baths can cause shivering and
increase temperature, bundling traps heat, and aspirin is contraindicated in children due to Reye's
syndrome.
**Question 6: Which sign indicates increased intracranial pressure in an infant?
A. Sunken fontanel
B. Bulging fontanel
C. Decreased head circumference
D. Hyperactivity
**CORRECT ANSWER: ** B. Bulging fontanel
RATIONALE: A bulging anterior fontanel is a classic sign of increased intracranial pressure in infants. A
sunken fontanel indicates dehydration.
**Question 7: A child is diagnosed with otitis media. Which symptom is most commonly reported by
parents?
A. Rash
B. Tugging at the ear
C. Diarrhea
D. Coughing up blood
**CORRECT ANSWER: ** B. Tugging at the ear
RATIONALE: Ear tugging, irritability, and fever are common signs of otitis media in young children who
cannot verbalize pain. Rash and diarrhea are not typical primary symptoms.
**Question 8: What is the appropriate suction pressure setting for a child when using a wall suction
unit?
,A. 60 to 80 mmHg
B. 80 to 100 mmHg
C. 100 to 120 mmHg
D. 120 to 140 mmHg
**CORRECT ANSWER: ** B. 80 to 100 mmHg
RATIONALE: For children, the recommended suction pressure is 80 to 100 mmHg. Infants require lower
pressure (60 to 80 mmHg), and adults require higher (100 to 120 mmHg).
**Question 9: Which food should be avoided in a child under 1 year of age due to the risk of botulism?
A. Cow's milk
B. Honey
C. Eggs
D. Peanuts
**CORRECT ANSWER: ** B. Honey
RATIONALE: Honey may contain Clostridium botulinum spores that can cause infant botulism. Cow's
milk is avoided due to iron deficiency risk, not botulism.
**Question 10: A nurse is teaching a parent about car seat safety. Which statement indicates
understanding?
A. "I will place the seat in the front passenger seat."
B. "I will keep my child rear-facing until age 2."
C. "I will use a booster seat immediately after birth."
D. "I will loosen the straps for comfort."
**CORRECT ANSWER: ** B. "I will keep my child rear-facing until age 2."
RATIONALE: Current guidelines recommend keeping children rear-facing until at least age 2 or until
they reach the maximum height/weight limit of the seat. Front seats are dangerous due to airbags.
**Question 11: Which condition is characterized by a barking cough and stridor?
A. Bronchiolitis
B. Croup
C. Pneumonia
D. Asthma
**CORRECT ANSWER: ** B. Croup
RATIONALE: Croup (laryngotracheobronchitis) presents with a characteristic barking cough and
inspiratory stridor. Bronchiolitis presents with wheezing, and asthma with expiratory wheezing.
**Question 12: What is the primary nursing action for a child experiencing a seizure?
A. Restrain the child
B. Place a tongue depressor in the mouth
, C. Protect the head and maintain airway
D. Administer water immediately
**CORRECT ANSWER: ** C. Protect the head and maintain airway
RATIONALE: Safety is the priority. Protecting the head prevents injury, and positioning maintains the
airway. Restraints and objects in the mouth can cause harm.
**Question 13: Which assessment finding is expected in a child with dehydration?
A. Moist mucous membranes
B. Poor skin turgor
C. Increased urine output
D. Bounding pulse
**CORRECT ANSWER: ** B. Poor skin turgor
RATIONALE: Poor skin turgor, dry mucous membranes, and decreased urine output are signs of
dehydration. Moist membranes and bounding pulse suggest fluid overload.
**Question 14: A child with cystic fibrosis requires which dietary modification?
A. Low fat, low protein
B. High calorie, high protein
C. Low sodium, high sugar
D. High fiber, low calorie
**CORRECT ANSWER: ** B. High calorie, high protein
RATIONALE: Children with cystic fibrosis have malabsorption and increased metabolic needs, requiring
a high-calorie, high-protein diet and enzyme supplementation.
**Question 15: Which medication is commonly used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD)?
A. Insulin
B. Methylphenidate
C. Albuterol
D. Digoxin
**CORRECT ANSWER: ** B. Methylphenidate
RATIONALE: Methylphenidate is a central nervous system stimulant commonly prescribed for ADHD.
Insulin is for diabetes, albuterol for asthma, and digoxin for heart conditions.
**Question 16: What is the normal respiratory rate for a toddler?
A. 10 to 20 breaths/min
B. 20 to 30 breaths/min
C. 24 to 40 breaths/min
D. 30 to 60 breaths/min
