HESI Pediatrics Practice Exam Question
Bank | Complete Practice Questions with
Verified Answers & Detailed Rationales |
Latest Update 2026
Question 1
The nurse is giving preoperative instructions 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 will read all the literature you gave me before surgery.
B. I have had surgery before when I broke my wrist in a bike accident, 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 you taught me to
turn.
Answer: D
Rationale: Learning is best demonstrated when the client can provide a return
demonstration, not just verbalize understanding.
Question 2
To take the vital signs of a 4-month old child, which order will give the most accurate
results?
A. Respiratory rate, heart rate, then rectal temperature
B. Heart rate, rectal temperature, then respiratory rate.
C. Rectal temperature, heart rate, then respiratory rate
D. Rectal temperature, respiratory rate, then heart rate
Answer: A
Rationale: Respiratory rate should be taken first in infants before crying affects heart
rate and respirations. Rectal temperature is most invasive and should be done last.
Question 3
During routine screening at a school clinic, an otoscope examination of a child's ear
pg. 1
,reveals a tympanic membrane that is pearly gray, slightly bulging, and not movable.
What action should the nurse take next?
A. No action required, as this is an expected finding for a school-aged child
B. Ask the child if he/she has had a cold, runny nose, or any ear pain lately.
C. Send a note home advising the parents to have the child evaluated by a healthcare
provider as soon as possible.
D. Call the parents and have them take the child home from school for the rest of the
day.
Answer: B
Rationale: The findings are not completely normal, so further history and symptom
assessment is needed before taking action.
Question 4
Which restraint should be used for a toddler after a cleft palate repair?
A. clove hitch
B. Mummy
C. elbow
D. jacket
Answer: C
Rationale: Elbow restraints prevent children from bending their arms and bringing
their hands to the oral surgical site.
Question 5
What preoperative nursing intervention should be included in the plan of care for an
infant with pyloric stenosis?
A. Monitor for signs of metabolic acidosis.
B. estimate the quantity of diarrhea stools.
C. place in a supine position after feeding
D. observe for projectile vomiting.
Answer: D
Rationale: Projectile vomiting is the classic sign of pyloric stenosis.
Question 6
A six-month-old returns from surgery with elbow restraints in place. What nursing care
should be included when caring for any restrained child?
pg. 2
, A. keep restraints on at all times.
B. remove restraints one at a time and provide range of motion exercises
C. Remove all restraints simultaneously and provide lay activities
D. renew the healthcare provider's prescription for restraints every 72 hours.
Answer: B
Rationale: Removing restraints one at a time is safer and allows for exercise.
Question 7
A 2-year old child 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
Answer: A
Rationale: Congenital heart disease is the most common associated defect in children
with Down syndrome.
Question 8
When assessing a child with asthma, the nurse should expect intercostal retractions
during
A. inspiration
B. coughing
C. apneic episodes
D. expiration
Answer: A
Rationale: Intercostal retractions result from respiratory effort to draw air into
restricted airways during inspiration.
Question 9
When planning the care for a child who has had a cleft lip repair, the nurse knows that
crying should be minimized because it
A. increases salivation
B. increases the respiratory rate
pg. 3
Bank | Complete Practice Questions with
Verified Answers & Detailed Rationales |
Latest Update 2026
Question 1
The nurse is giving preoperative instructions 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 will read all the literature you gave me before surgery.
B. I have had surgery before when I broke my wrist in a bike accident, 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 you taught me to
turn.
Answer: D
Rationale: Learning is best demonstrated when the client can provide a return
demonstration, not just verbalize understanding.
Question 2
To take the vital signs of a 4-month old child, which order will give the most accurate
results?
A. Respiratory rate, heart rate, then rectal temperature
B. Heart rate, rectal temperature, then respiratory rate.
C. Rectal temperature, heart rate, then respiratory rate
D. Rectal temperature, respiratory rate, then heart rate
Answer: A
Rationale: Respiratory rate should be taken first in infants before crying affects heart
rate and respirations. Rectal temperature is most invasive and should be done last.
Question 3
During routine screening at a school clinic, an otoscope examination of a child's ear
pg. 1
,reveals a tympanic membrane that is pearly gray, slightly bulging, and not movable.
What action should the nurse take next?
A. No action required, as this is an expected finding for a school-aged child
B. Ask the child if he/she has had a cold, runny nose, or any ear pain lately.
C. Send a note home advising the parents to have the child evaluated by a healthcare
provider as soon as possible.
D. Call the parents and have them take the child home from school for the rest of the
day.
Answer: B
Rationale: The findings are not completely normal, so further history and symptom
assessment is needed before taking action.
Question 4
Which restraint should be used for a toddler after a cleft palate repair?
A. clove hitch
B. Mummy
C. elbow
D. jacket
Answer: C
Rationale: Elbow restraints prevent children from bending their arms and bringing
their hands to the oral surgical site.
Question 5
What preoperative nursing intervention should be included in the plan of care for an
infant with pyloric stenosis?
A. Monitor for signs of metabolic acidosis.
B. estimate the quantity of diarrhea stools.
C. place in a supine position after feeding
D. observe for projectile vomiting.
Answer: D
Rationale: Projectile vomiting is the classic sign of pyloric stenosis.
Question 6
A six-month-old returns from surgery with elbow restraints in place. What nursing care
should be included when caring for any restrained child?
pg. 2
, A. keep restraints on at all times.
B. remove restraints one at a time and provide range of motion exercises
C. Remove all restraints simultaneously and provide lay activities
D. renew the healthcare provider's prescription for restraints every 72 hours.
Answer: B
Rationale: Removing restraints one at a time is safer and allows for exercise.
Question 7
A 2-year old child 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
Answer: A
Rationale: Congenital heart disease is the most common associated defect in children
with Down syndrome.
Question 8
When assessing a child with asthma, the nurse should expect intercostal retractions
during
A. inspiration
B. coughing
C. apneic episodes
D. expiration
Answer: A
Rationale: Intercostal retractions result from respiratory effort to draw air into
restricted airways during inspiration.
Question 9
When planning the care for a child who has had a cleft lip repair, the nurse knows that
crying should be minimized because it
A. increases salivation
B. increases the respiratory rate
pg. 3
