HESI Exit Exam Pediatric Nursing Practice
Questions
80 NCLEX-Style Multiple-Choice Questions on Pediatric Nursing
1. At what age does a child typically begin to walk independently?
A. 6 months
B. 12 months
C. 18 months
D. 24 months
Correct Answer: B (Most children walk independently by 12 months.)
2. A 4-year-old with asthma is prescribed albuterol via nebulizer. What should the nurse teach
the parents?
A. Use only at bedtime
B. Administer as needed for wheezing
C. Give with food
D. Stop if the child coughs
Correct Answer: B (Albuterol is used as needed for asthma symptoms like wheezing.)
3. A nurse is administering 15 mg/kg of acetaminophen to a 20 kg child. How many mg should
the nurse give?
A. 150 mg
B. 300 mg
C. 450 mg
D. 600 mg
Correct Answer: B (15 mg/kg Π20 kg = 300 mg.)
4. What is a common symptom of otitis media in a 2-year-old?
A. Chest pain
B. Ear pulling
C. Leg cramps
D. Nausea
Correct Answer: B (Ear pulling is a common sign of ear pain in young children.)
5. A 6-month-old is in the trust vs. mistrust stage of Eriksons development. What promotes
trust?
A. Inconsistent caregiving
B. Prompt response to needs
C. Limited physical contact
D. Delayed feeding
1
, Correct Answer: B (Responding promptly builds trust.)
6. A child with sickle cell anemia is admitted with a vaso-occlusive crisis. What is the priority
nursing intervention?
A. Administer oxygen
B. Provide hydration
C. Apply cold compresses
D. Restrict activity
Correct Answer: B (Hydration prevents further sickling and promotes circulation.)
7. A nurse is preparing to give 0.5 mg/kg of ibuprofen to a 10 kg child. How many mg should
be administered?
A. 2.5 mg
B. 5 mg
C. 7.5 mg
D. 10 mg
Correct Answer: B (0.5 mg/kg Π10 kg = 5 mg.)
8. What should the nurse teach parents about preventing sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)?
A. Place the infant on their stomach to sleep
B. Use soft bedding in the crib
C. Place the infant on their back to sleep
D. Keep the room temperature cool
Correct Answer: C (Back sleeping reduces SIDS risk.)
9. A 3-year-old is in the preoperative stage for tonsillectomy. What is the best way to prepare
the child?
A. Use detailed medical terms
B. Explain the procedure in simple terms
C. Avoid discussing the procedure
D. Show surgical instruments
Correct Answer: B (Simple explanations reduce fear in young children.)
10. A child with type 1 diabetes has a blood glucose of 50 mg/dL. What should the nurse do
first?
A. Administer insulin
B. Give 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrate
C. Encourage exercise
D. Notify the physician
Correct Answer: B (Fast-acting carbohydrates treat hypoglycemia.)
11. At what age do children typically develop stranger anxiety?
A. 3 months
B. 612 months
C. 18 months
D. 24 months
Correct Answer: B (Stranger anxiety peaks between 612 months.)
12. A 5-year-old with croup is admitted. What is a hallmark symptom of croup?
A. Barking cough
B. Wheezing
2
Questions
80 NCLEX-Style Multiple-Choice Questions on Pediatric Nursing
1. At what age does a child typically begin to walk independently?
A. 6 months
B. 12 months
C. 18 months
D. 24 months
Correct Answer: B (Most children walk independently by 12 months.)
2. A 4-year-old with asthma is prescribed albuterol via nebulizer. What should the nurse teach
the parents?
A. Use only at bedtime
B. Administer as needed for wheezing
C. Give with food
D. Stop if the child coughs
Correct Answer: B (Albuterol is used as needed for asthma symptoms like wheezing.)
3. A nurse is administering 15 mg/kg of acetaminophen to a 20 kg child. How many mg should
the nurse give?
A. 150 mg
B. 300 mg
C. 450 mg
D. 600 mg
Correct Answer: B (15 mg/kg Π20 kg = 300 mg.)
4. What is a common symptom of otitis media in a 2-year-old?
A. Chest pain
B. Ear pulling
C. Leg cramps
D. Nausea
Correct Answer: B (Ear pulling is a common sign of ear pain in young children.)
5. A 6-month-old is in the trust vs. mistrust stage of Eriksons development. What promotes
trust?
A. Inconsistent caregiving
B. Prompt response to needs
C. Limited physical contact
D. Delayed feeding
1
, Correct Answer: B (Responding promptly builds trust.)
6. A child with sickle cell anemia is admitted with a vaso-occlusive crisis. What is the priority
nursing intervention?
A. Administer oxygen
B. Provide hydration
C. Apply cold compresses
D. Restrict activity
Correct Answer: B (Hydration prevents further sickling and promotes circulation.)
7. A nurse is preparing to give 0.5 mg/kg of ibuprofen to a 10 kg child. How many mg should
be administered?
A. 2.5 mg
B. 5 mg
C. 7.5 mg
D. 10 mg
Correct Answer: B (0.5 mg/kg Π10 kg = 5 mg.)
8. What should the nurse teach parents about preventing sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)?
A. Place the infant on their stomach to sleep
B. Use soft bedding in the crib
C. Place the infant on their back to sleep
D. Keep the room temperature cool
Correct Answer: C (Back sleeping reduces SIDS risk.)
9. A 3-year-old is in the preoperative stage for tonsillectomy. What is the best way to prepare
the child?
A. Use detailed medical terms
B. Explain the procedure in simple terms
C. Avoid discussing the procedure
D. Show surgical instruments
Correct Answer: B (Simple explanations reduce fear in young children.)
10. A child with type 1 diabetes has a blood glucose of 50 mg/dL. What should the nurse do
first?
A. Administer insulin
B. Give 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrate
C. Encourage exercise
D. Notify the physician
Correct Answer: B (Fast-acting carbohydrates treat hypoglycemia.)
11. At what age do children typically develop stranger anxiety?
A. 3 months
B. 612 months
C. 18 months
D. 24 months
Correct Answer: B (Stranger anxiety peaks between 612 months.)
12. A 5-year-old with croup is admitted. What is a hallmark symptom of croup?
A. Barking cough
B. Wheezing
2
