2024 HESI RN Pediatrics Exam Practice Questions
Question 0: A 2-year-old is assessed during a well-child visit. Which developmental
milestone is expected at this age?
A. Uses single words to communicate
B. Builds a tower of 6–8 blocks
C. Rides a tricycle independently
D. Draws a circle
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Building a tower of 6–8 blocks is a fine motor skill expected in a 2-year-old.
Single words are typical at 1 year, riding a tricycle occurs around 3 years, and drawing a
circle is expected at 3–4 years.
Question 1: A nurse is caring for a 6-month-old with bronchiolitis. Which intervention
is the priority?
A. Administering antibiotics
B. Providing supplemental oxygen
C. Initiating tube feedings
D. Encouraging oral fluids
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Bronchiolitis, often caused by RSV, leads to respiratory distress. Supplemen-
tal oxygen is the priority to maintain adequate oxygenation. Antibiotics are not indicated
for viral infections, and feedings are secondary to airway management.
Question 2: A 4-year-old is due for immunizations. Which vaccine is typically adminis-
tered at this age?
A. Hepatitis B
B. DTaP
C. Rotavirus
D. PCV13
1
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The DTaP vaccine is given at 4–6 years as part of the preschool booster series.
Hepatitis B is completed by 18 months, rotavirus by 8 months, and PCV13 by 15 months.
Question 3: A nurse is teaching parents about family-centered care. Which statement
reflects this principle?
A. ”The nurse makes all care decisions for the child.”
B. ”Parents are partners in the child’s care plan.”
C. ”The child’s needs are secondary to hospital protocols.”
D. ”Family involvement delays treatment.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Family-centered care emphasizes collaboration, with parents as active partners
in decision-making to promote the child’s well-being.
Question 4: A nurse is preparing to administer acetaminophen to a 10-kg child. The dose
is 15 mg/kg every 6 hours. What is the correct dose?
A. 100 mg
B. 150 mg
C. 200 mg
D. 250 mg
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Dose calculation: 15 mg/kg × 10 kg = 150 mg per dose, administered every
6 hours.
Question 5: A 3-month-old is admitted with dehydration. Which age-specific intervention
should the nurse implement?
A. Encourage self-feeding
B. Monitor fontanelles for sunken appearance
2
, C. Provide a pacifier with sucrose
D. Teach the child to drink from a cup
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sunken fontanelles are a key sign of dehydration in infants under 18 months,
as the anterior fontanelle remains open. The other options are not age-appropriate.
Question 6: A 5-year-old with asthma is experiencing an acute exacerbation. Which
symptom requires immediate intervention?
A. Mild wheezing
B. Use of accessory muscles
C. Increased appetite
D. Dry cough
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Use of accessory muscles indicates severe respiratory distress, requiring im-
mediate intervention to prevent respiratory failure.
Question 7: A nurse is educating parents about the MMR vaccine. At what age is the
first dose typically given?
A. 6 months
B. 12–15 months
C. 2 years
D. 4–6 years
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The first dose of the MMR vaccine is recommended at 12–15 months, with a
second dose at 4–6 years.
Question 8: A 7-year-old with type 1 diabetes is admitted for hyperglycemia. Which
family-centered care approach is most appropriate?
3
Question 0: A 2-year-old is assessed during a well-child visit. Which developmental
milestone is expected at this age?
A. Uses single words to communicate
B. Builds a tower of 6–8 blocks
C. Rides a tricycle independently
D. Draws a circle
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Building a tower of 6–8 blocks is a fine motor skill expected in a 2-year-old.
Single words are typical at 1 year, riding a tricycle occurs around 3 years, and drawing a
circle is expected at 3–4 years.
Question 1: A nurse is caring for a 6-month-old with bronchiolitis. Which intervention
is the priority?
A. Administering antibiotics
B. Providing supplemental oxygen
C. Initiating tube feedings
D. Encouraging oral fluids
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Bronchiolitis, often caused by RSV, leads to respiratory distress. Supplemen-
tal oxygen is the priority to maintain adequate oxygenation. Antibiotics are not indicated
for viral infections, and feedings are secondary to airway management.
Question 2: A 4-year-old is due for immunizations. Which vaccine is typically adminis-
tered at this age?
A. Hepatitis B
B. DTaP
C. Rotavirus
D. PCV13
1
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The DTaP vaccine is given at 4–6 years as part of the preschool booster series.
Hepatitis B is completed by 18 months, rotavirus by 8 months, and PCV13 by 15 months.
Question 3: A nurse is teaching parents about family-centered care. Which statement
reflects this principle?
A. ”The nurse makes all care decisions for the child.”
B. ”Parents are partners in the child’s care plan.”
C. ”The child’s needs are secondary to hospital protocols.”
D. ”Family involvement delays treatment.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Family-centered care emphasizes collaboration, with parents as active partners
in decision-making to promote the child’s well-being.
Question 4: A nurse is preparing to administer acetaminophen to a 10-kg child. The dose
is 15 mg/kg every 6 hours. What is the correct dose?
A. 100 mg
B. 150 mg
C. 200 mg
D. 250 mg
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Dose calculation: 15 mg/kg × 10 kg = 150 mg per dose, administered every
6 hours.
Question 5: A 3-month-old is admitted with dehydration. Which age-specific intervention
should the nurse implement?
A. Encourage self-feeding
B. Monitor fontanelles for sunken appearance
2
, C. Provide a pacifier with sucrose
D. Teach the child to drink from a cup
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sunken fontanelles are a key sign of dehydration in infants under 18 months,
as the anterior fontanelle remains open. The other options are not age-appropriate.
Question 6: A 5-year-old with asthma is experiencing an acute exacerbation. Which
symptom requires immediate intervention?
A. Mild wheezing
B. Use of accessory muscles
C. Increased appetite
D. Dry cough
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Use of accessory muscles indicates severe respiratory distress, requiring im-
mediate intervention to prevent respiratory failure.
Question 7: A nurse is educating parents about the MMR vaccine. At what age is the
first dose typically given?
A. 6 months
B. 12–15 months
C. 2 years
D. 4–6 years
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The first dose of the MMR vaccine is recommended at 12–15 months, with a
second dose at 4–6 years.
Question 8: A 7-year-old with type 1 diabetes is admitted for hyperglycemia. Which
family-centered care approach is most appropriate?
3
