Pediatrics HESI PN Exam Review study guide questions
and accurate detailed answers \verified solutions
\Latest update 2025-2026(rationales)
The practical nurse (PN) Answer: B
arrives at the
playgrounds and sees a Rationale:
school-aged boy who has Food allergy hypersensitivity can cause an anaphylactic reaction
eaten something he is that can occur
allergic to and is shortly after ingestion (5-30 minutes) or exposure to
demonstrating a stridor. an allergen, and manifest with hives, rash, flushing,
Which action should the asthmatic episode, or airway compromise, such as
PN implement first? stridor. The first action is to call for an ambulance (B)
immediately, since the condition may
a) ask if the child is alone progress and become life-threatening. (A,C, and D) do
b) call for an ambulance not have the same priority of (B).
c) mov the child to a different
environment
d) determine what the child
has eaten
A child who is admitted with Answer: A
acute
abdominal pain and Rationale:
possible appendicitis. Abdominal pain is a common childhood complaint, but
Which action should the this child should be assisted to any position of comfort
practical nurse (PN) (A) that relieves the pain. (B and D) are
implement for the child's contraindicated with possible appendicitis and
abdominal discomfort? increase the risk of ruptured appendix. If the
appendix should rupture, (C) increases the spread
a) assist the child to any of the infection.
position of comfort.
b) give a saline enema to
cleanse the bowel
c) lay a heating pad on the
abdomen
d) place the bed in
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trendelenburg
A child is admitted for Answer: A
observation
following a closed head Rationale:
injury. Which assessment Following a head injury, determining a change in the
is most essential for the child's LOC (A) provides the first indication that a
practical nues (PN) to progression of the injury is possible. (C) is a symptom of
monitor for an early sign of advanced
a worsening condition? neurologic insult. Alterations in consciousness appear
earlier than alterations of (B and D).
a) level of consciousness
b) posturing
c) focal neurologic signs
d) vital signs
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A 3 year old boy with Answer: D
cerebral palsy (CP) has
difficulty swallowing, Rationale:
cannot hold a utensil, and A child with CP should be fed in an upright, eating
is slightly underweight for position, and manual stability of the oral mechanisms
his height. Which action during swallowing should be provided to minimize the
should the practical risk of
nurse implement when feeding aspiration. Hold the child's jaw (D) from the side or front
this child?
of the face assists with head control, correction of the
neck and trunk hyperextension, and jaw stabilization.
a) put the child in a well-
(A, B, and C) are not indicated.
supported semi- reclining
position
b) offer a specialized
formula per tube feeding
c) place the child in a sitting
position with the neck
hyperextended
d) stabilize the child's
jaw with the
caregiver's hand
Which of Freud's psychosexual Answer: A
development stages
occurs during a toddler's Rationale:
growth and development? According to Freud's theory, the anal stage (A_, 1-3
years of age, focuses on toilet training and learning to
a) anal delay immediate gratification. Oral gratification(B)
b) oral occurs
c) genital from birth to one year of age. (C) The stage of genital
d) phallic awareness & exploration. (D) The stage of sexual
identity and expression in adolescence.
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