1
PEDIATRIC HESI PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS 2026
A 4-year-old girl continues to interrupt her mother during a routine clinic visit. The
mother appears irritated with the child and asks the nurse, "Is this normal
behavior for a child this age?" The nurse's response should be based on which
information?
A. Children need to retain a sense of initiative without impinging on the rights and
privileges of others.
B. Negative feelings of doubt and shame are characteristic of 4-year-old children.
C. Role conflict is a common problem of children this age. She is just wondering
where she fits into society.
D. At this age children compete and like to produce and carry through with tasks.
She is just competing with her mother. - correct-answer -A. Children need to
retain a sense of initiative without impinging on the rights and privileges of
others.
The mother of a 2-year-old boy consults the nurse about her son's increased
temper tantrums. The mother states, "Yesterday he threw a fit in the grocery
store, and I did not know what to do. I was so embarrassed. What can I do if this
occurs again?" Which recommendation is best for the nurse to provide this
mother?
A. Paddle him gently as soon as the behavior is initiated.
, 2
B. Immediately put him in "time-out."
C. Quietly remind him that others are watching him.
D. Walk away from him and ignore the behavior. - correct-answer -D. Walk away
from him and ignore the behavior.
A 14-year-old female client tells the nurse that she is concerned about the acne
she has recently developed. Which recommendation should the nurse provide?
A. Remove all blackheads and follow with an alcohol scrub.
B. Use medicated cosmetics only to help hide the blemishes.
C. Wash the hair and skin frequently with soap and hot water.
D. Encourage her to see a dermatologist as soon as possible. - correct-answer -C.
Wash the hair and skin frequently with soap and hot water.
During discharge teaching of a child with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, the nurse
should stress to the parents the importance of obtaining which diagnostic testing?
A. Hearing tests.
B. Eye exams.
C. Chest x-rays.
D. Fasting blood glucose tests. - correct-answer -B. Eye exams.
, 3
A hospitalized 16-year-old male refuses all visits from his classmates because he is
concerned about his distorted appearance. To increase the client's social
interaction, what intervention is best for the nurse to initiate?
A. Encourage the client to use a hand-held video game that is popular with all his
friends.
B. Assign a 25-year-old female nursing student to offer support to the client.
C. Arrange for an Internet connection in the client's room for email
communication.
D. Encourage the client's mother to arrange a surprise get together in the
cafeteria. - correct-answer -C. Arrange for an Internet connection in the client's
room for email communication.
The nurse is assessing a 2-year-old. What behavior indicates that the child's
language development is within normal limits?
A. Is able to name four colors.
B. Can count five blocks.
C. Is capable of making a three word sentence.
D. Half of child's speech is understandable. - correct-answer -C. Is capable of
making a three word sentence.
When evaluating the effectiveness of interventions to improve the nutritional
status of an infant with gastro-esophageal reflux, which intervention is most
important for the nurse to implement?
A. Record weight daily.
, 4
B. Assess for signs of anemia.
C. Document sleeping patterns.
D. Teach parenting skills. - correct-answer -A. Record weight daily.
Which menu selection by a child with celiac disease indicates to the nurse that the
child understands necessary dietary considerations?
A. Oven-baked potato chips and cola.
B. Peanut butter and banana sandwich.
C. Oatmeal-raisin cookies and milk.
D. Graham crackers and fruit juice. - correct-answer -A. Oven-baked potato chips
and cola.
The parents of a 3-week-old infant report that the child eats well but vomits after
each feeding. What information is most important for the nurse to obtain?
A. Description of vomiting episodes in past 24 hours.
B. Number of wet diapers in last 24 hours.
C. Feeding and sleep schedule.
D. Amount of formula consumed during the past 24 hours. - correct-answer -A.
Description of vomiting episodes in past 24 hours.
A 3-month-old infant develops oral thrush. Which pharmacologic agent should the
nurse plan to administer for treatment of this disorder?
PEDIATRIC HESI PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS 2026
A 4-year-old girl continues to interrupt her mother during a routine clinic visit. The
mother appears irritated with the child and asks the nurse, "Is this normal
behavior for a child this age?" The nurse's response should be based on which
information?
A. Children need to retain a sense of initiative without impinging on the rights and
privileges of others.
B. Negative feelings of doubt and shame are characteristic of 4-year-old children.
C. Role conflict is a common problem of children this age. She is just wondering
where she fits into society.
D. At this age children compete and like to produce and carry through with tasks.
She is just competing with her mother. - correct-answer -A. Children need to
retain a sense of initiative without impinging on the rights and privileges of
others.
The mother of a 2-year-old boy consults the nurse about her son's increased
temper tantrums. The mother states, "Yesterday he threw a fit in the grocery
store, and I did not know what to do. I was so embarrassed. What can I do if this
occurs again?" Which recommendation is best for the nurse to provide this
mother?
A. Paddle him gently as soon as the behavior is initiated.
, 2
B. Immediately put him in "time-out."
C. Quietly remind him that others are watching him.
D. Walk away from him and ignore the behavior. - correct-answer -D. Walk away
from him and ignore the behavior.
A 14-year-old female client tells the nurse that she is concerned about the acne
she has recently developed. Which recommendation should the nurse provide?
A. Remove all blackheads and follow with an alcohol scrub.
B. Use medicated cosmetics only to help hide the blemishes.
C. Wash the hair and skin frequently with soap and hot water.
D. Encourage her to see a dermatologist as soon as possible. - correct-answer -C.
Wash the hair and skin frequently with soap and hot water.
During discharge teaching of a child with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, the nurse
should stress to the parents the importance of obtaining which diagnostic testing?
A. Hearing tests.
B. Eye exams.
C. Chest x-rays.
D. Fasting blood glucose tests. - correct-answer -B. Eye exams.
, 3
A hospitalized 16-year-old male refuses all visits from his classmates because he is
concerned about his distorted appearance. To increase the client's social
interaction, what intervention is best for the nurse to initiate?
A. Encourage the client to use a hand-held video game that is popular with all his
friends.
B. Assign a 25-year-old female nursing student to offer support to the client.
C. Arrange for an Internet connection in the client's room for email
communication.
D. Encourage the client's mother to arrange a surprise get together in the
cafeteria. - correct-answer -C. Arrange for an Internet connection in the client's
room for email communication.
The nurse is assessing a 2-year-old. What behavior indicates that the child's
language development is within normal limits?
A. Is able to name four colors.
B. Can count five blocks.
C. Is capable of making a three word sentence.
D. Half of child's speech is understandable. - correct-answer -C. Is capable of
making a three word sentence.
When evaluating the effectiveness of interventions to improve the nutritional
status of an infant with gastro-esophageal reflux, which intervention is most
important for the nurse to implement?
A. Record weight daily.
, 4
B. Assess for signs of anemia.
C. Document sleeping patterns.
D. Teach parenting skills. - correct-answer -A. Record weight daily.
Which menu selection by a child with celiac disease indicates to the nurse that the
child understands necessary dietary considerations?
A. Oven-baked potato chips and cola.
B. Peanut butter and banana sandwich.
C. Oatmeal-raisin cookies and milk.
D. Graham crackers and fruit juice. - correct-answer -A. Oven-baked potato chips
and cola.
The parents of a 3-week-old infant report that the child eats well but vomits after
each feeding. What information is most important for the nurse to obtain?
A. Description of vomiting episodes in past 24 hours.
B. Number of wet diapers in last 24 hours.
C. Feeding and sleep schedule.
D. Amount of formula consumed during the past 24 hours. - correct-answer -A.
Description of vomiting episodes in past 24 hours.
A 3-month-old infant develops oral thrush. Which pharmacologic agent should the
nurse plan to administer for treatment of this disorder?
