2026 HESI PEDS RN EXIT EXAM | Study Edition V1 & V2
2026 HESI PEDIATRIC (PEDS) RN EXIT EXAM
Versions 1 & 2 — Redesigned Study Edition
Spring 2026 | Compiled with Correct Answers
HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE | V1 uses multiple-choice format with highlighted correct answer(s). V2 uses short-answer/fill-in
format with the answer displayed directly. Questions marked with a note contain clarifications where answers are debated.
VERSION 1 — Multiple Choice (55 Questions)
The nurse is assessing a 9-year-old boy admitted with possible acute poststreptococcal
Q1 glomerulonephritis (APSGN). In obtaining his history, what information is most significant?
A ✔ A sore throat last week
B A history of hypertension
C Diuresis during the night
D Back pain for a few days
ANSWER: A
The nurse is measuring the frontal occipital circumference (FOC) of a 3-month-old infant, and
Q2 notes that the FOC has increased 5 inches (12.7cm) since birth and the child's head appears
large in relation to body size. Which action is most important for the nurse to take next?
A Plot the measurement on the infant's growth chart
B Observe the infant for sunset eyes
C Measure the infant's head-to-heel length
D ✔ Palpate the anterior fontanel for tension and bulging
ANSWER: D
A female infant recently admitted with vomiting and diarrhea now weighs 10 kg. Her weight at
Q3 a previous well-baby visit was 11 kg. What is the percentage of body weight loss for this
infant?
A 4%
B ✔ 9%
C 10%
D 5%
ANSWER: B
Page 1 | For Study Purposes Only
,2026 HESI PEDS RN EXIT EXAM | Study Edition V1 & V2
A male high school student with Type 1 diabetes tests his blood glucose level before playing
Q4 a game of soccer, and he obtains a reading of 180 mg/dL (10 mmol/L). Based on this
reading, which action should the nurse take?
A ✔ Tell him to eat a sandwich and fruit before beginning the game
B Check his urine for ketones
C Give him permission to go ahead and play soccer
D Call the healthcare provider
ANSWER: A
A 7-year-old child is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever. In
Q5 obtaining a health history from the child's mother, the recent occurrence of which illness is
most significant?
A ✔ Sore throat
B Chickenpox
C Mumps
D Influenza
ANSWER: A
A mother brings her 2-month-old son to the clinic for a well-baby exam. During the
Q6 assessment the nurse finds that the right testicle is not descended into the scrotum but the
left is palpable. Which action should the nurse take?
A Prepare to obtain a catheterized urine specimen for culture
B Address possible concerns about the child's future fertility
C ✔ Ask if the right testis has been seen in the scrotum before
D Schedule an IV pyelogram to validate presence of testicle
ANSWER: C
The nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant. Which response requires further evaluation by
Q7 the nurse?
A Has doubled birth weight
B Turns head to locate sound
C Plays peek-a-boo
D ✔ Demonstrates startle reflex
ANSWER: D
A 4-year-old girl returns to the pediatrician's office for a postoperative visit following
Q8 hospitalization for minor surgery. When observing the child in the waiting area, which
behavior should the nurse consider normal for this age child?
A Ignores other children in the play area
B Draws picture of self with facial features
C ✔ Talks to an imaginary friend
Page 2 | For Study Purposes Only
, 2026 HESI PEDS RN EXIT EXAM | Study Edition V1 & V2
D Sits quietly in her mother's lap
ANSWER: C
A preschool-aged child experiencing respiratory distress is brought to the emergency
department by the parents. The child is anxious, has a temperature of 102.8°F (39.3°C), and
Q9 is drooling from the mouth while leaning forward when sitting. Which action should the nurse
prepare the child for next?
A ✔ Obtain bedside trays for intubation or tracheotomy by the healthcare provider
B Begin prescribed intravenous antibiotic administration
C Provide a nebulizer treatment with bronchodilators
D Schedule the child for a stat magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the neck
ANSWER: A
The nurse is caring for a preschool-aged child with a congenital heart defect who is admitted
with intermittent low-grade fever, fatigue, and weight loss. Further physical assessment
Q10 findings include a new murmur, splinter hemorrhages under the nails, and painless red
lesions on the palms of the hands. Which diagnostic procedure should the nurse prepare the
parents to expect the healthcare provider to prescribe?
A ✔ Echocardiogram
B Electrocardiogram
C Chest radiography
D Computerized tomography (CT) scan
ANSWER: A | Note: A or B are debated; Echocardiogram is preferred
A 6-year-old male with a body mass index (BMI) in the 95th percentile arrives at the clinic
after a referral from the school nurse. His laboratory findings include hemoglobin A1c of
Q11 5.5%, blood pressure (BP) in the 50th percentile, height in the 75th percentile, and an LDL
cholesterol of 90 mg/dL. Which lifestyle modification should the nurse discuss with the
parents?
A ✔ Recommend increasing daily fruits and vegetables and daily exercise
B Return in one month for another evaluation of serum lipids and blood pressure
C Instruct the parents to weigh the child weekly and measure his BP daily
D See a healthcare provider to further assess for diabetes and hypertension
ANSWER: A
When administering indomethacin to a premature infant who has patent ductus arteriosus,
Q12 the nurse should anticipate which outcome?
A Decreased urinary output
B ✔ Decreased cardiac murmur
C Increased number of red blood cells
D Increased respiratory effort
ANSWER: B
Page 3 | For Study Purposes Only
2026 HESI PEDIATRIC (PEDS) RN EXIT EXAM
Versions 1 & 2 — Redesigned Study Edition
Spring 2026 | Compiled with Correct Answers
HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE | V1 uses multiple-choice format with highlighted correct answer(s). V2 uses short-answer/fill-in
format with the answer displayed directly. Questions marked with a note contain clarifications where answers are debated.
VERSION 1 — Multiple Choice (55 Questions)
The nurse is assessing a 9-year-old boy admitted with possible acute poststreptococcal
Q1 glomerulonephritis (APSGN). In obtaining his history, what information is most significant?
A ✔ A sore throat last week
B A history of hypertension
C Diuresis during the night
D Back pain for a few days
ANSWER: A
The nurse is measuring the frontal occipital circumference (FOC) of a 3-month-old infant, and
Q2 notes that the FOC has increased 5 inches (12.7cm) since birth and the child's head appears
large in relation to body size. Which action is most important for the nurse to take next?
A Plot the measurement on the infant's growth chart
B Observe the infant for sunset eyes
C Measure the infant's head-to-heel length
D ✔ Palpate the anterior fontanel for tension and bulging
ANSWER: D
A female infant recently admitted with vomiting and diarrhea now weighs 10 kg. Her weight at
Q3 a previous well-baby visit was 11 kg. What is the percentage of body weight loss for this
infant?
A 4%
B ✔ 9%
C 10%
D 5%
ANSWER: B
Page 1 | For Study Purposes Only
,2026 HESI PEDS RN EXIT EXAM | Study Edition V1 & V2
A male high school student with Type 1 diabetes tests his blood glucose level before playing
Q4 a game of soccer, and he obtains a reading of 180 mg/dL (10 mmol/L). Based on this
reading, which action should the nurse take?
A ✔ Tell him to eat a sandwich and fruit before beginning the game
B Check his urine for ketones
C Give him permission to go ahead and play soccer
D Call the healthcare provider
ANSWER: A
A 7-year-old child is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever. In
Q5 obtaining a health history from the child's mother, the recent occurrence of which illness is
most significant?
A ✔ Sore throat
B Chickenpox
C Mumps
D Influenza
ANSWER: A
A mother brings her 2-month-old son to the clinic for a well-baby exam. During the
Q6 assessment the nurse finds that the right testicle is not descended into the scrotum but the
left is palpable. Which action should the nurse take?
A Prepare to obtain a catheterized urine specimen for culture
B Address possible concerns about the child's future fertility
C ✔ Ask if the right testis has been seen in the scrotum before
D Schedule an IV pyelogram to validate presence of testicle
ANSWER: C
The nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant. Which response requires further evaluation by
Q7 the nurse?
A Has doubled birth weight
B Turns head to locate sound
C Plays peek-a-boo
D ✔ Demonstrates startle reflex
ANSWER: D
A 4-year-old girl returns to the pediatrician's office for a postoperative visit following
Q8 hospitalization for minor surgery. When observing the child in the waiting area, which
behavior should the nurse consider normal for this age child?
A Ignores other children in the play area
B Draws picture of self with facial features
C ✔ Talks to an imaginary friend
Page 2 | For Study Purposes Only
, 2026 HESI PEDS RN EXIT EXAM | Study Edition V1 & V2
D Sits quietly in her mother's lap
ANSWER: C
A preschool-aged child experiencing respiratory distress is brought to the emergency
department by the parents. The child is anxious, has a temperature of 102.8°F (39.3°C), and
Q9 is drooling from the mouth while leaning forward when sitting. Which action should the nurse
prepare the child for next?
A ✔ Obtain bedside trays for intubation or tracheotomy by the healthcare provider
B Begin prescribed intravenous antibiotic administration
C Provide a nebulizer treatment with bronchodilators
D Schedule the child for a stat magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the neck
ANSWER: A
The nurse is caring for a preschool-aged child with a congenital heart defect who is admitted
with intermittent low-grade fever, fatigue, and weight loss. Further physical assessment
Q10 findings include a new murmur, splinter hemorrhages under the nails, and painless red
lesions on the palms of the hands. Which diagnostic procedure should the nurse prepare the
parents to expect the healthcare provider to prescribe?
A ✔ Echocardiogram
B Electrocardiogram
C Chest radiography
D Computerized tomography (CT) scan
ANSWER: A | Note: A or B are debated; Echocardiogram is preferred
A 6-year-old male with a body mass index (BMI) in the 95th percentile arrives at the clinic
after a referral from the school nurse. His laboratory findings include hemoglobin A1c of
Q11 5.5%, blood pressure (BP) in the 50th percentile, height in the 75th percentile, and an LDL
cholesterol of 90 mg/dL. Which lifestyle modification should the nurse discuss with the
parents?
A ✔ Recommend increasing daily fruits and vegetables and daily exercise
B Return in one month for another evaluation of serum lipids and blood pressure
C Instruct the parents to weigh the child weekly and measure his BP daily
D See a healthcare provider to further assess for diabetes and hypertension
ANSWER: A
When administering indomethacin to a premature infant who has patent ductus arteriosus,
Q12 the nurse should anticipate which outcome?
A Decreased urinary output
B ✔ Decreased cardiac murmur
C Increased number of red blood cells
D Increased respiratory effort
ANSWER: B
Page 3 | For Study Purposes Only
