HESI PN Pediatric Nursing Exam
2026/2027 | Newly Released
Actual 60 questions with Correct Answers and Expert
Explanations
Q1: A mother of a newborn asks the nurse why she must put the baby to sleep on their back.
What is the best explanation by the nurse?
A. "It helps prevent plagiocephaly, or flat head syndrome."
B. "It is the most comfortable position for their digestion."
C. "It significantly reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)." [CORRECT]
D. "It allows you to see the baby’s face better from the doorway."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The "Back to Sleep" campaign is the standard of care because sleeping on the back
has been proven to drastically lower the incidence of SIDS.
Q2: A 6-month-old infant is brought to the clinic for a well-child visit. The nurse observes the
infant sitting alone without support for a few seconds. The nurse documents this as:
A. A developmental delay requiring immediate referral.
B. A normal finding for a 6-month-old infant. [CORRECT]
C. A sign of increased intracranial pressure.
D. An expected finding for a 4-month-old infant.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: By 6 months of age, infants typically achieve the milestone of sitting without support,
so the nurse should document this as normal growth and development.
,Q3: A 2-year-old is admitted to the hospital. The nurse observes the child playing quietly near
another child but not interacting with them. The nurse interprets this as:
A. Associative play.
B. Parallel play. [CORRECT]
C. Cooperative play.
D. Solitary play.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Parallel play is the stage where toddlers play alongside each other but do not actively
interact or share toys; it is typical behavior for this age group.
Q4: A parent asks the nurse when they should switch their child from a rear-facing car seat to a
forward-facing seat. What is the nurse’s best response?
A. "You can turn them forward-facing when they are 1 year old."
B. "You should keep them rear-facing until they are at least 2 years old, or until they reach
the seat's height/weight limit." [CORRECT]
C. "You can turn them around as soon as they can hold their head up."
D. "Most pediatricians recommend forward-facing at 9 months for better visibility."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Current safety recommendations state that children should remain rear-facing as long
as possible, ideally until at least 2 years of age, due to better spinal support in a crash.
Q5: A 4-year-old is scheduled for a tonsillectomy. The nurse is teaching the child about what to
expect. Which method is most developmentally appropriate?
A. Show the child a video of the surgery.
B. Explain the procedure using a medical dummy. [CORRECT]
C. Provide a detailed written handout for the parents to read.
D. Explain the procedure using complex medical terminology.
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: Preschoolers learn best through play and concrete objects. Using a medical dummy or
a "hospital buddy" allows the child to act out the procedure, reducing fear through
familiarization.
Q6: The nurse is teaching a class on home safety for toddlers. Which toy is most appropriate for
this age group?
A. A puzzle with small 1-inch pieces.
B. A large wooden truck with removable wheels.
C. A set of marbles.
D. A kite with a long string.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Toddlers explore with their mouths, so toys must be large enough to prevent choking.
Small parts like marbles or puzzle pieces (<1.25 inches) are significant choking hazards.
Q7: A school-age child is diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. The nurse is teaching the
parents about hypoglycemia. Which statement by the parents indicates understanding?
A. "We should give him a candy bar if his sugar is low."
B. "We will give him 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate and check his sugar again in 15
minutes." [CORRECT]
C. "We should wait 30 minutes to see if he feels better before doing anything."
D. "We will immediately give him an injection of insulin."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The standard treatment for hypoglycemia is the "15-15 rule": give 15g of fast-acting
carbs (like juice or glucose tabs), wait 15 minutes, and recheck; insulin lowers blood sugar
further, which is dangerous in this scenario.
2026/2027 | Newly Released
Actual 60 questions with Correct Answers and Expert
Explanations
Q1: A mother of a newborn asks the nurse why she must put the baby to sleep on their back.
What is the best explanation by the nurse?
A. "It helps prevent plagiocephaly, or flat head syndrome."
B. "It is the most comfortable position for their digestion."
C. "It significantly reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)." [CORRECT]
D. "It allows you to see the baby’s face better from the doorway."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The "Back to Sleep" campaign is the standard of care because sleeping on the back
has been proven to drastically lower the incidence of SIDS.
Q2: A 6-month-old infant is brought to the clinic for a well-child visit. The nurse observes the
infant sitting alone without support for a few seconds. The nurse documents this as:
A. A developmental delay requiring immediate referral.
B. A normal finding for a 6-month-old infant. [CORRECT]
C. A sign of increased intracranial pressure.
D. An expected finding for a 4-month-old infant.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: By 6 months of age, infants typically achieve the milestone of sitting without support,
so the nurse should document this as normal growth and development.
,Q3: A 2-year-old is admitted to the hospital. The nurse observes the child playing quietly near
another child but not interacting with them. The nurse interprets this as:
A. Associative play.
B. Parallel play. [CORRECT]
C. Cooperative play.
D. Solitary play.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Parallel play is the stage where toddlers play alongside each other but do not actively
interact or share toys; it is typical behavior for this age group.
Q4: A parent asks the nurse when they should switch their child from a rear-facing car seat to a
forward-facing seat. What is the nurse’s best response?
A. "You can turn them forward-facing when they are 1 year old."
B. "You should keep them rear-facing until they are at least 2 years old, or until they reach
the seat's height/weight limit." [CORRECT]
C. "You can turn them around as soon as they can hold their head up."
D. "Most pediatricians recommend forward-facing at 9 months for better visibility."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Current safety recommendations state that children should remain rear-facing as long
as possible, ideally until at least 2 years of age, due to better spinal support in a crash.
Q5: A 4-year-old is scheduled for a tonsillectomy. The nurse is teaching the child about what to
expect. Which method is most developmentally appropriate?
A. Show the child a video of the surgery.
B. Explain the procedure using a medical dummy. [CORRECT]
C. Provide a detailed written handout for the parents to read.
D. Explain the procedure using complex medical terminology.
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: Preschoolers learn best through play and concrete objects. Using a medical dummy or
a "hospital buddy" allows the child to act out the procedure, reducing fear through
familiarization.
Q6: The nurse is teaching a class on home safety for toddlers. Which toy is most appropriate for
this age group?
A. A puzzle with small 1-inch pieces.
B. A large wooden truck with removable wheels.
C. A set of marbles.
D. A kite with a long string.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Toddlers explore with their mouths, so toys must be large enough to prevent choking.
Small parts like marbles or puzzle pieces (<1.25 inches) are significant choking hazards.
Q7: A school-age child is diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. The nurse is teaching the
parents about hypoglycemia. Which statement by the parents indicates understanding?
A. "We should give him a candy bar if his sugar is low."
B. "We will give him 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate and check his sugar again in 15
minutes." [CORRECT]
C. "We should wait 30 minutes to see if he feels better before doing anything."
D. "We will immediately give him an injection of insulin."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The standard treatment for hypoglycemia is the "15-15 rule": give 15g of fast-acting
carbs (like juice or glucose tabs), wait 15 minutes, and recheck; insulin lowers blood sugar
further, which is dangerous in this scenario.
