HESI PEDIATRIC NURSING EXAM – PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
*Core Domains*
*Growth and Developmental Milestone
*Congenital and Genetic Disorder
*Pediatric Pharmacotherapeutic
*Infectious and Communicable Di
*Neurological and Sensory Diso
*Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-B
*Pediatric Emergencies and Trau
*Psychosocial and Behavioral Hea
*Introduction*
*The purpose of this comprehensive assessment is to evalua
theoretical knowledge of nursing students preparing for spe
exam assesses essential skills including physical assessment
and the implementation of age-appropriate nursing intervent
of multiple-choice and complex scenario-based questions, ca
the ability to prioritize care and ensure patient safety w
framework. This assessment emphasizes real-world application
evidence-based decision-making required to manage diverse p
effectively across the developmental co
, 1. A 4-year-old child is admitted with a diagnosis of acute
epiglottitis. Which nursing intervention is the highest priority?
A. Assess the child's ability to swallow fluids.
B. Obtain a throat culture to identify the causative organism.
C. Prepare for immediate endotracheal intubation or tracheostomy.
D. Apply warm, moist compresses to the child's neck.
🟢 C. Prepare for immediate endotracheal intubation or
tracheostomy.
🔴 RATIONALE: Acute epiglottitis is a medical emergency that can
lead to sudden total airway obstruction. Maintaining a patent
airway is the priority. Throat cultures are contraindicated as they
may cause laryngospasm.
2. A nurse is providing teaching to the parents of an infant with
Congenital Hypothyroidism. Which information is most
important to include?
A. The medication must be continued for the rest of the child's life.
B. The infant will likely outgrow the need for medication by age
five.
C. Double the dose if the infant misses a scheduled administration.
,D. Periodic blood tests are only necessary if the child appears
lethargic.
🟢 A. The medication must be continued for the rest of the child's
life.
🔴 RATIONALE: Congenital hypothyroidism requires lifelong
thyroid hormone replacement therapy (levothyroxine) to ensure
normal physical and mental development.
3. Which developmental milestone should the nurse expect a
healthy 6-month-old infant to have achieved?
A. Walking while holding onto furniture.
B. Using a pincer grasp to pick up small objects.
C. Sitting alone momentarily without support.
D. Speaking three to five recognizable words.
🟢 C. Sitting alone momentarily without support.
🔴 RATIONALE: By 6 months, most infants can sit briefly without
support. Walking and pincer grasp are later milestones, and verbal
language usually begins with babbling at this age.
4. A toddler is diagnosed with Iron Deficiency Anemia. Which
liquid should the nurse suggest the parents provide with the
, iron supplement to enhance absorption?
A. Whole milk
B. Apple juice
C. Orange juice
D. Distilled water
🟢 C. Orange juice
🔴 RATIONALE: Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) significantly increases
the absorption of iron. Milk can actually inhibit iron absorption due
to calcium and phosphorus.
5. A school-age child with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus is found
trembling and diaphoretic after gym class. What is the nurse's
first action?
A. Administer 10 units of regular insulin.
B. Provide 15 grams of a fast-acting carbohydrate.
C. Call the provider to request a stat blood glucose level.
D. Encourage the child to lie down and rest.
🟢 B. Provide 15 grams of a fast-acting carbohydrate.
🔴 RATIONALE: Trembling and diaphoresis are signs of
hypoglycemia. Immediate treatment with a simple sugar (15g of
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
*Core Domains*
*Growth and Developmental Milestone
*Congenital and Genetic Disorder
*Pediatric Pharmacotherapeutic
*Infectious and Communicable Di
*Neurological and Sensory Diso
*Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-B
*Pediatric Emergencies and Trau
*Psychosocial and Behavioral Hea
*Introduction*
*The purpose of this comprehensive assessment is to evalua
theoretical knowledge of nursing students preparing for spe
exam assesses essential skills including physical assessment
and the implementation of age-appropriate nursing intervent
of multiple-choice and complex scenario-based questions, ca
the ability to prioritize care and ensure patient safety w
framework. This assessment emphasizes real-world application
evidence-based decision-making required to manage diverse p
effectively across the developmental co
, 1. A 4-year-old child is admitted with a diagnosis of acute
epiglottitis. Which nursing intervention is the highest priority?
A. Assess the child's ability to swallow fluids.
B. Obtain a throat culture to identify the causative organism.
C. Prepare for immediate endotracheal intubation or tracheostomy.
D. Apply warm, moist compresses to the child's neck.
🟢 C. Prepare for immediate endotracheal intubation or
tracheostomy.
🔴 RATIONALE: Acute epiglottitis is a medical emergency that can
lead to sudden total airway obstruction. Maintaining a patent
airway is the priority. Throat cultures are contraindicated as they
may cause laryngospasm.
2. A nurse is providing teaching to the parents of an infant with
Congenital Hypothyroidism. Which information is most
important to include?
A. The medication must be continued for the rest of the child's life.
B. The infant will likely outgrow the need for medication by age
five.
C. Double the dose if the infant misses a scheduled administration.
,D. Periodic blood tests are only necessary if the child appears
lethargic.
🟢 A. The medication must be continued for the rest of the child's
life.
🔴 RATIONALE: Congenital hypothyroidism requires lifelong
thyroid hormone replacement therapy (levothyroxine) to ensure
normal physical and mental development.
3. Which developmental milestone should the nurse expect a
healthy 6-month-old infant to have achieved?
A. Walking while holding onto furniture.
B. Using a pincer grasp to pick up small objects.
C. Sitting alone momentarily without support.
D. Speaking three to five recognizable words.
🟢 C. Sitting alone momentarily without support.
🔴 RATIONALE: By 6 months, most infants can sit briefly without
support. Walking and pincer grasp are later milestones, and verbal
language usually begins with babbling at this age.
4. A toddler is diagnosed with Iron Deficiency Anemia. Which
liquid should the nurse suggest the parents provide with the
, iron supplement to enhance absorption?
A. Whole milk
B. Apple juice
C. Orange juice
D. Distilled water
🟢 C. Orange juice
🔴 RATIONALE: Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) significantly increases
the absorption of iron. Milk can actually inhibit iron absorption due
to calcium and phosphorus.
5. A school-age child with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus is found
trembling and diaphoretic after gym class. What is the nurse's
first action?
A. Administer 10 units of regular insulin.
B. Provide 15 grams of a fast-acting carbohydrate.
C. Call the provider to request a stat blood glucose level.
D. Encourage the child to lie down and rest.
🟢 B. Provide 15 grams of a fast-acting carbohydrate.
🔴 RATIONALE: Trembling and diaphoresis are signs of
hypoglycemia. Immediate treatment with a simple sugar (15g of
