OB/Peds HESI Practice Questions and answers
2026\2027 A+ Grade
The RN is monitoring an infant with CHD closely for SSx of HF. The RN should assess the infant for which
early sign of HF?
1.Pallor
2.Cough
3.Tachycardia
4.Slow and shallow breathing
- correct answer 3. tachycardia
RATIONALE:
HF is the inability of the heart to pump a sufficient amt of blood to meet the O2 and metabolic needs of
the body. The early SSx of HF include tachycardia, tachypnea, profuse scalp sweating, fatigue &
irritability, sudden weight gain, and resp distress. A cough may occur in HF as a result of mucosal
swelling & irritation, but is not an early sign. Pallor may be noted in an infant w/ HF, but is not an early
sign.
The nurse reviews the laboratory results for a child with a suspected diagnosis of rheumatic fever,
knowing that which laboratory study would assist in confirming the diagnosis?
1.Immunoglobulin
2.Red blood cell count
3.White blood cell count
4.Anti-streptolysin O titer
- correct answer 4. anti-streptolysin O titer
,RATIONALE:
Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that affects the CT of the heart, joints, skin (SQ
tissues), BV, and CNS. A Dx of rheumatic fever is confirmed by the presence of 2 major manifestations or
1 major and 2 minor manifestations from the Jones criteria. In addition, evidence of a recent strep
infection is confirmed by a + anti-streptolysin O titer, streptozyme assay, or anti-DNase B assay.
On assessment of a child admitted with a diagnosis of acute-stage Kawasaki disease, the nurse expects
to note which clinical manifestation of the acute stage of the disease?
1.Cracked lips
2.Normal appearance
3.Conjunctival hyperemia
4.Desquamation of the skin
- correct answer 3. conjunctival hyperemia
RATIONALE:
Kawasaki disease, aka mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, is an acute systemic inflammatory illness.
In the acute stage, the child has a fever, conjunctival hyperemia, red throat, swollen hands, rash, and
enlargement of the cervical lymph nodes. In the subacute stage, cracking lips and fissures,
desquamation of the skin on the tips of the fingers and toes, joint pain, cardiac manifestations, and
thromobocytosis occur. In the convalescent stage, the child appears normal, but SSx of inflammation
may be present
The mother of a child being discharged after heart surgery asks the nurse when the child will be able to
return to school. Which is the most appropriate response to the mother?
1."The child may return to school in 1 week."
2."The child will not be able to return to school during this academic year."
3."The child may return to school in 1 week but needs to go half-days for the first 2 weeks."
4."The child may return to school in 3 weeks but needs to go half-days for the first few days."
- correct answer 4. "The child may return to school in 3 weeks but needs to go half-days for the 1st few
days"
, RATIONALE:
After heart surgery, the child may be able to return to school in 3 weeks but needs to go half-days for
the 1st few days. The mother also should be told that the child cannot participate in PE for 2 months.
Prostaglandin E1 is prescribed for a child with transposition of the great arteries. The mother of the child
is a registered nurse and asks the nurse why the child needs the medication. What is the most
appropriate response to the mother about the action of the medication?
1.Prevents blue (tet) spells
2.Maintains adequate cardiac output
3.Maintains an adequate hormonal level
4.Maintains the position of the great arteries
- correct answer 2. maintains adequate CO
RATIONALE:
A child with transposition of the great arteries may receive prostaglandin E1 temporarily to increased
blood mixing if systemic and pulmonary mixing is inadequate to maintain adequate CO.
The nurse is assessing a newborn with heart failure before administering the prescribed digoxin. In
reviewing the laboratory data, the nurse notes that the newborn has a digoxin blood level of 1.6 ng/mL
(2.05 mmol/L) and an apical heart rate of 90 beats/min. The mother also tells the nurse that the
newborn just vomited her formula. Which intervention should the nurse take?
1.Retake the apical pulse.
2.Administer the medication.
3.Withhold the medication for 1 hour.
4.Withhold the medication and notify the health care provider.
- correct answer 4. withhold the med and notify HCP
RATIONALE:
2026\2027 A+ Grade
The RN is monitoring an infant with CHD closely for SSx of HF. The RN should assess the infant for which
early sign of HF?
1.Pallor
2.Cough
3.Tachycardia
4.Slow and shallow breathing
- correct answer 3. tachycardia
RATIONALE:
HF is the inability of the heart to pump a sufficient amt of blood to meet the O2 and metabolic needs of
the body. The early SSx of HF include tachycardia, tachypnea, profuse scalp sweating, fatigue &
irritability, sudden weight gain, and resp distress. A cough may occur in HF as a result of mucosal
swelling & irritation, but is not an early sign. Pallor may be noted in an infant w/ HF, but is not an early
sign.
The nurse reviews the laboratory results for a child with a suspected diagnosis of rheumatic fever,
knowing that which laboratory study would assist in confirming the diagnosis?
1.Immunoglobulin
2.Red blood cell count
3.White blood cell count
4.Anti-streptolysin O titer
- correct answer 4. anti-streptolysin O titer
,RATIONALE:
Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that affects the CT of the heart, joints, skin (SQ
tissues), BV, and CNS. A Dx of rheumatic fever is confirmed by the presence of 2 major manifestations or
1 major and 2 minor manifestations from the Jones criteria. In addition, evidence of a recent strep
infection is confirmed by a + anti-streptolysin O titer, streptozyme assay, or anti-DNase B assay.
On assessment of a child admitted with a diagnosis of acute-stage Kawasaki disease, the nurse expects
to note which clinical manifestation of the acute stage of the disease?
1.Cracked lips
2.Normal appearance
3.Conjunctival hyperemia
4.Desquamation of the skin
- correct answer 3. conjunctival hyperemia
RATIONALE:
Kawasaki disease, aka mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, is an acute systemic inflammatory illness.
In the acute stage, the child has a fever, conjunctival hyperemia, red throat, swollen hands, rash, and
enlargement of the cervical lymph nodes. In the subacute stage, cracking lips and fissures,
desquamation of the skin on the tips of the fingers and toes, joint pain, cardiac manifestations, and
thromobocytosis occur. In the convalescent stage, the child appears normal, but SSx of inflammation
may be present
The mother of a child being discharged after heart surgery asks the nurse when the child will be able to
return to school. Which is the most appropriate response to the mother?
1."The child may return to school in 1 week."
2."The child will not be able to return to school during this academic year."
3."The child may return to school in 1 week but needs to go half-days for the first 2 weeks."
4."The child may return to school in 3 weeks but needs to go half-days for the first few days."
- correct answer 4. "The child may return to school in 3 weeks but needs to go half-days for the 1st few
days"
, RATIONALE:
After heart surgery, the child may be able to return to school in 3 weeks but needs to go half-days for
the 1st few days. The mother also should be told that the child cannot participate in PE for 2 months.
Prostaglandin E1 is prescribed for a child with transposition of the great arteries. The mother of the child
is a registered nurse and asks the nurse why the child needs the medication. What is the most
appropriate response to the mother about the action of the medication?
1.Prevents blue (tet) spells
2.Maintains adequate cardiac output
3.Maintains an adequate hormonal level
4.Maintains the position of the great arteries
- correct answer 2. maintains adequate CO
RATIONALE:
A child with transposition of the great arteries may receive prostaglandin E1 temporarily to increased
blood mixing if systemic and pulmonary mixing is inadequate to maintain adequate CO.
The nurse is assessing a newborn with heart failure before administering the prescribed digoxin. In
reviewing the laboratory data, the nurse notes that the newborn has a digoxin blood level of 1.6 ng/mL
(2.05 mmol/L) and an apical heart rate of 90 beats/min. The mother also tells the nurse that the
newborn just vomited her formula. Which intervention should the nurse take?
1.Retake the apical pulse.
2.Administer the medication.
3.Withhold the medication for 1 hour.
4.Withhold the medication and notify the health care provider.
- correct answer 4. withhold the med and notify HCP
RATIONALE:
