HESI PEDIATRICS –QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
Growth and Development (Infant through Adolescent)Congenital and Genetic DisordersPediatric
Pharmacological InterventionsAcute and Chronic Respiratory ConditionsCardiovascular and Hematological
HealthGastrointestinal and Genitourinary DisordersNeurological and Musculoskeletal AlterationsPsychosocial
and Behavioral HealthSafety, Injury Prevention, and Legal Ethics
Introduction
The HESI Pediatrics Assessment is designed to evaluate a candidate’s mastery of nursing care specific to the
pediatric population. This comprehensive exam focuses on the integration of physiological and psychological
principles essential for promoting health and managing illness in children from birth through adolescence. The
assessment utilizes a blend of foundational theory and scenario-based questions to mirror real-world clinical
environments. Candidates are tested on their ability to prioritize care, apply critical thinking, and make sound
clinical decisions under pressure. By emphasizing safety, ethics, and family-centered care, this exam ensures
that practitioners possess the necessary expertise to provide high-quality pediatric nursing interventions.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A 6-month-old infant is brought to the clinic for a routine wellness checkup. Which developmental
milestone should the nurse expect the infant to have achieved?
A. Walking while holding onto furniture
B. Using a pincer grasp to pick up small objects
🟢 C. Sitting alone for a short duration with support
D. Saying at least three recognizable words
🔴 RATIONALE: By 6 months of age, most infants can sit with support or momentarily without it. Walking while
holding furniture and the pincer grasp typically develop between 8 to 10 months, and recognizable words
usually appear around 12 months.
, 2. A nurse is caring for a toddler with a suspected diagnosis of intussusception. Which clinical manifestation
is considered a classic sign of this condition?
A. Projectile vomiting after feeding
B. Ribbon-like stools
🟢 C. Red currant jelly-like stools
D. Palpable mass in the left lower quadrant
🔴 RATIONALE: Intussusception involves the telescoping of one part of the intestine into another, leading to
inflammation and the passage of stool mixed with blood and mucus, commonly described as "currant jelly"
stools.
3. When administering an intramuscular injection to a 4-month-old infant, which site is the most appropriate
for the nurse to use?
🟢 A. Vastus lateralis
B. Dorsogluteal
C. Ventrogluteal
D. Deltoid
🔴 RATIONALE: The vastus lateralis is the preferred site for IM injections in infants because it is the most
developed muscle mass at this age. The dorsogluteal site is avoided due to the proximity of the sciatic nerve.
4. A child is admitted with a diagnosis of Acute Glomerulonephritis. Which assessment finding should the
nurse prioritize?
A. Increased appetite
🟢 B. Blood pressure of 140/94 mmHg
C. Loose, watery stools
D. Polyuria
,🔴 RATIONALE: Hypertension is a common and potentially dangerous complication of acute
glomerulonephritis. Monitoring and managing blood pressure is critical to prevent encephalopathy and seizures.
5. A 4-year-old child is scheduled for a cardiac catheterization. Which nursing action is most appropriate for
preparing this child?
A. Providing a detailed written pamphlet about the procedure
🟢 B. Using a doll to demonstrate the procedure in simple terms
C. Explaining the risks of anesthesia to the child
D. Restricting all parental contact 4 hours before the procedure
🔴 RATIONALE: Preschoolers learn best through play and concrete demonstrations. Using a doll helps the
child understand what will happen in a non-threatening, age-appropriate manner.
6. Which dietary instruction is most important for the parents of a child with Celiac disease?
A. Increase intake of whole wheat bread
B. Include barley and rye in daily snacks
🟢 C. Eliminate gluten-containing grains from the diet
D. Limit dairy products to twice a day
🔴 RATIONALE: Celiac disease is a permanent intolerance to gluten. Eliminating wheat, barley, and rye is
essential to prevent intestinal damage and malabsorption.
7. A nurse is assessing a child with Tetralogy of Fallot who suddenly becomes cyanotic and dyspneic. Which
position should the nurse place the child in?
A. High Fowler's
🟢 B. Knee-chest position
C. Trendelenburg
D. Prone
, 🔴 RATIONALE: The knee-chest position increases systemic vascular resistance, which helps reduce the right-
to-left shunt in Tetralogy of Fallot, thereby improving oxygenation during a "tet spell."
8. A 10-year-old is diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. What should the nurse emphasize regarding
exercise?
🟢 A. Consume a carbohydrate snack before strenuous activity
B. Increase the insulin dose on days of heavy exercise
C. Avoid exercise if the blood glucose is 120 mg/dL
D. Exercise alone to stay focused on the routine
🔴 RATIONALE: Exercise increases glucose uptake by muscles. To prevent hypoglycemia during or after
activity, the child should consume extra carbohydrates.
9. Which laboratory result would the nurse expect to see in a child with Hemophilia A?
A. Low platelet count
B. Prolonged Prothrombin Time (PT)
🟢 C. Prolonged Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT)
D. Decreased hemoglobin
🔴 RATIONALE: Hemophilia A is a deficiency of Factor VIII, which is part of the intrinsic pathway. This
deficiency results in a prolonged aPTT, while PT and platelet counts remain normal.
10. A nurse is evaluating a 2-year-old for signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Which behavior is most
characteristic of ASD?
A. Constantly seeking physical affection from strangers
🟢 B. Lack of eye contact and interest in social play
C. Advanced verbal communication for age
D. Preference for high-intensity group activities
2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
Growth and Development (Infant through Adolescent)Congenital and Genetic DisordersPediatric
Pharmacological InterventionsAcute and Chronic Respiratory ConditionsCardiovascular and Hematological
HealthGastrointestinal and Genitourinary DisordersNeurological and Musculoskeletal AlterationsPsychosocial
and Behavioral HealthSafety, Injury Prevention, and Legal Ethics
Introduction
The HESI Pediatrics Assessment is designed to evaluate a candidate’s mastery of nursing care specific to the
pediatric population. This comprehensive exam focuses on the integration of physiological and psychological
principles essential for promoting health and managing illness in children from birth through adolescence. The
assessment utilizes a blend of foundational theory and scenario-based questions to mirror real-world clinical
environments. Candidates are tested on their ability to prioritize care, apply critical thinking, and make sound
clinical decisions under pressure. By emphasizing safety, ethics, and family-centered care, this exam ensures
that practitioners possess the necessary expertise to provide high-quality pediatric nursing interventions.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A 6-month-old infant is brought to the clinic for a routine wellness checkup. Which developmental
milestone should the nurse expect the infant to have achieved?
A. Walking while holding onto furniture
B. Using a pincer grasp to pick up small objects
🟢 C. Sitting alone for a short duration with support
D. Saying at least three recognizable words
🔴 RATIONALE: By 6 months of age, most infants can sit with support or momentarily without it. Walking while
holding furniture and the pincer grasp typically develop between 8 to 10 months, and recognizable words
usually appear around 12 months.
, 2. A nurse is caring for a toddler with a suspected diagnosis of intussusception. Which clinical manifestation
is considered a classic sign of this condition?
A. Projectile vomiting after feeding
B. Ribbon-like stools
🟢 C. Red currant jelly-like stools
D. Palpable mass in the left lower quadrant
🔴 RATIONALE: Intussusception involves the telescoping of one part of the intestine into another, leading to
inflammation and the passage of stool mixed with blood and mucus, commonly described as "currant jelly"
stools.
3. When administering an intramuscular injection to a 4-month-old infant, which site is the most appropriate
for the nurse to use?
🟢 A. Vastus lateralis
B. Dorsogluteal
C. Ventrogluteal
D. Deltoid
🔴 RATIONALE: The vastus lateralis is the preferred site for IM injections in infants because it is the most
developed muscle mass at this age. The dorsogluteal site is avoided due to the proximity of the sciatic nerve.
4. A child is admitted with a diagnosis of Acute Glomerulonephritis. Which assessment finding should the
nurse prioritize?
A. Increased appetite
🟢 B. Blood pressure of 140/94 mmHg
C. Loose, watery stools
D. Polyuria
,🔴 RATIONALE: Hypertension is a common and potentially dangerous complication of acute
glomerulonephritis. Monitoring and managing blood pressure is critical to prevent encephalopathy and seizures.
5. A 4-year-old child is scheduled for a cardiac catheterization. Which nursing action is most appropriate for
preparing this child?
A. Providing a detailed written pamphlet about the procedure
🟢 B. Using a doll to demonstrate the procedure in simple terms
C. Explaining the risks of anesthesia to the child
D. Restricting all parental contact 4 hours before the procedure
🔴 RATIONALE: Preschoolers learn best through play and concrete demonstrations. Using a doll helps the
child understand what will happen in a non-threatening, age-appropriate manner.
6. Which dietary instruction is most important for the parents of a child with Celiac disease?
A. Increase intake of whole wheat bread
B. Include barley and rye in daily snacks
🟢 C. Eliminate gluten-containing grains from the diet
D. Limit dairy products to twice a day
🔴 RATIONALE: Celiac disease is a permanent intolerance to gluten. Eliminating wheat, barley, and rye is
essential to prevent intestinal damage and malabsorption.
7. A nurse is assessing a child with Tetralogy of Fallot who suddenly becomes cyanotic and dyspneic. Which
position should the nurse place the child in?
A. High Fowler's
🟢 B. Knee-chest position
C. Trendelenburg
D. Prone
, 🔴 RATIONALE: The knee-chest position increases systemic vascular resistance, which helps reduce the right-
to-left shunt in Tetralogy of Fallot, thereby improving oxygenation during a "tet spell."
8. A 10-year-old is diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. What should the nurse emphasize regarding
exercise?
🟢 A. Consume a carbohydrate snack before strenuous activity
B. Increase the insulin dose on days of heavy exercise
C. Avoid exercise if the blood glucose is 120 mg/dL
D. Exercise alone to stay focused on the routine
🔴 RATIONALE: Exercise increases glucose uptake by muscles. To prevent hypoglycemia during or after
activity, the child should consume extra carbohydrates.
9. Which laboratory result would the nurse expect to see in a child with Hemophilia A?
A. Low platelet count
B. Prolonged Prothrombin Time (PT)
🟢 C. Prolonged Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT)
D. Decreased hemoglobin
🔴 RATIONALE: Hemophilia A is a deficiency of Factor VIII, which is part of the intrinsic pathway. This
deficiency results in a prolonged aPTT, while PT and platelet counts remain normal.
10. A nurse is evaluating a 2-year-old for signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Which behavior is most
characteristic of ASD?
A. Constantly seeking physical affection from strangers
🟢 B. Lack of eye contact and interest in social play
C. Advanced verbal communication for age
D. Preference for high-intensity group activities
