2026/2027 HESI Pediatric PEDS Exit
ACTUAL EXAM Version 1 and 2 V1
V2 | Test Bank | Verified Q&A |
Graded A+ | Pass Guaranteed
VERSION 1 (Questions 1–50)
Section 1: Growth & Development (Questions 1–8)
Q1: A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant during a well-child visit. The parent states, "My baby used
to smile at everyone, but now she cries when strangers pick her up." Which response by the nurse is
most appropriate?
A. "You should expose her to more people so she gets used to strangers." B. "This behavior suggests she
is overly anxious and may need evaluation." C. "Stranger anxiety is a normal developmental milestone at
this age and indicates healthy attachment. [CORRECT]" D. "This usually means the baby is tired and
needs more sleep."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Stranger anxiety typically emerges around 6 months and reflects secure attachment to
primary caregivers. Reassuring parents that this is developmentally appropriate reduces unnecessary
worry.
Q2: A nurse is teaching parents of a 2-year-old about appropriate play activities. Which statement by a
parent indicates understanding of this developmental stage?
A. "I will buy my child board games to play with the family." B. "Parallel play is typical for toddlers, so
playing alongside other children without direct interaction is expected. [CORRECT]" C. "My child should
be able to share toys and take turns with friends." D. "Team sports are the best way for my child to
develop social skills."
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Toddlers engage in parallel play, playing near but not directly with peers. This is a normal
stage before cooperative play emerges in the preschool years.
Q3: A nurse is caring for a hospitalized 4-year-old child. The child asks, "Will I die from my surgery like
my goldfish died?" Which nursing response is most appropriate?
A. "Don't worry, you are not going to die." B. "Your goldfish died because you didn't feed it properly." C.
"At your age, children often think death is reversible or caused by thoughts; let's talk about what will
happen during surgery. [CORRECT]" D. "Big kids don't ask questions like that."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Preschoolers typically view death as temporary and may believe their thoughts cause events.
Using simple, honest explanations tailored to their cognitive level reduces magical thinking and anxiety.
Q4: A nurse is reviewing immunization records for a 12-month-old infant. Which immunizations should
the nurse verify are up to date at this age? (Select all that apply.) [SATA]
A. Hepatitis B series
B. DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis)
C. MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
D. Varicella
E. Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b)
F. PCV13 (pneumococcal conjugate vaccine)
G. IPV (inactivated poliovirus vaccine)
Correct Answers: A, B, E, F, G
Rationale: At 12 months, the infant should have received HepB (birth, 1-2 months, 6-18 months), DTaP
(2, 4, 6 months), Hib (2, 4, 6, 12-15 months), PCV13 (2, 4, 6, 12-15 months), and IPV (2, 4, 6-18 months).
MMR and varicella are first given at 12-15 months, so they may or may not be due depending on exact
timing.
Q5: A nurse is assessing an 8-year-old child using Erikson's stages of development. The child is working
on a group science project and states, "I want to be the leader because I'm good at organizing." Which
stage is this child demonstrating?
A. Initiative vs. Guilt
B. Industry vs. Inferiority
,C. "Industry vs. Inferiority is the stage where school-age children develop competence through tasks and
seek recognition for accomplishments. [CORRECT]" D. Identity vs. Role Confusion
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: School-age children (6-12 years) in the industry vs. inferiority stage focus on mastering skills,
completing tasks, and gaining recognition from peers and adults for their competence.
Q6: A nurse is caring for a hospitalized 10-year-old child with a chronic illness. The child asks detailed
questions about the disease process and medication mechanisms. According to Piaget, which cognitive
stage is this child demonstrating?
A. Sensorimotor
B. Preoperational
C. Concrete Operational
D. "Formal Operational thinking begins around age 11-12; however, some 10-year-olds show early signs
of abstract reasoning about familiar topics. [CORRECT]"
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: While concrete operational is typical for ages 7-11, children approaching adolescence may
demonstrate early formal operational thought when discussing personally relevant, familiar topics like
their own illness.
Q7: A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to parents of a 15-year-old adolescent. Which topic is the
priority for this developmental stage?
A. Toilet training techniques
B. "Adolescents need guidance on identity formation, peer relationships, risk-taking behaviors, and
future planning as they navigate the identity vs. role confusion stage. [CORRECT]" C. Separation anxiety
management
D. Parallel play encouragement
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Adolescents in Erikson's identity vs. role confusion stage focus on establishing identity,
independence, and peer relationships. Nursing guidance should address risk reduction, mental health,
and future planning.
Q8: A nurse is assessing a newborn's reflexes. Which reflex, if persistent beyond the expected age,
would be most concerning?
, A. Moro reflex present at 2 months
B. Rooting reflex present at 3 months
C. "Palmar grasp reflex persisting beyond 6 months may indicate neurological dysfunction and requires
further evaluation. [CORRECT]" D. Babinski reflex present at 8 months
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The palmar grasp reflex normally disappears by 3-6 months. Persistence beyond this
timeframe suggests possible central nervous system impairment and warrants neurological referral.
Section 2: Respiratory Disorders (Questions 9–15)
Q9: A 2-year-old child is admitted with a barky cough, inspiratory stridor, and low-grade fever. The child
appears anxious and is sitting upright leaning forward. Which intervention is the nurse's priority?
A. Prepare for immediate intubation
B. "Place the child in a calm environment with humidified cool mist and minimize agitation to reduce
respiratory distress in croup. [CORRECT]" C. Administer a sedative to decrease anxiety
D. Perform a throat swab for rapid strep testing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Croup (laryngotracheobronchitis) is managed with cool humidified air and minimal
stimulation. Agitation worsens airway obstruction, so maintaining a calm environment reduces
respiratory effort.
Q10: A nurse is caring for a 6-month-old with RSV bronchiolitis. The infant has nasal flaring, retractions,
and an SpO2 of 89% on room air. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer albuterol nebulizer treatment
B. "Apply supplemental oxygen to maintain SpO2 above 92% and position the infant with the head
elevated to ease breathing. [CORRECT]" C. Start IV antibiotics immediately
D. Perform a chest X-ray
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: RSV bronchiolitis causes airway inflammation and hypoxemia. Priority interventions include
oxygen to correct hypoxemia and positioning to optimize ventilation. Albuterol is not routinely effective
in RSV.
Q11: A 5-year-old with asthma is having an acute exacerbation. The child is wheezing, using accessory
muscles, and has a respiratory rate of 36. Which medication should the nurse prepare to administer
first?
ACTUAL EXAM Version 1 and 2 V1
V2 | Test Bank | Verified Q&A |
Graded A+ | Pass Guaranteed
VERSION 1 (Questions 1–50)
Section 1: Growth & Development (Questions 1–8)
Q1: A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant during a well-child visit. The parent states, "My baby used
to smile at everyone, but now she cries when strangers pick her up." Which response by the nurse is
most appropriate?
A. "You should expose her to more people so she gets used to strangers." B. "This behavior suggests she
is overly anxious and may need evaluation." C. "Stranger anxiety is a normal developmental milestone at
this age and indicates healthy attachment. [CORRECT]" D. "This usually means the baby is tired and
needs more sleep."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Stranger anxiety typically emerges around 6 months and reflects secure attachment to
primary caregivers. Reassuring parents that this is developmentally appropriate reduces unnecessary
worry.
Q2: A nurse is teaching parents of a 2-year-old about appropriate play activities. Which statement by a
parent indicates understanding of this developmental stage?
A. "I will buy my child board games to play with the family." B. "Parallel play is typical for toddlers, so
playing alongside other children without direct interaction is expected. [CORRECT]" C. "My child should
be able to share toys and take turns with friends." D. "Team sports are the best way for my child to
develop social skills."
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Toddlers engage in parallel play, playing near but not directly with peers. This is a normal
stage before cooperative play emerges in the preschool years.
Q3: A nurse is caring for a hospitalized 4-year-old child. The child asks, "Will I die from my surgery like
my goldfish died?" Which nursing response is most appropriate?
A. "Don't worry, you are not going to die." B. "Your goldfish died because you didn't feed it properly." C.
"At your age, children often think death is reversible or caused by thoughts; let's talk about what will
happen during surgery. [CORRECT]" D. "Big kids don't ask questions like that."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Preschoolers typically view death as temporary and may believe their thoughts cause events.
Using simple, honest explanations tailored to their cognitive level reduces magical thinking and anxiety.
Q4: A nurse is reviewing immunization records for a 12-month-old infant. Which immunizations should
the nurse verify are up to date at this age? (Select all that apply.) [SATA]
A. Hepatitis B series
B. DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis)
C. MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
D. Varicella
E. Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b)
F. PCV13 (pneumococcal conjugate vaccine)
G. IPV (inactivated poliovirus vaccine)
Correct Answers: A, B, E, F, G
Rationale: At 12 months, the infant should have received HepB (birth, 1-2 months, 6-18 months), DTaP
(2, 4, 6 months), Hib (2, 4, 6, 12-15 months), PCV13 (2, 4, 6, 12-15 months), and IPV (2, 4, 6-18 months).
MMR and varicella are first given at 12-15 months, so they may or may not be due depending on exact
timing.
Q5: A nurse is assessing an 8-year-old child using Erikson's stages of development. The child is working
on a group science project and states, "I want to be the leader because I'm good at organizing." Which
stage is this child demonstrating?
A. Initiative vs. Guilt
B. Industry vs. Inferiority
,C. "Industry vs. Inferiority is the stage where school-age children develop competence through tasks and
seek recognition for accomplishments. [CORRECT]" D. Identity vs. Role Confusion
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: School-age children (6-12 years) in the industry vs. inferiority stage focus on mastering skills,
completing tasks, and gaining recognition from peers and adults for their competence.
Q6: A nurse is caring for a hospitalized 10-year-old child with a chronic illness. The child asks detailed
questions about the disease process and medication mechanisms. According to Piaget, which cognitive
stage is this child demonstrating?
A. Sensorimotor
B. Preoperational
C. Concrete Operational
D. "Formal Operational thinking begins around age 11-12; however, some 10-year-olds show early signs
of abstract reasoning about familiar topics. [CORRECT]"
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: While concrete operational is typical for ages 7-11, children approaching adolescence may
demonstrate early formal operational thought when discussing personally relevant, familiar topics like
their own illness.
Q7: A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to parents of a 15-year-old adolescent. Which topic is the
priority for this developmental stage?
A. Toilet training techniques
B. "Adolescents need guidance on identity formation, peer relationships, risk-taking behaviors, and
future planning as they navigate the identity vs. role confusion stage. [CORRECT]" C. Separation anxiety
management
D. Parallel play encouragement
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Adolescents in Erikson's identity vs. role confusion stage focus on establishing identity,
independence, and peer relationships. Nursing guidance should address risk reduction, mental health,
and future planning.
Q8: A nurse is assessing a newborn's reflexes. Which reflex, if persistent beyond the expected age,
would be most concerning?
, A. Moro reflex present at 2 months
B. Rooting reflex present at 3 months
C. "Palmar grasp reflex persisting beyond 6 months may indicate neurological dysfunction and requires
further evaluation. [CORRECT]" D. Babinski reflex present at 8 months
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The palmar grasp reflex normally disappears by 3-6 months. Persistence beyond this
timeframe suggests possible central nervous system impairment and warrants neurological referral.
Section 2: Respiratory Disorders (Questions 9–15)
Q9: A 2-year-old child is admitted with a barky cough, inspiratory stridor, and low-grade fever. The child
appears anxious and is sitting upright leaning forward. Which intervention is the nurse's priority?
A. Prepare for immediate intubation
B. "Place the child in a calm environment with humidified cool mist and minimize agitation to reduce
respiratory distress in croup. [CORRECT]" C. Administer a sedative to decrease anxiety
D. Perform a throat swab for rapid strep testing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Croup (laryngotracheobronchitis) is managed with cool humidified air and minimal
stimulation. Agitation worsens airway obstruction, so maintaining a calm environment reduces
respiratory effort.
Q10: A nurse is caring for a 6-month-old with RSV bronchiolitis. The infant has nasal flaring, retractions,
and an SpO2 of 89% on room air. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer albuterol nebulizer treatment
B. "Apply supplemental oxygen to maintain SpO2 above 92% and position the infant with the head
elevated to ease breathing. [CORRECT]" C. Start IV antibiotics immediately
D. Perform a chest X-ray
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: RSV bronchiolitis causes airway inflammation and hypoxemia. Priority interventions include
oxygen to correct hypoxemia and positioning to optimize ventilation. Albuterol is not routinely effective
in RSV.
Q11: A 5-year-old with asthma is having an acute exacerbation. The child is wheezing, using accessory
muscles, and has a respiratory rate of 36. Which medication should the nurse prepare to administer
first?
