HESI -- HEALTH EDUCATION SYSTEMS INCORPORATED
RN Pediatrics (PEDS) Exam
Test Bank -- 100 Verified Questions & Detailed Rationales
Official Practice Exam · 2026/2027 Edition
Questions: 100 Minutes: 120 Passing Score: 80% Recertification: Annual
Table of Contents
Section 1: Health Promotion & Growth/Development ........... 17 Questions
Section 2: Respiratory & Cardiovascular Disorders ......... 17 Questions
Section 3: Gastrointestinal & Nutritional Disorders ........ 17 Questions
Section 4: Neurological & Musculoskeletal Disorders ....... 17 Questions
Section 5: Hematologic, Oncologic & Immunologic Disorders 16 Questions
Section 6: Acute/Chronic Illness Mgmt & Psychosocial ...... 16 Questions
Instructions
Read each question carefully. Select the ONE best answer from the four options provided.
All questions are multiple-choice with four options. There is no penalty for guessing.
A rationale is provided after each question for study and review purposes.
You have 120 minutes to complete all 100 questions. A score of 80% or higher is required to pass.
This practice exam is based on the HESI RN Pediatrics Exam blueprint for 2026/2027.
HESI RN Pediatrics -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 1 of 38
,Section 1: Health Promotion & Growth/Development
Q1. Question 1 of 100
A mother brings her 4-month-old infant to the well-child clinic for a routine checkup. The nurse assesses the
infant's developmental milestones and expects the infant to demonstrate which ability?
B. Rolling from prone to supine and grasping a rattle
A. Sitting without support and transferring objects between hands
C. Crawling on hands and knees and pulling to stand
D. Walking with one hand held and stacking two blocks
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
At 4 months, infants typically roll from prone to supine and can grasp a rattle. Sitting without support emerges around 6 to 8
months, crawling around 8 to 10 months, and walking with assistance around 10 to 12 months. Rolling and grasping are
age-appropriate milestones for 4 months.
Q2. Question 2 of 100
A nurse is teaching a group of parents about injury prevention for toddlers. The nurse should emphasize that
the leading cause of death in children ages 1 to 4 is which of the following?
A. Infectious diseases
B. Accidents and unintentional injuries
C. Congenital anomalies
D. Malignancies
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Accidents and unintentional injuries, including motor vehicle crashes, drowning, burns, and falls, are the leading cause of
death in children ages 1 to 4. While infectious diseases and congenital anomalies are significant, injuries surpass them in this
age group. Malignancies are less common in toddlers.
Q3. Question 3 of 100
A 2-year-old child is brought to the clinic for a well-child visit. The nurse notes the child weighs 12 kg. Based on
growth patterns, the nurse should understand that a toddler's expected annual weight gain is approximately
which amount?
A. 1 to 2 kg per year
C. 4 to 5 kg per year
B. 2 to 3 kg per year
D. 6 to 7 kg per year
Correct Answer: C
HESI RN Pediatrics -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 2 of 38
, Rationale:
Toddlers (ages 1 to 3) typically gain 2 to 3 kg per year, reflecting the slower growth rate compared to infancy. Weight gain of 1
to 2 kg is too low, and 4 to 7 kg is more typical of infancy or adolescents. This pattern helps nurses identify growth concerns.
Q4. Question 4 of 100
A nurse is performing a developmental assessment on a 6-month-old infant. The infant's parent expresses
concern that the child is not yet babbling. The nurse should explain that babbling typically begins at which age?
A. 2 to 3 months
D. 10 to 12 months
C. 7 to 9 months
B. 4 to 6 months
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
Babbling typically begins between 4 and 6 months of age as infants experiment with consonant-vowel combinations. Cooing
occurs at 2 to 3 months. By 7 to 9 months, infants begin to imitate sounds, and by 10 to 12 months, they may say one or two
words. The infant is within the expected timeframe.
Q5. Question 5 of 100
A school nurse is planning a health education program for adolescents. The nurse should prioritize which topic
based on the leading health risk for this age group?
B. Unintentional injuries, substance use, and risky behaviors
A. Nutritional deficiencies and vitamin supplementation
C. Chronic illness management and medication adherence
D. Sleep disorders and circadian rhythm disruption
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Adolescents face the highest risk from unintentional injuries, substance use, and risky sexual behaviors, making these the
priority health education topics. While nutrition, chronic illness, and sleep are important, they are not the leading causes of
morbidity and mortality in this age group.
HESI RN Pediatrics -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 3 of 38
, Q6. Question 6 of 100
A nurse is assessing a 3-year-old child during a well-child visit. The child's parent reports the child is not yet
toilet trained. The nurse should respond with which information?
A. Toilet training should have begun by 18 months of age
B. Most children achieve daytime bowel and bladder control by age 3 to 4 years
C. Delayed toilet training at age 3 indicates a developmental disability
D. Toilet training cannot begin until the child reaches age 4
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Most children achieve daytime bowel and bladder control between ages 3 and 4, with nighttime control often occurring later.
Beginning at 18 months is too early for most children, delayed training at 3 does not automatically indicate disability, and
waiting until age 4 is unnecessarily late.
Q7. Question 7 of 100
A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to the parents of a 12-month-old toddler. The nurse should
recommend that the child's diet include which type of milk?
A. Skim milk to prevent early childhood obesity
C. Soy milk as the preferred plant-based alternative
B. Whole milk to support brain development and myelination
D. Two percent milk to balance fat and calorie intake
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Whole milk is recommended for children ages 1 to 2 years because the fat content supports rapid brain development and
myelination. Skim and low-fat milk do not provide adequate fat for this critical period. Soy milk is not the preferred choice
unless there is a specific dietary indication.
Q8. Question 8 of 100
A nurse is teaching new parents about safe sleep practices for their newborn. The nurse should instruct the
parents to place the infant in which position for sleep?
A. Prone position to promote digestion and reduce reflux
B. Side-lying position with a positioner for support
D. Semi-Fowler position with the head of the crib elevated
C. Supine position on a firm mattress without soft bedding
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends supine positioning on a firm mattress without soft bedding, pillows, or
bumpers to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Prone and side-lying positions increase SIDS risk, and elevating
the crib head is not recommended for routine sleep.
HESI RN Pediatrics -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 4 of 38
RN Pediatrics (PEDS) Exam
Test Bank -- 100 Verified Questions & Detailed Rationales
Official Practice Exam · 2026/2027 Edition
Questions: 100 Minutes: 120 Passing Score: 80% Recertification: Annual
Table of Contents
Section 1: Health Promotion & Growth/Development ........... 17 Questions
Section 2: Respiratory & Cardiovascular Disorders ......... 17 Questions
Section 3: Gastrointestinal & Nutritional Disorders ........ 17 Questions
Section 4: Neurological & Musculoskeletal Disorders ....... 17 Questions
Section 5: Hematologic, Oncologic & Immunologic Disorders 16 Questions
Section 6: Acute/Chronic Illness Mgmt & Psychosocial ...... 16 Questions
Instructions
Read each question carefully. Select the ONE best answer from the four options provided.
All questions are multiple-choice with four options. There is no penalty for guessing.
A rationale is provided after each question for study and review purposes.
You have 120 minutes to complete all 100 questions. A score of 80% or higher is required to pass.
This practice exam is based on the HESI RN Pediatrics Exam blueprint for 2026/2027.
HESI RN Pediatrics -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 1 of 38
,Section 1: Health Promotion & Growth/Development
Q1. Question 1 of 100
A mother brings her 4-month-old infant to the well-child clinic for a routine checkup. The nurse assesses the
infant's developmental milestones and expects the infant to demonstrate which ability?
B. Rolling from prone to supine and grasping a rattle
A. Sitting without support and transferring objects between hands
C. Crawling on hands and knees and pulling to stand
D. Walking with one hand held and stacking two blocks
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
At 4 months, infants typically roll from prone to supine and can grasp a rattle. Sitting without support emerges around 6 to 8
months, crawling around 8 to 10 months, and walking with assistance around 10 to 12 months. Rolling and grasping are
age-appropriate milestones for 4 months.
Q2. Question 2 of 100
A nurse is teaching a group of parents about injury prevention for toddlers. The nurse should emphasize that
the leading cause of death in children ages 1 to 4 is which of the following?
A. Infectious diseases
B. Accidents and unintentional injuries
C. Congenital anomalies
D. Malignancies
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Accidents and unintentional injuries, including motor vehicle crashes, drowning, burns, and falls, are the leading cause of
death in children ages 1 to 4. While infectious diseases and congenital anomalies are significant, injuries surpass them in this
age group. Malignancies are less common in toddlers.
Q3. Question 3 of 100
A 2-year-old child is brought to the clinic for a well-child visit. The nurse notes the child weighs 12 kg. Based on
growth patterns, the nurse should understand that a toddler's expected annual weight gain is approximately
which amount?
A. 1 to 2 kg per year
C. 4 to 5 kg per year
B. 2 to 3 kg per year
D. 6 to 7 kg per year
Correct Answer: C
HESI RN Pediatrics -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 2 of 38
, Rationale:
Toddlers (ages 1 to 3) typically gain 2 to 3 kg per year, reflecting the slower growth rate compared to infancy. Weight gain of 1
to 2 kg is too low, and 4 to 7 kg is more typical of infancy or adolescents. This pattern helps nurses identify growth concerns.
Q4. Question 4 of 100
A nurse is performing a developmental assessment on a 6-month-old infant. The infant's parent expresses
concern that the child is not yet babbling. The nurse should explain that babbling typically begins at which age?
A. 2 to 3 months
D. 10 to 12 months
C. 7 to 9 months
B. 4 to 6 months
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
Babbling typically begins between 4 and 6 months of age as infants experiment with consonant-vowel combinations. Cooing
occurs at 2 to 3 months. By 7 to 9 months, infants begin to imitate sounds, and by 10 to 12 months, they may say one or two
words. The infant is within the expected timeframe.
Q5. Question 5 of 100
A school nurse is planning a health education program for adolescents. The nurse should prioritize which topic
based on the leading health risk for this age group?
B. Unintentional injuries, substance use, and risky behaviors
A. Nutritional deficiencies and vitamin supplementation
C. Chronic illness management and medication adherence
D. Sleep disorders and circadian rhythm disruption
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Adolescents face the highest risk from unintentional injuries, substance use, and risky sexual behaviors, making these the
priority health education topics. While nutrition, chronic illness, and sleep are important, they are not the leading causes of
morbidity and mortality in this age group.
HESI RN Pediatrics -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 3 of 38
, Q6. Question 6 of 100
A nurse is assessing a 3-year-old child during a well-child visit. The child's parent reports the child is not yet
toilet trained. The nurse should respond with which information?
A. Toilet training should have begun by 18 months of age
B. Most children achieve daytime bowel and bladder control by age 3 to 4 years
C. Delayed toilet training at age 3 indicates a developmental disability
D. Toilet training cannot begin until the child reaches age 4
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Most children achieve daytime bowel and bladder control between ages 3 and 4, with nighttime control often occurring later.
Beginning at 18 months is too early for most children, delayed training at 3 does not automatically indicate disability, and
waiting until age 4 is unnecessarily late.
Q7. Question 7 of 100
A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to the parents of a 12-month-old toddler. The nurse should
recommend that the child's diet include which type of milk?
A. Skim milk to prevent early childhood obesity
C. Soy milk as the preferred plant-based alternative
B. Whole milk to support brain development and myelination
D. Two percent milk to balance fat and calorie intake
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Whole milk is recommended for children ages 1 to 2 years because the fat content supports rapid brain development and
myelination. Skim and low-fat milk do not provide adequate fat for this critical period. Soy milk is not the preferred choice
unless there is a specific dietary indication.
Q8. Question 8 of 100
A nurse is teaching new parents about safe sleep practices for their newborn. The nurse should instruct the
parents to place the infant in which position for sleep?
A. Prone position to promote digestion and reduce reflux
B. Side-lying position with a positioner for support
D. Semi-Fowler position with the head of the crib elevated
C. Supine position on a firm mattress without soft bedding
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends supine positioning on a firm mattress without soft bedding, pillows, or
bumpers to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Prone and side-lying positions increase SIDS risk, and elevating
the crib head is not recommended for routine sleep.
HESI RN Pediatrics -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 4 of 38
