HESI PN OB-HESI PN PEDIATRICS-HESI PN MATERNITY
COMPLETE EXAM LATEST VERSION 2026-2027 QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
Which preoperative action is most important for the practical nurse (PN) to implement for a newborn with
meningomyelocele?
a) document vital signs
b) prevent skin breakdown
c) minimize the risk for infection
d) monitor neurologic functioning - answer>>Answer: C
Rationale:
A meningomyelocele provides a direct entry for bacteria into the central nervous system, leading to meningitis.
Measures that protect the integrity of the meningomyelocele sac and infection control measures should be
implemented to minimize the risk of infection (C). (A,B, and D) should be implemented but do not have the priority
of (C).
The practical nurse is caring for a 6 year old girl who had surgery 12 hours ago. The child tells the PN that she does
not have pain but a few minutes later, tells her parents that she does. What child development concept is relevant
to this situation?
a) inconsistency in pain reporting suggests that pain not present
b) a child may have pain yet deny its presence to the nurse
c) truthful reporting of pain should occur by this age
d) children use pain experiences to manipulate their parents - answer>>Answer: B
Rationale:
A child may fear receiving an injection for pain or may believe that pain is a deserved punishment for some
misdeed, so the pain is denied (D) when the nurse asks the child, who then readily admits having pain to a parent.
This behavior should not be interpreted as (C) but as a valid indication of pain. (A and C) are incorrect
interpretations of this behavior.
,A 6 year old who had a tonsillectomy 12 hours ago is complaining of thirst. What should the practical nurse (PN)
offer?
a) popsicle
b) lemonade
c) orange juice
d) chocolate milk - answer>>Answer: A
Rationale:
Small amounts of clear liquids without red dyes should be offered to the child. Popsicles (A) are cold and help
soothe a dry throat. Citrus drinks (B and C) are acidic and irritate the operative site in the posterior oropharynx.
Milk (D) thickens oral mucus which makes swallowing more difficult and causes coughing.
The mother of a male newborn calls the clinic to inquire about the formation of a yellow crust over her son's
circumcision area. What information should the practical nurse (PN) provide?
a) do not remove the yellow crust from the site
b) stop using petroleum around the head of the penis
c) bring him into the clinic
d) tightly fasten the diaper - answer>>Answer: A
Rationale:
Crust formation is part of the healing process and should be removed (A). (C) is not indicated at this time. The
diaper should be fastened loosely, not tightly (D) which can place pressure on the incision site. (B) assists in the
healing process and should not be discontinued.
The mother of a child with croup is having barking, coughing episodes calls the clinic for assistance. What action
should the practical nurse (PN) recommend that the mother implement first?
a) take the child outside in the cool air
b) bring the child directly to the emergency room
c) sit with the child in bathroom with a hot shower running
,d) have the child drink plenty of fluids - answer>>Answer: C
Rationale:
Croup (laryngotracheobronchitis) is a viral infection that causes a "barking" cough and varying degrees of
inspiratory stridor, which often responds to a high humidity environment. Most children can be managed at home
using the stream from a hot shower in a closed bathroom (C) which often stops laryngeal spasm. Increasing the
child's fluid intake is important (D), but not a priority at this time.Although exposure to cold air (A) also relieves
stridor, parents should be encouraged to use mist humidifier in the child's room. (B) is not necessary unless the
child is having increasingly difficulty breathing that may lead to a compromised airway.
Which finding should the practical nurse confirm with the parents of an infant who is admitted with possible
intussusception?
a) red currant jelly stools
b) clay colored stools
c) constant abdominal pain
d) projectile vomiting after meals - answer>>Answer: A
Rationale:
Red currant jelly stools (A) is a sign of intussusception, which causes a mixture of stool, mucous, and blood as the
intestines telescopes inside itself. (D) is associated with pyloric stenosis. (B) is consistent with biliary obstruction.
Infants with intussusception usually have periods of severe pain followed by intervals in which they appear
comfortable, not (C).
The practical nurse (PN) is observing a group of children at a day care center to determine whether children are
achieving developmental milestones. Which activity should the PN identify as typical for a 2 year old child's
cognitive development?
a) has a vocabulary of about 1000 words
b) uses short sentences to express self
c) initiates play with other children
d) recognizes right and wrong - answer>>Answer: B
, Rationale:
Although children develop at different rates, a 2 year old typically uses short sentences to express independence
and control (B) and has a vocabulary of up to 300 words, not (A). At the age of 2 years, a toddler is developing
negativism without understanding the concepts of right and wrong (D). A 2 year old engages in solitary play and
parallel play but does not initiate or cooperative with other children (C) in play, which begins with socialization of
the preschool child.
The practical nurse (PN) is interviewing a 10 year old girl about school and her extracurricular activities. She
responds, "I like school. I play the flute in the school band, and I take tennis lessons." Based on Erikson's
psychosocial theory, the PN identifies that this child is in what stage of development?
a) identity
b) intimacy
c) industry
d) initiative - answer>>Answer: C
Rationale:
Erikson's stage of industry (C) for a school aged child is demonstrated by successful participation in new skills and
peer activities, such as sports and band. (A, B, and D) are achieved in other age groups.
The practical nurse (PN) identifies an increased frequency of otitis media (OM) is children who are coming to the
clinic. Based on this finding, which age group should the PN monitor a child for signs and symptoms of OM?
a) toddler
b) preschooler
c) school ager
d) adolescent - answer>>Answer: A
Rationale:
Infants and toddlers (A) are most prone to otitis media due to the anatomical structure of the eustachian tube that
allows fluid and microbial entry into the middle ear. (B, C, and D) are most susceptible to acute infectious diseases
acquired through environmental transmission from daycare or school settings.
COMPLETE EXAM LATEST VERSION 2026-2027 QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
Which preoperative action is most important for the practical nurse (PN) to implement for a newborn with
meningomyelocele?
a) document vital signs
b) prevent skin breakdown
c) minimize the risk for infection
d) monitor neurologic functioning - answer>>Answer: C
Rationale:
A meningomyelocele provides a direct entry for bacteria into the central nervous system, leading to meningitis.
Measures that protect the integrity of the meningomyelocele sac and infection control measures should be
implemented to minimize the risk of infection (C). (A,B, and D) should be implemented but do not have the priority
of (C).
The practical nurse is caring for a 6 year old girl who had surgery 12 hours ago. The child tells the PN that she does
not have pain but a few minutes later, tells her parents that she does. What child development concept is relevant
to this situation?
a) inconsistency in pain reporting suggests that pain not present
b) a child may have pain yet deny its presence to the nurse
c) truthful reporting of pain should occur by this age
d) children use pain experiences to manipulate their parents - answer>>Answer: B
Rationale:
A child may fear receiving an injection for pain or may believe that pain is a deserved punishment for some
misdeed, so the pain is denied (D) when the nurse asks the child, who then readily admits having pain to a parent.
This behavior should not be interpreted as (C) but as a valid indication of pain. (A and C) are incorrect
interpretations of this behavior.
,A 6 year old who had a tonsillectomy 12 hours ago is complaining of thirst. What should the practical nurse (PN)
offer?
a) popsicle
b) lemonade
c) orange juice
d) chocolate milk - answer>>Answer: A
Rationale:
Small amounts of clear liquids without red dyes should be offered to the child. Popsicles (A) are cold and help
soothe a dry throat. Citrus drinks (B and C) are acidic and irritate the operative site in the posterior oropharynx.
Milk (D) thickens oral mucus which makes swallowing more difficult and causes coughing.
The mother of a male newborn calls the clinic to inquire about the formation of a yellow crust over her son's
circumcision area. What information should the practical nurse (PN) provide?
a) do not remove the yellow crust from the site
b) stop using petroleum around the head of the penis
c) bring him into the clinic
d) tightly fasten the diaper - answer>>Answer: A
Rationale:
Crust formation is part of the healing process and should be removed (A). (C) is not indicated at this time. The
diaper should be fastened loosely, not tightly (D) which can place pressure on the incision site. (B) assists in the
healing process and should not be discontinued.
The mother of a child with croup is having barking, coughing episodes calls the clinic for assistance. What action
should the practical nurse (PN) recommend that the mother implement first?
a) take the child outside in the cool air
b) bring the child directly to the emergency room
c) sit with the child in bathroom with a hot shower running
,d) have the child drink plenty of fluids - answer>>Answer: C
Rationale:
Croup (laryngotracheobronchitis) is a viral infection that causes a "barking" cough and varying degrees of
inspiratory stridor, which often responds to a high humidity environment. Most children can be managed at home
using the stream from a hot shower in a closed bathroom (C) which often stops laryngeal spasm. Increasing the
child's fluid intake is important (D), but not a priority at this time.Although exposure to cold air (A) also relieves
stridor, parents should be encouraged to use mist humidifier in the child's room. (B) is not necessary unless the
child is having increasingly difficulty breathing that may lead to a compromised airway.
Which finding should the practical nurse confirm with the parents of an infant who is admitted with possible
intussusception?
a) red currant jelly stools
b) clay colored stools
c) constant abdominal pain
d) projectile vomiting after meals - answer>>Answer: A
Rationale:
Red currant jelly stools (A) is a sign of intussusception, which causes a mixture of stool, mucous, and blood as the
intestines telescopes inside itself. (D) is associated with pyloric stenosis. (B) is consistent with biliary obstruction.
Infants with intussusception usually have periods of severe pain followed by intervals in which they appear
comfortable, not (C).
The practical nurse (PN) is observing a group of children at a day care center to determine whether children are
achieving developmental milestones. Which activity should the PN identify as typical for a 2 year old child's
cognitive development?
a) has a vocabulary of about 1000 words
b) uses short sentences to express self
c) initiates play with other children
d) recognizes right and wrong - answer>>Answer: B
, Rationale:
Although children develop at different rates, a 2 year old typically uses short sentences to express independence
and control (B) and has a vocabulary of up to 300 words, not (A). At the age of 2 years, a toddler is developing
negativism without understanding the concepts of right and wrong (D). A 2 year old engages in solitary play and
parallel play but does not initiate or cooperative with other children (C) in play, which begins with socialization of
the preschool child.
The practical nurse (PN) is interviewing a 10 year old girl about school and her extracurricular activities. She
responds, "I like school. I play the flute in the school band, and I take tennis lessons." Based on Erikson's
psychosocial theory, the PN identifies that this child is in what stage of development?
a) identity
b) intimacy
c) industry
d) initiative - answer>>Answer: C
Rationale:
Erikson's stage of industry (C) for a school aged child is demonstrated by successful participation in new skills and
peer activities, such as sports and band. (A, B, and D) are achieved in other age groups.
The practical nurse (PN) identifies an increased frequency of otitis media (OM) is children who are coming to the
clinic. Based on this finding, which age group should the PN monitor a child for signs and symptoms of OM?
a) toddler
b) preschooler
c) school ager
d) adolescent - answer>>Answer: A
Rationale:
Infants and toddlers (A) are most prone to otitis media due to the anatomical structure of the eustachian tube that
allows fluid and microbial entry into the middle ear. (B, C, and D) are most susceptible to acute infectious diseases
acquired through environmental transmission from daycare or school settings.
