HESI PEDS MATERNITY COMBINED
CERTIFICATION 2026 TEST PAPER
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GRADED A+
⩥ Which first aid action should the practical nurse implement for a child
who has sustained a second degree thermal burn?
a) apply petroleum jelly to the burned skin
b) apply ice to the burned area
c) immerse the burned area in cold water
d) break any blisters that are present Answer: Answer: C
Rationale:
First aid treatment of a second degree thermal burn is immersion of the
burned area in cold water (C) to halt the burning process. (A, B, and D)
are not indicated due tot he risk of increased skin damage or infection.
⩥ What information should the practical nurse (PN) reinforce with the
parents of a 3 month old infant about liquid medication administration?
a) pour the medication into a small cup and allow the infant to drink it
b) place the medication in a nipple and have infant suck the nipple
,c) administer the medication with a dropper to the back of the infant's
tongue
d) use an oral syringe to place the medication in the side of the infant's
mouth Answer: Answer: D
Rationale:
An oral syringe is a useful device for measuring small quantities of
medications for infants. The syringe is placed in the side of the mouth.
(B) increases the amount of air the infant swallows, which cause
excessive gas. (B and D) increase the risk for aspiration.
⩥ What action should the practical nurse (PN) implement when caring
for a dying child and the family?
a) Provide adequate oral intake on a regular schedule
b) Organize care to minimize contact that interrupts rests
c) Allow family to give basic care when the child is alert
d) Tell family to continue talking to the child until time of death Answer:
Answer: D
Rationale:
Families should be encouraged to talk to the child because the sense of
hearing is acute until death (D), and verbal communication and physical
touch provide comfort for both the family and child. When a child is
dying, comfort is based on measures that respond to the child's requests
,beyond a regular schedule for fluids (A). Nursing care should minimize
disruptions but not contact (B). family involvement in the basic care of
the child should continue throughout the child's dying process, not only
when the child is alert (C).
⩥ A 2 year old child who is hospitalized has become withdrawn and
quiet on the fourth day after admission. The parent expresses concern
about this change in behavior. Which explanation should the practical
nurse (PN) provide? The child is
a) Experiencing the despair stage of separation
b) Detaching emotionally from the family
c) Protesting the separation from the parents
d) Adjusting to hospitalization Answer: Answer: A
Rationale:
In the despair stage of separation (A), the child exhibits signs of
hopelessness and becomes quiet, withdrawn, and apathetic. Toddlers do
not readily "adjust" to hospitalization (D) and separation from
caregivers. During the detachment stage (B) which occurs after
prolonged separation, the child becomes interested in the environment
and begins to play. In the protest stage (C), the child is likely to cry and
resist care by others, and is inconsolable.
, ⩥ A 3 year old boy cries, kicks, and clings to his father when the parents
try to leave the hospital room. The parents express their concern to the
practical nurse (PN). What response should the PN provide?
a) "It is not helpful for parents to stay with children during
hospitalization."
b) "Your child's behavior indicates a need for a psychological
consultation."
c) "You can avoid this if you wait to leave after your child falls asleep."
d) "Your child is showing a normal response to the stress of
hospitalization." Answer: Answer: D
Rationale:
The child is exhibiting a healthy attachment to the father (D). Leaving
while your child is asleep creates mistrust in the child (C). To minimize
the child's stress hospital policy often require someone to stay with their
child during hospitalization, not (A). The child's behavior represents the
protest stage of separation and does not represent maladaptive behavior
(B).
⩥ Which action is best for the practical nurse (PN) to implement to help
a 7 year old child cope with a lengthy course of IV antibiotics therapy?
a) give the child stickers for cooperative behavior
b) arrange for the child to go to the playroom daily
CERTIFICATION 2026 TEST PAPER
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GRADED A+
⩥ Which first aid action should the practical nurse implement for a child
who has sustained a second degree thermal burn?
a) apply petroleum jelly to the burned skin
b) apply ice to the burned area
c) immerse the burned area in cold water
d) break any blisters that are present Answer: Answer: C
Rationale:
First aid treatment of a second degree thermal burn is immersion of the
burned area in cold water (C) to halt the burning process. (A, B, and D)
are not indicated due tot he risk of increased skin damage or infection.
⩥ What information should the practical nurse (PN) reinforce with the
parents of a 3 month old infant about liquid medication administration?
a) pour the medication into a small cup and allow the infant to drink it
b) place the medication in a nipple and have infant suck the nipple
,c) administer the medication with a dropper to the back of the infant's
tongue
d) use an oral syringe to place the medication in the side of the infant's
mouth Answer: Answer: D
Rationale:
An oral syringe is a useful device for measuring small quantities of
medications for infants. The syringe is placed in the side of the mouth.
(B) increases the amount of air the infant swallows, which cause
excessive gas. (B and D) increase the risk for aspiration.
⩥ What action should the practical nurse (PN) implement when caring
for a dying child and the family?
a) Provide adequate oral intake on a regular schedule
b) Organize care to minimize contact that interrupts rests
c) Allow family to give basic care when the child is alert
d) Tell family to continue talking to the child until time of death Answer:
Answer: D
Rationale:
Families should be encouraged to talk to the child because the sense of
hearing is acute until death (D), and verbal communication and physical
touch provide comfort for both the family and child. When a child is
dying, comfort is based on measures that respond to the child's requests
,beyond a regular schedule for fluids (A). Nursing care should minimize
disruptions but not contact (B). family involvement in the basic care of
the child should continue throughout the child's dying process, not only
when the child is alert (C).
⩥ A 2 year old child who is hospitalized has become withdrawn and
quiet on the fourth day after admission. The parent expresses concern
about this change in behavior. Which explanation should the practical
nurse (PN) provide? The child is
a) Experiencing the despair stage of separation
b) Detaching emotionally from the family
c) Protesting the separation from the parents
d) Adjusting to hospitalization Answer: Answer: A
Rationale:
In the despair stage of separation (A), the child exhibits signs of
hopelessness and becomes quiet, withdrawn, and apathetic. Toddlers do
not readily "adjust" to hospitalization (D) and separation from
caregivers. During the detachment stage (B) which occurs after
prolonged separation, the child becomes interested in the environment
and begins to play. In the protest stage (C), the child is likely to cry and
resist care by others, and is inconsolable.
, ⩥ A 3 year old boy cries, kicks, and clings to his father when the parents
try to leave the hospital room. The parents express their concern to the
practical nurse (PN). What response should the PN provide?
a) "It is not helpful for parents to stay with children during
hospitalization."
b) "Your child's behavior indicates a need for a psychological
consultation."
c) "You can avoid this if you wait to leave after your child falls asleep."
d) "Your child is showing a normal response to the stress of
hospitalization." Answer: Answer: D
Rationale:
The child is exhibiting a healthy attachment to the father (D). Leaving
while your child is asleep creates mistrust in the child (C). To minimize
the child's stress hospital policy often require someone to stay with their
child during hospitalization, not (A). The child's behavior represents the
protest stage of separation and does not represent maladaptive behavior
(B).
⩥ Which action is best for the practical nurse (PN) to implement to help
a 7 year old child cope with a lengthy course of IV antibiotics therapy?
a) give the child stickers for cooperative behavior
b) arrange for the child to go to the playroom daily
