PEDS HESI EXAMS 2026 COMPREHENSIVE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SURE A+
✔✔A burned child is brought to the emergency department, and the nurse uses a
modified rule of nines to estimate the percentage of the body burned. When calculating
the percentage of burn, which parts of the child's body is proportionally larger than an
adult's?
A.Head and neck
B.Arms and chest
C.Legs and abdomen
D.Back and abdomen - ✔✔ANS: A
The standard rule of nines is inaccurate for determining burned body surface areas with
children because a child's head and neck are proportionately larger than an adult's (A).
Specially designed charts are commonly used to measure the percentage of burn in
children. (B, C, and D) are not proportionately different.
✔✔A 4-year-old child has cystic fibrosis. Which stage of Erikson's theory of
psychosocial development is the nurse addressing when teaching inhalation therapy?
,A.Autonomy
B.Industry
C.Trust
D.Initiative - ✔✔ANS: D
Children 4 to 5 years of age are in the "Initiative vs. Guilt" stage of Erikson's theory of
psychosocial development (D). They enjoy being active and participating in role playing.
"Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt" occurs at 1 to 3 years of age (A). "Industry vs.
Inferiority" occurs at 6 to 11 years (B); "Trust vs. Mistrust" (C) occurs from birth to 1 year
of age.
✔✔The nurse is examining a male child experiencing an exacerbation of juvenile
rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) and notes that his mobility is greatly reduced. What is the
most likely cause of the child's impaired mobility?
A.Pathologic fractures
B.Poor alignment of joints
C.Dyspnea on exertion
D.Joint inflammation - ✔✔ANS: D
Joint inflammation and pain are the typical manifestations of an exacerbation of JRA
(D). (A, B, and C) are not specifically related to JRA.
✔✔A 7-month-old infant with a rotavirus causing severe diarrhea is admitted for
treatment. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
A.Obtain a scale to weigh the infant's diapers.
B.Instruct the mother to offer Pedialyte regularly.
C.Insert an intravenous (IV) line and begin IV fluids.
D.Obtain a stool specimen for analysis. - ✔✔ANS: C
An infant with severe diarrhea is at high risk for dehydration, so the nurse's priority is to
initiate IV fluids (C) to rehydrate the infant. (A, B, and D) can then be implemented as
needed.
✔✔The nurse admits a child to the intensive care unit with a diagnosis of acquired
aplastic anemia. What is the most common cause of this type of anemia?
, A.Bacterial infections
B.A diet deficient in iron
C.Heart-lung congenital defects
D.Exposure to certain drugs - ✔✔ANS: D
Aplastic anemia often follows exposure to certain drugs (D) such as chloramphenicol,
sulfonamides, and phenylbutazone (Butazolidin), insecticides such as DDT, and
chemicals, especially, benzene. (A and C) are not related to the development of
anemia. (B) is related to iron deficiency anemia.
✔✔A 7-month-old male infant diagnosed with spastic cerebral palsy is seen by the
nurse in the clinic. Which statement by the parent warrants immediate intervention by
the nurse?
A."My son often chokes while I am feeding him."
B."Is it normal for my child's legs to cross each other?"
C."He gets stiff when I pull him up to a sitting position."
D."My 4-year-old son is jealous of his little brother." - ✔✔ANS: A
Airway obstruction (A) is always a priority when caring for any client. (B and C) are
characteristics of spastic cerebral palsy and may involve one or both sides. These
children have difficulty with fine motor skills, and attempts at motion increase abnormal
postures. (D) is an expected behavior and may need to be addressed, but it is not a
priority over choking.
✔✔When caring for a child with congenital heart disease and polycythemia, which
nursing intervention has the highest priority?
A.Administering oxygen therapy continuously
B.Restricting fluids as ordered
C.Maintaining adequate hydration
D.Maintaining digoxin (Lanoxin) levels - ✔✔ANS:
The key word in this question is polycythemia. Hydration (C) decreases blood viscosity
and the risk for thrombus formation, the most common complication of polycythemia. (A
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SURE A+
✔✔A burned child is brought to the emergency department, and the nurse uses a
modified rule of nines to estimate the percentage of the body burned. When calculating
the percentage of burn, which parts of the child's body is proportionally larger than an
adult's?
A.Head and neck
B.Arms and chest
C.Legs and abdomen
D.Back and abdomen - ✔✔ANS: A
The standard rule of nines is inaccurate for determining burned body surface areas with
children because a child's head and neck are proportionately larger than an adult's (A).
Specially designed charts are commonly used to measure the percentage of burn in
children. (B, C, and D) are not proportionately different.
✔✔A 4-year-old child has cystic fibrosis. Which stage of Erikson's theory of
psychosocial development is the nurse addressing when teaching inhalation therapy?
,A.Autonomy
B.Industry
C.Trust
D.Initiative - ✔✔ANS: D
Children 4 to 5 years of age are in the "Initiative vs. Guilt" stage of Erikson's theory of
psychosocial development (D). They enjoy being active and participating in role playing.
"Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt" occurs at 1 to 3 years of age (A). "Industry vs.
Inferiority" occurs at 6 to 11 years (B); "Trust vs. Mistrust" (C) occurs from birth to 1 year
of age.
✔✔The nurse is examining a male child experiencing an exacerbation of juvenile
rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) and notes that his mobility is greatly reduced. What is the
most likely cause of the child's impaired mobility?
A.Pathologic fractures
B.Poor alignment of joints
C.Dyspnea on exertion
D.Joint inflammation - ✔✔ANS: D
Joint inflammation and pain are the typical manifestations of an exacerbation of JRA
(D). (A, B, and C) are not specifically related to JRA.
✔✔A 7-month-old infant with a rotavirus causing severe diarrhea is admitted for
treatment. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
A.Obtain a scale to weigh the infant's diapers.
B.Instruct the mother to offer Pedialyte regularly.
C.Insert an intravenous (IV) line and begin IV fluids.
D.Obtain a stool specimen for analysis. - ✔✔ANS: C
An infant with severe diarrhea is at high risk for dehydration, so the nurse's priority is to
initiate IV fluids (C) to rehydrate the infant. (A, B, and D) can then be implemented as
needed.
✔✔The nurse admits a child to the intensive care unit with a diagnosis of acquired
aplastic anemia. What is the most common cause of this type of anemia?
, A.Bacterial infections
B.A diet deficient in iron
C.Heart-lung congenital defects
D.Exposure to certain drugs - ✔✔ANS: D
Aplastic anemia often follows exposure to certain drugs (D) such as chloramphenicol,
sulfonamides, and phenylbutazone (Butazolidin), insecticides such as DDT, and
chemicals, especially, benzene. (A and C) are not related to the development of
anemia. (B) is related to iron deficiency anemia.
✔✔A 7-month-old male infant diagnosed with spastic cerebral palsy is seen by the
nurse in the clinic. Which statement by the parent warrants immediate intervention by
the nurse?
A."My son often chokes while I am feeding him."
B."Is it normal for my child's legs to cross each other?"
C."He gets stiff when I pull him up to a sitting position."
D."My 4-year-old son is jealous of his little brother." - ✔✔ANS: A
Airway obstruction (A) is always a priority when caring for any client. (B and C) are
characteristics of spastic cerebral palsy and may involve one or both sides. These
children have difficulty with fine motor skills, and attempts at motion increase abnormal
postures. (D) is an expected behavior and may need to be addressed, but it is not a
priority over choking.
✔✔When caring for a child with congenital heart disease and polycythemia, which
nursing intervention has the highest priority?
A.Administering oxygen therapy continuously
B.Restricting fluids as ordered
C.Maintaining adequate hydration
D.Maintaining digoxin (Lanoxin) levels - ✔✔ANS:
The key word in this question is polycythemia. Hydration (C) decreases blood viscosity
and the risk for thrombus formation, the most common complication of polycythemia. (A
