Pediatrics HESI Questions and Correct
Answers
1. A 6-month-old infant with congestive heart failure (CHF) is
receiving digoxin elixir. Which observation by the nurse warrants
immediate intervention? Apical heart rate of 60.
Sweating across the forehead.
Doesn't suck well.
Respiratory rate of 30 breaths per minute.: Apical heart rate of 60.
A heart rate of 60 (A) is much lower than normal for a 6-month-old and warrants immediate intervention.
The normal heart rate for a 6-month-old is 80 to 150 BPM when awake, and a rate of 70 while sleeping
is considered within normal limits. (B and C) are expected symptoms of heart failure in an infant. (D) is
within normal limits for an infant.
2. The nurse is teaching the parents of a 5-year-old with cystic fibrosis
about res- piratory treatments. Which statement indicates to the
nurse that the parents understand?
Perform postural drainage before starting aerosol
therapy. Give respiratory treatments when the child
is coughing a lot.
Administer aerosol therapy followed by postural drainage before
meals. Ensure respiratory therapy is done daily during any
respiratory infection.: Ad- minister aerosol therapy followed by postural drainage before
,meals.
Postural drainage for a child with cystic fibrosis is most effective when performed after nebulization and
before meals
(C) or at least 1 hour after eating to prevent nausea and vomiting. Postural drainage uses gravity to
promote mucous removal after nebulization (A) treatments which open the airways. Pulmonary toileting or
respiratory treatments should be given 3 to 4 times daily, not episodically (B and D).
3. A female teenager is taking oral tetracycline HCL (Achromycin V)
for acne vulgaris. What is the most important instruction for the
nurse to include in this client's teaching plan?
Use sunscreen when lying by the
pool. Cleanse the skin at least 4
times a day. Take the medication
with a glass of milk.
Menstrual periods may become irregular.: Use sunscreen when lying by the
pool. Photosensitivity is a common side effect of tetracycline HCL (Achromycin V) therapy. Severe
sunburn can occur with
minimal sun exposure and clients should be instructed to avoid sunlight and to use sunscreen (A). (B and
D) are not related to tetracycline HCL (Achromycin V) therapy. (C) should be avoided because dairy products
interfere with the absorption of tetracyclines.
4. What preoperative nursing intervention should be included in the
plan of care for an infant with pyloric stenosis?
Monitor for signs of metabolic
,acidosis. Estimate the quantity of
diarrhea stools. Place in a supine
position after feeding.
Observe for projectile vomiting.: Observe for projectile vomiting.
Projectile vomiting (D), which contributes to metabolic alkalosis (A), is the classic sign of pyloric stenosis. (B)
is not indicated. (C) is dangerous, due to the potential for aspiration with frequent vomiting.
5. An infant is born with a ventricular septal defect (VSD) and surgery is
planned to correct the defect. The nurse recognizes that surgical
correction is designed to achieve which outcome?
Stop the flow of unoxygenated blood into systemic
circulation. Increase the flow of unoxygenated
blood to the lungs.
Prevent the return of oxygenated blood to the lungs.
Reduce peripheral tissue hypoxia and nailbed clubbing: Prevent the return of
oxygenated blood to the lungs.
Closure of VSDs stops oxygenated blood from being shunted from the left ventricle to the right ventricle
(C). VSDs are acyanotic defects, which means that no unoxygenated blood enters the systemic circulation
(A and B). (D) is common with Tetrology of Fallot, which is a cyanotic defect.
6. A 3-week-old newborn is brought to the clinic for follow-up after a
home birth. The mother reports that her child bottle feeds for 5
minutes only and then falls asleep. The nurse auscultates a loud
, murmur characteristic of a ventricular septal defect (VSD), and finds
the newborn is acyanotic with a respiratory rate of 64 breaths per
minute. What instruction should the nurse provide the mother to
ensure the infant is receiving adequate intake? (Select all that
apply.)
A. Monitor the the infant's weight and number of wet diapers per
day.
B. Increase the infant's intake per feeding by 1 to 2 ounces per week.
C. Mix the dose of prophylactic antibiotic in a full bottle of formula.
D. Allow the infant to rest and refeed on demand or every 2 hours.
E. Use a softer nipple or increase the size of the nipple opening.: A.
Monitor the the infant's weight and number of wet diapers per day.
B. Increase the infant's intake per feeding by 1 to 2 ounces per week.
D. Allow the infant to rest and refeed on demand or every 2 hours.
E. Use a softer nipple or increase the size of the nipple opening.
Antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended for infants with VSDs, but should not be mixed in a bottle of
formula (C) because it is diflcult to ensure that the total dose is consumed.
They should be monitored for weight gain and at least 6 wet diapers per day (A). A one-month old
infant should ingest 2 to 4 ounces of formula per feeding and progress to about 30 ounces per day by
4-months of age (B)
7. Preoperative nursing care for a child with Wilms' tumor should
Answers
1. A 6-month-old infant with congestive heart failure (CHF) is
receiving digoxin elixir. Which observation by the nurse warrants
immediate intervention? Apical heart rate of 60.
Sweating across the forehead.
Doesn't suck well.
Respiratory rate of 30 breaths per minute.: Apical heart rate of 60.
A heart rate of 60 (A) is much lower than normal for a 6-month-old and warrants immediate intervention.
The normal heart rate for a 6-month-old is 80 to 150 BPM when awake, and a rate of 70 while sleeping
is considered within normal limits. (B and C) are expected symptoms of heart failure in an infant. (D) is
within normal limits for an infant.
2. The nurse is teaching the parents of a 5-year-old with cystic fibrosis
about res- piratory treatments. Which statement indicates to the
nurse that the parents understand?
Perform postural drainage before starting aerosol
therapy. Give respiratory treatments when the child
is coughing a lot.
Administer aerosol therapy followed by postural drainage before
meals. Ensure respiratory therapy is done daily during any
respiratory infection.: Ad- minister aerosol therapy followed by postural drainage before
,meals.
Postural drainage for a child with cystic fibrosis is most effective when performed after nebulization and
before meals
(C) or at least 1 hour after eating to prevent nausea and vomiting. Postural drainage uses gravity to
promote mucous removal after nebulization (A) treatments which open the airways. Pulmonary toileting or
respiratory treatments should be given 3 to 4 times daily, not episodically (B and D).
3. A female teenager is taking oral tetracycline HCL (Achromycin V)
for acne vulgaris. What is the most important instruction for the
nurse to include in this client's teaching plan?
Use sunscreen when lying by the
pool. Cleanse the skin at least 4
times a day. Take the medication
with a glass of milk.
Menstrual periods may become irregular.: Use sunscreen when lying by the
pool. Photosensitivity is a common side effect of tetracycline HCL (Achromycin V) therapy. Severe
sunburn can occur with
minimal sun exposure and clients should be instructed to avoid sunlight and to use sunscreen (A). (B and
D) are not related to tetracycline HCL (Achromycin V) therapy. (C) should be avoided because dairy products
interfere with the absorption of tetracyclines.
4. What preoperative nursing intervention should be included in the
plan of care for an infant with pyloric stenosis?
Monitor for signs of metabolic
,acidosis. Estimate the quantity of
diarrhea stools. Place in a supine
position after feeding.
Observe for projectile vomiting.: Observe for projectile vomiting.
Projectile vomiting (D), which contributes to metabolic alkalosis (A), is the classic sign of pyloric stenosis. (B)
is not indicated. (C) is dangerous, due to the potential for aspiration with frequent vomiting.
5. An infant is born with a ventricular septal defect (VSD) and surgery is
planned to correct the defect. The nurse recognizes that surgical
correction is designed to achieve which outcome?
Stop the flow of unoxygenated blood into systemic
circulation. Increase the flow of unoxygenated
blood to the lungs.
Prevent the return of oxygenated blood to the lungs.
Reduce peripheral tissue hypoxia and nailbed clubbing: Prevent the return of
oxygenated blood to the lungs.
Closure of VSDs stops oxygenated blood from being shunted from the left ventricle to the right ventricle
(C). VSDs are acyanotic defects, which means that no unoxygenated blood enters the systemic circulation
(A and B). (D) is common with Tetrology of Fallot, which is a cyanotic defect.
6. A 3-week-old newborn is brought to the clinic for follow-up after a
home birth. The mother reports that her child bottle feeds for 5
minutes only and then falls asleep. The nurse auscultates a loud
, murmur characteristic of a ventricular septal defect (VSD), and finds
the newborn is acyanotic with a respiratory rate of 64 breaths per
minute. What instruction should the nurse provide the mother to
ensure the infant is receiving adequate intake? (Select all that
apply.)
A. Monitor the the infant's weight and number of wet diapers per
day.
B. Increase the infant's intake per feeding by 1 to 2 ounces per week.
C. Mix the dose of prophylactic antibiotic in a full bottle of formula.
D. Allow the infant to rest and refeed on demand or every 2 hours.
E. Use a softer nipple or increase the size of the nipple opening.: A.
Monitor the the infant's weight and number of wet diapers per day.
B. Increase the infant's intake per feeding by 1 to 2 ounces per week.
D. Allow the infant to rest and refeed on demand or every 2 hours.
E. Use a softer nipple or increase the size of the nipple opening.
Antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended for infants with VSDs, but should not be mixed in a bottle of
formula (C) because it is diflcult to ensure that the total dose is consumed.
They should be monitored for weight gain and at least 6 wet diapers per day (A). A one-month old
infant should ingest 2 to 4 ounces of formula per feeding and progress to about 30 ounces per day by
4-months of age (B)
7. Preoperative nursing care for a child with Wilms' tumor should
