HESI PEDIATRIC NURSING QUESTIONS
Child Health Promotion
1. List two contraindications to live virus immunization.
Immunocompromised child or a child in a household with an
immunocompromised individual.
2. List three classic signs and symptoms of measles.
Photophobia, confluent rash that begins on the face and spreads downward,
and Koplik spots on the buccal mucosa.
3. List the signs and symptoms of iron deficiency.
. Anemia, pale conjunctiva, pale skin color, atrophy of papillae on tongue,
brittle, ridged or spoon-shaped nails, and thyroid edema.
4. Identify food sources of vitamin A.
Liver, sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach, peaches, and apricots.
5. What disease occurs with vitamin C deficiency?
Scurvy.
6. What measurements reflect present nutritional status?
Weight, skinfold thickness, and arm circumference.
7. List the signs and symptoms of dehydration in an infant.
Poor skin turgor, absence of tears, dry mucous membranes, weight loss,
depressed fontanel, and decreased urinary output.
8. List the laboratory findings that can be expected in a dehydrate child.
Loss of bicarbonate/decreased serum pH, loss of sodium (hyponatremia),
loss of potassium (hypokalemia), elevated Hct, and elevated BUN.
9. How should burns in children be assessed?
By using the Lund-Browder chart, which takes into account the changing
proportions of the child’s body.
, 10. How can the nurse best evaluate the adequacy of fluid replacement in
children?
By monitoring urine output.
11. How should a parent be instructed to childproof a house?
By being taught to lock all cabinets, to safely store all toxic household items in
locked cabinets, and to examine the house from the child’s point of view.
12. What interventions should the nurse perform first in caring for a child who
has ingested a poison?
Assessment of the child’s respiratory, cardiac, and neurologic status.
13. What early signs should the nurse assess for if lead poisoning is suspected?
Anemia, acute cramping, abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation, anorexia,
headache, lethargy, hyperactivity, aggression, impulsiveness, decreased
interest in play, irritability, short attention span.
Respiratory Disorders
1. Describe the purpose of bronchodilators.
To help open airways by relaxing the bronchial muscles.
2. What are the physical assessment findings for a child with asthma?
Expiratory wheezing, rales, tight cough, and signs of altered blood gases.
3. What nutritional support should be provided for a child with cystic fibrosis?
Pancreatic enzyme replacement; fat-soluble vitamins; and a moderate- to
low-carbohydrate, high-protein, moderate- to high-fat diet.
4. Why is genetic counseling important for the family of a child with cystic
fibrosis?
Because the disease is autosomal recessive in its genetic pattern.
5. List seven signs of respiratory stress in a pediatric patient.
Restlessness, tachycardia, tachypnea, diaphoresis, flaring nostrils, retractions
and grunting.
Child Health Promotion
1. List two contraindications to live virus immunization.
Immunocompromised child or a child in a household with an
immunocompromised individual.
2. List three classic signs and symptoms of measles.
Photophobia, confluent rash that begins on the face and spreads downward,
and Koplik spots on the buccal mucosa.
3. List the signs and symptoms of iron deficiency.
. Anemia, pale conjunctiva, pale skin color, atrophy of papillae on tongue,
brittle, ridged or spoon-shaped nails, and thyroid edema.
4. Identify food sources of vitamin A.
Liver, sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach, peaches, and apricots.
5. What disease occurs with vitamin C deficiency?
Scurvy.
6. What measurements reflect present nutritional status?
Weight, skinfold thickness, and arm circumference.
7. List the signs and symptoms of dehydration in an infant.
Poor skin turgor, absence of tears, dry mucous membranes, weight loss,
depressed fontanel, and decreased urinary output.
8. List the laboratory findings that can be expected in a dehydrate child.
Loss of bicarbonate/decreased serum pH, loss of sodium (hyponatremia),
loss of potassium (hypokalemia), elevated Hct, and elevated BUN.
9. How should burns in children be assessed?
By using the Lund-Browder chart, which takes into account the changing
proportions of the child’s body.
, 10. How can the nurse best evaluate the adequacy of fluid replacement in
children?
By monitoring urine output.
11. How should a parent be instructed to childproof a house?
By being taught to lock all cabinets, to safely store all toxic household items in
locked cabinets, and to examine the house from the child’s point of view.
12. What interventions should the nurse perform first in caring for a child who
has ingested a poison?
Assessment of the child’s respiratory, cardiac, and neurologic status.
13. What early signs should the nurse assess for if lead poisoning is suspected?
Anemia, acute cramping, abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation, anorexia,
headache, lethargy, hyperactivity, aggression, impulsiveness, decreased
interest in play, irritability, short attention span.
Respiratory Disorders
1. Describe the purpose of bronchodilators.
To help open airways by relaxing the bronchial muscles.
2. What are the physical assessment findings for a child with asthma?
Expiratory wheezing, rales, tight cough, and signs of altered blood gases.
3. What nutritional support should be provided for a child with cystic fibrosis?
Pancreatic enzyme replacement; fat-soluble vitamins; and a moderate- to
low-carbohydrate, high-protein, moderate- to high-fat diet.
4. Why is genetic counseling important for the family of a child with cystic
fibrosis?
Because the disease is autosomal recessive in its genetic pattern.
5. List seven signs of respiratory stress in a pediatric patient.
Restlessness, tachycardia, tachypnea, diaphoresis, flaring nostrils, retractions
and grunting.
