Peds HESI 2022 Practice Questions and
Answers
"A mother tells the nurse that her child does not want anything to do with toilet training
and yells "NO!" consistently when she tries to toilet train. The child is 2 years old.
According to Erikson, the nurse interprets that the child is experiencing which
psychosocial crisis?"
a. autonomy vs shame and doubt
b. initiative vs guilt
c. industry vs inferiority
d. trust vs mistrust Correct answer- Autonomy vs shame and doubt
A 2-year-old child is admitted to the hospital with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA).
During the focused assessment, the nurse makes it a priority to note the presence of
which of the following?"
a. increased irritability and the child's insistence to be carried out
b. complaints of joint stiffness
c. history of daily temperature elevations
d. description of how difficult it is to move around after periods of inactivity Correct
answer- increased irritability and the child's insistence to be carried out
A mother of a toddler who is hospitalized with mild dehydration must leave her child to
go to work. Which behavior would the nurse expect to observe in the toddler
immediately after the mother's departure?
a. silently curled in bed with a blanket
b. loudly crying and kicking both legs
c. playing quietly with a favorite toy
d. sucking thumb and rocking back and forth Correct answer- loudly crying and kicking
both legs
"A newborn infant is diagnosed with hypospadias, and the mother asks the nurse about
the disorder. The nurse bases the response on which of the following?"
a. it is a congenital anomaly in which the actual opening of the urethra meatus is below
the normal placement on the glans penis
b. it occurs when one or both testes fail to descend through the inguinal canal into the
scrotal sac
c. it is a congenital anomaly in which the actual opening of the urethral meatus is dorsal
to the urethral opening
d. it is a congential anomaly characterized by the extrusion of the urinary bladder to the
outside of the body Correct answer- it is a congenital anomaly in which the actual
opening of the urethra meatus is below the normal placement on the glans penis
,A home care nurse is providing instructions to a child with cystic fibrosis about how to
perform the "huff" maneuver; the child asks the nurse about the purpose of this type of
breathing. The nurse makes which response to the child?
a. "this type of breathing is used to mobilize secretions so that they can be easily
coughed out"
b. "this type of breathing prolongs inspiration time"
c. "this type of breathing moves air out of the lower lungs"
d. "this type of breathing moves air through the lungs" Correct answer- "this type of
breathing is used to mobilize secretions so that they can be easily coughed out"
A home care nurse is instructing the mother of a child with cystic fibrosis (CF) about the
appropriate dietary measures. The nurse tells the mother that the child needs to
consume a:
a. low calorie, low fat diet
b. high calorie, high protein diet
c. low calorie, low protein diet
d. high calorie, restricted fat Correct answer- high calorie, high protein diet
Breathing exercises and postural drainage is prescribed for a child with cystic fibrosis. A
nurse implements these procedures by telling the child to:
a. perform the postural drainage, then the breathing exercises
b. perform the breathing exercises, then the postural drainage
c. schedule the procedures so they are 4 hours apart
d. perform postural drainage in the morning and breathing exercises in the evening
Correct answer- perform the postural drainage, then the breathing exercises
A nurse is reviewing the results of a sweat test performed on a child with cystic fibrosis
(CF). The nurse would expect to note which finding?
a. a sweat sodium concentration less than 40 mEq/L
b. a sweat potassium concentration less than 40 mEq/L
c. a sweat potassium concentration greater than 40 mEq/L
d. a sweat sodium concentration greater than 60 mEq/L Correct answer- a sweat
sodium concentration greater than 60 mEq/L
Methylphenidate (Ritalin) is prescribed for a child with a diagnosis of attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The nurse provides instructions to the mother regarding
the administration of the medication and tells the mother to administer the medication:
a. before dinner and at bedtime
b. before breakfast and before the noontime meal
c. in the morning after breakfast and at bedtime
d. at the noontime and evening meals Correct answer- before breakfast and before the
noontime meal
"Methylphenidate hydrochloride (Ritalin) is prescribed for a 10-year-old child diagnosed
with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and the nurse provides instructions to the
,mother about administration of the medication. The nurse determines that the mother
understands the instructions when the mother states:"
a. I will give my child the medication at bedtime so that he will be rested and alert for
school the next day
b. I will give my child the medication after meals to obtain the full effects of the
medication
c. I will give my child the medication at breakfast and lunch to prevent insomnia
d. I will give my child the medication with water to prevent kidney damage Correct
answer- I will give my child the medication at breakfast and lunch to prevent insomnia
Methylphenidate (Ritalin) is prescribed for a child with attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD). The nurse provides instructions to the mother regarding the
administration of the medication. Which statement by the mother would indicate a need
for further instructions?
a. I will administer the medication with the noontime meal
b. I will keep the medication tightly capped and away from direct heat
c. I should inform the school nurse that my child is taking this medication
d. I should avoid giving the medications on Saturdays and Sundays to provide a
medication holiday Correct answer- I should avoid giving the medications on Saturdays
and Sundays to provide a medication holiday
A client with diplopia has been given an eye patch to promote better vision and prevent
injury. The nurse teaches the client to do which of the following as part of correct use of
this item?
a. wear the patch continuously, alternating eyes each day
b. wear the patch continuously, alternating eyes each week
c. use the patch only when vision is exceptionally blurry
d. put the patch on for an hour, and then take it off for an hour Correct answer- wear the
patch continuously, alternating eyes each day
A student nurse examines an Asian American infant's eyes and notes that the infant's
eyes are crossed. The registered nurse asks the student to interpret the finding. Which
statement by the student indicates an understanding of this assessment finding?
a. it probably isn't strabismus but appears that way because of the child;s ethnic
background
b. you will want to call the pediatrician immediately because this could lead to detached
retina
c. it probably is strabismus because the baby's mother has abused tranquilizers
d. strabismus isn't life threatening but it requires surgery in the first 2 months to prevent
the crossed eyes from being a life long condition Correct answer- it probably isn't
strabismus but appears that way because of the child;s ethnic background
A nurse notes that a client's eyes are continuously moving back and forth within the eye
sockets. The nurse documents in the medical record that the client has:
a. ataxia
b. nystagmus
, c. pronator drift
d. hyperreflexia Correct answer- nystagmus
"A nurse is providing instructions to the mother of a child with a diagnosis of strabismus
of the left eye, and the nurse reviews the procedure for patching the child. The nurse
determines that the mother understands the procedure if the mother makes which
statement?"
a. I will place the patch on the right eye
b. I will place the patch on both eyes
c. I will place the patch on the left eye
d. I will alternate the patch from the right to the left eye every hour Correct answer- I will
place the patch on the right eye
A nurse develops a plan of care for a one-month-old infant hospitalized for
intussusception. Which nursing measure would be most effective to provide
psychosocial support for the parent-child relationship?
a. encourage the parents to go home and get some sleep
b. encourage the parents to room-in with their infant
c. provide educational materials
d. initiate home nutritional support as early as possible Correct answer- encourage the
parents to room-in with their infant
"A 12-year-old child is seen in the health care clinic. During the assessment, which
finding would suggest to the nurse that the child is experiencing a disruption in the
development of self-concept?"
a. the child has a part-time babysitting job
b. the child enjoys playing chess and mastering new skills with this game
c. the child has many friends
d. the child has an intimate relationship with a significant other Correct answer- the child
has an intimate relationship with a significant other
A nurse is preparing to care for a child from a culture different from the nurse's. What is
the best way to address the cultural needs of the child and family when the child is
admitted to the health care facility?
a. ask questions and explain to the family why the questions are being asked
b. explain to the family that while the child is being treated, they need to discontinue
cultural practices because they may be harmful to the child
c. ignore cultural needs because they are not important to health care professionals
d. only address those issues that directly affect the nurse's care of the child Correct
answer- ask questions and explain to the family why the questions are being asked
"A 4-year-old child with cancer is admitted to the hospital for radiation therapy and
surgery. To assess adequacy of support for the child's psychosocial needs, the nurse
would ask the parents which question?"
a. what signs and symptoms has your child been having?
b. Will a family member be able to stay with the child most of the time?
Answers
"A mother tells the nurse that her child does not want anything to do with toilet training
and yells "NO!" consistently when she tries to toilet train. The child is 2 years old.
According to Erikson, the nurse interprets that the child is experiencing which
psychosocial crisis?"
a. autonomy vs shame and doubt
b. initiative vs guilt
c. industry vs inferiority
d. trust vs mistrust Correct answer- Autonomy vs shame and doubt
A 2-year-old child is admitted to the hospital with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA).
During the focused assessment, the nurse makes it a priority to note the presence of
which of the following?"
a. increased irritability and the child's insistence to be carried out
b. complaints of joint stiffness
c. history of daily temperature elevations
d. description of how difficult it is to move around after periods of inactivity Correct
answer- increased irritability and the child's insistence to be carried out
A mother of a toddler who is hospitalized with mild dehydration must leave her child to
go to work. Which behavior would the nurse expect to observe in the toddler
immediately after the mother's departure?
a. silently curled in bed with a blanket
b. loudly crying and kicking both legs
c. playing quietly with a favorite toy
d. sucking thumb and rocking back and forth Correct answer- loudly crying and kicking
both legs
"A newborn infant is diagnosed with hypospadias, and the mother asks the nurse about
the disorder. The nurse bases the response on which of the following?"
a. it is a congenital anomaly in which the actual opening of the urethra meatus is below
the normal placement on the glans penis
b. it occurs when one or both testes fail to descend through the inguinal canal into the
scrotal sac
c. it is a congenital anomaly in which the actual opening of the urethral meatus is dorsal
to the urethral opening
d. it is a congential anomaly characterized by the extrusion of the urinary bladder to the
outside of the body Correct answer- it is a congenital anomaly in which the actual
opening of the urethra meatus is below the normal placement on the glans penis
,A home care nurse is providing instructions to a child with cystic fibrosis about how to
perform the "huff" maneuver; the child asks the nurse about the purpose of this type of
breathing. The nurse makes which response to the child?
a. "this type of breathing is used to mobilize secretions so that they can be easily
coughed out"
b. "this type of breathing prolongs inspiration time"
c. "this type of breathing moves air out of the lower lungs"
d. "this type of breathing moves air through the lungs" Correct answer- "this type of
breathing is used to mobilize secretions so that they can be easily coughed out"
A home care nurse is instructing the mother of a child with cystic fibrosis (CF) about the
appropriate dietary measures. The nurse tells the mother that the child needs to
consume a:
a. low calorie, low fat diet
b. high calorie, high protein diet
c. low calorie, low protein diet
d. high calorie, restricted fat Correct answer- high calorie, high protein diet
Breathing exercises and postural drainage is prescribed for a child with cystic fibrosis. A
nurse implements these procedures by telling the child to:
a. perform the postural drainage, then the breathing exercises
b. perform the breathing exercises, then the postural drainage
c. schedule the procedures so they are 4 hours apart
d. perform postural drainage in the morning and breathing exercises in the evening
Correct answer- perform the postural drainage, then the breathing exercises
A nurse is reviewing the results of a sweat test performed on a child with cystic fibrosis
(CF). The nurse would expect to note which finding?
a. a sweat sodium concentration less than 40 mEq/L
b. a sweat potassium concentration less than 40 mEq/L
c. a sweat potassium concentration greater than 40 mEq/L
d. a sweat sodium concentration greater than 60 mEq/L Correct answer- a sweat
sodium concentration greater than 60 mEq/L
Methylphenidate (Ritalin) is prescribed for a child with a diagnosis of attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The nurse provides instructions to the mother regarding
the administration of the medication and tells the mother to administer the medication:
a. before dinner and at bedtime
b. before breakfast and before the noontime meal
c. in the morning after breakfast and at bedtime
d. at the noontime and evening meals Correct answer- before breakfast and before the
noontime meal
"Methylphenidate hydrochloride (Ritalin) is prescribed for a 10-year-old child diagnosed
with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and the nurse provides instructions to the
,mother about administration of the medication. The nurse determines that the mother
understands the instructions when the mother states:"
a. I will give my child the medication at bedtime so that he will be rested and alert for
school the next day
b. I will give my child the medication after meals to obtain the full effects of the
medication
c. I will give my child the medication at breakfast and lunch to prevent insomnia
d. I will give my child the medication with water to prevent kidney damage Correct
answer- I will give my child the medication at breakfast and lunch to prevent insomnia
Methylphenidate (Ritalin) is prescribed for a child with attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD). The nurse provides instructions to the mother regarding the
administration of the medication. Which statement by the mother would indicate a need
for further instructions?
a. I will administer the medication with the noontime meal
b. I will keep the medication tightly capped and away from direct heat
c. I should inform the school nurse that my child is taking this medication
d. I should avoid giving the medications on Saturdays and Sundays to provide a
medication holiday Correct answer- I should avoid giving the medications on Saturdays
and Sundays to provide a medication holiday
A client with diplopia has been given an eye patch to promote better vision and prevent
injury. The nurse teaches the client to do which of the following as part of correct use of
this item?
a. wear the patch continuously, alternating eyes each day
b. wear the patch continuously, alternating eyes each week
c. use the patch only when vision is exceptionally blurry
d. put the patch on for an hour, and then take it off for an hour Correct answer- wear the
patch continuously, alternating eyes each day
A student nurse examines an Asian American infant's eyes and notes that the infant's
eyes are crossed. The registered nurse asks the student to interpret the finding. Which
statement by the student indicates an understanding of this assessment finding?
a. it probably isn't strabismus but appears that way because of the child;s ethnic
background
b. you will want to call the pediatrician immediately because this could lead to detached
retina
c. it probably is strabismus because the baby's mother has abused tranquilizers
d. strabismus isn't life threatening but it requires surgery in the first 2 months to prevent
the crossed eyes from being a life long condition Correct answer- it probably isn't
strabismus but appears that way because of the child;s ethnic background
A nurse notes that a client's eyes are continuously moving back and forth within the eye
sockets. The nurse documents in the medical record that the client has:
a. ataxia
b. nystagmus
, c. pronator drift
d. hyperreflexia Correct answer- nystagmus
"A nurse is providing instructions to the mother of a child with a diagnosis of strabismus
of the left eye, and the nurse reviews the procedure for patching the child. The nurse
determines that the mother understands the procedure if the mother makes which
statement?"
a. I will place the patch on the right eye
b. I will place the patch on both eyes
c. I will place the patch on the left eye
d. I will alternate the patch from the right to the left eye every hour Correct answer- I will
place the patch on the right eye
A nurse develops a plan of care for a one-month-old infant hospitalized for
intussusception. Which nursing measure would be most effective to provide
psychosocial support for the parent-child relationship?
a. encourage the parents to go home and get some sleep
b. encourage the parents to room-in with their infant
c. provide educational materials
d. initiate home nutritional support as early as possible Correct answer- encourage the
parents to room-in with their infant
"A 12-year-old child is seen in the health care clinic. During the assessment, which
finding would suggest to the nurse that the child is experiencing a disruption in the
development of self-concept?"
a. the child has a part-time babysitting job
b. the child enjoys playing chess and mastering new skills with this game
c. the child has many friends
d. the child has an intimate relationship with a significant other Correct answer- the child
has an intimate relationship with a significant other
A nurse is preparing to care for a child from a culture different from the nurse's. What is
the best way to address the cultural needs of the child and family when the child is
admitted to the health care facility?
a. ask questions and explain to the family why the questions are being asked
b. explain to the family that while the child is being treated, they need to discontinue
cultural practices because they may be harmful to the child
c. ignore cultural needs because they are not important to health care professionals
d. only address those issues that directly affect the nurse's care of the child Correct
answer- ask questions and explain to the family why the questions are being asked
"A 4-year-old child with cancer is admitted to the hospital for radiation therapy and
surgery. To assess adequacy of support for the child's psychosocial needs, the nurse
would ask the parents which question?"
a. what signs and symptoms has your child been having?
b. Will a family member be able to stay with the child most of the time?
