HESI Module 1 Exam
Questions And Answers
,A nurse is providing information to a group of pregnant clients and their partners about the psychosocial
development of an infant. Using Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, what should the nurse tell the
group about the infants?
A. Experience frustration to allow an infant to cry for a while before meeting his or her needs
B. Tolerate a great deal of frustration and discomfort to develop a healthy personality
C. Rely on the fact that their needs will be met Correct
D. Ignore needs for short periods to develop a healthy personality
Rationale: According to Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development, infants struggle to establish a sense of
basic trust rather than a sense of basic mistrust in their world, their caregivers, and themselves. If provided with
consistent satisfying experiences that are delivered in a timely manner, infants come to rely on the fact that their
needs are met and that, in turn, they will be able to tolerate some degree of frustration and discomfort until
those needs are met. This sense of confidence is an early form of trust and provides the foundation for a healthy
personality. Therefore the other options are incorrect.
A nurse is weighing a breastfed 6-month-old infant who has been brought to the pediatrician's office for a
scheduled visit. The infant's weight at birth was 6 lb 8 oz (2.9 kg). The nurse notes that the infant now weighs
13 lb (5.9 kg). Which action should the nurse take?
A. Tell the mother that the infant should be switched from breast milk to formula because
the weight gain is inadequate
B. Tell the mother that the infant's weight is increasing as expected Correct
C. Tell the mother that semisolid foods should not be introduced until the infant's weight stabilizes
D. Tell the mother to decrease the daily number of feedings because the weight gain is excessive
Rationale: Infants usually double their birth weight by 6 months and triple it by 1 year of age. If the infant is 6
lb 8 oz (2.9 kg), at birth, a weight of 13 lb (5.9 kg) at 6 months of age is to be expected. Semisolid foods are
usually introduced between 4 and 6 months of age.
A nurse performing a physical assessment of a 12-month-old infant notes that the infant's head circumference is
the same as the chest circumference. Based on this finding, what should the nurse do?
A. Document these measurements in the infant's health-care record Correct
B. Suggest to the pediatrician that a skull x-ray be performed
C. Suspect the presence of hydrocephalus Incorrect
D. Tell the mother that the infant is growing faster than expected
Rationale: The head circumference growth rate during the first year is approximately 0.4 inch (1 cm) per
month. By 10 to 12 months of age, the infant’s head and chest circumferences are equal. Therefore, suspecting
the presence of hydrocephalus, telling the mother that the infant is growing faster than expected, and suggesting
that a skull x-ray be performed are incorrect.
Test-Taking Strategy: Eliminate the options that are comparable or alike and indicate that the infant has a
physiological problem.
A new mother asks the nurse, "I was told that my infant received my antibodies during pregnancy. Does that
mean that my infant is protected against infections?" Which statement should the nurse make in response to the
mother?
A. "Yes, your infant is protected from all infections."
B. "If you breastfeed, your infant is protected from infection."
C. "The immune system of an infant is immature, and the infant is at risk for infection." Correct
, D. "The transfer of your antibodies protects your infant until the infant is 12 months old."
Rationale: Transplacental transfer of maternal antibodies supplements the infant’s weak response to infection
until approximately 3 to 4 months of age. Although the infant begins to produce immunoglobulin (Ig) soon after
birth, by 1 year of age the infant has only approximately 60% of the adult IgG level, 75% of the adult IgM level,
and 20% of the adult IgA level. Breast milk transmits additional IgA protection. The activity of T-lymphocytes
also increases after birth. Even though the immune system matures during infancy, maximal protection against
infection is not achieved until early childhood. This immaturity places the infant at risk for infection.
A nurse is assessing the language development of a 9-month-old infant. Which developmental milestones does
the nurse expect to note in an infant of this age? Select all that apply.
A. Words begin to have meaning for the infant. Correct
B. The infant smiles and coos. Incorrect
C. The infant says "Mama." Correct
D. The infant strings vowels and consonants together. Correct
E. The infant babbles.
F. The infant babbles single consonants. Incorrect
Rationale: An 8- to 9-month-old infant can string vowels and consonants together. The first words, such as
"Mama," "Daddy," "bye-bye," and "baby," begin to have meaning. A 1- to 3-month-old infant produces cooing
sounds. Babbling is common in a 3- to 4-month-old. Single-consonant babbling occurs between 6 and 8 months
of age.
Test-Taking Strategy: Focus on the subject, the age of the infant. Recalling the language development
that occurs during infancy will direct you to the correct option. Remember that an 8- to 9-month-old infant
can string vowels and consonants together.
The mother of a 9-month-old infant calls the nurse at the pediatrician's office, tells the nurse that her infant is
teething, and asks what can be done to relieve the infant's discomfort. What should the nurse instruct the mother
to do?
A. Schedule an appointment with a dentist for a dental evaluation
B. Obtain an over-the-counter (OTC) topical medication for gum-pain relief Incorrect
C. Give the infant cool liquids or a Popsicle and hard foods such as dry toast Correct
D. Rub the infant's gums with baby aspirin that has been dissolved in water
Rationale: Although sometimes asymptomatic, teething is often signaled by behaviors such as nighttime
awakening, daytime restlessness, increase in nonnutritive sucking, excess drooling, and temporary loss of
appetite. Some degree of discomfort is normal. It is unnecessary to obtain a dental evaluation, but a health-care
professional should further investigate any incidence of increased temperature, irritability, ear-tugging, or
diarrhea. The nurse may suggest that the mother provide cool liquids and hard foods such as dry toast,
Popsicles, or a frozen bagel for chewing to relieve discomfort. Hard, cold teethers and ice wrapped in cloth may
also provide comfort for inflamed gums. OTC medications for gum relief should only be used as directed by the
healthcare provider. Home remedies such as rubbing the gums with aspirin should be discouraged, but
acetaminophen (Tylenol), administered as directed for the child’s age, can relieve discomfort.
A nurse is teaching the mother of an 11-month-old infant how to clean the infant's teeth. What should the nurse
tell the mother to do?
A. Use a small amount of toothpaste and a soft-bristle toothbrush Incorrect
B. Dip the infant's pacifier in maple syrup so that the infant will suck
C. Use water and a cotton swab and rub the teeth Correct
Questions And Answers
,A nurse is providing information to a group of pregnant clients and their partners about the psychosocial
development of an infant. Using Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, what should the nurse tell the
group about the infants?
A. Experience frustration to allow an infant to cry for a while before meeting his or her needs
B. Tolerate a great deal of frustration and discomfort to develop a healthy personality
C. Rely on the fact that their needs will be met Correct
D. Ignore needs for short periods to develop a healthy personality
Rationale: According to Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development, infants struggle to establish a sense of
basic trust rather than a sense of basic mistrust in their world, their caregivers, and themselves. If provided with
consistent satisfying experiences that are delivered in a timely manner, infants come to rely on the fact that their
needs are met and that, in turn, they will be able to tolerate some degree of frustration and discomfort until
those needs are met. This sense of confidence is an early form of trust and provides the foundation for a healthy
personality. Therefore the other options are incorrect.
A nurse is weighing a breastfed 6-month-old infant who has been brought to the pediatrician's office for a
scheduled visit. The infant's weight at birth was 6 lb 8 oz (2.9 kg). The nurse notes that the infant now weighs
13 lb (5.9 kg). Which action should the nurse take?
A. Tell the mother that the infant should be switched from breast milk to formula because
the weight gain is inadequate
B. Tell the mother that the infant's weight is increasing as expected Correct
C. Tell the mother that semisolid foods should not be introduced until the infant's weight stabilizes
D. Tell the mother to decrease the daily number of feedings because the weight gain is excessive
Rationale: Infants usually double their birth weight by 6 months and triple it by 1 year of age. If the infant is 6
lb 8 oz (2.9 kg), at birth, a weight of 13 lb (5.9 kg) at 6 months of age is to be expected. Semisolid foods are
usually introduced between 4 and 6 months of age.
A nurse performing a physical assessment of a 12-month-old infant notes that the infant's head circumference is
the same as the chest circumference. Based on this finding, what should the nurse do?
A. Document these measurements in the infant's health-care record Correct
B. Suggest to the pediatrician that a skull x-ray be performed
C. Suspect the presence of hydrocephalus Incorrect
D. Tell the mother that the infant is growing faster than expected
Rationale: The head circumference growth rate during the first year is approximately 0.4 inch (1 cm) per
month. By 10 to 12 months of age, the infant’s head and chest circumferences are equal. Therefore, suspecting
the presence of hydrocephalus, telling the mother that the infant is growing faster than expected, and suggesting
that a skull x-ray be performed are incorrect.
Test-Taking Strategy: Eliminate the options that are comparable or alike and indicate that the infant has a
physiological problem.
A new mother asks the nurse, "I was told that my infant received my antibodies during pregnancy. Does that
mean that my infant is protected against infections?" Which statement should the nurse make in response to the
mother?
A. "Yes, your infant is protected from all infections."
B. "If you breastfeed, your infant is protected from infection."
C. "The immune system of an infant is immature, and the infant is at risk for infection." Correct
, D. "The transfer of your antibodies protects your infant until the infant is 12 months old."
Rationale: Transplacental transfer of maternal antibodies supplements the infant’s weak response to infection
until approximately 3 to 4 months of age. Although the infant begins to produce immunoglobulin (Ig) soon after
birth, by 1 year of age the infant has only approximately 60% of the adult IgG level, 75% of the adult IgM level,
and 20% of the adult IgA level. Breast milk transmits additional IgA protection. The activity of T-lymphocytes
also increases after birth. Even though the immune system matures during infancy, maximal protection against
infection is not achieved until early childhood. This immaturity places the infant at risk for infection.
A nurse is assessing the language development of a 9-month-old infant. Which developmental milestones does
the nurse expect to note in an infant of this age? Select all that apply.
A. Words begin to have meaning for the infant. Correct
B. The infant smiles and coos. Incorrect
C. The infant says "Mama." Correct
D. The infant strings vowels and consonants together. Correct
E. The infant babbles.
F. The infant babbles single consonants. Incorrect
Rationale: An 8- to 9-month-old infant can string vowels and consonants together. The first words, such as
"Mama," "Daddy," "bye-bye," and "baby," begin to have meaning. A 1- to 3-month-old infant produces cooing
sounds. Babbling is common in a 3- to 4-month-old. Single-consonant babbling occurs between 6 and 8 months
of age.
Test-Taking Strategy: Focus on the subject, the age of the infant. Recalling the language development
that occurs during infancy will direct you to the correct option. Remember that an 8- to 9-month-old infant
can string vowels and consonants together.
The mother of a 9-month-old infant calls the nurse at the pediatrician's office, tells the nurse that her infant is
teething, and asks what can be done to relieve the infant's discomfort. What should the nurse instruct the mother
to do?
A. Schedule an appointment with a dentist for a dental evaluation
B. Obtain an over-the-counter (OTC) topical medication for gum-pain relief Incorrect
C. Give the infant cool liquids or a Popsicle and hard foods such as dry toast Correct
D. Rub the infant's gums with baby aspirin that has been dissolved in water
Rationale: Although sometimes asymptomatic, teething is often signaled by behaviors such as nighttime
awakening, daytime restlessness, increase in nonnutritive sucking, excess drooling, and temporary loss of
appetite. Some degree of discomfort is normal. It is unnecessary to obtain a dental evaluation, but a health-care
professional should further investigate any incidence of increased temperature, irritability, ear-tugging, or
diarrhea. The nurse may suggest that the mother provide cool liquids and hard foods such as dry toast,
Popsicles, or a frozen bagel for chewing to relieve discomfort. Hard, cold teethers and ice wrapped in cloth may
also provide comfort for inflamed gums. OTC medications for gum relief should only be used as directed by the
healthcare provider. Home remedies such as rubbing the gums with aspirin should be discouraged, but
acetaminophen (Tylenol), administered as directed for the child’s age, can relieve discomfort.
A nurse is teaching the mother of an 11-month-old infant how to clean the infant's teeth. What should the nurse
tell the mother to do?
A. Use a small amount of toothpaste and a soft-bristle toothbrush Incorrect
B. Dip the infant's pacifier in maple syrup so that the infant will suck
C. Use water and a cotton swab and rub the teeth Correct
