Pediatrics HESI PN exam Review #1 correctly
answered 2024/2025
1). The practical nurse (pn) is monitoring a child who is manifesting signs of shock after a
motor vehicle collision. which finding is most important for the pn to report to the charge
nurse?
a) narrowing pulse pressure
b) apprehension
c) irritability
d) thirst
Ans: Answer: A
Rationale:
As shock progresses, perfusion in the microcirculation becomes marginal despite
compensatory adjustments, and the signs of decompensated shock become pronounced,
such as tachycardia and narrowing pulse pressure (A). (The difference between systolic
and diastolic blood pressure), which should be reported immediately. (B,C, and D) are not
as significant as (A).
2). The mother of a 9 month old male infant is concerned because he cries whenever she
leaves him with a sitter. what is the best response for the practical nurse (pn) to provide?
a) "have you noticed whether your baby is teething?"
b) "crying when you leave him in a healthy sign of attachment."
c) "consider taking the baby to the doctor because he may be ill."
d) "you could consider leaving the infant more often so he can adjust."
Ans: Answer: B
Rationale:
Healthy attachment is manifested by stranger anxiety in late infancy (B). Pain from
teething expressed by the infant's cries does not occur only when the mother leaves the
infant with another person (A). The PN should evaluate the infant's developmental needs
(C) before suggesting the infant may be ill. An infant who manifests stranger anxiety is
best supported by the mother if the infant is left for shorter periods of time, not (D).
3). Which preoperative action is most important for the practical nurse (pn) to implement for a
newborn with meningomyelocele?
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, a) document vital signs
b) prevent skin breakdown
c) minimize the risk for infection
d) monitor neurologic functioning
Ans: Answer: C
Rationale:
A meningomyelocele provides a direct entry for bacteria into the central nervous system,
leading to meningitis. Measures that protect the integrity of the meningomyelocele sac
and infection control measures should be implemented to minimize the risk of infection
(C). (A,B, and D) should be implemented but do not have the priority of (C).
4). The practical nurse is caring for a 6 year old girl who had surgery 12 hours ago. the child
tells the pn that she does not have pain but a few minutes later, tells her parents that she
does. what child development concept is relevant to this situation?
a) inconsistency in pain reporting suggests that pain not present
b) a child may have pain yet deny its presence to the nurse
c) truthful reporting of pain should occur by this age
d) children use pain experiences to manipulate their parents
Ans: Answer: B
Rationale:
A child may fear receiving an injection for pain or may believe that pain is a deserved
punishment for some misdeed, so the pain is denied (D) when the nurse asks the child,
who then readily admits having pain to a parent. This behavior should not be interpreted
as (C) but as a valid indication of pain. (A and C) are incorrect interpretations of this
behavior.
5). A 6 year old who had a tonsillectomy 12 hours ago is complaining of thirst. what should the
practical nurse (pn) offer?
a) popsicle
b) lemonade
c) orange juice
d) chocolate milk
Ans: Answer: A
Rationale:
Small amounts of clear liquids without red dyes should be offered to the child. Popsicles
(A) are cold and help soothe a dry throat. Citrus drinks (B and C) are acidic and irritate the
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, operative site in the posterior oropharynx. Milk (D) thickens oral mucus which makes
swallowing more difficult and causes coughing.
6). The mother of a male newborn calls the clinic to inquire about the formation of a yellow
crust over her son's circumcision area. what information should the practical nurse (pn)
provide?
a) do not remove the yellow crust from the site
b) stop using petroleum around the head of the penis
c) bring him into the clinic
d) tightly fasten the diaper
Ans: Answer: A
Rationale:
Crust formation is part of the healing process and should be removed (A). (C) is not
indicated at this time. The diaper should be fastened loosely, not tightly (D) which can
place pressure on the incision site. (B) assists in the healing process and should not be
discontinued.
7). The mother of a child with croup is having barking, coughing episodes calls the clinic for
assistance. what action should the practical nurse (pn) recommend that the mother
implement first?
a) take the child outside in the cool air
b) bring the child directly to the emergency room
c) sit with the child in bathroom with a hot shower running
d) have the child drink plenty of fluids
Ans: Answer: C
Rationale:
Croup (laryngotracheobronchitis) is a viral infection that causes a "barking" cough and
varying degrees of inspiratory stridor, which often responds to a high humidity
environment. Most children can be managed at home using the stream from a hot shower
in a closed bathroom (C) which often stops laryngeal spasm. Increasing the child's fluid
intake is important (D), but not a priority at this time.Although exposure to cold air (A) also
relieves stridor, parents should be encouraged to use mist humidifier in the child's room.
(B) is not necessary unless the child is having increasingly difficulty breathing that may
lead to a compromised airway.
8). Which finding should the practical nurse confirm with the parents of an infant who is
admitted with possible intussusception?
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answered 2024/2025
1). The practical nurse (pn) is monitoring a child who is manifesting signs of shock after a
motor vehicle collision. which finding is most important for the pn to report to the charge
nurse?
a) narrowing pulse pressure
b) apprehension
c) irritability
d) thirst
Ans: Answer: A
Rationale:
As shock progresses, perfusion in the microcirculation becomes marginal despite
compensatory adjustments, and the signs of decompensated shock become pronounced,
such as tachycardia and narrowing pulse pressure (A). (The difference between systolic
and diastolic blood pressure), which should be reported immediately. (B,C, and D) are not
as significant as (A).
2). The mother of a 9 month old male infant is concerned because he cries whenever she
leaves him with a sitter. what is the best response for the practical nurse (pn) to provide?
a) "have you noticed whether your baby is teething?"
b) "crying when you leave him in a healthy sign of attachment."
c) "consider taking the baby to the doctor because he may be ill."
d) "you could consider leaving the infant more often so he can adjust."
Ans: Answer: B
Rationale:
Healthy attachment is manifested by stranger anxiety in late infancy (B). Pain from
teething expressed by the infant's cries does not occur only when the mother leaves the
infant with another person (A). The PN should evaluate the infant's developmental needs
(C) before suggesting the infant may be ill. An infant who manifests stranger anxiety is
best supported by the mother if the infant is left for shorter periods of time, not (D).
3). Which preoperative action is most important for the practical nurse (pn) to implement for a
newborn with meningomyelocele?
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, a) document vital signs
b) prevent skin breakdown
c) minimize the risk for infection
d) monitor neurologic functioning
Ans: Answer: C
Rationale:
A meningomyelocele provides a direct entry for bacteria into the central nervous system,
leading to meningitis. Measures that protect the integrity of the meningomyelocele sac
and infection control measures should be implemented to minimize the risk of infection
(C). (A,B, and D) should be implemented but do not have the priority of (C).
4). The practical nurse is caring for a 6 year old girl who had surgery 12 hours ago. the child
tells the pn that she does not have pain but a few minutes later, tells her parents that she
does. what child development concept is relevant to this situation?
a) inconsistency in pain reporting suggests that pain not present
b) a child may have pain yet deny its presence to the nurse
c) truthful reporting of pain should occur by this age
d) children use pain experiences to manipulate their parents
Ans: Answer: B
Rationale:
A child may fear receiving an injection for pain or may believe that pain is a deserved
punishment for some misdeed, so the pain is denied (D) when the nurse asks the child,
who then readily admits having pain to a parent. This behavior should not be interpreted
as (C) but as a valid indication of pain. (A and C) are incorrect interpretations of this
behavior.
5). A 6 year old who had a tonsillectomy 12 hours ago is complaining of thirst. what should the
practical nurse (pn) offer?
a) popsicle
b) lemonade
c) orange juice
d) chocolate milk
Ans: Answer: A
Rationale:
Small amounts of clear liquids without red dyes should be offered to the child. Popsicles
(A) are cold and help soothe a dry throat. Citrus drinks (B and C) are acidic and irritate the
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, operative site in the posterior oropharynx. Milk (D) thickens oral mucus which makes
swallowing more difficult and causes coughing.
6). The mother of a male newborn calls the clinic to inquire about the formation of a yellow
crust over her son's circumcision area. what information should the practical nurse (pn)
provide?
a) do not remove the yellow crust from the site
b) stop using petroleum around the head of the penis
c) bring him into the clinic
d) tightly fasten the diaper
Ans: Answer: A
Rationale:
Crust formation is part of the healing process and should be removed (A). (C) is not
indicated at this time. The diaper should be fastened loosely, not tightly (D) which can
place pressure on the incision site. (B) assists in the healing process and should not be
discontinued.
7). The mother of a child with croup is having barking, coughing episodes calls the clinic for
assistance. what action should the practical nurse (pn) recommend that the mother
implement first?
a) take the child outside in the cool air
b) bring the child directly to the emergency room
c) sit with the child in bathroom with a hot shower running
d) have the child drink plenty of fluids
Ans: Answer: C
Rationale:
Croup (laryngotracheobronchitis) is a viral infection that causes a "barking" cough and
varying degrees of inspiratory stridor, which often responds to a high humidity
environment. Most children can be managed at home using the stream from a hot shower
in a closed bathroom (C) which often stops laryngeal spasm. Increasing the child's fluid
intake is important (D), but not a priority at this time.Although exposure to cold air (A) also
relieves stridor, parents should be encouraged to use mist humidifier in the child's room.
(B) is not necessary unless the child is having increasingly difficulty breathing that may
lead to a compromised airway.
8). Which finding should the practical nurse confirm with the parents of an infant who is
admitted with possible intussusception?
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