HESI PEDIATRIC NURSING FOR RN PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH ANSWERS 2025/2026 GRADED A+
list seven signs of respiratory distress in a pediatric client - restlessness, tachycardia,
tachypnea, diaphoresis, flaring nostrils, retractions, and grunting.
describe the care of a child in a mist tent - monitor child's temperature, keep tent edges
tucked in, keep clothing dry, assess respiratory status, look at child inside tent.
what position does a child with epiglottitis assume - upright sitting, with chin out and
tongue protruding (tripod position)
why are IV fluids important for a child with an increased respiratory rate - the child is at
risk for dehydration and acid base imbalance.
children with chronic otitis media are at risk for developing what problem - hearing loss
what is the most common postoperative complication following a tonsillectomy?
describe the signs and symptoms of this complication. - hemorrhage; frequent
swallowing, vomiting fresh blood, and clearing throat
differentiate between right to left and a left to right shunt in cardiac disease - a right to
left shunt bypassed the lungs and delivers unoxygenated blood to the systemic
circulation, causing cyanosis. a left to right shunt moves oxygenated blood back through
the pulmonary circulation.
list the four defects associated with tetralogy of Fallot - VSD, overriding aorta,
pulmonary stenosis, and right ventricular hypertrophy.
list the common signs of cardiac problems in an infant - poor feeding, poor weight gain,
respiratory distress and infections, edema, and cyanosis
what are the two objectives in treating congestive heart failure - reduce the workload of
the heart and increase cardiac output
describe nursing interventions to reduce the workload of the heart - give small, frequent
feedings or gavage feedings. Plan frequent rest periods. Maintain a neutral thermal
environment. organize activities to disturb child only as indicated.
what position would best relieve the child experiencing a tet spell - knee chest position
or squatting
what are common signs of digoxin toxicity - diarrhea, fatigue, weakness, nausea, and
vomiting; the nurse should check for bradycardia prior to administration
list three classic signs and symptoms measles - photophobia, confluent rash that begins
on the face and spreads downward, and Koplik spots on the buccal mucosa
, 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.
identify food sources of vitamin A - liver, sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach, peaches, and
apricots
what disease occurs with vitamin C deficiency - scurvy
what measurements reflect present nutritional status - weight, skin-fold thickness, and
arm circumference
list the signs and symptoms of dehydration in an infant. - poor skin turgor, absence of
tears dry mucous membranes, weight loss, depressed fontanel, and decrease urinary
output
list the laboratory findings that can be expected in a dehydrated child. - loss of
bicarbonate/decreased serum pH, loss of sodium, loss of potassium, elevated Hct, and
elevated BUN.
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
how can the nurse best evaluate the adequacy of fluid replacement in children? - by
monitoring urine output
how should a parent be instructed on how to child proof 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.
what intervention 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
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.
list five risk in cardiac catheterization - arrhythmia, bleeding, perforation, phlebitis, and
obstruction of the arterial entry site
what cardiac complications are associated with rheumatic fever - aortic valve stenosis
and mitral valve stenosis
WITH ANSWERS 2025/2026 GRADED A+
list seven signs of respiratory distress in a pediatric client - restlessness, tachycardia,
tachypnea, diaphoresis, flaring nostrils, retractions, and grunting.
describe the care of a child in a mist tent - monitor child's temperature, keep tent edges
tucked in, keep clothing dry, assess respiratory status, look at child inside tent.
what position does a child with epiglottitis assume - upright sitting, with chin out and
tongue protruding (tripod position)
why are IV fluids important for a child with an increased respiratory rate - the child is at
risk for dehydration and acid base imbalance.
children with chronic otitis media are at risk for developing what problem - hearing loss
what is the most common postoperative complication following a tonsillectomy?
describe the signs and symptoms of this complication. - hemorrhage; frequent
swallowing, vomiting fresh blood, and clearing throat
differentiate between right to left and a left to right shunt in cardiac disease - a right to
left shunt bypassed the lungs and delivers unoxygenated blood to the systemic
circulation, causing cyanosis. a left to right shunt moves oxygenated blood back through
the pulmonary circulation.
list the four defects associated with tetralogy of Fallot - VSD, overriding aorta,
pulmonary stenosis, and right ventricular hypertrophy.
list the common signs of cardiac problems in an infant - poor feeding, poor weight gain,
respiratory distress and infections, edema, and cyanosis
what are the two objectives in treating congestive heart failure - reduce the workload of
the heart and increase cardiac output
describe nursing interventions to reduce the workload of the heart - give small, frequent
feedings or gavage feedings. Plan frequent rest periods. Maintain a neutral thermal
environment. organize activities to disturb child only as indicated.
what position would best relieve the child experiencing a tet spell - knee chest position
or squatting
what are common signs of digoxin toxicity - diarrhea, fatigue, weakness, nausea, and
vomiting; the nurse should check for bradycardia prior to administration
list three classic signs and symptoms measles - photophobia, confluent rash that begins
on the face and spreads downward, and Koplik spots on the buccal mucosa
, 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.
identify food sources of vitamin A - liver, sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach, peaches, and
apricots
what disease occurs with vitamin C deficiency - scurvy
what measurements reflect present nutritional status - weight, skin-fold thickness, and
arm circumference
list the signs and symptoms of dehydration in an infant. - poor skin turgor, absence of
tears dry mucous membranes, weight loss, depressed fontanel, and decrease urinary
output
list the laboratory findings that can be expected in a dehydrated child. - loss of
bicarbonate/decreased serum pH, loss of sodium, loss of potassium, elevated Hct, and
elevated BUN.
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
how can the nurse best evaluate the adequacy of fluid replacement in children? - by
monitoring urine output
how should a parent be instructed on how to child proof 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.
what intervention 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
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.
list five risk in cardiac catheterization - arrhythmia, bleeding, perforation, phlebitis, and
obstruction of the arterial entry site
what cardiac complications are associated with rheumatic fever - aortic valve stenosis
and mitral valve stenosis
