HESI RN Pediatric Exam 2025/2026 Questions and Rationales
At what age should pureed food be introduced to an infant? - correct answer At 6 months.
What is a good first food for infants? - correct answer Dry cereals like rice cereal and bananas.
What should continue to be the primary source of nutrition for infants? - correct answer Milk
intake, whether breastfeeding or via bottle.
What type of restraint should be used for a toddler after a cleft palate repair? - correct answer
Elbow restraints.
What is the purpose of elbow restraints after a cleft palate repair? - correct answer To prevent
children from bending their arms and bringing their hands to the oral surgical site.
What is the first action a nurse should take for a child with a small laceration on the forearm? -
correct answer Wash the wound gently with mild soap and water.
Why should hydrogen peroxide not be used on a small laceration? - correct answer It is
cytotoxic and can damage tissue.
What complication should a nurse monitor for in a child with syndrome of inappropriate
antidiuretic hormone (SIADH)? - correct answer Changes in level of consciousness due to
hyponatremia.
What are the potential symptoms of hyponatremia in children? - correct answer Changes in
level of consciousness, seizures, and coma.
What should a nurse include in the teaching plan for parents of a 2-year-old with GERD? -
correct answer Consistently follow a set mealtime routine.
Why is consistency important for a 2-year-old with GERD? - correct answer It helps alleviate the
child's fear of experiencing GERD symptoms after eating.
What should be done after a child with GERD eats? - correct answer Ensure the child remains
upright for at least two hours.
What is the rationale for washing a small laceration with soap and water? - correct answer To
prevent infection and/or tetanus.
What should be avoided when treating a small laceration? - correct answer Using hydrogen
peroxide.
What should a nurse assess in a child with SIADH? - correct answer Signs of severe edema from
excess water and sodium.
What is a key sign of dehydration in children? - correct answer Poor skin turgor.
,What is the recommended approach for introducing new foods to infants? - correct answer
Introduce each new food one at a time to recognize any food allergies.
What is the significance of transitioning to a sippy cup? - correct answer It helps as the child is
able to hold it.
What is the first step in caring for a child with a laceration? - correct answer Gently wash the
wound.
What should be monitored in children with SIADH? - correct answer Signs and symptoms of
hyponatremia.
What is the potential risk for a child with GERD? - correct answer Developing a fear of eating.
What is the importance of mealtime routines for toddlers? - correct answer They provide
comfort and reduce anxiety around eating.
What should a nurse do before administering otic drops to a 2-year-old? - correct answer
Prepare the child and ensure proper technique.
What should the nurse pull to straighten the external ear canal in children under 3? - correct
answer The earlobe or lower segment of the pinna.
What finding in a 19-year-old female client should trigger further assessment? - correct answer
Menstruation has not occurred.
What is a key preoperative nursing intervention for an infant with pyloric stenosis? - correct
answer Monitor for signs of metabolic alkalosis.
What position should an infant with pyloric stenosis be maintained in after feeding? - correct
answer Semi-Fowler's position for a minimum of 30 to 60 minutes.
What should the nurse report when assessing neurovascular status in a child in Russell traction?
- correct answer Pale bluish coloration of the toes.
What is the expected outcome for a child receiving a liquid antibiotic? - correct answer The
child should begin to feel better within a few days.
What indicates a need for further teaching when a parent is instructed on giving liquid
antibiotics? - correct answer Using a teaspoon to measure the antibiotic, as it is equivalent to 5
mL.
What behavior most strongly influences a preschool-aged child hospitalized for hypospadias
repair? - correct answer Response to separation from family.
What is the classic sign of pyloric stenosis that nurses should monitor for? - correct answer
Projectile vomiting.
, What should be ensured to prevent aspiration in infants with pyloric stenosis? - correct answer
Suctioning equipment should be close by.
At what age does menstruation typically occur, prompting concern if absent in a 19-year-old? -
correct answer Between the ages of 10 to 17.
What should the nurse assess for in a child with Russell traction? - correct answer Adequate
circulation, movement, and sensation of the toes.
What is the expected distance of vomitus ejected from a child with pyloric stenosis in a side-
lying position? - correct answer 3 to 4 feet.
What is the expected distance of vomitus ejected from a child with pyloric stenosis in a supine
position? - correct answer 1 foot or more.
What should the nurse monitor for in a child with a history of painful, inward growth on the
bottom of the foot? - correct answer Further assessment may be needed for potential
complications.
What is the primary concern for a 19-year-old female who has not had menarche? - correct
answer Investigating the cause of primary amenorrhea.
What should the nurse do if a child in Russell traction shows signs of cyanosis in the toes? -
correct answer Report it immediately to the healthcare provider.
What is the most accurate way to measure a liquid antibiotic for a 10-month-old infant? -
correct answer Using an oral syringe.
What is the significance of monitoring metabolic alkalosis in infants with pyloric stenosis? -
correct answer It is a classic sign of the condition.
What should be included in the nursing care plan for an infant with pyloric stenosis? - correct
answer Observation for projectile vomiting.
What is a common characteristic of Russell traction? - correct answer It is used for fractures of
the femur in young children and adolescents.
What should the nurse assess in a child with a history of hypospadias repair? - correct answer
The child's response to separation from family.
What is a major stressor for preschoolers regarding health concerns? - correct answer Concern
for body integrity.
What specific fear might a preschooler have related to surgery? - correct answer Fear that their
'insides will leak out.'
What should be monitored to ensure adequate intake for an infant with a ventricular septal
defect (VSD)? - correct answer Monitor the infant's weight and number of wet diapers per day.
At what age should pureed food be introduced to an infant? - correct answer At 6 months.
What is a good first food for infants? - correct answer Dry cereals like rice cereal and bananas.
What should continue to be the primary source of nutrition for infants? - correct answer Milk
intake, whether breastfeeding or via bottle.
What type of restraint should be used for a toddler after a cleft palate repair? - correct answer
Elbow restraints.
What is the purpose of elbow restraints after a cleft palate repair? - correct answer To prevent
children from bending their arms and bringing their hands to the oral surgical site.
What is the first action a nurse should take for a child with a small laceration on the forearm? -
correct answer Wash the wound gently with mild soap and water.
Why should hydrogen peroxide not be used on a small laceration? - correct answer It is
cytotoxic and can damage tissue.
What complication should a nurse monitor for in a child with syndrome of inappropriate
antidiuretic hormone (SIADH)? - correct answer Changes in level of consciousness due to
hyponatremia.
What are the potential symptoms of hyponatremia in children? - correct answer Changes in
level of consciousness, seizures, and coma.
What should a nurse include in the teaching plan for parents of a 2-year-old with GERD? -
correct answer Consistently follow a set mealtime routine.
Why is consistency important for a 2-year-old with GERD? - correct answer It helps alleviate the
child's fear of experiencing GERD symptoms after eating.
What should be done after a child with GERD eats? - correct answer Ensure the child remains
upright for at least two hours.
What is the rationale for washing a small laceration with soap and water? - correct answer To
prevent infection and/or tetanus.
What should be avoided when treating a small laceration? - correct answer Using hydrogen
peroxide.
What should a nurse assess in a child with SIADH? - correct answer Signs of severe edema from
excess water and sodium.
What is a key sign of dehydration in children? - correct answer Poor skin turgor.
,What is the recommended approach for introducing new foods to infants? - correct answer
Introduce each new food one at a time to recognize any food allergies.
What is the significance of transitioning to a sippy cup? - correct answer It helps as the child is
able to hold it.
What is the first step in caring for a child with a laceration? - correct answer Gently wash the
wound.
What should be monitored in children with SIADH? - correct answer Signs and symptoms of
hyponatremia.
What is the potential risk for a child with GERD? - correct answer Developing a fear of eating.
What is the importance of mealtime routines for toddlers? - correct answer They provide
comfort and reduce anxiety around eating.
What should a nurse do before administering otic drops to a 2-year-old? - correct answer
Prepare the child and ensure proper technique.
What should the nurse pull to straighten the external ear canal in children under 3? - correct
answer The earlobe or lower segment of the pinna.
What finding in a 19-year-old female client should trigger further assessment? - correct answer
Menstruation has not occurred.
What is a key preoperative nursing intervention for an infant with pyloric stenosis? - correct
answer Monitor for signs of metabolic alkalosis.
What position should an infant with pyloric stenosis be maintained in after feeding? - correct
answer Semi-Fowler's position for a minimum of 30 to 60 minutes.
What should the nurse report when assessing neurovascular status in a child in Russell traction?
- correct answer Pale bluish coloration of the toes.
What is the expected outcome for a child receiving a liquid antibiotic? - correct answer The
child should begin to feel better within a few days.
What indicates a need for further teaching when a parent is instructed on giving liquid
antibiotics? - correct answer Using a teaspoon to measure the antibiotic, as it is equivalent to 5
mL.
What behavior most strongly influences a preschool-aged child hospitalized for hypospadias
repair? - correct answer Response to separation from family.
What is the classic sign of pyloric stenosis that nurses should monitor for? - correct answer
Projectile vomiting.
, What should be ensured to prevent aspiration in infants with pyloric stenosis? - correct answer
Suctioning equipment should be close by.
At what age does menstruation typically occur, prompting concern if absent in a 19-year-old? -
correct answer Between the ages of 10 to 17.
What should the nurse assess for in a child with Russell traction? - correct answer Adequate
circulation, movement, and sensation of the toes.
What is the expected distance of vomitus ejected from a child with pyloric stenosis in a side-
lying position? - correct answer 3 to 4 feet.
What is the expected distance of vomitus ejected from a child with pyloric stenosis in a supine
position? - correct answer 1 foot or more.
What should the nurse monitor for in a child with a history of painful, inward growth on the
bottom of the foot? - correct answer Further assessment may be needed for potential
complications.
What is the primary concern for a 19-year-old female who has not had menarche? - correct
answer Investigating the cause of primary amenorrhea.
What should the nurse do if a child in Russell traction shows signs of cyanosis in the toes? -
correct answer Report it immediately to the healthcare provider.
What is the most accurate way to measure a liquid antibiotic for a 10-month-old infant? -
correct answer Using an oral syringe.
What is the significance of monitoring metabolic alkalosis in infants with pyloric stenosis? -
correct answer It is a classic sign of the condition.
What should be included in the nursing care plan for an infant with pyloric stenosis? - correct
answer Observation for projectile vomiting.
What is a common characteristic of Russell traction? - correct answer It is used for fractures of
the femur in young children and adolescents.
What should the nurse assess in a child with a history of hypospadias repair? - correct answer
The child's response to separation from family.
What is a major stressor for preschoolers regarding health concerns? - correct answer Concern
for body integrity.
What specific fear might a preschooler have related to surgery? - correct answer Fear that their
'insides will leak out.'
What should be monitored to ensure adequate intake for an infant with a ventricular septal
defect (VSD)? - correct answer Monitor the infant's weight and number of wet diapers per day.
