HESI RN Pediatric Exit Exam 2025/2026
– Clinical Pediatric Mastery Test
Questions & Answers with Rationales |
100% Verified | Graded A+
This document provides 55 multiple-choice and Select All That Apply (SATA) questions with
verified answers and detailed rationales for the 2025 HESI RN Pediatric Exit Exam. Questions
focus on clinical pediatric mastery, aligned with the HESI Pediatric framework and NGN
formats, ensuring comprehensive coverage for a high score. Answers are in dark red.
HESI RN Pediatric Exit Exam Questions (1–55)
Growth, Development, and Pediatric Assessments (15 Questions)
1. A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which
developmental milestone should the nurse expect?
o A) Walks independently
o B) Sits without support
o C) Speaks in short sentences
o D) Uses a pincer grasp
o Answer: B. Sits without support
o Rationale: By 6 months, infants typically sit without support. Walking occurs
around 12 months, speaking in sentences around 2 years, and the pincer grasp
develops around 9–12 months.
2. A nurse is evaluating a 4-year-old child’s cognitive development. Which behavior is
age-appropriate?
o A) Counts to 100 accurately
o B) Asks “why” questions frequently
o C) Reads simple books independently
o D) Solves complex puzzles
o Answer: B. Asks “why” questions frequently
o Rationale: Preschoolers (3–5 years) are curious and ask “why” questions to
explore their environment. Other options are more typical of older children.
3. A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old for signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Which finding requires further evaluation?
o A) Engages in parallel play
, o B) Avoids eye contact and repetitive behaviors
o C) Uses single words to communicate
o D) Enjoys interactive games
o Answer: B. Avoids eye contact and repetitive behaviors
o Rationale: Avoiding eye contact and repetitive behaviors are red flags for ASD.
Parallel play and single-word speech are typical for a 2-year-old.
4. A nurse is measuring the head circumference of a 12-month-old. Which finding
indicates a need for further assessment?
o A) Head circumference equal to chest circumference
o B) Rapid increase in head circumference
o C) Head circumference slightly larger than chest
o D) Stable head circumference since 6 months
o Answer: B. Rapid increase in head circumference
o Rationale: A rapid increase may indicate hydrocephalus or other neurological
issues, requiring immediate evaluation.
5. A nurse is teaching parents about toddler safety. Which instruction should be
included?
o A) Allow small toys for play
o B) Secure cabinets with safety locks
o C) Keep medications in low drawers
o D) Use a front-facing car seat
o Answer: B. Secure cabinets with safety locks
o Rationale: Safety locks prevent access to hazardous items. Small toys pose a
choking risk, medications should be out of reach, and rear-facing car seats are
recommended for toddlers.
6. A nurse is assessing a 9-month-old for developmental milestones. Which findings
are expected? (Select all that apply)
o A) Crawls on hands and knees
o B) Says simple sentences
o C) Transfers objects between hands
o D) Walks with assistance
o E) Uses a spoon to feed self
o Answer: A. Crawls on hands and knees, C. Transfers objects between hands,
D. Walks with assistance
o Rationale: At 9 months, infants crawl, transfer objects, and may walk with
assistance. Sentences and self-feeding with a spoon occur later (around 2 years
and 12–18 months, respectively).
7. A nurse is evaluating a 5-year-old’s readiness for school. Which skill should the
child demonstrate?
o A) Reads chapter books
o B) Follows simple instructions
o C) Solves algebraic equations
o D) Writes essays
o Answer: B. Follows simple instructions
o Rationale: Following simple instructions is an age-appropriate skill for a 5-year-
old, indicating cognitive and social readiness for school.
– Clinical Pediatric Mastery Test
Questions & Answers with Rationales |
100% Verified | Graded A+
This document provides 55 multiple-choice and Select All That Apply (SATA) questions with
verified answers and detailed rationales for the 2025 HESI RN Pediatric Exit Exam. Questions
focus on clinical pediatric mastery, aligned with the HESI Pediatric framework and NGN
formats, ensuring comprehensive coverage for a high score. Answers are in dark red.
HESI RN Pediatric Exit Exam Questions (1–55)
Growth, Development, and Pediatric Assessments (15 Questions)
1. A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which
developmental milestone should the nurse expect?
o A) Walks independently
o B) Sits without support
o C) Speaks in short sentences
o D) Uses a pincer grasp
o Answer: B. Sits without support
o Rationale: By 6 months, infants typically sit without support. Walking occurs
around 12 months, speaking in sentences around 2 years, and the pincer grasp
develops around 9–12 months.
2. A nurse is evaluating a 4-year-old child’s cognitive development. Which behavior is
age-appropriate?
o A) Counts to 100 accurately
o B) Asks “why” questions frequently
o C) Reads simple books independently
o D) Solves complex puzzles
o Answer: B. Asks “why” questions frequently
o Rationale: Preschoolers (3–5 years) are curious and ask “why” questions to
explore their environment. Other options are more typical of older children.
3. A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old for signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Which finding requires further evaluation?
o A) Engages in parallel play
, o B) Avoids eye contact and repetitive behaviors
o C) Uses single words to communicate
o D) Enjoys interactive games
o Answer: B. Avoids eye contact and repetitive behaviors
o Rationale: Avoiding eye contact and repetitive behaviors are red flags for ASD.
Parallel play and single-word speech are typical for a 2-year-old.
4. A nurse is measuring the head circumference of a 12-month-old. Which finding
indicates a need for further assessment?
o A) Head circumference equal to chest circumference
o B) Rapid increase in head circumference
o C) Head circumference slightly larger than chest
o D) Stable head circumference since 6 months
o Answer: B. Rapid increase in head circumference
o Rationale: A rapid increase may indicate hydrocephalus or other neurological
issues, requiring immediate evaluation.
5. A nurse is teaching parents about toddler safety. Which instruction should be
included?
o A) Allow small toys for play
o B) Secure cabinets with safety locks
o C) Keep medications in low drawers
o D) Use a front-facing car seat
o Answer: B. Secure cabinets with safety locks
o Rationale: Safety locks prevent access to hazardous items. Small toys pose a
choking risk, medications should be out of reach, and rear-facing car seats are
recommended for toddlers.
6. A nurse is assessing a 9-month-old for developmental milestones. Which findings
are expected? (Select all that apply)
o A) Crawls on hands and knees
o B) Says simple sentences
o C) Transfers objects between hands
o D) Walks with assistance
o E) Uses a spoon to feed self
o Answer: A. Crawls on hands and knees, C. Transfers objects between hands,
D. Walks with assistance
o Rationale: At 9 months, infants crawl, transfer objects, and may walk with
assistance. Sentences and self-feeding with a spoon occur later (around 2 years
and 12–18 months, respectively).
7. A nurse is evaluating a 5-year-old’s readiness for school. Which skill should the
child demonstrate?
o A) Reads chapter books
o B) Follows simple instructions
o C) Solves algebraic equations
o D) Writes essays
o Answer: B. Follows simple instructions
o Rationale: Following simple instructions is an age-appropriate skill for a 5-year-
old, indicating cognitive and social readiness for school.
