Pediatrics HESI Practice Exam Correct and Verified Answers Graded A

• | P a g e

Pediatrics HESI Practice Exam Correct and Verified Answers Graded A

• A 12-year-old male client tells the nurse that he is happy to be taking growth

hormones because now he can grow to be as tall as his friends. What response is best for the nurse to provide?

• "You must remember that this treatment regimen is not always effective."
• "Although being tall is important to you, remember there are far more important

characteristics than height."

• "You will grow with this medicine, and are likely to be taller than anyone in your family."
• "Being taller is important to you and taking your injections will help achieve that goal."

Correct Answer: d. "Being taller is important to you and taking your injections will help achieve that goal."

• The nurse is caring for an irritable, lethargic 18-month-old child who swallowed

several over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine tablets an hour ago. Which intervention should the nurse implement?

• Initiate gastric lavage.
• Administer naloxone.
• Give a dose of ipecac syrup.
• Encourage oral intake of water or milk.

Correct Answer: a. Initiate gastric lavage.

Rationale: Gastric lavage should be implemented within 2 hours of ingestion to ensure gastric removal of a noncorrosive substance, such as an OTC antihistamine.

• | P a g e

• The nurse is triaging a child with a fever brought to the emergency department by

the parents. Which finding requires the nurse's immediate intervention?

• Prolonged exhalations.
• Thick yellow rhinorrhea.
• Frequent nonproductive cough.
• Oxygen saturation of 95% by pulse oximeter.

Correct Answer: a. Prolonged exhalations.

Rationale: Prolonged exhalation indicates breathing difficulty and requires immediate intervention. According to the American Heart Association's Pediatric Advance Life Support (PALS) algorithm, a prolonged expiration in a pediatric client is indicative of lower airway obstruction.

• The community health nurse teaches the parents of school-age children about the

need for fluoride as part of a dental health program. Which statement by the parents indicates that they understand the teaching?

• "Excessive amounts of fluoride will make teeth turn brittle and yellow."
• "Having our children brush with fluoride toothpaste is not effective."
• "Use of fluoride in water is mostly effective during initial tooth formation."
• "Dental caries can be prevented through fluoridation of public water."

Correct Answer: d. "Dental caries can be prevented through fluoridation of public water."

Rationale: Dental caries can be prevented through fluoridation of public water.

• A child with a penetrating eye injury comes to the school clinic. Which action should

the nurse implement?

• Remove the object impaled in the eye and then apply a regular eye patch.
• Place an ice bag over the eye until the healthcare provider is seen
• Irrigate the affected eye copiously with a cool sterile saline solution.
• Apply a Fox shield to the affected eye and any type of patch to the other eye.

• | P a g e

Correct Answer: d. Apply a Fox shield to the affected eye and any type of patch to the other eye.Rationale: The treatment for a penetrating eye injury is not to remove or manipulate the impaled object, but to apply a Fox shield over the eye, if available (not a regular eye patch).Place an eye patch over the unaffected eye to prevent bilateral eye movement. The child should be transported to the emergency department immediately. If a Fox shield is not available, tape a paper cup over the eye and object.

• Which should the nurse assess last when examining a 5-year-old child?
• Heart.
• Lungs.
• Throat.
• Abdomen.

Correct Answer: c. Throat.

Rationale: Examination of the mouth, throat, and perineum is considered to be more invasive than other parts of a physical examination. Invasive procedures should be left for the end of the examination for a preschooler.

• When conducting a hygiene class for adolescent girls, it is important for the nurse to

include which instruction about preventing toxic shock syndrome?

• Wash your hands before inserting a tampon.
• Use super absorbent tampons.
• Wear cotton underwear.
• Douche following menstruation.

Correct Answer: a. Wash your hands before inserting a tampon.

Rationale: The single most effective means of preventing infection is handwashing.

• A newborn who is breastfeeding is diagnosed with galactosemia. Which action

should the nurse implement?

• | P a g e

• Stop the infant breastfeeding.
• Add amino acids to breast milk.
• Give galactokinase with breast milk.
• Substitute a lactose-containing formula.

Correct Answer: a. Stop the infant breastfeeding.

Rationale: Galactosemia is a rare genetic disorder that involves an inborn error of carbohydrate metabolism in which a hepatic enzyme, galactokinase, involved in the conversion of galactose to glucose is absent. Treatment consists of eliminating all lactose- containing foods, including breast milk, so the infant should stop breastfeeding. Soy protein formula is the feeding of choice during infancy.

• Which sign of malignant hyperthermia should the nurse assess for during the

perioperative period in a child receiving general anesthesia?

• Apnea.
• Tachypnea.
• Bradycardia.
• Decreased blood pressure.

Correct Answer: b. Tachypnea.

Rationale: Malignant hyperthermia, a potentially fatal autosomal genetic myopathy, can cause a change in vital signs that demands immediate attention in the perioperative period when these individuals are exposed to anesthetic agents. Early symptoms of the disorder include tachycardia and tachyarrhythmia, tachypnea, hypercarbia, and metabolic and respiratory acidosis. An elevated temperature is a late sign of the disorder.

• The nurse is assessing an infant with diarrhea and lethargy. Which finding should

the nurse identify that is consistent with early dehydration?

• Tachycardia.
• Bradycardia.
• Dry mucous membranes.