HESI LPN
Pediatric HESI Practice Questions
1. The nurse is caring for a 15-year-old boy who has sustained burn injuries. The nurse observes the burn developing a purplish color with discharge and a foul odor. The nurse suspects which infection?
- A. Burn wound cellulitis.
- B. Invasive burn cellulitis.
- C. Burn impetigo.
- D. Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Invasive burn cellulitis. Invasive burn cellulitis presents with the burn developing a dark brown, black, or purplish color with discharge and a foul odor. Burn wound cellulitis (choice A) typically involves redness, warmth, and swelling around the burn site. Burn impetigo (choice C) is a superficial infection characterized by honey-colored crusting. Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (choice D) is a condition caused by exotoxins from Staphylococcus aureus, leading to widespread skin peeling.
2. A nurse is caring for an infant with a tentative diagnosis of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS). What is most important for the nurse to assess?
- A. Quality of the cry
- B. Signs of dehydration
- C. Coughing up feedings
- D. Characteristics of the stool
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Signs of dehydration. Assessing for signs of dehydration is crucial in infants with hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS) because they are at high risk due to frequent vomiting. Dehydration can lead to serious complications if not promptly addressed. Choices A, C, and D are not the priority assessments for HPS. While the quality of the cry can provide some information on the infant's distress level, dehydration assessment takes precedence. Coughing up feedings may not be specific to HPS, and characteristics of the stool, although important in general assessments, are not the priority in this situation.
3. A parent calls the clinic because their child has ingested a small amount of household bleach. What should the nurse advise?
- A. Administer activated charcoal
- B. Induce vomiting immediately
- C. Call the poison control center
- D. Take the child to the emergency department
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is to advise the parent to call the poison control center. When a child ingests household bleach, it is important to seek guidance from professionals who can provide specific and immediate advice on managing the situation. Administering activated charcoal (Choice A) is not recommended for household bleach ingestion. Inducing vomiting immediately (Choice B) can lead to further complications and is not the recommended first response. Taking the child to the emergency department (Choice D) should be done based on the advice received from the poison control center.
4. A nurse is evaluating a 3-year-old child’s developmental progress. The inability to perform which task indicates to the nurse that there is a developmental delay?
- A. Copying a square
- B. Hopping on one foot
- C. Catching a ball reliably
- D. Using a spoon effectively
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The inability to copy a square at 3 years old indicates a potential developmental delay in fine motor skills. At this age, children should be able to copy basic shapes like circles and crosses. Hopping on one foot is typically expected around the age of 4, catching a ball reliably around 5, and using a spoon effectively by 2-3 years old. Therefore, choices B, C, and D are not as indicative of a developmental delay at 3 years old as the inability to copy a square.
5. A healthcare professional is preparing a presentation for a parent group about musculoskeletal injuries. When describing a child's risk for this type of injury, the professional integrates knowledge that bone growth occurs primarily in which area?
- A. Growth plate.
- B. Epiphysis.
- C. Physis.
- D. Metaphysis.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Bone growth primarily occurs in the epiphysis, which is the area where growth plates are located. The epiphysis is responsible for longitudinal bone growth. The growth plate, also known as the physis, is the cartilaginous region in the metaphysis where bone growth occurs. The metaphysis is the area between the epiphysis and diaphysis where bone lengthening occurs, but it is not the primary site of bone growth. Therefore, choices A, C, and D are incorrect.
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