HESI RN
HESI Pediatrics Practice Exam
1. A 3-year-old child is admitted to the hospital with severe dehydration. The healthcare provider prescribes an IV infusion of 0.9% normal saline. The nurse notes that the child’s heart rate is 150 beats per minute, and the blood pressure is 90/50 mm Hg. What should the nurse do first?
- A. Administer the IV fluids as prescribed
- B. Notify the healthcare provider
- C. Check the child’s urine output
- D. Reassess the child’s vital signs in 30 minutes
Correct answer: A
Rationale: In a pediatric patient with severe dehydration and signs of compromised hemodynamics such as tachycardia (heart rate of 150 bpm) and hypotension (blood pressure of 90/50 mm Hg), the priority intervention is to administer IV fluids as prescribed. Immediate fluid resuscitation is essential to restore hydration, improve perfusion, and stabilize the child's vital signs. While it's important to monitor urine output, initiating fluid resuscitation takes precedence in this situation. Notifying the healthcare provider can cause a delay in critical intervention, and waiting to reassess vital signs in 30 minutes can be detrimental in a child with severe dehydration and compromised hemodynamics.
2. A 3-year-old child is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of pneumonia. The nurse notes that the child has a fever and is breathing rapidly. What is the nurse’s priority action?
- A. Administer antipyretic medication
- B. Obtain a chest X-ray
- C. Start the child on oxygen therapy
- D. Notify the healthcare provider
Correct answer: C
Rationale: In a child with pneumonia who is breathing rapidly, the priority action for the nurse is to start the child on oxygen therapy. This intervention is essential to ensure adequate oxygenation, which is crucial in managing respiratory distress and preventing complications associated with hypoxia. Administering antipyretic medication (Choice A) may help reduce the fever but does not address the immediate need for oxygen therapy. Obtaining a chest X-ray (Choice B) is important for diagnosis but providing oxygen is more urgent. Notifying the healthcare provider (Choice D) can be done after initiating oxygen therapy to update on the patient's condition.
3. A mother brings her 3-month-old infant to the clinic because the baby does not sleep through the night. Which finding is most significant in planning care for this family?
- A. The mother is a single parent and lives with her parents
- B. The mother states the baby is irritable during feedings
- C. The infant's formula has been changed twice
- D. The diaper area shows severe skin breakdown
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Severe skin breakdown in the diaper area is significant as it indicates a potential severe issue that needs immediate attention to prevent further complications. Skin breakdown can lead to infections and discomfort for the infant, making it a priority in planning care for this family. The other findings, such as the mother's living situation, baby's irritability during feedings, or formula changes, are important but do not pose immediate risks to the infant's health compared to severe skin breakdown.
4. The child is 3 years old and is 2 hours postop from a cardiac catheterization via the right femoral artery. Which assessment finding indicates arterial obstruction?
- A. Blood pressure is decreasing, and the pulse is rapid and irregular.
- B. The right foot feels cool to the touch and appears pale and blanched.
- C. The pulse distal to the femoral artery is weaker in the left foot than the right foot.
- D. The pressure dressing at the right femoral area is damp and oozing blood.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: A cool, pale, and blanched foot is indicative of arterial obstruction, leading to poor blood flow. This finding requires immediate intervention to prevent further complications such as tissue damage or necrosis. Monitoring for signs of arterial compromise, such as color changes, temperature, and capillary refill, is crucial in detecting and managing vascular complications post-cardiac catheterization. Choices A, C, and D do not directly indicate arterial obstruction. While a decreasing blood pressure and rapid, irregular pulse may suggest compromise, these findings are more nonspecific. A weaker pulse distal to the femoral artery indicates reduced perfusion but not necessarily arterial obstruction. Finally, a damp, oozing pressure dressing suggests a dressing issue rather than arterial obstruction.
5. What information should be reinforced with the mother of a child with ringworm (Tinea)?
- A. Ringworm is not contagious.
- B. Tinea infections are indicative of poor hygiene and uncleanliness.
- C. Tinea infections are spread by direct and indirect contact.
- D. Ringworm often subsides spontaneously.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C. Ringworm, a fungal infection, is highly contagious and can be spread by direct contact with infected individuals or animals and indirectly through contaminated objects. It is important for the mother to understand the modes of transmission to prevent the spread of the infection to others and to take necessary precautions to ensure proper treatment and containment of the condition. Choices A and D are incorrect because ringworm is indeed contagious, and it may not always subside spontaneously. Choice B is misleading as tinea infections are not solely indicative of poor hygiene; they can affect anyone, regardless of personal cleanliness.
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