HESI RN
HESI Pediatric Practice Exam
1. A 10-year-old girl who has had type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) for the past two years tells the nurse that she would like to use a pump instead of insulin injections to manage her diabetes. Which assessment of the girl is most important for the nurse to obtain?
- A. Understanding of the quality control process used to troubleshoot the pump
- B. Interpretation of fingerstick glucose levels that influence diet selections
- C. Knowledge of her glycosylated hemoglobin A1c levels for the past year
- D. Ability to perform the pump for basal insulin with mealtime boluses
Correct answer: A
Rationale: In a patient transitioning to an insulin pump, understanding the quality control process to troubleshoot the pump is crucial for ensuring proper and safe management of diabetes. This knowledge enables the individual to identify and address any issues that may arise with the pump, helping maintain optimal glycemic control and prevent complications. Choices B, C, and D, although important in diabetes management, are not as critical as ensuring the correct understanding of troubleshooting the pump, which directly impacts the girl's ability to effectively use the pump for insulin delivery.
2. A child with pertussis is receiving azithromycin (Zithromax Injection) IV. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to include in the child's plan of care?
- A. Obtain vital signs to monitor for fluid overload
- B. Change IV site dressing every 3 days and as needed
- C. Monitor for signs of facial swelling or urticaria
- D. Assess for abdominal pain and vomiting
Correct answer: C
Rationale: When administering azithromycin IV, monitoring for signs of an allergic reaction, such as facial swelling or urticaria, is crucial. This helps in early detection of potential adverse reactions and ensures prompt intervention to prevent complications associated with the medication. The other options are not directly related to the administration of azithromycin IV in this scenario. Monitoring for fluid overload would be more relevant for fluid administration, changing IV site dressing is important but not the priority in this case, and assessing for abdominal pain and vomiting may be important but not as critical as monitoring for signs of an allergic reaction.
3. The healthcare provider finds a 6-month-old infant unresponsive and calls for help. After opening the airway and finding the infant is still not breathing, which action should the provider take?
- A. Palpate femoral pulse and check for regularity.
- B. Deliver cycles of 30 chest compressions and 2 breaths.
- C. Give two breaths that make the chest rise.
- D. Feel the carotid pulse and check for adequate breathing.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: In pediatric basic life support, for an unresponsive infant who is not breathing normally, the correct action is to give two breaths that make the chest rise. This helps provide oxygen to the infant's body and is a crucial step in resuscitation efforts for infants in distress. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Palpating the femoral pulse or feeling the carotid pulse is not indicated in this scenario where the infant is unresponsive and not breathing. Delivering cycles of chest compressions and breaths is not the immediate action to take; the priority is to provide two breaths to help with oxygenation.
4. A 7-year-old is admitted to the hospital with persistent vomiting, and a nasogastric tube attached to low intermittent suction is applied. Which finding is most important for the nurse to report to the healthcare provider?
- A. Gastric output of 100 mL in the last 8 hours.
- B. Shift intake of 640 mL IV fluids plus 30 mL PO ice chips.
- C. Serum potassium of 3.0 mEq/L.
- D. Serum pH of 7.45.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: A serum potassium level of 3.0 mEq/L is significantly low and indicates hypokalemia, which can lead to serious complications such as cardiac arrhythmias. Therefore, it is crucial for the nurse to report this finding promptly to the healthcare provider for immediate intervention. The other findings are not as critical in this situation. Gastric output of 100 mL in the last 8 hours may be expected in a patient with persistent vomiting. The shift intake of IV fluids and ice chips indicates fluid replacement, which is important but not as urgent as correcting electrolyte imbalances. A serum pH of 7.45 is within the normal range and does not indicate an immediate concern.
5. 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.
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