HESI RN
HESI Pediatric Practice Exam
1. In a 12-year-old child with a history of epilepsy brought to the emergency department after experiencing a 10-minute seizure, what is the nurse’s priority intervention?
- A. Administer oxygen
- B. Administer antiepileptic medication as prescribed
- C. Monitor the child’s vital signs
- D. Check the child’s blood glucose level
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Administering antiepileptic medication as prescribed is the priority intervention in a child with a history of epilepsy who experienced a prolonged seizure. This action is crucial to stop the seizure and prevent further complications associated with prolonged seizure activity. Administering oxygen may be necessary, but the priority is to stop the seizure. Monitoring vital signs and checking blood glucose levels are important but secondary to administering antiepileptic medication to manage the seizure.
2. A 3-year-old with HIV infection is staying with a foster family who is caring for 3 other foster children in their home. When one of the children acquires pertussis, the foster mother calls the clinic and asks the nurse what she should do. Which action should the nurse take first?
- A. Remove the child who has HIV from the foster home.
- B. Report the exposure of the child with HIV to the health department.
- C. Place the child who has HIV in reverse isolation.
- D. Review the immunization documentation of the child who has HIV.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The priority action for the nurse is to review the immunization documentation of the child with HIV to ensure they have received the necessary vaccines. This step is crucial in protecting the child's health and preventing further complications from vaccine-preventable diseases like pertussis. By reviewing the immunization documentation first, the nurse can determine the child's protection against pertussis and other infectious diseases. Removing the child from the foster home (Choice A) may not be necessary if the child is adequately vaccinated. Reporting the exposure to the health department (Choice B) and placing the child in reverse isolation (Choice C) are important steps but reviewing the immunization status takes precedence to assess the child's protection and guide further actions.
3. The nurse is preparing to administer an immunization to a 5-year-old child. The parent asks if the vaccine can be given in a different way because the child is afraid of needles. What is the nurse’s best response?
- A. We can apply a numbing cream before the injection
- B. There is no other way to administer this vaccine
- C. We can give the vaccine as a nasal spray
- D. We can skip the vaccine if the child is too afraid
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Administering the vaccine as a nasal spray provides an alternative method of delivery that avoids the use of needles, addressing the child's fear while ensuring immunization. Nasal sprays are effective for certain vaccines and can be a suitable option in this scenario. Choice A is not the best response as it only addresses pain management but does not eliminate the use of needles. Choice B is incorrect as there are alternative delivery methods like nasal sprays. Choice D is incorrect as skipping the vaccine would leave the child unprotected and is not a recommended course of action.
4. A 4-year-old child is brought to the clinic with complaints of ear pain and fever. The practical nurse suspects otitis media. Which symptom supports this suspicion?
- A. Clear nasal discharge.
- B. Dry, hacking cough.
- C. Tugging at the ear.
- D. Sore throat.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Tugging at the ear is a common symptom in children with otitis media. It often indicates discomfort or pain in the ear, suggesting inflammation or infection in the middle ear. This behavior is frequently observed in young children who are unable to express their discomfort verbally, making it a significant clinical indicator for otitis media in this age group. Clear nasal discharge (Choice A) is more indicative of a cold or allergies, while a dry, hacking cough (Choice B) is not typically associated with otitis media. Although a sore throat (Choice D) can sometimes accompany ear infections, tugging at the ear is a more specific and reliable symptom in this case.
5. When assessing a child with suspected meningitis, which finding is a characteristic sign of meningitis?
- A. High-pitched cry
- B. Tachycardia
- C. Photophobia
- D. Hypotension
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Photophobia, which is sensitivity to light, is a characteristic sign of meningitis in children. It commonly presents along with symptoms such as headache and neck stiffness. This symptom is important to recognize early for prompt diagnosis and treatment of meningitis.
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