HESI RN
HESI Pediatric Practice Exam
1. A 14-year-old client with type 1 diabetes is participating in a school sports event. The nurse provides education to the client about managing blood glucose levels during physical activity. Which statement by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
- A. I should check my blood sugar before and after exercise
- B. I need to eat a snack before I start playing
- C. If my blood sugar is high, I should skip my insulin dose before exercise
- D. I should carry a fast-acting carbohydrate with me during sports
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C. Skipping the insulin dose when blood sugar is high before exercise can be harmful. It is essential to manage blood glucose levels carefully during physical activity, which may require adjustments to insulin doses but skipping doses is not recommended. Checking blood sugar before and after exercise (Choice A) helps in monitoring and managing blood glucose levels. Eating a snack before playing (Choice B) can help maintain blood sugar levels during physical activity. Carrying a fast-acting carbohydrate (Choice D) is important in case of low blood sugar during sports to quickly raise glucose levels. Therefore, the client needs further teaching on the importance of not skipping insulin doses even if blood sugar is high before exercise.
2. The healthcare provider is providing postoperative care to a 4-year-old child who underwent tonsillectomy. The provider notices that the child is frequently swallowing. What should the provider do first?
- A. Check the child’s throat for signs of bleeding
- B. Offer the child ice chips to soothe the throat
- C. Elevate the head of the child’s bed
- D. Administer prescribed pain medication
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Frequent swallowing after tonsillectomy may indicate bleeding, which requires immediate assessment and intervention. Checking the child’s throat for signs of bleeding is the priority to ensure timely identification and management of any potential bleeding complications.
3. A 3-year-old child with a high fever and sore throat is brought to the clinic. The nurse observes that the child is drooling and has difficulty swallowing. What is the nurse’s priority action?
- A. Administer antipyretic medication
- B. Prepare for emergency airway management
- C. Offer the child ice chips to suck on
- D. Assess the child’s hydration status
Correct answer: B
Rationale: In a 3-year-old child with drooling, difficulty swallowing, high fever, and sore throat, the nurse should prioritize preparing for emergency airway management. These signs may indicate epiglottitis, a condition that can quickly obstruct the airway, leading to respiratory distress and potentially fatal outcomes if not managed promptly. Administering antipyretic medication (Choice A) may be necessary later but is not the priority. Offering ice chips (Choice C) is contraindicated as the child has difficulty swallowing. Assessing hydration status (Choice D) is important but not the priority when the airway is at risk.
4. The practical nurse is providing care for a toddler who has just returned from surgery for a tonsillectomy. Which intervention is a priority in the immediate postoperative period?
- A. Offer clear fluids frequently.
- B. Encourage the child to cough and deep breathe.
- C. Monitor for frequent swallowing.
- D. Apply a warm compress to the throat area.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Monitoring for frequent swallowing is a priority intervention in the immediate postoperative period after a tonsillectomy. Frequent swallowing may indicate bleeding from the surgical site, which requires immediate attention to prevent complications such as hemorrhage. Offering clear fluids frequently may not be appropriate immediately after surgery. Encouraging coughing and deep breathing may increase the risk of bleeding. Applying a warm compress to the throat area is not recommended as it can increase blood flow to the surgical site, potentially causing bleeding.
5. A 4-month-old girl is brought to the clinic by her mother because she has had a cold for 2 or 3 days and woke up this morning with a hacking cough and difficulty breathing. Which additional assessment finding should alert the nurse that the child is in acute respiratory distress?
- A. Bilateral bronchial breath sounds.
- B. Diaphragmatic breathing.
- C. A resting respiratory rate of 35 breaths per minute.
- D. Flaring of the nares.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Flaring of the nares is a classic sign of acute respiratory distress in infants. It indicates increased work of breathing and is a visible cue that the child is struggling to breathe. This finding should alert healthcare providers to the severity of the respiratory distress and the need for prompt intervention to support the child's breathing. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Bilateral bronchial breath sounds are associated with conditions like pneumonia, but they do not specifically indicate acute respiratory distress. Diaphragmatic breathing is a normal breathing pattern and not a sign of distress. A resting respiratory rate of 35 breaths per minute is within the expected range for a 4-month-old infant and does not necessarily indicate acute respiratory distress.
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