HESI RN
HESI Pediatric Practice Exam
1. What is the best response for the nurse when a 2-year-old boy begins to cry as the mother starts to leave?
- A. Let me read this book to you.
- B. Two-year-olds usually stop crying the minute the parent leaves.
- C. Now be a big boy. Mommy will be back soon.
- D. Let's wave bye-bye to mommy.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The best response for the nurse in this situation is to help the child understand that the separation is temporary. Waving bye-bye to mommy can be reassuring to the child and make the separation process easier. It acknowledges the child's feelings while providing a positive and comforting interaction. Choice A may distract the child temporarily but doesn't address the underlying issue of separation anxiety. Choice B is inaccurate as children may continue to cry even after the parent leaves. Choice C diminishes the child's emotions and doesn't offer a supportive approach.
2. The nurse is measuring the frontal occipital circumference (FOC) of a 3-month-old infant and notes that the FOC has increased by 5 inches since birth, and the child's head appears large in relation to body size. Which action is most important for the nurse to take next?
- A. Measure the infant's head-to-toe length.
- B. Palpate the anterior fontanel for tension and bulging.
- C. Observe the infant for sunken eyes.
- D. Plot the measurement on the infant's growth chart.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Palpating the anterior fontanel for tension and bulging is crucial in assessing for increased intracranial pressure. In this scenario, the infant's large head size and rapid increase in the frontal occipital circumference raise concerns for potential issues such as hydrocephalus. Measuring the head-to-toe length (Choice A) is not the priority when assessing for increased intracranial pressure. Observing for sunken eyes (Choice C) is more indicative of dehydration rather than increased intracranial pressure. While plotting the measurement on the infant's growth chart (Choice D) is important for tracking growth, it does not address the immediate concern of assessing for increased intracranial pressure.
3. In a hospitalized child receiving IV fluids for dehydration, what is the best indicator that the child’s dehydration is improving?
- A. The child’s urine output increases
- B. The child’s skin turgor is normal
- C. The child’s weight increases
- D. The child’s vital signs are stable
Correct answer: A
Rationale: An increase in urine output is a reliable indicator of improving dehydration in a child. It signifies that the kidneys are functioning better, helping to restore fluid balance in the body. Monitoring urine output is crucial in assessing hydration status and response to treatment. Choices B, C, and D are not the best indicators of improving dehydration. Normal skin turgor is helpful but may not change immediately with improving hydration. Weight increase may reflect retained fluids rather than improved hydration status. Stable vital signs are important but may not always indicate improving dehydration.
4. During a well-baby check of a 7-month-old infant, the practical nurse notes an absence of babbling. Which focused assessment should the PN implement?
- A. Visual function.
- B. Auditory function.
- C. Cognitive function.
- D. Social development.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The absence of babbling in a 7-month-old infant is a concerning auditory development milestone. Babbling is an early stage of language development that involves making various sounds. A lack of babbling could indicate a hearing impairment or other auditory issues. Therefore, the practical nurse should focus on assessing the infant's auditory function to determine if further evaluation or intervention is necessary. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because the absence of babbling specifically points towards a potential issue related to auditory function rather than visual, cognitive, or social development.
5. The nurse is conducting an admission assessment of an 11-month-old infant with CHF who is scheduled for repair of restenosis of coarction of the aorta that was repaired 4 days after birth. Findings include blood pressure higher in the arms than the lower extremities, pounding brachial pulses, and slightly palpable femoral pulses. What pathophysiologic mechanisms support these findings?
- A. The aortic semilunar valve obstructs blood flow into the systemic circulation
- B. The lumen of the aorta reduces the volume of the blood flow to the lower extremities
- C. The pulmonic valve prevents adequate blood volume into the pulmonary circulation
- D. An opening in the atrial septum causes a murmur due to a turbulent left-to-right shunt
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Coarctation of the aorta causes narrowing of the aorta, reducing blood flow to the lower extremities. This narrowing results in higher blood pressure in the arms compared to the lower extremities, along with stronger brachial pulses and slightly palpable femoral pulses. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they do not align with the pathophysiological mechanism of coarctation of the aorta, which specifically leads to reduced blood flow to the lower extremities.
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