HESI RN
HESI Practice Test Pediatrics
1. A parent of a 2-month-old infant, who was treated for pyloric stenosis, is receiving discharge instructions from a healthcare provider. Which statement by the parent indicates a need for further teaching?
- A. We will burp our baby more frequently during feedings
- B. We should feed our baby in an upright position
- C. We will lay our baby on their stomach after feeding
- D. We will start feeding our baby with small, frequent feedings
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Placing infants on their stomach after feeding increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). It is important to educate parents to always place infants on their back to sleep to reduce this risk.
2. A 12-year-old child with type 1 diabetes is under the nurse's care. The child’s parent asks how to prevent hypoglycemia during physical activity. What is the nurse’s best response?
- A. Give your child extra insulin before exercise
- B. Make sure your child eats a snack before exercise
- C. Limit your child’s physical activity to avoid hypoglycemia
- D. Monitor your child’s blood glucose levels after exercise
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The most effective way to prevent hypoglycemia during physical activity in a child with type 1 diabetes is to ensure they eat a snack before exercising. Eating a snack before exercise helps maintain blood glucose levels by providing additional glucose for energy during physical activity, reducing the risk of hypoglycemia. Giving extra insulin before exercise (Choice A) can increase the risk of hypoglycemia as it lowers blood glucose levels further. Limiting physical activity (Choice C) is not recommended as exercise is important for overall health. Monitoring blood glucose levels after exercise (Choice D) is essential but does not directly prevent hypoglycemia during physical activity.
3. 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.
4. A mother brings her 3-week-old infant to the clinic because the baby vomits after eating and always seems hungry. Further assessment indicates that the infant’s vomiting is projectile, and the child seems listless. Which additional assessment finding indicates the possibility of a life-threatening complication?
- A. Irregular palpable pulse
- B. Hyperactive bowel sounds
- C. Underweight for age
- D. Crying without tears
Correct answer: D
Rationale: In this scenario, the infant presenting with vomiting, lethargy, and projectile vomiting indicates a potential serious condition. Crying without tears is a sign of dehydration, a critical condition that can lead to life-threatening complications in infants. Dehydration can rapidly worsen an infant's condition, making prompt intervention crucial to prevent further complications. Irregular palpable pulse (Choice A) could indicate a cardiovascular issue but is less immediately life-threatening in this context. Hyperactive bowel sounds (Choice B) are more indicative of gastrointestinal issues rather than a life-threatening complication. Underweight for age (Choice C) may be concerning for growth-related issues but does not directly indicate a life-threatening complication like dehydration does.
5. The healthcare provider is providing postoperative care to a 7-year-old child who had surgery for appendicitis. The child is experiencing pain at the surgical site. What is the healthcare provider's priority action?
- A. Administer the prescribed pain medication
- B. Encourage the child to take deep breaths
- C. Apply a warm compress to the surgical site
- D. Reposition the child to a more comfortable position
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Administering the prescribed pain medication is crucial to effectively manage the child's postoperative pain. Pain management is a priority to ensure the child's comfort and promote healing following surgery. Encouraging deep breaths, applying warm compresses, or repositioning the child may help, but addressing the pain with medication is the initial and most vital intervention.
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