HESI RN
HESI Pediatric Practice Exam
1. An adolescent female who is leaning forward with her hands on her knees to breathe tells the practical nurse that she has been using triamcinolone (Azmacort) inhalation aerosol before coming to the clinic. Which action should the PN implement?
- A. Obtain vital signs and assess breath sounds for wheezing.
- B. Collect a blood sample for white blood cell count.
- C. Give the client a nebulizer breathing treatment.
- D. Administer another dose of Azmacort.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: When a patient presents with breathing difficulties, the first action should be to assess vital signs and breath sounds to evaluate the severity of the condition. This assessment will provide crucial information to determine the appropriate course of action and treatment. Collecting a blood sample for a white blood cell count, giving a nebulizer treatment, or administering another dose of Azmacort would not be the initial priority in this situation. Therefore, option A is the correct choice as it focuses on assessing the patient's respiratory status to guide further interventions.
2. A male infant with bronchiolitis is brought to the clinic by his mother. The infant is congested and febrile with a capillary refill of 2 seconds. Which information should the nurse discuss with the mother?
- A. Encourage the infant to play
- B. Limit the amount of oral intake
- C. Keep the infant isolated from others
- D. Place the infant on their back for naps
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Bronchiolitis is a highly contagious respiratory infection commonly caused by viruses. Isolating the infant from others is crucial to prevent the spread of the infection to other vulnerable individuals, especially those with weakened immune systems. Encouraging play may not be appropriate as the infant is sick and needs rest. Limiting oral intake might be necessary if the infant is having difficulty swallowing due to respiratory distress. Placing the infant on their back for naps is a safe sleep practice but not the priority in this situation where preventing transmission of the infection is crucial.
3. A 15-year-old adolescent with anorexia nervosa is admitted to the hospital for severe weight loss. The nurse notes that the client has dry skin, brittle hair, and is severely underweight. What is the nurse’s priority intervention?
- A. Establish a therapeutic relationship with the client
- B. Monitor the client’s vital signs frequently
- C. Initiate a structured eating plan
- D. Provide education about healthy eating habits
Correct answer: C
Rationale: In this scenario, the priority intervention for the nurse is to initiate a structured eating plan. Anorexia nervosa is a serious eating disorder characterized by severe food restriction, which can lead to malnutrition and severe weight loss. By starting a structured eating plan, the nurse can ensure the client receives the necessary nutrition to begin the process of weight restoration and recovery. Monitoring vital signs is essential, but without addressing the nutrition deficiency, vital signs may not improve significantly. Establishing a therapeutic relationship is crucial for long-term care but may not address the immediate risk of malnutrition. Providing education about healthy eating habits is important but may not be effective initially due to the severity of the client's condition.
4. When reinforcing information about the use of corticosteroids in treating asthma in children, which statement indicates that the parent understands the teaching?
- A. My child should take the medication only when experiencing symptoms.
- B. I will rinse my child's mouth after each use of the inhaler.
- C. I should discontinue the medication if my child seems better.
- D. Corticosteroids are used for quick relief during an asthma attack.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Rinsing the mouth after using corticosteroid inhalers is crucial as it helps prevent oral thrush, a common side effect associated with these medications. This practice reduces the risk of developing fungal infections in the mouth and throat, maintaining optimal oral health during asthma treatment.
5. Following a motor vehicle collision, a 3-year-old girl has a spica cast applied. Which toy is best for the nurse to offer this child?
- A. Duck that squeaks.
- B. Fashion doll and clothes.
- C. Set of cloth and hand puppets.
- D. Handheld video game.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: In this scenario, a set of cloth and hand puppets is the best choice for a 3-year-old with a spica cast. Hand puppets encourage imaginative play, creativity, and interaction, which are developmentally appropriate for a child of this age. The soft materials are safe for the child and can provide entertainment and engagement without posing a risk of injury. The other options, such as a duck that squeaks, a fashion doll and clothes, and a handheld video game, may not be as suitable for a child in a spica cast due to safety concerns, lack of interactive play, or developmental appropriateness.
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