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. During a routine physical exam, a male adolescent client tells the nurse, 'sometimes, my mother gets angry because I want to be with my own friends.' What is the best initial response by the nurse?
- A. Offer reassurance that his mother's concern is normal
- B. Determine if his friends are engaged in unsafe behaviors
- C. Ask about the client's response to his mother's anger
- D. Offer to discuss his concerns with his mother
Correct answer: C
Rationale: When a client expresses concerns about family dynamics, it is important to explore their feelings and reactions to the situation. By asking about the client's response to his mother's anger, the nurse can gain insight into the client's emotions, thoughts, and coping mechanisms. Understanding these aspects is crucial in providing appropriate support and guidance. Option A is incorrect because it focuses solely on reassuring the client about his mother's concern without addressing the client's feelings. Option B assumes negative behaviors without evidence. Option D jumps to discussing concerns with the mother without understanding the client's perspective first.
3. In a 6-year-old child with asthma experiencing difficulty breathing and using accessory muscles to breathe with a peak flow reading in the red zone, what should the nurse do first?
- A. Administer a nebulized bronchodilator
- B. Obtain an arterial blood gas
- C. Start the child on oxygen therapy
- D. Contact the healthcare provider
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct action for a 6-year-old child with asthma who is experiencing difficulty breathing, using accessory muscles to breathe, and has a peak flow reading in the red zone is to administer a nebulized bronchodilator first. Nebulized bronchodilators work rapidly to open up the airways, providing immediate relief and improving breathing. This intervention is crucial in addressing the acute respiratory distress the child is facing. Obtaining an arterial blood gas, starting oxygen therapy, or contacting the healthcare provider can be considered after the initial administration of the bronchodilator, as they are not the primary interventions needed to manage the child's acute respiratory distress.
4. What is the recommended analgesia for preparing a school-age child for a lumbar puncture (LP)?
- A. Ondansetron (Zofran) 4 mg / 5 ml PO TID.
- B. Codeine 10 mg PO 30 minutes before the procedure.
- C. A transdermal fentanyl (Duragesic) patch immediately before the procedure.
- D. EMLA (eutectic mixtures of local anesthetics) 2.5 hours before the procedure.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: For a lumbar puncture in a school-age child, EMLA cream should be applied 2.5 hours before the procedure. EMLA is commonly used to numb the skin, reducing pain and discomfort for the child during the procedure. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because ondansetron is an antiemetic, codeine is an opioid analgesic that may not be suitable for children, and transdermal fentanyl is a strong opioid that is not typically used for local anesthesia in children undergoing lumbar puncture.
5. When observing a distraught mother scolding her 3-year-old son for wetting his pants in the hallway of a pediatric unit, what initial action should the nurse take?
- A. Suggest that the mother consult a pediatric nephrologist.
- B. Provide disposable training pants while calming the mother.
- C. Refer the mother to a community parent education program.
- D. Inform the mother that toilet training is slower for boys.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: In this situation, the nurse's initial action should be to provide disposable training pants to manage the immediate issue of wetting while also calming the mother. This approach addresses the current distressing situation and offers a practical solution to alleviate the mother's concerns.
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