HESI RN
HESI Pediatrics Practice Exam
1. When should a mother introduce solid foods to her 4-month-old baby girl? The mother states, 'My mother says I should put rice cereal in the baby's bottle now.' The nurse should instruct the mother to introduce solid foods when her child exhibits which behavior?
- A. Stops rooting when hungry
- B. Opens mouth when food comes her way
- C. Awakens once for nighttime feedings
- D. Gives up a bottle for a cup
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'Opens mouth when food comes her way.' This behavior indicates readiness to start trying solid foods. Infants should be introduced to solid foods based on developmental cues, such as showing an interest in food and the ability to accept it. Choices A, C, and D are not indicative of readiness for solid foods. Stopping rooting when hungry is a reflex that may persist beyond the readiness for solids. Awakening for nighttime feedings is a normal behavior for a 4-month-old, and transitioning from a bottle to a cup is a later developmental milestone.
2. The mother of a 14-year old who had a below-the-knee amputation for osteosarcoma tells the nurse that her child is angry and blaming her for allowing the amputation to occur. Which response is best for the nurse to provide?
- A. I will ask the HCP for a psychiatric consult for your child'
- B. This type of acting out behavior is normal for adolescents'
- C. It is important to focus on your child’s needs at this difficult time'
- D. A reaction of anger is your child’s attempt to cope with this loss'
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Acknowledging the child's anger as part of the coping process helps the mother understand her child's emotional response.
3. While assessing the vital signs of a 10-year-old who underwent a tonsillectomy this morning, the nurse observes the child swallowing every 2-3 minutes. Which assessment should the nurse implement?
- A. Inspect the posterior oropharynx
- B. Assess for teeth clenching or grinding
- C. Touch the tonsillar pillars to stimulate the gag reflex
- D. Ask the child to speak to evaluate a change in voice tone
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Frequent swallowing post-tonsillectomy may indicate bleeding. Inspecting the posterior oropharynx is essential to assess for any signs of bleeding, such as fresh blood or clots, which may necessitate immediate intervention. Option B is incorrect as teeth clenching or grinding is not directly related to the observation of frequent swallowing in this scenario. Option C is incorrect because stimulating the gag reflex is not necessary at this point and may be uncomfortable for the child. Option D is incorrect as evaluating a change in voice tone is not relevant to the situation of observing frequent swallowing.
4. 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.
5. 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.
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