the nurse is caring for a 3 year old child with a diagnosis of gastroenteritis the child has had several episodes of vomiting and diarrhea over the pa
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Nursing Elites

HESI RN

HESI Pediatric Practice Exam

1. The caregiver is caring for a 3-year-old child with a diagnosis of gastroenteritis. The child has had several episodes of vomiting and diarrhea over the past 24 hours. What is the caregiver's priority assessment?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Assess the child's hydration status. In children with gastroenteritis, assessing hydration status is crucial as they are at risk of dehydration due to vomiting and diarrhea. Monitoring hydration helps prevent complications and guides appropriate interventions to maintain the child's fluid balance. Monitoring the child's weight (Choice A) is not the priority in this situation compared to assessing hydration status. Evaluating nutritional intake (Choice C) is important but not the priority when the child is at risk of dehydration. Checking the child's temperature (Choice D) is relevant but not the priority over assessing hydration status in a child with gastroenteritis.

2. When caring for a child with Kawasaki disease, which symptom is the most significant for making this diagnosis?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Erythema of the hands and feet is a key diagnostic criterion for Kawasaki disease. This, along with other symptoms like fever and strawberry tongue, helps in making the diagnosis. While desquamation of the palms and soles, cervical lymphadenopathy, and strawberry tongue are associated with Kawasaki disease, the presence of erythema of the hands and feet is particularly significant in diagnosing this condition.

3. A 15-year-old client with type 1 diabetes presents to the clinic for a routine follow-up. The nurse notes that the client’s hemoglobin A1c is 10%. What should the nurse include in the plan of care?

Correct answer: D

Rationale: A hemoglobin A1c of 10% indicates poor blood glucose control, reflecting an average blood sugar level over the past 2-3 months. To improve control, the plan of care should be comprehensive. Increasing the frequency of self-monitoring of blood glucose helps track changes in blood sugar levels. Discussing dietary changes to reduce carbohydrate intake can aid in better blood sugar management. Reviewing the client’s insulin administration technique ensures proper medication dosing. Therefore, all the options (increasing monitoring, discussing dietary changes, and reviewing insulin administration) are essential components of the plan of care to address the client's poor blood glucose control. The correct answer is D because all these interventions are crucial for managing the client's condition effectively. Choices A, B, and C individually address different aspects of diabetes management and are all necessary in this scenario.

4. The healthcare provider is preparing to administer a scheduled dose of digoxin to a 4-year-old child with heart failure. The healthcare provider notes that the child’s heart rate is 70 beats per minute. What should the healthcare provider do next?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In pediatric patients, digoxin administration is guided by the heart rate. If the child's heart rate is below the established threshold, which is typically 90-100 beats per minute in a 4-year-old, the medication should be withheld, and the healthcare provider should be notified for further evaluation and instructions. Choice A is incorrect because administering the medication when the heart rate is low can lead to adverse effects. Rechecking the heart rate in 30 minutes (Choice C) may delay necessary intervention if the heart rate remains low. Administering half of the prescribed dose (Choice D) is not recommended without healthcare provider guidance.

5. A 10-year-old child is brought to the emergency department after falling from a bicycle and hitting their head. The nurse notes that the child is drowsy and has a headache. What is the nurse’s priority action?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In a child who has fallen and hit their head, presenting with drowsiness and headache, the priority action for the nurse is to perform a full neurological assessment. This is crucial to evaluate the extent of the head injury and monitor for signs of increased intracranial pressure, which could indicate a more severe traumatic brain injury. Administering pain medication or allowing the child to rest quietly are not appropriate initial actions without first assessing the neurological status. Checking the child's immunization status is important for overall health but is not the priority in this acute situation.

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