HESI RN
HESI Practice Test Pediatrics
1. The healthcare provider is providing postoperative care to a 4-year-old child who underwent tonsillectomy. The provider notices that the child is frequently swallowing. What should the provider do first?
- A. Check the child’s throat for signs of bleeding
- B. Offer the child ice chips to soothe the throat
- C. Elevate the head of the child’s bed
- D. Administer prescribed pain medication
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Frequent swallowing after tonsillectomy may indicate bleeding, which requires immediate assessment and intervention. Checking the child’s throat for signs of bleeding is the priority to ensure timely identification and management of any potential bleeding complications.
2. Why is it important for the healthcare provider to monitor blood pressure in clients receiving antipsychotic drugs?
- A. Orthostatic hypotension is a common side effect.
- B. Most antipsychotic drugs cause elevated blood pressure.
- C. This provides information on the amount of sodium allowed in the diet.
- D. It will indicate the need to institute anti-parkinsonian drugs.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because monitoring for orthostatic hypotension is crucial when clients are receiving antipsychotic drugs since it is a common side effect. Orthostatic hypotension can lead to symptoms like dizziness and falls, making it essential to monitor blood pressure regularly. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because most antipsychotic drugs do not typically cause elevated blood pressure, monitoring blood pressure is not directly related to the amount of sodium in the diet, and blood pressure monitoring is not primarily used to determine the need for anti-parkinsonian drugs in clients receiving antipsychotic medications.
3. The nurse is assessing a client with left-sided heart failure. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
- A. Shortness of breath
- B. Jugular venous distention
- C. Crackles in the lungs
- D. Peripheral edema
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Crackles in the lungs indicate pulmonary congestion in a client with left-sided heart failure and require immediate intervention to prevent respiratory failure. Crackles suggest fluid accumulation in the lungs, leading to impaired gas exchange and potentially respiratory distress. Shortness of breath, jugular venous distention, and peripheral edema are common manifestations of heart failure but do not directly indicate acute respiratory compromise like crackles in the lungs do.
4. Discuss the anatomical/physiological changes in pregnancy under the following: Kidney/renal system
- A. Kidneys increase in size, pelvis dilates, ureters elongate and dilate, and the glomerular filtration rate increases.
- B. Kidneys decrease in size, and glomerular filtration rate decreases.
- C. There is no change in kidney size or ureter function, but the glomerular filtration rate decreases.
- D. Kidneys shrink, and ureters remain the same.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: During pregnancy, the kidneys increase in size, the pelvis dilates, ureters elongate and dilate, and the glomerular filtration rate increases. This is due to the increased metabolic demands and hormonal changes during pregnancy. Choice B is incorrect as the kidneys do not decrease in size, and the glomerular filtration rate actually increases. Choice C is incorrect as there are changes in kidney size and ureter function during pregnancy. Choice D is incorrect as the kidneys do not shrink during pregnancy.
5. The infant scheduled for reduction of intussusception passes a soft-formed brown stool the day before the scheduled procedure. Which intervention should the nurse implement?
- A. Instruct the parents that the infant needs to be NPO.
- B. Notify the healthcare provider of the passage of brown stool.
- C. Obtain a stool specimen for laboratory analysis.
- D. Ask the parents about recent changes in the infant's diet.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Notifying the healthcare provider is crucial in this situation because the passage of a brown stool may indicate the resolution of intussusception. It is important to keep the healthcare provider informed about any changes in the infant's condition to ensure appropriate care and management. Instructing the parents that the infant needs to be NPO (nothing by mouth) is not necessary based on the passage of brown stool. Obtaining a stool specimen for laboratory analysis is not indicated in this scenario since the brown stool is likely a positive sign. Asking about recent changes in the infant's diet is not the priority at this moment as notifying the healthcare provider takes precedence.