HESI RN
HESI Practice Test Pediatrics
1. The practical nurse is caring for a child who was admitted for treatment of seizures. Which intervention should the nurse implement to help prevent injury from a seizure?
- A. Have a padded tongue depressor at the bedside.
- B. Keep the side rails padded and in an upright position.
- C. Place a padded helmet on the child’s head.
- D. Restrain the child during the seizure activity.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct intervention to help prevent injury during a seizure is to keep the side rails padded and in an upright position. This measure helps to ensure the child's safety by preventing falls or accidental injuries. Using a padded tongue depressor or restraining the child can potentially cause harm and are not recommended. Placing a padded helmet is not a standard intervention for seizure safety in this scenario.
2. A 26-year-old female client is admitted to the hospital for treatment of a simple goiter, and levothyroxine sodium (Synthroid) is prescribed. Which symptoms indicate to the nurse that the prescribed dosage is too high for this client?
- A. Palpitations and shortness of breath
- B. Bradycardia and constipation
- C. Lethargy and lack of appetite
- D. Muscle cramping and dry, flushed skin
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. An overdose of thyroid preparation generally manifests symptoms of an agitated state such as tremors, palpitations, shortness of breath, tachycardia, increased appetite, agitation, sweating, and diarrhea. Palpitations and shortness of breath are signs of excessive thyroid medication. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect symptoms for a dosage that is too high. Bradycardia and constipation, lethargy and lack of appetite, muscle cramping and dry, flushed skin are more indicative of hypothyroidism or an insufficient dosage of levothyroxine.
3. A school nurse is organizing a vaccination clinic for middle school students. Which vaccine is most important for the nurse to include?
- A. hepatitis B
- B. tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap)
- C. varicella
- D. measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The most important vaccine for the school nurse to include in the vaccination clinic for middle school students is the tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine. Tdap is recommended for preteens as part of the routine vaccination schedule to protect against these serious diseases. Hepatitis B, varicella, and MMR vaccines are also important but for this specific age group, Tdap takes precedence to ensure protection against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis.
4. Which of the following statements should be included in the teaching to a client about a do-not-resuscitate order (DNR)?
- A. When a heart ceases to beat, the client is pronounced clinically dead.
- B. Physicians are required to write DNR orders.
- C. A DNR order can be written after discussion with the client and family.
- D. A court decision is needed for a DNR.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct statement to include in teaching a client about a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order is that it can be written after discussion with the client and family. This involves ensuring that the client and their family understand the implications and make an informed decision. Choice A is incorrect as pronouncing clinical death is not directly related to discussing a DNR order. Choice B is incorrect as while physicians typically write DNR orders, it is not a strict requirement. Choice D is incorrect as a court decision is not typically required for a DNR order; it is a decision made by the client with input from healthcare providers and family members.
5. A client in the emergency department is severely dehydrated and is prescribed 3 L of intravenous fluid over 6 hours. At what rate (mL/hr) should the nurse set the intravenous pump to infuse the fluids? (Record your answer using a whole number.)
- A. 500 mL/hr
- B. 400 mL/hr
- C. 550 mL/hr
- D. 600 mL/hr
Correct answer: A
Rationale: To calculate the rate of the intravenous pump, divide the total volume of fluid (3 L = 3000 mL) by the total time in hours (6 hours), which equals 500 mL/hr. The correct answer is A. Choice B (400 mL/hr) is incorrect as it would result in a slower infusion rate. Choice C (550 mL/hr) and Choice D (600 mL/hr) are incorrect as they would result in a faster infusion rate, exceeding the prescribed amount of fluid to be infused over 6 hours.