HESI LPN
Pediatric Practice Exam HESI Questions
Question 1 of 9
A 4-year-old child is admitted with a diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia. What is the priority nursing intervention?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The priority nursing intervention for a 4-year-old child admitted with bacterial pneumonia is administering antibiotics. Antibiotics are essential to treat the infection, prevent its spread, and avoid potential complications. Administering antipyretics (Choice A) may help reduce fever but does not address the underlying cause of pneumonia, which is bacterial in this case. Monitoring fluid intake (Choice C) is important to maintain hydration but does not directly treat the infection. Providing nutritional support (Choice D) is crucial for overall health, but the immediate priority is to address the bacterial infection with antibiotics to prevent further complications and promote recovery.
Question 2 of 9
A child with a diagnosis of leukemia is receiving chemotherapy. What is the priority nursing intervention?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The priority nursing intervention for a child with leukemia receiving chemotherapy is monitoring for signs of infection. Chemotherapy can suppress the immune system, increasing the risk of infections. Detecting and managing infections promptly is crucial to prevent complications and improve outcomes. Providing nutritional support is important, but infection prevention takes precedence due to the immediate threat it poses to the child's health. Monitoring for signs of bleeding is relevant in leukemia due to decreased platelet count, but infection surveillance is more critical. Monitoring for signs of pain is essential, but addressing infections promptly is the priority to prevent further deterioration in the child's condition.
Question 3 of 9
A 1-month-old girl with low-set ears and severe hypotonia has been diagnosed with trisomy 18. Which nursing diagnosis would the nurse identify as most likely?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The most likely nursing diagnosis for a 1-month-old girl with trisomy 18, characterized by low-set ears and severe hypotonia, is 'Grieving related to the child's poor prognosis.' Trisomy 18 is associated with a poor prognosis, and families often experience grief as they come to terms with the challenges and uncertainties associated with the condition. 'Interrupted family process' may not be as relevant since the primary focus is on the child's condition. 'Deficient knowledge related to the genetic disorder' could be important but may not be the most likely initial concern, as emotional support for the family is crucial at this point. 'Ineffective coping related to the stress of providing care' is a broad diagnosis that does not specifically address the emotional response to the child's prognosis, which is the primary concern in this case.
Question 4 of 9
A child with a diagnosis of acute glomerulonephritis is admitted to the hospital. What is the priority nursing intervention?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is monitoring for hypertension. Acute glomerulonephritis involves inflammation of the kidney's glomeruli, potentially leading to impaired kidney function and elevated blood pressure. Monitoring for hypertension is crucial as it is a common complication of this condition. Providing pain relief (choice B) may be necessary for comfort but is not the priority. While fluid restriction (choice C) is important in some kidney conditions, in acute glomerulonephritis, maintaining adequate hydration to support kidney function is typically recommended. Encouraging fluid intake (choice D) may exacerbate fluid overload, making it an inappropriate intervention in this scenario.
Question 5 of 9
During a routine monthly examination, a 5-month-old infant is brought to the pediatric clinic. What assessment finding should alert the nurse to notify the health care provider immediately?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 50 breaths per minute in a 5-month-old infant is higher than the expected range and may indicate respiratory distress. This finding is concerning and should prompt the nurse to notify the health care provider for further evaluation and intervention. A temperature of 99.5°F, blood pressure of 75/48 mm Hg, and heart rate of 100 beats per minute are within normal ranges for a 5-month-old infant. Elevated temperature may indicate a mild fever, which can be monitored. A blood pressure of 75/48 mm Hg is within the normal range for infants. A heart rate of 100 beats per minute is also within the expected range for a 5-month-old infant and does not typically require immediate notification of the health care provider.
Question 6 of 9
The school nurse is caring for a boy with hemophilia who fell on his arm during recess. What supportive measures should the nurse use until factor replacement therapy can be instituted?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Elevating the affected area above the level of the heart is the correct supportive measure for a child with hemophilia who has experienced trauma. This action helps reduce bleeding and swelling by promoting venous return and preventing further pooling of blood in the affected area. Applying warm, moist compresses (Choice A) may not be recommended as it can potentially increase bleeding by dilating blood vessels. Applying pressure for at least 1 minute (Choice B) can be helpful for minor cuts or wounds but may not be as effective in managing bleeding in a child with hemophilia. Beginning passive range-of-motion (Choice D) should be avoided as it can exacerbate bleeding and cause further damage in a child with hemophilia.
Question 7 of 9
What is the priority nursing responsibility when a 3-year-old child in a crib has a clamped jaw and is having a tonic-clonic seizure?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: During a tonic-clonic seizure, the priority nursing responsibility is to protect the child from self-injury. Applying restraints is not recommended during a seizure as it can lead to further harm. Administering oxygen may be necessary after the seizure to support oxygenation, but it is not the priority during the seizure itself. Inserting a plastic airway is also not indicated as the jaw is clamped, and the child should not have anything placed in the mouth during a seizure. Therefore, the correct action is to ensure the child's safety by protecting them from self-injury, preventing harm from uncontrolled movements and potential falls.
Question 8 of 9
When caring for a neonate with a suspected tracheoesophageal fistula, what nursing care should be included?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In a neonate with a suspected tracheoesophageal fistula, elevating the head but giving nothing by mouth is crucial to prevent aspiration. Placing the neonate in a semi-upright position helps reduce the risk of reflux and aspiration of gastric contents into the lungs. Elevating the head for feedings (Choice B) would still pose a risk of aspiration as the neonate may aspirate during feeding. Feeding glucose water only (Choice C) is not appropriate and does not address the risk of aspiration associated with a tracheoesophageal fistula. Avoiding suctioning unless the infant is cyanotic (Choice D) is incorrect because suctioning may be necessary for maintaining airway patency, regardless of cyanosis, in a neonate with a suspected tracheoesophageal fistula.
Question 9 of 9
A parent and 3-month-old infant are visiting the well-baby clinic for a routine examination. What should the nurse include in the accident prevention teaching plan?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Testing the temperature of water before bathing is crucial to prevent burns, which is a significant risk for infants due to their sensitive skin. Infants have delicate skin that can easily be burned by water that is too hot. Testing the water temperature before bathing ensures that the water is at a safe and comfortable level for the infant. While choices A, B, and C are also important in accident prevention, such as reducing choking hazards, preventing electric shocks, and avoiding poisoning, testing the water temperature before bathing is the most immediate and direct action to prevent harm to the infant during bathing.