HESI RN
HESI Pediatric Practice Exam Questions
Question 1 of 5
A 7-year-old child with a history of asthma is brought to the emergency department with an acute asthma exacerbation. The child is wheezing and using accessory muscles to breathe. What is the nurse's priority intervention?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In a 7-year-old child with an acute asthma exacerbation showing signs of wheezing and increased work of breathing, the priority intervention for the nurse is to administer a nebulized bronchodilator immediately. Bronchodilators help dilate the airways, relieve bronchospasm, and improve breathing, which is crucial in managing an acute asthma attack and preventing further respiratory distress.
Question 2 of 5
A 3-year-old with HIV infection is staying with a foster family who is caring for 3 other foster children in their home. When one of the children acquires pertussis, the foster mother calls the clinic and asks the nurse what she should do. Which action should the nurse take first?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The priority action for the nurse is to review the immunization documentation of the child with HIV to ensure they have received the necessary vaccines. This step is crucial in protecting the child's health and preventing further complications from vaccine-preventable diseases like pertussis. It is important to verify the child's immunization status before considering other interventions.
Question 3 of 5
A 4-month-old girl is brought to the clinic by her mother because she has had a cold for 2 or 3 days and woke up this morning with a hacking cough and difficulty breathing. Which additional assessment finding should alert the nurse that the child is in acute respiratory distress?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Flaring of the nares is a classic sign of acute respiratory distress in infants. It indicates increased work of breathing and is a visible cue that the child is struggling to breathe. This finding should alert healthcare providers to the severity of the respiratory distress and the need for prompt intervention to support the child's breathing.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse is caring for a 4-year-old child who is hospitalized with pneumonia. The child is receiving IV antibiotics and oxygen therapy. The nurse notes that the child's respiratory rate is 40 breaths per minute, and the oxygen saturation is 92%. What is the nurse's priority action?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In this scenario, the child is hospitalized with pneumonia, receiving IV antibiotics and oxygen therapy. With a high respiratory rate and decreased oxygen saturation, auscultating the child's lung sounds is the priority action. This assessment can provide crucial information about the child's respiratory status, such as the presence of adventitious sounds or decreased air entry, which can guide further interventions and help in evaluating the effectiveness of the current treatments.
Question 5 of 5
An infant with tetralogy of Fallot becomes acutely cyanotic and hyperpneic. Which action should the nurse implement first?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In a situation where an infant with tetralogy of Fallot is acutely cyanotic and hyperpneic, the priority action should be to place the infant in a knee-chest position. This position helps increase systemic vascular resistance, improving pulmonary blood flow and subsequently ameliorating the cyanosis and hyperpnea. It is a non-invasive and effective intervention that can be promptly implemented by the nurse to address the immediate respiratory distress.
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