HESI LPN
Pediatric HESI Test Bank Questions
Question 1 of 9
A nurse is providing care to a child with a diagnosis of bronchiolitis. What is the priority nursing intervention?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is providing respiratory therapy. In bronchiolitis, the priority is to maintain airway patency through interventions such as suctioning, positioning, and oxygen therapy. While bronchodilators may be used in some cases, they are not the initial priority. Monitoring oxygen saturation is important but comes after ensuring airway patency. Encouraging fluid intake is essential for hydration but is not the priority over maintaining a patent airway.
Question 2 of 9
You are managing a 10-month-old infant who has had severe diarrhea and vomiting for 3 days and is now showing signs of shock. You have initiated supplemental oxygen therapy and elevated the lower extremities. En route to the hospital, you note that the child's work of breathing has increased. What must you do first?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In this scenario, the infant is showing signs of shock with increased work of breathing. Lowering the extremities helps improve venous return to the heart, cardiac output, and oxygenation by reducing the pressure on the diaphragm. This action can alleviate the respiratory distress and is a critical step to take in a child with signs of shock. Beginning positive pressure ventilations (Choice B) should be considered if the infant's respiratory distress worsens despite lowering the extremities. Placing a nasopharyngeal airway and increasing oxygen flow (Choice C) may not directly address the increased work of breathing or the underlying shock condition. Listening to the lungs with a stethoscope (Choice D) may provide information on lung sounds but does not address the immediate need to improve breathing in a child with signs of shock.
Question 3 of 9
The healthcare provider is assessing an infant and notes that the infant's urine has a mousy or musty odor. What would the healthcare provider suspect?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Phenylketonuria (PKU) is suggested by a mousy or musty odor of the urine, caused by the inability to metabolize phenylalanine. Maple syrup urine disease (Choice A) is characterized by a sweet-smelling urine. Tyrosinemia (Choice B) presents with cabbage-like odor in the urine. Trimethylaminuria (Choice D) results in a fishy odor in the urine, breath, and sweat.
Question 4 of 9
A 15-month-old child with the diagnosis of hydrocephalus is scheduled for a computed tomography (CT) scan. What should the nurse include when preparing the toddler for the CT scan?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Preparing a toddler for a CT scan involves providing a simple explanation of the procedure to reduce anxiety and help the child understand what will happen. This approach helps establish trust and cooperation, making the experience less frightening for the child. Shaving the head, starting an IV infusion, or administering a sedative are not typically part of the preparation for a CT scan in a toddler and may not be necessary or appropriate in this scenario.
Question 5 of 9
A child with a diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome is under the care of a nurse. What is the priority nursing intervention?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The priority nursing intervention when caring for a child with nephrotic syndrome is to monitor urine output. This is essential to assess kidney function and evaluate the effectiveness of treatment. Administering diuretics (Choice A) may be a part of the treatment plan but should not be the priority over monitoring urine output. Administering corticosteroids (Choice C) is a common treatment for nephrotic syndrome, but monitoring urine output takes precedence. Restricting fluid intake (Choice D) may be necessary in some cases, but it is not the priority intervention compared to monitoring urine output.
Question 6 of 9
A child has undergone a tonsillectomy, and a nurse is providing postoperative care. What is an important nursing intervention?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Administering antibiotics is a crucial nursing intervention after a tonsillectomy because it helps prevent infections, which are a common postoperative complication. Encouraging deep breathing exercises (Choice A) is also important for promoting lung expansion and preventing respiratory complications. Encouraging the child to eat (Choice B) may not be appropriate immediately after a tonsillectomy due to the risk of throat irritation and discomfort. Applying ice to the throat (Choice D) is generally not recommended post-tonsillectomy as it may cause vasoconstriction and hinder the healing process.
Question 7 of 9
A 2-year-old child is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of Kawasaki disease. What is the primary goal of therapy during the acute phase?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The primary goal of therapy during the acute phase of Kawasaki disease is to prevent coronary artery aneurysms. Kawasaki disease is characterized by systemic vasculitis and the most serious complication is the development of coronary artery aneurysms. While reducing fever and improving cardiac function are important aspects of managing Kawasaki disease, the primary focus in the acute phase is to prevent the development of coronary artery aneurysms. Preventing dehydration is also essential but not the primary goal in managing Kawasaki disease.
Question 8 of 9
An infant who has had diarrhea for 3 days is admitted in a lethargic state and is breathing rapidly. The parent states that the baby has been ingesting formula, although not as much as usual, and cannot understand the sudden change. What explanation should the nurse give the parent?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. Infants have a higher extracellular fluid requirement per unit of body weight, making them more susceptible to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances during illnesses such as diarrhea. Choice A is incorrect because cellular metabolism being unstable is not the primary explanation for the symptoms described. Choice B is incorrect as the proportion of water in the body alone does not fully explain the increased risk of dehydration in infants. Choice C is incorrect because while renal function is immature in children, it is not the most relevant factor in this scenario compared to the increased fluid requirements.
Question 9 of 9
A healthcare professional plans to discuss childhood nutrition with a group of parents whose children have Down syndrome in an attempt to minimize a common nutritional problem. What problem should be addressed?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Obesity. Children with Down syndrome are at a higher risk of obesity due to various factors such as lower metabolic rate, hormonal imbalances, and reduced physical activity levels. Addressing healthy eating habits early can help prevent obesity in these children. Choice A (Rickets) is incorrect because rickets is primarily associated with vitamin D deficiency and is not a common nutritional problem in children with Down syndrome. Choice C (Anemia) is incorrect as anemia may not be a common nutritional problem specific to children with Down syndrome. Choice D (Rumination) is incorrect as rumination is a behavioral disorder characterized by repeated regurgitation of food and is not a common nutritional problem associated with Down syndrome.