HESI LPN
Pediatric Practice Exam HESI Questions
Question 1 of 9
A parent of a 2-year-old child tells a nurse at the clinic, 'Whenever I go to the store, my child has a screaming tantrum, demanding a toy or candy on the shelves. How can I deal with this situation?' What is the nurse's best response?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best approach in dealing with a child's tantrum is to not give in to their demands. By allowing the tantrum to continue until it ends, the child learns that this behavior is not effective in getting what they want. Offering a distraction (Choice A) might temporarily calm the child but does not address the underlying issue of the tantrum. Leaving the child with a babysitter (Choice C) does not teach the child how to handle such situations. Giving in to the child's demands (Choice D) reinforces the tantrum behavior.
Question 2 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 in a 4-year-old child admitted with bacterial pneumonia is administering antibiotics. Antibiotics are crucial for treating the infection and preventing potential complications. Administering antipyretics (Choice A) may help reduce fever, but addressing the underlying infection with antibiotics is the priority. Monitoring fluid intake (Choice C) is important for hydration but does not take precedence over administering antibiotics. Providing nutritional support (Choice D) is essential for overall care but is not the immediate priority when managing bacterial pneumonia.
Question 3 of 9
A healthcare provider is preparing a 2-year-old child for surgery. What preoperative teaching should be provided to this child?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Using a doll to demonstrate the procedure is the most appropriate preoperative teaching method for a 2-year-old child. It helps them understand what to expect in a non-threatening way by providing a visual representation of the upcoming surgery. Explaining the procedure in simple terms may be too abstract for a child of this age, as they may not fully comprehend verbal explanations. Showing pictures of the hospital environment may not be as effective as using a doll, as it may not provide a concrete understanding of the actual procedure. Allowing the child to play with medical equipment is unsafe and does not adequately prepare them for the surgery, as it may lead to misunderstandings or fear regarding the equipment's actual use during the surgery.
Question 4 of 9
A parent asks a nurse how to tell the difference between measles (rubeola) and German measles (rubella). What should the nurse tell the parent about rubeola that is different from rubella?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Rubeola (measles) is characterized by a high fever and the presence of Koplik spots, which are not seen in rubella (German measles). Therefore, the correct answer is A. Choice B, rash on the trunk with pruritus, is more indicative of rubella rather than rubeola. Choice C, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps, are not specific differentiating symptoms between rubeola and rubella. Choice D, characteristics of a cold followed by a rash, does not specifically distinguish between rubeola and rubella.
Question 5 of 9
Which of the following signs or symptoms is more common in children than adults following head trauma?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Nausea and vomiting are more common in children following head trauma due to their higher risk of increased intracranial pressure. Children have less space for swelling within the skull compared to adults, making them more prone to experiencing symptoms like nausea and vomiting. Altered mental status and changes in pupillary reaction can also occur in both children and adults following head trauma, but they are not specifically more common in children. Tachycardia and diaphoresis are generally signs of autonomic nervous system activation and may occur in both children and adults, but they are not typically more common in children compared to adults following head trauma.
Question 6 of 9
When assessing a child with a possible fracture, what would be the most reliable indicator for the nurse to identify?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Point tenderness is the most reliable indicator of a possible fracture in a child. It refers to localized pain at a specific point, indicating a potential bone injury. Lack of spontaneous movement (Choice A) is non-specific and can be due to various reasons. Bruising (Choice C) may be present in fractures but is not as specific as point tenderness. Inability to bear weight (Choice D) can also be seen in fractures but may not always be present, making it less reliable compared to point tenderness.
Question 7 of 9
When caring for an alert 4-year-old child with a mild airway obstruction, respiratory distress, a strong cough, and normal skin color, what should be included?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct approach for a child with a mild airway obstruction, respiratory distress, and normal skin color includes providing oxygen to support breathing, avoiding agitation that could worsen the situation, and arranging for transport to a healthcare facility. Option A is incorrect because abdominal thrusts are not recommended in a mild airway obstruction scenario, and back blows are typically used for choking. Option C is incorrect because assisting ventilations may not be necessary in a child with a strong cough and normal skin color. Option D is incorrect because chest thrusts are not recommended for a mild airway obstruction, and finger sweeps are used for foreign body airway obstructions.
Question 8 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 9 of 9
The nurse is caring for a 1-month-old girl with low-set ears and severe hypotonia who was diagnosed with trisomy 18. Which nursing diagnosis would the nurse identify as most likely?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct nursing diagnosis would be 'Grieving related to the child's poor prognosis.' Trisomy 18 is associated with a poor prognosis, and families often experience feelings of grief and loss when dealing with such a diagnosis. The choice 'Interrupted family process' does not directly address the emotional response to the prognosis. 'Deficient knowledge' may be a concern but does not address the emotional aspect of dealing with a poor prognosis. 'Ineffective coping related to stress from providing care' focuses more on the caregiver's ability to cope rather than the family's response to the child's condition.