HESI LPN
Pediatrics HESI 2023 Questions
Question 1 of 5
After a discussion with the health care provider, the parents of an infant with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) ask the nurse to explain once again what PDA is. How should the nurse respond?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: 'It is a connection between the pulmonary artery and the aorta.' Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is an abnormal connection between the pulmonary artery and the aorta, which normally closes after birth. Choices A, B, and C describe different cardiac conditions and do not accurately define PDA. Choice A is incorrect because PDA does not involve the diameter of the aorta being enlarged. Choice B is incorrect because PDA does not involve the wall between the right and left ventricles being open. Choice C is incorrect because PDA is not a narrowing of the entrance to the pulmonary artery.
Question 2 of 5
The child has been admitted for a sickle cell crisis. What would the nurse do first to provide adequate pain management?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Initiating pain assessment with a standardized pain scale is crucial in managing pain effectively during a sickle cell crisis. This step allows the nurse to objectively evaluate the child's pain level and tailor the pain management plan accordingly. Administering medication without a proper assessment could lead to inappropriate pain management. Using guided imagery and therapeutic touch may be beneficial as adjunct therapies but should not replace the initial pain assessment. Meperidine is not typically the first-line choice for pain management in sickle cell crisis due to its potential for neurotoxic metabolites.
Question 3 of 5
A healthcare professional is reviewing the laboratory report of a child with tetralogy of Fallot that indicates an elevated RBC count. What does the professional identify as the cause of the polycythemia?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Tissue oxygen needs. Polycythemia occurs as the body's response to chronic hypoxia by increasing RBC production to enhance oxygen delivery. In tetralogy of Fallot, a congenital heart defect, the heart's structure causes reduced oxygen levels in the blood. This chronic hypoxia stimulates the bone marrow to produce more red blood cells, leading to an elevated RBC count. Choice A is incorrect as low blood pressure is not directly related to polycythemia in this context. Choice C, diminished iron level, is not the cause of polycythemia in tetralogy of Fallot. Choice D, hypertrophic cardiac muscle, is not the primary cause of the elevated RBC count in this case.
Question 4 of 5
What explanation should be given to a parent about the purpose of a tetanus toxoid injection for their child?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'Long-lasting active immunity is conferred.' Tetanus toxoid injection provides long-lasting active immunity by stimulating the body to produce its own antibodies. Choice A is incorrect because tetanus toxoid injection does not provide passive immunity. Choice C is incorrect because the immunity conferred by the vaccine is not natural but artificially induced. Choice D is incorrect as the immunity provided by the tetanus toxoid injection is active, not passive.
Question 5 of 5
What finding would the nurse expect to assess in a child with hypothyroidism?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In a child with hypothyroidism, weight gain is a typical finding due to the slowed metabolism associated with the condition. This occurs because thyroid hormone levels are insufficient to regulate metabolism effectively. Choices A, B, and C are not typically associated with hypothyroidism. Nervousness is more commonly seen in conditions like hyperthyroidism, where there is an excess of thyroid hormones. Heat intolerance may be seen in hyperthyroidism as well, where the body's metabolism is increased. Smooth velvety skin is a characteristic finding in conditions like Cushing's syndrome, where there is excess cortisol production.