HESI RN
Pediatric HESI Questions
Question 1 of 5
The heart rate for a 3-year-old with a congenital heart defect has steadily decreased over the last few hours; it is now 76 bpm, whereas the previous reading 4 hours ago was 110 bpm. Which additional finding should be reported immediately to a healthcare provider?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A significant drop in heart rate and blood pressure should be reported immediately as it may indicate worsening of the congenital heart defect. A decrease in blood pressure to 70/40 is a critical finding that suggests potential cardiovascular compromise and requires urgent attention to prevent further deterioration.
Question 2 of 5
A child with leukemia is admitted for chemotherapy, and the nursing diagnosis 'altered nutrition, less than body requirements related to anorexia, nausea, and vomiting' is identified. Which intervention should the nurse include in this child's plan of care?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Allowing the child to eat any food desired and tolerated is the most appropriate intervention in this scenario. Anorexia, nausea, and vomiting are common side effects of chemotherapy, which can lead to altered nutrition. Allowing the child to choose foods they desire and can tolerate can help improve their nutritional intake during this challenging time.
Question 3 of 5
When assessing the breath sounds of an 18-month-old child who is crying, what action should the healthcare professional take?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In pediatric nursing, assessing breath sounds in a crying 18-month-old child requires a strategic approach for accurate evaluation. Option C, allowing the child to play with a stethoscope to distract them during auscultation, is the correct choice. This option promotes a child-friendly environment, reducing anxiety and facilitating a more cooperative assessment. Engaging the child in a non-threatening activity maintains their attention and minimizes resistance, leading to a more accurate evaluation of breath sounds. Option A, documenting unavailability due to crying, is incorrect as it does not address the need for an assessment. Option B, asking the caregiver to quiet the child, may not always be feasible and can lead to increased stress for both the child and caregiver. Option D, auscultating and documenting breath sounds while noting the child was crying, may yield inaccurate results due to the child's distress affecting the breath sounds. Educationally, this rationale highlights the importance of child-centered care in pediatric assessments. It emphasizes the significance of creating a comfortable and engaging environment to ensure accurate evaluations while considering the developmental stage and emotional state of the child. By choosing option C, healthcare professionals can effectively assess breath sounds while promoting a positive experience for the child and caregiver.
Question 4 of 5
When assessing a 10-year-old newly diagnosed with osteomyelitis, which information is most important for the nurse to obtain?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In a 10-year-old with newly diagnosed osteomyelitis, the most important information for the nurse to obtain is the recent history of infection recurrences. This is crucial because osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone, and assessing for any recent recurrence of infections can help in determining the possible source of the osteomyelitis and guide the treatment plan accordingly.
Question 5 of 5
What action should the nurse implement when the infusion of chemotherapy via an implanted medication port is complete for a 16-year-old with acute myelocytic leukemia at the outpatient oncology clinic?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In this scenario, the correct action for the nurse to implement when the infusion of chemotherapy via an implanted medication port is complete for a 16-year-old with acute myelocytic leukemia at the outpatient oncology clinic is to flush the mediport with saline and heparin solution (Option C). This is crucial to maintain the patency and prevent clot formation in the implanted port. Flushing the mediport with saline and heparin solution helps to ensure that the port remains clear of any residual chemotherapy agents, preventing potential complications such as occlusion or infection. It also helps maintain the integrity of the port for future use, ensuring optimal delivery of medications. Administering Zofran (Option A) may be indicated for preventing nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, but it is not the immediate priority once the infusion is complete. Obtaining blood samples for RBCs, WBCs, and platelets (Option B) is important but is not the immediate action required post-infusion. Initiating an infusion of normal saline (Option D) is not necessary at this point unless specifically prescribed for hydration or other reasons. Educationally, understanding the importance of proper mediport care and maintenance is essential for pediatric nurses caring for oncology patients. It ensures safe and effective delivery of chemotherapy and other medications, minimizing complications and optimizing outcomes for these vulnerable patients.