HESI LPN
Pediatric Practice Exam HESI Questions
Question 1 of 9
The nurse is obtaining a health history from parents of a 4-month-old boy with congenital hypothyroidism. What would the nurse most likely assess?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. Congenital hypothyroidism in infants often leads to lethargy and difficulty staying awake due to low thyroid hormone levels. Assessing the child's ability to stay awake is crucial in identifying signs of hypothyroidism. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because above-normal growth, being active and playful, and having healthy-looking skin are not typical manifestations of congenital hypothyroidism. Instead, infants with hypothyroidism may exhibit poor weight gain, decreased activity, and dry, pale skin.
Question 2 of 9
During a routine monthly examination, a 5-month-old infant is brought to the pediatric clinic. What assessment finding should alert the nurse to notify the health care provider immediately?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 50 breaths per minute in a 5-month-old infant is higher than the expected range and may indicate respiratory distress. This finding is concerning and should prompt the nurse to notify the health care provider for further evaluation and intervention. A temperature of 99.5°F, blood pressure of 75/48 mm Hg, and heart rate of 100 beats per minute are within normal ranges for a 5-month-old infant. Elevated temperature may indicate a mild fever, which can be monitored. A blood pressure of 75/48 mm Hg is within the normal range for infants. A heart rate of 100 beats per minute is also within the expected range for a 5-month-old infant and does not typically require immediate notification of the health care provider.
Question 3 of 9
A newborn with an anorectal anomaly had an anoplasty performed. At the 2-week follow-up visit, a series of anal dilations are begun. What should the nurse recommend to the parents to help prevent the infant from becoming constipated?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Breastfeeding is the best recommendation to help prevent constipation in infants. Breast milk is easily digestible and contains the right balance of nutrients, which can lead to softer stools, thus reducing the likelihood of constipation. Offering a soy formula (Choice A) may not necessarily prevent constipation as effectively as breast milk due to differences in nutrient composition. Administering a suppository nightly (Choice C) is not a routine measure for preventing constipation in infants and may not be suitable for regular use in this scenario. Offering glucose water (Choice D) between feedings is not recommended as it does not provide the necessary nutrients found in breast milk, which are essential for preventing constipation and promoting overall health in newborns.
Question 4 of 9
Where should the child admitted with injuries that may be related to abuse be placed?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is to place the child in a room near the nurses' desk. This placement allows for close monitoring of the child's condition and facilitates quick intervention if necessary. Placing the child in a private room (Choice A) may not provide the necessary level of oversight in cases of suspected abuse. Additionally, placing the child with an older, friendly child (Choice B) or a child of the same age (Choice C) may not be appropriate due to the need for careful monitoring and protection in cases of potential abuse.
Question 5 of 9
A child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is hospitalized for treatment. What is the priority nursing intervention?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The priority nursing intervention for a child hospitalized for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is preventing infection. Children with ALL have compromised immune systems, making them highly vulnerable to infections. Preventing infections through strict aseptic techniques, isolation precautions, and proper hygiene is crucial to safeguard the child's health. Administering antibiotics (choice A) may be necessary if an infection occurs, but the primary focus should be on infection prevention. While providing nutritional support (choice C) is important, preventing infection takes precedence due to its direct impact on the child's survival. Managing pain (choice D) is essential for the child's comfort but is not the priority over preventing life-threatening infections in this scenario.
Question 6 of 9
A young child has coarctation of the aorta. What does the nurse expect to identify when taking the child's vital signs?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In coarctation of the aorta, there is narrowing of the aorta leading to decreased blood flow distal to the constriction. This results in a weak or delayed femoral pulse and a relatively weaker radial pulse compared to the femoral pulse. An irregular heartbeat (choice B) is not a typical finding in coarctation of the aorta. A bounding femoral pulse (choice C) would not be expected due to the decreased blood flow beyond the constriction. An elevated radial blood pressure (choice D) is not a common characteristic of coarctation of the aorta; instead, blood pressure may be higher in the upper extremities compared to the lower extremities due to the constriction.
Question 7 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 8 of 9
A parent receives a note from the school that a student in class has head lice. The parent calls the school nurse to ask how to check for head lice. What instructions should the nurse provide?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is to look along the scalp line for white dots (nits) when checking for head lice. White dots/nits are the eggs of head lice and are commonly found attached to the hair shaft near the scalp. This method helps identify if head lice are present. Choice A is incorrect as itching alone may not be a definitive sign of head lice; it could be due to other reasons. Choice B is irrelevant as ear mites in dogs are not related to head lice infestation in humans. Choice D is also incorrect as observing between the fingers for red lines is not a method for checking head lice.
Question 9 of 9
A parent and 3-month-old infant are visiting the well-baby clinic for a routine examination. What should the nurse include in the accident prevention teaching plan?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is to test the temperature of water before bathing. This is crucial in preventing burns, which is a significant risk for infants due to their sensitive skin. Infants have delicate skin that can be easily burned by water that is too hot. Removing small objects from the floor (Choice A) is important to prevent choking hazards but not directly related to burns. Covering electric outlets with safety plugs (Choice B) is essential to prevent electrocution but does not address the risk of burns specifically. Removing toxic substances from low areas (Choice C) is necessary to prevent poisoning but is not directly related to burns. Therefore, the priority in this scenario is to prevent burns by ensuring the water temperature is safe for the infant.