HESI RN
HESI Practice Test Pediatrics
1. The nurse is caring for a 10-year-old child who is scheduled for surgery to repair a fractured femur. The child’s parent expresses concern about the child being afraid of the surgery. What is the nurse’s best response?
- A. Children at this age are usually not afraid of surgery
- B. It’s normal for your child to feel scared. Let’s talk about what to expect
- C. You should talk to the surgeon about your child’s fear
- D. Don’t worry, your child will be fine
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Acknowledging the child’s fear and providing information about what to expect can help alleviate anxiety.
2. The parents of a 3-year-old boy who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) ask, 'how can our son have this disease? We are wondering if we should have any more children.' What information should the nurse provide these parents?
- A. This is an inherited X-linked recessive disorder, which primarily affects male children in the family.
- B. The male infant had a viral infection that went unnoticed and untreated, leading to muscle damage.
- C. The lack of the protein dystrophin in the mother can impact the muscle groups of males.
- D. Damage to the spinal cord due to birth trauma from a breech vaginal birth weakens the muscles.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The nurse should inform the parents that Duchenne muscular dystrophy is an X-linked recessive disorder, which primarily affects male children in the family. This genetic condition is caused by a mutation in the dystrophin gene located on the X chromosome. Females are usually carriers of the gene mutation and may pass it on to their sons. Daughters of carrier mothers have a 50% chance of being carriers themselves. Understanding the genetics of DMD can help the parents make informed decisions about family planning and genetic counseling.
3. Before administering a tube feeding to a child, what should the practical nurse (PN) assess?
- A. Tube placement.
- B. Bowel sounds.
- C. Abdominal circumference.
- D. Tube patency.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Assessing tube placement is critical before initiating a tube feeding to verify its correct positioning in the stomach. This assessment helps prevent potential complications such as aspiration if the tube is incorrectly placed in the respiratory tract. Checking bowel sounds, abdominal circumference, and tube patency are important assessments in the care of a child receiving tube feedings, but ensuring proper tube placement takes precedence to ensure safe and effective delivery of nutrition.
4. An adolescent’s mother calls the primary HCP’s office to inquire about the results of her daughter’s serum test that was drawn last week. Since it is the teenager’s 18th birthday, how should the nurse respond to this mother’s inquiry?
- A. Ask when the adolescent was last seen in the clinic
- B. Tell the mother to have the teenager call the clinic
- C. Since the serum sample was drawn last week, provide the mother with the findings
- D. Explain that the information cannot be released without the 18-year-old's permission
Correct answer: D
Rationale: When an individual turns 18, they are considered a legal adult and have the right to privacy regarding their medical information. Therefore, the nurse should explain to the mother that without the 18-year-old's permission, the results cannot be disclosed.
5. An 8-year-old male client with nephrotic syndrome is receiving salt-poor human albumin IV. Which findings indicate to the nurse that the child is manifesting a therapeutic response?
- A. Decreased urinary output
- B. Decreased periorbital edema
- C. Increased periods of rest
- D. Weight gain of 0.5 kg/day
Correct answer: B
Rationale: In nephrotic syndrome treatment, decreased periorbital edema is a positive therapeutic response as it indicates a reduction in fluid retention. Periorbital edema is a common symptom of nephrotic syndrome due to fluid accumulation, so a decrease in this swelling signifies an improvement in the condition.
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