HESI LPN
Pediatric Practice Exam HESI
1. A 2-year-old child with a diagnosis of hemophilia is admitted to the hospital. What should the nurse include in the care plan?
- A. Encourage participation in contact sports
- B. Use a soft toothbrush for oral care
- C. Administer nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- D. Administer aspirin for pain
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Using a soft toothbrush helps to prevent bleeding in a child with hemophilia.
2. 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?
- A. Low tissue oxygen needs
- B. Tissue oxygen needs
- C. Diminished iron level
- D. Hypertrophic cardiac muscle
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.
3. When assessing the perfusion status of a 2-year-old child with possible shock, which of the following parameters would be LEAST reliable?
- A. distal capillary refill
- B. systolic blood pressure
- C. skin color and temperature
- D. presence of peripheral pulses
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: systolic blood pressure. In young children, systolic blood pressure is the least reliable parameter for assessing perfusion status. Factors such as anxiety, crying, and fear can significantly affect blood pressure measurements, leading to inaccuracies. Distal capillary refill, skin color and temperature, and presence of peripheral pulses are more reliable indicators of perfusion status in pediatric patients. Distal capillary refill assesses peripheral perfusion, skin color, and temperature reflect tissue perfusion, and the presence of peripheral pulses indicates blood flow to the extremities. Therefore, when evaluating a 2-year-old child with possible shock, focusing on parameters other than systolic blood pressure is crucial for an accurate assessment of perfusion status.
4. When administering IV fluids to a dehydrated infant, what intervention is most important at this time?
- A. Continuing the prescribed flow rate
- B. Monitoring the intravenous drop rate
- C. Calculating the total necessary intake
- D. Maintaining the fluid at body temperature
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Monitoring the intravenous drop rate is the most crucial intervention when administering IV fluids to a dehydrated infant. This ensures that the correct amount of fluids is being delivered to the infant at the appropriate rate. While continuing the prescribed flow rate (Choice A) may be important, it does not allow for real-time adjustments that may be necessary during the infusion. Calculating the total necessary intake (Choice C) should have been determined before initiating IV therapy. Maintaining the fluid at body temperature (Choice D) is important for patient comfort but is not as critical as ensuring the proper administration of fluids.
5. A child is being assessed for suspected intussusception. What clinical manifestation is the nurse likely to observe?
- A. Projectile vomiting
- B. Currant jelly stools
- C. Abdominal distension
- D. Constipation
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct clinical manifestation that a nurse is likely to observe in a child with suspected intussusception is abdominal distension. Intussusception is a medical emergency where a part of the intestine folds into itself, causing obstruction. Abdominal distension is a common symptom due to the obstruction and the build-up of gases and fluids. While currant jelly stools (Choice B) are a classic sign of intussusception, they are typically seen in later stages of the condition and may not be present during the initial assessment. Projectile vomiting (Choice A) is more commonly associated with conditions like pyloric stenosis. Constipation (Choice D) is not a typical manifestation of intussusception; the condition usually presents with severe colicky abdominal pain and possible passage of blood and mucus in stools.
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