HESI RN
HESI Practice Test Pediatrics
1. What advice should be provided by the practical nurse to the mother of a school-age child with acute diarrhea and mild dehydration who is occasionally vomiting despite being given an oral rehydration solution (ORS)?
- A. Continue to give ORS frequently in small amounts.
- B. Alternate between ORS and carbonated beverages.
- C. Take the child to the hospital for intravenous fluids.
- D. Place the child NPO for the next eight to nine hours.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The practical nurse should advise the mother to continue providing the oral rehydration solution (ORS) frequently in small amounts. It is essential to continue ORS administration to prevent dehydration, even if the child is occasionally vomiting. Small, frequent amounts of ORS help maintain hydration levels in children with acute diarrhea and mild dehydration.
2. The mother of a 9-month-old girl provides the practical nurse with information about her daughter's diet. Which statement by the mother may indicate why the infant has been diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia?
- A. She almost never drinks sugary water.
- B. She has been on whole milk for 7 months.
- C. She likes to chew on bread as a snack.
- D. She doesn't like to eat peaches or pears.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Infants should not be given cow's milk before 1 year of age as it can interfere with iron absorption and lead to anemia. Choice A is incorrect as avoiding sugary water is actually a good practice. Choice C is unrelated to iron-deficiency anemia. Choice D, not liking peaches or pears, is also not directly related to iron-deficiency anemia.
3. A 7-year-old child is admitted to the hospital with nephrotic syndrome. The nurse notes that the child has gained 3 pounds in the past 24 hours. What should the nurse do first?
- A. Administer a diuretic as prescribed
- B. Restrict the child’s fluid intake
- C. Notify the healthcare provider
- D. Measure the child’s abdominal girth
Correct answer: C
Rationale: In a child with nephrotic syndrome experiencing sudden weight gain, the priority action for the nurse is to notify the healthcare provider. This weight gain could indicate worsening edema or fluid retention, necessitating immediate medical evaluation and intervention. The healthcare provider can conduct a comprehensive assessment, order necessary tests, and adjust the treatment plan accordingly. Administering a diuretic, restricting fluid intake, or measuring abdominal girth should not be initiated without healthcare provider consultation to ensure appropriate management of the child's condition.
4. An adolescent female who comes to the school clinic is reluctant to confide her concerns to the practical nurse (PN). The PN tells the teen that confidentiality and privacy are maintained unless a life-threatening situation arises. Which principle supports the PN's response?
- A. The adolescent should be encouraged to seek help outside of the school clinic.
- B. Disclosures from the adolescent should be kept confidential.
- C. Honest information ensures establishing a trusting relationship.
- D. Minor adolescents should not be encouraged to disclose private concerns.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct principle supporting the practical nurse's response is that honest information ensures establishing a trusting relationship. By assuring confidentiality and privacy to the adolescent unless there is a life-threatening situation, the practical nurse fosters an environment where the teen feels safe to share their concerns openly. This approach helps build trust, encouraging effective communication and support for the adolescent's well-being. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because encouraging seeking help outside the school clinic, keeping disclosures confidential, and discouraging minor adolescents from sharing private concerns do not address the immediate need to build trust and ensure the well-being of the adolescent in a school setting.
5. A 13-year-old client with type 1 diabetes is admitted to the hospital with a blood glucose level of 450 mg/dL. The client is lethargic and has fruity-smelling breath. What is the nurse’s priority action?
- A. Administer insulin as prescribed
- B. Start an IV infusion of normal saline
- C. Check the client’s urine for ketones
- D. Monitor the client’s vital signs
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct priority action for the nurse is to start an IV infusion of normal saline. The client's presentation with lethargy, fruity-smelling breath, and high blood glucose level indicates diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). IV fluids are essential to correct dehydration and help stabilize the client's condition. Checking for ketones in the urine is important, but fluid replacement takes precedence to address the immediate risk of dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. Administering insulin is also a crucial intervention for DKA, but fluid resuscitation should first be initiated.
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