HESI RN
HESI Pediatric Practice Exam
1. An adolescent female who is leaning forward with her hands on her knees to breathe tells the practical nurse that she has been using triamcinolone (Azmacort) inhalation aerosol before coming to the clinic. Which action should the PN implement?
- A. Obtain vital signs and assess breath sounds for wheezing.
- B. Collect a blood sample for white blood cell count.
- C. Give the client a nebulizer breathing treatment.
- D. Administer another dose of Azmacort.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: When a patient presents with breathing difficulties, the first action should be to assess vital signs and breath sounds to evaluate the severity of the condition. This assessment will provide crucial information to determine the appropriate course of action and treatment. Collecting a blood sample for a white blood cell count, giving a nebulizer treatment, or administering another dose of Azmacort would not be the initial priority in this situation. Therefore, option A is the correct choice as it focuses on assessing the patient's respiratory status to guide further interventions.
2. A 12-year-old child is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of osteomyelitis. Which finding should the nurse expect during the assessment?
- A. Localized pain and swelling
- B. Generalized joint stiffness
- C. Pain in the muscles
- D. Limited range of motion in the limbs
Correct answer: A
Rationale: In osteomyelitis, an infection of the bone, patients typically present with localized pain, swelling, and warmth over the affected bone. This is due to the inflammatory response in the bone tissue. Generalized joint stiffness, pain in the muscles, and limited range of motion in the limbs are not specific to osteomyelitis and are more commonly associated with other conditions.
3. A male infant with bronchiolitis is brought to the clinic by his mother. The infant is congested and febrile with a capillary refill of 2 seconds. Which information should the nurse discuss with the mother?
- A. Encourage the infant to play
- B. Limit the amount of oral intake
- C. Keep the infant isolated from others
- D. Place the infant on their back for naps
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Bronchiolitis is a highly contagious respiratory infection commonly caused by viruses. Isolating the infant from others is crucial to prevent the spread of the infection to other vulnerable individuals, especially those with weakened immune systems. Encouraging play may not be appropriate as the infant is sick and needs rest. Limiting oral intake might be necessary if the infant is having difficulty swallowing due to respiratory distress. Placing the infant on their back for naps is a safe sleep practice but not the priority in this situation where preventing transmission of the infection is crucial.
4. A 3-year-old child with a high fever and sore throat is brought to the clinic. The nurse observes that the child is drooling and has difficulty swallowing. What is the nurse’s priority action?
- A. Administer antipyretic medication
- B. Prepare for emergency airway management
- C. Offer the child ice chips to suck on
- D. Assess the child’s hydration status
Correct answer: B
Rationale: In a 3-year-old child with drooling, difficulty swallowing, high fever, and sore throat, the nurse should prioritize preparing for emergency airway management. These signs may indicate epiglottitis, a condition that can quickly obstruct the airway, leading to respiratory distress and potentially fatal outcomes if not managed promptly. Administering antipyretic medication (Choice A) may be necessary later but is not the priority. Offering ice chips (Choice C) is contraindicated as the child has difficulty swallowing. Assessing hydration status (Choice D) is important but not the priority when the airway is at risk.
5. A 7-year-old child with a history of asthma presents to the clinic with shortness of breath and wheezing. The nurse notes that the child’s peak flow reading is in the red zone. What should the nurse do first?
- A. Administer a bronchodilator
- B. Reassess the peak flow reading
- C. Notify the healthcare provider
- D. Provide oxygen therapy
Correct answer: A
Rationale: When a child with asthma presents with shortness of breath and wheezing, and the peak flow reading is in the red zone, indicating severe airflow limitation, the priority intervention is to administer a bronchodilator. Bronchodilators help dilate the airways quickly, improving airflow and assisting with breathing. Reassessing the peak flow reading is important but not the first action to take in a severe asthma exacerbation. Notifying the healthcare provider can be done after initiating immediate treatment with a bronchodilator. Providing oxygen therapy may be needed in some cases, but addressing the airway constriction with a bronchodilator should come first to improve ventilation.
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