HESI RN
HESI Pediatrics Practice Exam
1. When should a mother introduce solid foods to her 4-month-old baby girl? The mother states, 'My mother says I should put rice cereal in the baby's bottle now.' The nurse should instruct the mother to introduce solid foods when her child exhibits which behavior?
- A. Stops rooting when hungry
- B. Opens mouth when food comes her way
- C. Awakens once for nighttime feedings
- D. Gives up a bottle for a cup
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'Opens mouth when food comes her way.' This behavior indicates readiness to start trying solid foods. Infants should be introduced to solid foods based on developmental cues, such as showing an interest in food and the ability to accept it. Choices A, C, and D are not indicative of readiness for solid foods. Stopping rooting when hungry is a reflex that may persist beyond the readiness for solids. Awakening for nighttime feedings is a normal behavior for a 4-month-old, and transitioning from a bottle to a cup is a later developmental milestone.
2. 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.
3. A toddler with a chronic illness that requires frequent hospitalization is likely to experience which psychosocial developmental challenge?
- A. Fixation with feelings of inadequacy
- B. Interference with the development of autonomy
- C. Distortion of differentiation of self from parent
- D. Delayed language, fine-motor, and self-care skills
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Toddlers with chronic illnesses requiring frequent hospitalization may experience interference with the development of autonomy. This is because the need for constant medical care can restrict their independence and ability to explore and make choices, which are essential aspects of achieving autonomy according to Erikson's stages of psychosocial development. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. Fixation with feelings of inadequacy (Choice A) is more commonly associated with Erikson's stage of industry vs. inferiority in middle childhood. Distortion of differentiation of self from parent (Choice C) is related to the separation-individuation phase of Mahler's theory of object relations, typically occurring in infancy. Delayed language, fine-motor, and self-care skills (Choice D) may be impacted by chronic illness but are not the primary psychosocial developmental challenge faced by toddlers in this context.
4. A 4-year-old child with a history of frequent ear infections is brought to the clinic by the parents who are concerned about the child’s hearing. What is the nurse’s priority action?
- A. Perform a hearing test
- B. Inspect the child’s ears for drainage
- C. Refer the child to an audiologist
- D. Ask the parents about the child’s speech development
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The nurse's priority action should be to inspect the child's ears for drainage. This immediate assessment can provide valuable information about the presence of infection or fluid accumulation, which can directly impact the child's hearing. By identifying any signs of drainage, the nurse can promptly address any current issues affecting the child's ear health and hearing abilities. Performing a hearing test (Choice A) may be necessary but should follow the initial assessment of the ears. Referring the child to an audiologist (Choice C) can be considered later based on the findings. Asking about speech development (Choice D) is important but not the immediate priority compared to assessing for current ear issues.
5. A child with pertussis is receiving azithromycin (Zithromax Injection) IV. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to include in the child's plan of care?
- A. Obtain vital signs to monitor for fluid overload
- B. Change IV site dressing every 3 days and as needed
- C. Monitor for signs of facial swelling or urticaria
- D. Assess for abdominal pain and vomiting
Correct answer: C
Rationale: When administering azithromycin IV, monitoring for signs of an allergic reaction, such as facial swelling or urticaria, is crucial. This helps in early detection of potential adverse reactions and ensures prompt intervention to prevent complications associated with the medication. The other options are not directly related to the administration of azithromycin IV in this scenario. Monitoring for fluid overload would be more relevant for fluid administration, changing IV site dressing is important but not the priority in this case, and assessing for abdominal pain and vomiting may be important but not as critical as monitoring for signs of an allergic reaction.
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