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. When a mother of a 3-year-old boy gives birth to a baby girl and the boy asks why his baby sister is breastfeeding from their mother, how should the nurse respond? Select the option that is not appropriate.
- A. Remind him that his mother breastfed him too
- B. Clarify that breastfeeding is the mother's choice
- C. Reassure the older brother that it does not hurt his mother
- D. Explain that newborns get milk from their mothers in this way
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Choice B is not the appropriate response in this scenario. The correct answer is choice A, which normalizes the situation for the child by reminding him that his mother breastfed him too. This response helps the older brother understand that breastfeeding is a natural and common practice for newborns, including his baby sister, just as it was for him when he was a baby. Choice B, while true, does not directly address the child's question and may not provide the same level of reassurance and normalization as choice A. Choices C and D also do not directly answer the child's question and do not provide the same level of connection and understanding as choice A.
3. A 3-year-old child is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of pneumonia. The nurse notes that the child has a fever and is breathing rapidly. What is the nurse’s priority action?
- A. Administer antipyretic medication
- B. Obtain a chest X-ray
- C. Start the child on oxygen therapy
- D. Notify the healthcare provider
Correct answer: C
Rationale: In a child with pneumonia who is breathing rapidly, the priority action for the nurse is to start the child on oxygen therapy. This intervention is essential to ensure adequate oxygenation, which is crucial in managing respiratory distress and preventing complications associated with hypoxia. Administering antipyretic medication (Choice A) may help reduce the fever but does not address the immediate need for oxygen therapy. Obtaining a chest X-ray (Choice B) is important for diagnosis but providing oxygen is more urgent. Notifying the healthcare provider (Choice D) can be done after initiating oxygen therapy to update on the patient's condition.
4. The healthcare provider is assessing a child for neurological soft signs. Which finding is most likely demonstrated in the child's behavior?
- A. Inability to move the tongue in a specific direction.
- B. Presence of vertigo.
- C. Poor coordination and sense of position.
- D. Loss of visual acuity.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Neurological soft signs in children often manifest as poor coordination and a sense of position. These signs can indicate underlying neurological issues and are important to assess in pediatric patients. Choices A, B, and D are less likely to be associated with neurological soft signs in children. Inability to move the tongue in a specific direction may suggest a cranial nerve dysfunction rather than general neurological soft signs. Presence of vertigo is more related to inner ear disturbances or vestibular issues. Loss of visual acuity may indicate problems with the eyes rather than general neurological soft signs.
5. The nurse is providing care for a 12-year-old child who was recently diagnosed with scoliosis. The child’s parent asks about treatment options. What is the nurse’s best response?
- A. Scoliosis can be corrected with exercises and physical therapy.
- B. Bracing is often recommended to prevent further curvature of the spine.
- C. Surgery is usually necessary for all cases of scoliosis.
- D. There is no effective treatment for scoliosis.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Bracing is commonly used in moderate cases of scoliosis to prevent progression of the spinal curvature. Choice A is incorrect because exercises and physical therapy can help manage scoliosis but may not correct it. Choice C is incorrect as surgery is usually reserved for severe cases of scoliosis that do not respond to other treatments. Choice D is incorrect because there are effective treatments available for scoliosis, such as bracing, and surgery when necessary.
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