HESI RN
HESI Pediatric Practice Exam
1. The nurse is assessing a 4-year-old child who is brought to the clinic for a routine checkup. The child’s parent reports that the child has been more irritable and less active over the past week. The nurse notes a petechial rash on the child’s trunk and extremities. What should the nurse do first?
- A. Ask the parent about recent exposure to contagious diseases
- B. Review the child’s immunization record
- C. Measure the child’s temperature
- D. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
Correct answer: D
Rationale: In this scenario, the child's presentation with irritability, decreased activity, and a petechial rash raises concern for a serious condition like meningitis. Petechial rash can be indicative of meningitis or other critical illnesses. Therefore, the nurse's priority should be to notify the healthcare provider immediately to ensure prompt evaluation and appropriate management. Asking about recent exposure to contagious diseases may be relevant later but is not the most urgent action. Reviewing the child's immunization record and measuring the temperature can provide valuable information but should not take precedence over the need to address the potential serious condition indicated by the petechial rash.
2. What intervention should the nurse implement first for a male toddler brought to the emergency center approximately three hours after swallowing tablets from his grandmother's bottle of digoxin (Lanoxin)?
- A. Administer activated charcoal
- B. Prepare gastric lavage
- C. Obtain a 12-lead electrocardiogram
- D. Give IV digoxin immune fab (Digibind)
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Administering activated charcoal is the priority intervention as it binds with digoxin, preventing further absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. This helps reduce the amount of digoxin available for systemic circulation and minimizes its toxic effects. Gastric lavage is no longer recommended due to potential complications and lack of evidence of efficacy. Obtaining an electrocardiogram may help assess the effects of digoxin toxicity, but it is not the initial priority. IV digoxin immune fab (Digibind) is used in severe cases of digoxin toxicity but is not the first-line intervention.
3. When reviewing developmental changes with the parents of a 6-month-old infant, what information should the practical nurse reinforce?
- A. Encourage the infant to self-feed finger foods.
- B. Teach the parents strategies to help the infant sit up.
- C. Provide a developmentally safe environment for the infant.
- D. Explain that an increased appetite typically occurs in the next 6 months.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because providing a developmentally safe environment for a 6-month-old infant is crucial as they begin to explore their surroundings more actively. This includes ensuring that the environment is free of hazards and that the infant is supervised to prevent accidents. Choice A is incorrect because self-feeding finger foods may not be developmentally appropriate for a 6-month-old infant. Choice B is incorrect as most infants are able to sit up with support around 6 months of age without the need for specific teaching strategies. Choice D is also incorrect as while appetite changes can occur, explaining a specific increase in appetite over the next 6 months is not a primary focus when discussing developmental changes with parents of a 6-month-old.
4. 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.
5. The nurse is caring for a 4-year-old child who has been diagnosed with measles. Which intervention should the nurse implement to prevent the spread of infection?
- A. Administer antipyretics as prescribed
- B. Place the child in airborne isolation
- C. Encourage fluid intake
- D. Teach the parents about hand hygiene
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Measles is an airborne infection, so placing the child in airborne isolation is crucial to prevent the spread of the virus to others. Airborne isolation precautions help contain infectious respiratory droplets and reduce the risk of transmission to healthcare workers, other patients, and visitors. Administering antipyretics, encouraging fluid intake, and teaching parents about hand hygiene are important aspects of care but do not directly address the prevention of the spread of measles, which requires airborne precautions.
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