Pediatric HESI Practice Questions

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: In a child with a congenital cardiac malformation causing right-to-left shunting of blood, the nurse should expect an elevated hematocrit. This occurs because the body compensates for decreased oxygenation by producing more red blood cells. Proteinuria (Choice A) is not a typical clinical finding related to right-to-left shunting. Peripheral edema (Choice B) is more commonly associated with conditions causing volume overload, such as left-sided heart failure. Absence of pedal pulses (Choice D) is not directly related to right-to-left shunting but may be seen in conditions affecting peripheral circulation.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The priority nursing intervention for a child with hemophilia experiencing a bleeding episode is administering factor VIII. Hemophilia is a genetic disorder characterized by a deficiency in clotting factors, such as factor VIII. Administering factor VIII replacement therapy is crucial to stop or control bleeding in individuals with hemophilia. Options A, B, and D are important aspects of patient care but do not take precedence over addressing the underlying cause of the bleeding in a child with hemophilia, which is the deficiency of factor VIII.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is monitoring fluid and electrolyte balance. Gastroenteritis is characterized by inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, leading to fluid loss. Maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance is essential in managing gastroenteritis to prevent dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. Encouraging regular exercise (Choice B) is not a priority in the acute phase of gastroenteritis when the focus is on rehydration and symptom management. Administering antipyretics (Choice C) may be considered for fever management but is not the priority over monitoring fluid and electrolyte balance. Administering antibiotics (Choice D) is not routinely indicated for viral gastroenteritis, which is a common cause of the condition in children.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C, Chickenpox (varicella). Chickenpox is a viral disease characterized by a highly pruritic rash that typically starts on the abdomen and then spreads to other parts of the body, including the face and proximal extremities. It can lead to complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis. Rubella (German measles) presents with a mild rash and swollen lymph nodes; Rubeola (measles) also presents with a rash but starts on the face before spreading downwards; Scarlet fever is caused by Group A Streptococcus bacteria and is characterized by a rash, fever, and sore throat.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Poor wound healing is a common clinical manifestation of type 1 diabetes mellitus. Elevated blood glucose levels in diabetes can lead to impaired wound healing by affecting various cellular processes involved in the healing cascade. Moist skin (Choice A) is not typically associated with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Weight gain (Choice B) is more commonly seen in type 2 diabetes due to insulin resistance. Fluid overload (Choice C) is not a typical clinical manifestation of type 1 diabetes mellitus. Therefore, the correct answer is poor wound healing.