Pediatric HESI Practice Questions

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Signs of dehydration. Assessing for signs of dehydration is crucial in infants with hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS) because they are at high risk due to frequent vomiting. Dehydration can lead to serious complications if not promptly addressed. Choices A, C, and D are not the priority assessments for HPS. While the quality of the cry can provide some information on the infant's distress level, dehydration assessment takes precedence. Coughing up feedings may not be specific to HPS, and characteristics of the stool, although important in general assessments, are not the priority in this situation.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct technique for opening the airway of an infant with no suspected neck injury is to tilt the head back without hyperextending the neck. This method helps to keep the airway open without risking injury to the infant's delicate neck structures. Choice A, lifting up the chin and hyperextending the neck, can potentially harm the infant's neck. Choice C, gently lifting the chin while maintaining slight flexion of the neck, is not as effective as tilting the head back. Choice D is incorrect as infants require a different approach compared to older children or adults due to their anatomical differences.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Incisors are the teeth that typically erupt first in infants, usually around 6 months of age. These teeth play a crucial role in biting and cutting food. Canines, upper molars, and lower molars are not the primary teeth to erupt in infants. Canines usually erupt after incisors, while molars, whether upper or lower, come in later during the teething process.

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: B

Rationale: Establishing a bedtime routine is the most appropriate suggestion for a child experiencing night terrors. Consistent bedtime routines help create a sense of security and predictability, reducing the likelihood of night terrors. Encouraging the child to talk about the dream (Choice A) may not be effective as night terrors occur during non-REM sleep, and the child may not remember the dreams. Allowing the child to sleep with the parents (Choice C) can reinforce dependency and may not address the underlying causes of night terrors. Waking the child during the night (Choice D) can disrupt their sleep cycle and worsen the occurrence of night terrors.