Pediatric HESI 2024

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Teaching seizure first aid to family members is essential as it empowers them to respond effectively during a seizure. Keeping a diary of seizure activity is important for tracking patterns and triggers but is not directly related to immediate safety. Administering antiepileptic medication only when a seizure occurs is not recommended as medications should be administered as prescribed by healthcare providers. Restricting the child's activities to prevent seizures is not appropriate as children with epilepsy should be encouraged to lead active lives while taking necessary precautions.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: A common clinical manifestation of bacterial meningitis is a positive Kernig sign, which indicates meningeal irritation. Kernig sign is elicited when the leg is bent at the hip and knee at 90-degree angles, and pain and resistance are felt with extension at the knee due to inflamed meninges. Options A, B, and C are not typically associated with bacterial meningitis. A rash is more commonly seen in viral illnesses, photophobia can be present but is not specific to bacterial meningitis, and jaundice is not a typical clinical manifestation of this condition.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: For a 5-year-old child, an apical pulse below 90 beats/min is a reason to withhold digoxin. Digoxin is a medication commonly used to treat heart conditions, and its administration is based on heart rate parameters. A pulse rate below 90 beats/min indicates bradycardia. In pediatric patients, bradycardia below this threshold may be a sign of toxicity or potential adverse effects of digoxin, necessitating withholding the medication and informing the healthcare provider. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect as they represent pulse rates above the threshold for withholding digoxin in a 5-year-old child.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Diarrhea. Rotavirus infection commonly presents with symptoms such as watery diarrhea, fever, vomiting, and abdominal pain. However, diarrhea is the hallmark symptom of rotavirus infection, often leading to dehydration in children. Abdominal pain (choice A) can also be present but is not as specific to rotavirus infection as diarrhea. Constipation (choice C) is not a typical symptom of rotavirus infection. While vomiting (choice D) can occur in rotavirus infection, it is more commonly associated with other gastrointestinal conditions.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'Mental retardation occurs if PKU is untreated.' Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a metabolic disorder that, if left untreated with dietary management, can lead to severe mental retardation due to the accumulation of phenylalanine. It is crucial for parents to understand the potential consequences of untreated PKU to emphasize the importance of early and consistent treatment. Choice B is incorrect because testing for PKU is typically done through newborn screening shortly after birth, not immediately. Choice C is incorrect as treatment for PKU primarily involves strict dietary management that restricts phenylalanine intake, not lifelong medications. Choice D is incorrect as PKU is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, meaning that both parents must pass on a mutated gene for the disorder to manifest.