Pediatric HESI Practice Questions

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: In the case of a child ingesting household bleach, the primary advice should be to call the poison control center (Choice C). The poison control center can provide specific guidance on how to manage the ingestion, including whether any immediate interventions are necessary. Administering activated charcoal (Choice A) or inducing vomiting immediately (Choice B) can worsen the situation as they are not recommended treatments for bleach ingestion. Taking the child to the emergency department (Choice D) may be necessary depending on the advice given by the poison control center, but the initial step should be to seek guidance from the experts at the poison control center.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The primary function of the endocrine system is hormonal secretion. This system is responsible for producing and releasing hormones that regulate various bodily functions such as growth, metabolism, and mood. Choice A, regulation of water balance, is more related to the functions of the renal system rather than the endocrine system. Choice C, cellular metabolism, is a general cellular process that involves various systems, not specific to the endocrine system. Choice D, growth stimulation, though hormones can influence growth, it is not the primary function of the endocrine system. Therefore, the correct answer is B.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Allowing the child to play with a favorite toy while taking the medication is the best approach to gain cooperation. This strategy can help distract and calm the child during the medication administration process. Choice A may not be as effective with a young child who may not fully understand the explanation. Offering a reward (choice C) may reinforce negative behavior and create a dependency on rewards for cooperation. Giving the medication with food (choice D) may not always be appropriate and may not address the cooperation aspect.

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: A

Rationale: The correct answer is monitoring fluid and electrolyte balance. Gastroenteritis is characterized by inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract leading to diarrhea and vomiting, which can result in dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. Therefore, the priority nursing intervention is to monitor and maintain the child's fluid and electrolyte balance to prevent complications. Encouraging regular exercise (Choice B) may not be appropriate initially for a child with gastroenteritis who needs rest and fluid replacement. Administering antipyretics (Choice C) is not the priority unless the child has a fever. Administering antibiotics (Choice D) is not indicated for viral gastroenteritis, which is the most common cause of the condition.