Page 1 of 309
Essentials of Pediatric Nursing Exam
COMPLETE CHAPTERS NEW UPDATE
2026-2027 QUESTIONS AND DETAILED
SOLUTIONS
Question: A 6-month-old infant is admitted with suspected bacterial meningitis. She is crying,
irritable, and lying in the opisthotonic position. Which intervention should the nurse take
initially? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔Institute droplet precautions in addition to standard
precautions.
Explanation:
Bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency. The child must be placed on droplet precautions
until 24 hours of antibiotics have been given. Encouraging the mother to hold and comfort the
child is an intervention but not the priority one: the focus is to get the infant the appropriate
medications to fight the infection and to prevent its spread. Educating the family about
preventing bacterial meningitis would be appropriate later once the initial infection has been
controlled. Palpating the fontanels is used to assess for hydrocephalus.
, Page 2 of 309
Question: A 6-year-old has had a viral infection for the past 5 days and is having severe
vomiting, confusion, and irritability, although he is now afebrile. During the assessment, the
nurse should ask the parent which question? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔"Did you use any
medications like aspirin for the fever?"
Explanation:
Severe and continual vomiting, changes in mental status, lethargy, and irritability are some of
the signs and symptoms of Reye syndrome, which can occur as a result of ingesting aspirin or
aspirin-containing products during a viral infection. Tylenol (acetaminophen) is allowed for viral
infections in the school-age child. The type of fluids consumed during the illness has nothing to
do with Reye syndrome. The temperature rise would be important for a much younger child
because of the chance of febrile seizures, but not in this age child.
Question: The nurse is using the pediatric Glasgow Coma Scale to assess a child's level of
consciousness. What would the nurse assess? Select all that apply. - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔Eye
opening
Verbal response
Motor response
, Page 3 of 309
Explanation:
The pediatric Glasgow Coma Scale assesses level of consciousness using three parts: eye
opening, verbal response, and motor response.
Question: A child with a seizure disorder is being admitted to the inpatient unit. When
preparing the room for the child, what should be included? Select all that apply. - CORRECT
ANSWER✔✔Oxygen gauge and tubing
Suction at bedside
Padding for side rails
Explanation:
When planning the client's environment it is imperative that both safety items and those to
manage the seizure are present. The side rails should be padded to prevent injury during seizure
activity. Oxygen setup should be provided. Suction may be needed. Tongue blades and smelling
salts are not employed.
Question: While caring for a child who will be undergoing a lumbar puncture, the nurse
explains the procedure to the infant's mother. Which statement by the mother would indicate a
, Page 4 of 309
need for further education? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔"I will cradle her in my arms after the
procedure for at least 30 minutes."
Explanation:
During the procedure, typically 3 tubes of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) are removed for testing.
After the procedure, the child is encouraged to lay flat for at least 30 minutes. During that time,
the child is also encouraged to drink a glass of fluid to help prevent cerebral irritation. Even
when all proper procedures are followed, some children develop a headache following the test.
An analgesic may be given for pain relief.
Q:The parent of a 12-year-old child with Reye syndrome approaches the nurse wanting to know
how this happened to the child, saying, "I never give my children aspirin!" What could the nurse
say to begin educating the parent? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔"Sometimes it is hard to tell what
products may contain aspirin."
Explanation:
Salicylates are in a wide variety of products, so consumers must read the small print very
carefully or they will miss the warning. Two common medications containing salicylates are
bismuth subsalicylate and effervescent heartburn relief anti-acid. The parent needs to be
Essentials of Pediatric Nursing Exam
COMPLETE CHAPTERS NEW UPDATE
2026-2027 QUESTIONS AND DETAILED
SOLUTIONS
Question: A 6-month-old infant is admitted with suspected bacterial meningitis. She is crying,
irritable, and lying in the opisthotonic position. Which intervention should the nurse take
initially? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔Institute droplet precautions in addition to standard
precautions.
Explanation:
Bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency. The child must be placed on droplet precautions
until 24 hours of antibiotics have been given. Encouraging the mother to hold and comfort the
child is an intervention but not the priority one: the focus is to get the infant the appropriate
medications to fight the infection and to prevent its spread. Educating the family about
preventing bacterial meningitis would be appropriate later once the initial infection has been
controlled. Palpating the fontanels is used to assess for hydrocephalus.
, Page 2 of 309
Question: A 6-year-old has had a viral infection for the past 5 days and is having severe
vomiting, confusion, and irritability, although he is now afebrile. During the assessment, the
nurse should ask the parent which question? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔"Did you use any
medications like aspirin for the fever?"
Explanation:
Severe and continual vomiting, changes in mental status, lethargy, and irritability are some of
the signs and symptoms of Reye syndrome, which can occur as a result of ingesting aspirin or
aspirin-containing products during a viral infection. Tylenol (acetaminophen) is allowed for viral
infections in the school-age child. The type of fluids consumed during the illness has nothing to
do with Reye syndrome. The temperature rise would be important for a much younger child
because of the chance of febrile seizures, but not in this age child.
Question: The nurse is using the pediatric Glasgow Coma Scale to assess a child's level of
consciousness. What would the nurse assess? Select all that apply. - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔Eye
opening
Verbal response
Motor response
, Page 3 of 309
Explanation:
The pediatric Glasgow Coma Scale assesses level of consciousness using three parts: eye
opening, verbal response, and motor response.
Question: A child with a seizure disorder is being admitted to the inpatient unit. When
preparing the room for the child, what should be included? Select all that apply. - CORRECT
ANSWER✔✔Oxygen gauge and tubing
Suction at bedside
Padding for side rails
Explanation:
When planning the client's environment it is imperative that both safety items and those to
manage the seizure are present. The side rails should be padded to prevent injury during seizure
activity. Oxygen setup should be provided. Suction may be needed. Tongue blades and smelling
salts are not employed.
Question: While caring for a child who will be undergoing a lumbar puncture, the nurse
explains the procedure to the infant's mother. Which statement by the mother would indicate a
, Page 4 of 309
need for further education? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔"I will cradle her in my arms after the
procedure for at least 30 minutes."
Explanation:
During the procedure, typically 3 tubes of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) are removed for testing.
After the procedure, the child is encouraged to lay flat for at least 30 minutes. During that time,
the child is also encouraged to drink a glass of fluid to help prevent cerebral irritation. Even
when all proper procedures are followed, some children develop a headache following the test.
An analgesic may be given for pain relief.
Q:The parent of a 12-year-old child with Reye syndrome approaches the nurse wanting to know
how this happened to the child, saying, "I never give my children aspirin!" What could the nurse
say to begin educating the parent? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔"Sometimes it is hard to tell what
products may contain aspirin."
Explanation:
Salicylates are in a wide variety of products, so consumers must read the small print very
carefully or they will miss the warning. Two common medications containing salicylates are
bismuth subsalicylate and effervescent heartburn relief anti-acid. The parent needs to be
