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ATI CAPSTONE NURSING CARE OF CHILDREN
ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 | Comprehensive
Questions with Verified Answers | Graded A+ | Pass
Guaranteed - A+ Graded
SECTION 1: GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
Q1: A nurse is assessing a 4-year-old child during a well-child visit. Which of the following
findings should the nurse identify as indicating a need for further developmental
evaluation?
A. The child can hop on one foot
B. The child speaks in 3-4 word sentences
C. The child engages in parallel play with peers
D. The child believes that wearing a costume changes their identity
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: By age 4, children should be engaging in associative play (interacting with others),
not parallel play (playing alongside but not with others). Option C indicates a developmental
delay because parallel play is typical for 2-3 year olds, while associative/cooperative play
emerges around age 4. Option A is correct for a 4-year-old (gross motor skill). Option B is
appropriate language development. Option D demonstrates magical thinking, which is normal
preschooler cognition. The nurse should further evaluate the child's social development and
consider a developmental screening.
Q2: During a well-child visit, the parent of a 6-month-old infant asks about the
immunization schedule. Which of the following vaccines should the nurse expect to
administer at this visit? (Select all that apply)
A. DTaP
B. MMR
C. Polio (IPV)
D. Hepatitis B
E. Varicella
Correct Answer: A, C, D
Rationale: At 6 months, infants typically receive DTaP, Polio (IPV), and Hepatitis B vaccines.
MMR and Varicella are usually given at 12 months. The nurse should follow the updated
immunization schedule for 2026/2027.
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Q3: A 2-year-old child is brought to the emergency department with symptoms of croup.
Which of the following interventions should the nurse prioritize?
A. Administering a dose of oral steroids
B. Providing humidified oxygen
C. Administering intravenous antibiotics
D. Encouraging fluid intake
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The primary intervention for croup is providing humidified oxygen to reduce airway
inflammation and improve breathing. Oral steroids may be used but are not the first priority.
Intravenous antibiotics are not indicated for viral croup. Encouraging fluid intake is important
but not the priority intervention.
Q4: A 5-year-old child presents with signs of severe dehydration. Which of the following
clinical manifestations should the nurse expect to see? (Select all that apply)
A. Sunken fontanelles
B. Tachycardia
C. Increased urine output
D. Dry mucous membranes
E. Hypotension
Correct Answer: A, B, D, E
Rationale: Signs of severe dehydration include sunken fontanelles, tachycardia, dry mucous
membranes, and hypotension. Increased urine output is not consistent with dehydration.
Q5: The nurse is preparing to administer a medication to a child weighing 10 kg. The
prescribed dose is 5 mg/kg. How many milligrams of the medication should the nurse
administer?
A. 10 mg
B. 25 mg
C. 50 mg
D. 75 mg
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct dosage is calculated as 5 mg/kg x 10 kg = 50 mg. The nurse should
ensure accurate dosage calculation to prevent medication errors.
Q6: A nurse is caring for a hospitalized 7-year-old child. Which of the following actions best
demonstrates family-centered care?
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A. Limiting parental visitation to specific hours
B. Encouraging the parents to participate in the child's care
C. Providing care without consulting the parents
D. Restricting the parents from being present during procedures
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Family-centered care involves encouraging parental participation in the child's care,
which helps to reduce anxiety and promote a sense of control for both the child and parents.
Q7: A nurse is assessing an 18-month-old toddler. Which of the following milestones should
the nurse expect to observe?
A. The child can walk independently
B. The child can say 50 words
C. The child can use a spoon to feed themselves
D. The child can stack 6 blocks
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: By 18 months, children typically can walk independently. Saying 50 words is more
typical of a 2-year-old. Using a spoon to feed themselves is a skill that develops around 18
months but is not as consistent as walking. Stacking 6 blocks is usually achieved by 2 years of
age.
Q8: A parent asks the nurse about the normal developmental milestones for a 9-month-old
infant. Which of the following should the nurse include in the response?
A. The infant can sit without support
B. The infant can crawl
C. The infant can say "mama" and "dada" with meaning
D. The infant can pull to stand
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: By 9 months, infants typically can pull to stand. Sitting without support is usually
achieved by 6 months. Crawling can occur around 9 months but is not universal. Saying "mama"
and "dada" with meaning is more typical of a 10-12 month old.
Q9: A nurse is assessing a 3-year-old child. Which of the following findings should the
nurse report to the healthcare provider?
A. The child can ride a tricycle
B. The child can draw a circle
C. The child can button their clothing
D. The child can speak in 3-4 word sentences
, 4
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Buttoning clothing is a fine motor skill typically achieved by 4 years of age. Riding a
tricycle, drawing a circle, and speaking in 3-4 word sentences are appropriate milestones for a 3-
year-old.
Q10: A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to the parents of a 12-month-old infant.
Which of the following should the nurse include?
A. The infant should be able to walk independently
B. The infant should be able to say 10 words
C. The infant should be able to use a cup without help
D. The infant should be able to follow simple commands
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: By 12 months, infants should be able to follow simple commands. Walking
independently is typically achieved by 12 months but can vary. Saying 10 words is more typical
of an 18-month-old. Using a cup without help is usually achieved by 15 months.
Q11: A nurse is assessing a 6-year-old child. Which of the following findings should the
nurse identify as indicating a need for further evaluation?
A. The child can tie their shoelaces
B. The child can read simple words
C. The child can ride a bicycle with training wheels
D. The child can count to 10
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Tying shoelaces is a fine motor skill typically achieved by 6 years of age, but if not
present, further evaluation may be needed. Reading simple words is more typical of a 7-year-old.
Riding a bicycle with training wheels and counting to 10 are appropriate milestones for a 6-year-
old.
Q12: A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old child. Which of the following findings should the
nurse identify as indicating a need for further evaluation?
A. The child can run
B. The child can say 50 words
C. The child can use a spoon to feed themselves
D. The child can stack 10 blocks
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Stacking 10 blocks is a skill typically achieved by 3 years of age. Running, saying 50
words, and using a spoon to feed themselves are appropriate milestones for a 2-year-old.
ATI CAPSTONE NURSING CARE OF CHILDREN
ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 | Comprehensive
Questions with Verified Answers | Graded A+ | Pass
Guaranteed - A+ Graded
SECTION 1: GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
Q1: A nurse is assessing a 4-year-old child during a well-child visit. Which of the following
findings should the nurse identify as indicating a need for further developmental
evaluation?
A. The child can hop on one foot
B. The child speaks in 3-4 word sentences
C. The child engages in parallel play with peers
D. The child believes that wearing a costume changes their identity
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: By age 4, children should be engaging in associative play (interacting with others),
not parallel play (playing alongside but not with others). Option C indicates a developmental
delay because parallel play is typical for 2-3 year olds, while associative/cooperative play
emerges around age 4. Option A is correct for a 4-year-old (gross motor skill). Option B is
appropriate language development. Option D demonstrates magical thinking, which is normal
preschooler cognition. The nurse should further evaluate the child's social development and
consider a developmental screening.
Q2: During a well-child visit, the parent of a 6-month-old infant asks about the
immunization schedule. Which of the following vaccines should the nurse expect to
administer at this visit? (Select all that apply)
A. DTaP
B. MMR
C. Polio (IPV)
D. Hepatitis B
E. Varicella
Correct Answer: A, C, D
Rationale: At 6 months, infants typically receive DTaP, Polio (IPV), and Hepatitis B vaccines.
MMR and Varicella are usually given at 12 months. The nurse should follow the updated
immunization schedule for 2026/2027.
,2
Q3: A 2-year-old child is brought to the emergency department with symptoms of croup.
Which of the following interventions should the nurse prioritize?
A. Administering a dose of oral steroids
B. Providing humidified oxygen
C. Administering intravenous antibiotics
D. Encouraging fluid intake
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The primary intervention for croup is providing humidified oxygen to reduce airway
inflammation and improve breathing. Oral steroids may be used but are not the first priority.
Intravenous antibiotics are not indicated for viral croup. Encouraging fluid intake is important
but not the priority intervention.
Q4: A 5-year-old child presents with signs of severe dehydration. Which of the following
clinical manifestations should the nurse expect to see? (Select all that apply)
A. Sunken fontanelles
B. Tachycardia
C. Increased urine output
D. Dry mucous membranes
E. Hypotension
Correct Answer: A, B, D, E
Rationale: Signs of severe dehydration include sunken fontanelles, tachycardia, dry mucous
membranes, and hypotension. Increased urine output is not consistent with dehydration.
Q5: The nurse is preparing to administer a medication to a child weighing 10 kg. The
prescribed dose is 5 mg/kg. How many milligrams of the medication should the nurse
administer?
A. 10 mg
B. 25 mg
C. 50 mg
D. 75 mg
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct dosage is calculated as 5 mg/kg x 10 kg = 50 mg. The nurse should
ensure accurate dosage calculation to prevent medication errors.
Q6: A nurse is caring for a hospitalized 7-year-old child. Which of the following actions best
demonstrates family-centered care?
,3
A. Limiting parental visitation to specific hours
B. Encouraging the parents to participate in the child's care
C. Providing care without consulting the parents
D. Restricting the parents from being present during procedures
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Family-centered care involves encouraging parental participation in the child's care,
which helps to reduce anxiety and promote a sense of control for both the child and parents.
Q7: A nurse is assessing an 18-month-old toddler. Which of the following milestones should
the nurse expect to observe?
A. The child can walk independently
B. The child can say 50 words
C. The child can use a spoon to feed themselves
D. The child can stack 6 blocks
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: By 18 months, children typically can walk independently. Saying 50 words is more
typical of a 2-year-old. Using a spoon to feed themselves is a skill that develops around 18
months but is not as consistent as walking. Stacking 6 blocks is usually achieved by 2 years of
age.
Q8: A parent asks the nurse about the normal developmental milestones for a 9-month-old
infant. Which of the following should the nurse include in the response?
A. The infant can sit without support
B. The infant can crawl
C. The infant can say "mama" and "dada" with meaning
D. The infant can pull to stand
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: By 9 months, infants typically can pull to stand. Sitting without support is usually
achieved by 6 months. Crawling can occur around 9 months but is not universal. Saying "mama"
and "dada" with meaning is more typical of a 10-12 month old.
Q9: A nurse is assessing a 3-year-old child. Which of the following findings should the
nurse report to the healthcare provider?
A. The child can ride a tricycle
B. The child can draw a circle
C. The child can button their clothing
D. The child can speak in 3-4 word sentences
, 4
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Buttoning clothing is a fine motor skill typically achieved by 4 years of age. Riding a
tricycle, drawing a circle, and speaking in 3-4 word sentences are appropriate milestones for a 3-
year-old.
Q10: A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to the parents of a 12-month-old infant.
Which of the following should the nurse include?
A. The infant should be able to walk independently
B. The infant should be able to say 10 words
C. The infant should be able to use a cup without help
D. The infant should be able to follow simple commands
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: By 12 months, infants should be able to follow simple commands. Walking
independently is typically achieved by 12 months but can vary. Saying 10 words is more typical
of an 18-month-old. Using a cup without help is usually achieved by 15 months.
Q11: A nurse is assessing a 6-year-old child. Which of the following findings should the
nurse identify as indicating a need for further evaluation?
A. The child can tie their shoelaces
B. The child can read simple words
C. The child can ride a bicycle with training wheels
D. The child can count to 10
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Tying shoelaces is a fine motor skill typically achieved by 6 years of age, but if not
present, further evaluation may be needed. Reading simple words is more typical of a 7-year-old.
Riding a bicycle with training wheels and counting to 10 are appropriate milestones for a 6-year-
old.
Q12: A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old child. Which of the following findings should the
nurse identify as indicating a need for further evaluation?
A. The child can run
B. The child can say 50 words
C. The child can use a spoon to feed themselves
D. The child can stack 10 blocks
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Stacking 10 blocks is a skill typically achieved by 3 years of age. Running, saying 50
words, and using a spoon to feed themselves are appropriate milestones for a 2-year-old.
