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ATI CAPSTONE NURSING CARE OF CHILDREN
ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 | Questions and Answers |
Expert Certified 100% & NEW! | Pass Guaranteed -
A+ Graded
SECTION 1: GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT (24 Questions)
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: [CORRECT] By age 4, children should transition from parallel play (playing
alongside, but not with, other children) to associative play (interacting with others). Parallel play
is typical for toddlers (ages 1-3). Option A is an expected gross motor skill for a 4-year-old.
Option B is appropriate language development (typically 3-4 word sentences are expected by age
3, and by age 4 sentences are usually 4-5 words or more complex). Option D reflects magical
thinking, which is a normal cognitive characteristic of the preschooler (Piaget’s Preoperational
stage).
Q2: A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to the parents of a 6-month-old infant. Which of
the following statements by the parent indicates a need for further teaching regarding injury
prevention?
A. "I need to lower the crib mattress to the lowest level now."
B. "I should keep small objects and plastic bags out of reach."
C. "I will allow my infant to sleep on a soft pillow to prevent flat head syndrome."
D. "I will use a rear-facing car seat in the back seat of the car."
Correct Answer: C
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Rationale: [CORRECT] Soft bedding, including pillows, bumpers, and stuffed animals, increases
the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and suffocation. The infant should sleep on a
firm mattress. Option A is correct; while 6-month-olds may not be standing yet, lowering the
mattress is proactive as they begin to sit and pull up. Option B is correct for choking and
suffocation prevention. Option D is correct; infants should remain rear-facing until at least age 2
or until they reach the maximum height/weight limit.
Q3: A nurse is discussing Erikson's stages of psychosocial development with the guardians of a
2-year-old toddler. The nurse should explain that which of the following tasks is the priority for
this age group?
A. Developing a sense of trust
B. Developing a sense of autonomy
C. Developing a sense of initiative
D. Developing a sense of industry
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: [CORRECT] According to Erikson, toddlers (ages 1-3) are in the stage of Autonomy
vs. Shame and Doubt. They strive for independence and self-control (e.g., toileting, feeding,
dressing). Option A refers to infancy (Trust vs. Mistrust). Option C refers to the preschooler
(Initiative vs. Guilt). Option D refers to the school-age child (Industry vs. Inferiority).
Q4: A nurse is performing a developmental assessment on a 9-month-old infant. Which of the
following findings should the nurse expect?
A. The infant can drink from a cup without spilling.
B. The infant can transfer an object from one hand to the other.
C. The infant can stack two blocks.
D. The infant can use a pincer grasp effectively.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: [CORRECT] Transferring objects from hand to hand is a fine motor skill expected by
age 6-7 months. Option A is expected around 12-15 months (or later for spill-proof use). Option
C (stacking two blocks) is expected around 15-18 months. Option D (pincer grasp) typically
emerges around 9-10 months, but the most consistent expectation for a 9-month-old assessment
is the hand-to-hand transfer. While D is plausible, B is definitively expected slightly earlier and
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solidified by 9 months. ATI typically focuses on the transfer at this age for gross/fine motor
assessment.
Q5: A nurse is teaching a group of parents about Piaget's theory of cognitive development. The
nurse should explain that school-age children (ages 6-12) are in which of the following stages?
A. Sensorimotor
B. Preoperational
C. Concrete Operational
D. Formal Operational
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: [CORRECT] School-age children are in the Concrete Operational stage. They develop
logical thought regarding concrete objects and events. They understand conservation,
classification, and serialization. Option A is infancy (0-2 years). Option B is
toddlers/preschoolers (2-7 years). Option D is adolescents and adults (12+ years), characterized
by abstract thinking.
Q6: A nurse is caring for a 16-year-old adolescent. Which of the following behaviors
demonstrates that the adolescent has achieved the developmental task of identity vs. role
confusion?
A. The adolescent seeks approval from parents for all decisions.
B. The adolescent engages in exclusive dating and neglects peer groups.
C. The adolescent has decided to pursue a career in nursing after volunteering at a hospital.
D. The adolescent relies primarily on teachers for guidance on moral dilemmas.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: [CORRECT] Identity vs. Role Confusion is the task of adolescence. Achieving
identity involves exploring roles and establishing a sense of self, including career goals and
personal values. Making a career decision based on personal experience indicates identity
formation. Options A and D suggest dependence on others, hindering identity formation. Option
B indicates enmeshment in a relationship rather than broad identity exploration.
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Q7: A nurse is assessing a 3-year-old preschooler's language development. Which of the
following findings indicates a need for referral?
A. Uses 3-word sentences.
B. Vocabulary of 200 words.
C. Is understandable to strangers 50% of the time.
D. Uses past tense verbs correctly.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: [CORRECT] A 3-year-old should have a vocabulary of approximately 900-1,000
words. A vocabulary of only 200 words indicates a significant language delay. Option A is
expected (3-word sentences). Option C is normal; a 3-year-old is typically understandable to
strangers about 75% of the time, but 50% is borderline; however, the vocabulary count of 200 is
a definitive red flag for developmental delay compared to standard milestones. Correction: ATI
standards often cite a 3yo should be 75% understandable. A vocabulary of 200 is closer to a 2-
year-old milestone (50+ words). Therefore, B is the strongest indicator for referral.
Q8: A nurse is preparing to administer an immunization to a 4-year-old child. Which of the
following actions by the nurse is most appropriate to reduce the child's fear?
A. Tell the child that the injection will not hurt.
B. Ask the parent to leave the room during the procedure.
C. Allow the child to examine the syringe and equipment before the injection.
D. Administer the injection while the child is sleeping.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: [CORRECT] Preschoolers have active imaginations and magical thinking. Allowing
them to handle equipment (therapeutic play) reduces fear of the unknown. Option A is lying,
which destroys trust. Option B increases separation anxiety; parents should be present to
comfort. Option D is inappropriate; the child will wake up frightened and distrustful.
Q9: A nurse is teaching the parent of a 12-month-old infant about nutrition. Which of the
following statements by the parent indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. "I can give my infant whole cow's milk instead of formula now."
B. "I will give my infant honey to sweeten the vegetables."
ATI CAPSTONE NURSING CARE OF CHILDREN
ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 | Questions and Answers |
Expert Certified 100% & NEW! | Pass Guaranteed -
A+ Graded
SECTION 1: GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT (24 Questions)
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: [CORRECT] By age 4, children should transition from parallel play (playing
alongside, but not with, other children) to associative play (interacting with others). Parallel play
is typical for toddlers (ages 1-3). Option A is an expected gross motor skill for a 4-year-old.
Option B is appropriate language development (typically 3-4 word sentences are expected by age
3, and by age 4 sentences are usually 4-5 words or more complex). Option D reflects magical
thinking, which is a normal cognitive characteristic of the preschooler (Piaget’s Preoperational
stage).
Q2: A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to the parents of a 6-month-old infant. Which of
the following statements by the parent indicates a need for further teaching regarding injury
prevention?
A. "I need to lower the crib mattress to the lowest level now."
B. "I should keep small objects and plastic bags out of reach."
C. "I will allow my infant to sleep on a soft pillow to prevent flat head syndrome."
D. "I will use a rear-facing car seat in the back seat of the car."
Correct Answer: C
,2
Rationale: [CORRECT] Soft bedding, including pillows, bumpers, and stuffed animals, increases
the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and suffocation. The infant should sleep on a
firm mattress. Option A is correct; while 6-month-olds may not be standing yet, lowering the
mattress is proactive as they begin to sit and pull up. Option B is correct for choking and
suffocation prevention. Option D is correct; infants should remain rear-facing until at least age 2
or until they reach the maximum height/weight limit.
Q3: A nurse is discussing Erikson's stages of psychosocial development with the guardians of a
2-year-old toddler. The nurse should explain that which of the following tasks is the priority for
this age group?
A. Developing a sense of trust
B. Developing a sense of autonomy
C. Developing a sense of initiative
D. Developing a sense of industry
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: [CORRECT] According to Erikson, toddlers (ages 1-3) are in the stage of Autonomy
vs. Shame and Doubt. They strive for independence and self-control (e.g., toileting, feeding,
dressing). Option A refers to infancy (Trust vs. Mistrust). Option C refers to the preschooler
(Initiative vs. Guilt). Option D refers to the school-age child (Industry vs. Inferiority).
Q4: A nurse is performing a developmental assessment on a 9-month-old infant. Which of the
following findings should the nurse expect?
A. The infant can drink from a cup without spilling.
B. The infant can transfer an object from one hand to the other.
C. The infant can stack two blocks.
D. The infant can use a pincer grasp effectively.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: [CORRECT] Transferring objects from hand to hand is a fine motor skill expected by
age 6-7 months. Option A is expected around 12-15 months (or later for spill-proof use). Option
C (stacking two blocks) is expected around 15-18 months. Option D (pincer grasp) typically
emerges around 9-10 months, but the most consistent expectation for a 9-month-old assessment
is the hand-to-hand transfer. While D is plausible, B is definitively expected slightly earlier and
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solidified by 9 months. ATI typically focuses on the transfer at this age for gross/fine motor
assessment.
Q5: A nurse is teaching a group of parents about Piaget's theory of cognitive development. The
nurse should explain that school-age children (ages 6-12) are in which of the following stages?
A. Sensorimotor
B. Preoperational
C. Concrete Operational
D. Formal Operational
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: [CORRECT] School-age children are in the Concrete Operational stage. They develop
logical thought regarding concrete objects and events. They understand conservation,
classification, and serialization. Option A is infancy (0-2 years). Option B is
toddlers/preschoolers (2-7 years). Option D is adolescents and adults (12+ years), characterized
by abstract thinking.
Q6: A nurse is caring for a 16-year-old adolescent. Which of the following behaviors
demonstrates that the adolescent has achieved the developmental task of identity vs. role
confusion?
A. The adolescent seeks approval from parents for all decisions.
B. The adolescent engages in exclusive dating and neglects peer groups.
C. The adolescent has decided to pursue a career in nursing after volunteering at a hospital.
D. The adolescent relies primarily on teachers for guidance on moral dilemmas.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: [CORRECT] Identity vs. Role Confusion is the task of adolescence. Achieving
identity involves exploring roles and establishing a sense of self, including career goals and
personal values. Making a career decision based on personal experience indicates identity
formation. Options A and D suggest dependence on others, hindering identity formation. Option
B indicates enmeshment in a relationship rather than broad identity exploration.
, 4
Q7: A nurse is assessing a 3-year-old preschooler's language development. Which of the
following findings indicates a need for referral?
A. Uses 3-word sentences.
B. Vocabulary of 200 words.
C. Is understandable to strangers 50% of the time.
D. Uses past tense verbs correctly.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: [CORRECT] A 3-year-old should have a vocabulary of approximately 900-1,000
words. A vocabulary of only 200 words indicates a significant language delay. Option A is
expected (3-word sentences). Option C is normal; a 3-year-old is typically understandable to
strangers about 75% of the time, but 50% is borderline; however, the vocabulary count of 200 is
a definitive red flag for developmental delay compared to standard milestones. Correction: ATI
standards often cite a 3yo should be 75% understandable. A vocabulary of 200 is closer to a 2-
year-old milestone (50+ words). Therefore, B is the strongest indicator for referral.
Q8: A nurse is preparing to administer an immunization to a 4-year-old child. Which of the
following actions by the nurse is most appropriate to reduce the child's fear?
A. Tell the child that the injection will not hurt.
B. Ask the parent to leave the room during the procedure.
C. Allow the child to examine the syringe and equipment before the injection.
D. Administer the injection while the child is sleeping.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: [CORRECT] Preschoolers have active imaginations and magical thinking. Allowing
them to handle equipment (therapeutic play) reduces fear of the unknown. Option A is lying,
which destroys trust. Option B increases separation anxiety; parents should be present to
comfort. Option D is inappropriate; the child will wake up frightened and distrustful.
Q9: A nurse is teaching the parent of a 12-month-old infant about nutrition. Which of the
following statements by the parent indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. "I can give my infant whole cow's milk instead of formula now."
B. "I will give my infant honey to sweeten the vegetables."
