1
NGN ATI Peds Proctored Exam 2026/2027
Actual Exam - 250 Questions with Detailed
Rationales | 100% Verified Graded A+ Pass
Guaranteed - A+ Graded
[FORM A - Complete Proctored Exam]
Section 1: Growth & Development
A nurse is assessing a 9-month-old infant. Which of the following developmental milestones
should the nurse expect to find?
A. Sitting independently without support
B. Walking independently
C. Building a tower of three blocks
D. Using a spoon to feed self
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A 9-month-old infant typically sits independently without support. Walking
independently usually occurs around 12 months. Building a three-block tower is expected around
15 months, and using a spoon is expected around 12 to 15 months. Assessing gross motor
milestones is crucial for evaluating neurological development.
A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to the parents of a 2-year-old toddler. Which of the
following statements by the parent indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I will let my child help pick out his clothes for the day."
B. "I expect my child to share her toys with her siblings."
C. "I will provide a consistent bedtime routine."
D. "I understand that my child might say 'no' frequently."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Toddlers are egocentric and lack the cognitive development to understand the concept
of sharing. Expecting a 2-year-old to share will lead to frustration. Allowing choices (picking
clothes), maintaining routines, and expecting negativism ("no") are developmentally appropriate
strategies for this age.
,2
According to Piaget's theory of cognitive development, a nurse is planning care for a 4-year-old
child. The nurse should understand that this child is in which stage?
A. Sensorimotor
B. Preoperational
C. Concrete operational
D. Formal operational
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The preoperational stage spans from ages 2 to 7 years. Children in this stage exhibit
egocentrism, magical thinking, and symbolic thought. The sensorimotor stage is birth to 2 years,
concrete operational is 7 to 11 years, and formal operational is 12 years and older.
A nurse is assessing the language development of a 3-year-old child. Which of the following
findings is consistent with expected development?
A. Uses three- to four-word sentences
B. Speaks in complex, compound sentences
C. Has a vocabulary of approximately 200 words
D. Is unable to follow simple one-step commands
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A 3-year-old should use three- to four-word sentences and have a vocabulary of about
800 to 1000 words. Complex sentences develop later in the school-age years. Following simple
one-step commands is expected by age 1 to 2 years.
A nurse is educating parents of a 12-month-old infant regarding safety. Which of the following
instructions is the priority?
A. "Place gate at the top and bottom of the stairs."
B. "Keep the water heater set at 120°F (49°C)."
C. "Ensure all medications are in locked cabinets."
D. "Do not leave the infant unattended in the bathtub."
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Although all options are important safety measures, the leading cause of unintentional
injury death in infants is drowning. Therefore, never leaving an infant unattended in the bathtub
is the priority instruction. Physiologically, infants can drown in just inches of water in seconds.
,3
A 5-year-old child is hospitalized. The nurse observes the child playing with a doll and
pretending to give it an injection. The nurse recognizes this type of play as which of the
following?
A. Parallel play
B. Associative play
C. Therapeutic play
D. Cooperative play
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Therapeutic play allows a child to express feelings, cope with stressful experiences,
and gain a sense of mastery over hospital experiences. Giving a doll an injection demonstrates
working through a recent painful experience. Parallel play is playing alongside but not with
others; associative and cooperative play involve interactions with peers.
A nurse is evaluating the psychosocial development of an 11-year-old child using Erikson's
theory. Which of the following behaviors indicates successful achievement of the developmental
task for this age?
A. The child expresses pride in completing a school project independently.
B. The child frequently clings to the parent during medical procedures.
C. The child prefers to play alone rather than with peers.
D. The child exhibits intense separation anxiety when away from parents.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The developmental task for a school-age child (6 to 12 years) according to Erikson is
industry vs. inferiority. Feeling proud of accomplishments and mastering tasks indicates industry.
Clinging, preferring isolation, and separation anxiety indicate inferiority or failure to resolve
earlier stages (trust vs. mistrust).
A nurse is measuring the head circumference of a 6-month-old infant. The nurse notes the
measurement is at the 95th percentile. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Document the finding as a normal variation.
B. Palpate the anterior fontanelle for bulging.
C. Prepare the family for a diagnosis of microcephaly.
D. Measure the chest circumference to compare.
Correct Answer: B
, 4
Rationale: A head circumference at the 95th percentile may indicate hydrocephalus or increased
intracranial pressure. The nurse should palpate the anterior fontanelle for tension or bulging,
which are signs of increased ICP. Microcephaly is indicated by a head circumference below the
5th percentile. While comparing head and chest circumference is standard, assessing for
increased ICP is the priority safety action.
A nurse is planning gross motor activities for a 4-year-old preschooler. Which of the following
activities is most appropriate?
A. Playing a game of hopscotch
B. Riding a two-wheeled bicycle
C. Kicking a ball forward
D. Playing a board game
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A 4-year-old preschooler can kick a ball forward, jump in place, and throw a ball
overhand. Hopscotch and riding a two-wheeled bicycle require more advanced balance and
coordination typical of school-age children (5 to 7 years). Board games do not promote gross
motor development.
A mother of a 15-month-old toddler asks the nurse when she should begin toilet training. Which
of the following is the appropriate response by the nurse?
A. "Toilet training should begin immediately since your child is walking."
B. "Wait until your child is at least 2 years old and shows signs of readiness."
C. "Begin by placing your child on the toilet for 10 minutes after every meal."
D. "It is too late; most children are toilet trained by 12 months."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The physiologic and cognitive readiness for toilet training typically occurs around 18
to 24 months (often closer to 2 years). Signs of readiness include staying dry for 2 hours,
indicating the need to void, and having the motor skills to pull pants up and down. Starting too
early leads to frustration and prolonged training.
A nurse is assessing a 12-month-old infant's vital signs. Which of the following findings requires
further evaluation?
A. Heart rate 110 bpm
B. Respiratory rate 28 breaths/min
NGN ATI Peds Proctored Exam 2026/2027
Actual Exam - 250 Questions with Detailed
Rationales | 100% Verified Graded A+ Pass
Guaranteed - A+ Graded
[FORM A - Complete Proctored Exam]
Section 1: Growth & Development
A nurse is assessing a 9-month-old infant. Which of the following developmental milestones
should the nurse expect to find?
A. Sitting independently without support
B. Walking independently
C. Building a tower of three blocks
D. Using a spoon to feed self
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A 9-month-old infant typically sits independently without support. Walking
independently usually occurs around 12 months. Building a three-block tower is expected around
15 months, and using a spoon is expected around 12 to 15 months. Assessing gross motor
milestones is crucial for evaluating neurological development.
A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to the parents of a 2-year-old toddler. Which of the
following statements by the parent indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I will let my child help pick out his clothes for the day."
B. "I expect my child to share her toys with her siblings."
C. "I will provide a consistent bedtime routine."
D. "I understand that my child might say 'no' frequently."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Toddlers are egocentric and lack the cognitive development to understand the concept
of sharing. Expecting a 2-year-old to share will lead to frustration. Allowing choices (picking
clothes), maintaining routines, and expecting negativism ("no") are developmentally appropriate
strategies for this age.
,2
According to Piaget's theory of cognitive development, a nurse is planning care for a 4-year-old
child. The nurse should understand that this child is in which stage?
A. Sensorimotor
B. Preoperational
C. Concrete operational
D. Formal operational
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The preoperational stage spans from ages 2 to 7 years. Children in this stage exhibit
egocentrism, magical thinking, and symbolic thought. The sensorimotor stage is birth to 2 years,
concrete operational is 7 to 11 years, and formal operational is 12 years and older.
A nurse is assessing the language development of a 3-year-old child. Which of the following
findings is consistent with expected development?
A. Uses three- to four-word sentences
B. Speaks in complex, compound sentences
C. Has a vocabulary of approximately 200 words
D. Is unable to follow simple one-step commands
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A 3-year-old should use three- to four-word sentences and have a vocabulary of about
800 to 1000 words. Complex sentences develop later in the school-age years. Following simple
one-step commands is expected by age 1 to 2 years.
A nurse is educating parents of a 12-month-old infant regarding safety. Which of the following
instructions is the priority?
A. "Place gate at the top and bottom of the stairs."
B. "Keep the water heater set at 120°F (49°C)."
C. "Ensure all medications are in locked cabinets."
D. "Do not leave the infant unattended in the bathtub."
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Although all options are important safety measures, the leading cause of unintentional
injury death in infants is drowning. Therefore, never leaving an infant unattended in the bathtub
is the priority instruction. Physiologically, infants can drown in just inches of water in seconds.
,3
A 5-year-old child is hospitalized. The nurse observes the child playing with a doll and
pretending to give it an injection. The nurse recognizes this type of play as which of the
following?
A. Parallel play
B. Associative play
C. Therapeutic play
D. Cooperative play
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Therapeutic play allows a child to express feelings, cope with stressful experiences,
and gain a sense of mastery over hospital experiences. Giving a doll an injection demonstrates
working through a recent painful experience. Parallel play is playing alongside but not with
others; associative and cooperative play involve interactions with peers.
A nurse is evaluating the psychosocial development of an 11-year-old child using Erikson's
theory. Which of the following behaviors indicates successful achievement of the developmental
task for this age?
A. The child expresses pride in completing a school project independently.
B. The child frequently clings to the parent during medical procedures.
C. The child prefers to play alone rather than with peers.
D. The child exhibits intense separation anxiety when away from parents.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The developmental task for a school-age child (6 to 12 years) according to Erikson is
industry vs. inferiority. Feeling proud of accomplishments and mastering tasks indicates industry.
Clinging, preferring isolation, and separation anxiety indicate inferiority or failure to resolve
earlier stages (trust vs. mistrust).
A nurse is measuring the head circumference of a 6-month-old infant. The nurse notes the
measurement is at the 95th percentile. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Document the finding as a normal variation.
B. Palpate the anterior fontanelle for bulging.
C. Prepare the family for a diagnosis of microcephaly.
D. Measure the chest circumference to compare.
Correct Answer: B
, 4
Rationale: A head circumference at the 95th percentile may indicate hydrocephalus or increased
intracranial pressure. The nurse should palpate the anterior fontanelle for tension or bulging,
which are signs of increased ICP. Microcephaly is indicated by a head circumference below the
5th percentile. While comparing head and chest circumference is standard, assessing for
increased ICP is the priority safety action.
A nurse is planning gross motor activities for a 4-year-old preschooler. Which of the following
activities is most appropriate?
A. Playing a game of hopscotch
B. Riding a two-wheeled bicycle
C. Kicking a ball forward
D. Playing a board game
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A 4-year-old preschooler can kick a ball forward, jump in place, and throw a ball
overhand. Hopscotch and riding a two-wheeled bicycle require more advanced balance and
coordination typical of school-age children (5 to 7 years). Board games do not promote gross
motor development.
A mother of a 15-month-old toddler asks the nurse when she should begin toilet training. Which
of the following is the appropriate response by the nurse?
A. "Toilet training should begin immediately since your child is walking."
B. "Wait until your child is at least 2 years old and shows signs of readiness."
C. "Begin by placing your child on the toilet for 10 minutes after every meal."
D. "It is too late; most children are toilet trained by 12 months."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The physiologic and cognitive readiness for toilet training typically occurs around 18
to 24 months (often closer to 2 years). Signs of readiness include staying dry for 2 hours,
indicating the need to void, and having the motor skills to pull pants up and down. Starting too
early leads to frustration and prolonged training.
A nurse is assessing a 12-month-old infant's vital signs. Which of the following findings requires
further evaluation?
A. Heart rate 110 bpm
B. Respiratory rate 28 breaths/min
