RN Pediatric Nursing Exam 2025/2026 Complete
200 Questions with Answers & Rationales well
written and explained 2026-2027 graded A+.!!!
Section 1: Growth and Development (Questions 1–20)
1. The nurse is assessing a 2-week-old infant. Which finding requires immediate
intervention?
A. Slight nasal flaring during feeding
B. Periodic breathing with pauses of 5 seconds
C. Presence of a startle reflex
D. Yellowish discoloration of the skin and sclera
☑ ☑ Correct Answer: : ☑ D
Rationale: Yellowish discoloration of the skin and sclera indicates jaundice. In a 2-week-
old, persistent jaundice may indicate pathologic conditions such as biliary atresia, sepsis,
or hemolytic disease, requiring immediate evaluation. Nasal flaring (A) can be normal in
newborns during feeding if mild. Periodic breathing (B) with pauses <10 seconds is
normal in infants. The startle (Moro) reflex (C) is a normal newborn reflex that
disappears around 4–6 months.
2. A mother asks when her infant will be able to sit unsupported. The nurse’s best
response is:
A. 4–5 months
B. 6–7 months
C. 8–9 months
D. 10–12 months
,☑ ☑ Correct Answer: : ☑ B
Rationale: Most infants achieve the ability to sit unsupported between 6–7 months of
age. At 4–5 months (A), infants typically sit with support. At 8–9 months (C), they are
usually crawling and pulling to stand. At 10–12 months (D), they are often cruising or
walking independently.
3. Which play activity is most developmentally appropriate for a 3-year-old child?
A. Playing a board game with rules
B. Playing with a large cardboard box
C. Playing with a remote-controlled car
D. Playing competitive sports
☑ ☑ Correct Answer: : ☑ B
Rationale: Preschoolers (3–5 years) engage in imaginative and symbolic play. A large
cardboard box can become a house, car, or spaceship, fostering creativity. Board games
with rules (A) are more appropriate for school-age children who understand concrete
rules. Remote-controlled cars (C) may be frustrating due to fine motor limitations.
Competitive sports (D) require understanding of teamwork and rules, which develops in
school-age children.
4. The nurse is educating parents of a 9-month-old infant regarding injury prevention.
Which statement indicates a need for further teaching?
A. “We will set our water heater temperature to 120°F.”
B. “We will keep small objects like coins out of reach.”
C. “We will place the baby’s crib near the window for fresh air.”
D. “We will use a rear-facing car seat until age 2.”
☑ ☑ Correct Answer: : ☑ C
Rationale: Placing a crib near a window poses risks of falls, entanglement in cords,
and exposure to drafts or direct sunlight. Safety guidelines recommend keeping cribs
,away from windows. Setting water heater to 120°F (A) prevents scalding burns. Keeping
small objects away (B) prevents choking. Rear-facing car seats until age 2 (D) is the
current safety standard.
5. A 16-year-old client is newly diagnosed with a chronic illness. The nurse anticipates
which behavior related to the developmental stage?
A. Fear of body mutilation
B. Concern about peer acceptance and body image
C. Inability to understand cause and effect
D. Regression to an earlier developmental stage
☑ ☑ Correct Answer: : ☑ B
Rationale: Adolescents are in Erikson’s stage of Identity vs. Role Confusion. They are
highly focused on peer acceptance, body image, and fitting in. A chronic illness can
threaten their sense of normalcy. Fear of body mutilation (A) is typical of school-age
children (Piaget’s concrete operational stage). Inability to understand cause and effect
(C) is characteristic of preoperational stage (ages 2–7). Regression (D) is more common
in toddlers and preschoolers during stress.
6. The nurse is conducting a well-child visit for a 5-year-old. Which fine motor skill
should the child be able to perform?
A. Tying shoelaces
B. Drawing a stick figure with 6 parts
C. Printing their first name
D. Cutting along a straight line with scissors
☑ ☑ Correct Answer: : ☑ D
Rationale: By age 5, a child should be able to cut along a straight line with scissors.
Tying shoelaces (A) is a 6–7 year old skill. Drawing a stick figure with 6 parts (B) is typical
, at age 4. Printing their first name (C) is usually achieved by age 5–6, but not all children
can do this consistently; cutting is a more reliable milestone at this age.
7. An infant weighs 7 lb at birth. What is the anticipated weight at 6 months?
A. 10 lb
B. 14 lb
C. 21 lb
D. 28 lb
☑ ☑ Correct Answer: : ☑ B
Rationale: Infants typically double their birth weight by 6 months and triple it by 12
months. A 7 lb infant should weigh approximately 14 lb at 6 months. 10 lb (A) is below
expected. 21 lb (C) would be triple birth weight, expected at 12 months. 28 lb (D) is
excessive.
8. The nurse assesses a 15-month-old toddler. Which finding is a developmental delay
requiring further evaluation?
A. Unable to walk independently
B. Unable to build a tower of 4 cubes
C. Unable to use a spoon
D. Unable to speak 3–5 words
☑ ☑ Correct Answer: : ☑ A
Rationale: Most toddlers walk independently by 12–15 months. Inability to walk by 15
months warrants evaluation. Building a tower of 4 cubes (B) is expected by 18–24
months. Using a spoon (C) with spillage is expected by 18 months. Speaking 3–5 words
(D) is expected by 15 months, but some variability exists; walking delay is more
concerning.
200 Questions with Answers & Rationales well
written and explained 2026-2027 graded A+.!!!
Section 1: Growth and Development (Questions 1–20)
1. The nurse is assessing a 2-week-old infant. Which finding requires immediate
intervention?
A. Slight nasal flaring during feeding
B. Periodic breathing with pauses of 5 seconds
C. Presence of a startle reflex
D. Yellowish discoloration of the skin and sclera
☑ ☑ Correct Answer: : ☑ D
Rationale: Yellowish discoloration of the skin and sclera indicates jaundice. In a 2-week-
old, persistent jaundice may indicate pathologic conditions such as biliary atresia, sepsis,
or hemolytic disease, requiring immediate evaluation. Nasal flaring (A) can be normal in
newborns during feeding if mild. Periodic breathing (B) with pauses <10 seconds is
normal in infants. The startle (Moro) reflex (C) is a normal newborn reflex that
disappears around 4–6 months.
2. A mother asks when her infant will be able to sit unsupported. The nurse’s best
response is:
A. 4–5 months
B. 6–7 months
C. 8–9 months
D. 10–12 months
,☑ ☑ Correct Answer: : ☑ B
Rationale: Most infants achieve the ability to sit unsupported between 6–7 months of
age. At 4–5 months (A), infants typically sit with support. At 8–9 months (C), they are
usually crawling and pulling to stand. At 10–12 months (D), they are often cruising or
walking independently.
3. Which play activity is most developmentally appropriate for a 3-year-old child?
A. Playing a board game with rules
B. Playing with a large cardboard box
C. Playing with a remote-controlled car
D. Playing competitive sports
☑ ☑ Correct Answer: : ☑ B
Rationale: Preschoolers (3–5 years) engage in imaginative and symbolic play. A large
cardboard box can become a house, car, or spaceship, fostering creativity. Board games
with rules (A) are more appropriate for school-age children who understand concrete
rules. Remote-controlled cars (C) may be frustrating due to fine motor limitations.
Competitive sports (D) require understanding of teamwork and rules, which develops in
school-age children.
4. The nurse is educating parents of a 9-month-old infant regarding injury prevention.
Which statement indicates a need for further teaching?
A. “We will set our water heater temperature to 120°F.”
B. “We will keep small objects like coins out of reach.”
C. “We will place the baby’s crib near the window for fresh air.”
D. “We will use a rear-facing car seat until age 2.”
☑ ☑ Correct Answer: : ☑ C
Rationale: Placing a crib near a window poses risks of falls, entanglement in cords,
and exposure to drafts or direct sunlight. Safety guidelines recommend keeping cribs
,away from windows. Setting water heater to 120°F (A) prevents scalding burns. Keeping
small objects away (B) prevents choking. Rear-facing car seats until age 2 (D) is the
current safety standard.
5. A 16-year-old client is newly diagnosed with a chronic illness. The nurse anticipates
which behavior related to the developmental stage?
A. Fear of body mutilation
B. Concern about peer acceptance and body image
C. Inability to understand cause and effect
D. Regression to an earlier developmental stage
☑ ☑ Correct Answer: : ☑ B
Rationale: Adolescents are in Erikson’s stage of Identity vs. Role Confusion. They are
highly focused on peer acceptance, body image, and fitting in. A chronic illness can
threaten their sense of normalcy. Fear of body mutilation (A) is typical of school-age
children (Piaget’s concrete operational stage). Inability to understand cause and effect
(C) is characteristic of preoperational stage (ages 2–7). Regression (D) is more common
in toddlers and preschoolers during stress.
6. The nurse is conducting a well-child visit for a 5-year-old. Which fine motor skill
should the child be able to perform?
A. Tying shoelaces
B. Drawing a stick figure with 6 parts
C. Printing their first name
D. Cutting along a straight line with scissors
☑ ☑ Correct Answer: : ☑ D
Rationale: By age 5, a child should be able to cut along a straight line with scissors.
Tying shoelaces (A) is a 6–7 year old skill. Drawing a stick figure with 6 parts (B) is typical
, at age 4. Printing their first name (C) is usually achieved by age 5–6, but not all children
can do this consistently; cutting is a more reliable milestone at this age.
7. An infant weighs 7 lb at birth. What is the anticipated weight at 6 months?
A. 10 lb
B. 14 lb
C. 21 lb
D. 28 lb
☑ ☑ Correct Answer: : ☑ B
Rationale: Infants typically double their birth weight by 6 months and triple it by 12
months. A 7 lb infant should weigh approximately 14 lb at 6 months. 10 lb (A) is below
expected. 21 lb (C) would be triple birth weight, expected at 12 months. 28 lb (D) is
excessive.
8. The nurse assesses a 15-month-old toddler. Which finding is a developmental delay
requiring further evaluation?
A. Unable to walk independently
B. Unable to build a tower of 4 cubes
C. Unable to use a spoon
D. Unable to speak 3–5 words
☑ ☑ Correct Answer: : ☑ A
Rationale: Most toddlers walk independently by 12–15 months. Inability to walk by 15
months warrants evaluation. Building a tower of 4 cubes (B) is expected by 18–24
months. Using a spoon (C) with spillage is expected by 18 months. Speaking 3–5 words
(D) is expected by 15 months, but some variability exists; walking delay is more
concerning.
