ATI RN Pediatric Nursing Exam 2025/2026180 Authentic
well written and explained
Questions with Rationales
2026-2027 graded A+.!!!
Section 1: Growth & Development (Questions 1-15)
1. A 2-year-old child is brought to the clinic for a well-child visit. The nurse expects
which developmental milestones to be present? (Select All That Apply)
A) Uses a spoon to eat independently
B) Rides a tricycle
C) Builds a tower of 6-7 blocks
D) Uses 2-3 word phrases
E) Can button large buttons
Answers: A, D
Rationale:
• A: A 2-year-old can use a spoon with some spilling.
• D: A 2-year-old uses 2-3 word phrases ("want milk").
• B: Riding a tricycle is a 3-year-old milestone.
• C: Building a tower of 6-7 blocks is a 3-4 year skill (2-year-old builds 4-6 blocks).
• E: Buttoning is a 4-year-old fine motor skill.
2. The nurse is assessing a 4-month-old infant. Which finding requires further
evaluation?
,A) Head lag when pulled to sit
B) Coos and babbles
C) Brings hands to midline
D) Follows objects past midline
Answer: A
Rationale: By 4 months, head lag should be absent. Persistence of head lag may
indicate neuromuscular or developmental delay. Cooing/babbling, bringing hands to
midline, and tracking past midline are expected at 4 months.
3. A parent asks the nurse when to introduce solid foods to their 4-month-old
infant. What is the nurse's best response?
A) "You can start rice cereal now since your baby is 4 months old."
B) "Wait until your baby can sit up with support and has lost the extrusion reflex,
typically around 6 months."
C) "Start with fruits first to ensure acceptance of sweet tastes."
D) "Introduce whole milk at 4 months if your baby is not gaining weight."
Answer: B
Rationale: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends introducing solids around
6 months when the infant can sit with support, has good head control, and has lost the
extrusion reflex. Starting too early increases allergy risk and choking hazard.
4. The nurse is teaching parents about age-appropriate activities for a 7-month-
old. Which activity should the nurse recommend?
A) Playing peek-a-boo
B) Building with large blocks
C) Drawing with crayons
D) Using scissors with supervision
Answer: A
Rationale: Peek-a-boo promotes object permanence, which develops around 6-8
,months. Blocks are for toddlers, drawing for preschoolers, and scissors for school-age
children.
5. A 15-month-old toddler is brought to the clinic. The parent expresses concern
that the child is not walking independently. What is the nurse's best response?
A) "Your child needs immediate developmental evaluation."
B) "Most children walk by 12 months; this is concerning."
C) "Walking independently can occur as late as 18 months, which is still within normal
range."
D) "You should start physical therapy right away."
Answer: C
Rationale: While many children walk by 12 months, the normal range for independent
walking is 9-18 months. No intervention is needed at 15 months unless other delays are
present.
6. The nurse is assessing an 8-year-old child. Which developmental characteristic is
typical for this age group?
A) Abstract thinking and hypothetical reasoning
B) Peer relationships become increasingly important
C) Egocentric thinking predominates
D) Stranger anxiety is pronounced
Answer: B
Rationale: School-age children (6-12 years) value peer relationships and industry
(Erikson). Abstract thinking develops in adolescence. Egocentrism is preschool age.
Stranger anxiety is infant/toddler.
7. A 3-year-old child is hospitalized. The child is screaming and crying when the
nurse enters the room. The parent states, "She has never acted like this before."
, What is the best interpretation by the nurse?
A) The child is displaying signs of child abuse.
B) The child is reacting to separation anxiety.
C) The child is demonstrating regression.
D) The child is exhibiting fear of pain.
Answer: B
Rationale: Separation anxiety in toddlers/preschoolers is common during
hospitalization. The child fears being left alone and may not understand that parents will
return. This is developmentally appropriate.
8. The nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to parents of a 9-month-old infant.
Which statement indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "We will continue using a rear-facing car seat in the back seat."
B) "We need to baby-proof the house by covering electrical outlets."
C) "We can start giving our baby whole milk now that she is 9 months."
D) "We should keep small objects out of reach to prevent choking."
Answer: C
Rationale: Whole milk should not be introduced until 12 months. Before 12 months,
infants need breast milk or iron-fortified formula. Early introduction of cow's milk
increases risk of iron deficiency and GI irritation.
9. A 16-year-old adolescent is discussing body image concerns with the school
nurse. Which response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
A) "Everyone feels that way at your age; don't worry about it."
B) "Let's talk about what healthy body image means and explore your concerns."
C) "You should go on a diet to feel better about yourself."
D) "Your body is fine; you shouldn't be so focused on appearance."
Answer: B
Rationale: Adolescents are focused on body image and identity. The nurse should
well written and explained
Questions with Rationales
2026-2027 graded A+.!!!
Section 1: Growth & Development (Questions 1-15)
1. A 2-year-old child is brought to the clinic for a well-child visit. The nurse expects
which developmental milestones to be present? (Select All That Apply)
A) Uses a spoon to eat independently
B) Rides a tricycle
C) Builds a tower of 6-7 blocks
D) Uses 2-3 word phrases
E) Can button large buttons
Answers: A, D
Rationale:
• A: A 2-year-old can use a spoon with some spilling.
• D: A 2-year-old uses 2-3 word phrases ("want milk").
• B: Riding a tricycle is a 3-year-old milestone.
• C: Building a tower of 6-7 blocks is a 3-4 year skill (2-year-old builds 4-6 blocks).
• E: Buttoning is a 4-year-old fine motor skill.
2. The nurse is assessing a 4-month-old infant. Which finding requires further
evaluation?
,A) Head lag when pulled to sit
B) Coos and babbles
C) Brings hands to midline
D) Follows objects past midline
Answer: A
Rationale: By 4 months, head lag should be absent. Persistence of head lag may
indicate neuromuscular or developmental delay. Cooing/babbling, bringing hands to
midline, and tracking past midline are expected at 4 months.
3. A parent asks the nurse when to introduce solid foods to their 4-month-old
infant. What is the nurse's best response?
A) "You can start rice cereal now since your baby is 4 months old."
B) "Wait until your baby can sit up with support and has lost the extrusion reflex,
typically around 6 months."
C) "Start with fruits first to ensure acceptance of sweet tastes."
D) "Introduce whole milk at 4 months if your baby is not gaining weight."
Answer: B
Rationale: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends introducing solids around
6 months when the infant can sit with support, has good head control, and has lost the
extrusion reflex. Starting too early increases allergy risk and choking hazard.
4. The nurse is teaching parents about age-appropriate activities for a 7-month-
old. Which activity should the nurse recommend?
A) Playing peek-a-boo
B) Building with large blocks
C) Drawing with crayons
D) Using scissors with supervision
Answer: A
Rationale: Peek-a-boo promotes object permanence, which develops around 6-8
,months. Blocks are for toddlers, drawing for preschoolers, and scissors for school-age
children.
5. A 15-month-old toddler is brought to the clinic. The parent expresses concern
that the child is not walking independently. What is the nurse's best response?
A) "Your child needs immediate developmental evaluation."
B) "Most children walk by 12 months; this is concerning."
C) "Walking independently can occur as late as 18 months, which is still within normal
range."
D) "You should start physical therapy right away."
Answer: C
Rationale: While many children walk by 12 months, the normal range for independent
walking is 9-18 months. No intervention is needed at 15 months unless other delays are
present.
6. The nurse is assessing an 8-year-old child. Which developmental characteristic is
typical for this age group?
A) Abstract thinking and hypothetical reasoning
B) Peer relationships become increasingly important
C) Egocentric thinking predominates
D) Stranger anxiety is pronounced
Answer: B
Rationale: School-age children (6-12 years) value peer relationships and industry
(Erikson). Abstract thinking develops in adolescence. Egocentrism is preschool age.
Stranger anxiety is infant/toddler.
7. A 3-year-old child is hospitalized. The child is screaming and crying when the
nurse enters the room. The parent states, "She has never acted like this before."
, What is the best interpretation by the nurse?
A) The child is displaying signs of child abuse.
B) The child is reacting to separation anxiety.
C) The child is demonstrating regression.
D) The child is exhibiting fear of pain.
Answer: B
Rationale: Separation anxiety in toddlers/preschoolers is common during
hospitalization. The child fears being left alone and may not understand that parents will
return. This is developmentally appropriate.
8. The nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to parents of a 9-month-old infant.
Which statement indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "We will continue using a rear-facing car seat in the back seat."
B) "We need to baby-proof the house by covering electrical outlets."
C) "We can start giving our baby whole milk now that she is 9 months."
D) "We should keep small objects out of reach to prevent choking."
Answer: C
Rationale: Whole milk should not be introduced until 12 months. Before 12 months,
infants need breast milk or iron-fortified formula. Early introduction of cow's milk
increases risk of iron deficiency and GI irritation.
9. A 16-year-old adolescent is discussing body image concerns with the school
nurse. Which response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
A) "Everyone feels that way at your age; don't worry about it."
B) "Let's talk about what healthy body image means and explore your concerns."
C) "You should go on a diet to feel better about yourself."
D) "Your body is fine; you shouldn't be so focused on appearance."
Answer: B
Rationale: Adolescents are focused on body image and identity. The nurse should
