1
ATI RN Pediatrics Exam Actual Exam
2026/2027 – Complete Exam-Style Questions
with Detailed Rationales | 100% Verified –
Pass Guaranteed – A+ Graded
Section 1: Growth & Development (Infant through Adolescent) (Questions 1-25)
Q1: An infant is able to lift their head slightly off the mattress when prone. What age is this
infant most likely?
A. Newborn
B. 2 months
C. 4 months
D. 6 months
C. B. 2 months [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: By 2 months, an infant can lift their head 45 degrees off the mattress when prone. At 4
months, they lift 90 degrees. At 6 months, they should be able to sit with support.
Q2: According to Erikson's stages of psychosocial development, which task is the primary focus
for a toddler?
A. Trust vs. Mistrust
B. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
C. Initiative vs. Guilt
D. Industry vs. Inferiority
C. B. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The toddler stage (1-3 years) focuses on developing a sense of independence and
control over their body (Autonomy). Failure to achieve this leads to feelings of shame and doubt.
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Q3: At what age does an infant typically develop "object permanence"?
A. 2-4 months
B. 8-12 months
C. 18-24 months
D. 3-4 years
C. B. 8-12 months [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: According to Piaget's sensorimotor stage, object permanence (knowing an object
exists even when out of sight) typically develops between 8 and 12 months.
Q4: Which behavior is most characteristic of the "parallel play" stage?
A. A 2-year-old playing alongside another child but not interacting with them.
B. A 4-year-old playing a board game with a friend.
C. A 10-year-old playing on a sports team.
D. A 6-month-old smiling at a parent.
C. A. A 2-year-old playing alongside another child but not interacting with them. [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Parallel play occurs in toddlers (1-3 years). They play near others but do not engage in
cooperative play. Associative play begins in preschool.
Q5: A parent asks when their child should receive the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)
vaccine. The nurse correctly states:
A. Birth
B. 2 months
C. 12-15 months
D. 4-6 years
C. C. 12-15 months [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: C
,3
Rationale: The first dose of the MMR vaccine is recommended between 12 and 15 months. A
second dose is given between 4 and 6 years.
Q6: Which fine motor skill should a 12-month-old infant be able to perform?
A. Transfer an object from one hand to another.
B. Use a neat pincer grasp.
C. Build a tower of 6-7 cubes.
D. Copy a circle.
C. B. Use a neat pincer grasp. [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: By 12 months, an infant typically uses a neat pincer grasp to pick up small objects.
Transferring objects occurs around 6 months. Building a tower of 6 cubes is a 2-year-old skill.
Q7: A preschooler is admitted to the hospital. The nurse anticipates which fear based on the
child's developmental stage?
A. Fear of separation from parents.
B. Fear of body mutilation.
C. Fear of loss of control.
D. Fear of death.
C. A. Fear of separation from parents. [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Preschoolers (3-6 years) fear separation from parents the most. School-age children
fear loss of control; adolescents fear body mutilation and death.
Q8: During a well-child visit, the nurse observes a 4-year-old copying a square and drawing a
person with 6 parts. This indicates:
A. Developmental delay.
B. Normal development for a preschooler.
C. Advanced development for a school-age child.
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D. Normal development for a toddler.
C. B. Normal development for a preschooler. [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A 4-year-old typically can copy a circle and a square, and draws a person with 2-4
body parts. A 5-year-old usually draws a person with 6 parts and copies a triangle.
Q9: Which statement by a parent indicates a need for further teaching regarding toilet training?
A. "I will wait until my child is 18-24 months old to start."
B. "I will have my child sit on the potty for 5-10 minutes."
C. "I will punish my child if they have an accident."
D. "I will praise my child when they use the potty."
C. C. "I will punish my child if they have an accident." [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Punishment for accidents during toilet training can lead to shame, regression, and
resistance. Positive reinforcement and a non-punitive approach are recommended.
Q10: The nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant. Which finding indicates normal growth?
A. Birth weight has doubled.
B. Birth weight has tripled.
C. Anterior fontanelle is closed.
D. Posterior fontanelle is wide open.
C. A. Birth weight has doubled. [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Birth weight typically doubles by 6 months and triples by 12 months. The anterior
fontanelle closes between 12 and 18 months. The posterior fontanelle closes by 2-3 months.
Q11: According to Piaget, a child who exhibits "animism" (believing inanimate objects have
feelings) is in which stage?
ATI RN Pediatrics Exam Actual Exam
2026/2027 – Complete Exam-Style Questions
with Detailed Rationales | 100% Verified –
Pass Guaranteed – A+ Graded
Section 1: Growth & Development (Infant through Adolescent) (Questions 1-25)
Q1: An infant is able to lift their head slightly off the mattress when prone. What age is this
infant most likely?
A. Newborn
B. 2 months
C. 4 months
D. 6 months
C. B. 2 months [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: By 2 months, an infant can lift their head 45 degrees off the mattress when prone. At 4
months, they lift 90 degrees. At 6 months, they should be able to sit with support.
Q2: According to Erikson's stages of psychosocial development, which task is the primary focus
for a toddler?
A. Trust vs. Mistrust
B. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
C. Initiative vs. Guilt
D. Industry vs. Inferiority
C. B. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The toddler stage (1-3 years) focuses on developing a sense of independence and
control over their body (Autonomy). Failure to achieve this leads to feelings of shame and doubt.
,2
Q3: At what age does an infant typically develop "object permanence"?
A. 2-4 months
B. 8-12 months
C. 18-24 months
D. 3-4 years
C. B. 8-12 months [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: According to Piaget's sensorimotor stage, object permanence (knowing an object
exists even when out of sight) typically develops between 8 and 12 months.
Q4: Which behavior is most characteristic of the "parallel play" stage?
A. A 2-year-old playing alongside another child but not interacting with them.
B. A 4-year-old playing a board game with a friend.
C. A 10-year-old playing on a sports team.
D. A 6-month-old smiling at a parent.
C. A. A 2-year-old playing alongside another child but not interacting with them. [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Parallel play occurs in toddlers (1-3 years). They play near others but do not engage in
cooperative play. Associative play begins in preschool.
Q5: A parent asks when their child should receive the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)
vaccine. The nurse correctly states:
A. Birth
B. 2 months
C. 12-15 months
D. 4-6 years
C. C. 12-15 months [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: C
,3
Rationale: The first dose of the MMR vaccine is recommended between 12 and 15 months. A
second dose is given between 4 and 6 years.
Q6: Which fine motor skill should a 12-month-old infant be able to perform?
A. Transfer an object from one hand to another.
B. Use a neat pincer grasp.
C. Build a tower of 6-7 cubes.
D. Copy a circle.
C. B. Use a neat pincer grasp. [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: By 12 months, an infant typically uses a neat pincer grasp to pick up small objects.
Transferring objects occurs around 6 months. Building a tower of 6 cubes is a 2-year-old skill.
Q7: A preschooler is admitted to the hospital. The nurse anticipates which fear based on the
child's developmental stage?
A. Fear of separation from parents.
B. Fear of body mutilation.
C. Fear of loss of control.
D. Fear of death.
C. A. Fear of separation from parents. [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Preschoolers (3-6 years) fear separation from parents the most. School-age children
fear loss of control; adolescents fear body mutilation and death.
Q8: During a well-child visit, the nurse observes a 4-year-old copying a square and drawing a
person with 6 parts. This indicates:
A. Developmental delay.
B. Normal development for a preschooler.
C. Advanced development for a school-age child.
, 4
D. Normal development for a toddler.
C. B. Normal development for a preschooler. [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A 4-year-old typically can copy a circle and a square, and draws a person with 2-4
body parts. A 5-year-old usually draws a person with 6 parts and copies a triangle.
Q9: Which statement by a parent indicates a need for further teaching regarding toilet training?
A. "I will wait until my child is 18-24 months old to start."
B. "I will have my child sit on the potty for 5-10 minutes."
C. "I will punish my child if they have an accident."
D. "I will praise my child when they use the potty."
C. C. "I will punish my child if they have an accident." [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Punishment for accidents during toilet training can lead to shame, regression, and
resistance. Positive reinforcement and a non-punitive approach are recommended.
Q10: The nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant. Which finding indicates normal growth?
A. Birth weight has doubled.
B. Birth weight has tripled.
C. Anterior fontanelle is closed.
D. Posterior fontanelle is wide open.
C. A. Birth weight has doubled. [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Birth weight typically doubles by 6 months and triples by 12 months. The anterior
fontanelle closes between 12 and 18 months. The posterior fontanelle closes by 2-3 months.
Q11: According to Piaget, a child who exhibits "animism" (believing inanimate objects have
feelings) is in which stage?
