Pediatric Nursing LPN Exam 2 Practice Questions 2026 |Rationales
1. A 2-year-old child is brought to the clinic with a ‘barking’ cough and stridor.
Which condition does the nurse suspect?
A. Asthma
B. Epiglottitis
C. Croup (Laryngotracheobronchitis)
D. Cystic Fibrosis
Answer: C
Rationale: Croup is characterized by a brassy, barking cough and inspiratory stridor due to
inflammation of the larynx and trachea.
2. According to Erikson, which developmental task is primary for a toddler (1-3
years)?
A. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
B. Initiative vs. Guilt
C. Trust vs. Mistrust
D. Industry vs. Inferiority
Answer: A
Rationale: Toddlers are in the stage of Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt, where they seek
independence and control over their environment.
,3. Which clinical manifestation is a hallmark sign of pyloric stenosis in an infant?
A. Currant jelly stools
B. Severe diarrhea
C. Ribbon-like stools
D. Projectile vomiting
Answer: D
Rationale: Projectile vomiting usually occurs shortly after feeding and is the classic sign of
hypertrophic pyloric stenosis.
4. When administering ear drops to a 2-year-old child, how should the nurse pull
the pinna?
A. Up and back
B. Down and back
C. Straight back
D. Down and forward
Answer: B
Rationale: For children under 3 years of age, the pinna is pulled down and back to
straighten the ear canal.
5. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a child with a suspected
diagnosis of epiglottitis?
A. Drooling and agitation
B. Barking cough
C. Low-grade fever
D. Wheezing
Answer: A
Rationale: Drooling, agitation, and the absence of a cough are classic signs of epiglottitis,
which is a medical emergency.
, 6. A child is diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot. Which position should the nurse
place the child in during a ‘tet’ spell?
A. Prone
B. Knee-chest
C. Supine
D. High-Fowler’s
Answer: B
Rationale: The knee-chest position increases systemic vascular resistance, which helps
reduce the right-to-left shunt and improves oxygenation.
7. What is the most appropriate action for a nurse when a 4-year-old child is
hospitalized?
A. Encourage the child to participate in ‘medical play’ with a doll
B. Discourage parental presence to prevent clinginess
C. Provide detailed medical explanations to the child
D. Keep the room dark and quiet at all times
Answer: A
Rationale: Preschoolers benefit from medical play to help them process their environment
and reduce fear of procedures.
8. A child has been diagnosed with Intussusception. Which type of stool should
the nurse expect to document?
A. Currant jelly-like stools
B. Constipated, hard stools
C. Steatorrhea
D. Loose, green stools
Answer: A
Rationale: Intussusception causes intestinal obstruction and ischemia, leading to stools
mixed with blood and mucus, described as currant jelly.
1. A 2-year-old child is brought to the clinic with a ‘barking’ cough and stridor.
Which condition does the nurse suspect?
A. Asthma
B. Epiglottitis
C. Croup (Laryngotracheobronchitis)
D. Cystic Fibrosis
Answer: C
Rationale: Croup is characterized by a brassy, barking cough and inspiratory stridor due to
inflammation of the larynx and trachea.
2. According to Erikson, which developmental task is primary for a toddler (1-3
years)?
A. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
B. Initiative vs. Guilt
C. Trust vs. Mistrust
D. Industry vs. Inferiority
Answer: A
Rationale: Toddlers are in the stage of Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt, where they seek
independence and control over their environment.
,3. Which clinical manifestation is a hallmark sign of pyloric stenosis in an infant?
A. Currant jelly stools
B. Severe diarrhea
C. Ribbon-like stools
D. Projectile vomiting
Answer: D
Rationale: Projectile vomiting usually occurs shortly after feeding and is the classic sign of
hypertrophic pyloric stenosis.
4. When administering ear drops to a 2-year-old child, how should the nurse pull
the pinna?
A. Up and back
B. Down and back
C. Straight back
D. Down and forward
Answer: B
Rationale: For children under 3 years of age, the pinna is pulled down and back to
straighten the ear canal.
5. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a child with a suspected
diagnosis of epiglottitis?
A. Drooling and agitation
B. Barking cough
C. Low-grade fever
D. Wheezing
Answer: A
Rationale: Drooling, agitation, and the absence of a cough are classic signs of epiglottitis,
which is a medical emergency.
, 6. A child is diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot. Which position should the nurse
place the child in during a ‘tet’ spell?
A. Prone
B. Knee-chest
C. Supine
D. High-Fowler’s
Answer: B
Rationale: The knee-chest position increases systemic vascular resistance, which helps
reduce the right-to-left shunt and improves oxygenation.
7. What is the most appropriate action for a nurse when a 4-year-old child is
hospitalized?
A. Encourage the child to participate in ‘medical play’ with a doll
B. Discourage parental presence to prevent clinginess
C. Provide detailed medical explanations to the child
D. Keep the room dark and quiet at all times
Answer: A
Rationale: Preschoolers benefit from medical play to help them process their environment
and reduce fear of procedures.
8. A child has been diagnosed with Intussusception. Which type of stool should
the nurse expect to document?
A. Currant jelly-like stools
B. Constipated, hard stools
C. Steatorrhea
D. Loose, green stools
Answer: A
Rationale: Intussusception causes intestinal obstruction and ischemia, leading to stools
mixed with blood and mucus, described as currant jelly.
