ATI PEDIATRIC NURSING EXAM – PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
Growth and Development
Pediatric Health Promotion and Maintenance
Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Physiological Adaptation and Nursing Care
Reduction of Risk Potential
Psychosocial Integrity and Family-Centered Care
Safe and Effective Care Environment
Pediatric Emergencies and Critical Care
Introduction
The purpose of this exam is to evaluate the student's mastery of
nursing concepts essential for the care of infants, children, and
adolescents. This assessment measures clinical judgment,
knowledge of developmental milestones, and the ability to provide
,safe, evidence-based pediatric care. The content is structured
through multiple-choice and scenario-based questions that
simulate real-world clinical environments. Candidates are tested on
their ability to apply theoretical knowledge to complex patient
situations, emphasizing decision-making, patient safety, and
effective communication within the multidisciplinary healthcare
team. This comprehensive tool serves as a critical benchmark for
ensuring readiness for professional nursing practice in pediatric
settings.
1. A nurse is assessing a 4-year-old child during a well-child
visit. Which of the following developmental milestones should
the nurse expect the child to have achieved?
A. Tie shoelaces in a bow
B. Cut a shape using scissors
C. Walk down stairs using alternating feet
D. Use a cursive script for writing
🟢 C. Walk down stairs using alternating feet
🔴 RATIONALE: By age 4, children typically possess the gross
motor skills to walk down stairs using alternating feet. Tying
,shoelaces and cutting specific shapes are usually achieved by age
5, while cursive writing occurs later in school-age years.
2. A nurse is caring for an infant who has tetralogy of Fallot. The
infant begins to have a hypercyanotic ("tet") spell. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Administer 100% oxygen via face mask
B. Administer morphine sulfate intravenously
C. Place the infant in a knee-chest position
D. Increase the rate of intravenous fluids
🟢 C. Place the infant in a knee-chest position
🔴 RATIONALE: The priority action during a hypercyanotic spell is
to place the infant in the knee-chest position. This maneuver
increases systemic vascular resistance, which helps reduce the
right-to-left shunt and improves pulmonary blood flow.
3. A nurse is providing teaching to the parents of a toddler who
has a new prescription for liquid oral iron supplements. Which
of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Administer the medicine with a glass of milk
B. Use a straw or dropper to give the medication
, C. Stop the medication if the child's stools turn green
D. Give the medication immediately after a full meal
🟢 B. Use a straw or dropper to give the medication
🔴 RATIONALE: Liquid iron supplements can stain the teeth.
Using a straw or a dropper placed toward the back of the mouth
helps prevent contact with the teeth. Iron should be taken with
Vitamin C to increase absorption and is best absorbed on an
empty stomach.
4. A nurse is caring for a 10-year-old child following a
tonsillectomy. Which of the following findings is the most
reliable early indicator of postoperative hemorrhage?
A. Frequent swallowing
B. Decreased blood pressure
C. Vomiting bright red blood
D. Complaints of a sore throat
🟢 A. Frequent swallowing
🔴 RATIONALE: Frequent swallowing is the most common early
sign of bleeding from the surgical site following a tonsillectomy, as
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
Growth and Development
Pediatric Health Promotion and Maintenance
Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Physiological Adaptation and Nursing Care
Reduction of Risk Potential
Psychosocial Integrity and Family-Centered Care
Safe and Effective Care Environment
Pediatric Emergencies and Critical Care
Introduction
The purpose of this exam is to evaluate the student's mastery of
nursing concepts essential for the care of infants, children, and
adolescents. This assessment measures clinical judgment,
knowledge of developmental milestones, and the ability to provide
,safe, evidence-based pediatric care. The content is structured
through multiple-choice and scenario-based questions that
simulate real-world clinical environments. Candidates are tested on
their ability to apply theoretical knowledge to complex patient
situations, emphasizing decision-making, patient safety, and
effective communication within the multidisciplinary healthcare
team. This comprehensive tool serves as a critical benchmark for
ensuring readiness for professional nursing practice in pediatric
settings.
1. A nurse is assessing a 4-year-old child during a well-child
visit. Which of the following developmental milestones should
the nurse expect the child to have achieved?
A. Tie shoelaces in a bow
B. Cut a shape using scissors
C. Walk down stairs using alternating feet
D. Use a cursive script for writing
🟢 C. Walk down stairs using alternating feet
🔴 RATIONALE: By age 4, children typically possess the gross
motor skills to walk down stairs using alternating feet. Tying
,shoelaces and cutting specific shapes are usually achieved by age
5, while cursive writing occurs later in school-age years.
2. A nurse is caring for an infant who has tetralogy of Fallot. The
infant begins to have a hypercyanotic ("tet") spell. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Administer 100% oxygen via face mask
B. Administer morphine sulfate intravenously
C. Place the infant in a knee-chest position
D. Increase the rate of intravenous fluids
🟢 C. Place the infant in a knee-chest position
🔴 RATIONALE: The priority action during a hypercyanotic spell is
to place the infant in the knee-chest position. This maneuver
increases systemic vascular resistance, which helps reduce the
right-to-left shunt and improves pulmonary blood flow.
3. A nurse is providing teaching to the parents of a toddler who
has a new prescription for liquid oral iron supplements. Which
of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Administer the medicine with a glass of milk
B. Use a straw or dropper to give the medication
, C. Stop the medication if the child's stools turn green
D. Give the medication immediately after a full meal
🟢 B. Use a straw or dropper to give the medication
🔴 RATIONALE: Liquid iron supplements can stain the teeth.
Using a straw or a dropper placed toward the back of the mouth
helps prevent contact with the teeth. Iron should be taken with
Vitamin C to increase absorption and is best absorbed on an
empty stomach.
4. A nurse is caring for a 10-year-old child following a
tonsillectomy. Which of the following findings is the most
reliable early indicator of postoperative hemorrhage?
A. Frequent swallowing
B. Decreased blood pressure
C. Vomiting bright red blood
D. Complaints of a sore throat
🟢 A. Frequent swallowing
🔴 RATIONALE: Frequent swallowing is the most common early
sign of bleeding from the surgical site following a tonsillectomy, as
