CERTIFIED PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY
NURSE EXAMINATION (CPEN) PRACTICE
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A 4-year-old presents with stridor, drooling, and tripod positioning. What is
the priority action?
A. Obtain throat culture
B. Prepare for airway management
C. Give oral fluids
D. Place supine for exam
Answer: B
Rationale: Stridor, drooling, and tripod positioning indicate possible
epiglottitis or airway obstruction requiring immediate airway protection.
2. A child with asthma is using accessory muscles and has SpO2 of 88%. What
medication is first priority?
A. Oral prednisone
B. Albuterol nebulizer
C. Montelukast
D. Theophylline
Answer: B
, Rationale: Short-acting beta agonists like albuterol provide rapid
bronchodilation in acute asthma exacerbation.
3. A 6-year-old has a suspected concussion. What is the priority assessment?
A. Glasgow Coma Scale
B. Blood glucose
C. Lung sounds
D. Abdominal exam
Answer: A
Rationale: GCS is essential to assess neurological status after head injury.
4. A child presents with petechiae, fever, and neck stiffness. What is most
concerning?
A. Viral infection
B. Meningococcemia
C. Allergic reaction
D. Sinus infection
Answer: B
Rationale: Petechiae with fever and neck stiffness strongly suggests
meningococcal sepsis, a medical emergency.
5. A 2-year-old ingested household bleach. What is the first action?
A. Induce vomiting
B. Give activated charcoal
C. Assess airway and breathing
D. Give milk
Answer: C
Rationale: Airway and breathing take priority in caustic ingestion due to
risk of airway burns.
, 6. A child with dehydration has sunken eyes and delayed capillary refill.
Severity is:
A. Mild
B. Moderate
C. Severe
D. None
Answer: B
Rationale: Physical signs such as sunken eyes and delayed capillary refill
indicate moderate dehydration.
7. A child is suspected of having intussusception. What is a classic symptom?
A. Projectile vomiting
B. Currant jelly stool
C. Dry cough
D. Rash
Answer: B
Rationale: Currant jelly stools are classic for intussusception due to
intestinal ischemia.
8. What is the first step in pediatric cardiac arrest?
A. Defibrillation
B. High-quality CPR
C. Intubation
D. Epinephrine
Answer: B
Rationale: High-quality CPR is the foundation of pediatric resuscitation.
9. A child has epistaxis. What is the correct position?
A. Supine
B. Lean forward
NURSE EXAMINATION (CPEN) PRACTICE
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A 4-year-old presents with stridor, drooling, and tripod positioning. What is
the priority action?
A. Obtain throat culture
B. Prepare for airway management
C. Give oral fluids
D. Place supine for exam
Answer: B
Rationale: Stridor, drooling, and tripod positioning indicate possible
epiglottitis or airway obstruction requiring immediate airway protection.
2. A child with asthma is using accessory muscles and has SpO2 of 88%. What
medication is first priority?
A. Oral prednisone
B. Albuterol nebulizer
C. Montelukast
D. Theophylline
Answer: B
, Rationale: Short-acting beta agonists like albuterol provide rapid
bronchodilation in acute asthma exacerbation.
3. A 6-year-old has a suspected concussion. What is the priority assessment?
A. Glasgow Coma Scale
B. Blood glucose
C. Lung sounds
D. Abdominal exam
Answer: A
Rationale: GCS is essential to assess neurological status after head injury.
4. A child presents with petechiae, fever, and neck stiffness. What is most
concerning?
A. Viral infection
B. Meningococcemia
C. Allergic reaction
D. Sinus infection
Answer: B
Rationale: Petechiae with fever and neck stiffness strongly suggests
meningococcal sepsis, a medical emergency.
5. A 2-year-old ingested household bleach. What is the first action?
A. Induce vomiting
B. Give activated charcoal
C. Assess airway and breathing
D. Give milk
Answer: C
Rationale: Airway and breathing take priority in caustic ingestion due to
risk of airway burns.
, 6. A child with dehydration has sunken eyes and delayed capillary refill.
Severity is:
A. Mild
B. Moderate
C. Severe
D. None
Answer: B
Rationale: Physical signs such as sunken eyes and delayed capillary refill
indicate moderate dehydration.
7. A child is suspected of having intussusception. What is a classic symptom?
A. Projectile vomiting
B. Currant jelly stool
C. Dry cough
D. Rash
Answer: B
Rationale: Currant jelly stools are classic for intussusception due to
intestinal ischemia.
8. What is the first step in pediatric cardiac arrest?
A. Defibrillation
B. High-quality CPR
C. Intubation
D. Epinephrine
Answer: B
Rationale: High-quality CPR is the foundation of pediatric resuscitation.
9. A child has epistaxis. What is the correct position?
A. Supine
B. Lean forward
