ATI PN Nursing Care of Children Exam 2026
Questions and Verified Answers | Complete
Study Guide with Detailed Solutions for
Guaranteed Pass
ATI PN NURSING CARE OF CHILDREN EXAM 2026
Complete Study Guide with Detailed Solutions
• This guide contains 200 high-yield multiple-choice questions covering all core
pediatric nursing topics tested on the ATI PN exam, each with verified answers and
detailed EXPERT RATIONALE to reinforce clinical reasoning.
• Use this material by attempting each question independently before reviewing the
correct answer and EXPERT RATIONALE — this active recall method maximizes
retention and prepares you for exam-day success.
1. A nurse is caring for a newborn and notes a heart rate of 90 beats per
minute. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Document the finding as normal
B. Reposition the newborn and reassess
C. Begin positive-pressure ventilation
D. Administer oxygen via face mask
E. Notify the charge nurse immediately
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Begin positive-pressure ventilation
EXPERT RATIONALE: A newborn heart rate below 100 bpm indicates
bradycardia and requires immediate intervention. Per neonatal resuscitation
guidelines, positive-pressure ventilation is initiated when the heart rate falls below
100 bpm to improve oxygenation and stimulate cardiac response.
,2. A nurse is assessing a 4-year-old child. Which finding is expected for this
developmental stage?
A. Speaks in two-word sentences
B. Rides a bicycle without training wheels
C. Ties shoelaces independently
D. Skips on alternating feet
E. Can count to 10 and knows colors
CORRECT ANSWER: E. Can count to 10 and knows colors
EXPERT RATIONALE: A 4-year-old is expected to count up to 10, recognize
colors, and engage in imaginative play. Two-word sentences are expected at 2
years, while skipping and bicycle riding develop closer to ages 5–6.
3. A nurse is caring for a child diagnosed with epiglottitis. Which intervention
is the priority?
A. Administer antipyretics immediately
B. Obtain a throat culture
C. Place the child in a supine position
D. Prepare for emergency airway management
E. Apply a cool mist humidifier
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Prepare for emergency airway management
EXPERT RATIONALE: Epiglottitis is a life-threatening condition causing severe
airway obstruction. The priority is airway management. Throat examination and
cultures should never be performed without airway equipment present, as
stimulation can cause complete obstruction.
,4. A nurse is educating parents about car seat safety for a 6-month-old infant.
Which statement by the parent indicates understanding?
A. "I will place my baby in a forward-facing seat."
B. "My baby should sit in the front seat with an airbag."
C. "I will keep my baby rear-facing until at least age 2."
D. "A booster seat is appropriate for my infant."
E. "My baby can sit in a regular seat belt at this age."
CORRECT ANSWER: C. "I will keep my baby rear-facing until at least age 2."
EXPERT RATIONALE: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends
keeping infants and toddlers in rear-facing car seats until age 2 or until they reach
the maximum height and weight for their seat, as this position offers the best
protection for the head, neck, and spine.
5. A nurse is monitoring a child with suspected increased intracranial
pressure (ICP). Which finding should the nurse report immediately?
A. Heart rate of 90 bpm
B. Blood pressure 100/60 mmHg
C. Pupils equal and reactive to light
D. Bradycardia with widened pulse pressure and irregular respirations
E. Temperature of 37.2°C
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Bradycardia with widened pulse pressure and
irregular respirations
EXPERT RATIONALE: This triad — bradycardia, widened pulse pressure, and
irregular respirations — is known as Cushing's triad and is a late, ominous sign of
severely increased ICP requiring immediate intervention.
, 6. A nurse is providing teaching to parents of a child with sickle cell disease.
Which statement should the nurse include?
A. "Avoid giving your child extra fluids."
B. "Cold weather does not affect your child's condition."
C. "Ensure your child stays well hydrated at all times."
D. "Your child does not need pain medication during a crisis."
E. "Limit physical activity to prevent sickle cell trait."
CORRECT ANSWER: C. "Ensure your child stays well hydrated at all times."
EXPERT RATIONALE: Hydration is essential in sickle cell disease as dehydration
can precipitate a vaso-occlusive crisis by increasing blood viscosity and promoting
sickling. Parents should be taught to maintain adequate fluid intake and avoid
known triggers such as cold, stress, and infection.
7. A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old child. Which behavior is consistent with
normal development?
A. Separation anxiety is completely resolved
B. The child plays cooperatively with peers
C. The child uses approximately 50 words
D. The child demonstrates parallel play
E. The child can ride a two-wheel bicycle
CORRECT ANSWER: D. The child demonstrates parallel play
EXPERT RATIONALE: Parallel play — playing alongside but not directly with
other children — is characteristic of toddlers around age 2. Cooperative play
develops later, around ages 3–4. Vocabulary at age 2 is typically around 200–300
words, and separation anxiety is still common at this stage.
Questions and Verified Answers | Complete
Study Guide with Detailed Solutions for
Guaranteed Pass
ATI PN NURSING CARE OF CHILDREN EXAM 2026
Complete Study Guide with Detailed Solutions
• This guide contains 200 high-yield multiple-choice questions covering all core
pediatric nursing topics tested on the ATI PN exam, each with verified answers and
detailed EXPERT RATIONALE to reinforce clinical reasoning.
• Use this material by attempting each question independently before reviewing the
correct answer and EXPERT RATIONALE — this active recall method maximizes
retention and prepares you for exam-day success.
1. A nurse is caring for a newborn and notes a heart rate of 90 beats per
minute. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Document the finding as normal
B. Reposition the newborn and reassess
C. Begin positive-pressure ventilation
D. Administer oxygen via face mask
E. Notify the charge nurse immediately
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Begin positive-pressure ventilation
EXPERT RATIONALE: A newborn heart rate below 100 bpm indicates
bradycardia and requires immediate intervention. Per neonatal resuscitation
guidelines, positive-pressure ventilation is initiated when the heart rate falls below
100 bpm to improve oxygenation and stimulate cardiac response.
,2. A nurse is assessing a 4-year-old child. Which finding is expected for this
developmental stage?
A. Speaks in two-word sentences
B. Rides a bicycle without training wheels
C. Ties shoelaces independently
D. Skips on alternating feet
E. Can count to 10 and knows colors
CORRECT ANSWER: E. Can count to 10 and knows colors
EXPERT RATIONALE: A 4-year-old is expected to count up to 10, recognize
colors, and engage in imaginative play. Two-word sentences are expected at 2
years, while skipping and bicycle riding develop closer to ages 5–6.
3. A nurse is caring for a child diagnosed with epiglottitis. Which intervention
is the priority?
A. Administer antipyretics immediately
B. Obtain a throat culture
C. Place the child in a supine position
D. Prepare for emergency airway management
E. Apply a cool mist humidifier
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Prepare for emergency airway management
EXPERT RATIONALE: Epiglottitis is a life-threatening condition causing severe
airway obstruction. The priority is airway management. Throat examination and
cultures should never be performed without airway equipment present, as
stimulation can cause complete obstruction.
,4. A nurse is educating parents about car seat safety for a 6-month-old infant.
Which statement by the parent indicates understanding?
A. "I will place my baby in a forward-facing seat."
B. "My baby should sit in the front seat with an airbag."
C. "I will keep my baby rear-facing until at least age 2."
D. "A booster seat is appropriate for my infant."
E. "My baby can sit in a regular seat belt at this age."
CORRECT ANSWER: C. "I will keep my baby rear-facing until at least age 2."
EXPERT RATIONALE: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends
keeping infants and toddlers in rear-facing car seats until age 2 or until they reach
the maximum height and weight for their seat, as this position offers the best
protection for the head, neck, and spine.
5. A nurse is monitoring a child with suspected increased intracranial
pressure (ICP). Which finding should the nurse report immediately?
A. Heart rate of 90 bpm
B. Blood pressure 100/60 mmHg
C. Pupils equal and reactive to light
D. Bradycardia with widened pulse pressure and irregular respirations
E. Temperature of 37.2°C
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Bradycardia with widened pulse pressure and
irregular respirations
EXPERT RATIONALE: This triad — bradycardia, widened pulse pressure, and
irregular respirations — is known as Cushing's triad and is a late, ominous sign of
severely increased ICP requiring immediate intervention.
, 6. A nurse is providing teaching to parents of a child with sickle cell disease.
Which statement should the nurse include?
A. "Avoid giving your child extra fluids."
B. "Cold weather does not affect your child's condition."
C. "Ensure your child stays well hydrated at all times."
D. "Your child does not need pain medication during a crisis."
E. "Limit physical activity to prevent sickle cell trait."
CORRECT ANSWER: C. "Ensure your child stays well hydrated at all times."
EXPERT RATIONALE: Hydration is essential in sickle cell disease as dehydration
can precipitate a vaso-occlusive crisis by increasing blood viscosity and promoting
sickling. Parents should be taught to maintain adequate fluid intake and avoid
known triggers such as cold, stress, and infection.
7. A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old child. Which behavior is consistent with
normal development?
A. Separation anxiety is completely resolved
B. The child plays cooperatively with peers
C. The child uses approximately 50 words
D. The child demonstrates parallel play
E. The child can ride a two-wheel bicycle
CORRECT ANSWER: D. The child demonstrates parallel play
EXPERT RATIONALE: Parallel play — playing alongside but not directly with
other children — is characteristic of toddlers around age 2. Cooperative play
develops later, around ages 3–4. Vocabulary at age 2 is typically around 200–300
words, and separation anxiety is still common at this stage.
