CH 35 KEY PEDIATRIC NURSING INTERVENTIONS
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS 2026
nasal cannula
RATIONALE: For infants and older children, the nasal cannula is the most
appropriate oxygen delivery system for this oxygenation level. It is the least
invasive and most comfortable for the infant. A face mask or a non-rebreather
mask are used if the nasal cannula is not successful in keeping the infant's oxygen
saturations within the set parameters. Oxygen tents are rarely used due to the
difficulty in maintaining a constant O2 level in the tent. - CORRECT ANSWER The
floor nurse is making rounds on her clients and discovers that an 8-month-old
admitted with pneumonia has an oxygen saturation of 91% on room air. The
physician has standing orders to keep saturations at 96% or above. Which oxygen
delivery system would the nurse choose for this client?
oxygen tent
nasal cannula
non-rebreather mask
face mask
"Using a larger-volume syringe exerts less pressure on the PICC line."
RATIONALE: Using a larger-volume syringe (i.e., 5 mL or larger) exerts less pressure
on the PICC, thereby reducing the risk of rupture. - CORRECT ANSWER The nurse is
showing the student nurse how to flush a pediatric client's peripherally inserted
central catheter (PICC) line. The nurse prepares a 3-ml normal saline flush using a
5-ml syringe. The student asks the nurse why the flush was prepared this way.
What is the most accurate response by the nurse?
"Using a larger-volume syringe exerts less pressure on the PICC line."
"It is standard policy in our facility to use a 5-ml syringe for all PICC line flushes."
,"I like how the 5-ml syringe fits in my hand. I feel like I have a better grip on it than
a smaller syringe."
"The 5-ml syringe is what we have the most stock of so I just always use it."
Place a urine collection bag on the child after cleaning off the perineum.
RATIONALE: In clients that are not potty-trained, the best method for collecting a
urine specimen is to place a urine collection bag on the child and wait for them to
void. The doctor did not order a urine culture, so a catheterized urinalysis is not
needed and would be traumatic for the child. Trying to catch urine from a voiding
toddler is nearly impossible. Aspirating urine out of the diaper is not the best
approach or one that ensures the best results. - CORRECT ANSWER The health
care provider orders a urinalysis on a 15-month-old toddler. The mother states
that the child is not potty-trained. What is the best way for the nurse to collect the
specimen?
Place a urine collection bag on the child after cleaning off the perineum.
Observe the child for signs he needs to urinate and quickly pull the diaper down
and catch the urine when he voids.
Clean off the penis with a commercial cleaning pad and catheterize the client.
Aspirate urine out of the diaper with a syringe and place it in a specimen cup.
abdomen
RATIONALE: With a subcutaneous infusion pump, the drug is delivered by the
pump via a medicine-filled syringe. The site chosen is usually the abdomen
because this both protects the pump and allows it to be out of sight. The other
sites are used for other intravenous infusions. - CORRECT ANSWER A school-age
child is to receive insulin therapy via a subcutaneous infusion pump. When
explaining this method of administration, the nurse would include which site as
most likely to be used?
,upper chest
abdomen
antecubital space of the arm
scalp
"I know that this hurts some but you are being so strong. It is OK to cry."
RATIONALE: Children should be given the right to cry and be verbally praised for
cooperating. Pediatric clients should not routinely be rewarded for acting
appropriately during a procedure or for being brave or good, but if they are given
a small reward such as a sticker or small toy afterward, the child's memory of the
experience is more positive. A nurse never tells a child to be quiet during a painful
procedure nor tells the child that he/she is naughty for acting out in pain. -
CORRECT ANSWER A child is undergoing a painful procedure and is upset. Which
statement by the nurse would be the best approach in dealing with the child?
"You were brave and good, so you get a sucker."
"I know that this hurts some but you are being so strong. It is OK to cry."
"Please don't bite or kick me; that would be very naughty."
"If you hold still and be quiet, I will give you a popsicle."
oral syringe without a needle
RATIONALE: When administering medication to an infant, an oral syringe without
a needle or a dropper may be used. Medication should not be mixed with the
infant's formula. Toddlers and older children may use a measured medication
spoon or cup. - CORRECT ANSWER When preparing to administer medication to
an infant, the nurse should utilize which device?
infant formula and bottle
measured medication spoon
, medicine cup
oral syringe without a needle
"If my toddler won't swallow her medication, I will hold her nose until she has to
swallow."
RATIONALE: Proper medication administration includes placing a pill in applesauce
or ice cream to help a child learn how to swallow it. When giving medications to
an infant or small child, always have them in an upright position to avoid
aspiration. Allowing a toddler or preschooler to squirt medication into his or her
own mouth is appropriate. You should never force medication into a child's mouth
or pinch his or her nose. This increases the risk for aspiration and interferes with
developing a trusting relationship. - CORRECT ANSWER The nurse has finished
completing a client education program for parents on proper medication
administration to children. Which statement by a parent would indicate a need for
further education?
"If my toddler won't swallow her medication, I will hold her nose until she has to
swallow."
"When I give my toddler medication, I will make sure they are sitting up."
"I will let my preschooler squirt his medication in his own mouth after I have
measured it out."
"I will put my daughter's pill in a small amount of applesauce to help her learn
now to swallow it."
"I will wrap the skin tightly after applying the medication."
RATIONALE: Ketoconazole is an antifungal used to treat tinea infections. The nurse
would teach to avoid covering treated skin areas with tightly. The area needs to
allow for air to circulate to the skin in order to limit side effects. All other
statements indicate correct understanding. - CORRECT ANSWER The primary
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS 2026
nasal cannula
RATIONALE: For infants and older children, the nasal cannula is the most
appropriate oxygen delivery system for this oxygenation level. It is the least
invasive and most comfortable for the infant. A face mask or a non-rebreather
mask are used if the nasal cannula is not successful in keeping the infant's oxygen
saturations within the set parameters. Oxygen tents are rarely used due to the
difficulty in maintaining a constant O2 level in the tent. - CORRECT ANSWER The
floor nurse is making rounds on her clients and discovers that an 8-month-old
admitted with pneumonia has an oxygen saturation of 91% on room air. The
physician has standing orders to keep saturations at 96% or above. Which oxygen
delivery system would the nurse choose for this client?
oxygen tent
nasal cannula
non-rebreather mask
face mask
"Using a larger-volume syringe exerts less pressure on the PICC line."
RATIONALE: Using a larger-volume syringe (i.e., 5 mL or larger) exerts less pressure
on the PICC, thereby reducing the risk of rupture. - CORRECT ANSWER The nurse is
showing the student nurse how to flush a pediatric client's peripherally inserted
central catheter (PICC) line. The nurse prepares a 3-ml normal saline flush using a
5-ml syringe. The student asks the nurse why the flush was prepared this way.
What is the most accurate response by the nurse?
"Using a larger-volume syringe exerts less pressure on the PICC line."
"It is standard policy in our facility to use a 5-ml syringe for all PICC line flushes."
,"I like how the 5-ml syringe fits in my hand. I feel like I have a better grip on it than
a smaller syringe."
"The 5-ml syringe is what we have the most stock of so I just always use it."
Place a urine collection bag on the child after cleaning off the perineum.
RATIONALE: In clients that are not potty-trained, the best method for collecting a
urine specimen is to place a urine collection bag on the child and wait for them to
void. The doctor did not order a urine culture, so a catheterized urinalysis is not
needed and would be traumatic for the child. Trying to catch urine from a voiding
toddler is nearly impossible. Aspirating urine out of the diaper is not the best
approach or one that ensures the best results. - CORRECT ANSWER The health
care provider orders a urinalysis on a 15-month-old toddler. The mother states
that the child is not potty-trained. What is the best way for the nurse to collect the
specimen?
Place a urine collection bag on the child after cleaning off the perineum.
Observe the child for signs he needs to urinate and quickly pull the diaper down
and catch the urine when he voids.
Clean off the penis with a commercial cleaning pad and catheterize the client.
Aspirate urine out of the diaper with a syringe and place it in a specimen cup.
abdomen
RATIONALE: With a subcutaneous infusion pump, the drug is delivered by the
pump via a medicine-filled syringe. The site chosen is usually the abdomen
because this both protects the pump and allows it to be out of sight. The other
sites are used for other intravenous infusions. - CORRECT ANSWER A school-age
child is to receive insulin therapy via a subcutaneous infusion pump. When
explaining this method of administration, the nurse would include which site as
most likely to be used?
,upper chest
abdomen
antecubital space of the arm
scalp
"I know that this hurts some but you are being so strong. It is OK to cry."
RATIONALE: Children should be given the right to cry and be verbally praised for
cooperating. Pediatric clients should not routinely be rewarded for acting
appropriately during a procedure or for being brave or good, but if they are given
a small reward such as a sticker or small toy afterward, the child's memory of the
experience is more positive. A nurse never tells a child to be quiet during a painful
procedure nor tells the child that he/she is naughty for acting out in pain. -
CORRECT ANSWER A child is undergoing a painful procedure and is upset. Which
statement by the nurse would be the best approach in dealing with the child?
"You were brave and good, so you get a sucker."
"I know that this hurts some but you are being so strong. It is OK to cry."
"Please don't bite or kick me; that would be very naughty."
"If you hold still and be quiet, I will give you a popsicle."
oral syringe without a needle
RATIONALE: When administering medication to an infant, an oral syringe without
a needle or a dropper may be used. Medication should not be mixed with the
infant's formula. Toddlers and older children may use a measured medication
spoon or cup. - CORRECT ANSWER When preparing to administer medication to
an infant, the nurse should utilize which device?
infant formula and bottle
measured medication spoon
, medicine cup
oral syringe without a needle
"If my toddler won't swallow her medication, I will hold her nose until she has to
swallow."
RATIONALE: Proper medication administration includes placing a pill in applesauce
or ice cream to help a child learn how to swallow it. When giving medications to
an infant or small child, always have them in an upright position to avoid
aspiration. Allowing a toddler or preschooler to squirt medication into his or her
own mouth is appropriate. You should never force medication into a child's mouth
or pinch his or her nose. This increases the risk for aspiration and interferes with
developing a trusting relationship. - CORRECT ANSWER The nurse has finished
completing a client education program for parents on proper medication
administration to children. Which statement by a parent would indicate a need for
further education?
"If my toddler won't swallow her medication, I will hold her nose until she has to
swallow."
"When I give my toddler medication, I will make sure they are sitting up."
"I will let my preschooler squirt his medication in his own mouth after I have
measured it out."
"I will put my daughter's pill in a small amount of applesauce to help her learn
now to swallow it."
"I will wrap the skin tightly after applying the medication."
RATIONALE: Ketoconazole is an antifungal used to treat tinea infections. The nurse
would teach to avoid covering treated skin areas with tightly. The area needs to
allow for air to circulate to the skin in order to limit side effects. All other
statements indicate correct understanding. - CORRECT ANSWER The primary
