Page 1 of 241
MATERNAL AND PEDIATRIC NURSING EXAM
COMPREHENSIVE 2026 QUESTIONS EXAM LATEST
VERSION SOLVED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS VERIFIED
100 %
A young girl has just injured her ankle at school. In addition to calling the
child's parents what is the school nurse's most appropriate immediate action?
a. Apply ice.
b. Observe the ankle for edema and discolouration.
c. Encourage the child to assume a comfortable position.
d. Obtain parental permission for administration of acetaminophen or aspirin.
ANS: A
Soft-tissue injuries should be iced immediately. In addition to ice the extremity should
be rested and elevated and have compression applied. Observing for edema and
discolouration encouraging the child to assume a comfortable position and obtaining
parental permission or administration of acetaminophen or aspirin are not immediate
priorities.
What term is used to describe a fracture that does not produce a break in the
skin?
a. Simple
b. Compound
c. Complicated
d. Comminuted
ANS: A
If a fracture does not produce a break in the skin it is called a simple or closed
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fracture. A compound or open fracture is one with an open wound through which the
bone protrudes. A complicated fracture is one in which the bone fragments damage
other organs or tissues. A comminuted fracture occurs when small fragments of
bone are broken from the fractured shaft and lie in the surrounding tissue these are
rare in children.
What is one advantage of using a fibreglass cast instead of a plaster one?
a. It is less expensive.
b. It dries rapidly.
c. It moulds closely to body parts.
d. It has a smooth exterior.
ANS: B
A synthetic casting material dries within minutes compared to a plaster cast which
takes several hours to dry. Synthetic casts are more expensive not less. Plaster
casts mould closer to body parts. Synthetic casts have a rough exterior which may
scratch surfaces.
The nurse is teaching the parents of a 7-year-old child who has just had a cast
applied to a fractured arm with the wrist and elbow immobilized. What
instruction should the nurse include in the discharge information?
a. Swelling of the fingers is to be expected for the next 48 hours.
b. Immobilize the shoulder to decrease pain in the arm.
c. Allow the affected limb to hang down for 1 hour each day.
d. Elevate the casted arm when resting and sitting up.
ANS: D
The injured extremity should be kept elevated while resting and in a sling when
upright. This will increase venous return. Swelling of the fingers may indicate
neurovascular damage and should be reported immediately since permanent
damage can occur within 6 to 8 hours. Joints above and below the cast on the
affected extremity should be moved. The child should not engage in strenuous
activity for the first few days. Rest with the extremity elevated is encouraged.
Why does a nurse use the palms of his hands when handling a wet cast?
a. To assess the dryness of the cast
b. To facilitate easy turning
c. To keep the patient's limb balanced
d. To avoid indenting the cast
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ANS: D
Wet casts should be handled with the palms of the hands not the fingers to prevent
the creation of pressure points. Assessing dryness facilitating easy turning or
keeping the patient's limb balanced are not reasons for using the palms of the hand
rather than the fingers when handling a wet cast.
What causes a nurse to suspect that an infection has developed under a cast?
a. Complaint of paresthesia
b. Cold toes
c. Increased respirations
d. Hot spots on the cast's surface
ANS: D
If hot spots are felt on the cast surface they usually indicate infection beneath the
area. This should be reported so a window can be made in the cast to observe the
site. The five P's of ischemia from a vascular injury include pain pallor pulselessness
paresthesia and paralysis. Paresthesia is an indication of vascular injury not
infection. Cold toes may be indicative of a cast that's too tight and need further
evaluation. Increased respirations may indicate a respiratory infection or pulmonary
emboli. This should be reported and the child should be evaluated.
A child is upset because when the cast was removed from her leg the skin
surface was caked with desquamated skin and sebaceous secretions. What
should the nurse suggest to remove this material?
a. Soak in a bathtub.
b. Vigorously scrub the leg.
c. Apply powder to absorb the material.
d. Carefully pick the material off of the leg.
ANS: A
Simply soaking in the bathtub is usually sufficient for the removal of the
desquamated skin and sebaceous secretions. It may take several days to eliminate
the accumulation completely. The parents and child should be advised not to scrub
the leg vigorously or forcibly remove this material because it may cause excoriation
and bleeding. Oil or lotion but not powder may provide comfort for the child's skin.
Which type of traction uses skin traction on the lower leg and a padded sling
under the knee?
a. Dunlop
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b. Bryant
c. Russell
d. Buck extension
ANS: C
Russell traction involves skin traction on the lower leg and a padded sling under the
knee. The combination of longitudinal and perpendicular traction allows the lower
extremity to be realigned and immobilizes the hips and knees in a flexed position.
Dunlop traction is an upper extremity traction used for fractures of the humerus.
Bryant traction is skin traction with the legs flexed at a 90-degree angle at the hip.
Buck extension traction has the legs in an extended position and is used primarily for
short-term immobilization before surgery with dislocated hips for correcting
contractures or for bone deformities such as Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease.
Which is an appropriate nursing intervention when caring for a child in
traction?
a. Remove adhesive traction straps daily to prevent skin breakdown.
b. Assess for tightness weakness or contractures in uninvolved joints and
muscles.
c. Provide active range-of-motion exercises to affected extremity three times a
day.
d. Keep the child in one position to maintain good alignment.
ANS: B
Traction places stress on the affected bone joint and muscles. The nurse must
assess for tightness weakness or contractures developing in the uninvolved joints
and muscles. The adhesive straps should be released or replaced only when
absolutely necessary. Active passive or active with resistance exercises should be
carried out for the unaffected extremity only. Movement is expected with children—
each time the child moves the nurse should check to ensure that proper alignment is
maintained.
Which should be included when the nurse is teaching a family how to care for
their infant in a Pavlik harness to treat developmental dysplasia of the hip?
a. Apply lotion or powder to minimize skin irritation.
b. Remove the harness several times a day to prevent contractures.
c. Return to the clinic every week for assessment.
MATERNAL AND PEDIATRIC NURSING EXAM
COMPREHENSIVE 2026 QUESTIONS EXAM LATEST
VERSION SOLVED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS VERIFIED
100 %
A young girl has just injured her ankle at school. In addition to calling the
child's parents what is the school nurse's most appropriate immediate action?
a. Apply ice.
b. Observe the ankle for edema and discolouration.
c. Encourage the child to assume a comfortable position.
d. Obtain parental permission for administration of acetaminophen or aspirin.
ANS: A
Soft-tissue injuries should be iced immediately. In addition to ice the extremity should
be rested and elevated and have compression applied. Observing for edema and
discolouration encouraging the child to assume a comfortable position and obtaining
parental permission or administration of acetaminophen or aspirin are not immediate
priorities.
What term is used to describe a fracture that does not produce a break in the
skin?
a. Simple
b. Compound
c. Complicated
d. Comminuted
ANS: A
If a fracture does not produce a break in the skin it is called a simple or closed
, Page 2 of 241
fracture. A compound or open fracture is one with an open wound through which the
bone protrudes. A complicated fracture is one in which the bone fragments damage
other organs or tissues. A comminuted fracture occurs when small fragments of
bone are broken from the fractured shaft and lie in the surrounding tissue these are
rare in children.
What is one advantage of using a fibreglass cast instead of a plaster one?
a. It is less expensive.
b. It dries rapidly.
c. It moulds closely to body parts.
d. It has a smooth exterior.
ANS: B
A synthetic casting material dries within minutes compared to a plaster cast which
takes several hours to dry. Synthetic casts are more expensive not less. Plaster
casts mould closer to body parts. Synthetic casts have a rough exterior which may
scratch surfaces.
The nurse is teaching the parents of a 7-year-old child who has just had a cast
applied to a fractured arm with the wrist and elbow immobilized. What
instruction should the nurse include in the discharge information?
a. Swelling of the fingers is to be expected for the next 48 hours.
b. Immobilize the shoulder to decrease pain in the arm.
c. Allow the affected limb to hang down for 1 hour each day.
d. Elevate the casted arm when resting and sitting up.
ANS: D
The injured extremity should be kept elevated while resting and in a sling when
upright. This will increase venous return. Swelling of the fingers may indicate
neurovascular damage and should be reported immediately since permanent
damage can occur within 6 to 8 hours. Joints above and below the cast on the
affected extremity should be moved. The child should not engage in strenuous
activity for the first few days. Rest with the extremity elevated is encouraged.
Why does a nurse use the palms of his hands when handling a wet cast?
a. To assess the dryness of the cast
b. To facilitate easy turning
c. To keep the patient's limb balanced
d. To avoid indenting the cast
, Page 3 of 241
ANS: D
Wet casts should be handled with the palms of the hands not the fingers to prevent
the creation of pressure points. Assessing dryness facilitating easy turning or
keeping the patient's limb balanced are not reasons for using the palms of the hand
rather than the fingers when handling a wet cast.
What causes a nurse to suspect that an infection has developed under a cast?
a. Complaint of paresthesia
b. Cold toes
c. Increased respirations
d. Hot spots on the cast's surface
ANS: D
If hot spots are felt on the cast surface they usually indicate infection beneath the
area. This should be reported so a window can be made in the cast to observe the
site. The five P's of ischemia from a vascular injury include pain pallor pulselessness
paresthesia and paralysis. Paresthesia is an indication of vascular injury not
infection. Cold toes may be indicative of a cast that's too tight and need further
evaluation. Increased respirations may indicate a respiratory infection or pulmonary
emboli. This should be reported and the child should be evaluated.
A child is upset because when the cast was removed from her leg the skin
surface was caked with desquamated skin and sebaceous secretions. What
should the nurse suggest to remove this material?
a. Soak in a bathtub.
b. Vigorously scrub the leg.
c. Apply powder to absorb the material.
d. Carefully pick the material off of the leg.
ANS: A
Simply soaking in the bathtub is usually sufficient for the removal of the
desquamated skin and sebaceous secretions. It may take several days to eliminate
the accumulation completely. The parents and child should be advised not to scrub
the leg vigorously or forcibly remove this material because it may cause excoriation
and bleeding. Oil or lotion but not powder may provide comfort for the child's skin.
Which type of traction uses skin traction on the lower leg and a padded sling
under the knee?
a. Dunlop
, Page 4 of 241
b. Bryant
c. Russell
d. Buck extension
ANS: C
Russell traction involves skin traction on the lower leg and a padded sling under the
knee. The combination of longitudinal and perpendicular traction allows the lower
extremity to be realigned and immobilizes the hips and knees in a flexed position.
Dunlop traction is an upper extremity traction used for fractures of the humerus.
Bryant traction is skin traction with the legs flexed at a 90-degree angle at the hip.
Buck extension traction has the legs in an extended position and is used primarily for
short-term immobilization before surgery with dislocated hips for correcting
contractures or for bone deformities such as Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease.
Which is an appropriate nursing intervention when caring for a child in
traction?
a. Remove adhesive traction straps daily to prevent skin breakdown.
b. Assess for tightness weakness or contractures in uninvolved joints and
muscles.
c. Provide active range-of-motion exercises to affected extremity three times a
day.
d. Keep the child in one position to maintain good alignment.
ANS: B
Traction places stress on the affected bone joint and muscles. The nurse must
assess for tightness weakness or contractures developing in the uninvolved joints
and muscles. The adhesive straps should be released or replaced only when
absolutely necessary. Active passive or active with resistance exercises should be
carried out for the unaffected extremity only. Movement is expected with children—
each time the child moves the nurse should check to ensure that proper alignment is
maintained.
Which should be included when the nurse is teaching a family how to care for
their infant in a Pavlik harness to treat developmental dysplasia of the hip?
a. Apply lotion or powder to minimize skin irritation.
b. Remove the harness several times a day to prevent contractures.
c. Return to the clinic every week for assessment.
