Herzing University Pediatrics Exam 1 2026 | NCLEX-Style Practice Questions
& Verified Answers | Pediatric Nursing Review
SECTION 1: Foundations of Pediatric Nursing & Atraumatic Care (Questions 1-20)
Question 1
A 4-year-old child is admitted for a tonsillectomy. Which approach by the nurse
best demonstrates atraumatic care?
A) Telling the child, "The surgery will help you breathe better, so don't be scared"
B) Allowing the child to play with a toy surgical mask and demonstrate the
procedure on a doll
C) Holding the child down for an intravenous line insertion to complete it quickly
D) Avoiding any discussion of the procedure to prevent anxiety
Answer: B
Rationale: Atraumatic care involves minimizing physical and psychological distress
for children and families. Therapeutic play, such as demonstrating procedures on
a doll, allows the child to understand what will happen in a non-threatening way
and reduces fear . Option A dismisses the child's feelings. Option C is physically
and psychologically traumatic. Option D increases anxiety by allowing the child to
imagine worst-case scenarios.
,Question 2
The nurse is caring for a hospitalized 8-year-old child. Which action best supports
family-centered care?
A) Limiting visiting hours to allow the child to rest
B) Excluding parents from care decisions to reduce their stress
C) Encouraging parents to stay and participate in the child's care as desired
D) Requiring parents to leave during all procedures
Answer: C
Rationale: Family-centered care recognizes that families are the constant in a
child's life and should be active partners in care. Encouraging parental presence
and participation reduces anxiety for both child and parents and improves
outcomes . Excluding parents or limiting their involvement contradicts this
philosophy.
Question 3
A nurse is preparing to assess a 2-year-old child. Which approach is most
developmentally appropriate?
,A) Perform the assessment from head to toe without interruption
B) Allow the child to remain on the parent's lap during assessment
C) Ask the child complex questions about their symptoms
D) Begin with the most invasive part of the assessment first
Answer: B
Rationale: Toddlers (1-3 years) experience separation anxiety and fear of
strangers. Allowing them to remain on the parent's lap provides security and
cooperation . Assessments should be flexible, begin with less invasive procedures,
and use simple language. Head-to-toe assessment should be adapted to the
child's tolerance.
Question 4
A nurse is communicating with a 10-year-old child who has been recently
diagnosed with diabetes. Which statement reflects therapeutic communication?
A) "You must be feeling very scared about giving yourself shots"
B) "Don't worry—all children your age learn to do this"
C) "Your parents will handle all your injections, so you don't have to"
D) "Why are you crying? This is not that big of a deal"
, Answer: A
Rationale: Acknowledging and validating the child's feelings (scared)
demonstrates empathy and opens communication. Dismissive statements
(options B and D) minimize the child's concerns. Option C fails to promote age-
appropriate independence, which is important for school-age children's
development.
Question 5
The nurse is caring for an infant who requires a heel stick for blood glucose
monitoring. Which pain management technique should the nurse use?
A) Perform the heel stick without any preparation to save time
B) Use a topical anesthetic and sucrose (sweet solution) before the procedure
C) Restrain the infant's legs firmly to prevent movement
D) Distract the infant with a loud noise during the stick
Answer: B
Rationale: Evidence-based pain management for infants includes non-
pharmacologic measures such as topical anesthetics (for procedural pain) and oral
& Verified Answers | Pediatric Nursing Review
SECTION 1: Foundations of Pediatric Nursing & Atraumatic Care (Questions 1-20)
Question 1
A 4-year-old child is admitted for a tonsillectomy. Which approach by the nurse
best demonstrates atraumatic care?
A) Telling the child, "The surgery will help you breathe better, so don't be scared"
B) Allowing the child to play with a toy surgical mask and demonstrate the
procedure on a doll
C) Holding the child down for an intravenous line insertion to complete it quickly
D) Avoiding any discussion of the procedure to prevent anxiety
Answer: B
Rationale: Atraumatic care involves minimizing physical and psychological distress
for children and families. Therapeutic play, such as demonstrating procedures on
a doll, allows the child to understand what will happen in a non-threatening way
and reduces fear . Option A dismisses the child's feelings. Option C is physically
and psychologically traumatic. Option D increases anxiety by allowing the child to
imagine worst-case scenarios.
,Question 2
The nurse is caring for a hospitalized 8-year-old child. Which action best supports
family-centered care?
A) Limiting visiting hours to allow the child to rest
B) Excluding parents from care decisions to reduce their stress
C) Encouraging parents to stay and participate in the child's care as desired
D) Requiring parents to leave during all procedures
Answer: C
Rationale: Family-centered care recognizes that families are the constant in a
child's life and should be active partners in care. Encouraging parental presence
and participation reduces anxiety for both child and parents and improves
outcomes . Excluding parents or limiting their involvement contradicts this
philosophy.
Question 3
A nurse is preparing to assess a 2-year-old child. Which approach is most
developmentally appropriate?
,A) Perform the assessment from head to toe without interruption
B) Allow the child to remain on the parent's lap during assessment
C) Ask the child complex questions about their symptoms
D) Begin with the most invasive part of the assessment first
Answer: B
Rationale: Toddlers (1-3 years) experience separation anxiety and fear of
strangers. Allowing them to remain on the parent's lap provides security and
cooperation . Assessments should be flexible, begin with less invasive procedures,
and use simple language. Head-to-toe assessment should be adapted to the
child's tolerance.
Question 4
A nurse is communicating with a 10-year-old child who has been recently
diagnosed with diabetes. Which statement reflects therapeutic communication?
A) "You must be feeling very scared about giving yourself shots"
B) "Don't worry—all children your age learn to do this"
C) "Your parents will handle all your injections, so you don't have to"
D) "Why are you crying? This is not that big of a deal"
, Answer: A
Rationale: Acknowledging and validating the child's feelings (scared)
demonstrates empathy and opens communication. Dismissive statements
(options B and D) minimize the child's concerns. Option C fails to promote age-
appropriate independence, which is important for school-age children's
development.
Question 5
The nurse is caring for an infant who requires a heel stick for blood glucose
monitoring. Which pain management technique should the nurse use?
A) Perform the heel stick without any preparation to save time
B) Use a topical anesthetic and sucrose (sweet solution) before the procedure
C) Restrain the infant's legs firmly to prevent movement
D) Distract the infant with a loud noise during the stick
Answer: B
Rationale: Evidence-based pain management for infants includes non-
pharmacologic measures such as topical anesthetics (for procedural pain) and oral
