ATI RN Nursing Care of Children Proctored
Examination Official Exam Actual Exam
2026/2027 with Detailed Rationales |
Complete Exam-Style Questions | Pass
Guaranteed – A+ Graded
══════════════════════════════════════
SECTION 1: GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT ACROSS PEDIATRIC AGES Q1 – Q10
══════════════════════════════════════
Question 1 of 50
A mother brings her 4-month-old infant to the well-child clinic and asks the nurse what new
skill her baby will most likely demonstrate over the next month. The nurse reviews the
infant's current milestones, which include social smiling, cooing, and bringing hands to
midline.
A. Sitting without support
B. Walking while holding furniture
C. Rolling from front to back ✓ CORRECT
D. Speaking two-word phrases
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rolling from front to back typically emerges between 4 and 5 months of age as
trunk strength and coordination develop. Sitting without support usually appears around 6
months, making it too early for this infant. Most 4-month-olds are also months away from
cruising or producing true two-word phrases.
Question 2 of 50
An 18-month-old toddler screams and throws himself on the floor when his mother attempts
to put on his shoes before leaving the clinic. The mother looks embarrassed and asks the
nurse if this behavior means her son is spoiled.
A. Explain that the toddler is manipulating her and needs stricter discipline
B. Reassure her that this behavior reflects normal autonomy development ✓ CORRECT
C. Suggest she avoid taking him out in public until he outgrows this phase
D. Recommend immediate behavioral therapy to address the outbursts
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Toddlers at this age are in Erikson's stage of autonomy versus shame and doubt,
where asserting independence through oppositional behavior is developmentally expected.
Labeling the child as manipulative misinterprets normal growth, while avoiding public outings
or pursuing therapy is excessive for typical toddler behavior.
Question 3 of 50
During a school physical, an 8-year-old child proudly shows the nurse a gap where he lost his
first tooth and talks excitedly about trading baseball cards with friends at recess. His mother
expresses concern that he seems more interested in friends than family lately.
A. Advise the mother to limit peer interactions to strengthen family bonds
B. Explain that this represents delayed social development requiring evaluation
C. Reassure her that preference for peers typically begins in adolescence
D. Validate that shifting toward peer relationships is expected at this age ✓ CORRECT
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: School-age children naturally begin prioritizing peer relationships as part of
industry versus inferiority, while still maintaining important family connections. Restricting
peer time or suggesting delay misreads normal development, and this shift actually begins
well before adolescence.
Question 4 of 50
A 15-year-old patient tells the nurse during a confidential visit that he has been experimenting
with vaping because his friends do it and he wants to feel like he belongs. He admits he does
not actually enjoy it but worries about being excluded.
A. Explore his personal values and support identity exploration beyond peer pressure ✓
CORRECT
B. Dismiss the behavior as typical teenage rebellion that will resolve on its own
C. Immediately notify his parents so they can enforce stricter supervision
D. Focus the conversation exclusively on the physical dangers of nicotine
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Adolescents in Erikson's identity versus role confusion stage benefit from
guidance that helps them develop an independent sense of self rather than simply
conforming. Dismissing the behavior or breaking confidentiality undermines trust, while
solely emphasizing health risks misses the psychosocial need driving the experimentation.
Question 5 of 50
, A mother asks the nurse at the 6-month well visit when she can start offering her breastfed
infant small amounts of water and begin introducing pureed meats.
A. Both water and meats can be introduced starting at 4 months
B. Water should be given daily but meats should wait until 9 months
C. Small amounts of water and pureed meats are appropriate to begin now ✓ CORRECT
D. Neither water nor meats should be offered before the first birthday
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: At 6 months, breastfed infants can begin complementary foods including iron-rich
pureed meats, and small sips of water are acceptable with meals. Starting solids at 4 months
is earlier than current recommendations, while delaying all complementary foods until 12
months may lead to iron deficiency.
Question 6 of 50
The nurse observes a 3-year-old in the playroom talking to a stuffed bear, pretending to give it
an injection, and then comforting it by saying "It will be okay." The child's grandmother asks if
this means the child is confused about what is real.
A. Clarify that the child is confused and needs explicit explanations about reality
B. Explain that imaginative play helps the child process healthcare experiences ✓ CORRECT
C. Recommend limiting fantasy play to prevent difficulty distinguishing reality
D. Suggest the child is too young to understand medical procedures
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Preschoolers engage in magical thinking and imaginative play as a primary coping
mechanism, allowing them to rehearse and gain mastery over frightening situations.
Interpreting this as confusion or restricting play undermines the child's natural resilience and
processing abilities.
Question 7 of 50
A 12-month-old infant clings to his mother and cries when the nurse approaches to measure
his head circumference. The mother apologizes and says he has been doing this with
strangers for the past month.
A. Suggest this indicates the infant has an insecure attachment to his mother
B. Recommend gradual exposure to strangers to eliminate this behavior quickly
C. Explain that stranger anxiety should have resolved by 9 months of age
D. Reassure her that stranger anxiety peaking around 12 months is typical ✓ CORRECT
Correct Answer: D
Examination Official Exam Actual Exam
2026/2027 with Detailed Rationales |
Complete Exam-Style Questions | Pass
Guaranteed – A+ Graded
══════════════════════════════════════
SECTION 1: GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT ACROSS PEDIATRIC AGES Q1 – Q10
══════════════════════════════════════
Question 1 of 50
A mother brings her 4-month-old infant to the well-child clinic and asks the nurse what new
skill her baby will most likely demonstrate over the next month. The nurse reviews the
infant's current milestones, which include social smiling, cooing, and bringing hands to
midline.
A. Sitting without support
B. Walking while holding furniture
C. Rolling from front to back ✓ CORRECT
D. Speaking two-word phrases
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rolling from front to back typically emerges between 4 and 5 months of age as
trunk strength and coordination develop. Sitting without support usually appears around 6
months, making it too early for this infant. Most 4-month-olds are also months away from
cruising or producing true two-word phrases.
Question 2 of 50
An 18-month-old toddler screams and throws himself on the floor when his mother attempts
to put on his shoes before leaving the clinic. The mother looks embarrassed and asks the
nurse if this behavior means her son is spoiled.
A. Explain that the toddler is manipulating her and needs stricter discipline
B. Reassure her that this behavior reflects normal autonomy development ✓ CORRECT
C. Suggest she avoid taking him out in public until he outgrows this phase
D. Recommend immediate behavioral therapy to address the outbursts
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Toddlers at this age are in Erikson's stage of autonomy versus shame and doubt,
where asserting independence through oppositional behavior is developmentally expected.
Labeling the child as manipulative misinterprets normal growth, while avoiding public outings
or pursuing therapy is excessive for typical toddler behavior.
Question 3 of 50
During a school physical, an 8-year-old child proudly shows the nurse a gap where he lost his
first tooth and talks excitedly about trading baseball cards with friends at recess. His mother
expresses concern that he seems more interested in friends than family lately.
A. Advise the mother to limit peer interactions to strengthen family bonds
B. Explain that this represents delayed social development requiring evaluation
C. Reassure her that preference for peers typically begins in adolescence
D. Validate that shifting toward peer relationships is expected at this age ✓ CORRECT
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: School-age children naturally begin prioritizing peer relationships as part of
industry versus inferiority, while still maintaining important family connections. Restricting
peer time or suggesting delay misreads normal development, and this shift actually begins
well before adolescence.
Question 4 of 50
A 15-year-old patient tells the nurse during a confidential visit that he has been experimenting
with vaping because his friends do it and he wants to feel like he belongs. He admits he does
not actually enjoy it but worries about being excluded.
A. Explore his personal values and support identity exploration beyond peer pressure ✓
CORRECT
B. Dismiss the behavior as typical teenage rebellion that will resolve on its own
C. Immediately notify his parents so they can enforce stricter supervision
D. Focus the conversation exclusively on the physical dangers of nicotine
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Adolescents in Erikson's identity versus role confusion stage benefit from
guidance that helps them develop an independent sense of self rather than simply
conforming. Dismissing the behavior or breaking confidentiality undermines trust, while
solely emphasizing health risks misses the psychosocial need driving the experimentation.
Question 5 of 50
, A mother asks the nurse at the 6-month well visit when she can start offering her breastfed
infant small amounts of water and begin introducing pureed meats.
A. Both water and meats can be introduced starting at 4 months
B. Water should be given daily but meats should wait until 9 months
C. Small amounts of water and pureed meats are appropriate to begin now ✓ CORRECT
D. Neither water nor meats should be offered before the first birthday
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: At 6 months, breastfed infants can begin complementary foods including iron-rich
pureed meats, and small sips of water are acceptable with meals. Starting solids at 4 months
is earlier than current recommendations, while delaying all complementary foods until 12
months may lead to iron deficiency.
Question 6 of 50
The nurse observes a 3-year-old in the playroom talking to a stuffed bear, pretending to give it
an injection, and then comforting it by saying "It will be okay." The child's grandmother asks if
this means the child is confused about what is real.
A. Clarify that the child is confused and needs explicit explanations about reality
B. Explain that imaginative play helps the child process healthcare experiences ✓ CORRECT
C. Recommend limiting fantasy play to prevent difficulty distinguishing reality
D. Suggest the child is too young to understand medical procedures
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Preschoolers engage in magical thinking and imaginative play as a primary coping
mechanism, allowing them to rehearse and gain mastery over frightening situations.
Interpreting this as confusion or restricting play undermines the child's natural resilience and
processing abilities.
Question 7 of 50
A 12-month-old infant clings to his mother and cries when the nurse approaches to measure
his head circumference. The mother apologizes and says he has been doing this with
strangers for the past month.
A. Suggest this indicates the infant has an insecure attachment to his mother
B. Recommend gradual exposure to strangers to eliminate this behavior quickly
C. Explain that stranger anxiety should have resolved by 9 months of age
D. Reassure her that stranger anxiety peaking around 12 months is typical ✓ CORRECT
Correct Answer: D
