NUR 571 – Pediatric Nursing Exam
Questions And Answer Plus Rationales
Updated 2026 | Instant Pdf Download
This exam focuses on growth & development, pediatric assessment, respiratory
emergencies, fluid balance, and family-centered care.
1. A 2-year-old is most likely to demonstrate which behavior?
A. Abstract thinking
B. Parallel play
C. Formal reasoning
D. Identity formation
Answer: B
Rationale: Toddlers engage in parallel play rather than cooperative play.
2. Normal respiratory rate for a 1-year-old is:
A. 8–12/min
B. 12–20/min
C. 20–30/min
D. 40–60/min
Answer: C
Rationale: Toddlers typically breathe 20–30 times per minute.
,3. A child with epiglottitis should NOT have:
A. Oxygen
B. Throat examination with tongue depressor
C. IV access
D. Emergency airway support
Answer: B
Rationale: Can trigger complete airway obstruction.
4. Classic sign of epiglottitis:
A. Barking cough
B. Drooling and tripod position
C. Wheezing
D. Sneezing
Answer: B
Rationale: Indicates severe airway obstruction.
5. First priority in pediatric respiratory distress:
A. Feeding
B. Airway management
C. Pain control
D. Play therapy
Answer: B
Rationale: Airway is always first priority.
,6. A child with croup has:
A. High fever and drooling
B. Barking cough and stridor
C. Abdominal pain
D. Rash only
Answer: B
Rationale: Viral upper airway obstruction.
7. First treatment for croup:
A. Antibiotics
B. Humidified oxygen and steroids
C. Surgery
D. Anticoagulants
Answer: B
Rationale: Reduces airway inflammation.
8. Asthma is characterized by:
A. Airway obstruction
B. Bone infection
C. Liver failure
D. Kidney disease
, Answer: A
Rationale: Bronchoconstriction and inflammation.
9. First-line rescue medication for asthma:
A. Albuterol
B. Insulin
C. Antibiotics
D. Diuretics
Answer: A
Rationale: Bronchodilator relieves acute symptoms.
10. Signs of severe asthma attack:
A. Normal speech
B. Silent chest
C. Mild cough
D. Normal breathing
Answer: B
Rationale: Indicates minimal airflow (life-threatening).
11. A child with dehydration will show:
A. Moist mucous membranes
B. Sunken eyes
Questions And Answer Plus Rationales
Updated 2026 | Instant Pdf Download
This exam focuses on growth & development, pediatric assessment, respiratory
emergencies, fluid balance, and family-centered care.
1. A 2-year-old is most likely to demonstrate which behavior?
A. Abstract thinking
B. Parallel play
C. Formal reasoning
D. Identity formation
Answer: B
Rationale: Toddlers engage in parallel play rather than cooperative play.
2. Normal respiratory rate for a 1-year-old is:
A. 8–12/min
B. 12–20/min
C. 20–30/min
D. 40–60/min
Answer: C
Rationale: Toddlers typically breathe 20–30 times per minute.
,3. A child with epiglottitis should NOT have:
A. Oxygen
B. Throat examination with tongue depressor
C. IV access
D. Emergency airway support
Answer: B
Rationale: Can trigger complete airway obstruction.
4. Classic sign of epiglottitis:
A. Barking cough
B. Drooling and tripod position
C. Wheezing
D. Sneezing
Answer: B
Rationale: Indicates severe airway obstruction.
5. First priority in pediatric respiratory distress:
A. Feeding
B. Airway management
C. Pain control
D. Play therapy
Answer: B
Rationale: Airway is always first priority.
,6. A child with croup has:
A. High fever and drooling
B. Barking cough and stridor
C. Abdominal pain
D. Rash only
Answer: B
Rationale: Viral upper airway obstruction.
7. First treatment for croup:
A. Antibiotics
B. Humidified oxygen and steroids
C. Surgery
D. Anticoagulants
Answer: B
Rationale: Reduces airway inflammation.
8. Asthma is characterized by:
A. Airway obstruction
B. Bone infection
C. Liver failure
D. Kidney disease
, Answer: A
Rationale: Bronchoconstriction and inflammation.
9. First-line rescue medication for asthma:
A. Albuterol
B. Insulin
C. Antibiotics
D. Diuretics
Answer: A
Rationale: Bronchodilator relieves acute symptoms.
10. Signs of severe asthma attack:
A. Normal speech
B. Silent chest
C. Mild cough
D. Normal breathing
Answer: B
Rationale: Indicates minimal airflow (life-threatening).
11. A child with dehydration will show:
A. Moist mucous membranes
B. Sunken eyes
