ATI Pediatric Nursing Proctored Exam
Study Guide Actual Exam 2026/2027 –
Complete Exam-Style Questions | 100%
Verified – Pass Guaranteed – A+ Graded
SECTION 1: GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT (Questions 1-25)
Q1. A nurse is assessing a 4-month-old infant. Which developmental milestone should the nurse
expect to observe?
A. Sitting independently without support
B. Rolling from back to abdomen
C. Walking with assistance
D. Transferring objects from hand to hand
Answer: B
Rationale: Rolling from back to abdomen is expected at 4 months. Sitting independently occurs at 6-8
months. Walking begins around 12 months. Transferring objects occurs at 6-7 months .
Q2. A 9-month-old infant is brought to the clinic for a well-child visit. Which finding should the nurse
report to the provider?
A. Inability to sit unsupported
B. Presence of the Moro reflex
C. Playing peek-a-boo
D. Drinking from a sippy cup
Answer: A
Rationale: By 8-9 months, infants should sit unsupported. Inability to sit independently may indicate
developmental delay requiring further evaluation. The Moro reflex should disappear by 4-6 months .
Q3. A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to parents of a 2-year-old toddler. Which behavior is
expected during this stage?
A. Temper tantrums
B. Sharing toys with peers
,C. Following complex rules
D. Sitting still for long periods
Answer: A
Rationale: Temper tantrums are common in 2-year-olds due to developing autonomy and limited
communication skills (Erikson's autonomy vs shame/doubt). Sharing and rule-following develop later .
Q4. A nurse is teaching parents about developmental milestones for a 12-month-old infant. Which
statement indicates understanding?
A. "My baby should be able to stand while holding onto furniture."
B. "My baby should be able to ride a tricycle."
C. "My baby should be able to tie shoelaces."
D. "My baby should be able to hop on one foot."
Answer: A
Rationale: At 12 months, infants cruise (walk while holding onto furniture) and may take first steps.
Tricycle riding (3 years), tying shoelaces (5+ years), and hopping (4+ years) occur later .
Q5. A nurse is assessing a 3-year-old preschooler. Which fine motor skill should the nurse expect?
A. Drawing a circle
B. Tying shoelaces
C. Printing letters
D. Using a fork to cut meat
Answer: A
Rationale: A 3-year-old can draw a circle. Tying shoelaces occurs at 5-6 years. Printing letters (4-5 years).
Using a fork to cut meat (school-age) .
Q6. A nurse is assessing a 7-year-old child. Which cognitive development milestone is expected
according to Piaget?
A. Concrete operational thinking (logical thinking about concrete events)
B. Sensorimotor thinking
C. Formal operational thinking (abstract reasoning)
D. Preoperational egocentrism
Answer: A
, Rationale: Piaget's concrete operational stage (7-11 years) involves logical thinking about concrete
objects and events. Sensorimotor (birth-2 years), preoperational (2-7 years), formal operational (11+
years) .
Q7. A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to parents of a 6-month-old infant. Which statement
should the nurse include?
A. "Place your baby on the back for sleep to reduce SIDS risk."
B. "Start giving whole milk at 6 months."
C. "Introduce honey to help with teething."
D. "Use a baby walker to promote walking."
Answer: A
Rationale: Back to sleep reduces SIDS risk. Whole milk is introduced at 12 months. Honey is avoided
until 12 months (botulism risk). Baby walkers are not recommended (injury risk) .
Q8. A nurse is assessing a 15-month-old toddler. Which finding requires further evaluation?
A. Unable to walk independently
B. Uses a spoon with spilling
C. Says "mama" and "dada"
D. Points to objects of interest
Answer: A
Rationale: Most toddlers walk independently by 12-15 months. Inability to walk by 15 months may
indicate developmental delay. The other milestones are appropriate for 15 months .
Q9. A nurse is teaching parents about Erickson's psychosocial stage for preschoolers (3-5 years).
Which stage is this?
A. Trust vs mistrust
B. Autonomy vs shame/doubt
C. Initiative vs guilt
D. Industry vs inferiority
Answer: C
Rationale: Initiative vs guilt is the preschool stage (3-5 years). Trust vs mistrust (infant), autonomy vs
shame/doubt (toddler), industry vs inferiority (school-age) .
Q10. A nurse is assessing an 8-year-old child. According to Erikson, which psychosocial task should the
child be developing?
Study Guide Actual Exam 2026/2027 –
Complete Exam-Style Questions | 100%
Verified – Pass Guaranteed – A+ Graded
SECTION 1: GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT (Questions 1-25)
Q1. A nurse is assessing a 4-month-old infant. Which developmental milestone should the nurse
expect to observe?
A. Sitting independently without support
B. Rolling from back to abdomen
C. Walking with assistance
D. Transferring objects from hand to hand
Answer: B
Rationale: Rolling from back to abdomen is expected at 4 months. Sitting independently occurs at 6-8
months. Walking begins around 12 months. Transferring objects occurs at 6-7 months .
Q2. A 9-month-old infant is brought to the clinic for a well-child visit. Which finding should the nurse
report to the provider?
A. Inability to sit unsupported
B. Presence of the Moro reflex
C. Playing peek-a-boo
D. Drinking from a sippy cup
Answer: A
Rationale: By 8-9 months, infants should sit unsupported. Inability to sit independently may indicate
developmental delay requiring further evaluation. The Moro reflex should disappear by 4-6 months .
Q3. A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to parents of a 2-year-old toddler. Which behavior is
expected during this stage?
A. Temper tantrums
B. Sharing toys with peers
,C. Following complex rules
D. Sitting still for long periods
Answer: A
Rationale: Temper tantrums are common in 2-year-olds due to developing autonomy and limited
communication skills (Erikson's autonomy vs shame/doubt). Sharing and rule-following develop later .
Q4. A nurse is teaching parents about developmental milestones for a 12-month-old infant. Which
statement indicates understanding?
A. "My baby should be able to stand while holding onto furniture."
B. "My baby should be able to ride a tricycle."
C. "My baby should be able to tie shoelaces."
D. "My baby should be able to hop on one foot."
Answer: A
Rationale: At 12 months, infants cruise (walk while holding onto furniture) and may take first steps.
Tricycle riding (3 years), tying shoelaces (5+ years), and hopping (4+ years) occur later .
Q5. A nurse is assessing a 3-year-old preschooler. Which fine motor skill should the nurse expect?
A. Drawing a circle
B. Tying shoelaces
C. Printing letters
D. Using a fork to cut meat
Answer: A
Rationale: A 3-year-old can draw a circle. Tying shoelaces occurs at 5-6 years. Printing letters (4-5 years).
Using a fork to cut meat (school-age) .
Q6. A nurse is assessing a 7-year-old child. Which cognitive development milestone is expected
according to Piaget?
A. Concrete operational thinking (logical thinking about concrete events)
B. Sensorimotor thinking
C. Formal operational thinking (abstract reasoning)
D. Preoperational egocentrism
Answer: A
, Rationale: Piaget's concrete operational stage (7-11 years) involves logical thinking about concrete
objects and events. Sensorimotor (birth-2 years), preoperational (2-7 years), formal operational (11+
years) .
Q7. A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to parents of a 6-month-old infant. Which statement
should the nurse include?
A. "Place your baby on the back for sleep to reduce SIDS risk."
B. "Start giving whole milk at 6 months."
C. "Introduce honey to help with teething."
D. "Use a baby walker to promote walking."
Answer: A
Rationale: Back to sleep reduces SIDS risk. Whole milk is introduced at 12 months. Honey is avoided
until 12 months (botulism risk). Baby walkers are not recommended (injury risk) .
Q8. A nurse is assessing a 15-month-old toddler. Which finding requires further evaluation?
A. Unable to walk independently
B. Uses a spoon with spilling
C. Says "mama" and "dada"
D. Points to objects of interest
Answer: A
Rationale: Most toddlers walk independently by 12-15 months. Inability to walk by 15 months may
indicate developmental delay. The other milestones are appropriate for 15 months .
Q9. A nurse is teaching parents about Erickson's psychosocial stage for preschoolers (3-5 years).
Which stage is this?
A. Trust vs mistrust
B. Autonomy vs shame/doubt
C. Initiative vs guilt
D. Industry vs inferiority
Answer: C
Rationale: Initiative vs guilt is the preschool stage (3-5 years). Trust vs mistrust (infant), autonomy vs
shame/doubt (toddler), industry vs inferiority (school-age) .
Q10. A nurse is assessing an 8-year-old child. According to Erikson, which psychosocial task should the
child be developing?
