Page 1 of 38
ATI RN PEDIATRICS PROCTORED EXAM 2023
UPDATED 2026 COMPLETE (100) CURRENT
TESTING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
EXPLANATIONS|GUARANTEED PASS.
PEDIATRICS
Prepare for the ATI RN Pediatrics Proctored Exam with practice
questions covering pediatric growth and development, child health
disorders, medication administration, family-centered care, and
nursing interventions for infants, children, and adolescents. This
study guide helps reinforce essential pediatric nursing concepts and
supports effective ATI exam preparation. Designed to improve
clinical understanding and boost confidence in pediatric patient
care. Suitable for nursing and healthcare students.
Multiple choice.
Growth and Development (Questions 1–15)
1. A nurse is assessing a 12-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which
finding requires further assessment?
• A) Birth weight tripled
• B) Anterior fontanel closed
• C) Unable to walk independently
• D) Moro reflex present
Answer: D) Moro reflex present
Rationale: The Moro reflex should disappear by 4–6 months. Persistence beyond 6
months suggests a neurological delay. Tripled birth weight, closed anterior fontanel (by
12–18 months), and not walking independently are expected at 12 months.
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2. According to Erikson, the primary psychosocial task of a preschooler (3–6 years)
is:
• A) Trust vs. mistrust
• B) Autonomy vs. shame/doubt
• C) Initiative vs. guilt
• D) Industry vs. inferiority
Answer: C) Initiative vs. guilt
Rationale: Preschoolers explore assertiveness and purpose. Initiative is fostered when
caregivers support curiosity; guilt arises if they are criticized harshly.
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3. A nurse is teaching parents about toddler development. Which behavior is
typical of a 2-year-old?
• A) Parallel play
• B) Cooperative play
• C) Solitary play exclusively
• D) Associative play
Answer: A) Parallel play
Rationale: Toddlers play alongside but not with others. Cooperative/associative play
begins in preschool years.
4. A 4-year-old child is hospitalized. The child fears mutilation and pain. Which
nursing action is most appropriate?
• A) Allow the child to handle medical equipment
• B) Provide a doll for medical play
• C) Explain procedures 1 week in advance
• D) Restrain the child during venipuncture
Answer: B) Provide a doll for medical play
Rationale: Medical play helps preschoolers express fears and gain a sense of control.
Explaining too early increases anxiety; restraining increases fear.
5. Which gross motor skill is expected in a 5-month-old infant?
• A) Sitting unsupported
• B) Rolling from back to side
• C) Crawling
• D) Standing while holding on
Answer: B) Rolling from back to side
Rationale: Rolling appears at 4–6 months. Sitting unsupported is 6–8 months; crawling
is 7–10 months; standing is 10–12 months.
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6. A nurse assesses a 7-year-old. According to Piaget, this child is in which stage?
• A) Sensorimotor
• B) Preoperational
• C) Concrete operational
• D) Formal operational
Answer: C) Concrete operational
Rationale: Ages 7–11 years: logical thinking about concrete events, understanding
conservation, inductive reasoning.
7. A parent asks how to prepare a 3-year-old for a sibling’s birth. What is the best
response?
• A) "Tell the child immediately after delivery"
• B) "Buy a doll for the child to care for"
• C) "Move the child to a new bed after the baby comes home"
• D) "Ignore regression behaviors"
Answer: B) Buy a doll for the child to care for
Rationale: Role-play prepares toddler/preschooler. Avoid major changes close to
delivery; regression is normal and should be managed calmly, not ignored.
8. The nurse expects a 10-month-old to demonstrate:
• A) Pincer grasp
• B) Tying shoelaces
• C) Using a spoon without spilling
• D) Building a tower of 4 cubes
Answer: A) Pincer grasp
Rationale: Develops at 9–10 months. Tying shoes is 5–6 years; using a spoon is 15–18
months; tower of 4 cubes is 18–24 months.
ATI RN PEDIATRICS PROCTORED EXAM 2023
UPDATED 2026 COMPLETE (100) CURRENT
TESTING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
EXPLANATIONS|GUARANTEED PASS.
PEDIATRICS
Prepare for the ATI RN Pediatrics Proctored Exam with practice
questions covering pediatric growth and development, child health
disorders, medication administration, family-centered care, and
nursing interventions for infants, children, and adolescents. This
study guide helps reinforce essential pediatric nursing concepts and
supports effective ATI exam preparation. Designed to improve
clinical understanding and boost confidence in pediatric patient
care. Suitable for nursing and healthcare students.
Multiple choice.
Growth and Development (Questions 1–15)
1. A nurse is assessing a 12-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which
finding requires further assessment?
• A) Birth weight tripled
• B) Anterior fontanel closed
• C) Unable to walk independently
• D) Moro reflex present
Answer: D) Moro reflex present
Rationale: The Moro reflex should disappear by 4–6 months. Persistence beyond 6
months suggests a neurological delay. Tripled birth weight, closed anterior fontanel (by
12–18 months), and not walking independently are expected at 12 months.
, Page 2 of 38
2. According to Erikson, the primary psychosocial task of a preschooler (3–6 years)
is:
• A) Trust vs. mistrust
• B) Autonomy vs. shame/doubt
• C) Initiative vs. guilt
• D) Industry vs. inferiority
Answer: C) Initiative vs. guilt
Rationale: Preschoolers explore assertiveness and purpose. Initiative is fostered when
caregivers support curiosity; guilt arises if they are criticized harshly.
, Page 3 of 38
3. A nurse is teaching parents about toddler development. Which behavior is
typical of a 2-year-old?
• A) Parallel play
• B) Cooperative play
• C) Solitary play exclusively
• D) Associative play
Answer: A) Parallel play
Rationale: Toddlers play alongside but not with others. Cooperative/associative play
begins in preschool years.
4. A 4-year-old child is hospitalized. The child fears mutilation and pain. Which
nursing action is most appropriate?
• A) Allow the child to handle medical equipment
• B) Provide a doll for medical play
• C) Explain procedures 1 week in advance
• D) Restrain the child during venipuncture
Answer: B) Provide a doll for medical play
Rationale: Medical play helps preschoolers express fears and gain a sense of control.
Explaining too early increases anxiety; restraining increases fear.
5. Which gross motor skill is expected in a 5-month-old infant?
• A) Sitting unsupported
• B) Rolling from back to side
• C) Crawling
• D) Standing while holding on
Answer: B) Rolling from back to side
Rationale: Rolling appears at 4–6 months. Sitting unsupported is 6–8 months; crawling
is 7–10 months; standing is 10–12 months.
, Page 4 of 38
6. A nurse assesses a 7-year-old. According to Piaget, this child is in which stage?
• A) Sensorimotor
• B) Preoperational
• C) Concrete operational
• D) Formal operational
Answer: C) Concrete operational
Rationale: Ages 7–11 years: logical thinking about concrete events, understanding
conservation, inductive reasoning.
7. A parent asks how to prepare a 3-year-old for a sibling’s birth. What is the best
response?
• A) "Tell the child immediately after delivery"
• B) "Buy a doll for the child to care for"
• C) "Move the child to a new bed after the baby comes home"
• D) "Ignore regression behaviors"
Answer: B) Buy a doll for the child to care for
Rationale: Role-play prepares toddler/preschooler. Avoid major changes close to
delivery; regression is normal and should be managed calmly, not ignored.
8. The nurse expects a 10-month-old to demonstrate:
• A) Pincer grasp
• B) Tying shoelaces
• C) Using a spoon without spilling
• D) Building a tower of 4 cubes
Answer: A) Pincer grasp
Rationale: Develops at 9–10 months. Tying shoes is 5–6 years; using a spoon is 15–18
months; tower of 4 cubes is 18–24 months.
