NCLEX-RN Pediatric Nursing Exam
Question 1:
A 4-year-old child is diagnosed with asthma. Which nursing intervention is most important for the
child?
A) Educating the child about inhaler use.
B) Assessing lung sounds regularly.
C) Minimizing exposure to allergens.
D) Teaching the use of a peak flow meter.
Answer: C) Minimizing exposure to allergens.
Rationale: Reducing exposure to allergens can help prevent asthma exacerbations.
Question 2:
A pediatric patient is receiving digoxin. Which is a priority assessment for the nurse?
A) Monitor the child’s weight daily.
B) Assess the heart rate before administration.
C) Check for signs of edema.
D) Monitor blood pressure for hypotension.
Answer: B) Assess the heart rate before administration.
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia; the heart rate should be assessed before giving the
medication.
Question 3:
A parent asks about the importance of the MMR vaccine. The nurse explains that this vaccine
protects against:
A) Measles, Mumps, and Rubella
B) Meningitis, Measles, and Rubeola
C) Mumps, Meningitis, and Rubeola
D) Measles, Mumps, and Respiratory infections
Answer: A) Measles, Mumps, and Rubella
,Rationale: The MMR vaccine is a combination vaccine that protects against these three viral
infections.
Question 4:
A nurse is teaching a group of parents about the importance of poison control. The nurse should
emphasize which of the following prevention measures?
A) Store chemicals in unlocked cabinets.
B) Use childproof locks on cabinets.
C) Keep syrup of ipecac available at home.
D) Encourage children to explore the house freely.
Answer: B) Use childproof locks on cabinets.
Rationale: Childproof locks help prevent children from accessing harmful substances.
Question 5:
A child with cystic fibrosis is receiving pancreatic enzymes. Which statement by the parent
indicates effective teaching?
A) "I should give the enzymes at the same time I give my child their meals."
B) "I should administer the enzymes only when my child's symptoms worsen."
C) "I can give the enzymes in bulk, once a day."
D) "I must ensure my child takes the enzymes with food."
Answer: D) "I must ensure my child takes the enzymes with food."
Rationale: Pancreatic enzymes should be taken with meals for effective digestion.
Question 6:
Which assessment finding is most indicative of dehydration in a pediatric patient?
A) Weight gain
B) Moist mucous membranes
C) Increased urine output
D) Dry skin and decreased skin turgor
Answer: D) Dry skin and decreased skin turgor
Rationale: These findings are classic signs of dehydration in children.
,Question 7:
A 6-month-old infant is scheduled to receive immunizations. Which vaccine is typically
administered at this age?
A) Hepatitis A
B) MMR
C) DTaP
D) Varicella
Answer: C) DTaP
Rationale: The DTaP vaccine is given in a series starting at 2 months of age, with additional
doses at 4 and 6 months.
Question 8:
A nurse is caring for a child with acute appendicitis. Which symptom would most likely be
present?
A) Vomiting prior to abdominal pain
B) Low-grade fever
C) Abdominal pain in the right lower quadrant
D) Diarrhea
Answer: C) Abdominal pain in the right lower quadrant
Rationale: Classic symptoms of appendicitis include RLQ pain, nausea, and sometimes fever.
Question 9:
What is the priority nursing intervention for a 2-year-old with a suspected foreign body
aspiration?
A) Administer oxygen therapy.
B) Perform the Heimlich maneuver.
C) Assess lung sounds.
D) Notify the physician.
Answer: B) Perform the Heimlich maneuver.
Rationale: Immediate intervention to clear the airway is critical in foreign body aspiration.
, Question 10:
A child presents with a 3-day history of high fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. What is the
priority nursing action?
A) Administer antipyretics.
B) Obtain a health history from the parents.
C) Assess the child's respiratory status.
D) Provide fluids orally.
Answer: C) Assess the child's respiratory status.
Rationale: Assessing respiratory status helps determine the severity and urgency of the
situation.
Question 11:
The nurse administers ibuprofen to a child with a fever. What is an essential instruction for the
caregiver?
A) Administer with milk for better absorption.
B) Do not exceed the recommended dose.
C) It can be used for as-needed dosing without restrictions.
D) It is safe to give with other antipyretics.
Answer: B) Do not exceed the recommended dose.
Rationale: Caregivers must follow dosing guidelines to avoid toxicity in children.
Question 12:
For a child diagnosed with ADHD, which medication is commonly prescribed?
A) Lithium
B) Methylphenidate
C) Fluoxetine
D) Carbamazepine
Answer: B) Methylphenidate
Rationale: Methylphenidate is a stimulant medication often used to manage ADHD symptoms.
Question 13:
Question 1:
A 4-year-old child is diagnosed with asthma. Which nursing intervention is most important for the
child?
A) Educating the child about inhaler use.
B) Assessing lung sounds regularly.
C) Minimizing exposure to allergens.
D) Teaching the use of a peak flow meter.
Answer: C) Minimizing exposure to allergens.
Rationale: Reducing exposure to allergens can help prevent asthma exacerbations.
Question 2:
A pediatric patient is receiving digoxin. Which is a priority assessment for the nurse?
A) Monitor the child’s weight daily.
B) Assess the heart rate before administration.
C) Check for signs of edema.
D) Monitor blood pressure for hypotension.
Answer: B) Assess the heart rate before administration.
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia; the heart rate should be assessed before giving the
medication.
Question 3:
A parent asks about the importance of the MMR vaccine. The nurse explains that this vaccine
protects against:
A) Measles, Mumps, and Rubella
B) Meningitis, Measles, and Rubeola
C) Mumps, Meningitis, and Rubeola
D) Measles, Mumps, and Respiratory infections
Answer: A) Measles, Mumps, and Rubella
,Rationale: The MMR vaccine is a combination vaccine that protects against these three viral
infections.
Question 4:
A nurse is teaching a group of parents about the importance of poison control. The nurse should
emphasize which of the following prevention measures?
A) Store chemicals in unlocked cabinets.
B) Use childproof locks on cabinets.
C) Keep syrup of ipecac available at home.
D) Encourage children to explore the house freely.
Answer: B) Use childproof locks on cabinets.
Rationale: Childproof locks help prevent children from accessing harmful substances.
Question 5:
A child with cystic fibrosis is receiving pancreatic enzymes. Which statement by the parent
indicates effective teaching?
A) "I should give the enzymes at the same time I give my child their meals."
B) "I should administer the enzymes only when my child's symptoms worsen."
C) "I can give the enzymes in bulk, once a day."
D) "I must ensure my child takes the enzymes with food."
Answer: D) "I must ensure my child takes the enzymes with food."
Rationale: Pancreatic enzymes should be taken with meals for effective digestion.
Question 6:
Which assessment finding is most indicative of dehydration in a pediatric patient?
A) Weight gain
B) Moist mucous membranes
C) Increased urine output
D) Dry skin and decreased skin turgor
Answer: D) Dry skin and decreased skin turgor
Rationale: These findings are classic signs of dehydration in children.
,Question 7:
A 6-month-old infant is scheduled to receive immunizations. Which vaccine is typically
administered at this age?
A) Hepatitis A
B) MMR
C) DTaP
D) Varicella
Answer: C) DTaP
Rationale: The DTaP vaccine is given in a series starting at 2 months of age, with additional
doses at 4 and 6 months.
Question 8:
A nurse is caring for a child with acute appendicitis. Which symptom would most likely be
present?
A) Vomiting prior to abdominal pain
B) Low-grade fever
C) Abdominal pain in the right lower quadrant
D) Diarrhea
Answer: C) Abdominal pain in the right lower quadrant
Rationale: Classic symptoms of appendicitis include RLQ pain, nausea, and sometimes fever.
Question 9:
What is the priority nursing intervention for a 2-year-old with a suspected foreign body
aspiration?
A) Administer oxygen therapy.
B) Perform the Heimlich maneuver.
C) Assess lung sounds.
D) Notify the physician.
Answer: B) Perform the Heimlich maneuver.
Rationale: Immediate intervention to clear the airway is critical in foreign body aspiration.
, Question 10:
A child presents with a 3-day history of high fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. What is the
priority nursing action?
A) Administer antipyretics.
B) Obtain a health history from the parents.
C) Assess the child's respiratory status.
D) Provide fluids orally.
Answer: C) Assess the child's respiratory status.
Rationale: Assessing respiratory status helps determine the severity and urgency of the
situation.
Question 11:
The nurse administers ibuprofen to a child with a fever. What is an essential instruction for the
caregiver?
A) Administer with milk for better absorption.
B) Do not exceed the recommended dose.
C) It can be used for as-needed dosing without restrictions.
D) It is safe to give with other antipyretics.
Answer: B) Do not exceed the recommended dose.
Rationale: Caregivers must follow dosing guidelines to avoid toxicity in children.
Question 12:
For a child diagnosed with ADHD, which medication is commonly prescribed?
A) Lithium
B) Methylphenidate
C) Fluoxetine
D) Carbamazepine
Answer: B) Methylphenidate
Rationale: Methylphenidate is a stimulant medication often used to manage ADHD symptoms.
Question 13:
