Pediatric Nursing Certification (CPN) Practice
Exam Questions and correct Answers (Verified
Answers) with Rationales 2025
1. A 4-year-old child with asthma is brought to the emergency department in
respiratory distress. Which medication should the nurse expect to administer
first?
A) Inhaled corticosteroids
B) Oral antihistamines
C) Short-acting beta-2 agonist (albuterol)
D) Leukotriene receptor antagonists
Answer: C) Short-acting beta-2 agonist (albuterol)
Rationale: Albuterol is a fast-acting bronchodilator used as a first-line treatment
to relieve acute asthma exacerbations by relaxing bronchial smooth muscle.
Corticosteroids are used for inflammation control but not immediate relief.
2. Which of the following is the most appropriate way to communicate with a 5-
year-old child during a physical assessment?
,A) Use medical terminology to explain procedures.
B) Give brief, concrete explanations and allow the child to touch equipment.
C) Ignore the child's fears and proceed quickly.
D) Speak only to the parents and avoid direct communication with the child.
Answer: B) Give brief, concrete explanations and allow the child to touch
equipment.
Rationale: Preschool children respond well to simple, concrete explanations and
sensory experiences. Allowing them to touch and explore equipment decreases
fear and increases cooperation.
3. A toddler with dehydration from gastroenteritis should be given which type
of fluid initially?
A) Plain water
B) 0.9% Normal saline IV
C) Half-normal saline IV
D) Dextrose 5% in water
Answer: B) 0.9% Normal saline IV
Rationale: Isotonic fluids like normal saline are preferred initially for volume
resuscitation in dehydration to restore extracellular fluid volume.
4. Which immunization is contraindicated for a child who is
immunocompromised?
, A) Inactivated influenza vaccine
B) MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine
C) Hepatitis B vaccine
D) Tetanus toxoid vaccine
Answer: B) MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine
Rationale: MMR is a live attenuated vaccine and is contraindicated in
immunocompromised children due to risk of causing disease.
5. A 7-year-old child with type 1 diabetes is admitted with ketoacidosis. Which
laboratory value is most critical to monitor?
A) Serum potassium
B) Serum sodium
C) Blood glucose
D) Hemoglobin A1c
Answer: A) Serum potassium
Rationale: Potassium levels can rapidly shift during treatment of diabetic
ketoacidosis (DKA), risking hypokalemia which can cause cardiac arrhythmias. It
requires close monitoring.
6. What is the expected developmental milestone for a 12-month-old child?
A) Walking independently
B) Using two-word phrases
Exam Questions and correct Answers (Verified
Answers) with Rationales 2025
1. A 4-year-old child with asthma is brought to the emergency department in
respiratory distress. Which medication should the nurse expect to administer
first?
A) Inhaled corticosteroids
B) Oral antihistamines
C) Short-acting beta-2 agonist (albuterol)
D) Leukotriene receptor antagonists
Answer: C) Short-acting beta-2 agonist (albuterol)
Rationale: Albuterol is a fast-acting bronchodilator used as a first-line treatment
to relieve acute asthma exacerbations by relaxing bronchial smooth muscle.
Corticosteroids are used for inflammation control but not immediate relief.
2. Which of the following is the most appropriate way to communicate with a 5-
year-old child during a physical assessment?
,A) Use medical terminology to explain procedures.
B) Give brief, concrete explanations and allow the child to touch equipment.
C) Ignore the child's fears and proceed quickly.
D) Speak only to the parents and avoid direct communication with the child.
Answer: B) Give brief, concrete explanations and allow the child to touch
equipment.
Rationale: Preschool children respond well to simple, concrete explanations and
sensory experiences. Allowing them to touch and explore equipment decreases
fear and increases cooperation.
3. A toddler with dehydration from gastroenteritis should be given which type
of fluid initially?
A) Plain water
B) 0.9% Normal saline IV
C) Half-normal saline IV
D) Dextrose 5% in water
Answer: B) 0.9% Normal saline IV
Rationale: Isotonic fluids like normal saline are preferred initially for volume
resuscitation in dehydration to restore extracellular fluid volume.
4. Which immunization is contraindicated for a child who is
immunocompromised?
, A) Inactivated influenza vaccine
B) MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine
C) Hepatitis B vaccine
D) Tetanus toxoid vaccine
Answer: B) MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine
Rationale: MMR is a live attenuated vaccine and is contraindicated in
immunocompromised children due to risk of causing disease.
5. A 7-year-old child with type 1 diabetes is admitted with ketoacidosis. Which
laboratory value is most critical to monitor?
A) Serum potassium
B) Serum sodium
C) Blood glucose
D) Hemoglobin A1c
Answer: A) Serum potassium
Rationale: Potassium levels can rapidly shift during treatment of diabetic
ketoacidosis (DKA), risking hypokalemia which can cause cardiac arrhythmias. It
requires close monitoring.
6. What is the expected developmental milestone for a 12-month-old child?
A) Walking independently
B) Using two-word phrases
