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Pediatric Nursing Exam (2025/2026) –
Practice Questions with Verified
Answers & Expert Explanations
Immunizations (Questions 1–20)
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer vaccines to a 2-month-old infant. Which vaccines are
recommended at this age per the 2025 CDC schedule?
A) MMR, Varicella
B) DTaP, Hib, PCV13
C) Hepatitis A, Influenza
D) Tdap, HPV
Clinical Reasoning: The CDC 2025 schedule recommends DTaP, Hib, and PCV13 at 2 months
to protect against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, Haemophilus influenzae type b, and
pneumococcal disease. MMR and varicella are given at 12–15 months, hepatitis A at 12 months,
and Tdap/HPV for adolescents. [Ref: CDC Immunization Schedule, 2025]
Question 2
A parent asks when their 4-year-old should receive the MMR vaccine. What is the nurse’s best
response?
A) At 2 months
B) At 4–6 years
C) At 11–12 years
D) At 6 months
Clinical Reasoning: The second dose of MMR is recommended at 4–6 years to ensure immunity
against measles, mumps, and rubella. The first dose is given at 12–15 months. [Ref: CDC
Immunization Schedule, 2025]
Question 3
A 6-month-old infant is due for vaccinations. Which vaccine is contraindicated if the infant has a
severe egg allergy?
A) DTaP
B) Hib
C) Influenza
D) PCV13
, 2
Clinical Reasoning: The influenza vaccine may contain egg proteins, and a severe egg allergy is
a contraindication. DTaP, Hib, and PCV13 are not egg-based. [Ref: AAP Immunization
Guidelines]
Question 4
A nurse is reviewing a 12-month-old’s immunization record. Which vaccine should have been
given at this age?
A) Tdap
B) Hepatitis A
C) HPV
D) Meningococcal
Clinical Reasoning: Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended at 12–23 months. Tdap and
meningococcal are for adolescents, and HPV starts at 11–12 years. [Ref: CDC Immunization
Schedule, 2025]
Question 5
A 15-month-old has not received the varicella vaccine. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A) Delay until 4 years
B) Administer the first dose now
C) Skip the vaccine
D) Wait until 6 years
Clinical Reasoning: The first varicella dose is recommended at 12–15 months. Administering it
now ensures timely protection against chickenpox. [Ref: CDC Immunization Schedule, 2025]
Question 6
A 2-year-old has a fever of 101°F. Which vaccine can still be safely administered?
A) MMR
B) DTaP
C) Varicella
D) Influenza
Clinical Reasoning: DTaP can be given with a mild fever. Live vaccines (MMR, varicella) are
contraindicated with moderate to severe illness, including fever >100.4°F. [Ref: AAP
Immunization Guidelines]
Question 7
A nurse is educating parents about the rotavirus vaccine. When is the first dose typically given?
A) 6 months
B) 2 months
C) 12 months
D) 4 years
, 3
Clinical Reasoning: The first rotavirus vaccine dose is given at 2 months to protect against
severe gastroenteritis, with completion by 8 months. [Ref: CDC Immunization Schedule, 2025]
Question 8
A 6-year-old is due for a booster vaccine. Which is recommended?
A) Hepatitis B
B) DTaP
C) HPV
D) PCV13
Clinical Reasoning: A DTaP booster is recommended at 4–6 years to maintain immunity against
diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. HPV and PCV13 are not given at this age. [Ref: CDC
Immunization Schedule, 2025]
Question 9
Which vaccine is recommended annually for children over 6 months?
A) MMR
B) DTaP
C) Influenza
D) Hib
Clinical Reasoning: The influenza vaccine is recommended annually for all children over 6
months to protect against seasonal flu strains. [Ref: CDC Immunization Schedule, 2025]
Question 10
A 12-year-old is due for vaccines. Which is recommended at this age?
A) Rotavirus
B) Meningococcal
C) Hepatitis A
D) Varicella
Clinical Reasoning: The meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) is recommended at 11–12 years
to protect against meningococcal disease. Rotavirus and hepatitis A are given earlier, and
varicella is typically completed by 4–6 years. [Ref: CDC Immunization Schedule, 2025]
Question 11
A nurse is preparing to administer the HPV vaccine. What is the minimum age for
administration?
A) 6 years
B) 9 years
C) 12 years
D) 15 years
Clinical Reasoning: The HPV vaccine can be started at age 9, though it is routinely
Pediatric Nursing Exam (2025/2026) –
Practice Questions with Verified
Answers & Expert Explanations
Immunizations (Questions 1–20)
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer vaccines to a 2-month-old infant. Which vaccines are
recommended at this age per the 2025 CDC schedule?
A) MMR, Varicella
B) DTaP, Hib, PCV13
C) Hepatitis A, Influenza
D) Tdap, HPV
Clinical Reasoning: The CDC 2025 schedule recommends DTaP, Hib, and PCV13 at 2 months
to protect against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, Haemophilus influenzae type b, and
pneumococcal disease. MMR and varicella are given at 12–15 months, hepatitis A at 12 months,
and Tdap/HPV for adolescents. [Ref: CDC Immunization Schedule, 2025]
Question 2
A parent asks when their 4-year-old should receive the MMR vaccine. What is the nurse’s best
response?
A) At 2 months
B) At 4–6 years
C) At 11–12 years
D) At 6 months
Clinical Reasoning: The second dose of MMR is recommended at 4–6 years to ensure immunity
against measles, mumps, and rubella. The first dose is given at 12–15 months. [Ref: CDC
Immunization Schedule, 2025]
Question 3
A 6-month-old infant is due for vaccinations. Which vaccine is contraindicated if the infant has a
severe egg allergy?
A) DTaP
B) Hib
C) Influenza
D) PCV13
, 2
Clinical Reasoning: The influenza vaccine may contain egg proteins, and a severe egg allergy is
a contraindication. DTaP, Hib, and PCV13 are not egg-based. [Ref: AAP Immunization
Guidelines]
Question 4
A nurse is reviewing a 12-month-old’s immunization record. Which vaccine should have been
given at this age?
A) Tdap
B) Hepatitis A
C) HPV
D) Meningococcal
Clinical Reasoning: Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended at 12–23 months. Tdap and
meningococcal are for adolescents, and HPV starts at 11–12 years. [Ref: CDC Immunization
Schedule, 2025]
Question 5
A 15-month-old has not received the varicella vaccine. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A) Delay until 4 years
B) Administer the first dose now
C) Skip the vaccine
D) Wait until 6 years
Clinical Reasoning: The first varicella dose is recommended at 12–15 months. Administering it
now ensures timely protection against chickenpox. [Ref: CDC Immunization Schedule, 2025]
Question 6
A 2-year-old has a fever of 101°F. Which vaccine can still be safely administered?
A) MMR
B) DTaP
C) Varicella
D) Influenza
Clinical Reasoning: DTaP can be given with a mild fever. Live vaccines (MMR, varicella) are
contraindicated with moderate to severe illness, including fever >100.4°F. [Ref: AAP
Immunization Guidelines]
Question 7
A nurse is educating parents about the rotavirus vaccine. When is the first dose typically given?
A) 6 months
B) 2 months
C) 12 months
D) 4 years
, 3
Clinical Reasoning: The first rotavirus vaccine dose is given at 2 months to protect against
severe gastroenteritis, with completion by 8 months. [Ref: CDC Immunization Schedule, 2025]
Question 8
A 6-year-old is due for a booster vaccine. Which is recommended?
A) Hepatitis B
B) DTaP
C) HPV
D) PCV13
Clinical Reasoning: A DTaP booster is recommended at 4–6 years to maintain immunity against
diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. HPV and PCV13 are not given at this age. [Ref: CDC
Immunization Schedule, 2025]
Question 9
Which vaccine is recommended annually for children over 6 months?
A) MMR
B) DTaP
C) Influenza
D) Hib
Clinical Reasoning: The influenza vaccine is recommended annually for all children over 6
months to protect against seasonal flu strains. [Ref: CDC Immunization Schedule, 2025]
Question 10
A 12-year-old is due for vaccines. Which is recommended at this age?
A) Rotavirus
B) Meningococcal
C) Hepatitis A
D) Varicella
Clinical Reasoning: The meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) is recommended at 11–12 years
to protect against meningococcal disease. Rotavirus and hepatitis A are given earlier, and
varicella is typically completed by 4–6 years. [Ref: CDC Immunization Schedule, 2025]
Question 11
A nurse is preparing to administer the HPV vaccine. What is the minimum age for
administration?
A) 6 years
B) 9 years
C) 12 years
D) 15 years
Clinical Reasoning: The HPV vaccine can be started at age 9, though it is routinely
