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ATI NURSING CARE OF CHILDREN (PEDIATRICS)
PROCTORED EXAM 2025/2026 | 100 NCLEX-STYLE
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS & RATIONALES
(LATEST TEST BANK) ALREADY GRADED A+
1. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with the parent of a toddler who has iron-
deficiency anemia. Which food should the nurse recommend?
A. Whole milk
B. Apple slices
C. Chicken liver
D. Rice cereal
Answer: C
Rationale: Chicken liver is rich in iron. Toddlers should limit milk intake as
it can displace iron-rich foods.
2. A nurse is caring for a child with epiglottitis. Which action is priority?
A. Obtain a throat culture
B. Prepare for intubation
C. Administer antibiotics
D. Provide humidified oxygen
Answer: B
Rationale: Epiglottitis is a life-threatening emergency due to risk of airway
obstruction. Airway management comes first.
3. A school-age child with type 1 diabetes reports shakiness and sweating.
What is the priority action?
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A. Administer glucagon IM
B. Provide ½ cup of orange juice
C. Notify the provider
D. Recheck blood glucose in 30 min
Answer: B
Rationale: These are signs of mild hypoglycemia. First action is to provide
a rapid-acting carbohydrate.
4. Which finding indicates improvement in a child receiving treatment for
dehydration?
A. Urine specific gravity 1.030
B. Capillary refill 5 seconds
C. Heart rate returns to baseline
D. Continued sunken fontanel
Answer: C
Rationale: A stable heart rate is a reliable indicator of improved hydration.
5. A nurse is reinforcing teaching about pain management for a preschooler
post-op tonsillectomy. Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Give aspirin for throat pain
B. Offer ice chips and cold fluids
C. Encourage coughing exercises
D. Provide hot liquids for comfort
Answer: B
Rationale: Cold fluids soothe throat pain and reduce bleeding risk. Aspirin
is contraindicated in children.
6. A child with cystic fibrosis is prescribed pancreatic enzymes. When should
these be administered?
A. At bedtime
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B. With meals and snacks
C. On an empty stomach
D. With milk only
Answer: B
Rationale: Enzymes must be taken with meals/snacks to aid digestion and
absorption.
7. A nurse is caring for a child with sickle cell crisis. Which intervention is
priority?
A. Administer oxygen
B. Provide pain relief
C. Apply cold compresses
D. Restrict fluids
Answer: B
Rationale: Severe pain is the hallmark of crisis and must be managed.
Warm compresses and hydration are also used (never cold).
8. A toddler is admitted with acute gastroenteritis. Which finding is the
priority?
A. Dry mucous membranes
B. Irritability
C. Sunken eyes
D. Lethargy
Answer: D
Rationale: Lethargy signals severe dehydration and requires immediate
intervention.
9. A nurse is reinforcing teaching to the parent of a child with varicella
(chickenpox). Which instruction is appropriate?
A. Give aspirin for fever control
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B. Keep the child at home until lesions crust over
C. Allow scratching for comfort
D. Apply warm compresses to vesicles
Answer: B
Rationale: Children are contagious until lesions have crusted. Aspirin is
contraindicated due to Reye’s syndrome.
10. Which lab result is expected in a child with hemophilia?
A. Prolonged prothrombin time
B. Decreased platelet count
C. Prolonged partial thromboplastin time
D. Elevated WBC count
Answer: C
Rationale: Hemophilia affects clotting factors → prolonged PTT. Platelets
are normal.
11. A school-age child with asthma is experiencing wheezing and intercostal
retractions. Which medication should the nurse administer first?
A. Beclomethasone inhaler
B. Montelukast oral tablet
C. Albuterol inhaler
D. Cromolyn sodium nebulizer
Answer: C
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting bronchodilator used for acute attacks.
12. A nurse is assessing a toddler for possible otitis media. Which finding is
expected?
A. Clear drainage from the ear canal
B. Frequent pulling at the ear
ATI NURSING CARE OF CHILDREN (PEDIATRICS)
PROCTORED EXAM 2025/2026 | 100 NCLEX-STYLE
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS & RATIONALES
(LATEST TEST BANK) ALREADY GRADED A+
1. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with the parent of a toddler who has iron-
deficiency anemia. Which food should the nurse recommend?
A. Whole milk
B. Apple slices
C. Chicken liver
D. Rice cereal
Answer: C
Rationale: Chicken liver is rich in iron. Toddlers should limit milk intake as
it can displace iron-rich foods.
2. A nurse is caring for a child with epiglottitis. Which action is priority?
A. Obtain a throat culture
B. Prepare for intubation
C. Administer antibiotics
D. Provide humidified oxygen
Answer: B
Rationale: Epiglottitis is a life-threatening emergency due to risk of airway
obstruction. Airway management comes first.
3. A school-age child with type 1 diabetes reports shakiness and sweating.
What is the priority action?
,2|Page
A. Administer glucagon IM
B. Provide ½ cup of orange juice
C. Notify the provider
D. Recheck blood glucose in 30 min
Answer: B
Rationale: These are signs of mild hypoglycemia. First action is to provide
a rapid-acting carbohydrate.
4. Which finding indicates improvement in a child receiving treatment for
dehydration?
A. Urine specific gravity 1.030
B. Capillary refill 5 seconds
C. Heart rate returns to baseline
D. Continued sunken fontanel
Answer: C
Rationale: A stable heart rate is a reliable indicator of improved hydration.
5. A nurse is reinforcing teaching about pain management for a preschooler
post-op tonsillectomy. Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Give aspirin for throat pain
B. Offer ice chips and cold fluids
C. Encourage coughing exercises
D. Provide hot liquids for comfort
Answer: B
Rationale: Cold fluids soothe throat pain and reduce bleeding risk. Aspirin
is contraindicated in children.
6. A child with cystic fibrosis is prescribed pancreatic enzymes. When should
these be administered?
A. At bedtime
,3|Page
B. With meals and snacks
C. On an empty stomach
D. With milk only
Answer: B
Rationale: Enzymes must be taken with meals/snacks to aid digestion and
absorption.
7. A nurse is caring for a child with sickle cell crisis. Which intervention is
priority?
A. Administer oxygen
B. Provide pain relief
C. Apply cold compresses
D. Restrict fluids
Answer: B
Rationale: Severe pain is the hallmark of crisis and must be managed.
Warm compresses and hydration are also used (never cold).
8. A toddler is admitted with acute gastroenteritis. Which finding is the
priority?
A. Dry mucous membranes
B. Irritability
C. Sunken eyes
D. Lethargy
Answer: D
Rationale: Lethargy signals severe dehydration and requires immediate
intervention.
9. A nurse is reinforcing teaching to the parent of a child with varicella
(chickenpox). Which instruction is appropriate?
A. Give aspirin for fever control
, 4|Page
B. Keep the child at home until lesions crust over
C. Allow scratching for comfort
D. Apply warm compresses to vesicles
Answer: B
Rationale: Children are contagious until lesions have crusted. Aspirin is
contraindicated due to Reye’s syndrome.
10. Which lab result is expected in a child with hemophilia?
A. Prolonged prothrombin time
B. Decreased platelet count
C. Prolonged partial thromboplastin time
D. Elevated WBC count
Answer: C
Rationale: Hemophilia affects clotting factors → prolonged PTT. Platelets
are normal.
11. A school-age child with asthma is experiencing wheezing and intercostal
retractions. Which medication should the nurse administer first?
A. Beclomethasone inhaler
B. Montelukast oral tablet
C. Albuterol inhaler
D. Cromolyn sodium nebulizer
Answer: C
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting bronchodilator used for acute attacks.
12. A nurse is assessing a toddler for possible otitis media. Which finding is
expected?
A. Clear drainage from the ear canal
B. Frequent pulling at the ear
