Peds Exam 1 Prep Test Bank
PEDS EXAM 1 PREP TEST BANK WITH 250 VERIFIED QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES //
PEDIATRICS EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
A child with asthma presents with bradycardia, confusion, and severe wheezing
only in upper lobes with absence of wheezing in lower lobes. Which action is
priority?
A. Encourage coughing and deep breathing
B. Auscultate the lungs
C. Prepare to assist with intubation and mechanical ventilation
D. Administer IV corticosteroid - Correct Answer-C. Prepare to assist with
intubation and mechanical ventilation
Rationale:
These are signs of impending respiratory failure ("silent chest").
Airway and ventilation take precedence — steroids help later, but airway
management is the priority.
The nurse notes head lag in a 5-month-old. This finding indicates:
A. Normal development
B. Delayed gross motor control
C. Hypoglycemia
1|Page
, Peds Exam 1 Prep Test Bank
D. Early walking ability - Correct Answer-B. Delayed gross motor control
Rationale: Head control should develop by 2-3 months; persistent head lag
indicates poor neck muscle development or neurologic delay
The nurse is assessing two infants at a well-baby visit.
Infant A began walking independently at 10 months.
Infant B begins walking at 14 months.
Both demonstrate normal muscle tone, coordination, and reflexes.
Which statement by the nurse best explains this difference in developmental
timing to the parents?
A. "Infant B is showing delayed development and needs physical therapy."
B. "Infant A developed faster than expected; this may indicate a neurological
issue."
C. "Both infants are developing normally — the rate of development varies among
children."
D. "Infant B is behind and should begin early intervention." - Correct Answer-C —
"Both infants are developing normally — the rate of development varies among
children."
Rationale:
The rate of development refers to how quickly a child reaches milestones, and it
can vary widely between children while still being normal.
2|Page
, Peds Exam 1 Prep Test Bank
The sequence of development (e.g., sitting → crawling → walking) is predictable,
but the rate (timing) is individualized.
For example:
Some infants walk at 9-10 months; others not until 14-15 months — both are
within normal limits.
Nurses focus on patterns and progression, not exact ages, unless a child is
significantly outside normal ranges or shows regression.
Mannitol is given in bacterial meningitis to:
A. Lower ICP by drawing fluid from brain tissue
B. Replace electrolytes
C. Promote sleep
D. Stop seizure activity - Correct Answer-A. Lower ICP by drawing fluid from brain
tissue
Rationale: Mannitol is an osmotic diuretic that decreases cerebral edema and
ICP
Development is a gradual
increase in ____________? - Correct Answer-a child's ability to perform more
complex skills.
True or False:
Diminished blood flow from constriction of the pulmonic valve in Tetralogy of
Fallot (TOF) leads to right-to-left shunting of blood. - Correct Answer-True
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, Peds Exam 1 Prep Test Bank
Rationale:
Tetralogy of Fallot includes four defects:
Pulmonic stenosis (narrowed valve/outflow tract)
Right ventricular hypertrophy
Ventricular septal defect (VSD)
Overriding aorta
When the pulmonic valve is constricted, blood can't easily flow into the lungs for
oxygenation.
This causes pressure in the right ventricle to exceed that in the left ventricle,
resulting in right-to-left shunting across the VSD.
Deoxygenated blood then enters the systemic circulation, leading to cyanosis
("blue spells" or "tet spells").
Key NCLEX Tip:
Think: "Pulmonic stenosis = Pressure Right = Right-to-Left shunt."
Less flow to lungs → cyanosis → "tet spell.
In a child with increased intracranial pressure (ICP), how do CO₂ levels affect
cerebral blood flow, and what is the nursing implication for oxygenation
management?
A. Increased CO₂ causes cerebral vasoconstriction, lowering ICP.
B. Decreased CO₂ causes cerebral vasodilation, increasing ICP.
C. Increased CO₂ causes cerebral vasodilation, which raises ICP — the nurse should
avoid hypoventilation.
4|Page
PEDS EXAM 1 PREP TEST BANK WITH 250 VERIFIED QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES //
PEDIATRICS EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
A child with asthma presents with bradycardia, confusion, and severe wheezing
only in upper lobes with absence of wheezing in lower lobes. Which action is
priority?
A. Encourage coughing and deep breathing
B. Auscultate the lungs
C. Prepare to assist with intubation and mechanical ventilation
D. Administer IV corticosteroid - Correct Answer-C. Prepare to assist with
intubation and mechanical ventilation
Rationale:
These are signs of impending respiratory failure ("silent chest").
Airway and ventilation take precedence — steroids help later, but airway
management is the priority.
The nurse notes head lag in a 5-month-old. This finding indicates:
A. Normal development
B. Delayed gross motor control
C. Hypoglycemia
1|Page
, Peds Exam 1 Prep Test Bank
D. Early walking ability - Correct Answer-B. Delayed gross motor control
Rationale: Head control should develop by 2-3 months; persistent head lag
indicates poor neck muscle development or neurologic delay
The nurse is assessing two infants at a well-baby visit.
Infant A began walking independently at 10 months.
Infant B begins walking at 14 months.
Both demonstrate normal muscle tone, coordination, and reflexes.
Which statement by the nurse best explains this difference in developmental
timing to the parents?
A. "Infant B is showing delayed development and needs physical therapy."
B. "Infant A developed faster than expected; this may indicate a neurological
issue."
C. "Both infants are developing normally — the rate of development varies among
children."
D. "Infant B is behind and should begin early intervention." - Correct Answer-C —
"Both infants are developing normally — the rate of development varies among
children."
Rationale:
The rate of development refers to how quickly a child reaches milestones, and it
can vary widely between children while still being normal.
2|Page
, Peds Exam 1 Prep Test Bank
The sequence of development (e.g., sitting → crawling → walking) is predictable,
but the rate (timing) is individualized.
For example:
Some infants walk at 9-10 months; others not until 14-15 months — both are
within normal limits.
Nurses focus on patterns and progression, not exact ages, unless a child is
significantly outside normal ranges or shows regression.
Mannitol is given in bacterial meningitis to:
A. Lower ICP by drawing fluid from brain tissue
B. Replace electrolytes
C. Promote sleep
D. Stop seizure activity - Correct Answer-A. Lower ICP by drawing fluid from brain
tissue
Rationale: Mannitol is an osmotic diuretic that decreases cerebral edema and
ICP
Development is a gradual
increase in ____________? - Correct Answer-a child's ability to perform more
complex skills.
True or False:
Diminished blood flow from constriction of the pulmonic valve in Tetralogy of
Fallot (TOF) leads to right-to-left shunting of blood. - Correct Answer-True
3|Page
, Peds Exam 1 Prep Test Bank
Rationale:
Tetralogy of Fallot includes four defects:
Pulmonic stenosis (narrowed valve/outflow tract)
Right ventricular hypertrophy
Ventricular septal defect (VSD)
Overriding aorta
When the pulmonic valve is constricted, blood can't easily flow into the lungs for
oxygenation.
This causes pressure in the right ventricle to exceed that in the left ventricle,
resulting in right-to-left shunting across the VSD.
Deoxygenated blood then enters the systemic circulation, leading to cyanosis
("blue spells" or "tet spells").
Key NCLEX Tip:
Think: "Pulmonic stenosis = Pressure Right = Right-to-Left shunt."
Less flow to lungs → cyanosis → "tet spell.
In a child with increased intracranial pressure (ICP), how do CO₂ levels affect
cerebral blood flow, and what is the nursing implication for oxygenation
management?
A. Increased CO₂ causes cerebral vasoconstriction, lowering ICP.
B. Decreased CO₂ causes cerebral vasodilation, increasing ICP.
C. Increased CO₂ causes cerebral vasodilation, which raises ICP — the nurse should
avoid hypoventilation.
4|Page
