Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP)
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2025 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. A 6-year-old child presents with a barking cough, stridor, and
low-grade fever. The most likely diagnosis is:
A. Asthma
B. Croup
C. Epiglottitis
D. Bronchiolitis
Rationale: The classic presentation of croup includes a barking cough,
stridor, and low-grade fever, typically in children 6 months to 6 years
old.
2. Which vaccine is contraindicated in a child with a history of
severe allergic reaction to neomycin?
A. MMR
B. IPV (Inactivated Polio Vaccine)
C. Varicella
D. Hepatitis B
Rationale: IPV contains trace amounts of neomycin; children with
severe neomycin allergy should not receive it.
3. The recommended first-line treatment for otitis media in a 2-
year-old without antibiotic allergy is:
,A. Azithromycin
B. Amoxicillin
C. Ceftriaxone
D. Ciprofloxacin
Rationale: Amoxicillin is the first-line treatment for acute otitis media
in children without penicillin allergy.
4. Which of the following is a hallmark sign of Kawasaki disease?
A. Petechial rash
B. Strawberry tongue
C. Target lesions
D. Bullous eruptions
Rationale: Kawasaki disease is characterized by prolonged fever,
conjunctivitis, mucocutaneous changes (including strawberry
tongue), and lymphadenopathy.
5. A 3-year-old presents with fatigue, pallor, and pica. Laboratory
studies reveal microcytic anemia. The most likely cause is:
A. Vitamin B12 deficiency
B. Iron deficiency anemia
C. Thalassemia minor
D. Lead poisoning
Rationale: Microcytic anemia in a toddler with pica and pallor is most
commonly due to iron deficiency.
6. Which of the following congenital heart defects is characterized
by cyanosis in the newborn period?
,A. Ventricular septal defect
B. Tetralogy of Fallot
C. Patent ductus arteriosus
D. Atrial septal defect
Rationale: Tetralogy of Fallot is a cyanotic congenital heart defect,
presenting with cyanosis often in the newborn period or with "tet
spells."
7. The best initial management for a child presenting with
anaphylaxis is:
A. Oral antihistamines
B. Intramuscular epinephrine
C. Corticosteroids only
D. IV fluids
Rationale: Epinephrine IM is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis,
along with airway management and supportive care.
8. Which of the following is the most common cause of bronchiolitis
in infants?
A. Adenovirus
B. Parainfluenza virus
C. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
D. Influenza virus
Rationale: RSV is the most frequent cause of bronchiolitis, particularly
in infants under 1 year.
9. A 10-year-old presents with sore throat, fever, and tender
anterior cervical lymphadenopathy. Rapid strep test is positive. The
first-line treatment is:
, A. Azithromycin
B. Penicillin V
C. Amoxicillin-clavulanate
D. Cephalexin
Rationale: Penicillin V is the first-line treatment for uncomplicated
group A streptococcal pharyngitis.
10. Which of the following findings is consistent with nephrotic
syndrome in children?
A. Hematuria
B. Proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, and edema
C. Hypertension only
D. Hypernatremia
Rationale: Nephrotic syndrome presents with heavy proteinuria,
hypoalbuminemia, edema, and often hyperlipidemia.
11. Which of the following is the most common pediatric
arrhythmia?
A. Ventricular tachycardia
B. Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)
C. Atrial fibrillation
D. Torsades de pointes
Rationale: SVT is the most common arrhythmia in children and often
presents with sudden onset tachycardia.
12. A 5-year-old with a history of eczema presents with acute onset
of vesicular rash on the face and trunk. The most likely diagnosis is:
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2025 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. A 6-year-old child presents with a barking cough, stridor, and
low-grade fever. The most likely diagnosis is:
A. Asthma
B. Croup
C. Epiglottitis
D. Bronchiolitis
Rationale: The classic presentation of croup includes a barking cough,
stridor, and low-grade fever, typically in children 6 months to 6 years
old.
2. Which vaccine is contraindicated in a child with a history of
severe allergic reaction to neomycin?
A. MMR
B. IPV (Inactivated Polio Vaccine)
C. Varicella
D. Hepatitis B
Rationale: IPV contains trace amounts of neomycin; children with
severe neomycin allergy should not receive it.
3. The recommended first-line treatment for otitis media in a 2-
year-old without antibiotic allergy is:
,A. Azithromycin
B. Amoxicillin
C. Ceftriaxone
D. Ciprofloxacin
Rationale: Amoxicillin is the first-line treatment for acute otitis media
in children without penicillin allergy.
4. Which of the following is a hallmark sign of Kawasaki disease?
A. Petechial rash
B. Strawberry tongue
C. Target lesions
D. Bullous eruptions
Rationale: Kawasaki disease is characterized by prolonged fever,
conjunctivitis, mucocutaneous changes (including strawberry
tongue), and lymphadenopathy.
5. A 3-year-old presents with fatigue, pallor, and pica. Laboratory
studies reveal microcytic anemia. The most likely cause is:
A. Vitamin B12 deficiency
B. Iron deficiency anemia
C. Thalassemia minor
D. Lead poisoning
Rationale: Microcytic anemia in a toddler with pica and pallor is most
commonly due to iron deficiency.
6. Which of the following congenital heart defects is characterized
by cyanosis in the newborn period?
,A. Ventricular septal defect
B. Tetralogy of Fallot
C. Patent ductus arteriosus
D. Atrial septal defect
Rationale: Tetralogy of Fallot is a cyanotic congenital heart defect,
presenting with cyanosis often in the newborn period or with "tet
spells."
7. The best initial management for a child presenting with
anaphylaxis is:
A. Oral antihistamines
B. Intramuscular epinephrine
C. Corticosteroids only
D. IV fluids
Rationale: Epinephrine IM is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis,
along with airway management and supportive care.
8. Which of the following is the most common cause of bronchiolitis
in infants?
A. Adenovirus
B. Parainfluenza virus
C. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
D. Influenza virus
Rationale: RSV is the most frequent cause of bronchiolitis, particularly
in infants under 1 year.
9. A 10-year-old presents with sore throat, fever, and tender
anterior cervical lymphadenopathy. Rapid strep test is positive. The
first-line treatment is:
, A. Azithromycin
B. Penicillin V
C. Amoxicillin-clavulanate
D. Cephalexin
Rationale: Penicillin V is the first-line treatment for uncomplicated
group A streptococcal pharyngitis.
10. Which of the following findings is consistent with nephrotic
syndrome in children?
A. Hematuria
B. Proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, and edema
C. Hypertension only
D. Hypernatremia
Rationale: Nephrotic syndrome presents with heavy proteinuria,
hypoalbuminemia, edema, and often hyperlipidemia.
11. Which of the following is the most common pediatric
arrhythmia?
A. Ventricular tachycardia
B. Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)
C. Atrial fibrillation
D. Torsades de pointes
Rationale: SVT is the most common arrhythmia in children and often
presents with sudden onset tachycardia.
12. A 5-year-old with a history of eczema presents with acute onset
of vesicular rash on the face and trunk. The most likely diagnosis is:
