CERTIFIED PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY
NURSE (CPEN) EXAM QUESTION AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A 3-year-old presents with inspiratory stridor, barking cough, and
hoarseness. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Epiglottitis
B. Foreign body aspiration
C. Croup
D. Bronchiolitis
Rationale: Croup is characterized by a barking cough, hoarseness, and
inspiratory stridor, most commonly caused by parainfluenza virus.
2. Which medication is first-line for treating moderate to severe croup?
A. Albuterol
B. Dexamethasone
C. Epinephrine IM
D. Amoxicillin
Rationale: Corticosteroids such as dexamethasone reduce airway
inflammation and are first-line therapy.
3. A child with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is at highest risk for which
complication during treatment?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Cerebral edema
C. Acute renal failure
, D. Pulmonary embolism
Rationale: Rapid fluid shifts during DKA treatment increase the risk of
cerebral edema, especially in children.
4. Which finding is most concerning in an infant with bronchiolitis?
A. Wheezing
B. Mild retractions
C. Apnea
D. Low-grade fever
Rationale: Apnea is a life-threatening complication, particularly in young
infants.
5. The most appropriate pain assessment tool for a preverbal infant is:
A. Numeric scale
B. Wong-Baker FACES
C. FLACC scale
D. Visual analog scale
Rationale: The FLACC scale assesses pain based on observable behaviors in
nonverbal children.
6. A child presents after a near-drowning event. What is the priority
intervention?
A. Antibiotics
B. Airway and oxygenation
C. Corticosteroids
D. Diuretics
Rationale: Airway management and oxygenation are the top priorities
following submersion injury.
7. Which rhythm is most common in pediatric cardiac arrest?
A. Ventricular fibrillation
B. Ventricular tachycardia
C. Asystole
D. Atrial fibrillation
, Rationale: Pediatric arrests are usually secondary to hypoxia, leading to
asystole or PEA.
8. A child with suspected epiglottitis should be managed by:
A. Throat culture
B. Lying supine
C. Keeping the child calm and upright
D. Oral antibiotics
Rationale: Agitation may worsen airway obstruction; airway
management is the priority.
9. Which laboratory value best reflects tissue hypoxia in septic shock?
A. Hemoglobin
B. Lactate
C. Sodium
D. Platelet count
Rationale: Elevated lactate indicates anaerobic metabolism and poor
perfusion.
10.The hallmark sign of intussusception is:
A. Projectile vomiting
B. Bilious emesis
C. Currant jelly stools
D. Abdominal distension
Rationale: Intussusception classically presents with intermittent pain and
currant jelly stools.
11.A febrile seizure is most common in children aged:
A. Birth–3 months
B. 6 months–5 years
C. 6–10 years
D. >10 years
Rationale: Febrile seizures typically occur between 6 months and 5 years.
NURSE (CPEN) EXAM QUESTION AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A 3-year-old presents with inspiratory stridor, barking cough, and
hoarseness. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Epiglottitis
B. Foreign body aspiration
C. Croup
D. Bronchiolitis
Rationale: Croup is characterized by a barking cough, hoarseness, and
inspiratory stridor, most commonly caused by parainfluenza virus.
2. Which medication is first-line for treating moderate to severe croup?
A. Albuterol
B. Dexamethasone
C. Epinephrine IM
D. Amoxicillin
Rationale: Corticosteroids such as dexamethasone reduce airway
inflammation and are first-line therapy.
3. A child with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is at highest risk for which
complication during treatment?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Cerebral edema
C. Acute renal failure
, D. Pulmonary embolism
Rationale: Rapid fluid shifts during DKA treatment increase the risk of
cerebral edema, especially in children.
4. Which finding is most concerning in an infant with bronchiolitis?
A. Wheezing
B. Mild retractions
C. Apnea
D. Low-grade fever
Rationale: Apnea is a life-threatening complication, particularly in young
infants.
5. The most appropriate pain assessment tool for a preverbal infant is:
A. Numeric scale
B. Wong-Baker FACES
C. FLACC scale
D. Visual analog scale
Rationale: The FLACC scale assesses pain based on observable behaviors in
nonverbal children.
6. A child presents after a near-drowning event. What is the priority
intervention?
A. Antibiotics
B. Airway and oxygenation
C. Corticosteroids
D. Diuretics
Rationale: Airway management and oxygenation are the top priorities
following submersion injury.
7. Which rhythm is most common in pediatric cardiac arrest?
A. Ventricular fibrillation
B. Ventricular tachycardia
C. Asystole
D. Atrial fibrillation
, Rationale: Pediatric arrests are usually secondary to hypoxia, leading to
asystole or PEA.
8. A child with suspected epiglottitis should be managed by:
A. Throat culture
B. Lying supine
C. Keeping the child calm and upright
D. Oral antibiotics
Rationale: Agitation may worsen airway obstruction; airway
management is the priority.
9. Which laboratory value best reflects tissue hypoxia in septic shock?
A. Hemoglobin
B. Lactate
C. Sodium
D. Platelet count
Rationale: Elevated lactate indicates anaerobic metabolism and poor
perfusion.
10.The hallmark sign of intussusception is:
A. Projectile vomiting
B. Bilious emesis
C. Currant jelly stools
D. Abdominal distension
Rationale: Intussusception classically presents with intermittent pain and
currant jelly stools.
11.A febrile seizure is most common in children aged:
A. Birth–3 months
B. 6 months–5 years
C. 6–10 years
D. >10 years
Rationale: Febrile seizures typically occur between 6 months and 5 years.
