Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Primary Care
(PNP-PC) Board Certification | 2025/2026 Exam
Questions with Verified Answers & Rationales
PNCB-Certified PNP-PC Exam Content | Well-Child Care, Developmental Screening,
Immunization Schedules, Chronic Pediatric Conditions, and Health Promotion | Real
Exam-Based Q&A | Expert Verified | 100% Current & Graded A+
Introduction
This verified Q&A set is aligned with the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Primary Care
(PNP-PC) Board Certification Exam – 2025/2026 edition from the Pediatric Nursing
Certification Board (PNCB). The exam consists of 175 multiple-choice questions (150
scored, 25 unscored pretest items) focused on the primary care of children from birth through
young adulthood. Coverage includes growth and development, anticipatory guidance,
well-child exams, immunizations, behavioral health, common pediatric illnesses,
family education, and culturally competent care.
Answer Format
All correct responses are presented in bold and green, with clear, clinically sound rationales
grounded in current pediatric guidelines and best practices.
Section 1: Growth and Development
Question 1
A 2-month-old infant should exhibit which developmental milestone?
A) Sitting without support
B) Social smile
C) Walking with assistance
D) Saying first words
Rationale: A social smile typically develops by 2 months, reflecting early social engagement
per CDC milestones.
Question 2
A 12-month-old child should be able to do which of the following?
A) Run steadily
B) Take first steps
C) Draw a circle
D) Speak in sentences
Rationale: First steps are a key gross motor milestone by 12 months per AAP guidelines.
,Question 3
A 4-year-old child should be able to perform which cognitive task?
A) Count to 100
B) Count to 10
C) Read simple words
D) Solve complex puzzles
Rationale: Counting to 10 reflects appropriate cognitive development for a 4-year-old per
CDC.
Question 4
A 6-year-old should demonstrate which fine motor skill?
A) Tie shoelaces
B) Copy a square
C) Write cursive
D) Cut with scissors independently
Rationale: Copying a square is a typical fine motor skill by age 6 per AAP.
Question 5
A 9-month-old infant should show which social skill?
A) Playing cooperatively
B) Stranger anxiety
C) Sharing toys
D) Engaging in parallel play
Rationale: Stranger anxiety emerges around 9 months as part of social development per CDC.
Question 6
A 18-month-old should be able to do which gross motor task?
A) Hop on one foot
B) Walk independently
C) Jump rope
D) Climb stairs with alternating feet
Rationale: Independent walking is expected by 18 months per AAP.
Question 7
A 3-year-old should demonstrate which language skill?
A) Recite the alphabet
B) Use 2-3 word phrases
C) Read simple books
D) Speak fluently
Rationale: 2-3 word phrases are typical at 3 years per CDC.
Question 8
A 5-year-old should be able to perform which self-care task?
A) Bathe independently
B) Dress with minimal help
C) Cook meals
,D) Tie shoes
Rationale: Dressing with minimal help is a milestone at 5 years per AAP.
Question 9
A 7-year-old should show which social-emotional skill?
A) Complete independence
B) Cooperate with peers
C) Avoid all conflict
D) Self-regulate emotions fully
Rationale: Cooperation with peers develops by 7 years per CDC.
Question 10
A 15-month-old should exhibit which motor skill?
A) Ride a tricycle
B) Walk up steps with help
C) Skip
D) Jump with both feet
Rationale: Walking up steps with help is typical at 15 months per AAP.
Section 2: Well-Child Care and Anticipatory Guidance
Question 11
At a 4-month well-child visit, what is a key anticipatory guidance topic?
A) Toilet training
B) Safe sleep practices
C) School readiness
D) Puberty changes
Rationale: Safe sleep remains critical at 4 months to prevent SIDS per AAP.
Question 12
At a 2-year well-child visit, what should be assessed?
A) Vision screening
B) Language development
C) Scoliosis screening
D) Menarche preparation
Rationale: Language development is a priority at 2 years per PNCB guidelines.
Question 13
A 6-year-old’s well-child exam should include which screening?
A) Hearing test
B) Vision test
C) Tuberculosis test
D) Lead screening
Rationale: Vision screening is recommended at 6 years per AAP Bright Futures.
Question 14
At a 12-month visit, what is a key immunization?
, A) MMR
B) Hib booster
C) HPV
D) Tdap
Rationale: Hib booster is scheduled at 12-15 months per CDC immunization schedule.
Question 15
A 15-year-old should receive counseling on which topic?
A) Teething
B) Sexual health
C) Potty training
D) Infant feeding
Rationale: Sexual health education is appropriate for adolescents per AAP.
Question 16
At a 9-month well-child visit, what is a key developmental screen?
A) Scoliosis
B) Denver II
C) Vision acuity
D) Hearing loss
Rationale: Denver II assesses development at 9 months per PNCB.
Question 17
A 3-year-old’s well-child visit should include which assessment?
A) Puberty staging
B) Developmental milestone check
C) Mammogram
D) Bone density
Rationale: Milestone checks are key at 3 years per AAP.
Question 18
At a 18-month visit, what is a key anticipatory guidance topic?
A) College planning
B) Injury prevention
C) Retirement savings
D) Driving safety
Rationale: Injury prevention is critical at 18 months per CDC.
Question 19
A 10-year-old’s well-child exam should include which screening?
A) Lead level
B) Blood pressure
C) TB test
D) Cholesterol
Rationale: Blood pressure screening begins at 10 years per AAP.
(PNP-PC) Board Certification | 2025/2026 Exam
Questions with Verified Answers & Rationales
PNCB-Certified PNP-PC Exam Content | Well-Child Care, Developmental Screening,
Immunization Schedules, Chronic Pediatric Conditions, and Health Promotion | Real
Exam-Based Q&A | Expert Verified | 100% Current & Graded A+
Introduction
This verified Q&A set is aligned with the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Primary Care
(PNP-PC) Board Certification Exam – 2025/2026 edition from the Pediatric Nursing
Certification Board (PNCB). The exam consists of 175 multiple-choice questions (150
scored, 25 unscored pretest items) focused on the primary care of children from birth through
young adulthood. Coverage includes growth and development, anticipatory guidance,
well-child exams, immunizations, behavioral health, common pediatric illnesses,
family education, and culturally competent care.
Answer Format
All correct responses are presented in bold and green, with clear, clinically sound rationales
grounded in current pediatric guidelines and best practices.
Section 1: Growth and Development
Question 1
A 2-month-old infant should exhibit which developmental milestone?
A) Sitting without support
B) Social smile
C) Walking with assistance
D) Saying first words
Rationale: A social smile typically develops by 2 months, reflecting early social engagement
per CDC milestones.
Question 2
A 12-month-old child should be able to do which of the following?
A) Run steadily
B) Take first steps
C) Draw a circle
D) Speak in sentences
Rationale: First steps are a key gross motor milestone by 12 months per AAP guidelines.
,Question 3
A 4-year-old child should be able to perform which cognitive task?
A) Count to 100
B) Count to 10
C) Read simple words
D) Solve complex puzzles
Rationale: Counting to 10 reflects appropriate cognitive development for a 4-year-old per
CDC.
Question 4
A 6-year-old should demonstrate which fine motor skill?
A) Tie shoelaces
B) Copy a square
C) Write cursive
D) Cut with scissors independently
Rationale: Copying a square is a typical fine motor skill by age 6 per AAP.
Question 5
A 9-month-old infant should show which social skill?
A) Playing cooperatively
B) Stranger anxiety
C) Sharing toys
D) Engaging in parallel play
Rationale: Stranger anxiety emerges around 9 months as part of social development per CDC.
Question 6
A 18-month-old should be able to do which gross motor task?
A) Hop on one foot
B) Walk independently
C) Jump rope
D) Climb stairs with alternating feet
Rationale: Independent walking is expected by 18 months per AAP.
Question 7
A 3-year-old should demonstrate which language skill?
A) Recite the alphabet
B) Use 2-3 word phrases
C) Read simple books
D) Speak fluently
Rationale: 2-3 word phrases are typical at 3 years per CDC.
Question 8
A 5-year-old should be able to perform which self-care task?
A) Bathe independently
B) Dress with minimal help
C) Cook meals
,D) Tie shoes
Rationale: Dressing with minimal help is a milestone at 5 years per AAP.
Question 9
A 7-year-old should show which social-emotional skill?
A) Complete independence
B) Cooperate with peers
C) Avoid all conflict
D) Self-regulate emotions fully
Rationale: Cooperation with peers develops by 7 years per CDC.
Question 10
A 15-month-old should exhibit which motor skill?
A) Ride a tricycle
B) Walk up steps with help
C) Skip
D) Jump with both feet
Rationale: Walking up steps with help is typical at 15 months per AAP.
Section 2: Well-Child Care and Anticipatory Guidance
Question 11
At a 4-month well-child visit, what is a key anticipatory guidance topic?
A) Toilet training
B) Safe sleep practices
C) School readiness
D) Puberty changes
Rationale: Safe sleep remains critical at 4 months to prevent SIDS per AAP.
Question 12
At a 2-year well-child visit, what should be assessed?
A) Vision screening
B) Language development
C) Scoliosis screening
D) Menarche preparation
Rationale: Language development is a priority at 2 years per PNCB guidelines.
Question 13
A 6-year-old’s well-child exam should include which screening?
A) Hearing test
B) Vision test
C) Tuberculosis test
D) Lead screening
Rationale: Vision screening is recommended at 6 years per AAP Bright Futures.
Question 14
At a 12-month visit, what is a key immunization?
, A) MMR
B) Hib booster
C) HPV
D) Tdap
Rationale: Hib booster is scheduled at 12-15 months per CDC immunization schedule.
Question 15
A 15-year-old should receive counseling on which topic?
A) Teething
B) Sexual health
C) Potty training
D) Infant feeding
Rationale: Sexual health education is appropriate for adolescents per AAP.
Question 16
At a 9-month well-child visit, what is a key developmental screen?
A) Scoliosis
B) Denver II
C) Vision acuity
D) Hearing loss
Rationale: Denver II assesses development at 9 months per PNCB.
Question 17
A 3-year-old’s well-child visit should include which assessment?
A) Puberty staging
B) Developmental milestone check
C) Mammogram
D) Bone density
Rationale: Milestone checks are key at 3 years per AAP.
Question 18
At a 18-month visit, what is a key anticipatory guidance topic?
A) College planning
B) Injury prevention
C) Retirement savings
D) Driving safety
Rationale: Injury prevention is critical at 18 months per CDC.
Question 19
A 10-year-old’s well-child exam should include which screening?
A) Lead level
B) Blood pressure
C) TB test
D) Cholesterol
Rationale: Blood pressure screening begins at 10 years per AAP.
