ATI Pediatrics Proctored Exam 2026 - Complete
Study Guide with 100 Real Exam Questions with
Answers and Detailed Rationales (Verified
Answers) - Already Graded A+
Question 1
A nurse is collecting data from a 9-month-old infant. Which of the following findings
would require further intervention?
A. Positive Babinski reflex
B. Positive Moro reflex
C. Negative Doll's eye reflex
D. Negative Crawl reflex
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Moro reflex (startle reflex) should disappear by 4-6 months of age. Its
presence at 9 months indicates a neurological concern requiring further evaluation. A
positive Babinski reflex is normal until 12-24 months. Negative Doll's eye reflex and
negative crawl reflex are normal findings in an infant of this age.
Question 2
A nurse is reinforcing teaching a parent of a child who has a fracture of the epiphyseal
plate. Which of the following is an appropriate statement by the nurse?
A. "The blood supply to the bone is disrupted."
B. "Normal bone growth can be affected."
C. "Bone marrow can be lost through the fracture."
D. "The healing process will take longer."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The epiphyseal plate (growth plate) is responsible for longitudinal bone
growth. A fracture through this plate can affect normal bone growth, potentially causing
growth disturbances or limb length discrepancies. Blood supply disruption, bone
marrow loss, and longer healing time are not specific concerns for epiphyseal plate
fractures.
pg. 1
,Question 3
A nurse is planning to speak to a group of adolescents about toxic shock syndrome
(TSS). The nurse knows that TSS is commonly associated with which of the following?
A. High-absorbency tampons
B. Unprotected sexual intercourse
C. Contaminated food
D. Poor hand hygiene
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Toxic shock syndrome is commonly associated with the use of high-
absorbency tampons. It is caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Unprotected sexual
intercourse is associated with STIs. Contaminated food is associated with food
poisoning. Poor hand hygiene is associated with gastrointestinal infections.
Question 4
A nurse is collecting data from an infant. Which of the following is a clinical
manifestation of pyloric stenosis?
A. Absent bowel sounds
B. Increased sodium level
C. Projectile vomiting after feedings
D. Golf ball-sized mass over the left quadrant
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Projectile vomiting after feedings is the classic sign of pyloric stenosis. The
vomiting is non-bilious and occurs shortly after feeding. Bowel sounds may be active.
Sodium levels may be decreased due to vomiting. A palpable olive-shaped mass is felt in
the right upper quadrant (not left).
Question 5
A nurse is planning care for a child who has juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Which of the
following is an appropriate action for the nurse to take?
A. Administer opioids on a schedule.
B. Schedule prolonged periods of complete joint immobilization daily.
pg. 2
,C. Apply cool compresses for 20 minutes every hour.
D. Maintain night splints to the affected joint.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Night splints help maintain joint alignment and prevent contractures in
children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Opioids are not first-line for JRA. Complete
immobilization is not recommended; range of motion and activity are encouraged. Heat
(not cold) is typically applied for stiffness.
Question 6
A nurse is caring for a school-age child who has mild persistent asthma. Which of the
following is an expected finding? (Select all that apply.)
A. Symptoms are continuous throughout the day.
B. Daytime symptoms occur more than twice a week.
C. Nighttime symptoms occur approximately twice a month.
D. Minor limitations occur with normal activity.
E. Peak expiratory flow (PEF) is greater than or equal to 80% of the predicted value.
Correct Answer: B, D, E
Rationale: In mild persistent asthma, daytime symptoms occur more than twice per
week (but not daily), minor limitations occur with normal activity, and PEF is ≥80% of
predicted value. Symptoms are not continuous; that indicates severe persistent asthma.
Nighttime symptoms occur more than twice per month (but less than once per week).
Question 7
A nurse working in a pediatric clinic is collecting data on a preschool-age child who has
a rash on his arm. The mother reports that the child was recently exposed to impetigo
contagiosa. Which of the following manifestations should the nurse expect to find with
this skin infection?
A. Scaling patches that are clear in the center.
B. Honey-colored crusts caused by dried exudate.
C. Firm papules with a roughened, finely papillomatous texture.
D. Lines of small blisters surrounding one large blister.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Impetigo contagiosa presents with honey-colored crusts caused by dried
exudate. Scaling patches with clear centers are seen in tinea corporis (ringworm). Firm
pg. 3
, papules with a roughened texture are warts. Lines of blisters surrounding one large
blister are seen in herpes zoster.
Question 8
During a routine well child check-up, a nurse is reinforcing teaching to a parent who
reports having difficulty getting a preschool-age child to go to bed. Which of the
following statements indicates to the nurse that the parent understands how to foster a
consistent bedtime for the preschooler?
A. "I will allow my child to cry himself to sleep each night."
B. "I will let my child fall asleep with me, and then move him to his own bed."
C. "I will make sure the room is dark when placing my child in bed."
D. "I will encourage my child to fall asleep with his favorite toy."
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Encouraging the child to fall asleep with a favorite toy provides comfort and
security, promoting a consistent bedtime routine. Allowing the child to cry himself to
sleep is not supportive. Co-sleeping is not recommended. A nightlight may be more
appropriate than a completely dark room for a preschooler.
Question 9
A nurse is collecting data about a 6-year-old client. Which statement by the client's
parent should concern the nurse?
A. "The teacher says my child has to squint to see the board."
B. "My child has recently lost both front top teeth."
C. "My child often cheats when we play board games."
D. "Sometimes my child acts bossy with his friends."
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Squinting to see the board indicates a potential vision problem requiring
further evaluation. Losing front teeth is expected at 6 years. Cheating and bossiness are
normal developmental behaviors in school-age children.
Question 10
pg. 4
Study Guide with 100 Real Exam Questions with
Answers and Detailed Rationales (Verified
Answers) - Already Graded A+
Question 1
A nurse is collecting data from a 9-month-old infant. Which of the following findings
would require further intervention?
A. Positive Babinski reflex
B. Positive Moro reflex
C. Negative Doll's eye reflex
D. Negative Crawl reflex
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Moro reflex (startle reflex) should disappear by 4-6 months of age. Its
presence at 9 months indicates a neurological concern requiring further evaluation. A
positive Babinski reflex is normal until 12-24 months. Negative Doll's eye reflex and
negative crawl reflex are normal findings in an infant of this age.
Question 2
A nurse is reinforcing teaching a parent of a child who has a fracture of the epiphyseal
plate. Which of the following is an appropriate statement by the nurse?
A. "The blood supply to the bone is disrupted."
B. "Normal bone growth can be affected."
C. "Bone marrow can be lost through the fracture."
D. "The healing process will take longer."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The epiphyseal plate (growth plate) is responsible for longitudinal bone
growth. A fracture through this plate can affect normal bone growth, potentially causing
growth disturbances or limb length discrepancies. Blood supply disruption, bone
marrow loss, and longer healing time are not specific concerns for epiphyseal plate
fractures.
pg. 1
,Question 3
A nurse is planning to speak to a group of adolescents about toxic shock syndrome
(TSS). The nurse knows that TSS is commonly associated with which of the following?
A. High-absorbency tampons
B. Unprotected sexual intercourse
C. Contaminated food
D. Poor hand hygiene
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Toxic shock syndrome is commonly associated with the use of high-
absorbency tampons. It is caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Unprotected sexual
intercourse is associated with STIs. Contaminated food is associated with food
poisoning. Poor hand hygiene is associated with gastrointestinal infections.
Question 4
A nurse is collecting data from an infant. Which of the following is a clinical
manifestation of pyloric stenosis?
A. Absent bowel sounds
B. Increased sodium level
C. Projectile vomiting after feedings
D. Golf ball-sized mass over the left quadrant
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Projectile vomiting after feedings is the classic sign of pyloric stenosis. The
vomiting is non-bilious and occurs shortly after feeding. Bowel sounds may be active.
Sodium levels may be decreased due to vomiting. A palpable olive-shaped mass is felt in
the right upper quadrant (not left).
Question 5
A nurse is planning care for a child who has juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Which of the
following is an appropriate action for the nurse to take?
A. Administer opioids on a schedule.
B. Schedule prolonged periods of complete joint immobilization daily.
pg. 2
,C. Apply cool compresses for 20 minutes every hour.
D. Maintain night splints to the affected joint.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Night splints help maintain joint alignment and prevent contractures in
children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Opioids are not first-line for JRA. Complete
immobilization is not recommended; range of motion and activity are encouraged. Heat
(not cold) is typically applied for stiffness.
Question 6
A nurse is caring for a school-age child who has mild persistent asthma. Which of the
following is an expected finding? (Select all that apply.)
A. Symptoms are continuous throughout the day.
B. Daytime symptoms occur more than twice a week.
C. Nighttime symptoms occur approximately twice a month.
D. Minor limitations occur with normal activity.
E. Peak expiratory flow (PEF) is greater than or equal to 80% of the predicted value.
Correct Answer: B, D, E
Rationale: In mild persistent asthma, daytime symptoms occur more than twice per
week (but not daily), minor limitations occur with normal activity, and PEF is ≥80% of
predicted value. Symptoms are not continuous; that indicates severe persistent asthma.
Nighttime symptoms occur more than twice per month (but less than once per week).
Question 7
A nurse working in a pediatric clinic is collecting data on a preschool-age child who has
a rash on his arm. The mother reports that the child was recently exposed to impetigo
contagiosa. Which of the following manifestations should the nurse expect to find with
this skin infection?
A. Scaling patches that are clear in the center.
B. Honey-colored crusts caused by dried exudate.
C. Firm papules with a roughened, finely papillomatous texture.
D. Lines of small blisters surrounding one large blister.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Impetigo contagiosa presents with honey-colored crusts caused by dried
exudate. Scaling patches with clear centers are seen in tinea corporis (ringworm). Firm
pg. 3
, papules with a roughened texture are warts. Lines of blisters surrounding one large
blister are seen in herpes zoster.
Question 8
During a routine well child check-up, a nurse is reinforcing teaching to a parent who
reports having difficulty getting a preschool-age child to go to bed. Which of the
following statements indicates to the nurse that the parent understands how to foster a
consistent bedtime for the preschooler?
A. "I will allow my child to cry himself to sleep each night."
B. "I will let my child fall asleep with me, and then move him to his own bed."
C. "I will make sure the room is dark when placing my child in bed."
D. "I will encourage my child to fall asleep with his favorite toy."
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Encouraging the child to fall asleep with a favorite toy provides comfort and
security, promoting a consistent bedtime routine. Allowing the child to cry himself to
sleep is not supportive. Co-sleeping is not recommended. A nightlight may be more
appropriate than a completely dark room for a preschooler.
Question 9
A nurse is collecting data about a 6-year-old client. Which statement by the client's
parent should concern the nurse?
A. "The teacher says my child has to squint to see the board."
B. "My child has recently lost both front top teeth."
C. "My child often cheats when we play board games."
D. "Sometimes my child acts bossy with his friends."
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Squinting to see the board indicates a potential vision problem requiring
further evaluation. Losing front teeth is expected at 6 years. Cheating and bossiness are
normal developmental behaviors in school-age children.
Question 10
pg. 4
