ATI PEDIATRIC NURSING EXAM – PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
Growth and Development: Infants through Adolescents
Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies in Pediatrics
Reduction of Risk Potential and Safety Measures
Physiological Adaptation and Pathophysiology
Psychosocial Integrity and Family-Centered Care
Health Promotion and Maintenance
Management of Care and Legal/Ethical Considerations
Introduction
The ATI Pediatric Nursing Exam is designed to evaluate the student’s mastery of essential nursing
care concepts for the pediatric population. This assessment focuses on the integration of clinical
judgment, physiological expertise, and the application of family-centered care principles across the
developmental spectrum. Knowledge assessed includes health promotion, acute and chronic illness
management, and the safety protocols unique to children. The exam utilizes a blend of standard
multiple-choice and scenario-based questions to mirror real-world clinical decision-making. By
emphasizing critical thinking and evidence-based practice, this examination ensures that
candidates possess the professional standards required for safe and effective pediatric nursing
practice.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which of the following
developmental milestones should the nurse expect the infant to have achieved?
A. Pulling up to a standing position
B. Sitting steadily without support
,C. Turning from back to stomach
D. Using a neat pincer grasp
🟢 C. Turning from back to stomach
🔴 RATIONALE: By 6 months of age, most infants can roll from their back to their stomach and
vice versa. Sitting steadily without support usually occurs by 8 months, pulling to stand by 9
months, and a neat pincer grasp by 11 months.
2. A nurse is providing teaching to the parent of a toddler who has a new prescription for
liquid iron supplements. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Administer the medication with a glass of milk
B. Give the medication through a straw or dropper
C. Expect the toddler to have clay-colored stools
D. Limit the intake of vitamin C during therapy
🟢 B. Give the medication through a straw or dropper
🔴 RATIONALE: Liquid iron supplements can stain developing teeth. Administering the
medication through a straw or a dropper placed toward the back of the mouth minimizes contact
with the teeth. Iron should not be given with milk as it interferes with absorption.
3. A nurse is caring for a 4-year-old child who is postoperative following an appendectomy.
Which of the following pain assessment scales should the nurse use?
A. CRIES scale
B. FLACC scale
C. FACES scale
D. Numeric scale
🟢 C. FACES scale
🔴 RATIONALE: The FACES pain rating scale is appropriate for children as young as 3 years old, as
it allows them to point to a drawing of a face that best represents their pain level. CRIES and
,FLACC are used for infants or non-verbal patients.
4. A nurse is assessing a 10-year-old child with suspected acute glomerulonephritis. Which
of the following findings is the most common clinical manifestation of this condition?
A. Polyuria
B. Periorbital edema
C. Hypotension
D. Generalized rash
🟢 B. Periorbital edema
🔴 RATIONALE: Acute glomerulonephritis typically presents with periorbital edema, especially in
the morning, along with hypertension, hematuria (tea-colored urine), and oliguria.
5. A school nurse is teaching a group of parents about the prevention of Reye syndrome.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Avoid giving aspirin to children with viral infections
B. Ensure children receive the HPV vaccine at age 11
C. Keep children away from peers who have pertussis
D. Implement a gluten-free diet for children with allergies
🟢 A. Avoid giving aspirin to children with viral infections
🔴 RATIONALE: Reye syndrome is a rare but serious condition associated with the administration
of aspirin to children during viral illnesses, such as influenza or varicella. Acetaminophen or
ibuprofen should be used instead.
6. A nurse is caring for a 2-year-old child with laryngotracheobronchitis (croup). Which of
the following findings should the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A. Barking cough
B. Hoarseness
, C. Inspiratory stridor at rest
D. Low-grade fever
🟢 C. Inspiratory stridor at rest
🔴 RATIONALE: While a barking cough and hoarseness are expected findings in croup,
inspiratory stridor at rest indicates a significant narrowing of the airway and impending
respiratory distress, requiring immediate intervention.
7. A nurse is providing teaching to a parent of an infant who has gastroesophageal reflux
(GER). Which of the following statements by the parent indicates an understanding of the
teaching?
A. I will keep my baby in an upright position for 30 minutes after feedings
B. I will thin my baby’s formula with water to make it easier to swallow
C. I will feed my baby large amounts of formula less frequently
D. I will place my baby on their stomach to sleep after eating
🟢 A. I will keep my baby in an upright position for 30 minutes after feedings
🔴 RATIONALE: Keeping the infant upright for 20 to 30 minutes after a feeding uses gravity to
help keep formula in the stomach and reduce reflux. Formula is often thickened, not thinned, and
small, frequent feedings are recommended.
8. A nurse is assessing a child with Tetralogy of Fallot who is experiencing a hypercyanotic
("tet") spell. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Administer 100% oxygen via face mask
B. Place the child in the knee-chest position
C. Prepare to administer morphine sulfate
D. Call for the rapid response team
🟢 B. Place the child in the knee-chest position
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
Growth and Development: Infants through Adolescents
Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies in Pediatrics
Reduction of Risk Potential and Safety Measures
Physiological Adaptation and Pathophysiology
Psychosocial Integrity and Family-Centered Care
Health Promotion and Maintenance
Management of Care and Legal/Ethical Considerations
Introduction
The ATI Pediatric Nursing Exam is designed to evaluate the student’s mastery of essential nursing
care concepts for the pediatric population. This assessment focuses on the integration of clinical
judgment, physiological expertise, and the application of family-centered care principles across the
developmental spectrum. Knowledge assessed includes health promotion, acute and chronic illness
management, and the safety protocols unique to children. The exam utilizes a blend of standard
multiple-choice and scenario-based questions to mirror real-world clinical decision-making. By
emphasizing critical thinking and evidence-based practice, this examination ensures that
candidates possess the professional standards required for safe and effective pediatric nursing
practice.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which of the following
developmental milestones should the nurse expect the infant to have achieved?
A. Pulling up to a standing position
B. Sitting steadily without support
,C. Turning from back to stomach
D. Using a neat pincer grasp
🟢 C. Turning from back to stomach
🔴 RATIONALE: By 6 months of age, most infants can roll from their back to their stomach and
vice versa. Sitting steadily without support usually occurs by 8 months, pulling to stand by 9
months, and a neat pincer grasp by 11 months.
2. A nurse is providing teaching to the parent of a toddler who has a new prescription for
liquid iron supplements. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Administer the medication with a glass of milk
B. Give the medication through a straw or dropper
C. Expect the toddler to have clay-colored stools
D. Limit the intake of vitamin C during therapy
🟢 B. Give the medication through a straw or dropper
🔴 RATIONALE: Liquid iron supplements can stain developing teeth. Administering the
medication through a straw or a dropper placed toward the back of the mouth minimizes contact
with the teeth. Iron should not be given with milk as it interferes with absorption.
3. A nurse is caring for a 4-year-old child who is postoperative following an appendectomy.
Which of the following pain assessment scales should the nurse use?
A. CRIES scale
B. FLACC scale
C. FACES scale
D. Numeric scale
🟢 C. FACES scale
🔴 RATIONALE: The FACES pain rating scale is appropriate for children as young as 3 years old, as
it allows them to point to a drawing of a face that best represents their pain level. CRIES and
,FLACC are used for infants or non-verbal patients.
4. A nurse is assessing a 10-year-old child with suspected acute glomerulonephritis. Which
of the following findings is the most common clinical manifestation of this condition?
A. Polyuria
B. Periorbital edema
C. Hypotension
D. Generalized rash
🟢 B. Periorbital edema
🔴 RATIONALE: Acute glomerulonephritis typically presents with periorbital edema, especially in
the morning, along with hypertension, hematuria (tea-colored urine), and oliguria.
5. A school nurse is teaching a group of parents about the prevention of Reye syndrome.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Avoid giving aspirin to children with viral infections
B. Ensure children receive the HPV vaccine at age 11
C. Keep children away from peers who have pertussis
D. Implement a gluten-free diet for children with allergies
🟢 A. Avoid giving aspirin to children with viral infections
🔴 RATIONALE: Reye syndrome is a rare but serious condition associated with the administration
of aspirin to children during viral illnesses, such as influenza or varicella. Acetaminophen or
ibuprofen should be used instead.
6. A nurse is caring for a 2-year-old child with laryngotracheobronchitis (croup). Which of
the following findings should the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A. Barking cough
B. Hoarseness
, C. Inspiratory stridor at rest
D. Low-grade fever
🟢 C. Inspiratory stridor at rest
🔴 RATIONALE: While a barking cough and hoarseness are expected findings in croup,
inspiratory stridor at rest indicates a significant narrowing of the airway and impending
respiratory distress, requiring immediate intervention.
7. A nurse is providing teaching to a parent of an infant who has gastroesophageal reflux
(GER). Which of the following statements by the parent indicates an understanding of the
teaching?
A. I will keep my baby in an upright position for 30 minutes after feedings
B. I will thin my baby’s formula with water to make it easier to swallow
C. I will feed my baby large amounts of formula less frequently
D. I will place my baby on their stomach to sleep after eating
🟢 A. I will keep my baby in an upright position for 30 minutes after feedings
🔴 RATIONALE: Keeping the infant upright for 20 to 30 minutes after a feeding uses gravity to
help keep formula in the stomach and reduce reflux. Formula is often thickened, not thinned, and
small, frequent feedings are recommended.
8. A nurse is assessing a child with Tetralogy of Fallot who is experiencing a hypercyanotic
("tet") spell. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Administer 100% oxygen via face mask
B. Place the child in the knee-chest position
C. Prepare to administer morphine sulfate
D. Call for the rapid response team
🟢 B. Place the child in the knee-chest position
