RN VATI Pediatric Nursing
2026 Exam · 60 Questions · With Rationales
Question: 1 of 60 RN VATI Pediatric Nursing
A nurse is teaching an adolescent how to use a peak expiratory flow meter (PEFM). The nurse should
identify that which of the following statements by the child indicates an understanding of the
teaching?
A. "I will breathe in through the mouthpiece, hold my breath for 5 seconds, and then exhale."
B. "If I get a reading in the green zone, I will tell my parents right away so they can call the doctor."
C. "I will slowly exhale through the mouthpiece over a 10-second interval."
✓ D. "I will record the highest reading of the three attempts."
✓ Correct Answer: D
The correct technique for PEFM: stand up, take a deep breath, seal lips around mouthpiece, and BLAST air out as hard and
fast as possible. Perform 3 attempts and RECORD THE HIGHEST reading. The green zone (80-100% of personal best) is
GOOD — no action needed. Slow exhalation or breath-holding is incorrect technique.
Page 1 | RN VATI Pediatric Nursing 2026
, RN VATI Pediatric Nursing
2026 Exam · 60 Questions · With Rationales
Question: 2 of 60 RN VATI Pediatric Nursing
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a group of guardians of infants about home safety. Which
of the following statements should the nurse make?
A. "Place your baby in a side-lying position when sleeping."
B. "Use a drop-side crib until your baby is at least 6 months old."
C. "Apply a plastic mattress cover to your baby's bed to protect it."
✓ D. "Keep your infant restrained when they are in a highchair."
✓ Correct Answer: D
Infants must always be restrained (secured with safety straps) when in a highchair to prevent falls. The AAP recommends
the BACK-SLEEPING position (not side-lying) to reduce SIDS risk. Drop-side cribs are banned (strangulation/entrapment
hazard). Plastic mattress covers pose a suffocation risk.
Page 2 | RN VATI Pediatric Nursing 2026
, RN VATI Pediatric Nursing
2026 Exam · 60 Questions · With Rationales
Question: 3 of 60 RN VATI Pediatric Nursing
A nurse is teaching the parents of an infant how to administer antibiotic eardrops. Which of the
following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?
A. Chill the medication prior to administration.
B. Pull the pinna up and back during medication administration.
C. Hyperextend the infant's neck during medication administration.
✓ D. Massage the anterior area of the ear following administration.
✓ Correct Answer: D
After instilling eardrops, gently massage the tragus (anterior ear area) to help the medication reach the ear canal. For
INFANTS (under 3 years), the pinna is pulled DOWN and BACK (not up and back — that technique is for older
children/adults). Chilling eardrops can cause dizziness and pain. Neck hyperextension is not indicated.
Page 3 | RN VATI Pediatric Nursing 2026
, RN VATI Pediatric Nursing
2026 Exam · 60 Questions · With Rationales
Question: 4 of 60 RN VATI Pediatric Nursing
A nurse on a pediatric unit is admitting a 5-year-old child who has a submersion injury and is awake
and alert. The parent asks the nurse why the child needs to stay in the facility. Which of the following
responses should the nurse make?
A. "Your child needs mechanical ventilation."
✓ B. "We need to observe your child for cerebral swelling."
C. "Your child needs to have an electroencephalogram."
D. "We need to perform an echocardiogram on your child."
✓ Correct Answer: B
Even when a child appears awake and alert after a submersion (near-drowning) injury, observation for secondary
drowning/delayed cerebral edema (brain swelling) is essential. Delayed pulmonary edema, hypoxia, and cerebral swelling
can develop hours after the incident. Observation for at least 24 hours is the standard of care.
Page 4 | RN VATI Pediatric Nursing 2026
2026 Exam · 60 Questions · With Rationales
Question: 1 of 60 RN VATI Pediatric Nursing
A nurse is teaching an adolescent how to use a peak expiratory flow meter (PEFM). The nurse should
identify that which of the following statements by the child indicates an understanding of the
teaching?
A. "I will breathe in through the mouthpiece, hold my breath for 5 seconds, and then exhale."
B. "If I get a reading in the green zone, I will tell my parents right away so they can call the doctor."
C. "I will slowly exhale through the mouthpiece over a 10-second interval."
✓ D. "I will record the highest reading of the three attempts."
✓ Correct Answer: D
The correct technique for PEFM: stand up, take a deep breath, seal lips around mouthpiece, and BLAST air out as hard and
fast as possible. Perform 3 attempts and RECORD THE HIGHEST reading. The green zone (80-100% of personal best) is
GOOD — no action needed. Slow exhalation or breath-holding is incorrect technique.
Page 1 | RN VATI Pediatric Nursing 2026
, RN VATI Pediatric Nursing
2026 Exam · 60 Questions · With Rationales
Question: 2 of 60 RN VATI Pediatric Nursing
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a group of guardians of infants about home safety. Which
of the following statements should the nurse make?
A. "Place your baby in a side-lying position when sleeping."
B. "Use a drop-side crib until your baby is at least 6 months old."
C. "Apply a plastic mattress cover to your baby's bed to protect it."
✓ D. "Keep your infant restrained when they are in a highchair."
✓ Correct Answer: D
Infants must always be restrained (secured with safety straps) when in a highchair to prevent falls. The AAP recommends
the BACK-SLEEPING position (not side-lying) to reduce SIDS risk. Drop-side cribs are banned (strangulation/entrapment
hazard). Plastic mattress covers pose a suffocation risk.
Page 2 | RN VATI Pediatric Nursing 2026
, RN VATI Pediatric Nursing
2026 Exam · 60 Questions · With Rationales
Question: 3 of 60 RN VATI Pediatric Nursing
A nurse is teaching the parents of an infant how to administer antibiotic eardrops. Which of the
following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?
A. Chill the medication prior to administration.
B. Pull the pinna up and back during medication administration.
C. Hyperextend the infant's neck during medication administration.
✓ D. Massage the anterior area of the ear following administration.
✓ Correct Answer: D
After instilling eardrops, gently massage the tragus (anterior ear area) to help the medication reach the ear canal. For
INFANTS (under 3 years), the pinna is pulled DOWN and BACK (not up and back — that technique is for older
children/adults). Chilling eardrops can cause dizziness and pain. Neck hyperextension is not indicated.
Page 3 | RN VATI Pediatric Nursing 2026
, RN VATI Pediatric Nursing
2026 Exam · 60 Questions · With Rationales
Question: 4 of 60 RN VATI Pediatric Nursing
A nurse on a pediatric unit is admitting a 5-year-old child who has a submersion injury and is awake
and alert. The parent asks the nurse why the child needs to stay in the facility. Which of the following
responses should the nurse make?
A. "Your child needs mechanical ventilation."
✓ B. "We need to observe your child for cerebral swelling."
C. "Your child needs to have an electroencephalogram."
D. "We need to perform an echocardiogram on your child."
✓ Correct Answer: B
Even when a child appears awake and alert after a submersion (near-drowning) injury, observation for secondary
drowning/delayed cerebral edema (brain swelling) is essential. Delayed pulmonary edema, hypoxia, and cerebral swelling
can develop hours after the incident. Observation for at least 24 hours is the standard of care.
Page 4 | RN VATI Pediatric Nursing 2026
