ATI RN & PN Pediatric Nursing Exam Version 1 – Child Health
and Development Practice Questions( 200 Practice Questions
with Answers and Rationales Updated for 2025/2026)
Question 1: According to Erikson's stages of psychosocial development, which task should an infant
accomplish during the first year of life?
A) Trust vs. Mistrust
B) Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
C) Initiative vs. Guilt
D) Industry vs. Inferiority
Answer: A
Rationale: The correct developmental task for an infant from birth to 18 months is Trust vs. Mistrust.
During this stage, the infant learns to rely on caregivers for basic needs such as food and comfort. If
these needs are met consistently, the child develops a sense of security in the world.
Question 2: At what age should a healthy infant typically be able to sit unsupported?
A) 4 months
B) 6 months
C) 8 months
D) 10 months
Answer: C
Rationale: Most infants develop the core strength and balance to sit unsupported by approximately 8
months of age. At 4 months, infants can usually lift their heads and chests but require support to sit. By
6 months, many infants can sit with support or using their hands for balance in a 'tripod' position.
Question 3: What is a major cognitive development milestone in a 2-year-old?
,A) Engaging in symbolic play and using two-word sentences
B) Reading simple words
C) Counting to ten
D) Writing their name
Answer: A
Rationale: A 2-year-old typically begins to engage in symbolic play (pretend play) and use two-word
sentences as part of normal cognitive (and language) development, consistent with Piaget's
preoperational stage that begins around 2 years of age.
Question 4: A nurse is assessing a 12-month-old infant. Which statement best describes the infant's
physical development a nurse should expect to find?
A) Anterior fontanel closes by age 6 to 10 months
B) Binocularity is well established by age 8 months
C) Birth weight doubles by age 5 months and triples by age 1 year
D) Maternal iron stores persist during the first 12 months of life
Answer: C
Rationale: Growth is very rapid during the first year of life. The birth weight has approximately doubled
by age 5 to 6 months and triples by age 1 year. The anterior fontanel closes at age 12 to 18 months.
Binocularity is not established until age 15 months. Maternal iron stores are usually depleted by age 6
months.
Question 5: At which age does an infant start to recognize familiar faces and objects, such as his or her
own hand?
A) 1 month
B) 2 months
C) 3 months
D) 4 months
,Answer: C
Rationale: The child can recognize familiar objects at approximately age 3 months. For the first 2 months
of life, infants watch and observe their surroundings. The 4-month-old infant is beginning to develop
hand-eye coordination.
Question 6: The nurse is assessing a 6-month-old healthy infant who weighed 7 pounds at birth. The
nurse should expect the infant to now weigh approximately how many pounds?
A) 10
B) 15
C) 20
D) 25
Answer: B
Rationale: Birth weight doubles at about age 5 to 6 months. At 6 months, a child who weighed 7 pounds
at birth would weigh approximately 15 pounds. 10 pounds would be below the 5th percentile; 20 to 25
pounds would indicate the infant has already tripled birth weight.
Question 7: The nurse is doing a routine assessment on a 14-month-old infant and notes that the
anterior fontanel is closed. How should the nurse interpret this finding?
A) Normal finding
B) Finding requiring a referral
C) Abnormal finding
D) Normal finding, but requires rechecking in 1 month
Answer: A
Rationale: The anterior fontanel normally closes by 12 to 18 months of age. Therefore, at 14 months,
closure is expected and a normal finding.
, Question 8: A nurse in a pediatric clinic is assessing a toddler at a well-child visit. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take?
A) Perform the assessment in a head to toe sequence
B) Minimize physical contact with the child initially
C) Explain procedures using medical terminology
D) Stop the assessment if the child becomes uncooperative
Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse should initially minimize physical contact with the toddler, and then progress from
the least traumatic to the most traumatic procedures. This decreases anxiety and increases cooperation
during the assessment.
Question 9: A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant at a well-child visit. Which of the following findings
indicates the need for further assessment?
A) Grabs feet and pulls them to her mouth
B) Posterior fontanel is closed
C) Legs remain crossed and extended when supine
D) Birth weight has doubled since birth
Answer: C
Rationale: Legs remaining crossed and extended when supine is an abnormal finding that suggests
possible neurological impairment. At 6 months, infants should have relaxed, flexed posture. The ability
to grab feet, closed posterior fontanel (normally closes by 2-3 months), and doubled birth weight are all
expected findings.
Question 10: What is the greatest risk for injury for an adolescent?
A) Home accidents
B) Physiological changes of aging
and Development Practice Questions( 200 Practice Questions
with Answers and Rationales Updated for 2025/2026)
Question 1: According to Erikson's stages of psychosocial development, which task should an infant
accomplish during the first year of life?
A) Trust vs. Mistrust
B) Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
C) Initiative vs. Guilt
D) Industry vs. Inferiority
Answer: A
Rationale: The correct developmental task for an infant from birth to 18 months is Trust vs. Mistrust.
During this stage, the infant learns to rely on caregivers for basic needs such as food and comfort. If
these needs are met consistently, the child develops a sense of security in the world.
Question 2: At what age should a healthy infant typically be able to sit unsupported?
A) 4 months
B) 6 months
C) 8 months
D) 10 months
Answer: C
Rationale: Most infants develop the core strength and balance to sit unsupported by approximately 8
months of age. At 4 months, infants can usually lift their heads and chests but require support to sit. By
6 months, many infants can sit with support or using their hands for balance in a 'tripod' position.
Question 3: What is a major cognitive development milestone in a 2-year-old?
,A) Engaging in symbolic play and using two-word sentences
B) Reading simple words
C) Counting to ten
D) Writing their name
Answer: A
Rationale: A 2-year-old typically begins to engage in symbolic play (pretend play) and use two-word
sentences as part of normal cognitive (and language) development, consistent with Piaget's
preoperational stage that begins around 2 years of age.
Question 4: A nurse is assessing a 12-month-old infant. Which statement best describes the infant's
physical development a nurse should expect to find?
A) Anterior fontanel closes by age 6 to 10 months
B) Binocularity is well established by age 8 months
C) Birth weight doubles by age 5 months and triples by age 1 year
D) Maternal iron stores persist during the first 12 months of life
Answer: C
Rationale: Growth is very rapid during the first year of life. The birth weight has approximately doubled
by age 5 to 6 months and triples by age 1 year. The anterior fontanel closes at age 12 to 18 months.
Binocularity is not established until age 15 months. Maternal iron stores are usually depleted by age 6
months.
Question 5: At which age does an infant start to recognize familiar faces and objects, such as his or her
own hand?
A) 1 month
B) 2 months
C) 3 months
D) 4 months
,Answer: C
Rationale: The child can recognize familiar objects at approximately age 3 months. For the first 2 months
of life, infants watch and observe their surroundings. The 4-month-old infant is beginning to develop
hand-eye coordination.
Question 6: The nurse is assessing a 6-month-old healthy infant who weighed 7 pounds at birth. The
nurse should expect the infant to now weigh approximately how many pounds?
A) 10
B) 15
C) 20
D) 25
Answer: B
Rationale: Birth weight doubles at about age 5 to 6 months. At 6 months, a child who weighed 7 pounds
at birth would weigh approximately 15 pounds. 10 pounds would be below the 5th percentile; 20 to 25
pounds would indicate the infant has already tripled birth weight.
Question 7: The nurse is doing a routine assessment on a 14-month-old infant and notes that the
anterior fontanel is closed. How should the nurse interpret this finding?
A) Normal finding
B) Finding requiring a referral
C) Abnormal finding
D) Normal finding, but requires rechecking in 1 month
Answer: A
Rationale: The anterior fontanel normally closes by 12 to 18 months of age. Therefore, at 14 months,
closure is expected and a normal finding.
, Question 8: A nurse in a pediatric clinic is assessing a toddler at a well-child visit. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take?
A) Perform the assessment in a head to toe sequence
B) Minimize physical contact with the child initially
C) Explain procedures using medical terminology
D) Stop the assessment if the child becomes uncooperative
Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse should initially minimize physical contact with the toddler, and then progress from
the least traumatic to the most traumatic procedures. This decreases anxiety and increases cooperation
during the assessment.
Question 9: A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant at a well-child visit. Which of the following findings
indicates the need for further assessment?
A) Grabs feet and pulls them to her mouth
B) Posterior fontanel is closed
C) Legs remain crossed and extended when supine
D) Birth weight has doubled since birth
Answer: C
Rationale: Legs remaining crossed and extended when supine is an abnormal finding that suggests
possible neurological impairment. At 6 months, infants should have relaxed, flexed posture. The ability
to grab feet, closed posterior fontanel (normally closes by 2-3 months), and doubled birth weight are all
expected findings.
Question 10: What is the greatest risk for injury for an adolescent?
A) Home accidents
B) Physiological changes of aging
