rationale for 2026
ATI PN PEDIATRICS PROCTORED EXAM
Questions with Answers & Rationales
GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT (Questions 1-25)
Q1. A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant's developmental milestones. Which
finding is expected?
A) Walks with support
B) Rolls from back to front
C) Uses a pincer grasp
D) Says two-word phrases
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: At 6 months, infants typically roll over in both directions. Walking with
support occurs around 12 months, pincer grasp at 9–12 months, and two-word
phrases at approximately 2 years of age .
,Q2. A nurse is assessing the vital signs of a 3-year-old toddler. Which finding
should the nurse report to the provider?
A) Blood pressure 90/50 mm Hg
B) Respiratory rate 45/min
C) Weight 14.5 kg (32 lb)
D) Heart rate 110/min
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 45/min is above the expected reference range for
a 3-year-old toddler (normally 20-30 breaths/min). This can indicate respiratory
dysfunction or acute respiratory distress and requires immediate reporting .
Q3. A nurse is collecting data from an 18-month-old toddler. Which finding should
the nurse investigate further?
A) Heart rate of 106/min
B) Blood pressure 120/80 mm Hg
C) Temper tantrums when upset
D) Respiratory rate of 28/min
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A blood pressure of 120/80 mm Hg is elevated for an 18-month-old.
Normal systolic BP for this age is approximately 80-100 mm Hg. This finding
requires further evaluation .
Q4. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with the parents of a 7-year-old child about
behavioral expectations. Which behavior is typical for this age?
A) Consistently engaging in parallel play
B) Wanting to spend a lot of time alone
C) Preferring to engage only in solitary computer games
D) Being unable to separate from parents at any time
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: School-age children often begin to value privacy and may enjoy solitary
activities while still engaging with peers at other times. This is a normal
developmental stage .
Q5. Which reflex should be present at birth and disappear by 3-4 months of age?
, A) Patellar reflex
B) Moro reflex
C) Babinski reflex
D) Abdominal reflex
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Moro (startle) reflex is present at birth and typically disappears by
3-4 months. Its persistence beyond 6 months may indicate neurological issues .
Q6. The anterior fontanel typically closes by which age?
A) 2-3 months
B) 6-8 months
C) 12-18 months
D) 24-36 months
Correct Answer: C