WONG’S ESSENTIALS OF PEDIATRIC NURSING
TESTBANK WITH QUESTIONS, ANSWERS AND
HIGHLIGHTED EXPLANATIONS 2026
1. A nurse is assessing a hospitalized toddler. Which behavior is most characteristic of a
toddler experiencing separation anxiety?
A. Crying loudly when the parent leaves
B. Ignoring the parent upon return
C. Preferring to play alone quietly
D. Demonstrating abstract thinking
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Toddlers commonly exhibit separation anxiety by crying, clinging, and
protesting when parents leave. Ignoring the parent is more associated with
detachment. Playing alone quietly and abstract thinking are not typical
manifestations of separation anxiety in toddlers.
2. Which developmental task is the priority for an adolescent according to Erikson’s
theory?
A. Trust versus mistrust
B. Industry versus inferiority
C. Identity versus role confusion
D. Intimacy versus isolation
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Adolescents focus on developing a personal identity and sense of self,
corresponding to Erikson’s stage of identity versus role confusion. The other stages
apply to different age groups.
3. A nurse is teaching parents about safe sleep practices for an infant. Which statement
by the parent indicates understanding?
A. “I will place my baby on the stomach to sleep.”
B. “Soft blankets should surround the baby.”
C. “My baby should sleep on a firm mattress.”
D. “Co-sleeping reduces the risk of SIDS.”
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Infants should sleep on a firm mattress without loose bedding to reduce
the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Prone sleeping, soft bedding, and
co-sleeping increase SIDS risk.
4. Which finding would the nurse expect in a child with dehydration?
A. Bradycardia
B. Increased urine output
C. Sunken fontanel in infants
, D. Bounding pulses
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: A sunken fontanel is a classic sign of dehydration in infants.
Dehydration usually causes tachycardia, decreased urine output, and weak pulses
rather than bradycardia or bounding pulses.
5. A nurse is caring for a child with acute glomerulonephritis. Which assessment finding
requires immediate intervention?
A. Tea-colored urine
B. Mild periorbital edema
C. Blood pressure of 150/100 mmHg
D. Decreased appetite
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Severe hypertension in acute glomerulonephritis can lead to seizures or
heart failure and requires immediate intervention. Tea-colored urine, mild edema,
and decreased appetite are expected findings.
6. Which immunization is routinely recommended at birth?
A. Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
B. Varicella
C. Hepatitis B
D. DTaP
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The hepatitis B vaccine is routinely administered shortly after birth.
MMR, varicella, and DTaP are given later in infancy or childhood.
7. A child with nephrotic syndrome is at greatest risk for which complication?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Infection
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Polycythemia
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Children with nephrotic syndrome lose immunoglobulins in urine,
increasing susceptibility to infection. The other options are not common
complications.
8. Which statement best describes atraumatic care?
A. Restricting parental involvement during procedures
B. Preventing or minimizing physical and psychological stress
C. Encouraging painful procedures for discipline
D. Limiting communication with children
Correct Answer: B
, Explanation: Atraumatic care focuses on reducing physical distress and emotional
trauma experienced by children and families during healthcare encounters.
9. A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant. Which developmental milestone is
expected?
A. Walking independently
B. Sitting with support
C. Riding a tricycle
D. Writing simple words
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: By 6 months, infants can usually sit with support. Independent walking
occurs later, while tricycle riding and writing are preschool and school-age skills.
10. Which is the priority nursing intervention for a child experiencing a febrile seizure?
A. Restrain the child’s movements
B. Insert a tongue blade
C. Maintain airway patency
D. Offer oral fluids immediately
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: During a seizure, maintaining a patent airway and preventing injury are
priorities. Restraining the child or inserting objects into the mouth is unsafe.
11. A nurse is teaching parents about otitis media prevention. Which recommendation is
appropriate?
A. Place infant in supine position while bottle-feeding
B. Avoid secondhand smoke exposure
C. Delay immunizations until age 2
D. Use cotton swabs to clean the ears daily
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Exposure to secondhand smoke increases the risk of otitis media. Bottle-
feeding in the supine position, delayed immunizations, and cotton swab use are not
recommended.
12. A hospitalized preschooler believes illness is punishment for bad behavior. This
thinking is characteristic of which developmental stage?
A. Sensorimotor
B. Formal operational
C. Preoperational
D. Concrete operational
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Preschoolers in Piaget’s preoperational stage often engage in magical
thinking and may view illness as punishment.
TESTBANK WITH QUESTIONS, ANSWERS AND
HIGHLIGHTED EXPLANATIONS 2026
1. A nurse is assessing a hospitalized toddler. Which behavior is most characteristic of a
toddler experiencing separation anxiety?
A. Crying loudly when the parent leaves
B. Ignoring the parent upon return
C. Preferring to play alone quietly
D. Demonstrating abstract thinking
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Toddlers commonly exhibit separation anxiety by crying, clinging, and
protesting when parents leave. Ignoring the parent is more associated with
detachment. Playing alone quietly and abstract thinking are not typical
manifestations of separation anxiety in toddlers.
2. Which developmental task is the priority for an adolescent according to Erikson’s
theory?
A. Trust versus mistrust
B. Industry versus inferiority
C. Identity versus role confusion
D. Intimacy versus isolation
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Adolescents focus on developing a personal identity and sense of self,
corresponding to Erikson’s stage of identity versus role confusion. The other stages
apply to different age groups.
3. A nurse is teaching parents about safe sleep practices for an infant. Which statement
by the parent indicates understanding?
A. “I will place my baby on the stomach to sleep.”
B. “Soft blankets should surround the baby.”
C. “My baby should sleep on a firm mattress.”
D. “Co-sleeping reduces the risk of SIDS.”
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Infants should sleep on a firm mattress without loose bedding to reduce
the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Prone sleeping, soft bedding, and
co-sleeping increase SIDS risk.
4. Which finding would the nurse expect in a child with dehydration?
A. Bradycardia
B. Increased urine output
C. Sunken fontanel in infants
, D. Bounding pulses
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: A sunken fontanel is a classic sign of dehydration in infants.
Dehydration usually causes tachycardia, decreased urine output, and weak pulses
rather than bradycardia or bounding pulses.
5. A nurse is caring for a child with acute glomerulonephritis. Which assessment finding
requires immediate intervention?
A. Tea-colored urine
B. Mild periorbital edema
C. Blood pressure of 150/100 mmHg
D. Decreased appetite
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Severe hypertension in acute glomerulonephritis can lead to seizures or
heart failure and requires immediate intervention. Tea-colored urine, mild edema,
and decreased appetite are expected findings.
6. Which immunization is routinely recommended at birth?
A. Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
B. Varicella
C. Hepatitis B
D. DTaP
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The hepatitis B vaccine is routinely administered shortly after birth.
MMR, varicella, and DTaP are given later in infancy or childhood.
7. A child with nephrotic syndrome is at greatest risk for which complication?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Infection
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Polycythemia
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Children with nephrotic syndrome lose immunoglobulins in urine,
increasing susceptibility to infection. The other options are not common
complications.
8. Which statement best describes atraumatic care?
A. Restricting parental involvement during procedures
B. Preventing or minimizing physical and psychological stress
C. Encouraging painful procedures for discipline
D. Limiting communication with children
Correct Answer: B
, Explanation: Atraumatic care focuses on reducing physical distress and emotional
trauma experienced by children and families during healthcare encounters.
9. A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant. Which developmental milestone is
expected?
A. Walking independently
B. Sitting with support
C. Riding a tricycle
D. Writing simple words
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: By 6 months, infants can usually sit with support. Independent walking
occurs later, while tricycle riding and writing are preschool and school-age skills.
10. Which is the priority nursing intervention for a child experiencing a febrile seizure?
A. Restrain the child’s movements
B. Insert a tongue blade
C. Maintain airway patency
D. Offer oral fluids immediately
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: During a seizure, maintaining a patent airway and preventing injury are
priorities. Restraining the child or inserting objects into the mouth is unsafe.
11. A nurse is teaching parents about otitis media prevention. Which recommendation is
appropriate?
A. Place infant in supine position while bottle-feeding
B. Avoid secondhand smoke exposure
C. Delay immunizations until age 2
D. Use cotton swabs to clean the ears daily
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Exposure to secondhand smoke increases the risk of otitis media. Bottle-
feeding in the supine position, delayed immunizations, and cotton swab use are not
recommended.
12. A hospitalized preschooler believes illness is punishment for bad behavior. This
thinking is characteristic of which developmental stage?
A. Sensorimotor
B. Formal operational
C. Preoperational
D. Concrete operational
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Preschoolers in Piaget’s preoperational stage often engage in magical
thinking and may view illness as punishment.
