ATI Pediatric CMS Exam 2026/2027 – Complete Exam-Style
Questions with Detailed Rationales | 100% Verified – Pass
Guaranteed – A+ Graded
SECTION A: GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT (INFANT THROUGH ADOLESCENT)
Question 1 (MCQ – Remembering)
At which age does the Moro reflex typically disappear in a healthy term infant?
A. 2 months
B. 4 months
C. 6 months
D. 8 months
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Moro (startle) reflex normally disappears by 3–4 months of age.
Distractor C reflects the age when stranger anxiety typically begins; distractor A is too
early for complete resolution.
Question 2 (MCQ – Understanding)
A nurse is assessing a 9-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which fine motor
milestone is most appropriate for this age?
A. Transferring objects from hand to hand
B. Using a mature pincer grasp to pick up a raisin
C. Building a tower of two cubes
,D. Scribbling with a crayon
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The pincer grasp (thumb and forefinger) emerges around 9–10 months.
Distractor A appears around 6 months; distractor C appears around 15 months;
distractor D appears in toddlerhood.
Question 3 (MCQ – Applying)
A parent asks when their infant will likely develop object permanence—the
understanding that objects continue to exist when out of sight. Which response by the
nurse is most accurate?
A. “Object permanence develops around 8 to 12 months of age.”
B. “Newborns are born with a complete understanding of object permanence.”
C. “Your infant will not develop object permanence until preschool age.”
D. “Object permanence is a concept that does not develop until adolescence.”
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: According to Piaget, object permanence develops during the sensorimotor
stage, typically between 8 and 12 months. Distractor B confuses object permanence
with innate reflexes; distractor C reflects preoperational stage timing.
Question 4 (Scenario-based – Analyzing)
A nurse observes a 10-month-old infant in the clinic waiting room. The infant was
smiling at strangers earlier but now begins to cry and cling to the mother when a nurse
approaches. The mother states this behavior started last week. Which developmental
concept best explains this behavior?
,A. Regression due to recent illness
B. Stranger anxiety, which typically peaks between 6 and 8 months
C. Separation anxiety, which intensifies around 9 to 12 months
D. Autism spectrum disorder requiring immediate M-CHAT screening
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Separation anxiety intensifies around 9–12 months as the infant recognizes
caregivers as distinct from strangers and protests their departure. Distractor B
describes fear of unfamiliar people, not distress at separation from the primary
caregiver.
Question 5 (MCQ – Remembering)
Which gross motor milestone is typically achieved by 12 months of age?
A. Running steadily without falling
B. Walking independently
C. Jumping in place with both feet
D. Riding a tricycle
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Independent walking is the hallmark gross motor milestone for 12 months.
Distractor A appears around 15–18 months; distractor C around 24 months; distractor D
in the preschool years.
Question 6 (MCQ – Understanding)
, A toddler is admitted to the hospital for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis.
The parents note the child insists on the same bedtime ritual and becomes distressed if
the blanket is not positioned exactly so. Which developmental characteristic explains
this behavior?
A. Industry versus inferiority
B. Ritualism, which provides a sense of security in toddlerhood
C. Magical thinking typical of the preschool stage
D. Formal operational thought requiring logical consistency
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Toddlers (1–3 years) engage in ritualism to maintain control and security in
unfamiliar environments. Distractor A is Erikson’s school-age stage; distractor C
appears later in the preschool period.
Question 7 (Scenario-based – Applying)
A nurse is counseling parents of a 20-month-old about toilet training readiness. Which
assessment finding indicates the child is developmentally ready to begin?
A. The child can walk steadily and pull up pants independently
B. The child shows interest in the potty and can stay dry for 2 hours
C. The child can name all body parts and count to 10
D. The child has achieved nighttime dryness for 1 week
Correct Answer: B
Questions with Detailed Rationales | 100% Verified – Pass
Guaranteed – A+ Graded
SECTION A: GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT (INFANT THROUGH ADOLESCENT)
Question 1 (MCQ – Remembering)
At which age does the Moro reflex typically disappear in a healthy term infant?
A. 2 months
B. 4 months
C. 6 months
D. 8 months
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Moro (startle) reflex normally disappears by 3–4 months of age.
Distractor C reflects the age when stranger anxiety typically begins; distractor A is too
early for complete resolution.
Question 2 (MCQ – Understanding)
A nurse is assessing a 9-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which fine motor
milestone is most appropriate for this age?
A. Transferring objects from hand to hand
B. Using a mature pincer grasp to pick up a raisin
C. Building a tower of two cubes
,D. Scribbling with a crayon
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The pincer grasp (thumb and forefinger) emerges around 9–10 months.
Distractor A appears around 6 months; distractor C appears around 15 months;
distractor D appears in toddlerhood.
Question 3 (MCQ – Applying)
A parent asks when their infant will likely develop object permanence—the
understanding that objects continue to exist when out of sight. Which response by the
nurse is most accurate?
A. “Object permanence develops around 8 to 12 months of age.”
B. “Newborns are born with a complete understanding of object permanence.”
C. “Your infant will not develop object permanence until preschool age.”
D. “Object permanence is a concept that does not develop until adolescence.”
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: According to Piaget, object permanence develops during the sensorimotor
stage, typically between 8 and 12 months. Distractor B confuses object permanence
with innate reflexes; distractor C reflects preoperational stage timing.
Question 4 (Scenario-based – Analyzing)
A nurse observes a 10-month-old infant in the clinic waiting room. The infant was
smiling at strangers earlier but now begins to cry and cling to the mother when a nurse
approaches. The mother states this behavior started last week. Which developmental
concept best explains this behavior?
,A. Regression due to recent illness
B. Stranger anxiety, which typically peaks between 6 and 8 months
C. Separation anxiety, which intensifies around 9 to 12 months
D. Autism spectrum disorder requiring immediate M-CHAT screening
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Separation anxiety intensifies around 9–12 months as the infant recognizes
caregivers as distinct from strangers and protests their departure. Distractor B
describes fear of unfamiliar people, not distress at separation from the primary
caregiver.
Question 5 (MCQ – Remembering)
Which gross motor milestone is typically achieved by 12 months of age?
A. Running steadily without falling
B. Walking independently
C. Jumping in place with both feet
D. Riding a tricycle
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Independent walking is the hallmark gross motor milestone for 12 months.
Distractor A appears around 15–18 months; distractor C around 24 months; distractor D
in the preschool years.
Question 6 (MCQ – Understanding)
, A toddler is admitted to the hospital for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis.
The parents note the child insists on the same bedtime ritual and becomes distressed if
the blanket is not positioned exactly so. Which developmental characteristic explains
this behavior?
A. Industry versus inferiority
B. Ritualism, which provides a sense of security in toddlerhood
C. Magical thinking typical of the preschool stage
D. Formal operational thought requiring logical consistency
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Toddlers (1–3 years) engage in ritualism to maintain control and security in
unfamiliar environments. Distractor A is Erikson’s school-age stage; distractor C
appears later in the preschool period.
Question 7 (Scenario-based – Applying)
A nurse is counseling parents of a 20-month-old about toilet training readiness. Which
assessment finding indicates the child is developmentally ready to begin?
A. The child can walk steadily and pull up pants independently
B. The child shows interest in the potty and can stay dry for 2 hours
C. The child can name all body parts and count to 10
D. The child has achieved nighttime dryness for 1 week
Correct Answer: B
