ATI RN Pediatrics Proctored Exam Prep Guide Actual Exam 2026/2027 –
Comprehensive Practice Assessment with Detailed Rationales | 100% Verified | Pass
Guaranteed – A+ Graded
Section 1: Growth & Development Across the Lifespan (15 questions)
Q1: A nurse is assessing a 4-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which
developmental milestone would the nurse expect to observe?
A. The infant transfers objects from hand to hand
B. The infant sits independently without support
C. The infant brings hands to midline and grasps a rattle
D. The infant pulls to a standing position
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: By 4 months of age, infants typically bring their hands to midline, grasp
objects placed in their hands, and demonstrate social smiles. Transferring objects
hand-to-hand occurs around 6-7 months, sitting independently at 6-8 months, and
pulling to stand at 9-10 months.
Q2: The nurse is evaluating a 2-year-old toddler's developmental progress using
Erikson's psychosocial theory. Which behavior indicates the toddler is successfully
resolving the current developmental stage?
A. The toddler shares toys willingly with other children
B. The toddler insists on feeding himself and says "no" frequently
C. The toddler demonstrates cooperative play with peers
D. The toddler shows concern for younger siblings
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: According to Erikson, toddlers (1-3 years) are in the autonomy versus shame
and doubt stage. Successful resolution is demonstrated by asserting independence,
such as self-feeding, choosing clothes, and using the word "no." Sharing and
cooperative play are preschool tasks (initiative vs. guilt), while showing concern reflects
school-age development (industry vs. inferiority).
Q3: A school nurse is assessing a 6-year-old child using Piaget's cognitive development
theory. Which activity best demonstrates the child's current cognitive stage?
A. The child sorts objects by multiple characteristics simultaneously
B. The child believes a tall, thin glass contains more liquid than a short, wide glass
C. The child engages in imaginative play and asks "why" questions frequently
D. The child understands conservation and can perform simple mental operations
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: School-age children (7-11 years) are in Piaget's concrete operational stage,
characterized by understanding conservation, performing mental operations, and logical
thinking about concrete objects. Preoperational children (2-7 years) demonstrate
egocentrism and lack conservation understanding. Formal operations (adolescence)
involve abstract thinking, and imaginative play with "why" questions is typical of the
preoperational stage.
Q4: The nurse is counseling parents of a 9-month-old infant about appropriate play
activities. Which toy is most developmentally appropriate for this age?
A. A simple rattle for grasping
B. A push-pull toy for walking
C. A container with blocks to put in and take out
D. A board game with simple rules
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: At 9 months, infants are developing object permanence and enjoy putting
objects into containers and taking them out. Simple rattles are appropriate for 3-4
,month-olds, push-pull toys for 12-18 month toddlers, and board games for
preschool/school-age children.
Q5: A nurse is assessing vital signs for a 5-year-old child. Which set of vital signs is
within expected parameters for this age group?
A. Heart rate 110 bpm, respiratory rate 30 breaths/min, blood pressure 90/55 mmHg
B. Heart rate 80 bpm, respiratory rate 16 breaths/min, blood pressure 110/70 mmHg
C. Heart rate 130 bpm, respiratory rate 40 breaths/min, blood pressure 80/50 mmHg
D. Heart rate 70 bpm, respiratory rate 12 breaths/min, blood pressure 100/60 mmHg
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Expected vital signs for a 5-year-old child include heart rate 75-120 bpm,
respiratory rate 20-30 breaths/min, and blood pressure approximately 90-110/55-75
mmHg. Heart rate 80 with RR 16 and BP 110/70 is more typical of an older school-age
child, while HR 130/RR 40 represents infant/toddler ranges, and HR 70/RR 12 reflects
adolescent/adult values.
Q6: During a well-child visit, the nurse measures a 24-month-old toddler and plots the
measurements on a growth chart. The child's weight is at the 25th percentile, length at
the 50th percentile, and head circumference at the 75th percentile. What is the nurse's
priority action?
A. Immediately refer the child to a pediatric endocrinologist for growth hormone
evaluation
B. Reassure parents that all measurements are within normal limits and schedule
routine follow-up
C. Assess the child's nutritional intake and feeding patterns, and review previous growth
trends
D. Order immediate neuroimaging to evaluate for hydrocephalus given the elevated head
circumference
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Growth percentiles should be evaluated in the context of previous growth
trends and overall clinical picture. A single measurement showing different percentiles
, for weight, length, and head circumference requires assessment of nutrition, feeding
patterns, and review of growth trajectory over time. Immediate referral or imaging is not
indicated without additional assessment and trend analysis.
Q7: A nurse is teaching parents about expected language development for their
18-month-old toddler. Which statement by the parents indicates understanding of
normal development at this age?
A. "Our child should be combining two words to make simple phrases"
B. "We expect our child to have a vocabulary of about 10-20 words and follow simple
commands"
C. "By now, our child should be speaking in complete three-word sentences"
D. "Our toddler should be able to tell us stories about their day"
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: At 18 months, toddlers typically have a vocabulary of 10-20 words, follow
simple one-step commands, and use jargon with intelligible words. Combining two
words occurs around 24 months, three-word sentences at 30-36 months, and
storytelling is a preschool skill (3-5 years).
Q8: The nurse is assessing a 3-month-old infant's gross motor development. Which
finding requires further evaluation?
A. The infant lifts head and chest when prone
B. The infant demonstrates head lag when pulled to sitting
C. The infant brings hands to mouth
D. The infant tracks objects 180 degrees
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: By 3 months of age, infants should have minimal to no head lag when pulled
to sitting. Persistent head lag at this age may indicate hypotonia or developmental delay
and requires further evaluation. Lifting head/chest in prone position, bringing hands to
mouth, and tracking objects 180 degrees are all expected 3-month milestones.
Comprehensive Practice Assessment with Detailed Rationales | 100% Verified | Pass
Guaranteed – A+ Graded
Section 1: Growth & Development Across the Lifespan (15 questions)
Q1: A nurse is assessing a 4-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which
developmental milestone would the nurse expect to observe?
A. The infant transfers objects from hand to hand
B. The infant sits independently without support
C. The infant brings hands to midline and grasps a rattle
D. The infant pulls to a standing position
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: By 4 months of age, infants typically bring their hands to midline, grasp
objects placed in their hands, and demonstrate social smiles. Transferring objects
hand-to-hand occurs around 6-7 months, sitting independently at 6-8 months, and
pulling to stand at 9-10 months.
Q2: The nurse is evaluating a 2-year-old toddler's developmental progress using
Erikson's psychosocial theory. Which behavior indicates the toddler is successfully
resolving the current developmental stage?
A. The toddler shares toys willingly with other children
B. The toddler insists on feeding himself and says "no" frequently
C. The toddler demonstrates cooperative play with peers
D. The toddler shows concern for younger siblings
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: According to Erikson, toddlers (1-3 years) are in the autonomy versus shame
and doubt stage. Successful resolution is demonstrated by asserting independence,
such as self-feeding, choosing clothes, and using the word "no." Sharing and
cooperative play are preschool tasks (initiative vs. guilt), while showing concern reflects
school-age development (industry vs. inferiority).
Q3: A school nurse is assessing a 6-year-old child using Piaget's cognitive development
theory. Which activity best demonstrates the child's current cognitive stage?
A. The child sorts objects by multiple characteristics simultaneously
B. The child believes a tall, thin glass contains more liquid than a short, wide glass
C. The child engages in imaginative play and asks "why" questions frequently
D. The child understands conservation and can perform simple mental operations
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: School-age children (7-11 years) are in Piaget's concrete operational stage,
characterized by understanding conservation, performing mental operations, and logical
thinking about concrete objects. Preoperational children (2-7 years) demonstrate
egocentrism and lack conservation understanding. Formal operations (adolescence)
involve abstract thinking, and imaginative play with "why" questions is typical of the
preoperational stage.
Q4: The nurse is counseling parents of a 9-month-old infant about appropriate play
activities. Which toy is most developmentally appropriate for this age?
A. A simple rattle for grasping
B. A push-pull toy for walking
C. A container with blocks to put in and take out
D. A board game with simple rules
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: At 9 months, infants are developing object permanence and enjoy putting
objects into containers and taking them out. Simple rattles are appropriate for 3-4
,month-olds, push-pull toys for 12-18 month toddlers, and board games for
preschool/school-age children.
Q5: A nurse is assessing vital signs for a 5-year-old child. Which set of vital signs is
within expected parameters for this age group?
A. Heart rate 110 bpm, respiratory rate 30 breaths/min, blood pressure 90/55 mmHg
B. Heart rate 80 bpm, respiratory rate 16 breaths/min, blood pressure 110/70 mmHg
C. Heart rate 130 bpm, respiratory rate 40 breaths/min, blood pressure 80/50 mmHg
D. Heart rate 70 bpm, respiratory rate 12 breaths/min, blood pressure 100/60 mmHg
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Expected vital signs for a 5-year-old child include heart rate 75-120 bpm,
respiratory rate 20-30 breaths/min, and blood pressure approximately 90-110/55-75
mmHg. Heart rate 80 with RR 16 and BP 110/70 is more typical of an older school-age
child, while HR 130/RR 40 represents infant/toddler ranges, and HR 70/RR 12 reflects
adolescent/adult values.
Q6: During a well-child visit, the nurse measures a 24-month-old toddler and plots the
measurements on a growth chart. The child's weight is at the 25th percentile, length at
the 50th percentile, and head circumference at the 75th percentile. What is the nurse's
priority action?
A. Immediately refer the child to a pediatric endocrinologist for growth hormone
evaluation
B. Reassure parents that all measurements are within normal limits and schedule
routine follow-up
C. Assess the child's nutritional intake and feeding patterns, and review previous growth
trends
D. Order immediate neuroimaging to evaluate for hydrocephalus given the elevated head
circumference
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Growth percentiles should be evaluated in the context of previous growth
trends and overall clinical picture. A single measurement showing different percentiles
, for weight, length, and head circumference requires assessment of nutrition, feeding
patterns, and review of growth trajectory over time. Immediate referral or imaging is not
indicated without additional assessment and trend analysis.
Q7: A nurse is teaching parents about expected language development for their
18-month-old toddler. Which statement by the parents indicates understanding of
normal development at this age?
A. "Our child should be combining two words to make simple phrases"
B. "We expect our child to have a vocabulary of about 10-20 words and follow simple
commands"
C. "By now, our child should be speaking in complete three-word sentences"
D. "Our toddler should be able to tell us stories about their day"
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: At 18 months, toddlers typically have a vocabulary of 10-20 words, follow
simple one-step commands, and use jargon with intelligible words. Combining two
words occurs around 24 months, three-word sentences at 30-36 months, and
storytelling is a preschool skill (3-5 years).
Q8: The nurse is assessing a 3-month-old infant's gross motor development. Which
finding requires further evaluation?
A. The infant lifts head and chest when prone
B. The infant demonstrates head lag when pulled to sitting
C. The infant brings hands to mouth
D. The infant tracks objects 180 degrees
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: By 3 months of age, infants should have minimal to no head lag when pulled
to sitting. Persistent head lag at this age may indicate hypotonia or developmental delay
and requires further evaluation. Lifting head/chest in prone position, bringing hands to
mouth, and tracking objects 180 degrees are all expected 3-month milestones.
