ATI Pediatric Nursing Proctored
Exam||questions and answers with
rationales/graded A+/2026
update/100% correct /instant
download
Latest Version 2026 – Full Practice Test
Exam Guide: This comprehensive 80-question test bank is designed to reflect the
most current ATI Pediatric Proctored Exam blueprint for 2026. Topics include
Growth and Development, Pediatric Disorders, Pharmacology, Safety, and Clinical
Prioritization. Each question includes a detailed rationale to reinforce evidence-
based practice.
Section 1: Growth & Development Milestones (Questions 1-15)
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a 12-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which finding
requires further intervention?
A. Birth weight tripled
B. Anterior fontanel closed
C. Inability to sit unsupported
D. Presence of Moro reflex
Correct Answer: C – Inability to sit unsupported
Rationale: By 12 months, a child should be able to sit unsupported independently.
The Moro reflex disappears by 4-6 months; its persistence indicates neurological
delay. Weight tripling is expected by 12 months, and the anterior fontanel typically
closes between 12-18 months .
,Question 2
According to Erikson, a preschooler (3-6 years) is in which psychosocial stage?
A. Trust vs. Mistrust
B. Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt
C. Initiative vs. Guilt
D. Industry vs. Inferiority
Correct Answer: C – Initiative vs. Guilt
Rationale: Initiative vs. Guilt is the stage for preschoolers, characterized by
asserting control over the environment and exploring. Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt
is toddlerhood (1-3 years); Industry vs. Inferiority is school-age (6-12 years) .
Question 3
A nurse is assessing a 4-year-old child for appropriate language development.
Which finding should the nurse expect?
A. Uses two-word phrases only
B. Stutters frequently when excited
C. Tells exaggerated stories
D. Cannot follow a two-step command
Correct Answer: C – Tells exaggerated stories
Rationale: Preschoolers (4 years) engage in imaginative play and storytelling.
Two-word phrases are typical at 2 years; stuttering is common in early childhood
but should not be frequent; 4-year-olds should follow 2-3 step commands .
Question 4
A nurse is teaching parents about play for a 4-year-old. Which activity is most
developmentally appropriate?
A. Playing simple board games with rules
B. Playing dress-up with friends
C. Playing with a remote-control car alone
D. Watching a movie passively
Correct Answer: B – Playing dress-up with friends
,Rationale: Preschoolers engage in associative and imaginative play. Dress-up
allows for role-playing, which is central to their development. Competitive board
games are more appropriate for school-age children .
Question 5
A nurse is assessing a 7-year-old child's psychosocial development. Which finding
should the nurse recognize as requiring further evaluation?
A. The child prefers playmates of the same sex
B. The child is competitive when playing board games
C. The child complains daily about going to school
D. The child enjoys spending time alone
Correct Answer: C – The child complains daily about going to school
Rationale: While some hesitation about school is normal, daily complaints about
going to school could indicate an underlying issue such as bullying, learning
difficulties, or separation anxiety and requires further evaluation. The other options
are typical for a school-age child .
Question 6
A nurse is assessing a 15-month-old toddler. Which finding is consistent with
normal development?
A. Uses a spoon effectively
B. Runs well without falling
C. Walks independently
D. Kicks a ball forward
Correct Answer: C – Walks independently
Rationale: Most toddlers walk independently by 12-15 months. Using a spoon
effectively and kicking a ball are 18-24 month milestones; running well is a 2-year
skill .
, Question 7
A nurse is teaching parents about developmental milestones for a 6-month-old
infant. Which milestone should the nurse include?
A. Walks independently
B. Sits without support
C. Says "mama" and "dada" specifically
D. Builds a tower of two blocks
Correct Answer: B – Sits without support
Rationale: By 6 months, infants typically sit without support. Walking occurs
around 12 months; specific "mama/dada" occurs around 10-12 months; block-
building is a toddler skill .
Question 8
A nurse is assessing a 2-week-old newborn. Which finding should be reported to
the provider immediately?
A. Acrocyanosis of the hands and feet
B. A heart rate of 180 beats per minute while sleeping
C. Respiratory rate of 40 breaths per minute
D. Sneezing when exposed to bright light
Correct Answer: B – A heart rate of 180 beats per minute while sleeping
Rationale: Normal newborn heart rate is 110-160 bpm while awake and lower
during sleep. 180 bpm is tachycardia and may indicate infection, pain, or a cardiac
condition. Acrocyanosis (bluish hands/feet) is normal in newborns; RR 40 is within
normal range (30-60); sneezing is a normal reflex .
Question 9
A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to parents of a 9-month-old infant.
Which safety topic is most important?
A. Water safety for swimming pools
B. Poison control for cleaning supplies
C. Choking hazards and small objects
D. Stranger danger awareness
Exam||questions and answers with
rationales/graded A+/2026
update/100% correct /instant
download
Latest Version 2026 – Full Practice Test
Exam Guide: This comprehensive 80-question test bank is designed to reflect the
most current ATI Pediatric Proctored Exam blueprint for 2026. Topics include
Growth and Development, Pediatric Disorders, Pharmacology, Safety, and Clinical
Prioritization. Each question includes a detailed rationale to reinforce evidence-
based practice.
Section 1: Growth & Development Milestones (Questions 1-15)
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a 12-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which finding
requires further intervention?
A. Birth weight tripled
B. Anterior fontanel closed
C. Inability to sit unsupported
D. Presence of Moro reflex
Correct Answer: C – Inability to sit unsupported
Rationale: By 12 months, a child should be able to sit unsupported independently.
The Moro reflex disappears by 4-6 months; its persistence indicates neurological
delay. Weight tripling is expected by 12 months, and the anterior fontanel typically
closes between 12-18 months .
,Question 2
According to Erikson, a preschooler (3-6 years) is in which psychosocial stage?
A. Trust vs. Mistrust
B. Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt
C. Initiative vs. Guilt
D. Industry vs. Inferiority
Correct Answer: C – Initiative vs. Guilt
Rationale: Initiative vs. Guilt is the stage for preschoolers, characterized by
asserting control over the environment and exploring. Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt
is toddlerhood (1-3 years); Industry vs. Inferiority is school-age (6-12 years) .
Question 3
A nurse is assessing a 4-year-old child for appropriate language development.
Which finding should the nurse expect?
A. Uses two-word phrases only
B. Stutters frequently when excited
C. Tells exaggerated stories
D. Cannot follow a two-step command
Correct Answer: C – Tells exaggerated stories
Rationale: Preschoolers (4 years) engage in imaginative play and storytelling.
Two-word phrases are typical at 2 years; stuttering is common in early childhood
but should not be frequent; 4-year-olds should follow 2-3 step commands .
Question 4
A nurse is teaching parents about play for a 4-year-old. Which activity is most
developmentally appropriate?
A. Playing simple board games with rules
B. Playing dress-up with friends
C. Playing with a remote-control car alone
D. Watching a movie passively
Correct Answer: B – Playing dress-up with friends
,Rationale: Preschoolers engage in associative and imaginative play. Dress-up
allows for role-playing, which is central to their development. Competitive board
games are more appropriate for school-age children .
Question 5
A nurse is assessing a 7-year-old child's psychosocial development. Which finding
should the nurse recognize as requiring further evaluation?
A. The child prefers playmates of the same sex
B. The child is competitive when playing board games
C. The child complains daily about going to school
D. The child enjoys spending time alone
Correct Answer: C – The child complains daily about going to school
Rationale: While some hesitation about school is normal, daily complaints about
going to school could indicate an underlying issue such as bullying, learning
difficulties, or separation anxiety and requires further evaluation. The other options
are typical for a school-age child .
Question 6
A nurse is assessing a 15-month-old toddler. Which finding is consistent with
normal development?
A. Uses a spoon effectively
B. Runs well without falling
C. Walks independently
D. Kicks a ball forward
Correct Answer: C – Walks independently
Rationale: Most toddlers walk independently by 12-15 months. Using a spoon
effectively and kicking a ball are 18-24 month milestones; running well is a 2-year
skill .
, Question 7
A nurse is teaching parents about developmental milestones for a 6-month-old
infant. Which milestone should the nurse include?
A. Walks independently
B. Sits without support
C. Says "mama" and "dada" specifically
D. Builds a tower of two blocks
Correct Answer: B – Sits without support
Rationale: By 6 months, infants typically sit without support. Walking occurs
around 12 months; specific "mama/dada" occurs around 10-12 months; block-
building is a toddler skill .
Question 8
A nurse is assessing a 2-week-old newborn. Which finding should be reported to
the provider immediately?
A. Acrocyanosis of the hands and feet
B. A heart rate of 180 beats per minute while sleeping
C. Respiratory rate of 40 breaths per minute
D. Sneezing when exposed to bright light
Correct Answer: B – A heart rate of 180 beats per minute while sleeping
Rationale: Normal newborn heart rate is 110-160 bpm while awake and lower
during sleep. 180 bpm is tachycardia and may indicate infection, pain, or a cardiac
condition. Acrocyanosis (bluish hands/feet) is normal in newborns; RR 40 is within
normal range (30-60); sneezing is a normal reflex .
Question 9
A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to parents of a 9-month-old infant.
Which safety topic is most important?
A. Water safety for swimming pools
B. Poison control for cleaning supplies
C. Choking hazards and small objects
D. Stranger danger awareness
