ATI PEDIATRICS PRACTICE TEST EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026
Q&A |LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027..
*CORE DOMAINS*
*Growth and Development*
*Pediatric Physical Assessment*
*Infectious Diseases and Immunizations*
*Acute and Chronic Respiratory Disorders*
*Cardiac and Hematologic Disorders*
*Gastrointestinal and Genitourinary Disorders*
*Neurological and Musculoskeletal Conditions*
*Psychosocial and Family-Centered Care*
*Medication Administration and Safety*
*Pediatric Nutrition and Fluid Management*
*INTRODUCTION*
*The purpose of this practice examination is to evaluate clinical competency and theoretical knowledge i
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
A nurse is caring for a 4-year-old child who is hospitalized. Which of the following statements by the nurse indicates an understanding
of the child's developmental level regarding illness?
A. The child believes illness is a punishment for bad behavior.
B. The child understands the biological cause of the illness.
C. The child is concerned about bodily mutilation and privacy.
D. The child is worried about missing social interactions with peers.
🟢 A. Option
🔴 RATIONALE: Preschoolers (3–6 years) typically view illness through the lens of magical thinking and often perceive it as a
punishment for their actions or thoughts.
,A nurse is assessing an infant with suspected pyloric stenosis. Which clinical finding should the nurse expect?
A. Currant jelly stools
B. Projectile vomiting
C. Ribbon-like stools
D. Bilious emesis
🟢 B. Option
🔴 RATIONALE: Projectile vomiting, typically occurring shortly after feeding, is a hallmark sign of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis in
infants.
Which of the following immunizations should the nurse plan to administer to a 12-month-old infant during a well-child visit?
A. DTaP, IPV, MMR, Varicella
B. Hepatitis B, Rotavirus, Hib
C. Tdap, HPV, Meningococcal
D. Influenza, BCG, Pneumococcal
🟢 A. Option
🔴 RATIONALE: According to the standard immunization schedule, the MMR, Varicella, DTaP, Hib, and PCV13 vaccines are
recommended between 12 and 15 months of age.
A nurse is caring for a child with suspected leukemia. Which laboratory finding is most indicative of this diagnosis?
A. Elevated hemoglobin
B. Increased platelets
C. Immature white blood cells
D. Decreased erythrocyte sedimentation rate
🟢 C. Option
🔴 RATIONALE: Leukemia is characterized by the overproduction of immature, non-functional white blood cells (blasts) in the bone
marrow.
A nurse is teaching a parent about the administration of liquid iron supplements to a toddler. Which instruction is most important?
A. Administer the supplement with a glass of orange juice.
B. Administer the supplement between meals to increase absorption.
C. Brush the child's teeth immediately after administration.
D. Mix the supplement with a full glass of milk.
🟢 A. Option
🔴 RATIONALE: Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) enhances the absorption of iron. Iron should not be mixed with milk products, which inhibit
absorption.
, An adolescent is diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis. Which assessment finding is expected?
A. Asymmetry of the scapula and flank
B. Pain in the lower extremities
C. Limited range of motion in the hips
D. Foot drop and weakness
🟢 A. Option
🔴 RATIONALE: A rib hump, shoulder blade asymmetry, and uneven hip or flank alignment are classic signs of scoliosis during the
Adams forward bend test.
A nurse is monitoring a child receiving an intravenous infusion of chemotherapy. The child begins to complain of burning at the site.
Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Slow the infusion rate.
B. Stop the infusion immediately.
C. Apply a cold compress to the site.
D. Notify the primary healthcare provider.
🟢 B. Option
🔴 RATIONALE: Burning at a chemotherapy IV site suggests extravasation. Stopping the infusion is the priority action to prevent tissue
necrosis.
A 6-month-old infant is being evaluated for development. Which finding would cause the nurse the most concern?
A. The infant cannot sit without support.
B. The infant does not smile at parents.
C. The infant does not roll over.
D. The infant does not reach for objects.
🟢 B. Option
🔴 RATIONALE: Social smiling is usually established by 2–3 months. A lack of social response at 6 months is a developmental red
flag.
A nurse is caring for a child with cystic fibrosis. Which nutritional intervention is essential?
A. A low-protein, high-carbohydrate diet
B. High-protein, high-calorie diet with enzyme replacement
C. Fluid restriction to prevent pulmonary edema
D. Supplementation with iron and vitamin B12
🟢 B. Option
🔴 RATIONALE: Children with cystic fibrosis have malabsorption issues and increased metabolic demands, necessitating a high-
calorie, high-protein diet and pancreatic enzyme replacement with every meal.
Q&A |LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027..
*CORE DOMAINS*
*Growth and Development*
*Pediatric Physical Assessment*
*Infectious Diseases and Immunizations*
*Acute and Chronic Respiratory Disorders*
*Cardiac and Hematologic Disorders*
*Gastrointestinal and Genitourinary Disorders*
*Neurological and Musculoskeletal Conditions*
*Psychosocial and Family-Centered Care*
*Medication Administration and Safety*
*Pediatric Nutrition and Fluid Management*
*INTRODUCTION*
*The purpose of this practice examination is to evaluate clinical competency and theoretical knowledge i
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
A nurse is caring for a 4-year-old child who is hospitalized. Which of the following statements by the nurse indicates an understanding
of the child's developmental level regarding illness?
A. The child believes illness is a punishment for bad behavior.
B. The child understands the biological cause of the illness.
C. The child is concerned about bodily mutilation and privacy.
D. The child is worried about missing social interactions with peers.
🟢 A. Option
🔴 RATIONALE: Preschoolers (3–6 years) typically view illness through the lens of magical thinking and often perceive it as a
punishment for their actions or thoughts.
,A nurse is assessing an infant with suspected pyloric stenosis. Which clinical finding should the nurse expect?
A. Currant jelly stools
B. Projectile vomiting
C. Ribbon-like stools
D. Bilious emesis
🟢 B. Option
🔴 RATIONALE: Projectile vomiting, typically occurring shortly after feeding, is a hallmark sign of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis in
infants.
Which of the following immunizations should the nurse plan to administer to a 12-month-old infant during a well-child visit?
A. DTaP, IPV, MMR, Varicella
B. Hepatitis B, Rotavirus, Hib
C. Tdap, HPV, Meningococcal
D. Influenza, BCG, Pneumococcal
🟢 A. Option
🔴 RATIONALE: According to the standard immunization schedule, the MMR, Varicella, DTaP, Hib, and PCV13 vaccines are
recommended between 12 and 15 months of age.
A nurse is caring for a child with suspected leukemia. Which laboratory finding is most indicative of this diagnosis?
A. Elevated hemoglobin
B. Increased platelets
C. Immature white blood cells
D. Decreased erythrocyte sedimentation rate
🟢 C. Option
🔴 RATIONALE: Leukemia is characterized by the overproduction of immature, non-functional white blood cells (blasts) in the bone
marrow.
A nurse is teaching a parent about the administration of liquid iron supplements to a toddler. Which instruction is most important?
A. Administer the supplement with a glass of orange juice.
B. Administer the supplement between meals to increase absorption.
C. Brush the child's teeth immediately after administration.
D. Mix the supplement with a full glass of milk.
🟢 A. Option
🔴 RATIONALE: Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) enhances the absorption of iron. Iron should not be mixed with milk products, which inhibit
absorption.
, An adolescent is diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis. Which assessment finding is expected?
A. Asymmetry of the scapula and flank
B. Pain in the lower extremities
C. Limited range of motion in the hips
D. Foot drop and weakness
🟢 A. Option
🔴 RATIONALE: A rib hump, shoulder blade asymmetry, and uneven hip or flank alignment are classic signs of scoliosis during the
Adams forward bend test.
A nurse is monitoring a child receiving an intravenous infusion of chemotherapy. The child begins to complain of burning at the site.
Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Slow the infusion rate.
B. Stop the infusion immediately.
C. Apply a cold compress to the site.
D. Notify the primary healthcare provider.
🟢 B. Option
🔴 RATIONALE: Burning at a chemotherapy IV site suggests extravasation. Stopping the infusion is the priority action to prevent tissue
necrosis.
A 6-month-old infant is being evaluated for development. Which finding would cause the nurse the most concern?
A. The infant cannot sit without support.
B. The infant does not smile at parents.
C. The infant does not roll over.
D. The infant does not reach for objects.
🟢 B. Option
🔴 RATIONALE: Social smiling is usually established by 2–3 months. A lack of social response at 6 months is a developmental red
flag.
A nurse is caring for a child with cystic fibrosis. Which nutritional intervention is essential?
A. A low-protein, high-carbohydrate diet
B. High-protein, high-calorie diet with enzyme replacement
C. Fluid restriction to prevent pulmonary edema
D. Supplementation with iron and vitamin B12
🟢 B. Option
🔴 RATIONALE: Children with cystic fibrosis have malabsorption issues and increased metabolic demands, necessitating a high-
calorie, high-protein diet and pancreatic enzyme replacement with every meal.
