ATI RN Nursing Care of Children Proctored Actual 2026/2027 –
Complete Exam-Style Questions with Detailed Rationales | 100%
Verified | Pass Guaranteed – A+ Graded
Comprehensive RN Pediatric Nursing Proctored Examination
SECTION 1: Growth and Development
Questions in this section assess knowledge of developmental milestones, growth
patterns, Tanner staging, growth chart interpretation, developmental screening tools,
and developmental theories across the pediatric lifespan from infancy through
adolescence.
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a 15-month-old toddler during a well-child visit. According to
Erikson's stages of psychosocial development, which behavior demonstrates the
successful resolution of the developmental task for this age?
A. The child clings to the parent and refuses to explore the examination room
B. The child walks independently and attempts to feed himself with a spoon
C. The child responds to simple commands but shows no interest in self-dressing
D. The child cries when the parent leaves but is easily consoled by the nurse
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Erikson's stage for toddlers (1-3 years) is Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt.
Successful resolution is demonstrated by independence in mobility, self-feeding, and
exploration. Option A indicates shame and doubt with excessive dependence. Option C
shows delayed autonomy if self-dressing is absent at 15 months. Option D describes
,separation anxiety, which is developmentally appropriate but does not specifically
demonstrate autonomy.
Question 2
A nurse is educating the parents of a 4-year-old about expected cognitive development.
According to Piaget's theory of cognitive development, which activity is most
appropriate for this child?
A. Playing a game that requires understanding another person's perspective
B. Sorting objects by color and engaging in pretend play
C. Solving abstract mathematical problems using hypothetical reasoning
D. Engaging in cooperative board games with established rules and strategies
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A 4-year-old is in Piaget's preoperational stage (2-7 years), characterized by
symbolic play, egocentrism, and classification by single attributes. Sorting by color and
pretend play are appropriate. Option A requires concrete operational thought
(perspective-taking). Option C requires formal operational thought (abstract reasoning).
Option D requires concrete operational thought (understanding rules and cooperation).
Question 3
A nurse is conducting a health assessment for a 12-year-old female patient. The nurse
observes that breast tissue is elevated and the areola has widened. According to Tanner
staging, which stage of breast development is this?
A. Stage 1
B. Stage 2
C. Stage 3
D. Stage 4
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Tanner Stage 2 breast development is characterized by breast bud formation
with elevation of breast tissue and widening of the areola. Stage 1 (Option A) is
prepubertal with no glandular tissue. Stage 3 (Option C) shows further enlargement of
breast and areola without separation of contours. Stage 4 (Option D) shows a
secondary mound of areola and papilla above the breast level.
Question 4
A nurse is reviewing the growth chart of a 9-month-old infant. The infant's weight plots
at the 25th percentile, length at the 50th percentile, and head circumference at the 75th
percentile. Which interpretation by the nurse is most accurate?
A. The infant is experiencing failure to thrive and requires immediate nutritional
intervention
B. The infant demonstrates normal growth variation with consistent percentile tracking
over time
C. The infant has microcephaly and requires neurologic evaluation
D. The infant is overweight and requires caloric restriction
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Growth chart interpretation requires evaluating trends over time rather than
single measurements. A single set of percentiles showing variation across parameters
is normal if the infant follows consistent growth curves. Option A is incorrect because
failure to thrive requires documented downward crossing of percentiles or weight below
the 3rd percentile. Option C is incorrect because microcephaly requires head
circumference below the 3rd percentile or decreasing percentiles. Option D is incorrect
because weight at the 25th percentile is not indicative of overweight.
Question 5
A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant during a routine visit. Which gross motor
milestone should the nurse expect to observe?
, A. Sitting independently without support
B. Rolling from front to back and back to front
C. Pulling to a standing position
D. Walking while holding onto furniture
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: By 6 months, infants typically roll from front to back and back to front. Sitting
independently (Option A) occurs around 7-8 months. Pulling to stand (Option C) occurs
around 9 months. Walking while holding furniture (Option D) occurs around 10-12
months.
Question 6
A nurse is assessing fine motor development in a 10-month-old infant. Which behavior
indicates appropriate development for this age?
A. Building a tower of two cubes
B. Using a pincer grasp to pick up small objects
C. Scribbling with a crayon using a whole-hand grasp
D. Cutting paper with scissors
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The pincer grasp (using thumb and forefinger) typically develops around 9-10
months. Building a tower of two cubes (Option A) occurs around 15 months. Scribbling
(Option C) occurs around 12-15 months. Cutting with scissors (Option D) occurs around
3-4 years.
Question 7
A nurse is evaluating language development in a 24-month-old toddler. Which finding is
consistent with expected development?
A. Using two-word phrases and following two-step commands
B. Speaking in complete sentences with correct grammar
Complete Exam-Style Questions with Detailed Rationales | 100%
Verified | Pass Guaranteed – A+ Graded
Comprehensive RN Pediatric Nursing Proctored Examination
SECTION 1: Growth and Development
Questions in this section assess knowledge of developmental milestones, growth
patterns, Tanner staging, growth chart interpretation, developmental screening tools,
and developmental theories across the pediatric lifespan from infancy through
adolescence.
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a 15-month-old toddler during a well-child visit. According to
Erikson's stages of psychosocial development, which behavior demonstrates the
successful resolution of the developmental task for this age?
A. The child clings to the parent and refuses to explore the examination room
B. The child walks independently and attempts to feed himself with a spoon
C. The child responds to simple commands but shows no interest in self-dressing
D. The child cries when the parent leaves but is easily consoled by the nurse
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Erikson's stage for toddlers (1-3 years) is Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt.
Successful resolution is demonstrated by independence in mobility, self-feeding, and
exploration. Option A indicates shame and doubt with excessive dependence. Option C
shows delayed autonomy if self-dressing is absent at 15 months. Option D describes
,separation anxiety, which is developmentally appropriate but does not specifically
demonstrate autonomy.
Question 2
A nurse is educating the parents of a 4-year-old about expected cognitive development.
According to Piaget's theory of cognitive development, which activity is most
appropriate for this child?
A. Playing a game that requires understanding another person's perspective
B. Sorting objects by color and engaging in pretend play
C. Solving abstract mathematical problems using hypothetical reasoning
D. Engaging in cooperative board games with established rules and strategies
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A 4-year-old is in Piaget's preoperational stage (2-7 years), characterized by
symbolic play, egocentrism, and classification by single attributes. Sorting by color and
pretend play are appropriate. Option A requires concrete operational thought
(perspective-taking). Option C requires formal operational thought (abstract reasoning).
Option D requires concrete operational thought (understanding rules and cooperation).
Question 3
A nurse is conducting a health assessment for a 12-year-old female patient. The nurse
observes that breast tissue is elevated and the areola has widened. According to Tanner
staging, which stage of breast development is this?
A. Stage 1
B. Stage 2
C. Stage 3
D. Stage 4
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Tanner Stage 2 breast development is characterized by breast bud formation
with elevation of breast tissue and widening of the areola. Stage 1 (Option A) is
prepubertal with no glandular tissue. Stage 3 (Option C) shows further enlargement of
breast and areola without separation of contours. Stage 4 (Option D) shows a
secondary mound of areola and papilla above the breast level.
Question 4
A nurse is reviewing the growth chart of a 9-month-old infant. The infant's weight plots
at the 25th percentile, length at the 50th percentile, and head circumference at the 75th
percentile. Which interpretation by the nurse is most accurate?
A. The infant is experiencing failure to thrive and requires immediate nutritional
intervention
B. The infant demonstrates normal growth variation with consistent percentile tracking
over time
C. The infant has microcephaly and requires neurologic evaluation
D. The infant is overweight and requires caloric restriction
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Growth chart interpretation requires evaluating trends over time rather than
single measurements. A single set of percentiles showing variation across parameters
is normal if the infant follows consistent growth curves. Option A is incorrect because
failure to thrive requires documented downward crossing of percentiles or weight below
the 3rd percentile. Option C is incorrect because microcephaly requires head
circumference below the 3rd percentile or decreasing percentiles. Option D is incorrect
because weight at the 25th percentile is not indicative of overweight.
Question 5
A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant during a routine visit. Which gross motor
milestone should the nurse expect to observe?
, A. Sitting independently without support
B. Rolling from front to back and back to front
C. Pulling to a standing position
D. Walking while holding onto furniture
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: By 6 months, infants typically roll from front to back and back to front. Sitting
independently (Option A) occurs around 7-8 months. Pulling to stand (Option C) occurs
around 9 months. Walking while holding furniture (Option D) occurs around 10-12
months.
Question 6
A nurse is assessing fine motor development in a 10-month-old infant. Which behavior
indicates appropriate development for this age?
A. Building a tower of two cubes
B. Using a pincer grasp to pick up small objects
C. Scribbling with a crayon using a whole-hand grasp
D. Cutting paper with scissors
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The pincer grasp (using thumb and forefinger) typically develops around 9-10
months. Building a tower of two cubes (Option A) occurs around 15 months. Scribbling
(Option C) occurs around 12-15 months. Cutting with scissors (Option D) occurs around
3-4 years.
Question 7
A nurse is evaluating language development in a 24-month-old toddler. Which finding is
consistent with expected development?
A. Using two-word phrases and following two-step commands
B. Speaking in complete sentences with correct grammar
