ATI PEDIATRICS CMS TEST BANK COMPREHENSIVE
EXAMINATION Real Exam-Style Questions With
Detailed Rationales | 2025-2026 Edition ATI
Pediatric CMS Exam Preparation | Comprehensive
Document
CORE DOMAINS COVERED:
• Growth & Development - Milestones by age (infant, toddler, preschool,
school-age, adolescent), Erikson's stages, Piaget's cognitive
development, fine/gross motor skills, language development
• Health Promotion & Maintenance - Immunization schedules,
nutrition, safety promotion, injury prevention, anticipatory guidance
• Respiratory Disorders - Asthma, epiglottitis, croup, bronchiolitis,
pneumonia, cystic fibrosis, respiratory distress assessment
• Cardiovascular Disorders - Congenital heart defects (VSD, ASD, TOF),
Kawasaki disease, heart failure, rheumatic fever
• Gastrointestinal Disorders - Dehydration, gastroenteritis, pyloric
stenosis, intussusception, appendicitis, GERD
• Neurologic Disorders - Seizures, meningitis, head trauma,
hydrocephalus, febrile seizures
• Infectious Diseases - Varicella, measles, mumps, rubella, pertussis,
scarlet fever, mononucleosis
• Endocrine Disorders - Type 1 diabetes, growth hormone deficiency,
precocious puberty, hypothyroidism
• Hematologic/Immunologic Disorders - Sickle cell anemia,
hemophilia, iron deficiency anemia, HIV, immune thrombocytopenia
• Genitourinary Disorders - UTIs, nephrotic syndrome, acute
glomerulonephritis, hypospadias
, • Musculoskeletal Disorders - Developmental dysplasia of the hip,
clubfoot, scoliosis, osteomyelitis, fractures
• Psychosocial/Mental Health - ADHD, autism spectrum disorder,
anxiety, depression, eating disorders, child abuse
• Medication Administration - Pediatric dosages, route considerations,
side effects, vaccine administration
• Pain Management - Pain scales (FLACC, Wong-Baker, numeric), non-
pharmacologic interventions
• Safety & Emergency Care - Poisoning, drowning prevention, car seat
safety, SIDS prevention, child maltreatment
SECTION A: GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT
1. A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant. Which developmental
milestone should the nurse expect?
A. Walking independently
B. Sitting without support briefly
C. Speaking two-word sentences
D. Riding a tricycle
Answer: B. Sitting without support briefly
Rationale: A 6-month-old infant can usually sit briefly without support. At
this age, infants also begin rolling over both ways and bearing weight on their
legs.
2. Which developmental milestone should the nurse expect for a 2-
month-old infant?
A. Holding head up while prone
B. Pulling to stand
C. Transferring objects from hand to hand
D. Pincer grasp
, Answer: A. Holding head up while prone
Rationale: By 2 months of age, infants can hold their head up briefly while
prone. They also smile socially, coo, and track objects with their eyes.
3. According to Erikson, which psychosocial developmental stage is
associated with a toddler?
A. Trust vs. Mistrust
B. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
C. Initiative vs. Guilt
D. Industry vs. Inferiority
Answer: B. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
Rationale: Toddlers (1-3 years) are in Erikson's stage of Autonomy vs.
Shame and Doubt. They are developing independence and self-control
through activities like toileting and feeding themselves.
4. A 4-year-old child is hospitalized. According to Piaget, which cognitive
stage should the nurse use when planning care?
A. Sensorimotor
B. Preoperational
C. Concrete operational
D. Formal operational
Answer: B. Preoperational
Rationale: Preschoolers (2-7 years) are in Piaget's preoperational stage.
They use magical thinking, engage in animism, and have difficulty
understanding cause and effect. The nurse should use concrete explanations
and play therapy.
, 5. A nurse is teaching a parent of a 10-month-old infant about
developmental milestones. Which statement by the parent indicates
understanding?
A. "My baby should be walking by 10 months."
B. "My baby will use a pincer grasp."
C. "My baby should speak in 2-word phrases."
D. "My baby will be able to jump."
Answer: B. "My baby will use a pincer grasp."
Rationale: At 10 months, infants develop a pincer grasp (using thumb and
forefinger to pick up small objects). Walking typically begins around 12-15
months; 2-word phrases appear around 18-24 months.
6. The nurse is assessing a 12-month-old infant. Which finding is a
normal developmental milestone?
A. Walks independently
B. Builds a tower of 4 blocks
C. Speaks 10-15 words
D. Scribbles
Answer: A. Walks independently
Rationale: Most infants walk independently by 12-15 months. At this age,
they also say 1-2 words, follow simple commands, and can pick up small
objects.
7. A nurse is caring for a school-age child. According to Erikson, the
child's developmental task is:
A. Trust vs. Mistrust
B. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
C. Initiative vs. Guilt
D. Industry vs. Inferiority
Answer: D. Industry vs. Inferiority
EXAMINATION Real Exam-Style Questions With
Detailed Rationales | 2025-2026 Edition ATI
Pediatric CMS Exam Preparation | Comprehensive
Document
CORE DOMAINS COVERED:
• Growth & Development - Milestones by age (infant, toddler, preschool,
school-age, adolescent), Erikson's stages, Piaget's cognitive
development, fine/gross motor skills, language development
• Health Promotion & Maintenance - Immunization schedules,
nutrition, safety promotion, injury prevention, anticipatory guidance
• Respiratory Disorders - Asthma, epiglottitis, croup, bronchiolitis,
pneumonia, cystic fibrosis, respiratory distress assessment
• Cardiovascular Disorders - Congenital heart defects (VSD, ASD, TOF),
Kawasaki disease, heart failure, rheumatic fever
• Gastrointestinal Disorders - Dehydration, gastroenteritis, pyloric
stenosis, intussusception, appendicitis, GERD
• Neurologic Disorders - Seizures, meningitis, head trauma,
hydrocephalus, febrile seizures
• Infectious Diseases - Varicella, measles, mumps, rubella, pertussis,
scarlet fever, mononucleosis
• Endocrine Disorders - Type 1 diabetes, growth hormone deficiency,
precocious puberty, hypothyroidism
• Hematologic/Immunologic Disorders - Sickle cell anemia,
hemophilia, iron deficiency anemia, HIV, immune thrombocytopenia
• Genitourinary Disorders - UTIs, nephrotic syndrome, acute
glomerulonephritis, hypospadias
, • Musculoskeletal Disorders - Developmental dysplasia of the hip,
clubfoot, scoliosis, osteomyelitis, fractures
• Psychosocial/Mental Health - ADHD, autism spectrum disorder,
anxiety, depression, eating disorders, child abuse
• Medication Administration - Pediatric dosages, route considerations,
side effects, vaccine administration
• Pain Management - Pain scales (FLACC, Wong-Baker, numeric), non-
pharmacologic interventions
• Safety & Emergency Care - Poisoning, drowning prevention, car seat
safety, SIDS prevention, child maltreatment
SECTION A: GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT
1. A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant. Which developmental
milestone should the nurse expect?
A. Walking independently
B. Sitting without support briefly
C. Speaking two-word sentences
D. Riding a tricycle
Answer: B. Sitting without support briefly
Rationale: A 6-month-old infant can usually sit briefly without support. At
this age, infants also begin rolling over both ways and bearing weight on their
legs.
2. Which developmental milestone should the nurse expect for a 2-
month-old infant?
A. Holding head up while prone
B. Pulling to stand
C. Transferring objects from hand to hand
D. Pincer grasp
, Answer: A. Holding head up while prone
Rationale: By 2 months of age, infants can hold their head up briefly while
prone. They also smile socially, coo, and track objects with their eyes.
3. According to Erikson, which psychosocial developmental stage is
associated with a toddler?
A. Trust vs. Mistrust
B. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
C. Initiative vs. Guilt
D. Industry vs. Inferiority
Answer: B. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
Rationale: Toddlers (1-3 years) are in Erikson's stage of Autonomy vs.
Shame and Doubt. They are developing independence and self-control
through activities like toileting and feeding themselves.
4. A 4-year-old child is hospitalized. According to Piaget, which cognitive
stage should the nurse use when planning care?
A. Sensorimotor
B. Preoperational
C. Concrete operational
D. Formal operational
Answer: B. Preoperational
Rationale: Preschoolers (2-7 years) are in Piaget's preoperational stage.
They use magical thinking, engage in animism, and have difficulty
understanding cause and effect. The nurse should use concrete explanations
and play therapy.
, 5. A nurse is teaching a parent of a 10-month-old infant about
developmental milestones. Which statement by the parent indicates
understanding?
A. "My baby should be walking by 10 months."
B. "My baby will use a pincer grasp."
C. "My baby should speak in 2-word phrases."
D. "My baby will be able to jump."
Answer: B. "My baby will use a pincer grasp."
Rationale: At 10 months, infants develop a pincer grasp (using thumb and
forefinger to pick up small objects). Walking typically begins around 12-15
months; 2-word phrases appear around 18-24 months.
6. The nurse is assessing a 12-month-old infant. Which finding is a
normal developmental milestone?
A. Walks independently
B. Builds a tower of 4 blocks
C. Speaks 10-15 words
D. Scribbles
Answer: A. Walks independently
Rationale: Most infants walk independently by 12-15 months. At this age,
they also say 1-2 words, follow simple commands, and can pick up small
objects.
7. A nurse is caring for a school-age child. According to Erikson, the
child's developmental task is:
A. Trust vs. Mistrust
B. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
C. Initiative vs. Guilt
D. Industry vs. Inferiority
Answer: D. Industry vs. Inferiority
