ATI Nursing Care of Children Proctored Exam
2026–2027 | Comprehensive Practice Questions
with Detailed Answer Rationales | Complete
Pediatric Nursing Study Guide
If a child has an allergy to neomycin with a anapylactic reaction what vaccine should you withhold? or an
allergy to eggs or gelatin - ANSWER - measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
what is an indication of bacterial meningitis? - ANSWER - increased protein concentration, increased
WBC, decreased glucose level, increased cerebrospinal fluid pressure
normal HCT for a child - ANSWER - 32 - 44%
what can a child experience with a low HCT? - ANSWER - tachycardia, lightheadedness, fatigue, dyspnea,
pallor
normal wbc for child - ANSWER - 5,000 - 10,000 mm3
normal platelet for child - ANSWER - 150,000-400,000
normal Hgb for child - ANSWER - 9.5-14 g/dL
normal prealbumin for child - ANSWER - 15-33 mg/dL
pavlik harness - ANSWER - used for hip dysplasia in infants
Remove only to take baths, place diapers under the harness straps, do not use products becuase can
cause skin irritation, and do not adjust straps
,peritonitis - ANSWER - inflammation of the peritoneum (membrane lining the abdominal cavity and
surrounding the organs within it)
abdominal distension, chills, irritability, restlessness
scoliosis - ANSWER - should expect to see a unilateral rib hump with hip flexion
peristalis - ANSWER - involuntary waves of muscle involves contractions of the smooth muscles that
push
the food toward the stomach
what should you expect with a child following a perforated appendix repair? - ANSWER - absence of
peristalsis
what to do following a lumbar puncture? - ANSWER - apply topical analgesic 1 hr before, place client in
prone or flat position for up to 12 hours after, encourage to drink extra fluids
nursing interventions for a child with an epidural hematoma? - ANSWER - neuro checks q15mins, avoid
suctioning nares, implement seizure activity, position infant midline slightly elevated
nursing interventions for a child scheudled for a wound debridement? - ANSWER - apply topical
ointment
following hydrotherapy, apply gauze after therapy, administer an analgesic beforehand, and AVOID
prophylactic antibiotic therapy
who can sign consent? - ANSWER - over 18 y/o, parent of a minor, or if under 18 and married can sign
themselves
nursing interventions for a child in a tonic clonic seizure. - ANSWER - turn to side, no food or drink,
nothing by mouth (meds)
epinephrine - ANSWER - treats anaphylaxis
Prednisone - ANSWER - treats severe inflammation
,Anti-inflammatory
Diphenhydramine - ANSWER - Benadryl, decreases allergic reaction
Albuterol - ANSWER - Bronchodilator, improves childs breathing
ventricular septal defect - ANSWER - nurse should expect to hear a loud harsh murmur due to the left to
right shunting of blood
coarction of the aorta (CoA) - ANSWER - narrowing of the aorta, should expect to have high blood
pressure and weak femoral pulses
indication of early septic shock - ANSWER - increased heart rate, normal BP, fever and chills, normal
urinary output
how to test for a sickle turbidity test - ANSWER - perform a finger stick, if test is positive hemoglobin
electrophoresis is required to distinguish b/w children who have the genetic trait and children who have
the disease
McBurney's point - ANSWER - A point on the right side of the abdomen, about two-thirds of the distance
between the umbilicus and the anterior bony prominence of the hip
normal urine output for an adolescent - ANSWER - 33 to 62.5 mL/hr
Osteomyelitis Nursing Interventions - ANSWER - avoided bearing weight, antibiotics for several weeks
pertussis - ANSWER - whooping cough; highly contagious bacterial infection of the pharynx, larynx, and
trachea caused by Bordetella pertussis
Bacterial conjunctivitis - ANSWER - pinkeye; very contagious, purulent eye drainage
, Acute Streptococcal Pharyngitis - ANSWER - inflamed throat with exudate, strep throat
Rubeola (measles) - ANSWER - Highly contagious infection caused by a member of the paramyxovirus
family, koplik spots on buccal mucosa
Diaper dermatitis treatment - ANSWER - Keeping the area dry and applying Zinc Oxide and petrolatum.
burns treatment - ANSWER - no prophylactic antibiotic therapy, cleanse area with mild soap and water,
apply antimicrobial ointment, for major burn management maintain decompression of stomach via NG
tube
Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH) - ANSWER - caused by the overproduction of
the antidiuretic hormone ADH, may have mental confusion and neurological manifestations when
severe, over hydration needle size for 4 y/o childs immunizations - ANSWER - 22 - 25 gauge needle to
minimize pain
Meningitis manifestations - ANSWER - headaches, nuchal rigidity, positive kernig's sign
nuchal rigidity - ANSWER - stiffness in cervical neck area
opisthotonos position - ANSWER - backward bending, assumed with nervous system complications
Dehydration manifestations - ANSWER - skin breakdown, hypotension, hyperpyrexia, tachypnea
childs vital signs - ANSWER - BP: S:86-118, D:44-74
HR: 80-120
RR:20-25/min
high serum lead level in children - ANSWER - > 45 mcg/dL provide chelating agents, but in some cases >
10 mcg/dL, provide high calcium diet to help decrease lead absorption, yearly screenings
bucks traction nursing interventions - ANSWER - maintain supine position, assess peripheral pulses every
4 hours, head flat
2026–2027 | Comprehensive Practice Questions
with Detailed Answer Rationales | Complete
Pediatric Nursing Study Guide
If a child has an allergy to neomycin with a anapylactic reaction what vaccine should you withhold? or an
allergy to eggs or gelatin - ANSWER - measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
what is an indication of bacterial meningitis? - ANSWER - increased protein concentration, increased
WBC, decreased glucose level, increased cerebrospinal fluid pressure
normal HCT for a child - ANSWER - 32 - 44%
what can a child experience with a low HCT? - ANSWER - tachycardia, lightheadedness, fatigue, dyspnea,
pallor
normal wbc for child - ANSWER - 5,000 - 10,000 mm3
normal platelet for child - ANSWER - 150,000-400,000
normal Hgb for child - ANSWER - 9.5-14 g/dL
normal prealbumin for child - ANSWER - 15-33 mg/dL
pavlik harness - ANSWER - used for hip dysplasia in infants
Remove only to take baths, place diapers under the harness straps, do not use products becuase can
cause skin irritation, and do not adjust straps
,peritonitis - ANSWER - inflammation of the peritoneum (membrane lining the abdominal cavity and
surrounding the organs within it)
abdominal distension, chills, irritability, restlessness
scoliosis - ANSWER - should expect to see a unilateral rib hump with hip flexion
peristalis - ANSWER - involuntary waves of muscle involves contractions of the smooth muscles that
push
the food toward the stomach
what should you expect with a child following a perforated appendix repair? - ANSWER - absence of
peristalsis
what to do following a lumbar puncture? - ANSWER - apply topical analgesic 1 hr before, place client in
prone or flat position for up to 12 hours after, encourage to drink extra fluids
nursing interventions for a child with an epidural hematoma? - ANSWER - neuro checks q15mins, avoid
suctioning nares, implement seizure activity, position infant midline slightly elevated
nursing interventions for a child scheudled for a wound debridement? - ANSWER - apply topical
ointment
following hydrotherapy, apply gauze after therapy, administer an analgesic beforehand, and AVOID
prophylactic antibiotic therapy
who can sign consent? - ANSWER - over 18 y/o, parent of a minor, or if under 18 and married can sign
themselves
nursing interventions for a child in a tonic clonic seizure. - ANSWER - turn to side, no food or drink,
nothing by mouth (meds)
epinephrine - ANSWER - treats anaphylaxis
Prednisone - ANSWER - treats severe inflammation
,Anti-inflammatory
Diphenhydramine - ANSWER - Benadryl, decreases allergic reaction
Albuterol - ANSWER - Bronchodilator, improves childs breathing
ventricular septal defect - ANSWER - nurse should expect to hear a loud harsh murmur due to the left to
right shunting of blood
coarction of the aorta (CoA) - ANSWER - narrowing of the aorta, should expect to have high blood
pressure and weak femoral pulses
indication of early septic shock - ANSWER - increased heart rate, normal BP, fever and chills, normal
urinary output
how to test for a sickle turbidity test - ANSWER - perform a finger stick, if test is positive hemoglobin
electrophoresis is required to distinguish b/w children who have the genetic trait and children who have
the disease
McBurney's point - ANSWER - A point on the right side of the abdomen, about two-thirds of the distance
between the umbilicus and the anterior bony prominence of the hip
normal urine output for an adolescent - ANSWER - 33 to 62.5 mL/hr
Osteomyelitis Nursing Interventions - ANSWER - avoided bearing weight, antibiotics for several weeks
pertussis - ANSWER - whooping cough; highly contagious bacterial infection of the pharynx, larynx, and
trachea caused by Bordetella pertussis
Bacterial conjunctivitis - ANSWER - pinkeye; very contagious, purulent eye drainage
, Acute Streptococcal Pharyngitis - ANSWER - inflamed throat with exudate, strep throat
Rubeola (measles) - ANSWER - Highly contagious infection caused by a member of the paramyxovirus
family, koplik spots on buccal mucosa
Diaper dermatitis treatment - ANSWER - Keeping the area dry and applying Zinc Oxide and petrolatum.
burns treatment - ANSWER - no prophylactic antibiotic therapy, cleanse area with mild soap and water,
apply antimicrobial ointment, for major burn management maintain decompression of stomach via NG
tube
Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH) - ANSWER - caused by the overproduction of
the antidiuretic hormone ADH, may have mental confusion and neurological manifestations when
severe, over hydration needle size for 4 y/o childs immunizations - ANSWER - 22 - 25 gauge needle to
minimize pain
Meningitis manifestations - ANSWER - headaches, nuchal rigidity, positive kernig's sign
nuchal rigidity - ANSWER - stiffness in cervical neck area
opisthotonos position - ANSWER - backward bending, assumed with nervous system complications
Dehydration manifestations - ANSWER - skin breakdown, hypotension, hyperpyrexia, tachypnea
childs vital signs - ANSWER - BP: S:86-118, D:44-74
HR: 80-120
RR:20-25/min
high serum lead level in children - ANSWER - > 45 mcg/dL provide chelating agents, but in some cases >
10 mcg/dL, provide high calcium diet to help decrease lead absorption, yearly screenings
bucks traction nursing interventions - ANSWER - maintain supine position, assess peripheral pulses every
4 hours, head flat
