NR-328 PEDIATRIC NURSING EXAM 1 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026
Q&A |LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027 CHAMBERLAIN UNIVERSITY..
Core Domains:
Pediatric Growth and Development
Family-Centered Care and Communication
Pediatric Assessment and Vital Signs
Infant and Child Nutrition
Immunization and Communicable Diseases
Pediatric Medication Safety and Administration
Pain Assessment and Management in Children
Pediatric Legal, Ethical, and Regulatory Standards
Accident and Injury Prevention
This comprehensive assessment is designed to evaluate core competencies, critical thinking, and clinical judgment in pediatric nursing
practice. It systematically measures the synthesis of foundational growth and development theories, family-centered care principles,
evidence-based interventions, and regulatory standards. Through a mix of direct multiple-choice and complex, scenario-based clinical
questions, this exam assesses the student's ability to safely analyze patient data, prioritize nursing care, and apply sound clinical decision-
making to pediatric populations across various developmental stages. The focus remains heavily weighted on real-world nursing application,
safety, quality outcomes, and professional ethical standards within pediatric clinical environments.
Section One: Questions 1–100
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection to a 6-month-old infant. Which muscle site is the most appropriate selection for
this patient?
A. Deltoid
B. Dorsogluteal
C. Ventrogluteal
🟢 D. Vastus lateralis
🔴 RATIONALE: The vastus lateralis muscle is the preferred and safest site for intramuscular injections in infants under 12 months of age
because it is the largest, most developed muscle mass available and avoids damage to the sciatic nerve.
,Question 2
A 4-year-old child is admitted to the pediatric unit for surgery. To minimize the stress of separation anxiety during hospitalization, which
intervention should the nurse prioritize?
🟢 A. Encourage the parents to stay at the bedside and participate in daily care
B. Provide a room with another child of the exact same age
C. Limit parental visits to scheduled hours to establish a rigid routine
D. Assign a different nurse each shift to socialize the child
🔴 RATIONALE: Family-centered care is paramount in pediatrics. Encouraging parents to stay at the bedside and participate in care
minimizes separation anxiety, provides comfort, and maintains emotional stability for a preschool-aged child.
Question 3
The nurse is assessing a 9-month-old infant during a routine well-child visit. Which developmental milestone should the nurse expect the
infant to exhibit?
A. Building a tower of two blocks
🟢 B. Sitting steadily unsupported and using a pincer grasp
C. Walking independently without holding furniture
D. Saying three to five words with clear meaning
🔴 RATIONALE: By 9 months of age, an infant typically sits steadily without assistance and develops the crude pincer grasp (using the
thumb and index finger to pick up objects). Walking and building block towers are milestones for older infants and toddlers.
Question 4
A nurse is teaching a group of parents about car seat safety for toddlers. Which instruction must the nurse include in the session?
A. Transition the child to a forward-facing car seat at 12 months of age regardless of weight
B. Place the car seat in the front passenger seat if it features an active airbag
🟢 C. Keep the child rear-facing until they reach the maximum height or weight limit of the seat
D. Use a standard adult seat belt once the child reaches 30 pounds
🔴 RATIONALE: Current safety guidelines recommend keeping infants and toddlers in a rear-facing car seat in the back seat until they
reach the maximum weight or height capacity specified by the car seat manufacturer to best protect the head, neck, and spine.
Question 5
When administering oral medications to a cooperative 3-year-old child, which approach by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. Mix the medication in a full 8-ounce bottle of formula or juice
🟢 B. Offer the child a choice between taking the medicine from a small cup or an oral syringe
C. Tell the child that the medication is a special candy treat
D. Administer the medication quickly while restraining the child's arms
🔴 RATIONALE: Offering limited, acceptable choices gives a preschooler a sense of control and fosters cooperation without compromising
safety. Medication should never be called candy, nor mixed with large volumes of essential fluids.
Question 6
, A 2-year-old toddler is brought to the clinic for a well-child exam. The parent expresses concern that the child is stubborn, frequently says
"no," and insists on doing things independently. The nurse interprets this behavior as reflecting which developmental stage?
A. Trust vs. Mistrust
🟢 B. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
C. Initiative vs. Guilt
D. Industry vs. Inferiority
🔴 RATIONALE: According to Erikson, toddlers aged 1 to 3 years are in the Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt stage. Negativism (saying
"no") and a desire for independence are normal assertions of control as they develop a sense of self.
Question 7
The nurse is assessing the vital signs of a sleeping 3-month-old infant. Which finding should the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A. Heart rate of 125 beats per minute
B. Axillary temperature of 37.0 degrees Celsius
🟢 C. Respiratory rate of 68 breaths per minute
D. Blood pressure of 82/50 mmHg
🔴 RATIONALE: A respiratory rate of 68 breaths per minute is tachypnea for a 3-month-old infant (normal resting range is 30 to 50 breaths
per minute) and indicates potential respiratory distress that requires immediate medical evaluation.
Question 8
A nurse is preparing to assess a frightened 5-year-old child. Which technique should the nurse employ to promote cooperation and reduce
anxiety?
A. Perform the most invasive procedures first to get them out of the way
B. Keep the child's favorite toy out of sight so they focus entirely on instructions
🟢 C. Allow the child to handle and inspect the stethoscope before listening to breath sounds
D. Conduct the entire physical examination without explaining any steps to the child
🔴 RATIONALE: Allowing a preschool-aged child to touch and play with non-threatening medical equipment helps demystify the
examination, reduces fear, and builds therapeutic rapport.
Question 9
The nurse is caring for a hospitalized 10-year-old child who requires long-term intravenous antibiotic therapy. According to Erikson's theory,
which action should the nurse implement to support development?
🟢 A. Encourage the child to complete schoolwork and engage in craft projects
B. Instruct the parents to perform all basic hygiene tasks for the child
C. Restrict all visitors to prevent the child from feeling socially inadequate
D. Allow the child to dictate all hospital rules and medication schedules
🔴 RATIONALE: School-age children (6 to 12 years) are in the Industry vs. Inferiority stage. Supporting their sense of industry involves
encouraging productive activities, such as schoolwork, hobbies, and crafts, to foster competence during illness.
Question 10
Q&A |LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027 CHAMBERLAIN UNIVERSITY..
Core Domains:
Pediatric Growth and Development
Family-Centered Care and Communication
Pediatric Assessment and Vital Signs
Infant and Child Nutrition
Immunization and Communicable Diseases
Pediatric Medication Safety and Administration
Pain Assessment and Management in Children
Pediatric Legal, Ethical, and Regulatory Standards
Accident and Injury Prevention
This comprehensive assessment is designed to evaluate core competencies, critical thinking, and clinical judgment in pediatric nursing
practice. It systematically measures the synthesis of foundational growth and development theories, family-centered care principles,
evidence-based interventions, and regulatory standards. Through a mix of direct multiple-choice and complex, scenario-based clinical
questions, this exam assesses the student's ability to safely analyze patient data, prioritize nursing care, and apply sound clinical decision-
making to pediatric populations across various developmental stages. The focus remains heavily weighted on real-world nursing application,
safety, quality outcomes, and professional ethical standards within pediatric clinical environments.
Section One: Questions 1–100
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection to a 6-month-old infant. Which muscle site is the most appropriate selection for
this patient?
A. Deltoid
B. Dorsogluteal
C. Ventrogluteal
🟢 D. Vastus lateralis
🔴 RATIONALE: The vastus lateralis muscle is the preferred and safest site for intramuscular injections in infants under 12 months of age
because it is the largest, most developed muscle mass available and avoids damage to the sciatic nerve.
,Question 2
A 4-year-old child is admitted to the pediatric unit for surgery. To minimize the stress of separation anxiety during hospitalization, which
intervention should the nurse prioritize?
🟢 A. Encourage the parents to stay at the bedside and participate in daily care
B. Provide a room with another child of the exact same age
C. Limit parental visits to scheduled hours to establish a rigid routine
D. Assign a different nurse each shift to socialize the child
🔴 RATIONALE: Family-centered care is paramount in pediatrics. Encouraging parents to stay at the bedside and participate in care
minimizes separation anxiety, provides comfort, and maintains emotional stability for a preschool-aged child.
Question 3
The nurse is assessing a 9-month-old infant during a routine well-child visit. Which developmental milestone should the nurse expect the
infant to exhibit?
A. Building a tower of two blocks
🟢 B. Sitting steadily unsupported and using a pincer grasp
C. Walking independently without holding furniture
D. Saying three to five words with clear meaning
🔴 RATIONALE: By 9 months of age, an infant typically sits steadily without assistance and develops the crude pincer grasp (using the
thumb and index finger to pick up objects). Walking and building block towers are milestones for older infants and toddlers.
Question 4
A nurse is teaching a group of parents about car seat safety for toddlers. Which instruction must the nurse include in the session?
A. Transition the child to a forward-facing car seat at 12 months of age regardless of weight
B. Place the car seat in the front passenger seat if it features an active airbag
🟢 C. Keep the child rear-facing until they reach the maximum height or weight limit of the seat
D. Use a standard adult seat belt once the child reaches 30 pounds
🔴 RATIONALE: Current safety guidelines recommend keeping infants and toddlers in a rear-facing car seat in the back seat until they
reach the maximum weight or height capacity specified by the car seat manufacturer to best protect the head, neck, and spine.
Question 5
When administering oral medications to a cooperative 3-year-old child, which approach by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. Mix the medication in a full 8-ounce bottle of formula or juice
🟢 B. Offer the child a choice between taking the medicine from a small cup or an oral syringe
C. Tell the child that the medication is a special candy treat
D. Administer the medication quickly while restraining the child's arms
🔴 RATIONALE: Offering limited, acceptable choices gives a preschooler a sense of control and fosters cooperation without compromising
safety. Medication should never be called candy, nor mixed with large volumes of essential fluids.
Question 6
, A 2-year-old toddler is brought to the clinic for a well-child exam. The parent expresses concern that the child is stubborn, frequently says
"no," and insists on doing things independently. The nurse interprets this behavior as reflecting which developmental stage?
A. Trust vs. Mistrust
🟢 B. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
C. Initiative vs. Guilt
D. Industry vs. Inferiority
🔴 RATIONALE: According to Erikson, toddlers aged 1 to 3 years are in the Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt stage. Negativism (saying
"no") and a desire for independence are normal assertions of control as they develop a sense of self.
Question 7
The nurse is assessing the vital signs of a sleeping 3-month-old infant. Which finding should the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A. Heart rate of 125 beats per minute
B. Axillary temperature of 37.0 degrees Celsius
🟢 C. Respiratory rate of 68 breaths per minute
D. Blood pressure of 82/50 mmHg
🔴 RATIONALE: A respiratory rate of 68 breaths per minute is tachypnea for a 3-month-old infant (normal resting range is 30 to 50 breaths
per minute) and indicates potential respiratory distress that requires immediate medical evaluation.
Question 8
A nurse is preparing to assess a frightened 5-year-old child. Which technique should the nurse employ to promote cooperation and reduce
anxiety?
A. Perform the most invasive procedures first to get them out of the way
B. Keep the child's favorite toy out of sight so they focus entirely on instructions
🟢 C. Allow the child to handle and inspect the stethoscope before listening to breath sounds
D. Conduct the entire physical examination without explaining any steps to the child
🔴 RATIONALE: Allowing a preschool-aged child to touch and play with non-threatening medical equipment helps demystify the
examination, reduces fear, and builds therapeutic rapport.
Question 9
The nurse is caring for a hospitalized 10-year-old child who requires long-term intravenous antibiotic therapy. According to Erikson's theory,
which action should the nurse implement to support development?
🟢 A. Encourage the child to complete schoolwork and engage in craft projects
B. Instruct the parents to perform all basic hygiene tasks for the child
C. Restrict all visitors to prevent the child from feeling socially inadequate
D. Allow the child to dictate all hospital rules and medication schedules
🔴 RATIONALE: School-age children (6 to 12 years) are in the Industry vs. Inferiority stage. Supporting their sense of industry involves
encouraging productive activities, such as schoolwork, hobbies, and crafts, to foster competence during illness.
Question 10
