High-Yield ATI RN Pediatric Nursing NGN Practice Questions with Rationales (2023/2026 Focus)

High-Yield ATI RN Pediatric Nursing
NGN Practice Questions with
Rationales (2023/2026 Focus)

Question 1
A nurse is assessing a 4-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which
developmental milestone should the nurse expect to observe?

 A. Sits independently without support
 B. Grasps a rattle briefly
 C. Crawls on hands and knees
 D. Transfers objects from hand to hand

Correct Answer: B
Rationale: At 4 months, infants typically can grasp objects briefly, hold a
rattle, and bring objects to their mouth. Sitting independently occurs at 6–8
months (A). Crawling occurs at 8–10 months (C). Transferring objects occurs
around 6–7 months (D).

Question 2
A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to parents of a 12-month-old.
Which statement indicates an understanding of injury prevention?

 A. "We will place crib bumper pads to prevent the baby from hitting
their head."
 B. "We will turn the water heater temperature to 140°F (60°C) for
sterilization."
 C. "We will keep the car seat rear-facing until at least age 2."

,  D. "We will give whole milk in a sippy cup at bedtime to help them
sleep."

Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The AAP recommends rear-facing car seats until age 2 or until
the child reaches the maximum height/weight limit. Bumper pads (A) are a
suffocation/SIDS risk. Water heaters should be set to 120°F (49°C) to
prevent burns (B). Bedtime bottles/sippy cups cause early childhood cavities
(D).

Question 3
According to Erikson, a 7-year-old child is in which psychosocial stage, and
what is the primary conflict?

 A. Trust vs. Mistrust
 B. Initiative vs. Guilt
 C. Industry vs. Inferiority
 D. Identity vs. Role Confusion

Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Erikson's stages: Trust vs. Mistrust (infancy), Autonomy vs.
Shame/Doubt (toddler), Initiative vs. Guilt (preschool), Industry vs.
Inferiority (school-age, 6–12 years), and Identity vs. Role Confusion
(adolescence).

Question 4
A nurse is assessing a 9-month-old infant. Which finding should the nurse
report to the provider?

 A. The infant is unable to sit unsupported
 B. The infant has a pincer grasp
 C. The infant says "mama" and "dada"
 D. The infant exhibits stranger anxiety

,Correct Answer: A
Rationale: By 9 months, infants typically sit unsupported; inability may
indicate gross motor delay. Pincer grasp emerges at 9 months (B); babbling
"mama/dada" and stranger anxiety (C, D) are normal at this age.

Question 5
A parent asks the nurse when their toddler will be able to walk up stairs
without help. The nurse should explain that this skill typically develops by
which age?

 A. 24 months (2 years)
 B. 18 months
 C. 30 months
 D. 36 months

Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Toddlers can walk up stairs with help at 18–24 months; walking
up alone with alternating feet develops around 24–30 months.

Question 6
A nurse is evaluating the development of a 2-year-old. Which finding would
be a cause for concern?

 A. Cannot jump in place
 B. Does not build a tower of 6 blocks
 C. Uses two-word sentences
 D. Copies a circle

Correct Answer: B
Rationale: At 2 years, a child should build a tower of 4–6 blocks; inability
may indicate fine motor delay. Jumping in place develops at 2–3 years (A).
Two-word sentences are expected at 2 years (C). Copying a circle develops
at 3 years (D).

, Question 7
A nurse is assessing a 4-year-old preschooler. Which finding is expected?

 A. The child can tie shoelaces
 B. The child can hop on one foot
 C. The child can button clothing
 D. The child can write their first name

Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hopping on one foot typically develops at 4 years. Tying
shoelaces and writing first name occur at 5–6 years (A, D). Buttoning occurs
at 3–4 years but is more refined later (C).

Question 8
A nurse is teaching a group of parents about adolescent development.
Which cognitive characteristic is typical of early adolescence (11–14 years)?

 A. Egocentrism with imaginary audience
 B. Abstract reasoning ability
 C. Future-oriented thinking
 D. Formal operational thought fully developed

Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Early adolescents exhibit egocentrism (imaginary audience,
personal fable); abstract and future-oriented thinking develops later in
adolescence.

Question 9
A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant. Which finding should the nurse
expect?

 A. Sits without support
 B. Rolls from back to front