ATI Pediatric Nursing Practice Exam
2026 | 100 Questions & Answers with
Detailed Rationales | Complete Exam
Prep & Study Guide
1. A nurse is assessing a 2-month-old infant. Which finding should the nurse
recognize as an expected developmental finding?
A. Sitting without support
B. Briefly lifting the head when prone
C. Using a pincer grasp
D. Saying two-word phrases
Answer: Briefly lifting the head when prone
Rationale: A 2-month-old infant typically begins to lift the head briefly when
placed prone. Sitting independently, using a pincer grasp, and speaking two-
word phrases occur later in development.
2. A nurse is providing care to a hospitalized toddler. Which intervention is
most appropriate to reduce separation anxiety?
A. Limit parental visits
B. Encourage independent play only
C. Allow the parent to remain with the child
D. Explain procedures using complex terminology
Answer: Allow the parent to remain with the child
,Rationale: Toddlers commonly experience separation anxiety during
hospitalization. Allowing parents or primary caregivers to remain with the child
provides reassurance and promotes emotional security.
3. A nurse is assessing a 4-year-old child. Which behavior is expected?
A. Uses abstract reasoning
B. Engages in imaginative play
C. Understands conservation of volume
D. Has complete impulse control
Answer: Engages in imaginative play
Rationale: Preschool-age children commonly demonstrate imaginative and
pretend play. Abstract reasoning and conservation develop later, and impulse
control is still developing.
4. A nurse is teaching parents about safe sleep practices for an infant. Which
instruction should the nurse provide?
A. Place the infant prone for sleep
B. Use pillows to support the infant
C. Place the infant supine on a firm sleep surface
D. Place stuffed animals around the infant
Answer: Place the infant supine on a firm sleep surface
Rationale: Infants should be placed on their backs on a firm, flat sleep surface
without loose bedding, pillows, bumper pads, or stuffed animals to reduce the
risk of sleep-related infant death.
5. A nurse is assessing a preschooler who has a respiratory infection. Which
finding requires immediate attention?
A. Respiratory rate of 24/min
B. Mild nasal congestion
C. Inspiratory stridor at rest
D. Temperature of 37.8°C (100°F)
,Answer: Inspiratory stridor at rest
Rationale: Stridor at rest indicates significant upper-airway obstruction and
requires immediate evaluation and intervention.
6. A child with asthma is experiencing acute wheezing and respiratory
distress. Which medication should the nurse expect to administer for rapid
bronchodilation?
A. Montelukast
B. Fluticasone
C. Albuterol
D. Cromolyn
Answer: Albuterol
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist that produces
rapid bronchodilation during acute asthma symptoms.
7. A nurse is caring for a child with cystic fibrosis. Which intervention is
appropriate?
A. Restrict dietary fat
B. Restrict fluids
C. Administer pancreatic enzymes with meals and snacks
D. Avoid airway-clearance techniques
Answer: Administer pancreatic enzymes with meals and snacks
Rationale: Pancreatic insufficiency is common in cystic fibrosis. Pancreatic
enzymes help improve digestion and absorption of nutrients and should be
taken with meals and snacks.
8. A nurse is assessing a child with dehydration. Which finding is most
concerning?
A. Moist mucous membranes
B. Normal urine output
, C. Delayed capillary refill
D. Increased tears
Answer: Delayed capillary refill
Rationale: Delayed capillary refill indicates decreased peripheral perfusion and
can be a sign of significant dehydration or circulatory compromise.
9. A nurse is caring for a child with acute gastroenteritis. Which oral fluid is
most appropriate for rehydration?
A. Carbonated soda
B. Fruit punch
C. Oral rehydration solution
D. Plain water only
Answer: Oral rehydration solution
Rationale: Oral rehydration solutions contain appropriate concentrations of
electrolytes and glucose to promote fluid absorption and correct dehydration.
10.A nurse is assessing a child with suspected epiglottitis. Which action should
the nurse take?
A. Inspect the throat with a tongue blade
B. Obtain a throat culture immediately
C. Keep the child calm and prepare for airway management
D. Place the child flat in bed
Answer: Keep the child calm and prepare for airway management
Rationale: Epiglottitis can cause sudden, life-threatening airway obstruction.
The child should be kept calm, and unnecessary throat examination should be
avoided.
11.A nurse is assessing a child with bacterial meningitis. Which finding is most
concerning?
2026 | 100 Questions & Answers with
Detailed Rationales | Complete Exam
Prep & Study Guide
1. A nurse is assessing a 2-month-old infant. Which finding should the nurse
recognize as an expected developmental finding?
A. Sitting without support
B. Briefly lifting the head when prone
C. Using a pincer grasp
D. Saying two-word phrases
Answer: Briefly lifting the head when prone
Rationale: A 2-month-old infant typically begins to lift the head briefly when
placed prone. Sitting independently, using a pincer grasp, and speaking two-
word phrases occur later in development.
2. A nurse is providing care to a hospitalized toddler. Which intervention is
most appropriate to reduce separation anxiety?
A. Limit parental visits
B. Encourage independent play only
C. Allow the parent to remain with the child
D. Explain procedures using complex terminology
Answer: Allow the parent to remain with the child
,Rationale: Toddlers commonly experience separation anxiety during
hospitalization. Allowing parents or primary caregivers to remain with the child
provides reassurance and promotes emotional security.
3. A nurse is assessing a 4-year-old child. Which behavior is expected?
A. Uses abstract reasoning
B. Engages in imaginative play
C. Understands conservation of volume
D. Has complete impulse control
Answer: Engages in imaginative play
Rationale: Preschool-age children commonly demonstrate imaginative and
pretend play. Abstract reasoning and conservation develop later, and impulse
control is still developing.
4. A nurse is teaching parents about safe sleep practices for an infant. Which
instruction should the nurse provide?
A. Place the infant prone for sleep
B. Use pillows to support the infant
C. Place the infant supine on a firm sleep surface
D. Place stuffed animals around the infant
Answer: Place the infant supine on a firm sleep surface
Rationale: Infants should be placed on their backs on a firm, flat sleep surface
without loose bedding, pillows, bumper pads, or stuffed animals to reduce the
risk of sleep-related infant death.
5. A nurse is assessing a preschooler who has a respiratory infection. Which
finding requires immediate attention?
A. Respiratory rate of 24/min
B. Mild nasal congestion
C. Inspiratory stridor at rest
D. Temperature of 37.8°C (100°F)
,Answer: Inspiratory stridor at rest
Rationale: Stridor at rest indicates significant upper-airway obstruction and
requires immediate evaluation and intervention.
6. A child with asthma is experiencing acute wheezing and respiratory
distress. Which medication should the nurse expect to administer for rapid
bronchodilation?
A. Montelukast
B. Fluticasone
C. Albuterol
D. Cromolyn
Answer: Albuterol
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist that produces
rapid bronchodilation during acute asthma symptoms.
7. A nurse is caring for a child with cystic fibrosis. Which intervention is
appropriate?
A. Restrict dietary fat
B. Restrict fluids
C. Administer pancreatic enzymes with meals and snacks
D. Avoid airway-clearance techniques
Answer: Administer pancreatic enzymes with meals and snacks
Rationale: Pancreatic insufficiency is common in cystic fibrosis. Pancreatic
enzymes help improve digestion and absorption of nutrients and should be
taken with meals and snacks.
8. A nurse is assessing a child with dehydration. Which finding is most
concerning?
A. Moist mucous membranes
B. Normal urine output
, C. Delayed capillary refill
D. Increased tears
Answer: Delayed capillary refill
Rationale: Delayed capillary refill indicates decreased peripheral perfusion and
can be a sign of significant dehydration or circulatory compromise.
9. A nurse is caring for a child with acute gastroenteritis. Which oral fluid is
most appropriate for rehydration?
A. Carbonated soda
B. Fruit punch
C. Oral rehydration solution
D. Plain water only
Answer: Oral rehydration solution
Rationale: Oral rehydration solutions contain appropriate concentrations of
electrolytes and glucose to promote fluid absorption and correct dehydration.
10.A nurse is assessing a child with suspected epiglottitis. Which action should
the nurse take?
A. Inspect the throat with a tongue blade
B. Obtain a throat culture immediately
C. Keep the child calm and prepare for airway management
D. Place the child flat in bed
Answer: Keep the child calm and prepare for airway management
Rationale: Epiglottitis can cause sudden, life-threatening airway obstruction.
The child should be kept calm, and unnecessary throat examination should be
avoided.
11.A nurse is assessing a child with bacterial meningitis. Which finding is most
concerning?
