Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN)
Examination 2026–2027 | Comprehensive
Question Practice Test with Answers &
Rationales| Free Pdf Access
1. A 6-month-old infant is brought to the emergency department with signs of
respiratory distress. Which assessment finding requires immediate
intervention?
A. Nasal flaring and retractions
B. Mild irritability
C. Drooling during teething
D. Sleeping after feeding
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Nasal flaring and retractions indicate increased work of breathing and possible
respiratory compromise requiring prompt intervention.
2. Which pediatric client should the nurse assess first?
A. Toddler with stridor at rest
B. School-age child with a sore throat
C. Adolescent with mild acne
D. Preschooler awaiting discharge
,Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Stridor at rest suggests significant upper airway obstruction and is a priority
assessment.
3. A child with dehydration has delayed capillary refill and dry mucous
membranes. Which intervention is the priority?
A. Initiate fluid replacement
B. Restrict oral intake
C. Encourage bed rest only
D. Delay reassessment
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Fluid replacement is essential to restore circulating volume and tissue
perfusion.
4. Which assessment finding is expected in a child with bronchiolitis?
A. Wheezing
B. Bradycardia
C. Jaundice
D. Hematuria
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Bronchiolitis commonly causes wheezing due to inflammation and narrowing
of the small airways.
,5. A child with type 1 diabetes becomes pale, diaphoretic, and confused. What
is the nurse's priority action?
A. Check blood glucose level
B. Restrict carbohydrates
C. Encourage exercise
D. Obtain a weight
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: These symptoms are consistent with hypoglycemia and require immediate
assessment.
6. Which finding suggests severe dehydration in an infant?
A. Sunken fontanel
B. Moist mucous membranes
C. Normal skin turgor
D. Brisk capillary refill
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A sunken fontanel is a classic sign of significant fluid volume deficit in infants.
7. A child with asthma develops increasing wheezing and difficulty speaking.
What should the nurse do first?
A. Assess airway and oxygenation
B. Obtain dietary history
C. Encourage oral fluids
D. Review immunizations
Correct Answer: A
, Rationale: Airway and breathing take priority in acute respiratory distress.
8. Which laboratory value requires immediate reporting?
A. Blood glucose of 38 mg/dL
B. Sodium of 138 mEq/L
C. Hemoglobin of 12 g/dL
D. Potassium of 4.0 mEq/L
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Severe hypoglycemia can rapidly cause seizures and neurologic injury.
9. A child with bacterial meningitis is admitted. Which nursing intervention is
the highest priority?
A. Initiate prescribed isolation precautions
B. Encourage vigorous activity
C. Limit neurologic assessments
D. Restrict hydration
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Isolation precautions help prevent transmission of infectious organisms.
10. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a child with a fever?
A. Lethargy
B. Mild irritability
C. Reduced appetite
D. Warm skin
Examination 2026–2027 | Comprehensive
Question Practice Test with Answers &
Rationales| Free Pdf Access
1. A 6-month-old infant is brought to the emergency department with signs of
respiratory distress. Which assessment finding requires immediate
intervention?
A. Nasal flaring and retractions
B. Mild irritability
C. Drooling during teething
D. Sleeping after feeding
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Nasal flaring and retractions indicate increased work of breathing and possible
respiratory compromise requiring prompt intervention.
2. Which pediatric client should the nurse assess first?
A. Toddler with stridor at rest
B. School-age child with a sore throat
C. Adolescent with mild acne
D. Preschooler awaiting discharge
,Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Stridor at rest suggests significant upper airway obstruction and is a priority
assessment.
3. A child with dehydration has delayed capillary refill and dry mucous
membranes. Which intervention is the priority?
A. Initiate fluid replacement
B. Restrict oral intake
C. Encourage bed rest only
D. Delay reassessment
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Fluid replacement is essential to restore circulating volume and tissue
perfusion.
4. Which assessment finding is expected in a child with bronchiolitis?
A. Wheezing
B. Bradycardia
C. Jaundice
D. Hematuria
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Bronchiolitis commonly causes wheezing due to inflammation and narrowing
of the small airways.
,5. A child with type 1 diabetes becomes pale, diaphoretic, and confused. What
is the nurse's priority action?
A. Check blood glucose level
B. Restrict carbohydrates
C. Encourage exercise
D. Obtain a weight
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: These symptoms are consistent with hypoglycemia and require immediate
assessment.
6. Which finding suggests severe dehydration in an infant?
A. Sunken fontanel
B. Moist mucous membranes
C. Normal skin turgor
D. Brisk capillary refill
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A sunken fontanel is a classic sign of significant fluid volume deficit in infants.
7. A child with asthma develops increasing wheezing and difficulty speaking.
What should the nurse do first?
A. Assess airway and oxygenation
B. Obtain dietary history
C. Encourage oral fluids
D. Review immunizations
Correct Answer: A
, Rationale: Airway and breathing take priority in acute respiratory distress.
8. Which laboratory value requires immediate reporting?
A. Blood glucose of 38 mg/dL
B. Sodium of 138 mEq/L
C. Hemoglobin of 12 g/dL
D. Potassium of 4.0 mEq/L
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Severe hypoglycemia can rapidly cause seizures and neurologic injury.
9. A child with bacterial meningitis is admitted. Which nursing intervention is
the highest priority?
A. Initiate prescribed isolation precautions
B. Encourage vigorous activity
C. Limit neurologic assessments
D. Restrict hydration
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Isolation precautions help prevent transmission of infectious organisms.
10. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a child with a fever?
A. Lethargy
B. Mild irritability
C. Reduced appetite
D. Warm skin
