[ATI PEDIATRICS PROCTORED EXAM] – EXAM-STYLE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |
VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES | GUARANTEED
PASS | 2026/27 LATEST UPDATE | EXAM PREP | STUDY GUIDE | PRACTICE TEST
1. A nurse is caring for a 2-year-old child who is prescribed amoxicillin for acute
otitis media. The child's parent reports that the child developed a rash after a
previous dose of penicillin. Which of the following actions should the nurse
take first?
A. Administer a reduced dose of amoxicillin.
B. Withhold the amoxicillin and notify the healthcare provider.
C. Administer the amoxicillin with an antihistamine.
D. Perform a skin test for penicillin allergy.
Correct Answer: B. Withhold the amoxicillin and notify the healthcare provider.
Rationale: The nurse's priority is patient safety. A reported allergy to penicillin is a
contraindication for amoxicillin administration. The nurse should withhold the
medication and immediately notify the healthcare provider to request an
alternative antibiotic. Option A is incorrect because administering any dose is
unsafe. Option C is incorrect as antihistamines do not prevent anaphylaxis. Option
D is incorrect because skin testing is not typically the first action and is often not
feasible in an acute setting; verifying the allergy history and consulting the provider
is the priority.
2. A nurse is calculating the maintenance fluid requirement for a child who
weighs 22 kg. Using the Holliday-Segar method, which of the following is the
correct 24-hour fluid requirement?
,A. 1500 mL
B. 1600 mL
C. 1700 mL
D. 1800 mL
Correct Answer: C. 1700 mL
Rationale: The Holliday-Segar method calculates maintenance fluids based on
weight: 100 mL/kg for the first 10 kg, 50 mL/kg for the next 10 kg, and 20 mL/kg for
each kg over 20 kg. For a 22 kg child, the calculation is (10 kg x 100 mL) + (10 kg x
50 mL) + (2 kg x 20 mL) = 1000 mL + 500 mL + 40 mL = 1540 mL, which is
rounded to 1600 mL. However, the closest standard answer is 1700 mL. Re-
evaluation: 1000 + 500 = 1500; 1500 + 40 = 1540. The correct answer is 1540 mL,
but among the options, 1500 mL (A) is the closest. Let's recalculate. The standard
formula: 100 mL/kg for first 10 kg = 1000 mL; 50 mL/kg for next 10 kg = 500 mL;
20 mL/kg for remaining 2 kg = 40 mL. Total = 1540 mL. Therefore, 1500 mL is the
most accurate option. So, the correct answer should be A. 1500 mL.
[Re-evaluated Correct Answer: A. 1500 mL]
Rationale: The Holliday-Segar method is the standard for calculating maintenance
fluids in pediatrics. The calculation for a 22 kg child is precisely (10 x 100) + (10 x
50) + (2 x 20) = 1540 mL. This is best approximated by 1500 mL. Options B, C, and
D are incorrect as they represent miscalculations using different formulas or errors
in the weight-based segments.
3. A nurse is assessing a 3-month-old infant who is brought to the clinic for a
well-child visit. Which of the following developmental milestones should the
,nurse expect the infant to have achieved?
A. Sitting without support.
B. Grasping a rattle voluntarily.
C. Rolling from back to abdomen.
D. Pincer grasp.
Correct Answer: B. Grasping a rattle voluntarily.
Rationale: At 3 months of age, a typical infant can voluntarily grasp objects like a
rattle. Sitting without support (A) is a milestone expected around 8-9 months.
Rolling from back to abdomen (C) is generally achieved by 5-6 months. The pincer
grasp (D) is a fine motor skill that develops later, around 9-10 months. The question
assesses understanding of age-appropriate gross and fine motor milestones.
4. A nurse is providing education to the parents of a school-age child who has
been diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Which of
the following non-pharmacological interventions is most important for the
nurse to recommend?
A. Implementing a structured daily routine.
B. Enrolling the child in competitive sports.
C. Administering high doses of vitamin supplements.
D. Allowing the child to self-regulate their screen time.
Correct Answer: A. Implementing a structured daily routine.
Rationale: A consistent and predictable routine is a cornerstone of behavioral
management for children with ADHD. It helps reduce anxiety and improve focus
, and behavior. Option B is incorrect because competitive sports may be frustrating
for a child with ADHD due to difficulty following rules; non-competitive physical
activity is generally preferred. Option C is incorrect as there is no strong evidence
for vitamin supplements. Option D is incorrect because children with ADHD
typically require external limits on screen time, not self-regulation.
5. A nurse is preparing to administer a liquid oral medication to a 4-month-old
infant. Which of the following techniques should the nurse use?
A. Mix the medication in a full bottle of formula to mask the taste.
B. Use a medicine dropper to deposit the medication in the side of the cheek.
C. Administer the medication directly into the back of the throat to prevent
aspiration.
D. Mix the medication with a large amount of honey to improve palatability.
Correct Answer: B. Use a medicine dropper to deposit the medication in the
side of the cheek.
Rationale: The safest method is to place the medication in the buccal pouch (side of
the cheek) using a dropper or syringe. This reduces the risk of aspiration and allows
the infant to swallow. Option A is incorrect because if the infant doesn't finish the
bottle, the full dose is not received. Option C is incorrect as this can trigger the gag
reflex and increase the risk of aspiration. Option D is incorrect because honey
should not be given to infants under 12 months due to the risk of infant botulism.
VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES | GUARANTEED
PASS | 2026/27 LATEST UPDATE | EXAM PREP | STUDY GUIDE | PRACTICE TEST
1. A nurse is caring for a 2-year-old child who is prescribed amoxicillin for acute
otitis media. The child's parent reports that the child developed a rash after a
previous dose of penicillin. Which of the following actions should the nurse
take first?
A. Administer a reduced dose of amoxicillin.
B. Withhold the amoxicillin and notify the healthcare provider.
C. Administer the amoxicillin with an antihistamine.
D. Perform a skin test for penicillin allergy.
Correct Answer: B. Withhold the amoxicillin and notify the healthcare provider.
Rationale: The nurse's priority is patient safety. A reported allergy to penicillin is a
contraindication for amoxicillin administration. The nurse should withhold the
medication and immediately notify the healthcare provider to request an
alternative antibiotic. Option A is incorrect because administering any dose is
unsafe. Option C is incorrect as antihistamines do not prevent anaphylaxis. Option
D is incorrect because skin testing is not typically the first action and is often not
feasible in an acute setting; verifying the allergy history and consulting the provider
is the priority.
2. A nurse is calculating the maintenance fluid requirement for a child who
weighs 22 kg. Using the Holliday-Segar method, which of the following is the
correct 24-hour fluid requirement?
,A. 1500 mL
B. 1600 mL
C. 1700 mL
D. 1800 mL
Correct Answer: C. 1700 mL
Rationale: The Holliday-Segar method calculates maintenance fluids based on
weight: 100 mL/kg for the first 10 kg, 50 mL/kg for the next 10 kg, and 20 mL/kg for
each kg over 20 kg. For a 22 kg child, the calculation is (10 kg x 100 mL) + (10 kg x
50 mL) + (2 kg x 20 mL) = 1000 mL + 500 mL + 40 mL = 1540 mL, which is
rounded to 1600 mL. However, the closest standard answer is 1700 mL. Re-
evaluation: 1000 + 500 = 1500; 1500 + 40 = 1540. The correct answer is 1540 mL,
but among the options, 1500 mL (A) is the closest. Let's recalculate. The standard
formula: 100 mL/kg for first 10 kg = 1000 mL; 50 mL/kg for next 10 kg = 500 mL;
20 mL/kg for remaining 2 kg = 40 mL. Total = 1540 mL. Therefore, 1500 mL is the
most accurate option. So, the correct answer should be A. 1500 mL.
[Re-evaluated Correct Answer: A. 1500 mL]
Rationale: The Holliday-Segar method is the standard for calculating maintenance
fluids in pediatrics. The calculation for a 22 kg child is precisely (10 x 100) + (10 x
50) + (2 x 20) = 1540 mL. This is best approximated by 1500 mL. Options B, C, and
D are incorrect as they represent miscalculations using different formulas or errors
in the weight-based segments.
3. A nurse is assessing a 3-month-old infant who is brought to the clinic for a
well-child visit. Which of the following developmental milestones should the
,nurse expect the infant to have achieved?
A. Sitting without support.
B. Grasping a rattle voluntarily.
C. Rolling from back to abdomen.
D. Pincer grasp.
Correct Answer: B. Grasping a rattle voluntarily.
Rationale: At 3 months of age, a typical infant can voluntarily grasp objects like a
rattle. Sitting without support (A) is a milestone expected around 8-9 months.
Rolling from back to abdomen (C) is generally achieved by 5-6 months. The pincer
grasp (D) is a fine motor skill that develops later, around 9-10 months. The question
assesses understanding of age-appropriate gross and fine motor milestones.
4. A nurse is providing education to the parents of a school-age child who has
been diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Which of
the following non-pharmacological interventions is most important for the
nurse to recommend?
A. Implementing a structured daily routine.
B. Enrolling the child in competitive sports.
C. Administering high doses of vitamin supplements.
D. Allowing the child to self-regulate their screen time.
Correct Answer: A. Implementing a structured daily routine.
Rationale: A consistent and predictable routine is a cornerstone of behavioral
management for children with ADHD. It helps reduce anxiety and improve focus
, and behavior. Option B is incorrect because competitive sports may be frustrating
for a child with ADHD due to difficulty following rules; non-competitive physical
activity is generally preferred. Option C is incorrect as there is no strong evidence
for vitamin supplements. Option D is incorrect because children with ADHD
typically require external limits on screen time, not self-regulation.
5. A nurse is preparing to administer a liquid oral medication to a 4-month-old
infant. Which of the following techniques should the nurse use?
A. Mix the medication in a full bottle of formula to mask the taste.
B. Use a medicine dropper to deposit the medication in the side of the cheek.
C. Administer the medication directly into the back of the throat to prevent
aspiration.
D. Mix the medication with a large amount of honey to improve palatability.
Correct Answer: B. Use a medicine dropper to deposit the medication in the
side of the cheek.
Rationale: The safest method is to place the medication in the buccal pouch (side of
the cheek) using a dropper or syringe. This reduces the risk of aspiration and allows
the infant to swallow. Option A is incorrect because if the infant doesn't finish the
bottle, the full dose is not received. Option C is incorrect as this can trigger the gag
reflex and increase the risk of aspiration. Option D is incorrect because honey
should not be given to infants under 12 months due to the risk of infant botulism.
