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PEDIATRIC PHYSICAL EXAMINATION NURSING
EXAM QUESTIONS LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 2026 EDITION
Pediatric Physical Examination – Practice Questions with Rationales
This comprehensive practice exam covers the essential concepts of pediatric physical
examination, including assessment techniques, normal findings, age-appropriate
variations, and common findings in children. The content aligns with standard pediatric
nursing curricula and NCLEX-style formats.
SECTION 1: GENERAL PRINCIPLES & APPROACH (Questions 1-15)
1. When performing a physical examination on a 2-year-old child, the nurse should
first:
A) Perform the examination from head to toe
B) Perform the examination from toe to head
C) Begin with the least invasive procedures first
D) Ask the parent to leave the room during the examination
Answer: C
Rationale: For a toddler, the least invasive and most distressing procedures should be
performed first. The sequence of the examination should be tailored to the child's
developmental level and cooperation .
2. A nurse is preparing to examine a 4-year-old child. Which approach is most
appropriate?
A) Perform the examination quickly with minimal explanation
B) Allow the child to handle the equipment before the examination
C) Have the parent leave the room to promote independence
D) Perform the examination from head to toe without interruption
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Answer: B
Rationale: Preschool-aged children benefit from being allowed to handle equipment
and having procedures explained in simple terms. This helps reduce anxiety and
promotes cooperation .
3. The nurse should take a parent's or caregiver's history before performing a
physical examination on a child in order to:
A) Ensure the child is comfortable
B) Obtain subjective data regarding the child's condition
C) Determine if the child needs immunizations
D) Assess the child's growth parameters
Answer: B
Rationale: Subjective data obtained from the parent or caregiver includes information
about the child's symptoms, family history, and developmental milestones .
4. A nurse is assessing an infant's general appearance. Which of the following is a
normal finding?
A) Symmetrical facial features
B) Irregular heart rate and rhythm
C) Tachypnea at rest
D) Pallor
Answer: A
Rationale: Symmetrical facial features are a normal finding. Irregular heart rate and
rhythm are abnormal in infants. Tachypnea is abnormal, and pallor may indicate an
underlying condition .
5. The sequence of examination for a child in whom you suspect illness is:
A) Head to toe
B) Toe to head
C) Distraction with minimal handling
D) Least invasive first
Answer: A
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Rationale: When a child is ill, a systematic head-to-toe approach is necessary to ensure
no abnormalities are missed .
6. The child's behavior is a reflection of the __________ factors.
A) Physical and emotional
B) Environmental and physical
C) Emotional and developmental
D) Physical and social
Answer: C
Rationale: The child's behavior is a reflection of both emotional and developmental
factors, which influence how the child responds to the examination and their
environment .
7. For a child who is uncooperative or has a short attention span, the best approach
to the physical examination is:
A) Perform the examination from head to toe
B) Use a flexible, play-based approach
C) Restrain the child for safety
D) Defer the examination until the child is asleep
Answer: B
Rationale: A flexible, play-based approach helps maintain the child's cooperation and
reduces anxiety. The sequence of the examination should be tailored to the child's
developmental level and cooperation .
8. A nurse is preparing to examine a school-age child. The nurse should:
A) Use a playful approach
B) Allow the child to undress in private
C) Perform the examination in the parent's presence
D) Explain each step in detail using medical terminology
Answer: B
Rationale: School-age children should be given privacy to undress and be provided with
explanations that use simple, non-medical language .
PEDIATRIC PHYSICAL EXAMINATION NURSING
EXAM QUESTIONS LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 2026 EDITION
Pediatric Physical Examination – Practice Questions with Rationales
This comprehensive practice exam covers the essential concepts of pediatric physical
examination, including assessment techniques, normal findings, age-appropriate
variations, and common findings in children. The content aligns with standard pediatric
nursing curricula and NCLEX-style formats.
SECTION 1: GENERAL PRINCIPLES & APPROACH (Questions 1-15)
1. When performing a physical examination on a 2-year-old child, the nurse should
first:
A) Perform the examination from head to toe
B) Perform the examination from toe to head
C) Begin with the least invasive procedures first
D) Ask the parent to leave the room during the examination
Answer: C
Rationale: For a toddler, the least invasive and most distressing procedures should be
performed first. The sequence of the examination should be tailored to the child's
developmental level and cooperation .
2. A nurse is preparing to examine a 4-year-old child. Which approach is most
appropriate?
A) Perform the examination quickly with minimal explanation
B) Allow the child to handle the equipment before the examination
C) Have the parent leave the room to promote independence
D) Perform the examination from head to toe without interruption
, Page 2 of 29
Answer: B
Rationale: Preschool-aged children benefit from being allowed to handle equipment
and having procedures explained in simple terms. This helps reduce anxiety and
promotes cooperation .
3. The nurse should take a parent's or caregiver's history before performing a
physical examination on a child in order to:
A) Ensure the child is comfortable
B) Obtain subjective data regarding the child's condition
C) Determine if the child needs immunizations
D) Assess the child's growth parameters
Answer: B
Rationale: Subjective data obtained from the parent or caregiver includes information
about the child's symptoms, family history, and developmental milestones .
4. A nurse is assessing an infant's general appearance. Which of the following is a
normal finding?
A) Symmetrical facial features
B) Irregular heart rate and rhythm
C) Tachypnea at rest
D) Pallor
Answer: A
Rationale: Symmetrical facial features are a normal finding. Irregular heart rate and
rhythm are abnormal in infants. Tachypnea is abnormal, and pallor may indicate an
underlying condition .
5. The sequence of examination for a child in whom you suspect illness is:
A) Head to toe
B) Toe to head
C) Distraction with minimal handling
D) Least invasive first
Answer: A
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Rationale: When a child is ill, a systematic head-to-toe approach is necessary to ensure
no abnormalities are missed .
6. The child's behavior is a reflection of the __________ factors.
A) Physical and emotional
B) Environmental and physical
C) Emotional and developmental
D) Physical and social
Answer: C
Rationale: The child's behavior is a reflection of both emotional and developmental
factors, which influence how the child responds to the examination and their
environment .
7. For a child who is uncooperative or has a short attention span, the best approach
to the physical examination is:
A) Perform the examination from head to toe
B) Use a flexible, play-based approach
C) Restrain the child for safety
D) Defer the examination until the child is asleep
Answer: B
Rationale: A flexible, play-based approach helps maintain the child's cooperation and
reduces anxiety. The sequence of the examination should be tailored to the child's
developmental level and cooperation .
8. A nurse is preparing to examine a school-age child. The nurse should:
A) Use a playful approach
B) Allow the child to undress in private
C) Perform the examination in the parent's presence
D) Explain each step in detail using medical terminology
Answer: B
Rationale: School-age children should be given privacy to undress and be provided with
explanations that use simple, non-medical language .
