BSN3A Pediatric Nursing Exam Practice
Questions & [Verified
Answers], Plus Explained
Rationales|2026
Latest Update| Instant Download PDF
1. A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant. Which finding requires
the most immediate follow-up?
A. Stranger anxiety
B. Bulging fontanelle when the infant is calm
C. Beginning to sit with support
D. Beginning to transfer objects between hands
Rationale: Bulging of the fontanelle when the infant is calm may
indicate increased intracranial pressure and requires prompt
evaluation. Developmental milestones such as sitting with support
and transferring objects are expected around this age.
2. The nurse is teaching parents about safe sleep practices for a
healthy infant. Which instruction is most appropriate?
A. Place the infant prone to prevent choking
B. Use a soft pillow under the infant's head
C. Place the infant supine on a firm sleep surface
D. Place stuffed animals around the infant for comfort
,Rationale: The safest sleep position for infants is supine on a firm, flat
surface without pillows, loose bedding, bumper pads, or stuffed toys.
3. A 2-year-old child is hospitalized and repeatedly says, "Go home!"
Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. "You need to be brave."
B. "Your parents will come when they can."
C. "You miss your parents. They will visit you later today."
D. "There is nothing to be afraid of."
Rationale: Toddlers commonly experience separation anxiety during
hospitalization. Acknowledging the child's feelings and providing
concrete information is therapeutic.
4. Which developmental behavior is expected in a 2-year-old child?
A. Understanding complex abstract concepts
B. Using two-word phrases
C. Reading simple sentences
D. Dressing independently without assistance
Rationale: Toddlers commonly begin combining two words into
simple phrases. Complex abstract thinking and independent reading
are not expected at this developmental stage.
5. The nurse is assessing a preschool-age child. Which activity is
most appropriate for this developmental stage?
A. Competitive team sports
B. Pretend play with dolls or toy medical equipment
,C. Abstract board games
D. Independent use of complex electronic equipment
Rationale: Preschool children benefit from imaginative and pretend
play because it supports cognitive, emotional, and social
development.
6. A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection to an
infant. Which muscle is generally preferred?
A. Dorsogluteal
B. Deltoid
C. Vastus lateralis
D. Rectus abdominis
Rationale: The vastus lateralis muscle is well developed in infants and
is generally preferred for intramuscular injections. The dorsogluteal
site is avoided in young children because of the risk of sciatic nerve
injury.
7. A child with gastroenteritis has several episodes of vomiting and
diarrhea. Which assessment finding is most concerning?
A. Mild thirst
B. Decreased appetite
C. Capillary refill of 4 seconds
D. One loose stool
Rationale: Delayed capillary refill can indicate decreased peripheral
perfusion and significant dehydration. Children can deteriorate
rapidly with fluid losses.
, 8. Which assessment finding is most consistent with moderate
dehydration in a child?
A. Increased urine output
B. Moist mucous membranes
C. Decreased urine output and dry mucous membranes
D. Bounding peripheral pulses
Rationale: Dehydration commonly causes decreased urine output, dry
mucous membranes, thirst, tachycardia, and delayed capillary refill.
9. A child with dehydration is prescribed oral rehydration therapy.
Which fluid is most appropriate?
A. Carbonated soda
B. Undiluted fruit juice
C. Commercial oral rehydration solution
D. Plain water only
Rationale: Oral rehydration solutions contain appropriate
concentrations of water, electrolytes, and glucose to replace fluid and
electrolyte losses.
10. A nurse is caring for a child with suspected epiglottitis.
Which action is the priority?
A. Inspect the throat with a tongue blade
B. Obtain a throat culture immediately
C. Maintain the child's airway and avoid unnecessary throat
examination
D. Place the child in a supine position
Questions & [Verified
Answers], Plus Explained
Rationales|2026
Latest Update| Instant Download PDF
1. A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant. Which finding requires
the most immediate follow-up?
A. Stranger anxiety
B. Bulging fontanelle when the infant is calm
C. Beginning to sit with support
D. Beginning to transfer objects between hands
Rationale: Bulging of the fontanelle when the infant is calm may
indicate increased intracranial pressure and requires prompt
evaluation. Developmental milestones such as sitting with support
and transferring objects are expected around this age.
2. The nurse is teaching parents about safe sleep practices for a
healthy infant. Which instruction is most appropriate?
A. Place the infant prone to prevent choking
B. Use a soft pillow under the infant's head
C. Place the infant supine on a firm sleep surface
D. Place stuffed animals around the infant for comfort
,Rationale: The safest sleep position for infants is supine on a firm, flat
surface without pillows, loose bedding, bumper pads, or stuffed toys.
3. A 2-year-old child is hospitalized and repeatedly says, "Go home!"
Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. "You need to be brave."
B. "Your parents will come when they can."
C. "You miss your parents. They will visit you later today."
D. "There is nothing to be afraid of."
Rationale: Toddlers commonly experience separation anxiety during
hospitalization. Acknowledging the child's feelings and providing
concrete information is therapeutic.
4. Which developmental behavior is expected in a 2-year-old child?
A. Understanding complex abstract concepts
B. Using two-word phrases
C. Reading simple sentences
D. Dressing independently without assistance
Rationale: Toddlers commonly begin combining two words into
simple phrases. Complex abstract thinking and independent reading
are not expected at this developmental stage.
5. The nurse is assessing a preschool-age child. Which activity is
most appropriate for this developmental stage?
A. Competitive team sports
B. Pretend play with dolls or toy medical equipment
,C. Abstract board games
D. Independent use of complex electronic equipment
Rationale: Preschool children benefit from imaginative and pretend
play because it supports cognitive, emotional, and social
development.
6. A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection to an
infant. Which muscle is generally preferred?
A. Dorsogluteal
B. Deltoid
C. Vastus lateralis
D. Rectus abdominis
Rationale: The vastus lateralis muscle is well developed in infants and
is generally preferred for intramuscular injections. The dorsogluteal
site is avoided in young children because of the risk of sciatic nerve
injury.
7. A child with gastroenteritis has several episodes of vomiting and
diarrhea. Which assessment finding is most concerning?
A. Mild thirst
B. Decreased appetite
C. Capillary refill of 4 seconds
D. One loose stool
Rationale: Delayed capillary refill can indicate decreased peripheral
perfusion and significant dehydration. Children can deteriorate
rapidly with fluid losses.
, 8. Which assessment finding is most consistent with moderate
dehydration in a child?
A. Increased urine output
B. Moist mucous membranes
C. Decreased urine output and dry mucous membranes
D. Bounding peripheral pulses
Rationale: Dehydration commonly causes decreased urine output, dry
mucous membranes, thirst, tachycardia, and delayed capillary refill.
9. A child with dehydration is prescribed oral rehydration therapy.
Which fluid is most appropriate?
A. Carbonated soda
B. Undiluted fruit juice
C. Commercial oral rehydration solution
D. Plain water only
Rationale: Oral rehydration solutions contain appropriate
concentrations of water, electrolytes, and glucose to replace fluid and
electrolyte losses.
10. A nurse is caring for a child with suspected epiglottitis.
Which action is the priority?
A. Inspect the throat with a tongue blade
B. Obtain a throat culture immediately
C. Maintain the child's airway and avoid unnecessary throat
examination
D. Place the child in a supine position
