ATI Pediatrics: Infectious Diseases Study Guide 2026 |Questions
|Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is caring for a child who has varicella. Which of the following
transmission-based precautions should the nurse implement?
A. Contact and Droplet precautions
B. Airborne and Contact precautions
C. Standard precautions only
D. Protective environment
Answer: B
Rationale: Varicella (chickenpox) is transmitted via direct contact, droplet (airborne
particles), and contaminated objects. Therefore, airborne and contact precautions are
required until all lesions are crusted over.
2. A nurse is assessing a child who has pertussis. Which of the following clinical
manifestations should the nurse expect?
A. Koplik spots in the oral mucosa
B. Paroxysmal coughing with a ‘whooping’ sound
C. Strawberry tongue and sandpaper-like rash
D. Swelling of the parotid glands
Answer: B
Rationale: Pertussis, or whooping cough, is characterized by paroxysmal coughing fits
followed by a high-pitched ‘whoop’ sound on inspiration.
,3. A nurse is teaching the parent of a child who has fifth disease (erythema
infectiosum). Which of the following statements should the nurse include?
A. The rash appears as a ‘slapped cheek’ appearance.
B. The child will have a persistent high fever for 10 days.
C. The child will require a course of antibiotics.
D. The child is most contagious after the rash appears.
Answer: A
Rationale: Fifth disease typically begins with a ‘slapped cheek’ appearance on the face,
followed by a maculopapular rash on the extremities.
4. Which of the following findings is a hallmark sign of Rubeola (Measles)?
A. Koplik spots
B. Vesicles on the palms and soles
C. Pastia’s lines
D. Orchitis
Answer: A
Rationale: Koplik spots (small blue-white spots on a red background in the mouth) are a
prodromal sign unique to Rubeola (Measles).
5. A child is diagnosed with mononucleosis. Which of the following instructions
should the nurse provide to the parents regarding activity?
A. Encourage vigorous exercise to boost immunity.
B. Avoid contact sports for several weeks to prevent splenic rupture.
C. The child should remain on bed rest for one month.
D. No activity restrictions are necessary once the fever is gone.
Answer: B
Rationale: Mononucleosis often causes splenomegaly (enlarged spleen). Contact sports
must be avoided to prevent the risk of splenic rupture.
, 6. A nurse is caring for a child with bacterial meningitis. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take first?
A. Administer the first dose of antibiotics.
B. Place the child in a private room with droplet precautions.
C. Perform a lumbar puncture.
D. Assess the child’s neurologic status.
Answer: B
Rationale: Safety and infection control are priorities. Droplet precautions should be
initiated as soon as meningitis is suspected to prevent transmission to others.
7. A nurse is assessing a child for scarlet fever. Which of the following is a classic
sign of this infection?
A. Dewdrops on a rose petal rash
B. Koplik spots
C. Parotitis
D. Strawberry tongue
Answer: D
Rationale: Scarlet fever is characterized by a ‘strawberry tongue’ (white then red) and a
sandpaper-like rash, caused by Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci.
8. The nurse is reviewing the lab results of a child with suspected viral
meningitis. Which of the following findings in the CSF is expected?
A. Normal glucose levels
B. Cloudy appearance
C. Decreased glucose levels
D. Significantly elevated protein
Answer: A
Rationale: In viral meningitis, CSF glucose is typically normal, whereas in bacterial
meningitis, glucose is decreased because the bacteria consume it.
|Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is caring for a child who has varicella. Which of the following
transmission-based precautions should the nurse implement?
A. Contact and Droplet precautions
B. Airborne and Contact precautions
C. Standard precautions only
D. Protective environment
Answer: B
Rationale: Varicella (chickenpox) is transmitted via direct contact, droplet (airborne
particles), and contaminated objects. Therefore, airborne and contact precautions are
required until all lesions are crusted over.
2. A nurse is assessing a child who has pertussis. Which of the following clinical
manifestations should the nurse expect?
A. Koplik spots in the oral mucosa
B. Paroxysmal coughing with a ‘whooping’ sound
C. Strawberry tongue and sandpaper-like rash
D. Swelling of the parotid glands
Answer: B
Rationale: Pertussis, or whooping cough, is characterized by paroxysmal coughing fits
followed by a high-pitched ‘whoop’ sound on inspiration.
,3. A nurse is teaching the parent of a child who has fifth disease (erythema
infectiosum). Which of the following statements should the nurse include?
A. The rash appears as a ‘slapped cheek’ appearance.
B. The child will have a persistent high fever for 10 days.
C. The child will require a course of antibiotics.
D. The child is most contagious after the rash appears.
Answer: A
Rationale: Fifth disease typically begins with a ‘slapped cheek’ appearance on the face,
followed by a maculopapular rash on the extremities.
4. Which of the following findings is a hallmark sign of Rubeola (Measles)?
A. Koplik spots
B. Vesicles on the palms and soles
C. Pastia’s lines
D. Orchitis
Answer: A
Rationale: Koplik spots (small blue-white spots on a red background in the mouth) are a
prodromal sign unique to Rubeola (Measles).
5. A child is diagnosed with mononucleosis. Which of the following instructions
should the nurse provide to the parents regarding activity?
A. Encourage vigorous exercise to boost immunity.
B. Avoid contact sports for several weeks to prevent splenic rupture.
C. The child should remain on bed rest for one month.
D. No activity restrictions are necessary once the fever is gone.
Answer: B
Rationale: Mononucleosis often causes splenomegaly (enlarged spleen). Contact sports
must be avoided to prevent the risk of splenic rupture.
, 6. A nurse is caring for a child with bacterial meningitis. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take first?
A. Administer the first dose of antibiotics.
B. Place the child in a private room with droplet precautions.
C. Perform a lumbar puncture.
D. Assess the child’s neurologic status.
Answer: B
Rationale: Safety and infection control are priorities. Droplet precautions should be
initiated as soon as meningitis is suspected to prevent transmission to others.
7. A nurse is assessing a child for scarlet fever. Which of the following is a classic
sign of this infection?
A. Dewdrops on a rose petal rash
B. Koplik spots
C. Parotitis
D. Strawberry tongue
Answer: D
Rationale: Scarlet fever is characterized by a ‘strawberry tongue’ (white then red) and a
sandpaper-like rash, caused by Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci.
8. The nurse is reviewing the lab results of a child with suspected viral
meningitis. Which of the following findings in the CSF is expected?
A. Normal glucose levels
B. Cloudy appearance
C. Decreased glucose levels
D. Significantly elevated protein
Answer: A
Rationale: In viral meningitis, CSF glucose is typically normal, whereas in bacterial
meningitis, glucose is decreased because the bacteria consume it.
