ATI Pediatrics: Neurological & Musculoskeletal Disorders Practice
Exam 2026 |Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is assessing a child for suspected bacterial meningitis. Which of the
following clinical findings should the nurse expect?
A. Negative Kernig sign
B. Increased glucose in cerebrospinal fluid
C. Nuchal rigidity
D. Sunken fontanels
Answer: C
Rationale: Nuchal rigidity is a classic sign of meningeal irritation. In bacterial meningitis,
CSF glucose is typically decreased, and fontanels would be bulging rather than sunken due
to increased intracranial pressure.
2. A nurse is teaching parents of a child with a new diagnosis of absence
seizures. Which of the following characteristics should the nurse include?
A. Sudden loss of muscle tone
B. Rhythmic jerking of all extremities
C. A brief loss of consciousness resembling daydreaming
D. Aura preceding the event
Answer: C
Rationale: Absence seizures are characterized by a brief loss of consciousness where the
child may appear to be daydreaming or staring into space, often lasting only seconds.
,3. A nurse is caring for an infant who has myelomeningocele. Which of the
following actions is the priority in the preoperative period?
A. Measuring head circumference every shift
B. Providing tactile stimulation to the lower extremities
C. Covering the sac with a sterile, moist, non-adherent dressing
D. Assessing the infant’s sucking reflex
Answer: C
Rationale: The priority is to prevent infection and keep the sac moist and intact. A sterile,
moist, non-adherent dressing is applied to the site until surgical repair occurs.
4. A school-age child has a suspected concussion. Which of the following signs
should the nurse report as a late sign of increased intracranial pressure (ICP)?
A. Bradycardia
B. Nausea
C. Irritability
D. Headache
Answer: A
Rationale: Bradycardia, along with hypertension and irregular respirations (Cushing’s
Triad), is a late sign of increased ICP. Nausea, headache, and irritability are early signs.
5. A nurse is providing teaching to the parent of a child with hip dysplasia who is
in a Pavlik harness. Which statement by the parent indicates a need for further
teaching?
A. I will adjust the straps if they seem too tight.
B. I will check for skin redness under the straps twice a day.
C. I will put a onesie under the harness to protect the skin.
D. I will not use lotions or powders under the harness.
Answer: A
, Rationale: Parents should not adjust the straps of a Pavlik harness; adjustments must be
made by a healthcare professional to ensure proper hip alignment and avoid nerve damage.
6. Which of the following findings is a hallmark sign of Duchenne Muscular
Dystrophy in a toddler?
A. Gower’s sign
B. Hypertonia
C. Early achievement of motor milestones
D. Increased deep tendon reflexes
Answer: A
Rationale: Gower’s sign, where the child uses their hands to ‘walk’ up their legs to stand, is
indicative of pelvic girdle weakness seen in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
7. A nurse is assessing a child with a full leg cast. Which of the following findings
should be reported immediately as a sign of compartment syndrome?
A. Capillary refill of 2 seconds
B. Pain that is unrelieved by morphine
C. Warm toes
D. Ability to wiggle the toes
Answer: B
Rationale: Pain that is out of proportion to the injury or unrelieved by potent analgesics is
a key early sign of compartment syndrome.
8. A child with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) is experiencing morning
stiffness. Which of the following interventions should the nurse recommend?
A. Applying cold packs to joints immediately upon waking
B. Limiting all physical activity until the afternoon
C. Remaining in bed until the stiffness subsides
D. Taking a warm bath or shower after waking up
Answer: D
Exam 2026 |Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is assessing a child for suspected bacterial meningitis. Which of the
following clinical findings should the nurse expect?
A. Negative Kernig sign
B. Increased glucose in cerebrospinal fluid
C. Nuchal rigidity
D. Sunken fontanels
Answer: C
Rationale: Nuchal rigidity is a classic sign of meningeal irritation. In bacterial meningitis,
CSF glucose is typically decreased, and fontanels would be bulging rather than sunken due
to increased intracranial pressure.
2. A nurse is teaching parents of a child with a new diagnosis of absence
seizures. Which of the following characteristics should the nurse include?
A. Sudden loss of muscle tone
B. Rhythmic jerking of all extremities
C. A brief loss of consciousness resembling daydreaming
D. Aura preceding the event
Answer: C
Rationale: Absence seizures are characterized by a brief loss of consciousness where the
child may appear to be daydreaming or staring into space, often lasting only seconds.
,3. A nurse is caring for an infant who has myelomeningocele. Which of the
following actions is the priority in the preoperative period?
A. Measuring head circumference every shift
B. Providing tactile stimulation to the lower extremities
C. Covering the sac with a sterile, moist, non-adherent dressing
D. Assessing the infant’s sucking reflex
Answer: C
Rationale: The priority is to prevent infection and keep the sac moist and intact. A sterile,
moist, non-adherent dressing is applied to the site until surgical repair occurs.
4. A school-age child has a suspected concussion. Which of the following signs
should the nurse report as a late sign of increased intracranial pressure (ICP)?
A. Bradycardia
B. Nausea
C. Irritability
D. Headache
Answer: A
Rationale: Bradycardia, along with hypertension and irregular respirations (Cushing’s
Triad), is a late sign of increased ICP. Nausea, headache, and irritability are early signs.
5. A nurse is providing teaching to the parent of a child with hip dysplasia who is
in a Pavlik harness. Which statement by the parent indicates a need for further
teaching?
A. I will adjust the straps if they seem too tight.
B. I will check for skin redness under the straps twice a day.
C. I will put a onesie under the harness to protect the skin.
D. I will not use lotions or powders under the harness.
Answer: A
, Rationale: Parents should not adjust the straps of a Pavlik harness; adjustments must be
made by a healthcare professional to ensure proper hip alignment and avoid nerve damage.
6. Which of the following findings is a hallmark sign of Duchenne Muscular
Dystrophy in a toddler?
A. Gower’s sign
B. Hypertonia
C. Early achievement of motor milestones
D. Increased deep tendon reflexes
Answer: A
Rationale: Gower’s sign, where the child uses their hands to ‘walk’ up their legs to stand, is
indicative of pelvic girdle weakness seen in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
7. A nurse is assessing a child with a full leg cast. Which of the following findings
should be reported immediately as a sign of compartment syndrome?
A. Capillary refill of 2 seconds
B. Pain that is unrelieved by morphine
C. Warm toes
D. Ability to wiggle the toes
Answer: B
Rationale: Pain that is out of proportion to the injury or unrelieved by potent analgesics is
a key early sign of compartment syndrome.
8. A child with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) is experiencing morning
stiffness. Which of the following interventions should the nurse recommend?
A. Applying cold packs to joints immediately upon waking
B. Limiting all physical activity until the afternoon
C. Remaining in bed until the stiffness subsides
D. Taking a warm bath or shower after waking up
Answer: D
