ATI PN Pediatric Proctored Exam (2026) –
NGN-Style Questions, Case Scenarios &
Answers
SECTION 1: Growth & Development (Questions 1-50)
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old child during a well-child visit. Which of the following
findings would indicate a developmental delay requiring further evaluation?
A) The child uses two-word phrases
B) The child walks independently
C) The child has a vocabulary of approximately 50 words
D) The child is unable to stack two blocks
Answer: D) The child is unable to stack two blocks
*Rationale: * The inability to stack two blocks at 2 years of age is a developmental delay
that requires further evaluation. Using two-word phrases, walking independently, and
having a vocabulary of about 50 words are all expected milestones for a 2-year-old .
,Question 2
According to Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, which developmental task is
characteristic of the school-age child (6-12 years)?
A) Developing a sense of trust
B) Developing a sense of industry
C) Developing a sense of autonomy
D) Developing a sense of identity
Answer: B) Developing a sense of industry
*Rationale: * According to Erikson's psychosocial theory, the school-age child (6-12 years)
is in the stage of Industry vs. Inferiority. During this stage, children develop a sense of
competence and achievement through learning new skills and completing tasks. Trust vs.
Mistrust is the infant stage, Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt is the toddler stage, and
Identity vs. Role Confusion is the adolescent stage .
Question 3
A nurse is assessing an adolescent client. Which of the following behaviors is consistent
with Piaget's formal operational stage of cognitive development?
A) The adolescent thinks concretely about objects
B) The adolescent can think abstractly and use deductive reasoning
C) The adolescent is egocentric and cannot see others' perspectives
D) The adolescent relies on trial and error to solve problems
Answer: B) The adolescent can think abstractly and use deductive reasoning
*Rationale: * Piaget's formal operational stage (12 years and older) is characterized by
the ability to think abstractly, use deductive reasoning, and consider hypothetical
situations. Concrete thinking is characteristic of the concrete operational stage (7-11
years). Egocentrism is characteristic of the preoperational stage (2-7 years). Trial and error
is characteristic of the sensorimotor stage (0-2 years) .
,Question 4
A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to the parents of a 15-month-old child.
Which statement indicates the parents understand the teaching?
A) "We will start using time-out as a form of discipline"
B) "We will allow our child to use a sippy cup independently"
C) "We will begin toilet training now that our child is 15 months old"
D) "We will limit our child's daily screen time to 2 hours"
Answer: B) "We will allow our child to use a sippy cup independently"
*Rationale: * At 15 months, toddlers should be encouraged to use a sippy cup
independently to promote fine motor skills and autonomy. Time-out is typically not
effective until the child is at least 2-3 years old. Toilet training is usually not initiated until
18-24 months when the child shows signs of readiness. Screen time for children 2-5 years
should be limited to 1 hour per day, and children under 2 years should have no screen
time other than video chatting .
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a hospitalized school-age child. Which intervention would best
support the child's developmental needs?
A) Allowing the child to choose meals from a menu
B) Providing the child with a coloring book and crayons
C) Encouraging the parents to stay with the child at all times
D) Allowing the child to make decisions about their care routine
Answer: D) Allowing the child to make decisions about their care routine
*Rationale: * School-age children are developing a sense of industry and autonomy.
Allowing them to make decisions about their care routine (e.g., choosing the order of
activities, deciding between two options) supports their developmental needs and gives
them a sense of control. While allowing meal choices and providing activities are helpful,
they are not as directly related to the child's developmental stage as decision-making
opportunities .
, Question 6
A nurse is assessing a newborn. Which reflexes should the nurse expect to be present?
A) Moro reflex
B) Rooting reflex
C) Grasp reflex
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
*Rationale: * All of these reflexes are present at birth and are expected in a healthy
newborn. The Moro reflex (startle reflex): the newborn extends arms and legs and then
brings them back in response to a sudden noise or movement. The Rooting reflex: the
newborn turns the head toward the cheek being stroked to locate the nipple. The Grasp
reflex: the newborn grasps objects placed in the palm .
Question 7
A nurse is providing teaching about social development to the parents of a preschooler.
Which play activity should the nurse recommend for the child?
A) Play pat-a-cake
B) Using a push-pull toy
C) Creating a scrapbook
D) Playing dress-up
Answer: D) Playing dress-up
*Rationale: * At the preschool age, play should focus on social, mental, and physical
development. Therefore, playing dress-up is a recommended play activity for this child.
This type of imaginative play supports social development and cognitive growth .
Question 8
A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which finding should
the nurse report to the provider as a potential developmental delay?
NGN-Style Questions, Case Scenarios &
Answers
SECTION 1: Growth & Development (Questions 1-50)
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old child during a well-child visit. Which of the following
findings would indicate a developmental delay requiring further evaluation?
A) The child uses two-word phrases
B) The child walks independently
C) The child has a vocabulary of approximately 50 words
D) The child is unable to stack two blocks
Answer: D) The child is unable to stack two blocks
*Rationale: * The inability to stack two blocks at 2 years of age is a developmental delay
that requires further evaluation. Using two-word phrases, walking independently, and
having a vocabulary of about 50 words are all expected milestones for a 2-year-old .
,Question 2
According to Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, which developmental task is
characteristic of the school-age child (6-12 years)?
A) Developing a sense of trust
B) Developing a sense of industry
C) Developing a sense of autonomy
D) Developing a sense of identity
Answer: B) Developing a sense of industry
*Rationale: * According to Erikson's psychosocial theory, the school-age child (6-12 years)
is in the stage of Industry vs. Inferiority. During this stage, children develop a sense of
competence and achievement through learning new skills and completing tasks. Trust vs.
Mistrust is the infant stage, Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt is the toddler stage, and
Identity vs. Role Confusion is the adolescent stage .
Question 3
A nurse is assessing an adolescent client. Which of the following behaviors is consistent
with Piaget's formal operational stage of cognitive development?
A) The adolescent thinks concretely about objects
B) The adolescent can think abstractly and use deductive reasoning
C) The adolescent is egocentric and cannot see others' perspectives
D) The adolescent relies on trial and error to solve problems
Answer: B) The adolescent can think abstractly and use deductive reasoning
*Rationale: * Piaget's formal operational stage (12 years and older) is characterized by
the ability to think abstractly, use deductive reasoning, and consider hypothetical
situations. Concrete thinking is characteristic of the concrete operational stage (7-11
years). Egocentrism is characteristic of the preoperational stage (2-7 years). Trial and error
is characteristic of the sensorimotor stage (0-2 years) .
,Question 4
A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to the parents of a 15-month-old child.
Which statement indicates the parents understand the teaching?
A) "We will start using time-out as a form of discipline"
B) "We will allow our child to use a sippy cup independently"
C) "We will begin toilet training now that our child is 15 months old"
D) "We will limit our child's daily screen time to 2 hours"
Answer: B) "We will allow our child to use a sippy cup independently"
*Rationale: * At 15 months, toddlers should be encouraged to use a sippy cup
independently to promote fine motor skills and autonomy. Time-out is typically not
effective until the child is at least 2-3 years old. Toilet training is usually not initiated until
18-24 months when the child shows signs of readiness. Screen time for children 2-5 years
should be limited to 1 hour per day, and children under 2 years should have no screen
time other than video chatting .
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a hospitalized school-age child. Which intervention would best
support the child's developmental needs?
A) Allowing the child to choose meals from a menu
B) Providing the child with a coloring book and crayons
C) Encouraging the parents to stay with the child at all times
D) Allowing the child to make decisions about their care routine
Answer: D) Allowing the child to make decisions about their care routine
*Rationale: * School-age children are developing a sense of industry and autonomy.
Allowing them to make decisions about their care routine (e.g., choosing the order of
activities, deciding between two options) supports their developmental needs and gives
them a sense of control. While allowing meal choices and providing activities are helpful,
they are not as directly related to the child's developmental stage as decision-making
opportunities .
, Question 6
A nurse is assessing a newborn. Which reflexes should the nurse expect to be present?
A) Moro reflex
B) Rooting reflex
C) Grasp reflex
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
*Rationale: * All of these reflexes are present at birth and are expected in a healthy
newborn. The Moro reflex (startle reflex): the newborn extends arms and legs and then
brings them back in response to a sudden noise or movement. The Rooting reflex: the
newborn turns the head toward the cheek being stroked to locate the nipple. The Grasp
reflex: the newborn grasps objects placed in the palm .
Question 7
A nurse is providing teaching about social development to the parents of a preschooler.
Which play activity should the nurse recommend for the child?
A) Play pat-a-cake
B) Using a push-pull toy
C) Creating a scrapbook
D) Playing dress-up
Answer: D) Playing dress-up
*Rationale: * At the preschool age, play should focus on social, mental, and physical
development. Therefore, playing dress-up is a recommended play activity for this child.
This type of imaginative play supports social development and cognitive growth .
Question 8
A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which finding should
the nurse report to the provider as a potential developmental delay?
