ATI PEDIATRICS COMPREHENSIVE
PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. A nurse is caring for a 4-year-old child who has a diagnosis of Tetralogy of Fallot and is
experiencing a hypercyanotic spell. Which of the following actions should the nurse take
first?
A. Administer 100% oxygen via face mask
B. Administer morphine sulfate intravenously
C. Place the child in a knee-chest position
D. Prepare the child for an emergency echocardiogram
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The knee-chest position is the priority intervention for a
hypercyanotic spell (tet spell) in a child with Tetralogy of Fallot because it increases
systemic vascular resistance, which helps push blood through the pulmonary artery.
2. A nurse is providing teaching to the parents of a child who has a new diagnosis of Celiac
disease. Which of the following foods should the nurse recommend including in the diet?
A. Rice cakes
,B. Barley soup
C. Whole wheat bread
D. Rye crackers
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Children with Celiac disease must follow a gluten-free diet. Rice
is gluten-free, whereas wheat, barley, and rye contain gluten and must be avoided.
3. A nurse is assessing an infant who has pyloric stenosis. Which of the following findings
should the nurse expect?
A. Projectile vomiting
B. Currant jelly-like stools
C. Ribbon-like stools
D. Bile-stained vomitus
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Projectile vomiting is a classic sign of hypertrophic pyloric
stenosis. Currant jelly stools are associated with intussusception, and ribbon-like stools are
associated with Hirschsprung’s disease.
4. A nurse is assessing a child who has suspected epiglottitis. Which of the following actions is
the nurse’s priority?
A. Obtain a throat culture
, B. Inspect the throat using a tongue blade
C. Prepare for nasotracheal intubation
D. Place the child in a supine position
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Epiglottitis is a medical emergency that can lead to rapid airway
obstruction. The priority is to ensure airway patency, often requiring intubation. Throat
inspection or cultures are contraindicated as they can trigger laryngospasm.
5. A nurse is caring for a child who has cystic fibrosis. Which of the following interventions
should the nurse include in the plan of care?
A. Administer pancreatic enzymes 2 hours after meals
B. Restrict dietary fat intake
C. Encourage a low-protein diet
D. Perform chest physiotherapy twice daily
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Chest physiotherapy (CPT) is essential for clearing thick
secretions in patients with cystic fibrosis. Pancreatic enzymes should be given with all
meals and snacks, and a high-calorie, high-protein, high-fat diet is required.
PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. A nurse is caring for a 4-year-old child who has a diagnosis of Tetralogy of Fallot and is
experiencing a hypercyanotic spell. Which of the following actions should the nurse take
first?
A. Administer 100% oxygen via face mask
B. Administer morphine sulfate intravenously
C. Place the child in a knee-chest position
D. Prepare the child for an emergency echocardiogram
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The knee-chest position is the priority intervention for a
hypercyanotic spell (tet spell) in a child with Tetralogy of Fallot because it increases
systemic vascular resistance, which helps push blood through the pulmonary artery.
2. A nurse is providing teaching to the parents of a child who has a new diagnosis of Celiac
disease. Which of the following foods should the nurse recommend including in the diet?
A. Rice cakes
,B. Barley soup
C. Whole wheat bread
D. Rye crackers
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Children with Celiac disease must follow a gluten-free diet. Rice
is gluten-free, whereas wheat, barley, and rye contain gluten and must be avoided.
3. A nurse is assessing an infant who has pyloric stenosis. Which of the following findings
should the nurse expect?
A. Projectile vomiting
B. Currant jelly-like stools
C. Ribbon-like stools
D. Bile-stained vomitus
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Projectile vomiting is a classic sign of hypertrophic pyloric
stenosis. Currant jelly stools are associated with intussusception, and ribbon-like stools are
associated with Hirschsprung’s disease.
4. A nurse is assessing a child who has suspected epiglottitis. Which of the following actions is
the nurse’s priority?
A. Obtain a throat culture
, B. Inspect the throat using a tongue blade
C. Prepare for nasotracheal intubation
D. Place the child in a supine position
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Epiglottitis is a medical emergency that can lead to rapid airway
obstruction. The priority is to ensure airway patency, often requiring intubation. Throat
inspection or cultures are contraindicated as they can trigger laryngospasm.
5. A nurse is caring for a child who has cystic fibrosis. Which of the following interventions
should the nurse include in the plan of care?
A. Administer pancreatic enzymes 2 hours after meals
B. Restrict dietary fat intake
C. Encourage a low-protein diet
D. Perform chest physiotherapy twice daily
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Chest physiotherapy (CPT) is essential for clearing thick
secretions in patients with cystic fibrosis. Pancreatic enzymes should be given with all
meals and snacks, and a high-calorie, high-protein, high-fat diet is required.
