Pediatric Nursing Exam 1
Fall 2026 Practice Test: Growth, Development & Safety
Pediatric Vital Signs & Assessment
1. A nurse is assessing a 4-year-old child's growth and development.
According to Erikson, which developmental stage is this child currently in?
A. Trust vs. Mistrust
B. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
C. Initiative vs. Guilt
D. Industry vs. Inferiority
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Preschoolers (ages 3-6) are in the 'Initiative vs. Guilt' stage, where
they begin to assert power and control over the world through directing play and
other social interactions.
Health Promotion & Immunizations
2. Which pain scale is most appropriate for a nurse to use when assessing a 6-
month-old infant following surgery?
A. Wong-Baker FACES Scale
B. Numeric Pain Scale (0-10)
C. FLACC Scale
D. Visual Analog Scale
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The FLACC (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability) scale is an
observational tool used for infants and non-verbal children who cannot self-report
pain.
The Hospitalized Child
3. A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular (IM) injection to an 18-
month-old toddler. Which site is the most appropriate?
A. Deltoid
B. Dorsogluteal
C. Ventrogluteal
D. Vastus Lateralis
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The vastus lateralis (lateral thigh) is the preferred site for IM injections
in infants and toddlers because it is the most developed muscle mass in this age
group.
Pediatric Exam 1 Prep - Page 1
, Family-Centered Care
4. According to Piaget, a child who believes that their stuffed animal is 'sad'
because it was left home is demonstrating which cognitive characteristic?
A. Object Permanence
B. Animism
C. Conservation
D. Egocentrism
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Animism is the belief that inanimate objects have lifelike qualities and
feelings, a common characteristic of the Preoperational stage (ages 2-7).
Safety & Injury Prevention
5. A mother of a 2-month-old infant asks about SIDS prevention. Which
instruction is the priority for the nurse to provide?
A. 'Keep the infant's room very warm.'
B. 'Place the infant on their back to sleep.'
C. 'Use soft pillows and blankets in the crib.'
D. 'Allow the infant to sleep in your bed.'
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The 'Back to Sleep' campaign is the most significant intervention to
reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Newborn & Infant Care
6. Pediatric Question 6: A nurse is caring for a child experiencing stressors
related to Newborn & Infant Care. What is the best intervention to support
family-centered care?
A. Allow the parents to stay at the bedside
B. Restrict visiting hours to allow the child to rest
C. Perform all care without involving the parents
D. Relocate the child to a multi-patient room
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Family-centered care recognizes the family as the constant in the
child's life. Rooming-in and parental presence decrease anxiety for both the child
and parents.
Pediatric Exam 1 Prep - Page 2
, Pediatric Medication Administration
7. Pediatric Question 7: A nurse is caring for a child experiencing stressors
related to Pediatric Medication Administration. What is the best intervention to
support family-centered care?
A. Allow the parents to stay at the bedside
B. Restrict visiting hours to allow the child to rest
C. Perform all care without involving the parents
D. Relocate the child to a multi-patient room
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Family-centered care recognizes the family as the constant in the
child's life. Rooming-in and parental presence decrease anxiety for both the child
and parents.
Pain Assessment in Children (FLACC/Wong-Baker)
8. Pediatric Question 8: A nurse is caring for a child experiencing stressors
related to Pain Assessment in Children (FLACC/Wong-Baker). What is the best
intervention to support family-centered care?
A. Allow the parents to stay at the bedside
B. Restrict visiting hours to allow the child to rest
C. Perform all care without involving the parents
D. Relocate the child to a multi-patient room
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Family-centered care recognizes the family as the constant in the
child's life. Rooming-in and parental presence decrease anxiety for both the child
and parents.
Growth & Development (Erikson/Piaget)
9. Pediatric Question 9: A nurse is caring for a child experiencing stressors
related to Growth & Development (Erikson/Piaget). What is the best
intervention to support family-centered care?
A. Allow the parents to stay at the bedside
B. Restrict visiting hours to allow the child to rest
C. Perform all care without involving the parents
D. Relocate the child to a multi-patient room
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Family-centered care recognizes the family as the constant in the
child's life. Rooming-in and parental presence decrease anxiety for both the child
and parents.
Pediatric Exam 1 Prep - Page 3
, Pediatric Vital Signs & Assessment
10. Pediatric Question 10: A nurse is caring for a child experiencing stressors
related to Pediatric Vital Signs & Assessment. What is the best intervention to
support family-centered care?
A. Allow the parents to stay at the bedside
B. Restrict visiting hours to allow the child to rest
C. Perform all care without involving the parents
D. Relocate the child to a multi-patient room
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Family-centered care recognizes the family as the constant in the
child's life. Rooming-in and parental presence decrease anxiety for both the child
and parents.
Health Promotion & Immunizations
11. Pediatric Question 11: A nurse is caring for a child experiencing stressors
related to Health Promotion & Immunizations. What is the best intervention to
support family-centered care?
A. Allow the parents to stay at the bedside
B. Restrict visiting hours to allow the child to rest
C. Perform all care without involving the parents
D. Relocate the child to a multi-patient room
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Family-centered care recognizes the family as the constant in the
child's life. Rooming-in and parental presence decrease anxiety for both the child
and parents.
The Hospitalized Child
12. Pediatric Question 12: A nurse is caring for a child experiencing stressors
related to The Hospitalized Child. What is the best intervention to support
family-centered care?
A. Allow the parents to stay at the bedside
B. Restrict visiting hours to allow the child to rest
C. Perform all care without involving the parents
D. Relocate the child to a multi-patient room
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Family-centered care recognizes the family as the constant in the
child's life. Rooming-in and parental presence decrease anxiety for both the child
and parents.
Pediatric Exam 1 Prep - Page 4
Fall 2026 Practice Test: Growth, Development & Safety
Pediatric Vital Signs & Assessment
1. A nurse is assessing a 4-year-old child's growth and development.
According to Erikson, which developmental stage is this child currently in?
A. Trust vs. Mistrust
B. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
C. Initiative vs. Guilt
D. Industry vs. Inferiority
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Preschoolers (ages 3-6) are in the 'Initiative vs. Guilt' stage, where
they begin to assert power and control over the world through directing play and
other social interactions.
Health Promotion & Immunizations
2. Which pain scale is most appropriate for a nurse to use when assessing a 6-
month-old infant following surgery?
A. Wong-Baker FACES Scale
B. Numeric Pain Scale (0-10)
C. FLACC Scale
D. Visual Analog Scale
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The FLACC (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability) scale is an
observational tool used for infants and non-verbal children who cannot self-report
pain.
The Hospitalized Child
3. A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular (IM) injection to an 18-
month-old toddler. Which site is the most appropriate?
A. Deltoid
B. Dorsogluteal
C. Ventrogluteal
D. Vastus Lateralis
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The vastus lateralis (lateral thigh) is the preferred site for IM injections
in infants and toddlers because it is the most developed muscle mass in this age
group.
Pediatric Exam 1 Prep - Page 1
, Family-Centered Care
4. According to Piaget, a child who believes that their stuffed animal is 'sad'
because it was left home is demonstrating which cognitive characteristic?
A. Object Permanence
B. Animism
C. Conservation
D. Egocentrism
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Animism is the belief that inanimate objects have lifelike qualities and
feelings, a common characteristic of the Preoperational stage (ages 2-7).
Safety & Injury Prevention
5. A mother of a 2-month-old infant asks about SIDS prevention. Which
instruction is the priority for the nurse to provide?
A. 'Keep the infant's room very warm.'
B. 'Place the infant on their back to sleep.'
C. 'Use soft pillows and blankets in the crib.'
D. 'Allow the infant to sleep in your bed.'
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The 'Back to Sleep' campaign is the most significant intervention to
reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Newborn & Infant Care
6. Pediatric Question 6: A nurse is caring for a child experiencing stressors
related to Newborn & Infant Care. What is the best intervention to support
family-centered care?
A. Allow the parents to stay at the bedside
B. Restrict visiting hours to allow the child to rest
C. Perform all care without involving the parents
D. Relocate the child to a multi-patient room
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Family-centered care recognizes the family as the constant in the
child's life. Rooming-in and parental presence decrease anxiety for both the child
and parents.
Pediatric Exam 1 Prep - Page 2
, Pediatric Medication Administration
7. Pediatric Question 7: A nurse is caring for a child experiencing stressors
related to Pediatric Medication Administration. What is the best intervention to
support family-centered care?
A. Allow the parents to stay at the bedside
B. Restrict visiting hours to allow the child to rest
C. Perform all care without involving the parents
D. Relocate the child to a multi-patient room
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Family-centered care recognizes the family as the constant in the
child's life. Rooming-in and parental presence decrease anxiety for both the child
and parents.
Pain Assessment in Children (FLACC/Wong-Baker)
8. Pediatric Question 8: A nurse is caring for a child experiencing stressors
related to Pain Assessment in Children (FLACC/Wong-Baker). What is the best
intervention to support family-centered care?
A. Allow the parents to stay at the bedside
B. Restrict visiting hours to allow the child to rest
C. Perform all care without involving the parents
D. Relocate the child to a multi-patient room
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Family-centered care recognizes the family as the constant in the
child's life. Rooming-in and parental presence decrease anxiety for both the child
and parents.
Growth & Development (Erikson/Piaget)
9. Pediatric Question 9: A nurse is caring for a child experiencing stressors
related to Growth & Development (Erikson/Piaget). What is the best
intervention to support family-centered care?
A. Allow the parents to stay at the bedside
B. Restrict visiting hours to allow the child to rest
C. Perform all care without involving the parents
D. Relocate the child to a multi-patient room
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Family-centered care recognizes the family as the constant in the
child's life. Rooming-in and parental presence decrease anxiety for both the child
and parents.
Pediatric Exam 1 Prep - Page 3
, Pediatric Vital Signs & Assessment
10. Pediatric Question 10: A nurse is caring for a child experiencing stressors
related to Pediatric Vital Signs & Assessment. What is the best intervention to
support family-centered care?
A. Allow the parents to stay at the bedside
B. Restrict visiting hours to allow the child to rest
C. Perform all care without involving the parents
D. Relocate the child to a multi-patient room
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Family-centered care recognizes the family as the constant in the
child's life. Rooming-in and parental presence decrease anxiety for both the child
and parents.
Health Promotion & Immunizations
11. Pediatric Question 11: A nurse is caring for a child experiencing stressors
related to Health Promotion & Immunizations. What is the best intervention to
support family-centered care?
A. Allow the parents to stay at the bedside
B. Restrict visiting hours to allow the child to rest
C. Perform all care without involving the parents
D. Relocate the child to a multi-patient room
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Family-centered care recognizes the family as the constant in the
child's life. Rooming-in and parental presence decrease anxiety for both the child
and parents.
The Hospitalized Child
12. Pediatric Question 12: A nurse is caring for a child experiencing stressors
related to The Hospitalized Child. What is the best intervention to support
family-centered care?
A. Allow the parents to stay at the bedside
B. Restrict visiting hours to allow the child to rest
C. Perform all care without involving the parents
D. Relocate the child to a multi-patient room
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Family-centered care recognizes the family as the constant in the
child's life. Rooming-in and parental presence decrease anxiety for both the child
and parents.
Pediatric Exam 1 Prep - Page 4
