ATI PEDIATRICS 2026–2027 ORIGINAL
PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026
Q&A INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A nurse is assessing a 2-month-old infant. Which finding requires
immediate intervention?
A. Acrocyanosis
B. Respiratory rate of 42/min
C. Nasal flaring and grunting
D. Startle reflex
Answer: C. Nasal flaring and grunting
Rationale: Nasal flaring and grunting indicate increased work of
breathing and possible respiratory distress.
2. Which immunization is routinely administered at birth?
A. MMR
B. Hepatitis B
C. Varicella
D. IPV
Answer: B. Hepatitis B
Rationale: Hepatitis B vaccine is routinely given during the newborn
period.
3. Which finding is expected in a healthy newborn?
A. Central cyanosis
B. Apnea lasting 30 seconds
,C. Acrocyanosis
D. Persistent grunting
Answer: C. Acrocyanosis
Rationale: Peripheral cyanosis can occur normally shortly after birth,
whereas central cyanosis requires evaluation.
4. A nurse is teaching parents about safe sleep. Which statement
should the nurse include?
A. “Place the infant prone.”
B. “Use a soft pillow.”
C. “Place the infant supine on a firm mattress.”
D. “Use loose blankets.”
Answer: C. “Place the infant supine on a firm mattress.”
Rationale: Supine positioning on a firm, flat sleep surface reduces the
risk of sudden unexpected infant death.
5. Which developmental milestone is expected for a 4-month-old
infant?
A. Walking independently
B. Rolling from abdomen to back
C. Using two-word phrases
D. Pulling to stand
Answer: B. Rolling from abdomen to back
Rationale: Rolling is an expected gross-motor milestone during early
infancy.
6. Which food is appropriate as an early complementary food for an
infant?
A. Whole grapes
B. Honey
C. Iron-fortified infant cereal
D. Popcorn
,Answer: C. Iron-fortified infant cereal
Rationale: Iron-fortified cereal is an appropriate complementary food
when developmentally ready.
7. A nurse is assessing an infant's fontanel. Which finding is concerning?
A. Flat anterior fontanel
B. Soft posterior fontanel
C. Bulging anterior fontanel when calm
D. Slight pulsation
Answer: C. Bulging anterior fontanel when calm
Rationale: A persistently bulging fontanel can indicate increased
intracranial pressure.
8. Which finding indicates dehydration in an infant?
A. Tears when crying
B. Moist mucous membranes
C. Decreased wet diapers
D. Bounding pulse
Answer: C. Decreased wet diapers
Rationale: Reduced urine output is an important indicator of fluid
deficit.
9. Which assessment finding is expected in a toddler?
A. Parallel play
B. Abstract reasoning
C. Mature judgment
D. Formal operational thinking
Answer: A. Parallel play
Rationale: Toddlers commonly engage in parallel play, playing beside
rather than cooperatively with other children.
10. Which behavior is characteristic of a preschooler?
A. Cooperative rule-based games
, B. Magical thinking
C. Abstract reasoning
D. Identity formation
Answer: B. Magical thinking
Rationale: Preschool children often believe thoughts or wishes can
cause events.
11. Which activity is most appropriate for a hospitalized toddler?
A. Complex board game
B. Large-piece puzzle
C. Crossword puzzle
D. Competitive team sport
Answer: B. Large-piece puzzle
Rationale: Simple puzzles with large pieces are developmentally
appropriate for toddlers.
12. Which intervention is appropriate when caring for a hospitalized
preschooler?
A. Provide lengthy explanations
B. Use simple concrete language
C. Avoid allowing choices
D. Explain procedures only after completion
Answer: B. Use simple concrete language
Rationale: Preschoolers understand simple, concrete explanations best.
13. A school-age child is preparing for surgery. Which intervention is
appropriate?
A. Avoid discussing the procedure
B. Use age-appropriate explanations
C. Tell the child nothing will hurt
D. Separate the child from the parents immediately
Answer: B. Use age-appropriate explanations
PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026
Q&A INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A nurse is assessing a 2-month-old infant. Which finding requires
immediate intervention?
A. Acrocyanosis
B. Respiratory rate of 42/min
C. Nasal flaring and grunting
D. Startle reflex
Answer: C. Nasal flaring and grunting
Rationale: Nasal flaring and grunting indicate increased work of
breathing and possible respiratory distress.
2. Which immunization is routinely administered at birth?
A. MMR
B. Hepatitis B
C. Varicella
D. IPV
Answer: B. Hepatitis B
Rationale: Hepatitis B vaccine is routinely given during the newborn
period.
3. Which finding is expected in a healthy newborn?
A. Central cyanosis
B. Apnea lasting 30 seconds
,C. Acrocyanosis
D. Persistent grunting
Answer: C. Acrocyanosis
Rationale: Peripheral cyanosis can occur normally shortly after birth,
whereas central cyanosis requires evaluation.
4. A nurse is teaching parents about safe sleep. Which statement
should the nurse include?
A. “Place the infant prone.”
B. “Use a soft pillow.”
C. “Place the infant supine on a firm mattress.”
D. “Use loose blankets.”
Answer: C. “Place the infant supine on a firm mattress.”
Rationale: Supine positioning on a firm, flat sleep surface reduces the
risk of sudden unexpected infant death.
5. Which developmental milestone is expected for a 4-month-old
infant?
A. Walking independently
B. Rolling from abdomen to back
C. Using two-word phrases
D. Pulling to stand
Answer: B. Rolling from abdomen to back
Rationale: Rolling is an expected gross-motor milestone during early
infancy.
6. Which food is appropriate as an early complementary food for an
infant?
A. Whole grapes
B. Honey
C. Iron-fortified infant cereal
D. Popcorn
,Answer: C. Iron-fortified infant cereal
Rationale: Iron-fortified cereal is an appropriate complementary food
when developmentally ready.
7. A nurse is assessing an infant's fontanel. Which finding is concerning?
A. Flat anterior fontanel
B. Soft posterior fontanel
C. Bulging anterior fontanel when calm
D. Slight pulsation
Answer: C. Bulging anterior fontanel when calm
Rationale: A persistently bulging fontanel can indicate increased
intracranial pressure.
8. Which finding indicates dehydration in an infant?
A. Tears when crying
B. Moist mucous membranes
C. Decreased wet diapers
D. Bounding pulse
Answer: C. Decreased wet diapers
Rationale: Reduced urine output is an important indicator of fluid
deficit.
9. Which assessment finding is expected in a toddler?
A. Parallel play
B. Abstract reasoning
C. Mature judgment
D. Formal operational thinking
Answer: A. Parallel play
Rationale: Toddlers commonly engage in parallel play, playing beside
rather than cooperatively with other children.
10. Which behavior is characteristic of a preschooler?
A. Cooperative rule-based games
, B. Magical thinking
C. Abstract reasoning
D. Identity formation
Answer: B. Magical thinking
Rationale: Preschool children often believe thoughts or wishes can
cause events.
11. Which activity is most appropriate for a hospitalized toddler?
A. Complex board game
B. Large-piece puzzle
C. Crossword puzzle
D. Competitive team sport
Answer: B. Large-piece puzzle
Rationale: Simple puzzles with large pieces are developmentally
appropriate for toddlers.
12. Which intervention is appropriate when caring for a hospitalized
preschooler?
A. Provide lengthy explanations
B. Use simple concrete language
C. Avoid allowing choices
D. Explain procedures only after completion
Answer: B. Use simple concrete language
Rationale: Preschoolers understand simple, concrete explanations best.
13. A school-age child is preparing for surgery. Which intervention is
appropriate?
A. Avoid discussing the procedure
B. Use age-appropriate explanations
C. Tell the child nothing will hurt
D. Separate the child from the parents immediately
Answer: B. Use age-appropriate explanations
