ATI RN PEDIATRICS PROCTOR EXAM
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A nurse is caring for a 4-year-old child with epiglottitis. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take first?
A. Obtain a throat culture to identify the causative organism.
B. Keep the child in a comfortable, upright position.
C. Initiate an intravenous line for fluid resuscitation.
D. Administer an oral dose of an antipyretic.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: In epiglottitis, maintaining a patent airway is the priority. The
child should remain in a position of comfort (usually tripod or upright) to prevent airway
occlusion. Throat cultures and oral medications are contraindicated until the airway is
stabilized by a provider.
,2. A nurse is assessing a 10-month-old infant for developmental milestones. Which finding
should the nurse report to the provider?
A. The infant cannot stand while holding onto furniture.
B. The infant is unable to sit steadily without support.
C. The infant does not have a pincer grasp.
D. The infant is unable to walk independently.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Infants typically sit steadily without support by 8 months.
Failure to do so by 10 months is a developmental delay. Pincer grasp develops around 9
months, and walking typically occurs between 11-15 months.
3. A school-age child with cystic fibrosis is being treated for a pulmonary exacerbation. Which
dietary intervention is most appropriate?
A. Low-fat, high-carbohydrate snacks.
B. High-calorie, high-protein meals with pancreatic enzymes.
C. Fluid restriction to 1,000 mL per day.
D. A gluten-free diet to prevent malabsorption.
Answer: B
, Conceptual Explanation: Cystic fibrosis requires a high-calorie, high-protein diet due to
malabsorption. Pancreatic enzymes must be taken with all meals and snacks to facilitate
the digestion of fats and proteins.
4. A nurse is providing teaching to the parents of a child with Tetralogy of Fallot. During a
hypercyanotic (‘tet’) spell, what should the nurse instruct the parents to do first?
A. Administer supplemental oxygen via a face mask.
B. Place the child in the knee-chest position.
C. Call 911 immediately.
D. Offer the child a high-calorie drink.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The knee-chest position increases systemic vascular resistance,
which reduces the right-to-left shunt and improves pulmonary blood flow during a
hypercyanotic spell.
5. Which clinical manifestation is a classic sign of pyloric stenosis in a 4-week-old infant?
A. Currant jelly-like stools.
B. Bile-stained emesis.
C. Projectile vomiting after feedings.
D. Ribbon-like stools.
Answer: C
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A nurse is caring for a 4-year-old child with epiglottitis. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take first?
A. Obtain a throat culture to identify the causative organism.
B. Keep the child in a comfortable, upright position.
C. Initiate an intravenous line for fluid resuscitation.
D. Administer an oral dose of an antipyretic.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: In epiglottitis, maintaining a patent airway is the priority. The
child should remain in a position of comfort (usually tripod or upright) to prevent airway
occlusion. Throat cultures and oral medications are contraindicated until the airway is
stabilized by a provider.
,2. A nurse is assessing a 10-month-old infant for developmental milestones. Which finding
should the nurse report to the provider?
A. The infant cannot stand while holding onto furniture.
B. The infant is unable to sit steadily without support.
C. The infant does not have a pincer grasp.
D. The infant is unable to walk independently.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Infants typically sit steadily without support by 8 months.
Failure to do so by 10 months is a developmental delay. Pincer grasp develops around 9
months, and walking typically occurs between 11-15 months.
3. A school-age child with cystic fibrosis is being treated for a pulmonary exacerbation. Which
dietary intervention is most appropriate?
A. Low-fat, high-carbohydrate snacks.
B. High-calorie, high-protein meals with pancreatic enzymes.
C. Fluid restriction to 1,000 mL per day.
D. A gluten-free diet to prevent malabsorption.
Answer: B
, Conceptual Explanation: Cystic fibrosis requires a high-calorie, high-protein diet due to
malabsorption. Pancreatic enzymes must be taken with all meals and snacks to facilitate
the digestion of fats and proteins.
4. A nurse is providing teaching to the parents of a child with Tetralogy of Fallot. During a
hypercyanotic (‘tet’) spell, what should the nurse instruct the parents to do first?
A. Administer supplemental oxygen via a face mask.
B. Place the child in the knee-chest position.
C. Call 911 immediately.
D. Offer the child a high-calorie drink.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The knee-chest position increases systemic vascular resistance,
which reduces the right-to-left shunt and improves pulmonary blood flow during a
hypercyanotic spell.
5. Which clinical manifestation is a classic sign of pyloric stenosis in a 4-week-old infant?
A. Currant jelly-like stools.
B. Bile-stained emesis.
C. Projectile vomiting after feedings.
D. Ribbon-like stools.
Answer: C
