2026 ATI RN Pediatric Nursing Proctored Exam Practice Test
Bank | Original Exam-Style Multiple-Choice Questions &
Clinical Rationales Deferent Versions
Secure a Level 3 proficiency rating on your proctored specialty assessment with this
high-yield 2026 ATI RN Pediatric Nursing master practice test bank. Master complex
pediatric nursing care domains, including developmental milestones
(Piaget/Erikson), congenital cardiovascular anomalies (including cyanotic vs.
acyanotic defects), pediatric fluid resuscitation math, and Next Generation
NCLEX (NGN) clinical judgment trend items. Every unique, verified multiple-choice
question features a highly detailed clinical rationale to sharpen your nursing judgment
and ensure success on your first attempt.
1. A nurse is assessing a newborn’s Apgar score at 1 minute after birth. Which finding
would receive a score of 2 for heart rate?
A. Absent
B. Below 100 bpm
C. Above 100 bpm
D. Irregular
Answer: C. Above 100 bpm
Rationale: For the Apgar score, a heart rate above 100 bpm receives 2 points. Below 100
bpm receives 1 point, and absent receives 0.
2. A nurse is teaching a new mother about breastfeeding. Which condition is an
absolute contraindication to breastfeeding?
A. Maternal hepatitis B
B. Maternal HIV infection
C. Maternal mastitis
D. Maternal caffeine intake
Answer: B. Maternal HIV infection
,Rationale: HIV can be transmitted through breast milk. In developed countries,
breastfeeding is contraindicated for HIV-positive mothers. Hepatitis B is not a
contraindication if the infant receives immunoglobulin and vaccine.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer vitamin K to a newborn. Which route is
recommended?
A. Oral
B. Intramuscular
C. Subcutaneous
D. Intravenous
Answer: B. Intramuscular
Rationale: Vitamin K is given intramuscularly in the vastus lateralis to prevent
hemorrhagic disease of the newborn.
4. A nurse is assessing a 2-day-old newborn for jaundice. Which finding requires
immediate intervention?
A. Jaundice on the face only
B. Jaundice on the abdomen
C. Jaundice on the soles and palms
D. Jaundice appearing after 24 hours
Answer: C. Jaundice on the soles and palms
Rationale: Jaundice on the soles and palms indicates severe hyperbilirubinemia and
requires immediate treatment to prevent kernicterus.
5. A nurse is teaching a parent about circumcision care. Which instruction should the
nurse include?
A. Apply petroleum jelly to the glans with each diaper change
B. Clean with alcohol wipes
,C. Remove the yellow exudate
D. Avoid diaper changes for 24 hours
Answer: A. Apply petroleum jelly to the glans with each diaper change
Rationale: Petroleum jelly prevents the diaper from sticking to the circumcision site. A
yellow exudate is normal and should not be removed.
6. A nurse is assessing a 3-month-old infant with colic. Which finding is expected?
A. Paroxysmal abdominal pain and loud crying
B. Projectile vomiting
C. Bloody stools
D. Lethargy
Answer: A. Paroxysmal abdominal pain and loud crying
Rationale: Colic is characterized by episodes of intense crying and abdominal pain in
otherwise healthy infants.
7. A nurse is teaching a parent about teething. Which instruction should the nurse
include?
A. Apply alcohol to the gums
B. Provide a frozen teething ring
C. Give aspirin for pain
D. Rub honey on the gums
Answer: B. Provide a frozen teething ring
Rationale: A frozen teething ring provides safe, soothing pressure. Alcohol, aspirin, and
honey are unsafe for infants.
8. A nurse is assessing a toddler for readiness for toilet training. Which finding indicates
readiness?
, A. Ability to walk to the potty
B. Staying dry for 1 hour
C. Verbalizing the need to void
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: Toilet training readiness includes physical skills (walking), bladder control
(staying dry for 2 hours), and communication (verbalizing needs).
9. A nurse is teaching a parent about managing temper tantrums in a toddler. Which
instruction should the nurse include?
A. Spank the child
B. Ignore the tantrum and stay calm
C. Give in to the child’s demands
D. Yell at the child
Answer: B. Ignore the tantrum and stay calm
Rationale: Ignoring tantrums and remaining calm helps the child learn that tantrums are
not effective. Physical punishment and giving in are not recommended.
10. A nurse is assessing a preschooler’s language development. Which finding indicates
a delay?
A. Speaking in two- to three-word sentences
B. Having a vocabulary of 1,500 words
C. Being unable to speak in full sentences by age 5
D. Asking many questions
Answer: C. Being unable to speak in full sentences by age 5
Rationale: By age 5, children should speak in full, understandable sentences. Inability to do
so indicates a language delay.
Bank | Original Exam-Style Multiple-Choice Questions &
Clinical Rationales Deferent Versions
Secure a Level 3 proficiency rating on your proctored specialty assessment with this
high-yield 2026 ATI RN Pediatric Nursing master practice test bank. Master complex
pediatric nursing care domains, including developmental milestones
(Piaget/Erikson), congenital cardiovascular anomalies (including cyanotic vs.
acyanotic defects), pediatric fluid resuscitation math, and Next Generation
NCLEX (NGN) clinical judgment trend items. Every unique, verified multiple-choice
question features a highly detailed clinical rationale to sharpen your nursing judgment
and ensure success on your first attempt.
1. A nurse is assessing a newborn’s Apgar score at 1 minute after birth. Which finding
would receive a score of 2 for heart rate?
A. Absent
B. Below 100 bpm
C. Above 100 bpm
D. Irregular
Answer: C. Above 100 bpm
Rationale: For the Apgar score, a heart rate above 100 bpm receives 2 points. Below 100
bpm receives 1 point, and absent receives 0.
2. A nurse is teaching a new mother about breastfeeding. Which condition is an
absolute contraindication to breastfeeding?
A. Maternal hepatitis B
B. Maternal HIV infection
C. Maternal mastitis
D. Maternal caffeine intake
Answer: B. Maternal HIV infection
,Rationale: HIV can be transmitted through breast milk. In developed countries,
breastfeeding is contraindicated for HIV-positive mothers. Hepatitis B is not a
contraindication if the infant receives immunoglobulin and vaccine.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer vitamin K to a newborn. Which route is
recommended?
A. Oral
B. Intramuscular
C. Subcutaneous
D. Intravenous
Answer: B. Intramuscular
Rationale: Vitamin K is given intramuscularly in the vastus lateralis to prevent
hemorrhagic disease of the newborn.
4. A nurse is assessing a 2-day-old newborn for jaundice. Which finding requires
immediate intervention?
A. Jaundice on the face only
B. Jaundice on the abdomen
C. Jaundice on the soles and palms
D. Jaundice appearing after 24 hours
Answer: C. Jaundice on the soles and palms
Rationale: Jaundice on the soles and palms indicates severe hyperbilirubinemia and
requires immediate treatment to prevent kernicterus.
5. A nurse is teaching a parent about circumcision care. Which instruction should the
nurse include?
A. Apply petroleum jelly to the glans with each diaper change
B. Clean with alcohol wipes
,C. Remove the yellow exudate
D. Avoid diaper changes for 24 hours
Answer: A. Apply petroleum jelly to the glans with each diaper change
Rationale: Petroleum jelly prevents the diaper from sticking to the circumcision site. A
yellow exudate is normal and should not be removed.
6. A nurse is assessing a 3-month-old infant with colic. Which finding is expected?
A. Paroxysmal abdominal pain and loud crying
B. Projectile vomiting
C. Bloody stools
D. Lethargy
Answer: A. Paroxysmal abdominal pain and loud crying
Rationale: Colic is characterized by episodes of intense crying and abdominal pain in
otherwise healthy infants.
7. A nurse is teaching a parent about teething. Which instruction should the nurse
include?
A. Apply alcohol to the gums
B. Provide a frozen teething ring
C. Give aspirin for pain
D. Rub honey on the gums
Answer: B. Provide a frozen teething ring
Rationale: A frozen teething ring provides safe, soothing pressure. Alcohol, aspirin, and
honey are unsafe for infants.
8. A nurse is assessing a toddler for readiness for toilet training. Which finding indicates
readiness?
, A. Ability to walk to the potty
B. Staying dry for 1 hour
C. Verbalizing the need to void
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: Toilet training readiness includes physical skills (walking), bladder control
(staying dry for 2 hours), and communication (verbalizing needs).
9. A nurse is teaching a parent about managing temper tantrums in a toddler. Which
instruction should the nurse include?
A. Spank the child
B. Ignore the tantrum and stay calm
C. Give in to the child’s demands
D. Yell at the child
Answer: B. Ignore the tantrum and stay calm
Rationale: Ignoring tantrums and remaining calm helps the child learn that tantrums are
not effective. Physical punishment and giving in are not recommended.
10. A nurse is assessing a preschooler’s language development. Which finding indicates
a delay?
A. Speaking in two- to three-word sentences
B. Having a vocabulary of 1,500 words
C. Being unable to speak in full sentences by age 5
D. Asking many questions
Answer: C. Being unable to speak in full sentences by age 5
Rationale: By age 5, children should speak in full, understandable sentences. Inability to do
so indicates a language delay.
