PED-BC – Pediatric Nursing Certification Exam| Practice
Q&A 2026/2027 | Complete Questions And Answers
(Verified Answers) | Exam Prep | Comprehensive Exam
Guide 2026&2027
1. A 6-month-old infant is brought to the clinic with poor feeding, tachypnea, and
nasal flaring. Which assessment finding requires the nurse's immediate attention?
A. Respiratory rate of 38/min
B. Mild rhinorrhea
C. Subcostal retractions with grunting
D. Decreased appetite for one feeding
Answer: C
Subcostal retractions and grunting indicate significant respiratory distress. Immediate airway
and breathing assessment and intervention take priority.
2. A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old child with suspected dehydration. Which finding
most strongly indicates moderate to severe dehydration?
A. Moist mucous membranes
B. Capillary refill of 4 seconds
C. Normal urine output
D. Tears when crying
Answer: B
Delayed capillary refill reflects impaired peripheral perfusion and is an important indicator of
significant fluid deficit.
3. A hospitalized child with bacterial meningitis develops photophobia, severe
headache, and nuchal rigidity. Which nursing action is the priority?
A. Reduce environmental stimulation
B. Encourage ambulation
C. Offer a high-protein snack
D. Place the child in Trendelenburg position
Answer: A
Reducing light and noise helps decrease stimulation that may worsen discomfort and
neurologic symptoms.
4. A 4-year-old receiving IV fluids suddenly develops coughing, crackles, and
increasing respiratory effort. What should the nurse do first?
, A. Increase the IV rate
B. Obtain a dietary history
C. Encourage oral fluids
D. Stop or slow the infusion and assess the child
Answer: D
The findings may indicate fluid overload. The infusion should be addressed immediately while
respiratory status is assessed.
5. Which finding is most characteristic of increased intracranial pressure in an infant?
A. Flat fontanelle
B. Bulging fontanelle
C. Increased appetite
D. Hyperactive bowel sounds
Answer: B
A tense or bulging fontanelle can indicate increased intracranial pressure in an infant.
6. A child with asthma develops severe wheezing and increasing respiratory distress.
Which finding is particularly concerning because it may indicate worsening airflow
obstruction?
A. Loud expiratory wheezing
B. Productive cough
C. Diminished or absent breath sounds
D. Mild nasal congestion
Answer: C
A markedly diminished or silent chest can indicate critically reduced airflow and impending
respiratory failure.
7. A nurse prepares to administer medication to a 10-kg child. Which principle is most
important when calculating the dose?
A. Use the adult dose divided by age
B. Use weight-based dosing according to the prescribed range
C. Estimate the dose based on the child's height alone
D. Use the previous dose regardless of weight change
Answer: B
Pediatric medication dosing commonly depends on weight and prescribed safe dosage
ranges.
, 8. A child with type 1 diabetes becomes pale, shaky, and confused before lunch. What
is the nurse's priority action if hypoglycemia is suspected and the child is conscious
and able to swallow?
A. Administer a rapid-acting carbohydrate
B. Give the scheduled insulin
C. Restrict oral intake
D. Encourage vigorous exercise
Answer: A
A conscious child with symptomatic hypoglycemia should receive an appropriate rapidly
absorbed carbohydrate promptly.
9. Which intervention is most appropriate when obtaining a blood pressure in a young
child?
A. Use an adult cuff for accuracy
B. Select a cuff appropriate for the child's arm size
C. Place the cuff around the forearm only
D. Measure over thick clothing
Answer: B
An appropriately sized cuff is necessary for an accurate pediatric blood-pressure
measurement.
10. A toddler hospitalized with pneumonia becomes increasingly lethargic and difficult
to arouse. Which nursing action is most appropriate?
A. Document the behavior as expected
B. Offer a favorite toy
C. Perform an immediate respiratory and neurologic assessment
D. Wait until the next scheduled vital signs
Answer: C
A sudden change in level of consciousness can indicate hypoxemia, sepsis, or neurologic
deterioration and requires immediate assessment.
11. A nurse is teaching parents about oral rehydration for a child with acute diarrhea.
Which instruction is most appropriate?
A. Give large amounts of plain water at once
B. Use an age-appropriate oral rehydration solution in small frequent amounts
C. Avoid all fluids until diarrhea stops
D. Replace fluids with carbonated beverages
Answer: B
, Small, frequent amounts of an appropriate oral rehydration solution help replace water and
electrolytes while reducing vomiting risk.
12. A child with suspected epiglottitis is drooling and sitting upright with difficulty
breathing. Which action should the nurse avoid?
A. Keeping the child calm
B. Preparing for emergency airway management
C. Allowing the child to remain in a position of comfort
D. Attempting to inspect the throat with a tongue blade
Answer: D
Manipulating the throat can precipitate airway obstruction in suspected epiglottitis and
should be avoided.
13. Which finding is most consistent with nephrotic syndrome in a child?
A. Generalized edema and proteinuria
B. Persistent dry cough only
C. Severe hyperactivity
D. Increased urine concentration without edema
Answer: A
Nephrotic syndrome is characterized by significant protein loss in the urine,
hypoalbuminemia, and edema.
14. A child with sickle cell disease reports severe generalized pain. Which nursing
intervention is appropriate?
A. Restrict fluids
B. Apply prolonged ice packs
C. Promote hydration and administer prescribed analgesia
D. Encourage strenuous exercise
Answer: C
Hydration and effective pain management are important components of care during a vaso-
occlusive episode.
15. A 3-year-old is admitted with suspected bacterial meningitis. Which precaution is
generally appropriate initially for suspected meningococcal disease?
A. Airborne precautions
B. Droplet precautions
C. Protective isolation only
D. No precautions
Answer: B
Q&A 2026/2027 | Complete Questions And Answers
(Verified Answers) | Exam Prep | Comprehensive Exam
Guide 2026&2027
1. A 6-month-old infant is brought to the clinic with poor feeding, tachypnea, and
nasal flaring. Which assessment finding requires the nurse's immediate attention?
A. Respiratory rate of 38/min
B. Mild rhinorrhea
C. Subcostal retractions with grunting
D. Decreased appetite for one feeding
Answer: C
Subcostal retractions and grunting indicate significant respiratory distress. Immediate airway
and breathing assessment and intervention take priority.
2. A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old child with suspected dehydration. Which finding
most strongly indicates moderate to severe dehydration?
A. Moist mucous membranes
B. Capillary refill of 4 seconds
C. Normal urine output
D. Tears when crying
Answer: B
Delayed capillary refill reflects impaired peripheral perfusion and is an important indicator of
significant fluid deficit.
3. A hospitalized child with bacterial meningitis develops photophobia, severe
headache, and nuchal rigidity. Which nursing action is the priority?
A. Reduce environmental stimulation
B. Encourage ambulation
C. Offer a high-protein snack
D. Place the child in Trendelenburg position
Answer: A
Reducing light and noise helps decrease stimulation that may worsen discomfort and
neurologic symptoms.
4. A 4-year-old receiving IV fluids suddenly develops coughing, crackles, and
increasing respiratory effort. What should the nurse do first?
, A. Increase the IV rate
B. Obtain a dietary history
C. Encourage oral fluids
D. Stop or slow the infusion and assess the child
Answer: D
The findings may indicate fluid overload. The infusion should be addressed immediately while
respiratory status is assessed.
5. Which finding is most characteristic of increased intracranial pressure in an infant?
A. Flat fontanelle
B. Bulging fontanelle
C. Increased appetite
D. Hyperactive bowel sounds
Answer: B
A tense or bulging fontanelle can indicate increased intracranial pressure in an infant.
6. A child with asthma develops severe wheezing and increasing respiratory distress.
Which finding is particularly concerning because it may indicate worsening airflow
obstruction?
A. Loud expiratory wheezing
B. Productive cough
C. Diminished or absent breath sounds
D. Mild nasal congestion
Answer: C
A markedly diminished or silent chest can indicate critically reduced airflow and impending
respiratory failure.
7. A nurse prepares to administer medication to a 10-kg child. Which principle is most
important when calculating the dose?
A. Use the adult dose divided by age
B. Use weight-based dosing according to the prescribed range
C. Estimate the dose based on the child's height alone
D. Use the previous dose regardless of weight change
Answer: B
Pediatric medication dosing commonly depends on weight and prescribed safe dosage
ranges.
, 8. A child with type 1 diabetes becomes pale, shaky, and confused before lunch. What
is the nurse's priority action if hypoglycemia is suspected and the child is conscious
and able to swallow?
A. Administer a rapid-acting carbohydrate
B. Give the scheduled insulin
C. Restrict oral intake
D. Encourage vigorous exercise
Answer: A
A conscious child with symptomatic hypoglycemia should receive an appropriate rapidly
absorbed carbohydrate promptly.
9. Which intervention is most appropriate when obtaining a blood pressure in a young
child?
A. Use an adult cuff for accuracy
B. Select a cuff appropriate for the child's arm size
C. Place the cuff around the forearm only
D. Measure over thick clothing
Answer: B
An appropriately sized cuff is necessary for an accurate pediatric blood-pressure
measurement.
10. A toddler hospitalized with pneumonia becomes increasingly lethargic and difficult
to arouse. Which nursing action is most appropriate?
A. Document the behavior as expected
B. Offer a favorite toy
C. Perform an immediate respiratory and neurologic assessment
D. Wait until the next scheduled vital signs
Answer: C
A sudden change in level of consciousness can indicate hypoxemia, sepsis, or neurologic
deterioration and requires immediate assessment.
11. A nurse is teaching parents about oral rehydration for a child with acute diarrhea.
Which instruction is most appropriate?
A. Give large amounts of plain water at once
B. Use an age-appropriate oral rehydration solution in small frequent amounts
C. Avoid all fluids until diarrhea stops
D. Replace fluids with carbonated beverages
Answer: B
, Small, frequent amounts of an appropriate oral rehydration solution help replace water and
electrolytes while reducing vomiting risk.
12. A child with suspected epiglottitis is drooling and sitting upright with difficulty
breathing. Which action should the nurse avoid?
A. Keeping the child calm
B. Preparing for emergency airway management
C. Allowing the child to remain in a position of comfort
D. Attempting to inspect the throat with a tongue blade
Answer: D
Manipulating the throat can precipitate airway obstruction in suspected epiglottitis and
should be avoided.
13. Which finding is most consistent with nephrotic syndrome in a child?
A. Generalized edema and proteinuria
B. Persistent dry cough only
C. Severe hyperactivity
D. Increased urine concentration without edema
Answer: A
Nephrotic syndrome is characterized by significant protein loss in the urine,
hypoalbuminemia, and edema.
14. A child with sickle cell disease reports severe generalized pain. Which nursing
intervention is appropriate?
A. Restrict fluids
B. Apply prolonged ice packs
C. Promote hydration and administer prescribed analgesia
D. Encourage strenuous exercise
Answer: C
Hydration and effective pain management are important components of care during a vaso-
occlusive episode.
15. A 3-year-old is admitted with suspected bacterial meningitis. Which precaution is
generally appropriate initially for suspected meningococcal disease?
A. Airborne precautions
B. Droplet precautions
C. Protective isolation only
D. No precautions
Answer: B
