ATI PN Pediatric Proctored Exam (2026) | NGN Pediatric
Nursing Questions & Answers, 100% Verified Graded A+
Exam: ATI PN Pediatric Proctored Exam
Format: Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) Style
Total Questions: 100
Question Types: Multiple-choice, Select-All-That-Apply (SATA), Ordered Response,
Case Studies
Exam Content Areas & Weighting
Content Area Weighting
Growth & Development 12%
Pediatric Assessment & Health Promotion 12%
Respiratory Disorders 12%
Cardiovascular & Hematologic Disorders 10%
Gastrointestinal & Nutritional Disorders 12%
Neurological & Musculoskeletal Disorders 12%
Endocrine & Renal Disorders 8%
Infectious Diseases & Immunizations 12%
Pediatric Emergencies & Pharmacology 10%
Section 1: Growth & Development (Questions 1–12)
,Question 1
A nurse is assessing a 4-month-old infant during a well-child visit. The infant can hold
their head steady without support, bears some weight on their legs when held in a
standing position, and coos and babbles. Which developmental stage according to
Piaget is this infant in, and what gross motor milestone should the nurse expect next?
A. Formal operational stage; sitting alone without support
B. Sensorimotor stage; rolling from back to front
C. Preoperational stage; walking independently
D. Concrete operational stage; standing without support
Answer: B. Sensorimotor stage; rolling from back to front
Rationale: The infant is in the sensorimotor stage of Piaget's cognitive development
(birth to ~2 years). At 4 months, head control is established, and the next expected
gross motor milestone is rolling over (front to back first, then back to front at
approximately 4–6 months). Sitting alone without support is expected at ~8 months.
Walking independently occurs at 12–15 months.
Question 2
A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to the parents of a 2-year-old toddler.
According to Erikson's psychosocial development theory, which developmental task is
the toddler currently working through?
A. Trust vs. Mistrust
B. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
C. Initiative vs. Guilt
D. Industry vs. Inferiority
Answer: B. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
Rationale: According to Erikson, toddlers (1–3 years) are in the autonomy vs. shame
and doubt stage. They develop independence through walking, toileting, and feeding
themselves. Trust vs. mistrust is the infant stage (birth–1 year). Initiative vs. guilt is the
preschool stage (3–5 years). Industry vs. inferiority is the school-age stage (6–12
years).
Question 3
A nurse is assessing a 10-month-old infant. Which fine motor milestone should the
nurse expect the infant to have achieved?
,A. Pincer grasp
B. Builds a tower of 6–7 cubes
C. Ties shoelaces
D. Uses a spoon effectively
Answer: A. Pincer grasp
Rationale: The pincer grasp (using thumb and index finger to pick up small objects)
typically develops between 9 and 12 months. Building a tower of 6–7 cubes is expected
at 2–3 years. Tying shoelaces is a school-age milestone. Using a spoon effectively
develops around 12–15 months.
Question 4
A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which finding should
the nurse report to the provider?
A. The infant's anterior fontanel is open and feels flat.
B. The infant can roll from back to abdomen.
C. The infant's birth weight has tripled.
D. The infant exhibits a positive Moro reflex.
Answer: D. The infant exhibits a positive Moro reflex.
Rationale: The Moro reflex typically disappears by 3–4 months of age. Its persistence
at 6 months is a neurological concern and should be reported. The anterior fontanel
normally closes between 12 and 18 months; rolling over is expected by 6 months; and
birth weight usually doubles by 4–6 months (tripling occurs around 12 months).
Question 5
A nurse is assessing a 9-month-old infant. Which developmental milestone should the
nurse expect?
A. Sits without support
B. Walks independently
C. Speaks in 2–3 word sentences
D. Feeds self with a spoon
Answer: A. Sits without support
Rationale: By 9 months, infants should be able to sit without support, crawl, and pull to
stand. Walking independently is a 12–15 month milestone. Speaking in 2–3 word
sentences is a 2-year milestone. Feeding self with a spoon is a 12–15 month milestone.
, Question 6
A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old toddler. Which developmental milestone should the
nurse expect?
A. Speaks in 2–3 word sentences
B. Rides a tricycle
C. Ties shoelaces
D. Counts to 10
Answer: A. Speaks in 2–3 word sentences
Rationale: By age 2, children should speak in 2–3 word sentences, follow simple
instructions, and have a vocabulary of 50+ words. Riding a tricycle is a 3-year
milestone. Tying shoelaces is a 5–6 year milestone.
Question 7
A nurse is providing education about their newborn's fontanels. Which statement by a
parent indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "The larger soft spot on the top of the head should close by 12–18 months of age."
B. "The smaller soft spot at the back of the head should close by 2–3 months."
C. "I should call the doctor if the soft spot looks sunken or bulging."
D. "I should press firmly on the soft spot to make sure it is normal."
Answer: D. "I should press firmly on the soft spot to make sure it is normal."
Rationale: Parents should never press firmly on the fontanel. The anterior fontanel
closes by 12–18 months, and the posterior fontanel closes by 2–3 months. Sunken or
bulging fontanels are signs of dehydration or increased ICP, respectively, and should be
reported.
Question 8
A nurse is assessing a 4-month-old infant. Which developmental milestone should the
nurse expect to observe?
A. Rolling from back to front
B. Sitting alone without support
C. Holding head steady without support
D. Walking independently
Answer: C. Holding head steady without support
Nursing Questions & Answers, 100% Verified Graded A+
Exam: ATI PN Pediatric Proctored Exam
Format: Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) Style
Total Questions: 100
Question Types: Multiple-choice, Select-All-That-Apply (SATA), Ordered Response,
Case Studies
Exam Content Areas & Weighting
Content Area Weighting
Growth & Development 12%
Pediatric Assessment & Health Promotion 12%
Respiratory Disorders 12%
Cardiovascular & Hematologic Disorders 10%
Gastrointestinal & Nutritional Disorders 12%
Neurological & Musculoskeletal Disorders 12%
Endocrine & Renal Disorders 8%
Infectious Diseases & Immunizations 12%
Pediatric Emergencies & Pharmacology 10%
Section 1: Growth & Development (Questions 1–12)
,Question 1
A nurse is assessing a 4-month-old infant during a well-child visit. The infant can hold
their head steady without support, bears some weight on their legs when held in a
standing position, and coos and babbles. Which developmental stage according to
Piaget is this infant in, and what gross motor milestone should the nurse expect next?
A. Formal operational stage; sitting alone without support
B. Sensorimotor stage; rolling from back to front
C. Preoperational stage; walking independently
D. Concrete operational stage; standing without support
Answer: B. Sensorimotor stage; rolling from back to front
Rationale: The infant is in the sensorimotor stage of Piaget's cognitive development
(birth to ~2 years). At 4 months, head control is established, and the next expected
gross motor milestone is rolling over (front to back first, then back to front at
approximately 4–6 months). Sitting alone without support is expected at ~8 months.
Walking independently occurs at 12–15 months.
Question 2
A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to the parents of a 2-year-old toddler.
According to Erikson's psychosocial development theory, which developmental task is
the toddler currently working through?
A. Trust vs. Mistrust
B. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
C. Initiative vs. Guilt
D. Industry vs. Inferiority
Answer: B. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
Rationale: According to Erikson, toddlers (1–3 years) are in the autonomy vs. shame
and doubt stage. They develop independence through walking, toileting, and feeding
themselves. Trust vs. mistrust is the infant stage (birth–1 year). Initiative vs. guilt is the
preschool stage (3–5 years). Industry vs. inferiority is the school-age stage (6–12
years).
Question 3
A nurse is assessing a 10-month-old infant. Which fine motor milestone should the
nurse expect the infant to have achieved?
,A. Pincer grasp
B. Builds a tower of 6–7 cubes
C. Ties shoelaces
D. Uses a spoon effectively
Answer: A. Pincer grasp
Rationale: The pincer grasp (using thumb and index finger to pick up small objects)
typically develops between 9 and 12 months. Building a tower of 6–7 cubes is expected
at 2–3 years. Tying shoelaces is a school-age milestone. Using a spoon effectively
develops around 12–15 months.
Question 4
A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which finding should
the nurse report to the provider?
A. The infant's anterior fontanel is open and feels flat.
B. The infant can roll from back to abdomen.
C. The infant's birth weight has tripled.
D. The infant exhibits a positive Moro reflex.
Answer: D. The infant exhibits a positive Moro reflex.
Rationale: The Moro reflex typically disappears by 3–4 months of age. Its persistence
at 6 months is a neurological concern and should be reported. The anterior fontanel
normally closes between 12 and 18 months; rolling over is expected by 6 months; and
birth weight usually doubles by 4–6 months (tripling occurs around 12 months).
Question 5
A nurse is assessing a 9-month-old infant. Which developmental milestone should the
nurse expect?
A. Sits without support
B. Walks independently
C. Speaks in 2–3 word sentences
D. Feeds self with a spoon
Answer: A. Sits without support
Rationale: By 9 months, infants should be able to sit without support, crawl, and pull to
stand. Walking independently is a 12–15 month milestone. Speaking in 2–3 word
sentences is a 2-year milestone. Feeding self with a spoon is a 12–15 month milestone.
, Question 6
A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old toddler. Which developmental milestone should the
nurse expect?
A. Speaks in 2–3 word sentences
B. Rides a tricycle
C. Ties shoelaces
D. Counts to 10
Answer: A. Speaks in 2–3 word sentences
Rationale: By age 2, children should speak in 2–3 word sentences, follow simple
instructions, and have a vocabulary of 50+ words. Riding a tricycle is a 3-year
milestone. Tying shoelaces is a 5–6 year milestone.
Question 7
A nurse is providing education about their newborn's fontanels. Which statement by a
parent indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "The larger soft spot on the top of the head should close by 12–18 months of age."
B. "The smaller soft spot at the back of the head should close by 2–3 months."
C. "I should call the doctor if the soft spot looks sunken or bulging."
D. "I should press firmly on the soft spot to make sure it is normal."
Answer: D. "I should press firmly on the soft spot to make sure it is normal."
Rationale: Parents should never press firmly on the fontanel. The anterior fontanel
closes by 12–18 months, and the posterior fontanel closes by 2–3 months. Sunken or
bulging fontanels are signs of dehydration or increased ICP, respectively, and should be
reported.
Question 8
A nurse is assessing a 4-month-old infant. Which developmental milestone should the
nurse expect to observe?
A. Rolling from back to front
B. Sitting alone without support
C. Holding head steady without support
D. Walking independently
Answer: C. Holding head steady without support
