ATI PN PEDIATRIC NURSING PROCTORED EXAM QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS | 100% CORRECT | GRADE A+
CORE DOMAINS
• Growth and Development Milestones
• Pediatric Assessment and Communication
• Health Promotion and Immunizations
• Pediatric Pharmacology and Pain Management
• Respiratory Disorders
• Cardiovascular Disorders
• Gastrointestinal and Genitourinary Disorders
• Neurological and Musculoskeletal Disorders
• Hematologic and Oncologic Disorders
• Infectious Diseases and Safety
• NGN Unfolding Case Studies: Clinical Judgment
INTRODUCTION
This comprehensive examination is designed for practical nursing students
preparing for the ATI PN Pediatric Nursing Proctored Exam. It contains
verified questions with correct answers and detailed rationales covering the
core domains of pediatric nursing. The examination mirrors the ATI
proctored exam format and emphasizes clinical judgment, prioritization,
developmental considerations, family-centered care, and medication safety.
Each question is accompanied by a detailed rationale to reinforce
understanding of pediatric nursing concepts and safe clinical decision-
making.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant during a well-child visit.
Which developmental milestone should the nurse expect the infant to
achieve?
,A. Sitting without support
B. Rolling from abdomen to back
C. Pulling to a standing position
D. Walking independently
B. Rolling from abdomen to back
RATIONALE: Rolling from abdomen to back typically occurs by 4-6
months. Sitting without support occurs around 6-8 months. Pulling to stand
occurs around 9-10 months. Walking independently occurs around 12-15
months.
2. A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old toddler. Which fine motor skill
should the nurse expect?
A. Building a tower of 6 blocks
B. Using a spoon without spilling
C. Drawing a circle
D. Tying shoelaces
B. Using a spoon without spilling
RATIONALE: A 2-year-old can use a spoon without spilling. Building a
tower of 6 blocks is expected at 2.5-3 years. Drawing a circle is expected at
3 years. Tying shoelaces is expected at 5-6 years.
3. A nurse is assessing a 4-year-old child. Which language milestone
should the nurse expect?
A. Speaking in complete sentences
B. Using two-word phrases
C. Telling simple stories
D. Understanding abstract concepts
C. Telling simple stories
RATIONALE: A 4-year-old can tell simple stories. Speaking in complete
sentences is expected at 3 years. Two-word phrases are expected at 2
years. Abstract concepts are expected in school-age children.
,4. According to Erikson, the primary psychosocial conflict of the
toddler (1-3 years) is:
A. Trust vs. mistrust
B. Autonomy vs. shame and doubt
C. Initiative vs. guilt
D. Industry vs. inferiority
B. Autonomy vs. shame and doubt
RATIONALE: Toddlers are in Erikson's stage of autonomy vs. shame
and doubt, where they assert independence. Trust vs. mistrust is infancy.
Initiative vs. guilt is preschool. Industry vs. inferiority is school age.
5. A nurse is teaching parents about appropriate toys for a 9-month-
old infant. Which toy should the nurse recommend?
A. Nesting cups
B. Board games
C. Small building blocks
D. Video games
A. Nesting cups
RATIONALE: Nesting cups support fine motor development and object
exploration in a 9-month-old. Board games and video games are for older
children. Small blocks pose a choking hazard.
6. A nurse is assessing a 12-month-old infant. Which gross motor
milestone should the nurse expect?
A. Walking independently
B. Running
C. Jumping in place
D. Riding a tricycle
A. Walking independently
RATIONALE: Walking independently typically occurs around 12-15
months. Running is 18-24 months. Jumping in place is 2-3 years. Riding a
tricycle is 3-4 years.
, 7. A nurse is assessing a 5-year-old child. Which developmental
milestone should the nurse expect?
A. Playing cooperatively with other children
B. Engaging in parallel play
C. Displaying stranger anxiety
D. Having imaginary friends
A. Playing cooperatively with other children
RATIONALE: By age 5, children engage in cooperative play. Parallel
play is typical of toddlers. Stranger anxiety peaks in infancy. Imaginary
friends are common in preschoolers (3-5 years).
8. A nurse is teaching parents about injury prevention for a 2-year-old.
Which statement indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "We have installed safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs."
B. "We keep medications in a locked cabinet."
C. "We leave small toys on the floor for the child to play with."
D. "We set the water heater temperature to 120°F or lower."
C. "We leave small toys on the floor for the child to play with."
RATIONALE: Small toys are a choking hazard for toddlers. They should
be kept out of reach. The other statements reflect appropriate injury
prevention strategies.
9. A nurse is assessing a 15-month-old toddler. Which finding would
be most concerning?
A. Uses 4-6 words
B. Points to desired objects
C. Follows simple one-step commands
D. Does not use any words
D. Does not use any words
RATIONALE: By 15 months, toddlers should use at least 4-6 words.
Lack of any verbal communication at this age warrants further evaluation
for speech/language delay.
VERIFIED ANSWERS | 100% CORRECT | GRADE A+
CORE DOMAINS
• Growth and Development Milestones
• Pediatric Assessment and Communication
• Health Promotion and Immunizations
• Pediatric Pharmacology and Pain Management
• Respiratory Disorders
• Cardiovascular Disorders
• Gastrointestinal and Genitourinary Disorders
• Neurological and Musculoskeletal Disorders
• Hematologic and Oncologic Disorders
• Infectious Diseases and Safety
• NGN Unfolding Case Studies: Clinical Judgment
INTRODUCTION
This comprehensive examination is designed for practical nursing students
preparing for the ATI PN Pediatric Nursing Proctored Exam. It contains
verified questions with correct answers and detailed rationales covering the
core domains of pediatric nursing. The examination mirrors the ATI
proctored exam format and emphasizes clinical judgment, prioritization,
developmental considerations, family-centered care, and medication safety.
Each question is accompanied by a detailed rationale to reinforce
understanding of pediatric nursing concepts and safe clinical decision-
making.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant during a well-child visit.
Which developmental milestone should the nurse expect the infant to
achieve?
,A. Sitting without support
B. Rolling from abdomen to back
C. Pulling to a standing position
D. Walking independently
B. Rolling from abdomen to back
RATIONALE: Rolling from abdomen to back typically occurs by 4-6
months. Sitting without support occurs around 6-8 months. Pulling to stand
occurs around 9-10 months. Walking independently occurs around 12-15
months.
2. A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old toddler. Which fine motor skill
should the nurse expect?
A. Building a tower of 6 blocks
B. Using a spoon without spilling
C. Drawing a circle
D. Tying shoelaces
B. Using a spoon without spilling
RATIONALE: A 2-year-old can use a spoon without spilling. Building a
tower of 6 blocks is expected at 2.5-3 years. Drawing a circle is expected at
3 years. Tying shoelaces is expected at 5-6 years.
3. A nurse is assessing a 4-year-old child. Which language milestone
should the nurse expect?
A. Speaking in complete sentences
B. Using two-word phrases
C. Telling simple stories
D. Understanding abstract concepts
C. Telling simple stories
RATIONALE: A 4-year-old can tell simple stories. Speaking in complete
sentences is expected at 3 years. Two-word phrases are expected at 2
years. Abstract concepts are expected in school-age children.
,4. According to Erikson, the primary psychosocial conflict of the
toddler (1-3 years) is:
A. Trust vs. mistrust
B. Autonomy vs. shame and doubt
C. Initiative vs. guilt
D. Industry vs. inferiority
B. Autonomy vs. shame and doubt
RATIONALE: Toddlers are in Erikson's stage of autonomy vs. shame
and doubt, where they assert independence. Trust vs. mistrust is infancy.
Initiative vs. guilt is preschool. Industry vs. inferiority is school age.
5. A nurse is teaching parents about appropriate toys for a 9-month-
old infant. Which toy should the nurse recommend?
A. Nesting cups
B. Board games
C. Small building blocks
D. Video games
A. Nesting cups
RATIONALE: Nesting cups support fine motor development and object
exploration in a 9-month-old. Board games and video games are for older
children. Small blocks pose a choking hazard.
6. A nurse is assessing a 12-month-old infant. Which gross motor
milestone should the nurse expect?
A. Walking independently
B. Running
C. Jumping in place
D. Riding a tricycle
A. Walking independently
RATIONALE: Walking independently typically occurs around 12-15
months. Running is 18-24 months. Jumping in place is 2-3 years. Riding a
tricycle is 3-4 years.
, 7. A nurse is assessing a 5-year-old child. Which developmental
milestone should the nurse expect?
A. Playing cooperatively with other children
B. Engaging in parallel play
C. Displaying stranger anxiety
D. Having imaginary friends
A. Playing cooperatively with other children
RATIONALE: By age 5, children engage in cooperative play. Parallel
play is typical of toddlers. Stranger anxiety peaks in infancy. Imaginary
friends are common in preschoolers (3-5 years).
8. A nurse is teaching parents about injury prevention for a 2-year-old.
Which statement indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "We have installed safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs."
B. "We keep medications in a locked cabinet."
C. "We leave small toys on the floor for the child to play with."
D. "We set the water heater temperature to 120°F or lower."
C. "We leave small toys on the floor for the child to play with."
RATIONALE: Small toys are a choking hazard for toddlers. They should
be kept out of reach. The other statements reflect appropriate injury
prevention strategies.
9. A nurse is assessing a 15-month-old toddler. Which finding would
be most concerning?
A. Uses 4-6 words
B. Points to desired objects
C. Follows simple one-step commands
D. Does not use any words
D. Does not use any words
RATIONALE: By 15 months, toddlers should use at least 4-6 words.
Lack of any verbal communication at this age warrants further evaluation
for speech/language delay.
