NSG 3600 PEDIATRIC NURSING EXAM 3 COMPREHENSIVE
REVIEW: QUESTIONS, CORRECT ANSWERS, AND
RATIONALES NEW UPDATE 2026-2027 GALEN
95 QUESTIONS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
# TOPIC
1 Apply developmental and family-centered principles to prioritize nursing care for pediatric patients with
complex health alterations
2 Analyze clinical data to differentiate subtle presentations of pediatric emergencies and chronic conditions
3 Evaluate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions for safety and efficacy in the pediatric
population
4 Synthesize evidence-based guidelines to formulate safe, age-appropriate plans of care
5 NSG 3600 Pediatric Nursing Exam 3 Comprehensive Review
6 Questions
7 Correct Answers
8 and Rationales New Update 2026
9 2027 Galen
10 Foundations of Pediatric Nursing
11 Applied Pediatric Nursing
12 Advanced Pediatric Nursing
13 Pediatric Nursing Review
ABSTRACT
Page 1
,This study document brings together 95 carefully worded exam questions drawn from NSG 3600
Pediatric Nursing Exam 3 Comprehensive Review: Questions, Correct Answers, and Rationales
New Update 2026-2027 Galen, with the strongest emphasis placed on Apply developmental and
family-centered principles to prioritize nursing care for pediatric patients with complex health
alterations, Analyze clinical data to differentiate subtle presentations of pediatric emergencies and
chronic conditions and Evaluate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions for safety
and efficacy in the pediatric population. Every item follows the wording style and level of reasoning
you meet in the real paper, and each one is paired with a clear rationale so the correct choice is
never a guess. Work through the set at your own pace, mark the questions that slow you down,
then come back to them until the reasoning feels automatic. Learners who revise this way walk into
the exam room recognising the pattern behind the questions instead of meeting them for the first
time. Keep going - steady, honest practice is what turns a difficult paper into a comfortable pass.
Q1 APPLY DEVELOPMENTAL AND FAMILY-CENTERED PRINCIPLES TO PRIORITIZE NURSING
CARE FOR PEDIATRIC PATIENTS WITH COMPLEX HEALTH ALTERATIONS
A pediatric unit is implementing a new protocol for family-centered rounds. Which
nursing action best demonstrates the core principle of mutuality in the
nurse-family relationship?
A. Informing the family of the plan of care after the medical team has finalized it.
B. Asking the family to identify their goals and concerns before sharing the medical team's
recommendations. CORRECT
C. Providing the family with a written summary of the child's daily weights and intake/output.
D. Encouraging the family to step out during invasive procedures to reduce anxiety.
RATIONALE: Mutuality in family-centered care requires active negotiation and shared
decision-making, which begins by eliciting family goals and concerns. Option A reflects
paternalism, C is information transfer without negotiation, and D undermines family presence and
partnership.
Page 2
,Q2 APPLY DEVELOPMENTAL AND FAMILY-CENTERED PRINCIPLES TO PRIORITIZE NURSING
CARE FOR PEDIATRIC PATIENTS WITH COMPLEX HEALTH ALTERATIONS
A child with severe dehydration from acute gastroenteritis is receiving intravenous
rehydration. Which assessment finding most urgently indicates the need to
reassess the fluid rate?
A. Urine specific gravity of 1.025
B. Heart rate decreased from 150 to 110 beats/min
C. New onset of puffy eyelids and weight gain of 0.5 kg in 4 hours CORRECT
D. Capillary refill improved from 4 to 2 seconds
RATIONALE: Puffy eyelids and rapid weight gain indicate fluid overload, requiring immediate
reassessment to prevent pulmonary edema. A and D reflect expected improvement; B shows
resolving tachycardia but does not alone signal overload.
Q3 APPLY DEVELOPMENTAL AND FAMILY-CENTERED PRINCIPLES TO PRIORITIZE NURSING
CARE FOR PEDIATRIC PATIENTS WITH COMPLEX HEALTH ALTERATIONS
A child with asthma is prescribed a daily inhaled corticosteroid and a rescue
short-acting beta-agonist. The parent reports giving the rescue inhaler before the
daily controller. Which teaching point is most critical?
A. The rescue inhaler should be used 15 minutes before the controller to enhance absorption.
CORRECT
B. The daily controller must be taken first to reduce airway inflammation before rescue use.
C. The order of administration does not affect efficacy as long as both are taken daily.
D. The rescue inhaler should never be used on the same day as the controller.
RATIONALE: Administering a short-acting beta-agonist before an inhaled corticosteroid promotes
bronchodilation and improves deposition of the controller medication. Option B is incorrect
because the controller does not provide immediate bronchodilation; C ignores pharmacokinetic
benefit; D is false as both are often needed.
Page 3
, Q4 APPLY DEVELOPMENTAL AND FAMILY-CENTERED PRINCIPLES TO PRIORITIZE NURSING
CARE FOR PEDIATRIC PATIENTS WITH COMPLEX HEALTH ALTERATIONS
A toddler with a ventricular septal defect is being discharged. Which parental
instruction best reflects an accurate understanding of the defect's
pathophysiology?
A. The defect causes blood to shunt from the left to the right ventricle, increasing pulmonary
blood flow. CORRECT
B. The defect causes cyanosis because deoxygenated blood enters the systemic circulation.
C. The defect results in decreased pulmonary blood flow and right-to-left shunting.
D. The defect leads to increased systemic vascular resistance and hypertension.
RATIONALE: A VSD typically causes a left-to-right shunt, leading to increased pulmonary blood
flow and risk for heart failure. Options B and C describe right-to-left shunting defects; D is not a
direct consequence of VSD.
Q5 APPLY DEVELOPMENTAL AND FAMILY-CENTERED PRINCIPLES TO PRIORITIZE NURSING
CARE FOR PEDIATRIC PATIENTS WITH COMPLEX HEALTH ALTERATIONS
A child receiving chemotherapy has a platelet count of 20,000/mm³. Which nursing
intervention is the highest priority?
A. Administering a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug for bone pain.
B. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush and avoiding flossing. CORRECT
C. Encouraging the child to use a straight razor for shaving.
D. Performing active range-of-motion exercises to prevent stiffness.
RATIONALE: Severe thrombocytopenia necessitates bleeding precautions, including soft oral
hygiene. NSAIDs increase bleeding risk; straight razors and active ROM may cause trauma and
bleeding.
Page 4
REVIEW: QUESTIONS, CORRECT ANSWERS, AND
RATIONALES NEW UPDATE 2026-2027 GALEN
95 QUESTIONS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
# TOPIC
1 Apply developmental and family-centered principles to prioritize nursing care for pediatric patients with
complex health alterations
2 Analyze clinical data to differentiate subtle presentations of pediatric emergencies and chronic conditions
3 Evaluate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions for safety and efficacy in the pediatric
population
4 Synthesize evidence-based guidelines to formulate safe, age-appropriate plans of care
5 NSG 3600 Pediatric Nursing Exam 3 Comprehensive Review
6 Questions
7 Correct Answers
8 and Rationales New Update 2026
9 2027 Galen
10 Foundations of Pediatric Nursing
11 Applied Pediatric Nursing
12 Advanced Pediatric Nursing
13 Pediatric Nursing Review
ABSTRACT
Page 1
,This study document brings together 95 carefully worded exam questions drawn from NSG 3600
Pediatric Nursing Exam 3 Comprehensive Review: Questions, Correct Answers, and Rationales
New Update 2026-2027 Galen, with the strongest emphasis placed on Apply developmental and
family-centered principles to prioritize nursing care for pediatric patients with complex health
alterations, Analyze clinical data to differentiate subtle presentations of pediatric emergencies and
chronic conditions and Evaluate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions for safety
and efficacy in the pediatric population. Every item follows the wording style and level of reasoning
you meet in the real paper, and each one is paired with a clear rationale so the correct choice is
never a guess. Work through the set at your own pace, mark the questions that slow you down,
then come back to them until the reasoning feels automatic. Learners who revise this way walk into
the exam room recognising the pattern behind the questions instead of meeting them for the first
time. Keep going - steady, honest practice is what turns a difficult paper into a comfortable pass.
Q1 APPLY DEVELOPMENTAL AND FAMILY-CENTERED PRINCIPLES TO PRIORITIZE NURSING
CARE FOR PEDIATRIC PATIENTS WITH COMPLEX HEALTH ALTERATIONS
A pediatric unit is implementing a new protocol for family-centered rounds. Which
nursing action best demonstrates the core principle of mutuality in the
nurse-family relationship?
A. Informing the family of the plan of care after the medical team has finalized it.
B. Asking the family to identify their goals and concerns before sharing the medical team's
recommendations. CORRECT
C. Providing the family with a written summary of the child's daily weights and intake/output.
D. Encouraging the family to step out during invasive procedures to reduce anxiety.
RATIONALE: Mutuality in family-centered care requires active negotiation and shared
decision-making, which begins by eliciting family goals and concerns. Option A reflects
paternalism, C is information transfer without negotiation, and D undermines family presence and
partnership.
Page 2
,Q2 APPLY DEVELOPMENTAL AND FAMILY-CENTERED PRINCIPLES TO PRIORITIZE NURSING
CARE FOR PEDIATRIC PATIENTS WITH COMPLEX HEALTH ALTERATIONS
A child with severe dehydration from acute gastroenteritis is receiving intravenous
rehydration. Which assessment finding most urgently indicates the need to
reassess the fluid rate?
A. Urine specific gravity of 1.025
B. Heart rate decreased from 150 to 110 beats/min
C. New onset of puffy eyelids and weight gain of 0.5 kg in 4 hours CORRECT
D. Capillary refill improved from 4 to 2 seconds
RATIONALE: Puffy eyelids and rapid weight gain indicate fluid overload, requiring immediate
reassessment to prevent pulmonary edema. A and D reflect expected improvement; B shows
resolving tachycardia but does not alone signal overload.
Q3 APPLY DEVELOPMENTAL AND FAMILY-CENTERED PRINCIPLES TO PRIORITIZE NURSING
CARE FOR PEDIATRIC PATIENTS WITH COMPLEX HEALTH ALTERATIONS
A child with asthma is prescribed a daily inhaled corticosteroid and a rescue
short-acting beta-agonist. The parent reports giving the rescue inhaler before the
daily controller. Which teaching point is most critical?
A. The rescue inhaler should be used 15 minutes before the controller to enhance absorption.
CORRECT
B. The daily controller must be taken first to reduce airway inflammation before rescue use.
C. The order of administration does not affect efficacy as long as both are taken daily.
D. The rescue inhaler should never be used on the same day as the controller.
RATIONALE: Administering a short-acting beta-agonist before an inhaled corticosteroid promotes
bronchodilation and improves deposition of the controller medication. Option B is incorrect
because the controller does not provide immediate bronchodilation; C ignores pharmacokinetic
benefit; D is false as both are often needed.
Page 3
, Q4 APPLY DEVELOPMENTAL AND FAMILY-CENTERED PRINCIPLES TO PRIORITIZE NURSING
CARE FOR PEDIATRIC PATIENTS WITH COMPLEX HEALTH ALTERATIONS
A toddler with a ventricular septal defect is being discharged. Which parental
instruction best reflects an accurate understanding of the defect's
pathophysiology?
A. The defect causes blood to shunt from the left to the right ventricle, increasing pulmonary
blood flow. CORRECT
B. The defect causes cyanosis because deoxygenated blood enters the systemic circulation.
C. The defect results in decreased pulmonary blood flow and right-to-left shunting.
D. The defect leads to increased systemic vascular resistance and hypertension.
RATIONALE: A VSD typically causes a left-to-right shunt, leading to increased pulmonary blood
flow and risk for heart failure. Options B and C describe right-to-left shunting defects; D is not a
direct consequence of VSD.
Q5 APPLY DEVELOPMENTAL AND FAMILY-CENTERED PRINCIPLES TO PRIORITIZE NURSING
CARE FOR PEDIATRIC PATIENTS WITH COMPLEX HEALTH ALTERATIONS
A child receiving chemotherapy has a platelet count of 20,000/mm³. Which nursing
intervention is the highest priority?
A. Administering a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug for bone pain.
B. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush and avoiding flossing. CORRECT
C. Encouraging the child to use a straight razor for shaving.
D. Performing active range-of-motion exercises to prevent stiffness.
RATIONALE: Severe thrombocytopenia necessitates bleeding precautions, including soft oral
hygiene. NSAIDs increase bleeding risk; straight razors and active ROM may cause trauma and
bleeding.
Page 4
