ATI Pediatrics Application 2026/2027 | ACTUAL-
Style Practice Questions & Answers, ATI RN
Pediatric Nursing Exam Prep, Application-Based
Nursing Test Bank, Growth and Development,
Pediatric Respiratory Disorders, Medication Dosage
Calculations, Childhood Illnesses, Clinical
Judgment, Prioritization, and Detailed Rationales
Question 1: A nurse is collecting data from a 10-month-old infant
during a well-child visit. Which of the following findings should the
nurse report to the provider?
A. Positive Babinski reflex
B. Presence of a crude pincer grasp
C. Able to sit steadily without support
D. Birth weight has doubled
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Positive Babinski reflex
Rationale: The Babinski reflex is a normal finding in infants up to
approximately 12 months of age. However, a positive Babinski reflex at 10
months may warrant further evaluation depending on the provider's
assessment. The other findings—crude pincer grasp, steady sitting, and
doubled birth weight—are developmentally appropriate for a 10-month-old
infant.
Question 2: A nurse is caring for a 6-month-old infant who is
postoperative following a myringotomy. Which of the following
pain assessment scales should the nurse use to determine the
infant's pain level?
A. FACES Pain Rating Scale
B. Numeric Pain Rating Scale
C. FLACC Pain Assessment Tool
D. Visual Analog Scale
CORRECT ANSWER: C. FLACC Pain Assessment Tool
Rationale: The FLACC (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability) scale is
appropriate for infants and young children who cannot verbally
communicate their pain. The FACES scale requires the child to point to a
face, which is not developmentally appropriate for a 6-month-old. The
Numeric and Visual Analog scales require abstract thinking and verbal or
motor skills beyond an infant's capability.
,Question 3: A nurse is reinforcing teaching with the parent of an
infant about administering oral medications. Which of the
following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Add the medication to the infant's formula bottle
B. Use a calibrated dropper or syringe to measure the dose
C. Mix the medication with honey to improve the taste
D. Administer the medication while the infant is lying flat
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Use a calibrated dropper or syringe to
measure the dose
Rationale: A calibrated dropper or oral syringe ensures accurate dosing of
liquid medication for infants. Adding medication to a formula bottle is
unsafe because the infant may not consume the entire bottle, resulting in an
incomplete dose. Honey is contraindicated in infants under 12 months due
to the risk of infant botulism. Infants should be held in a semi-upright
position during medication administration to prevent aspiration.
Question 4: A nurse is assessing an 8-month-old infant who has
increased intracranial pressure. Which of the following
manifestations should the nurse expect?
A. Sunken fontanel
B. Bulging fontanel
C. Decreased head circumference
D. Bradycardia with hypertension
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Bulging fontanel
Rationale: A bulging fontanel is a classic manifestation of increased
intracranial pressure in infants because the cranial sutures are not yet fused,
allowing the fontanel to bulge outward. A sunken fontanel indicates
dehydration. Decreased head circumference is not associated with
increased ICP. Cushing's triad (bradycardia, hypertension, and irregular
respirations) is a late sign of increased ICP, not an early manifestation.
Question 5: A nurse is caring for an infant who has
gastroesophageal reflux. Which of the following positions should
the nurse place the infant in after feeding?
A. Prone position
B. Supine position
,C. Upright position
D. Side-lying position
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Upright position
Rationale: Placing the infant in an upright position after feeding uses gravity
to help prevent reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus. The prone
position is contraindicated due to the risk of sudden infant death syndrome
(SIDS). The supine position does not facilitate gastric emptying. Side-lying
does not provide the same gravitational benefit as upright positioning.
Question 6: A nurse is reinforcing teaching with the parent of a
child who has impetigo. Which of the following statements by the
parent indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. "I will wash my child's clothes in hot water."
B. "I will keep my child home from school until all lesions are healed."
C. "I will apply a warm compress to the lesions three times daily."
D. "I will use a separate towel for my child but share washcloths."
CORRECT ANSWER: A. "I will wash my child's clothes in hot
water."
Rationale: Impetigo is a highly contagious bacterial skin infection. Washing
the child's clothes, towels, and linens in hot water helps eliminate the
bacteria and prevents reinfection or spread to other family members. The
child should be kept home from school until 24 hours after initiating
antibiotic therapy, not until all lesions are healed. Warm compresses are not
a primary treatment. Washcloths should not be shared with other family
members.
Question 7: A nurse is collecting data from an infant who has
hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. Which of the following findings
should the nurse expect?
A. Bilious vomiting
B. Projectile vomiting
C. Absent bowel sounds
D. Diarrhea
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Projectile vomiting
Rationale: Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis causes narrowing and thickening
of the pyloric canal, resulting in forceful, projectile vomiting after feedings.
, The vomitus is typically non-bilious because the obstruction is above the
ampulla of Vater. Bowel sounds are typically normal or hyperactive.
Diarrhea is not associated with pyloric stenosis; constipation may occur
due to decreased intake.
Question 8: A nurse is caring for an infant who has spina bifida.
Which of the following positions should the nurse place the infant
in?
A. Supine position
B. Prone position
C. Side-lying position
D. Trendelenburg position
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Prone position
Rationale: The prone position is recommended for an infant with spina
bifida to protect the meningocele or myelomeningocele sac from rupture
and prevent pressure on the defect. Supine and side-lying positions may
cause pressure or trauma to the sac. Trendelenburg position is not
indicated for spina bifida.
Question 9: A nurse is reinforcing teaching with the parent of a 4-
month-old infant about introducing solid foods. Which of the
following foods should the nurse recommend as the first to
introduce?
A. Strained fruits
B. Iron-fortified cereal
C. Pureed vegetables
D. Whole milk
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Iron-fortified cereal
Rationale: Iron-fortified single-grain cereal is typically the first solid food
introduced at approximately 4 to 6 months of age because breast milk or
formula alone may no longer meet the infant's iron needs. Fruits and
vegetables are introduced after cereals. Whole milk should not be given to
infants under 12 months due to the risk of iron-deficiency anemia and
gastrointestinal upset.
Style Practice Questions & Answers, ATI RN
Pediatric Nursing Exam Prep, Application-Based
Nursing Test Bank, Growth and Development,
Pediatric Respiratory Disorders, Medication Dosage
Calculations, Childhood Illnesses, Clinical
Judgment, Prioritization, and Detailed Rationales
Question 1: A nurse is collecting data from a 10-month-old infant
during a well-child visit. Which of the following findings should the
nurse report to the provider?
A. Positive Babinski reflex
B. Presence of a crude pincer grasp
C. Able to sit steadily without support
D. Birth weight has doubled
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Positive Babinski reflex
Rationale: The Babinski reflex is a normal finding in infants up to
approximately 12 months of age. However, a positive Babinski reflex at 10
months may warrant further evaluation depending on the provider's
assessment. The other findings—crude pincer grasp, steady sitting, and
doubled birth weight—are developmentally appropriate for a 10-month-old
infant.
Question 2: A nurse is caring for a 6-month-old infant who is
postoperative following a myringotomy. Which of the following
pain assessment scales should the nurse use to determine the
infant's pain level?
A. FACES Pain Rating Scale
B. Numeric Pain Rating Scale
C. FLACC Pain Assessment Tool
D. Visual Analog Scale
CORRECT ANSWER: C. FLACC Pain Assessment Tool
Rationale: The FLACC (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability) scale is
appropriate for infants and young children who cannot verbally
communicate their pain. The FACES scale requires the child to point to a
face, which is not developmentally appropriate for a 6-month-old. The
Numeric and Visual Analog scales require abstract thinking and verbal or
motor skills beyond an infant's capability.
,Question 3: A nurse is reinforcing teaching with the parent of an
infant about administering oral medications. Which of the
following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Add the medication to the infant's formula bottle
B. Use a calibrated dropper or syringe to measure the dose
C. Mix the medication with honey to improve the taste
D. Administer the medication while the infant is lying flat
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Use a calibrated dropper or syringe to
measure the dose
Rationale: A calibrated dropper or oral syringe ensures accurate dosing of
liquid medication for infants. Adding medication to a formula bottle is
unsafe because the infant may not consume the entire bottle, resulting in an
incomplete dose. Honey is contraindicated in infants under 12 months due
to the risk of infant botulism. Infants should be held in a semi-upright
position during medication administration to prevent aspiration.
Question 4: A nurse is assessing an 8-month-old infant who has
increased intracranial pressure. Which of the following
manifestations should the nurse expect?
A. Sunken fontanel
B. Bulging fontanel
C. Decreased head circumference
D. Bradycardia with hypertension
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Bulging fontanel
Rationale: A bulging fontanel is a classic manifestation of increased
intracranial pressure in infants because the cranial sutures are not yet fused,
allowing the fontanel to bulge outward. A sunken fontanel indicates
dehydration. Decreased head circumference is not associated with
increased ICP. Cushing's triad (bradycardia, hypertension, and irregular
respirations) is a late sign of increased ICP, not an early manifestation.
Question 5: A nurse is caring for an infant who has
gastroesophageal reflux. Which of the following positions should
the nurse place the infant in after feeding?
A. Prone position
B. Supine position
,C. Upright position
D. Side-lying position
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Upright position
Rationale: Placing the infant in an upright position after feeding uses gravity
to help prevent reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus. The prone
position is contraindicated due to the risk of sudden infant death syndrome
(SIDS). The supine position does not facilitate gastric emptying. Side-lying
does not provide the same gravitational benefit as upright positioning.
Question 6: A nurse is reinforcing teaching with the parent of a
child who has impetigo. Which of the following statements by the
parent indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. "I will wash my child's clothes in hot water."
B. "I will keep my child home from school until all lesions are healed."
C. "I will apply a warm compress to the lesions three times daily."
D. "I will use a separate towel for my child but share washcloths."
CORRECT ANSWER: A. "I will wash my child's clothes in hot
water."
Rationale: Impetigo is a highly contagious bacterial skin infection. Washing
the child's clothes, towels, and linens in hot water helps eliminate the
bacteria and prevents reinfection or spread to other family members. The
child should be kept home from school until 24 hours after initiating
antibiotic therapy, not until all lesions are healed. Warm compresses are not
a primary treatment. Washcloths should not be shared with other family
members.
Question 7: A nurse is collecting data from an infant who has
hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. Which of the following findings
should the nurse expect?
A. Bilious vomiting
B. Projectile vomiting
C. Absent bowel sounds
D. Diarrhea
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Projectile vomiting
Rationale: Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis causes narrowing and thickening
of the pyloric canal, resulting in forceful, projectile vomiting after feedings.
, The vomitus is typically non-bilious because the obstruction is above the
ampulla of Vater. Bowel sounds are typically normal or hyperactive.
Diarrhea is not associated with pyloric stenosis; constipation may occur
due to decreased intake.
Question 8: A nurse is caring for an infant who has spina bifida.
Which of the following positions should the nurse place the infant
in?
A. Supine position
B. Prone position
C. Side-lying position
D. Trendelenburg position
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Prone position
Rationale: The prone position is recommended for an infant with spina
bifida to protect the meningocele or myelomeningocele sac from rupture
and prevent pressure on the defect. Supine and side-lying positions may
cause pressure or trauma to the sac. Trendelenburg position is not
indicated for spina bifida.
Question 9: A nurse is reinforcing teaching with the parent of a 4-
month-old infant about introducing solid foods. Which of the
following foods should the nurse recommend as the first to
introduce?
A. Strained fruits
B. Iron-fortified cereal
C. Pureed vegetables
D. Whole milk
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Iron-fortified cereal
Rationale: Iron-fortified single-grain cereal is typically the first solid food
introduced at approximately 4 to 6 months of age because breast milk or
formula alone may no longer meet the infant's iron needs. Fruits and
vegetables are introduced after cereals. Whole milk should not be given to
infants under 12 months due to the risk of iron-deficiency anemia and
gastrointestinal upset.
