CERTIFIED PEDIATRIC NURSE (CPN)
EXAM QUESTION AND CORRECT
ANSWER 2026
1. A 3-year-old child is admitted with a high fever, cough, and
difficulty breathing. Which of the following assessments should the
nurse prioritize?
a) Respiratory rate
b) Oxygen saturation
c) Blood pressure
d) Temperature
Answer: b) Oxygen saturation
Rationale: Oxygen saturation is the priority assessment for children
with respiratory distress. Monitoring oxygen levels helps to evaluate
whether the child is receiving adequate oxygenation, which can directly
impact their condition.
2. A 6-month-old infant is brought to the clinic for a routine check-up.
The nurse assesses the infant's motor development. Which of the
following is a typical milestone for this age?
a) Sitting without support
b) Rolling over both ways
c) Walking unassisted
d) Pulling up to a standing position
Answer: b) Rolling over both ways
,Rationale: At 6 months, most infants begin to roll over both ways.
Sitting without support and walking unassisted are typically achieved
later (around 8-9 months and 12 months, respectively).
3. A nurse is caring for a 4-year-old child with acute asthma
exacerbation. Which of the following interventions should the nurse
implement first?
a) Administer a bronchodilator
b) Administer an inhaled corticosteroid
c) Obtain a chest X-ray
d) Provide oxygen via nasal cannula
Answer: a) Administer a bronchodilator
Rationale: The first priority in an asthma exacerbation is to open the
airways, which is best achieved by administering a bronchodilator.
Corticosteroids may follow, but bronchodilators are immediate relief
agents.
4. A 9-year-old child with type 1 diabetes is complaining of dizziness,
sweating, and irritability. The nurse suspects hypoglycemia. What
should the nurse administer?
a) A glass of milk
b) A slice of bread with peanut butter
c) 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates
d) A glass of fruit juice
Answer: c) 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates
Rationale: In hypoglycemia, fast-acting carbohydrates (e.g., glucose
tablets or juice) should be given to quickly raise the blood sugar levels.
,Complex carbohydrates like bread are slower to metabolize and are not
ideal for immediate treatment.
5. A nurse is caring for a 2-year-old child who has been diagnosed with
a urinary tract infection (UTI). Which of the following is the most
appropriate nursing action?
a) Encourage increased fluid intake
b) Restrict fluid intake to prevent urinary retention
c) Administer diuretics to help flush out bacteria
d) Restrict the child to bed rest for 48 hours
Answer: a) Encourage increased fluid intake
Rationale: Increased fluid intake promotes frequent urination, which
helps flush bacteria from the urinary tract and is essential in the
management of a UTI.
6. A 7-year-old child presents to the emergency department with
abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Which of the following is the
nurse’s first priority?
a) Administer antiemetics
b) Assess the child’s hydration status
c) Obtain a stool culture
d) Provide IV antibiotics
Answer: b) Assess the child’s hydration status
Rationale: Vomiting and diarrhea can quickly lead to dehydration in
children. Ensuring the child is adequately hydrated is the first priority
before any further interventions.
, 7. The nurse is preparing to administer immunizations to a 4-month-
old infant. Which vaccine should the nurse plan to give at this visit?
a) MMR
b) DTaP
c) Varicella
d) HPV
Answer: b) DTaP
Rationale: The DTaP vaccine is given at 2, 4, and 6 months of age, while
the MMR and Varicella vaccines are given later in childhood. HPV
vaccination typically starts at age 11 or 12.
8. A 16-year-old adolescent is admitted for a suspected eating
disorder. Which of the following is the most important aspect of the
nurse's initial assessment?
a) Family history of eating disorders
b) The adolescent's weight and body mass index (BMI)
c) Assessment of the adolescent’s self-esteem
d) Screening for physical signs of malnutrition
Answer: b) The adolescent's weight and body mass index (BMI)
Rationale: Assessing weight and BMI is essential in evaluating the
severity of the eating disorder and determining the immediate care
needs of the adolescent.
EXAM QUESTION AND CORRECT
ANSWER 2026
1. A 3-year-old child is admitted with a high fever, cough, and
difficulty breathing. Which of the following assessments should the
nurse prioritize?
a) Respiratory rate
b) Oxygen saturation
c) Blood pressure
d) Temperature
Answer: b) Oxygen saturation
Rationale: Oxygen saturation is the priority assessment for children
with respiratory distress. Monitoring oxygen levels helps to evaluate
whether the child is receiving adequate oxygenation, which can directly
impact their condition.
2. A 6-month-old infant is brought to the clinic for a routine check-up.
The nurse assesses the infant's motor development. Which of the
following is a typical milestone for this age?
a) Sitting without support
b) Rolling over both ways
c) Walking unassisted
d) Pulling up to a standing position
Answer: b) Rolling over both ways
,Rationale: At 6 months, most infants begin to roll over both ways.
Sitting without support and walking unassisted are typically achieved
later (around 8-9 months and 12 months, respectively).
3. A nurse is caring for a 4-year-old child with acute asthma
exacerbation. Which of the following interventions should the nurse
implement first?
a) Administer a bronchodilator
b) Administer an inhaled corticosteroid
c) Obtain a chest X-ray
d) Provide oxygen via nasal cannula
Answer: a) Administer a bronchodilator
Rationale: The first priority in an asthma exacerbation is to open the
airways, which is best achieved by administering a bronchodilator.
Corticosteroids may follow, but bronchodilators are immediate relief
agents.
4. A 9-year-old child with type 1 diabetes is complaining of dizziness,
sweating, and irritability. The nurse suspects hypoglycemia. What
should the nurse administer?
a) A glass of milk
b) A slice of bread with peanut butter
c) 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates
d) A glass of fruit juice
Answer: c) 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates
Rationale: In hypoglycemia, fast-acting carbohydrates (e.g., glucose
tablets or juice) should be given to quickly raise the blood sugar levels.
,Complex carbohydrates like bread are slower to metabolize and are not
ideal for immediate treatment.
5. A nurse is caring for a 2-year-old child who has been diagnosed with
a urinary tract infection (UTI). Which of the following is the most
appropriate nursing action?
a) Encourage increased fluid intake
b) Restrict fluid intake to prevent urinary retention
c) Administer diuretics to help flush out bacteria
d) Restrict the child to bed rest for 48 hours
Answer: a) Encourage increased fluid intake
Rationale: Increased fluid intake promotes frequent urination, which
helps flush bacteria from the urinary tract and is essential in the
management of a UTI.
6. A 7-year-old child presents to the emergency department with
abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Which of the following is the
nurse’s first priority?
a) Administer antiemetics
b) Assess the child’s hydration status
c) Obtain a stool culture
d) Provide IV antibiotics
Answer: b) Assess the child’s hydration status
Rationale: Vomiting and diarrhea can quickly lead to dehydration in
children. Ensuring the child is adequately hydrated is the first priority
before any further interventions.
, 7. The nurse is preparing to administer immunizations to a 4-month-
old infant. Which vaccine should the nurse plan to give at this visit?
a) MMR
b) DTaP
c) Varicella
d) HPV
Answer: b) DTaP
Rationale: The DTaP vaccine is given at 2, 4, and 6 months of age, while
the MMR and Varicella vaccines are given later in childhood. HPV
vaccination typically starts at age 11 or 12.
8. A 16-year-old adolescent is admitted for a suspected eating
disorder. Which of the following is the most important aspect of the
nurse's initial assessment?
a) Family history of eating disorders
b) The adolescent's weight and body mass index (BMI)
c) Assessment of the adolescent’s self-esteem
d) Screening for physical signs of malnutrition
Answer: b) The adolescent's weight and body mass index (BMI)
Rationale: Assessing weight and BMI is essential in evaluating the
severity of the eating disorder and determining the immediate care
needs of the adolescent.
