CPN — Certified Pediatric Nurse, WITH CORRECT
ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECTLY WELL
DEFINED ANSWERS LATEST ALREADY GRADED A+
(2025/2026)
Domain I: Assessment and Diagnosis
Question 1
A 2-year-old child is brought to the clinic by a parent who reports the child
"just isn't acting right." The child is irritable, has a fever of 39.2°C
(102.6°F), and is pulling at the right ear. The nurse observes the child lying
quietly in the parent's lap, refusing to move the head. Which assessment
finding is most concerning?
A) Temperature of 39.2°C (102.6°F)
B) Irritability and pulling at the ear
C) Refusal to move the head (nuchal rigidity)
D) Fever for less than 24 hours
Correct ,,,,Answer,,,,: C
Rationale: Nuchal rigidity (refusal to move the head) in a febrile child is
concerning for meningitis. While the other findings suggest otitis media,
nuchal rigidity requires immediate further evaluation for central nervous
system infection .
,Question 2
A 4-month-old infant is in the clinic for a well-child visit. The nurse
assesses the infant's growth parameters. Which finding indicates a need
for further evaluation?
A) Weight at the 10th percentile, length at the 25th percentile
B) Head circumference crossing two percentiles (from 25th to 90th)
since the last visit
C) Head circumference at the 50th percentile, weight at the 45th
percentile
D) Length at the 30th percentile, weight at the 35th percentile
Correct ,,,,Answer,,,,: B
Rationale: A head circumference that crosses two major percentiles is
concerning for possible hydrocephalus or other intracranial pathology.
Growth parameters should follow a consistent curve; sudden changes
warrant evaluation .
Question 3
A school-age child with a history of asthma presents with wheezing,
coughing, and shortness of breath. The nurse auscultates breath sounds
and notes decreased breath sounds in the right lower lobe. The most
appropriate nursing action is to:
A) Administer a scheduled bronchodilator
B) Notify the healthcare provider immediately
C) Document the findings as expected with asthma
D) Increase the flow rate of supplemental oxygen
,Correct ,,,,Answer,,,,: B
Rationale: Decreased breath sounds in a specific area may indicate a
pneumothorax or mucous plugging requiring intervention. While wheezing
is expected with asthma, focal decreased breath sounds are not and
require immediate notification of the provider .
Question 4
The nurse is performing a developmental screening on an 18-month-old
toddler. Which milestone would the nurse expect this child to have
achieved?
A) Riding a tricycle
B) Walking independently
C) Building a tower of 6 blocks
D) Copying a circle
Correct ,,,,Answer,,,,: B
Rationale: Most children walk independently by 12-15 months of age. By
18 months, a child should be walking well. Tricycle riding (A) is a 3-year
milestone. Building a tower of 6 blocks (C) is a 3-4 year skill. Copying a
circle (D) is a 3-year fine motor skill .
Question 5
A 7-year-old child is admitted with suspected appendicitis. The nurse
assesses the child's pain. Which pain assessment tool is most
appropriate for this child?
, A) FLACC scale
B) Wong-Baker FACES scale
C) CRIES scale
D) NIPS scale
Correct ,,,,Answer,,,,: B
Rationale: The Wong-Baker FACES scale is appropriate for children ages 3
and older who can understand the concept of "no hurt" to "worst hurt."
The FLACC (A) and NIPS (D) scales are for preverbal infants. CRIES (C) is
for neonates .
Question 6
An adolescent reports using electronic cigarettes daily. The nurse's best
response is:
A) "Vaping is safer than smoking cigarettes."
B) "Let's talk about what you know about the health effects of vaping."
C) "You should stop immediately; it's very dangerous."
D) "I'll need to tell your parents about this."
Correct ,,,,Answer,,,,: B
Rationale: Using a non-judgmental, open-ended question opens
communication and allows the nurse to assess the adolescent's
knowledge and readiness to change. E-cigarettes contain nicotine and
other harmful substances. Confidentiality limits should be explained
while encouraging healthy choices .
ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECTLY WELL
DEFINED ANSWERS LATEST ALREADY GRADED A+
(2025/2026)
Domain I: Assessment and Diagnosis
Question 1
A 2-year-old child is brought to the clinic by a parent who reports the child
"just isn't acting right." The child is irritable, has a fever of 39.2°C
(102.6°F), and is pulling at the right ear. The nurse observes the child lying
quietly in the parent's lap, refusing to move the head. Which assessment
finding is most concerning?
A) Temperature of 39.2°C (102.6°F)
B) Irritability and pulling at the ear
C) Refusal to move the head (nuchal rigidity)
D) Fever for less than 24 hours
Correct ,,,,Answer,,,,: C
Rationale: Nuchal rigidity (refusal to move the head) in a febrile child is
concerning for meningitis. While the other findings suggest otitis media,
nuchal rigidity requires immediate further evaluation for central nervous
system infection .
,Question 2
A 4-month-old infant is in the clinic for a well-child visit. The nurse
assesses the infant's growth parameters. Which finding indicates a need
for further evaluation?
A) Weight at the 10th percentile, length at the 25th percentile
B) Head circumference crossing two percentiles (from 25th to 90th)
since the last visit
C) Head circumference at the 50th percentile, weight at the 45th
percentile
D) Length at the 30th percentile, weight at the 35th percentile
Correct ,,,,Answer,,,,: B
Rationale: A head circumference that crosses two major percentiles is
concerning for possible hydrocephalus or other intracranial pathology.
Growth parameters should follow a consistent curve; sudden changes
warrant evaluation .
Question 3
A school-age child with a history of asthma presents with wheezing,
coughing, and shortness of breath. The nurse auscultates breath sounds
and notes decreased breath sounds in the right lower lobe. The most
appropriate nursing action is to:
A) Administer a scheduled bronchodilator
B) Notify the healthcare provider immediately
C) Document the findings as expected with asthma
D) Increase the flow rate of supplemental oxygen
,Correct ,,,,Answer,,,,: B
Rationale: Decreased breath sounds in a specific area may indicate a
pneumothorax or mucous plugging requiring intervention. While wheezing
is expected with asthma, focal decreased breath sounds are not and
require immediate notification of the provider .
Question 4
The nurse is performing a developmental screening on an 18-month-old
toddler. Which milestone would the nurse expect this child to have
achieved?
A) Riding a tricycle
B) Walking independently
C) Building a tower of 6 blocks
D) Copying a circle
Correct ,,,,Answer,,,,: B
Rationale: Most children walk independently by 12-15 months of age. By
18 months, a child should be walking well. Tricycle riding (A) is a 3-year
milestone. Building a tower of 6 blocks (C) is a 3-4 year skill. Copying a
circle (D) is a 3-year fine motor skill .
Question 5
A 7-year-old child is admitted with suspected appendicitis. The nurse
assesses the child's pain. Which pain assessment tool is most
appropriate for this child?
, A) FLACC scale
B) Wong-Baker FACES scale
C) CRIES scale
D) NIPS scale
Correct ,,,,Answer,,,,: B
Rationale: The Wong-Baker FACES scale is appropriate for children ages 3
and older who can understand the concept of "no hurt" to "worst hurt."
The FLACC (A) and NIPS (D) scales are for preverbal infants. CRIES (C) is
for neonates .
Question 6
An adolescent reports using electronic cigarettes daily. The nurse's best
response is:
A) "Vaping is safer than smoking cigarettes."
B) "Let's talk about what you know about the health effects of vaping."
C) "You should stop immediately; it's very dangerous."
D) "I'll need to tell your parents about this."
Correct ,,,,Answer,,,,: B
Rationale: Using a non-judgmental, open-ended question opens
communication and allows the nurse to assess the adolescent's
knowledge and readiness to change. E-cigarettes contain nicotine and
other harmful substances. Confidentiality limits should be explained
while encouraging healthy choices .
