Test Bank for Essentials of Pediatric Nursing, 4th Edition
Test Bank for Essentials of Pediatric Nursing, 4th Edition by
Kyle & Carman | Verified Q&A 2025–2026 / Essentials of
Pediatric Nursing 4th Edition by Kyle & Carman – Complete
Test Bank with Practice Questions and Verified Answers
Part 1: Foundations of Pediatric Nursing
This section covers core concepts like family-centered care, evidence-based practice, developmental
stages, and ethical principles.
1. A nurse on a pediatric unit is practicing family-centered care. Which is most descriptive of the
care the nurse is delivering?
• A) Taking over total care of the child to reduce stress on the family
• B) Encouraging family dependence on health care systems
• C) Recognizing that the family is the constant in a child's life
• D) Excluding families from the decision-making process
• Answer: C.
• Rationale: Family-centered care is built on respect, collaboration, and support, recognizing
the family as the central and constant presence in a child's life. Options A, B, and D describe
approaches that exclude the family or undermine their role.
2. A nurse makes the decision to apply a topical anesthetic to a child's skin before drawing blood.
Which ethical principle is the nurse demonstrating?
• A) Autonomy
• B) Beneficence
• C) Justice
• D) Truthfulness
• Answer: B.
• Rationale: Beneficence is the obligation to promote the patient's well-being. Applying a
topical anesthetic to reduce the pain of a procedure is a direct action to benefit the child.
3. Which action by the nurse demonstrates the use of evidence-based practice (EBP)?
• A) Gathering equipment for a procedure
• B) Documenting changes in a patient's status
• C) Questioning the use of daily central line dressing changes
• D) Clarifying a physician's prescription for morphine
, Test Bank for Essentials of Pediatric Nursing, 4th Edition
• Answer: C.
• Rationale: EBP involves questioning the effectiveness of current clinical interventions and
seeking better approaches. Questioning a standard practice like daily dressing changes is a
core component of EBP.
4. A nurse is admitting a toddler to the hospital. The toddler is with both parents and is currently
sitting comfortably on a parent's lap. The parents state they will need to leave for a brief period.
Which type of nursing diagnosis should the nurse formulate for this child?
• A) Risk for anxiety
• B) Anxiety
• C) Readiness for enhanced coping
• D) Ineffective coping
• Answer: A.
• Rationale: The toddler is not currently showing signs of anxiety, but the impending
separation from parents creates a potential for it. This is best classified as a "risk for"
diagnosis.
5. Which is most descriptive of clinical reasoning?
• A) A simple developmental process
• B) Purposeful and goal-directed
• C) Based on deliberate and irrational thought
• D) Assists individuals in guessing what is most appropriate
• Answer: B.
• Rationale: Clinical reasoning is a complex, purposeful, and goal-directed process based on
rational and deliberate thought. It is not a guessing or simple developmental process.
6. Which factor most impacts the type of injury a child is susceptible to, according to the child's
age?
• A) Physical health of the child
• B) Developmental level of the child
• C) Educational level of the child
• D) Number of responsible adults in the home
• Answer: B.
• Rationale: A child's developmental stage determines the type of injuries they are most likely
to sustain (e.g., a toddler falling, an adolescent engaging in risk-taking behavior).
7. Which is now referred to as the "new morbidity"?
• A) Limitations in the major activities of daily living
, Test Bank for Essentials of Pediatric Nursing, 4th Edition
• B) Unintentional injuries that cause chronic health problems
• C) Discoveries of new therapies to treat health problems
• D) Behavioral, social, and educational problems that alter health
• Answer: D.
• Rationale: The "new morbidity" refers to the behavioral, social, and educational problems
that interfere with a child's development, affecting 5% to 30% of children.
8. Which is the term for a family in which the paternal grandmother, the parents, and two minor
children live together?
• A) Blended
• B) Nuclear
• C) Binuclear
• D) Extended
• Answer: D.
• Rationale: An extended family includes at least one parent, one or more children, and one
or more other relatives (or non-relatives) living in the same household.
9. A nursing instructor is describing trends in maternal and newborn health care. Which of the
following would the instructor most likely identify as having the greatest effect on these trends?
• A) Changes in hospital policies
• B) New technology
• C) Economic climate
• D) Consumer demand
• Answer: D.
• Rationale: Consumer demand and emphasis on family-centered care have had a major
impact on trends in maternal and newborn health care.
10. Which of the following would the nurse expect to include when describing family-centered
care to a group of nursing students?
• A) The family is the expert on the child.
• B) The health care team is the constant in a child's life.
• C) The nurse is the primary decision-maker.
• D) Visiting hours should be restricted to allow for rest.
• Answer: A.
• Rationale: Family-centered care is based on the principle that the family is the constant and
the expert on their child's life and needs.
, Test Bank for Essentials of Pediatric Nursing, 4th Edition
11. A nurse is preparing to perform a procedure on a 4-year-old child. Which action is most
consistent with providing atraumatic care?
• A) Restraining the child for safety.
• B) Telling the child the procedure will not hurt.
• C) Demonstrating the procedure on a doll first.
• D) Asking the parents to leave the room.
• Answer: C.
• Rationale: Atraumatic care minimizes psychological distress. Demonstrating a procedure on
a stuffed animal or doll is a developmentally appropriate way to prepare a young child and
reduce fear.
12. A 15-year-old adolescent with a chronic condition requests contraception and asks the nurse
not to tell her parents. State law permits confidential contraceptive services to minors. The nurse
should:
• A) Provide counseling and arrange confidential access per law while offering to involve
parents if adolescent agrees.
• B) Refuse services unless parents sign consent.
• C) Immediately notify the parents regardless of the adolescent's wishes.
• D) Delay counseling until the adolescent brings a parent.
• Answer: A.
• Rationale: When the law allows, nurses must respect adolescent autonomy and provide
appropriate care. Encouraging family involvement without coercion supports family-
centered care.
13. A 7-year-old presents with bruises in different healing stages, and the child's explanation is
inconsistent. The nurse suspects nonaccidental injury. What is the appropriate action?
• A) Report the suspicion to child protective services per mandatory reporting laws and follow
facility protocol.
• B) Wait to gather more evidence before reporting to avoid family distress.
• C) Confront the parents aggressively at the bedside about abuse.
• D) Document findings only and not report to external agencies.
• Answer: A.
• Rationale: Nurses are mandated reporters. Suspicion of abuse requires prompt reporting to
protect the child, following legal and institutional procedures.
14. Which best embodies the philosophy of pediatric nursing?
• A) Care that promotes child development, family partnership, and atraumatic interventions.
• B) Prioritizing institutional efficiency over family preferences.
Test Bank for Essentials of Pediatric Nursing, 4th Edition by
Kyle & Carman | Verified Q&A 2025–2026 / Essentials of
Pediatric Nursing 4th Edition by Kyle & Carman – Complete
Test Bank with Practice Questions and Verified Answers
Part 1: Foundations of Pediatric Nursing
This section covers core concepts like family-centered care, evidence-based practice, developmental
stages, and ethical principles.
1. A nurse on a pediatric unit is practicing family-centered care. Which is most descriptive of the
care the nurse is delivering?
• A) Taking over total care of the child to reduce stress on the family
• B) Encouraging family dependence on health care systems
• C) Recognizing that the family is the constant in a child's life
• D) Excluding families from the decision-making process
• Answer: C.
• Rationale: Family-centered care is built on respect, collaboration, and support, recognizing
the family as the central and constant presence in a child's life. Options A, B, and D describe
approaches that exclude the family or undermine their role.
2. A nurse makes the decision to apply a topical anesthetic to a child's skin before drawing blood.
Which ethical principle is the nurse demonstrating?
• A) Autonomy
• B) Beneficence
• C) Justice
• D) Truthfulness
• Answer: B.
• Rationale: Beneficence is the obligation to promote the patient's well-being. Applying a
topical anesthetic to reduce the pain of a procedure is a direct action to benefit the child.
3. Which action by the nurse demonstrates the use of evidence-based practice (EBP)?
• A) Gathering equipment for a procedure
• B) Documenting changes in a patient's status
• C) Questioning the use of daily central line dressing changes
• D) Clarifying a physician's prescription for morphine
, Test Bank for Essentials of Pediatric Nursing, 4th Edition
• Answer: C.
• Rationale: EBP involves questioning the effectiveness of current clinical interventions and
seeking better approaches. Questioning a standard practice like daily dressing changes is a
core component of EBP.
4. A nurse is admitting a toddler to the hospital. The toddler is with both parents and is currently
sitting comfortably on a parent's lap. The parents state they will need to leave for a brief period.
Which type of nursing diagnosis should the nurse formulate for this child?
• A) Risk for anxiety
• B) Anxiety
• C) Readiness for enhanced coping
• D) Ineffective coping
• Answer: A.
• Rationale: The toddler is not currently showing signs of anxiety, but the impending
separation from parents creates a potential for it. This is best classified as a "risk for"
diagnosis.
5. Which is most descriptive of clinical reasoning?
• A) A simple developmental process
• B) Purposeful and goal-directed
• C) Based on deliberate and irrational thought
• D) Assists individuals in guessing what is most appropriate
• Answer: B.
• Rationale: Clinical reasoning is a complex, purposeful, and goal-directed process based on
rational and deliberate thought. It is not a guessing or simple developmental process.
6. Which factor most impacts the type of injury a child is susceptible to, according to the child's
age?
• A) Physical health of the child
• B) Developmental level of the child
• C) Educational level of the child
• D) Number of responsible adults in the home
• Answer: B.
• Rationale: A child's developmental stage determines the type of injuries they are most likely
to sustain (e.g., a toddler falling, an adolescent engaging in risk-taking behavior).
7. Which is now referred to as the "new morbidity"?
• A) Limitations in the major activities of daily living
, Test Bank for Essentials of Pediatric Nursing, 4th Edition
• B) Unintentional injuries that cause chronic health problems
• C) Discoveries of new therapies to treat health problems
• D) Behavioral, social, and educational problems that alter health
• Answer: D.
• Rationale: The "new morbidity" refers to the behavioral, social, and educational problems
that interfere with a child's development, affecting 5% to 30% of children.
8. Which is the term for a family in which the paternal grandmother, the parents, and two minor
children live together?
• A) Blended
• B) Nuclear
• C) Binuclear
• D) Extended
• Answer: D.
• Rationale: An extended family includes at least one parent, one or more children, and one
or more other relatives (or non-relatives) living in the same household.
9. A nursing instructor is describing trends in maternal and newborn health care. Which of the
following would the instructor most likely identify as having the greatest effect on these trends?
• A) Changes in hospital policies
• B) New technology
• C) Economic climate
• D) Consumer demand
• Answer: D.
• Rationale: Consumer demand and emphasis on family-centered care have had a major
impact on trends in maternal and newborn health care.
10. Which of the following would the nurse expect to include when describing family-centered
care to a group of nursing students?
• A) The family is the expert on the child.
• B) The health care team is the constant in a child's life.
• C) The nurse is the primary decision-maker.
• D) Visiting hours should be restricted to allow for rest.
• Answer: A.
• Rationale: Family-centered care is based on the principle that the family is the constant and
the expert on their child's life and needs.
, Test Bank for Essentials of Pediatric Nursing, 4th Edition
11. A nurse is preparing to perform a procedure on a 4-year-old child. Which action is most
consistent with providing atraumatic care?
• A) Restraining the child for safety.
• B) Telling the child the procedure will not hurt.
• C) Demonstrating the procedure on a doll first.
• D) Asking the parents to leave the room.
• Answer: C.
• Rationale: Atraumatic care minimizes psychological distress. Demonstrating a procedure on
a stuffed animal or doll is a developmentally appropriate way to prepare a young child and
reduce fear.
12. A 15-year-old adolescent with a chronic condition requests contraception and asks the nurse
not to tell her parents. State law permits confidential contraceptive services to minors. The nurse
should:
• A) Provide counseling and arrange confidential access per law while offering to involve
parents if adolescent agrees.
• B) Refuse services unless parents sign consent.
• C) Immediately notify the parents regardless of the adolescent's wishes.
• D) Delay counseling until the adolescent brings a parent.
• Answer: A.
• Rationale: When the law allows, nurses must respect adolescent autonomy and provide
appropriate care. Encouraging family involvement without coercion supports family-
centered care.
13. A 7-year-old presents with bruises in different healing stages, and the child's explanation is
inconsistent. The nurse suspects nonaccidental injury. What is the appropriate action?
• A) Report the suspicion to child protective services per mandatory reporting laws and follow
facility protocol.
• B) Wait to gather more evidence before reporting to avoid family distress.
• C) Confront the parents aggressively at the bedside about abuse.
• D) Document findings only and not report to external agencies.
• Answer: A.
• Rationale: Nurses are mandated reporters. Suspicion of abuse requires prompt reporting to
protect the child, following legal and institutional procedures.
14. Which best embodies the philosophy of pediatric nursing?
• A) Care that promotes child development, family partnership, and atraumatic interventions.
• B) Prioritizing institutional efficiency over family preferences.
