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2026 NSG 3600 (PEDS) EXAM 1 NURSING
PRACTICE – CHILDREN’S HEALTH
ACTUAL EXAM |QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES |RATED A+ |NEW AND
REVISED
1. A nurse assessing a 6-month-old infant notes the infant sits briefly
unsupported and transfers objects between hands. How should the
nurse interpret this finding?
A. Delayed fine motor development
B. Age-appropriate developmental milestones
C. Advanced gross motor development
D. Concerning neuromuscular impairment
Rationale: At 6 months, infants typically sit briefly unsupported
and transfer objects hand-to-hand, indicating normal
development.
2. A priority nursing consideration when caring for a hospitalized
toddler is to:
A. Encourage independence at all times
B. Use abstract explanations
C. Maintain routines and provide consistency
D. Limit parental presence
Rationale: Toddlers experience anxiety with routine disruption;
consistency and familiar caregivers reduce stress.
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3. Which vital sign is most sensitive to early deterioration in infants
and children?
A. Blood pressure
B. Temperature
C. Respiratory rate
D. Oxygen saturation
Rationale: Respiratory changes often occur before
cardiovascular compromise in pediatric patients.
4. The nurse prepares to administer medication to a preschooler.
Which approach best promotes cooperation?
A. Ask the child to swallow quickly
B. Offer simple choices when possible
C. Explain consequences of refusal
D. Ask the parent to leave the room
Rationale: Preschoolers respond well to limited choices that
provide a sense of control.
5. A school-age child asks why blood must be drawn. Which
response is developmentally appropriate?
A. “It helps us see how your body is working.”
B. “You must do it so you can go home.”
C. “It will only hurt if you move.”
D. “The doctor said it is necessary.”
Rationale: School-age children benefit from simple, factual
explanations.
6. Which principle best defines family-centered care in pediatrics?
A. The nurse makes all clinical decisions
B. Parents provide care independently
C. Families are partners in care
D. The child’s needs supersede family needs
Rationale: Family-centered care emphasizes collaboration,
respect, and shared decision-making.
7. The nurse is teaching parents about infant sleep safety. Which
statement indicates understanding?
A. “My baby will sleep on their side.”
B. “I will place my baby on their back to sleep.”
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C. “Soft blankets make sleeping safer.”
D. “Co-sleeping prevents SIDS.”
Rationale: Back-to-sleep positioning reduces the risk of sudden
infant death syndrome.
8. A pediatric nurse calculates medication dosages based on:
A. Age only
B. Height
C. Weight in kilograms
D. Body surface area only
Rationale: Weight in kilograms is the standard basis for safe
pediatric medication dosing.
9. Which behavior is expected in Erikson’s stage of trust vs. mistrust?
A. Initiating play
B. Seeking independence
C. Developing confidence in caregivers
D. Establishing identity
Rationale: Infants develop trust when caregivers consistently
meet their needs.
10. The most appropriate pain assessment tool for a nonverbal
infant is:
A. Numeric rating scale
B. Visual analog scale
C. FLACC scale
D. Wong-Baker FACES
Rationale: The FLACC scale assesses pain through behavioral
indicators.
11. A nurse explains hospitalization to a preschooler. Which
concept is most important?
A. Long-term consequences
B. Detailed anatomy
C. Reassurance about bodily integrity
D. Encouraging independence
Rationale: Preschoolers fear bodily harm and benefit from
reassurance.
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12. A child is admitted with suspected abuse. What is the nurse’s
legal obligation?
A. Inform the family
B. Document only
C. Report suspicions to appropriate authorities
D. Wait for physician confirmation
Rationale: Healthcare professionals are mandated reporters of
suspected child abuse.
13. Which nutritional need is highest during infancy?
A. Protein
B. Iron
C. Calories per kilogram
D. Vitamin C
Rationale: Infants require high caloric intake per kilogram to
support rapid growth.
14. The nurse anticipates separation anxiety most strongly in
which age group?
A. Adolescents
B. School-age children
C. Toddlers
D. Newborns
Rationale: Toddlers strongly bond to caregivers and experience
separation anxiety.
15. Which intervention best promotes atraumatic care?
A. Completing procedures quickly
B. Restricting parental involvement
C. Minimizing physical and psychological stress
D. Explaining procedures after completion
Rationale: Atraumatic care reduces both physical and emotional
distress.
16. A parent asks why their child’s blood pressure is lower than
an adult’s. The nurse responds that children:
A. Have weaker hearts
B. Require less oxygen
C. Have lower systemic vascular resistance
2026 NSG 3600 (PEDS) EXAM 1 NURSING
PRACTICE – CHILDREN’S HEALTH
ACTUAL EXAM |QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES |RATED A+ |NEW AND
REVISED
1. A nurse assessing a 6-month-old infant notes the infant sits briefly
unsupported and transfers objects between hands. How should the
nurse interpret this finding?
A. Delayed fine motor development
B. Age-appropriate developmental milestones
C. Advanced gross motor development
D. Concerning neuromuscular impairment
Rationale: At 6 months, infants typically sit briefly unsupported
and transfer objects hand-to-hand, indicating normal
development.
2. A priority nursing consideration when caring for a hospitalized
toddler is to:
A. Encourage independence at all times
B. Use abstract explanations
C. Maintain routines and provide consistency
D. Limit parental presence
Rationale: Toddlers experience anxiety with routine disruption;
consistency and familiar caregivers reduce stress.
,2|Page
3. Which vital sign is most sensitive to early deterioration in infants
and children?
A. Blood pressure
B. Temperature
C. Respiratory rate
D. Oxygen saturation
Rationale: Respiratory changes often occur before
cardiovascular compromise in pediatric patients.
4. The nurse prepares to administer medication to a preschooler.
Which approach best promotes cooperation?
A. Ask the child to swallow quickly
B. Offer simple choices when possible
C. Explain consequences of refusal
D. Ask the parent to leave the room
Rationale: Preschoolers respond well to limited choices that
provide a sense of control.
5. A school-age child asks why blood must be drawn. Which
response is developmentally appropriate?
A. “It helps us see how your body is working.”
B. “You must do it so you can go home.”
C. “It will only hurt if you move.”
D. “The doctor said it is necessary.”
Rationale: School-age children benefit from simple, factual
explanations.
6. Which principle best defines family-centered care in pediatrics?
A. The nurse makes all clinical decisions
B. Parents provide care independently
C. Families are partners in care
D. The child’s needs supersede family needs
Rationale: Family-centered care emphasizes collaboration,
respect, and shared decision-making.
7. The nurse is teaching parents about infant sleep safety. Which
statement indicates understanding?
A. “My baby will sleep on their side.”
B. “I will place my baby on their back to sleep.”
,3|Page
C. “Soft blankets make sleeping safer.”
D. “Co-sleeping prevents SIDS.”
Rationale: Back-to-sleep positioning reduces the risk of sudden
infant death syndrome.
8. A pediatric nurse calculates medication dosages based on:
A. Age only
B. Height
C. Weight in kilograms
D. Body surface area only
Rationale: Weight in kilograms is the standard basis for safe
pediatric medication dosing.
9. Which behavior is expected in Erikson’s stage of trust vs. mistrust?
A. Initiating play
B. Seeking independence
C. Developing confidence in caregivers
D. Establishing identity
Rationale: Infants develop trust when caregivers consistently
meet their needs.
10. The most appropriate pain assessment tool for a nonverbal
infant is:
A. Numeric rating scale
B. Visual analog scale
C. FLACC scale
D. Wong-Baker FACES
Rationale: The FLACC scale assesses pain through behavioral
indicators.
11. A nurse explains hospitalization to a preschooler. Which
concept is most important?
A. Long-term consequences
B. Detailed anatomy
C. Reassurance about bodily integrity
D. Encouraging independence
Rationale: Preschoolers fear bodily harm and benefit from
reassurance.
, 4|Page
12. A child is admitted with suspected abuse. What is the nurse’s
legal obligation?
A. Inform the family
B. Document only
C. Report suspicions to appropriate authorities
D. Wait for physician confirmation
Rationale: Healthcare professionals are mandated reporters of
suspected child abuse.
13. Which nutritional need is highest during infancy?
A. Protein
B. Iron
C. Calories per kilogram
D. Vitamin C
Rationale: Infants require high caloric intake per kilogram to
support rapid growth.
14. The nurse anticipates separation anxiety most strongly in
which age group?
A. Adolescents
B. School-age children
C. Toddlers
D. Newborns
Rationale: Toddlers strongly bond to caregivers and experience
separation anxiety.
15. Which intervention best promotes atraumatic care?
A. Completing procedures quickly
B. Restricting parental involvement
C. Minimizing physical and psychological stress
D. Explaining procedures after completion
Rationale: Atraumatic care reduces both physical and emotional
distress.
16. A parent asks why their child’s blood pressure is lower than
an adult’s. The nurse responds that children:
A. Have weaker hearts
B. Require less oxygen
C. Have lower systemic vascular resistance
