ATI Nursing Care of Children Proctored Exam
2026/2027 Questions And Correct Answers
Pediatric Nursing | Key Domains: Growth & Development Milestones, Health Promotion &
Immunizations, Common Pediatric Illnesses & Disorders, Pediatric Medication
Administration & Dosage Calculation, Family-Centered Care & Communication, Pediatric
Emergencies & Prioritization, and Chronic Condition Management | Expert-Aligned
Structure | Proctored Exam Format
Introduction
This structured ATI Nursing Care of Children Proctored Exam for 2026/2027 provides a
comprehensive set of exam-style questions with correct answers and rationales. It
emphasizes age-appropriate assessment, developmental theory application (Erikson,
Piaget), safe medication practices using weight-based calculations, family education, and
nursing interventions tailored to the unique physiological and psychosocial needs of the
pediatric population.
Exam Structure:
• Proctored Exam: (60 QUESTIONS)
Answer Format
All correct answers must appear in bold and cyan blue, accompanied by concise rationales
explaining the developmental principle, pathophysiological basis for the pediatric
condition, priority nursing action for a child, and why alternative options are
developmentally inappropriate, unsafe, or not the highest priority.
1.
A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant. Which finding should the nurse report to the
provider?
, A) Inability to sit without support
B) Presence of Moro reflex
C) Ability to roll from back to front
D) Babbling with consonant sounds
B) Presence of Moro reflex
The Moro reflex typically disappears by 4–6 months of age. Persistence beyond 6 months may
indicate neurological impairment and requires evaluation. Inability to sit without support (A)
is normal at 6 months; rolling (C) and babbling (D) are expected milestones.
2.
A parent asks the nurse when to introduce solid foods to their infant. What is the best
response?
A) “At 2 months of age.”
B) “At 4 months of age.”
C) “At 6 months of age.”
D) “At 12 months of age.”
C) “At 6 months of age.”
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends introducing iron-fortified cereals and
pureed foods at around 6 months, when the extrusion reflex fades and the infant can sit with
support. Introducing solids before 4 months increases allergy and choking risk.
3.
,A nurse is calculating a medication dose for a child who weighs 18 kg. The order is 10
mg/kg/day divided into two doses. How many mg should the nurse administer per dose?
A) 90 mg
B) 180 mg
C) 360 mg
D) 45 mg
A) 90 mg
Total daily dose = 10 mg/kg × 18 kg = 180 mg. Divided into two doses: 180 ÷ 2 = 90 mg per
dose. Options B and C represent total or miscalculated doses; D is half of the correct per-dose
amount.
4.
A toddler is hospitalized with dehydration. Which behavior is expected based on Erikson’s
theory?
A) Trusting the nurse to meet all needs
B) Showing increased independence and saying “no”
C) Cooperating with procedures to please adults
D) Expressing fear of bodily injury
B) Showing increased independence and saying “no”
Toddlers (1–3 years) are in Erikson’s stage of Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt, characterized
by asserting independence. Trust (A) is infancy; cooperation (C) is preschool; fear of injury (D)
is school-age.
, 5.
A child with asthma is prescribed albuterol via metered-dose inhaler (MDI). Which
instruction should the nurse provide?
A) “Rinse your mouth after each use.”
B) “Use a spacer with the inhaler.”
C) “Take this every 4 hours around the clock.”
D) “This prevents future asthma attacks.”
B) “Use a spacer with the inhaler.”
Spacers improve medication delivery to the lungs, especially in children. Rinsing (A) is for
corticosteroid inhalers. Albuterol is a rescue medication, not scheduled (C), and does not
prevent inflammation (D)—that’s controller meds like inhaled corticosteroids.
6.
A nurse is caring for a child with suspected epiglottitis. Which action is contraindicated?
A) Administering oxygen
B) Preparing for intubation
C) Obtaining a throat culture
D) Monitoring respiratory status
C) Obtaining a throat culture
Manipulating the throat in epiglottitis can trigger complete airway obstruction. Do not
examine the throat or insert anything into the mouth. Oxygen (A), airway preparation (B),
and monitoring (D) are essential.
2026/2027 Questions And Correct Answers
Pediatric Nursing | Key Domains: Growth & Development Milestones, Health Promotion &
Immunizations, Common Pediatric Illnesses & Disorders, Pediatric Medication
Administration & Dosage Calculation, Family-Centered Care & Communication, Pediatric
Emergencies & Prioritization, and Chronic Condition Management | Expert-Aligned
Structure | Proctored Exam Format
Introduction
This structured ATI Nursing Care of Children Proctored Exam for 2026/2027 provides a
comprehensive set of exam-style questions with correct answers and rationales. It
emphasizes age-appropriate assessment, developmental theory application (Erikson,
Piaget), safe medication practices using weight-based calculations, family education, and
nursing interventions tailored to the unique physiological and psychosocial needs of the
pediatric population.
Exam Structure:
• Proctored Exam: (60 QUESTIONS)
Answer Format
All correct answers must appear in bold and cyan blue, accompanied by concise rationales
explaining the developmental principle, pathophysiological basis for the pediatric
condition, priority nursing action for a child, and why alternative options are
developmentally inappropriate, unsafe, or not the highest priority.
1.
A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant. Which finding should the nurse report to the
provider?
, A) Inability to sit without support
B) Presence of Moro reflex
C) Ability to roll from back to front
D) Babbling with consonant sounds
B) Presence of Moro reflex
The Moro reflex typically disappears by 4–6 months of age. Persistence beyond 6 months may
indicate neurological impairment and requires evaluation. Inability to sit without support (A)
is normal at 6 months; rolling (C) and babbling (D) are expected milestones.
2.
A parent asks the nurse when to introduce solid foods to their infant. What is the best
response?
A) “At 2 months of age.”
B) “At 4 months of age.”
C) “At 6 months of age.”
D) “At 12 months of age.”
C) “At 6 months of age.”
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends introducing iron-fortified cereals and
pureed foods at around 6 months, when the extrusion reflex fades and the infant can sit with
support. Introducing solids before 4 months increases allergy and choking risk.
3.
,A nurse is calculating a medication dose for a child who weighs 18 kg. The order is 10
mg/kg/day divided into two doses. How many mg should the nurse administer per dose?
A) 90 mg
B) 180 mg
C) 360 mg
D) 45 mg
A) 90 mg
Total daily dose = 10 mg/kg × 18 kg = 180 mg. Divided into two doses: 180 ÷ 2 = 90 mg per
dose. Options B and C represent total or miscalculated doses; D is half of the correct per-dose
amount.
4.
A toddler is hospitalized with dehydration. Which behavior is expected based on Erikson’s
theory?
A) Trusting the nurse to meet all needs
B) Showing increased independence and saying “no”
C) Cooperating with procedures to please adults
D) Expressing fear of bodily injury
B) Showing increased independence and saying “no”
Toddlers (1–3 years) are in Erikson’s stage of Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt, characterized
by asserting independence. Trust (A) is infancy; cooperation (C) is preschool; fear of injury (D)
is school-age.
, 5.
A child with asthma is prescribed albuterol via metered-dose inhaler (MDI). Which
instruction should the nurse provide?
A) “Rinse your mouth after each use.”
B) “Use a spacer with the inhaler.”
C) “Take this every 4 hours around the clock.”
D) “This prevents future asthma attacks.”
B) “Use a spacer with the inhaler.”
Spacers improve medication delivery to the lungs, especially in children. Rinsing (A) is for
corticosteroid inhalers. Albuterol is a rescue medication, not scheduled (C), and does not
prevent inflammation (D)—that’s controller meds like inhaled corticosteroids.
6.
A nurse is caring for a child with suspected epiglottitis. Which action is contraindicated?
A) Administering oxygen
B) Preparing for intubation
C) Obtaining a throat culture
D) Monitoring respiratory status
C) Obtaining a throat culture
Manipulating the throat in epiglottitis can trigger complete airway obstruction. Do not
examine the throat or insert anything into the mouth. Oxygen (A), airway preparation (B),
and monitoring (D) are essential.
