RN ATI Pediatric Nursing Proctored Exam
(NGN) | Realistic Practice Questions with
Detailed Rationales and Answers | Latest
Update 2026/2027 - Graded A+
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a 4-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which of the
following findings should the nurse report to the provider as a potential developmental
delay?
A. The infant's eyes do not track a moving object
B. The infant does not roll from back to stomach
C. The infant's posterior fontanel is open
D. The infant's Doll's Eye Reflex is intact
Answer: D
Rationale: The Doll's eye reflex (oculocutaneous reflex) should be absent by 4 months of
age. Its persistence could indicate neurological abnormalities and warrants further
evaluation by the provider. Tracking objects should be present by 4 months, rolling over
typically occurs around 5-6 months, and the posterior fontanel closes by 2-3 months.
Question 2
What is the primary focus of Chapter 13 in ATI RN Mental Health?
A. Bipolar Disorder
B. Schizophrenia
C. Depression
D. Anxiety Disorders
Answer: C
Rationale: Chapter 13 of ATI RN Mental Health specifically addresses Depression,
covering its clinical manifestations, risk factors, nursing interventions, and treatment
modalities.
Question 3
Which chapter in ATI RN Mental Health is dedicated to Bipolar Disorder?
A. Chapter 14
B. Chapter 15
C. Chapter 12
D. Chapter 13
Answer: A
pg. 1
,Rationale: Bipolar Disorder is the topic of Chapter 14 in ATI RN Mental Health, which
discusses the manic and depressive phases, pharmacological management, and nursing
care for clients with bipolar spectrum disorders.
Question 4
Which objective emphasizes the nurse's direct involvement in providing care for clients
with mood disorders?
A. Differentiate clinical presentation of mood disorders
B. Explore the role of the nurse caring for clients experiencing mood disorders
C. Explore epidemiological and etiological risk factors
D. Describe the impact of mood disorders on overall health
Answer: B
Rationale: This objective focuses on the hands-on nursing responsibilities, including
assessment, safety monitoring, therapeutic communication, medication administration,
and patient education for clients with mood disorders.
Question 5
What percentage of U.S. adults aged 18 or older were estimated to have depression in
2017?
A. 8.7%
B. 13.1%
C. 7.1%
D. 5.3%
Answer: C
Rationale: According to epidemiological data from 2017, the prevalence of depression in
U.S. adults aged 18 or older was estimated at 7.1%, highlighting depression as a common
mental health condition affecting millions of Americans.
Question 6
Among which age group was the prevalence of depression highest in 2017?
A. Aged 26-34
B. Aged 45-64
C. Aged 18 to 25
D. Aged 65+
Answer: C
Rationale: Individuals aged 18 to 25 showed the highest prevalence of depression at
13.1% in 2017. This higher rate among young adults may be attributed to transitional life
stressors, academic pressures, social media influence, and developmental challenges
during this life stage.
pg. 2
,Question 7
Mood disorders can range from mild symptoms to severe. What typically necessitates
hospitalization for severe symptoms?
A. Family request
B. Protection of the client from self-harm
C. Lack of outpatient treatment options
D. Client discomfort
Answer: B
Rationale: Hospitalization for severe mood disorders is primarily indicated when there is
imminent risk of harm to self or others, inability to meet basic self-care needs, or when
outpatient treatment has failed. Safety is the paramount concern driving inpatient
psychiatric admission.
Question 8
Which disorder is characterized by extreme irritability, tantrums, and functional trouble
in children?
A. Bipolar I disorder
B. Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder
C. Mild depressive disorder
D. Cyclothymic disorder
Answer: B
Rationale: Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD) is diagnosed in children
exhibiting severe, recurrent temper outbursts and chronic, persistent irritability. This
DSM-5 diagnosis was established to address concerns about overdiagnosis of bipolar
disorder in pediatric populations.
Question 9
What is mild depressive disorder commonly called?
A. Cyclothymia
B. Anhedonia
C. Hypomania
D. Dysthymia
Answer: D
Rationale: Mild depressive disorder is also referred to as dysthymia, now classified as
persistent depressive disorder in DSM-5. It involves chronic, low-grade depressive
symptoms lasting at least two years in adults or one year in children and adolescents.
Question 10
What condition is characterized by mild bipolar symptoms, alternating between
hypomania and depression for at least two years?
pg. 3
, A. Dysthymia
B. Major depression
C. Postpartum depression
D. Cyclothymia
Answer: D
Rationale: Cyclothymia is a mood disorder characterized by numerous periods of
hypomanic symptoms and depressive symptoms lasting for at least two years (one year in
children and adolescents), without meeting full criteria for hypomanic or major
depressive episodes.
Question 11
Depression is recognized as a significant global health issue due to its high ranking
among the causes of what?
A. Chronic pain
B. Disability
C. Mortality
D. Infection
Answer: B
Rationale: Depression is a major contributor to global disability, ranking as a leading
cause of years lived with disability (YLDs) worldwide according to the World Health
Organization (WHO). It significantly impacts functional status, quality of life, and
productivity across populations.
Question 12
Clients with depression face an increased risk of suicide, particularly when they have a
personal or family history of what?
A. Personality disorders
B. Eating disorders
C. Suicide attempts
D. Substance use
Answer: C
Rationale: A personal or family history of suicide attempts significantly increases the
risk of suicide in clients with depression. Previous suicidal behavior is one of the
strongest predictors of completed suicide, necessitating thorough suicide risk assessment
and safety planning.
Question 13
Which condition is a common comorbidity elevated with depression?
A. Diabetes mellitus
B. Hypertension
pg. 4
(NGN) | Realistic Practice Questions with
Detailed Rationales and Answers | Latest
Update 2026/2027 - Graded A+
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a 4-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which of the
following findings should the nurse report to the provider as a potential developmental
delay?
A. The infant's eyes do not track a moving object
B. The infant does not roll from back to stomach
C. The infant's posterior fontanel is open
D. The infant's Doll's Eye Reflex is intact
Answer: D
Rationale: The Doll's eye reflex (oculocutaneous reflex) should be absent by 4 months of
age. Its persistence could indicate neurological abnormalities and warrants further
evaluation by the provider. Tracking objects should be present by 4 months, rolling over
typically occurs around 5-6 months, and the posterior fontanel closes by 2-3 months.
Question 2
What is the primary focus of Chapter 13 in ATI RN Mental Health?
A. Bipolar Disorder
B. Schizophrenia
C. Depression
D. Anxiety Disorders
Answer: C
Rationale: Chapter 13 of ATI RN Mental Health specifically addresses Depression,
covering its clinical manifestations, risk factors, nursing interventions, and treatment
modalities.
Question 3
Which chapter in ATI RN Mental Health is dedicated to Bipolar Disorder?
A. Chapter 14
B. Chapter 15
C. Chapter 12
D. Chapter 13
Answer: A
pg. 1
,Rationale: Bipolar Disorder is the topic of Chapter 14 in ATI RN Mental Health, which
discusses the manic and depressive phases, pharmacological management, and nursing
care for clients with bipolar spectrum disorders.
Question 4
Which objective emphasizes the nurse's direct involvement in providing care for clients
with mood disorders?
A. Differentiate clinical presentation of mood disorders
B. Explore the role of the nurse caring for clients experiencing mood disorders
C. Explore epidemiological and etiological risk factors
D. Describe the impact of mood disorders on overall health
Answer: B
Rationale: This objective focuses on the hands-on nursing responsibilities, including
assessment, safety monitoring, therapeutic communication, medication administration,
and patient education for clients with mood disorders.
Question 5
What percentage of U.S. adults aged 18 or older were estimated to have depression in
2017?
A. 8.7%
B. 13.1%
C. 7.1%
D. 5.3%
Answer: C
Rationale: According to epidemiological data from 2017, the prevalence of depression in
U.S. adults aged 18 or older was estimated at 7.1%, highlighting depression as a common
mental health condition affecting millions of Americans.
Question 6
Among which age group was the prevalence of depression highest in 2017?
A. Aged 26-34
B. Aged 45-64
C. Aged 18 to 25
D. Aged 65+
Answer: C
Rationale: Individuals aged 18 to 25 showed the highest prevalence of depression at
13.1% in 2017. This higher rate among young adults may be attributed to transitional life
stressors, academic pressures, social media influence, and developmental challenges
during this life stage.
pg. 2
,Question 7
Mood disorders can range from mild symptoms to severe. What typically necessitates
hospitalization for severe symptoms?
A. Family request
B. Protection of the client from self-harm
C. Lack of outpatient treatment options
D. Client discomfort
Answer: B
Rationale: Hospitalization for severe mood disorders is primarily indicated when there is
imminent risk of harm to self or others, inability to meet basic self-care needs, or when
outpatient treatment has failed. Safety is the paramount concern driving inpatient
psychiatric admission.
Question 8
Which disorder is characterized by extreme irritability, tantrums, and functional trouble
in children?
A. Bipolar I disorder
B. Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder
C. Mild depressive disorder
D. Cyclothymic disorder
Answer: B
Rationale: Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD) is diagnosed in children
exhibiting severe, recurrent temper outbursts and chronic, persistent irritability. This
DSM-5 diagnosis was established to address concerns about overdiagnosis of bipolar
disorder in pediatric populations.
Question 9
What is mild depressive disorder commonly called?
A. Cyclothymia
B. Anhedonia
C. Hypomania
D. Dysthymia
Answer: D
Rationale: Mild depressive disorder is also referred to as dysthymia, now classified as
persistent depressive disorder in DSM-5. It involves chronic, low-grade depressive
symptoms lasting at least two years in adults or one year in children and adolescents.
Question 10
What condition is characterized by mild bipolar symptoms, alternating between
hypomania and depression for at least two years?
pg. 3
, A. Dysthymia
B. Major depression
C. Postpartum depression
D. Cyclothymia
Answer: D
Rationale: Cyclothymia is a mood disorder characterized by numerous periods of
hypomanic symptoms and depressive symptoms lasting for at least two years (one year in
children and adolescents), without meeting full criteria for hypomanic or major
depressive episodes.
Question 11
Depression is recognized as a significant global health issue due to its high ranking
among the causes of what?
A. Chronic pain
B. Disability
C. Mortality
D. Infection
Answer: B
Rationale: Depression is a major contributor to global disability, ranking as a leading
cause of years lived with disability (YLDs) worldwide according to the World Health
Organization (WHO). It significantly impacts functional status, quality of life, and
productivity across populations.
Question 12
Clients with depression face an increased risk of suicide, particularly when they have a
personal or family history of what?
A. Personality disorders
B. Eating disorders
C. Suicide attempts
D. Substance use
Answer: C
Rationale: A personal or family history of suicide attempts significantly increases the
risk of suicide in clients with depression. Previous suicidal behavior is one of the
strongest predictors of completed suicide, necessitating thorough suicide risk assessment
and safety planning.
Question 13
Which condition is a common comorbidity elevated with depression?
A. Diabetes mellitus
B. Hypertension
pg. 4
