Essentials of Pediatric Nursing – 5th Edition by Terri Kyle & Susan Carman exam
210 + questions with correct answers 2026 latest update
A nurse is caring for a premature infant in the neonatal intensive care unit who
develops sudden respiratory distress, grunting, and nasal flaring shortly after
birth. Which condition is most likely responsible for these symptoms?
A. Meconium aspiration syndrome
B. Respiratory distress syndrome
C. Bronchiolitis
D. Pneumonia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Premature infants often lack surfactant, leading to respiratory distress
syndrome characterized by grunting, nasal flaring, and hypoxia.
A child with acute asthma exacerbation is not responding to initial bronchodilator
therapy. Which intervention is the next priority?
A. Discontinue medications
B. Administer systemic corticosteroids
C. Encourage exercise
D. Delay treatment
1|Page
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Corticosteroids reduce airway inflammation when bronchodilators are
insufficient.
A nurse is assessing a child with dehydration and notes tachycardia, dry mucous
membranes, and decreased urine output. What level of dehydration is most
likely?
A. Mild
B. Moderate
C. Severe
D. None
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: These findings are consistent with moderate dehydration.
A child with suspected bacterial meningitis is admitted. What is the nurse’s
priority intervention?
A. Provide oral fluids
B. Initiate IV antibiotics promptly
2|Page
,C. Encourage ambulation
D. Delay treatment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Early antibiotic therapy is critical to prevent complications.
A nurse is caring for a child with congenital heart disease who shows signs of
heart failure. Which finding is most concerning?
A. Increased appetite
B. Tachypnea and sweating during feeding
C. Normal weight gain
D. Active play
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Tachypnea and diaphoresis during feeding indicate cardiac
compromise.
A child presents with a rash that begins on the face and spreads downward along
with fever and cough. Which disease is most likely?
A. Varicella
3|Page
, B. Measles
C. Rubella
D. Scarlet fever
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Measles typically starts on the face and spreads downward with fever
and cough.
A nurse is caring for a child with diabetic ketoacidosis. Which laboratory finding is
expected?
A. Low blood glucose
B. High blood glucose and metabolic acidosis
C. Normal pH
D. Low ketone levels
Correct Answer: B
A child with severe burns is at risk for infection. Which intervention is most
important to prevent infection?
A. Restrict fluids
4|Page
210 + questions with correct answers 2026 latest update
A nurse is caring for a premature infant in the neonatal intensive care unit who
develops sudden respiratory distress, grunting, and nasal flaring shortly after
birth. Which condition is most likely responsible for these symptoms?
A. Meconium aspiration syndrome
B. Respiratory distress syndrome
C. Bronchiolitis
D. Pneumonia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Premature infants often lack surfactant, leading to respiratory distress
syndrome characterized by grunting, nasal flaring, and hypoxia.
A child with acute asthma exacerbation is not responding to initial bronchodilator
therapy. Which intervention is the next priority?
A. Discontinue medications
B. Administer systemic corticosteroids
C. Encourage exercise
D. Delay treatment
1|Page
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Corticosteroids reduce airway inflammation when bronchodilators are
insufficient.
A nurse is assessing a child with dehydration and notes tachycardia, dry mucous
membranes, and decreased urine output. What level of dehydration is most
likely?
A. Mild
B. Moderate
C. Severe
D. None
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: These findings are consistent with moderate dehydration.
A child with suspected bacterial meningitis is admitted. What is the nurse’s
priority intervention?
A. Provide oral fluids
B. Initiate IV antibiotics promptly
2|Page
,C. Encourage ambulation
D. Delay treatment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Early antibiotic therapy is critical to prevent complications.
A nurse is caring for a child with congenital heart disease who shows signs of
heart failure. Which finding is most concerning?
A. Increased appetite
B. Tachypnea and sweating during feeding
C. Normal weight gain
D. Active play
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Tachypnea and diaphoresis during feeding indicate cardiac
compromise.
A child presents with a rash that begins on the face and spreads downward along
with fever and cough. Which disease is most likely?
A. Varicella
3|Page
, B. Measles
C. Rubella
D. Scarlet fever
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Measles typically starts on the face and spreads downward with fever
and cough.
A nurse is caring for a child with diabetic ketoacidosis. Which laboratory finding is
expected?
A. Low blood glucose
B. High blood glucose and metabolic acidosis
C. Normal pH
D. Low ketone levels
Correct Answer: B
A child with severe burns is at risk for infection. Which intervention is most
important to prevent infection?
A. Restrict fluids
4|Page
