NACE Care of the Child Exam Questions
and Correct Explained Answers 2026
Safe & Effective Care Environment (1-10)
1. A 4-year-old child is brought to the emergency department after ingesting an
unknown amount of their grandparent's warfarin. Which antidote should the
nurse prepare to administer?
• A) Naloxone
• B) Acetylcysteine
• C) Vitamin K
• D) Flumazenil
,,,answer,,,: C) Vitamin K
Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant that inhibits vitamin K-dependent clotting
factors (II, VII, IX, X). The specific antidote is vitamin K, which restores the body's
ability to form clots. Naloxone is for opioids, acetylcysteine for acetaminophen
overdose, and flumazenil for benzodiazepines .
2. A nurse witnesses a 7-year-old child having a generalized seizure. Which action
should the nurse take FIRST?
• A) Place a padded tongue blade between the teeth
• B) Position the child on their side
• C) Restrain the child's limbs gently
• D) Obtain blood pressure and pulse
,,,,answer,,,: B) Position the child on their side
Rationale: The first priority during a seizure is to protect the airway and prevent
aspiration. Positioning the child on their side allows secretions to drain. Tongue
blades should never be inserted during a seizure as they can cause injury or
aspiration. Restraint can cause injury. Vital signs are assessed after the seizure .
3. A toddler is admitted for surgical repair of a club foot. The child is standing in
the crib crying, refusing comfort, and calling for a parent. Which is the most
appropriate nursing intervention?
• A) Immediately pick up the child and provide comfort
• B) Sit by the crib and postpone care until anxiety decreases
• C) Ask the parent to leave the room quickly
• D) Distract the child with a loud toy
,,,answer,,,: B) Sit by the crib and postpone care until anxiety decreases
Rationale: Hospitalization is stressful for toddlers who experience separation
anxiety. The most appropriate approach is to remain present without forcing care,
allowing the child to adjust. Forcing care increases anxiety. The parent should not be
asked to leave .
4. A nurse is preparing an education program on safety for an older teen group.
Based on the leading causes of mortality for this age group, the nurse should
focus on:
• A) Home fire safety
, • B) Water safety
• C) Automobile safety
• D) Food safety
,,,answer,,,: C) Automobile safety
Rationale: Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among older
adolescents (ages 15-19). Education should focus on seat belt use, distracted
driving, and impaired driving prevention .
5. A 2-year-old is admitted to the hospital. Which action should the nurse take to
diminish the child's fear?
• A) Walk into the waiting room to greet the child
• B) Ask the parents to wait in the waiting room
• C) Approach the child quickly to complete the assessment
• D) Wear a mask and uniform to appear professional
,,,answer,,,: A) Walk into the waiting room to greet the child
Rationale: Preschool and young school-age children experience significant fear in
healthcare settings. Meeting the child in the waiting room, at eye level, with a friendly
demeanor helps establish trust and reduces fear .
6. A 15-month-old toddler requires droplet precautions. Which action should the
nurse take?
• A) Wear a mask when assisting with meals
, • B) Place the child in a negative pressure room
• C) Wear an N95 respirator at all times
• D) Keep the door closed at all times
,,,answer,,,: A) Wear a mask when assisting with meals
Rationale: Droplet precautions require a surgical mask within 3 feet of the patient.
Negative pressure rooms are for airborne precautions. N95 respirators are for
airborne precautions .
7. A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance about accidental ingestion of a toxic
substance to parents of a toddler. What should the parents do FIRST if ingestion
occurs?
• A) Induce vomiting
• B) Call poison control
• C) Give activated charcoal
• D) Drive to the emergency department
,,,answer,,,: B) Call poison control
Rationale: The first action for suspected ingestion is to contact poison control for
specific guidance. Inducing vomiting is no longer routinely recommended and may
be harmful .
8. A nurse on a pediatric unit is reviewing the health record of a child
demonstrating increasing stress after admission. Which finding is a risk factor for
stress-related reaction to hospitalization?
and Correct Explained Answers 2026
Safe & Effective Care Environment (1-10)
1. A 4-year-old child is brought to the emergency department after ingesting an
unknown amount of their grandparent's warfarin. Which antidote should the
nurse prepare to administer?
• A) Naloxone
• B) Acetylcysteine
• C) Vitamin K
• D) Flumazenil
,,,answer,,,: C) Vitamin K
Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant that inhibits vitamin K-dependent clotting
factors (II, VII, IX, X). The specific antidote is vitamin K, which restores the body's
ability to form clots. Naloxone is for opioids, acetylcysteine for acetaminophen
overdose, and flumazenil for benzodiazepines .
2. A nurse witnesses a 7-year-old child having a generalized seizure. Which action
should the nurse take FIRST?
• A) Place a padded tongue blade between the teeth
• B) Position the child on their side
• C) Restrain the child's limbs gently
• D) Obtain blood pressure and pulse
,,,,answer,,,: B) Position the child on their side
Rationale: The first priority during a seizure is to protect the airway and prevent
aspiration. Positioning the child on their side allows secretions to drain. Tongue
blades should never be inserted during a seizure as they can cause injury or
aspiration. Restraint can cause injury. Vital signs are assessed after the seizure .
3. A toddler is admitted for surgical repair of a club foot. The child is standing in
the crib crying, refusing comfort, and calling for a parent. Which is the most
appropriate nursing intervention?
• A) Immediately pick up the child and provide comfort
• B) Sit by the crib and postpone care until anxiety decreases
• C) Ask the parent to leave the room quickly
• D) Distract the child with a loud toy
,,,answer,,,: B) Sit by the crib and postpone care until anxiety decreases
Rationale: Hospitalization is stressful for toddlers who experience separation
anxiety. The most appropriate approach is to remain present without forcing care,
allowing the child to adjust. Forcing care increases anxiety. The parent should not be
asked to leave .
4. A nurse is preparing an education program on safety for an older teen group.
Based on the leading causes of mortality for this age group, the nurse should
focus on:
• A) Home fire safety
, • B) Water safety
• C) Automobile safety
• D) Food safety
,,,answer,,,: C) Automobile safety
Rationale: Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among older
adolescents (ages 15-19). Education should focus on seat belt use, distracted
driving, and impaired driving prevention .
5. A 2-year-old is admitted to the hospital. Which action should the nurse take to
diminish the child's fear?
• A) Walk into the waiting room to greet the child
• B) Ask the parents to wait in the waiting room
• C) Approach the child quickly to complete the assessment
• D) Wear a mask and uniform to appear professional
,,,answer,,,: A) Walk into the waiting room to greet the child
Rationale: Preschool and young school-age children experience significant fear in
healthcare settings. Meeting the child in the waiting room, at eye level, with a friendly
demeanor helps establish trust and reduces fear .
6. A 15-month-old toddler requires droplet precautions. Which action should the
nurse take?
• A) Wear a mask when assisting with meals
, • B) Place the child in a negative pressure room
• C) Wear an N95 respirator at all times
• D) Keep the door closed at all times
,,,answer,,,: A) Wear a mask when assisting with meals
Rationale: Droplet precautions require a surgical mask within 3 feet of the patient.
Negative pressure rooms are for airborne precautions. N95 respirators are for
airborne precautions .
7. A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance about accidental ingestion of a toxic
substance to parents of a toddler. What should the parents do FIRST if ingestion
occurs?
• A) Induce vomiting
• B) Call poison control
• C) Give activated charcoal
• D) Drive to the emergency department
,,,answer,,,: B) Call poison control
Rationale: The first action for suspected ingestion is to contact poison control for
specific guidance. Inducing vomiting is no longer routinely recommended and may
be harmful .
8. A nurse on a pediatric unit is reviewing the health record of a child
demonstrating increasing stress after admission. Which finding is a risk factor for
stress-related reaction to hospitalization?
