Practice Series Pediatric Typical Exam
Questions And Well Graded Solutions
With Rationales Updated 2026-2027
Master the Dari Moore Case Study from the Sentinel U Advanced Practice Series (Pediatric Typical).
This comprehensive activity report guide includes 100% verified multiple-choice questions,
accurate diagnostic rationales, and complete pediatric care plans mapped directly to NONPF Core
Competencies. Ideal for family and pediatric nurse practitioner students looking to secure a 20/20
mastery score. Learn the critical judgment needed for pediatric history, pharmacology, and follow-
up care.
1. A 4-year-old child presents with a barking cough, inspiratory stridor, and mild
intercostal retractions. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Acute bronchiolitis
B) Laryngotracheobronchitis (Croup)
C) Epiglottitis
D) Asthma exacerbation
Answer: B
Rationale: Laryngotracheobronchitis, or croup, typically presents in children aged 6
months to 3 years with a characteristic barking cough and inspiratory stridor due to
subglottic edema.
2. Which pathogen is most commonly responsible for acute bronchiolitis in infants?
A) Streptococcus pneumoniae
B) Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
C) Mycoplasma pneumoniae
D) Haemophilus influenzae
Answer: B
Rationale: RSV is the leading cause of bronchiolitis in infants and young children,
causing inflammation and obstruction of the small airways.
3. What is the first-line medication class for an acute asthma exacerbation in a pediatric
patient?
A) Inhaled long-acting beta2-agonists (LABA)
B) Inhaled short-acting beta2-agonists (SABA)
C) Leukotriene receptor antagonists
D) Inhaled corticosteroids
Answer: B
Rationale: SABAs like albuterol provide rapid bronchodilation by relaxing airway
smooth muscle, making them the primary treatment for acute symptoms.
4. A child is diagnosed with streptococcal pharyngitis. Which antibiotic is preferred as
first-line therapy?
A) Amoxicillin or Penicillin V
B) Azithromycin
C) Ciprofloxacin
D) Doxycycline
Answer: A
Rationale: Penicillin V or amoxicillin remains the first-line therapy for Group A
Streptococcal pharyngitis due to its proven efficacy, narrow spectrum, and low cost.
,5. What is a pathognomonic physical finding associated with Measles (Rubeola)?
A) Strawberry tongue
B) Koplik spots
C) Target lesions
D) Honey-colored crusts
Answer: B
Rationale: Koplik spots are small, white spots on a red background found on the
buccal mucosa and are a diagnostic marker for measles.
6. Which heart murmur is considered benign or physiological in a healthy,
asymptomatic school-aged child?
A) Holosystolic murmur
B) Diastolic murmur
C) Still's murmur
D) Grade IV murmur with a thrill
Answer: C
Rationale: Still's murmur is a common, vibratory, musical innocent murmur heard at
the lower left sternal border in healthy children.
7. An 18-month-old presents with a high fever for 4 days, which drops suddenly,
followed by the appearance of a maculopapular rash on the trunk. What is the
diagnosis?
A) Erythema infectiosum
B) Roseola infantum
C) Rubella
D) Varicella
Answer: B
Rationale: Roseola infantum (caused by HHV-6) typically presents with a high fever
that resolves abruptly just as a rosy, non-pruritic rash appears.
8. Which clinical finding is a hallmark sign of pyloric stenosis in a 4-week-old infant?
A) Currant jelly stools
B) Bile-stained emesis
C) An olive-shaped mass in the epigastrium
D) Sausage-shaped abdominal mass
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis presents with projectile, non-bilious vomiting
and a palpable olive-shaped mass in the right upper quadrant/epigastrium.
9. What diagnostic test confirms a diagnosis of intussusception?
A) Abdominal ultrasound or air/barium enema
B) 24-hour pH probe monitoring
C) Sweat chloride test
D) Serum amylase and lipase
Answer: A
Rationale: An ultrasound shows a classic "target sign", and an air or contrast enema
acts as both the definitive diagnostic tool and non-surgical treatment.
10. A 6-year-old child presents with perianal pruritus, especially at night. What is the
preferred diagnostic method?
A) Stool culture for ova and parasites
B) Cellulose tape test
C) Colonoscopy
D) Serum IgE testing
Answer: B
, Rationale: Enterobius vermicularis (pinworms) migrate to the perianal area at night to
lay eggs, which can be captured and visualized using a tape test in the morning.
11. What is the standard diagnostic threshold for a sweat chloride test to confirm Cystic
Fibrosis?
A) Chloride level less than 20 mEq/L
B) Chloride level between 30 and 40 mEq/L
C) Chloride level equal to or greater than 60 mEq/L
D) Chloride level greater than 100 mEq/L
Answer: C
Rationale: A sweat chloride concentration of 60 mEq/L or higher on two separate
occasions confirms the diagnosis of Cystic Fibrosis.
12. Which medication is contraindicated in children under 8 years of age due to the risk
of permanent tooth discoloration?
A) Amoxicillin
B) Doxycycline
C) Azithromycin
D) Cephalexin
Answer: B
Rationale: Tetracyclines, including doxycycline, bind to calcium in developing teeth,
causing permanent yellow-gray-brown discoloration.
13. What is the primary therapeutic goal during a sickle cell vaso-occlusive crisis?
A) Immediate splenectomy
B) High-dose antibiotic prophylaxis
C) Aggressive hydration and pain management
D) Complete blood exchange transfusion
Answer: C
Rationale: Hydration decreases blood viscosity to prevent further sickling, while
robust analgesia treats severe ischemic pain.
14. A 2-year-old is brought to the clinic for a routine checkup. The nurse practitioner
notes a smooth, firm abdominal mass that does not cross the midline. What
condition is suspected?
A) Neuroblastoma
B) Wilms' tumor (Nephroblastoma)
C) Hepatoblastoma
D) Splenomegaly
Answer: B
Rationale: Wilms' tumor is a malignant renal tumor that presents as an
asymptomatic, firm, smooth flank mass that rarely crosses the midline.
15. What classic triad of symptoms characterizes Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS)?
A) Fever, rash, and joint pain
B) Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute renal failure
C) Hypertension, proteinuria, and hematuria
C) Hypotension, tachycardia, and muffled heart sounds
Answer: B
Rationale: HUS is most commonly triggered by Shiga toxin-producing E. coli and
presents with hemolytic anemia, low platelets, and acute kidney injury.
16. What is the first-line pharmacotherapy for a pediatric patient with Otitis Media who
has no known drug allergies?
A) Ceftriaxone IV
B) High-dose Amoxicillin