# ATI RN PEDIATRICS PROCTORED EXAM 2023
## Comprehensive Study Resource with Verified
Questions & Rationales
---
## SECTION 1: PRIORITY SETTING & EMERGENCY NURSING
---
**Q1. A nurse in an emergency department is caring for a school-age child who is experiencing an
anaphylactic reaction. Which of the following is the priority action by the nurse?**
A) Elevate the head of the child's bed
B) Insert a large-bore IV catheter for the child
C) Determine the allergen that caused the child's reaction
D) Administer IM epinephrine to the child
**Answer: D) Administer IM epinephrine to the child**
**Rationale:** Anaphylaxis causes bronchoconstriction and vasodilation, leading to airway compromise
and shock. IM epinephrine is the first-line, life-saving treatment as it reverses these effects. Airway and
breathing take priority over IV access or identifying the trigger .
---
,**Q2. A nurse is receiving change-of-shift report for four children. Which of the following children
should the nurse assess first?**
A) A toddler who has a concussion and an episode of forceful vomiting
B) An adolescent who has infective endocarditis and reports having a headache
C) An adolescent who was placed into halo traction 1 hr ago and reports pain as 6 on a scale of 0 to 10
D) A school-age child who has acute glomerulonephritis and brown-colored urine
**Answer: A) A toddler who has a concussion and an episode of forceful vomiting**
**Rationale:** Forceful vomiting after a head injury is a sign of increased intracranial pressure. This
child requires immediate assessment for potential neurological deterioration. Using the urgent vs.
nonurgent approach, this finding indicates a possible life-threatening complication .
---
**Q3. A school nurse is caring for a child following a tonic-clonic seizure. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take first?**
A) Check the child for a head injury
B) Observe for oral bleeding
C) Check the child's respiratory rate
D) Observe for extremity weakness
**Answer: C) Check the child's respiratory rate**
**Rationale:** After a seizure, the priority is airway and breathing. The nurse should first assess the
child's respiratory rate and patency to ensure adequate oxygenation .
---
, **Q4. A nurse in an emergency department is caring for a school-age child who has epiglottitis. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take?**
A) Obtain a throat culture from the child
B) Monitor the child's oxygen saturation
C) Put a warm mist humidifier in the child's room
D) Place the child in the supine position
**Answer: B) Monitor the child's oxygen saturation**
**Rationale:** Epiglottitis can cause rapid airway obstruction. The nurse should monitor oxygen
saturation continuously and maintain the child in an upright position. Throat cultures should be avoided
as they may trigger laryngospasm .
---
## SECTION 2: GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT
---
**Q5. A nurse is assessing a 4-month-old infant. Which milestone should the nurse expect to
observe?**
A) Sits without support
B) Bears weight on legs
C) Rolls from back to side
D) Pincer grasp present
**Answer: C) Rolls from back to side**
## Comprehensive Study Resource with Verified
Questions & Rationales
---
## SECTION 1: PRIORITY SETTING & EMERGENCY NURSING
---
**Q1. A nurse in an emergency department is caring for a school-age child who is experiencing an
anaphylactic reaction. Which of the following is the priority action by the nurse?**
A) Elevate the head of the child's bed
B) Insert a large-bore IV catheter for the child
C) Determine the allergen that caused the child's reaction
D) Administer IM epinephrine to the child
**Answer: D) Administer IM epinephrine to the child**
**Rationale:** Anaphylaxis causes bronchoconstriction and vasodilation, leading to airway compromise
and shock. IM epinephrine is the first-line, life-saving treatment as it reverses these effects. Airway and
breathing take priority over IV access or identifying the trigger .
---
,**Q2. A nurse is receiving change-of-shift report for four children. Which of the following children
should the nurse assess first?**
A) A toddler who has a concussion and an episode of forceful vomiting
B) An adolescent who has infective endocarditis and reports having a headache
C) An adolescent who was placed into halo traction 1 hr ago and reports pain as 6 on a scale of 0 to 10
D) A school-age child who has acute glomerulonephritis and brown-colored urine
**Answer: A) A toddler who has a concussion and an episode of forceful vomiting**
**Rationale:** Forceful vomiting after a head injury is a sign of increased intracranial pressure. This
child requires immediate assessment for potential neurological deterioration. Using the urgent vs.
nonurgent approach, this finding indicates a possible life-threatening complication .
---
**Q3. A school nurse is caring for a child following a tonic-clonic seizure. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take first?**
A) Check the child for a head injury
B) Observe for oral bleeding
C) Check the child's respiratory rate
D) Observe for extremity weakness
**Answer: C) Check the child's respiratory rate**
**Rationale:** After a seizure, the priority is airway and breathing. The nurse should first assess the
child's respiratory rate and patency to ensure adequate oxygenation .
---
, **Q4. A nurse in an emergency department is caring for a school-age child who has epiglottitis. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take?**
A) Obtain a throat culture from the child
B) Monitor the child's oxygen saturation
C) Put a warm mist humidifier in the child's room
D) Place the child in the supine position
**Answer: B) Monitor the child's oxygen saturation**
**Rationale:** Epiglottitis can cause rapid airway obstruction. The nurse should monitor oxygen
saturation continuously and maintain the child in an upright position. Throat cultures should be avoided
as they may trigger laryngospasm .
---
## SECTION 2: GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT
---
**Q5. A nurse is assessing a 4-month-old infant. Which milestone should the nurse expect to
observe?**
A) Sits without support
B) Bears weight on legs
C) Rolls from back to side
D) Pincer grasp present
**Answer: C) Rolls from back to side**
