ATI PEDIATRICS PROCTORED EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a 4-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which developmental milestone should the
nurse expect the infant to have achieved?
A. Sits without support
B. Rolls from back to side
C. Crawls on hands and knees
D. Walks with assistance
🟢 B. Rolls from back to side
🔴 RATIONALE: At 4 months of age, infants typically can roll from back to side. Sitting without support is
expected around 6 to 8 months, crawling at 6 to 10 months, and walking with assistance at 9 to 12 months .
Question 2
A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to the parents of a toddler. According to Erikson, which psychosocial
task is the primary focus for this developmental stage?
A. Trust vs. Mistrust
B. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
,C. Initiative vs. Guilt
D. Industry vs. Inferiority
🟢 B. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
🔴 RATIONALE: The toddler period (1–3 years) corresponds to Erikson's stage of Autonomy vs. Shame and
Doubt, where children strive for independence. Trust vs. Mistrust is the infant stage, Initiative vs. Guilt is the
preschool stage, and Industry vs. Inferiority is the school-age stage .
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a preschool-age child who awakens during the night crying and appears frightened. The
parent reports the child sometimes has no memory of the episode, while other nights the child recalls vivid
imagery and is afraid to go back to sleep. Which finding most strongly indicates the child is experiencing
nightmares rather than night terrors?
A. The child returns to sleep quickly and has no recall of the incident in the morning.
B. The child is agitated and thrashes during the event with profuse sweating.
C. The child does not respond to the parent's comfort during the event.
D. The child awakens fully and can recall the frightening content of the dream.
🟢 D. The child awakens fully and can recall the frightening content of the dream.
🔴 RATIONALE: Children who experience nightmares typically awaken fully and remember the frightening
dream. In contrast, night terrors involve difficulty consoling, agitation, and no memory of the event upon
waking .
Question 4
A nurse is assessing the vital signs of a 3-year-old toddler. Which finding should the nurse report to the
provider?
A. Blood pressure 90/50 mm Hg
,B. Respiratory rate 45/min
C. Weight 14.5 kg (32 lb)
D. Heart rate 110/min
🟢 B. Respiratory rate 45/min
🔴 RATIONALE: A respiratory rate of 45/min is above the expected reference range for a 3-year-old toddler
(normally 20–30 breaths/min). This finding may indicate respiratory distress and requires further evaluation .
Question 5
A nurse is teaching parents about teething in infants. Which statement indicates the parents understand the
teaching?
A. "My baby will get all 20 primary teeth by 12 months."
B. "The first teeth usually erupt between 6 and 8 months."
C. "Teething causes high fever and should be treated aggressively."
D. "I should use topical benzocaine to relieve teething pain."
🟢 B. "The first teeth usually erupt between 6 and 8 months."
🔴 RATIONALE: The first primary teeth typically erupt between 6 and 8 months of age. By 12 months, infants
usually have 6–8 teeth, not all 20. Teething may cause mild discomfort but not high fever, and benzocaine is not
recommended due to safety concerns .
Question 6
The anterior fontanel of a healthy infant typically closes by which age?
A. 2–3 months
B. 6–8 months
C. 12–18 months
D. 24–36 months
, 🟢 C. 12–18 months
🔴 RATIONALE: The anterior fontanel normally closes between 12 and 18 months of age. Delayed closure may
indicate conditions such as hypothyroidism or increased intracranial pressure. The posterior fontanel closes by
6–8 weeks .
Question 7
A nurse is assessing an 18-month-old toddler. Which finding should the nurse investigate further?
A. Heart rate of 106/min
B. Blood pressure 120/80 mm Hg
C. Temper tantrums when upset
D. Respiratory rate of 28/min
🟢 B. Blood pressure 120/80 mm Hg
🔴 RATIONALE: A blood pressure of 120/80 mm Hg is significantly elevated for an 18-month-old and warrants
further investigation. Temper tantrums are typical toddler behavior, and the heart rate and respiratory rate are
within expected ranges for this age .
Question 8
A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant. Which reflex should have already disappeared?
A. Plantar grasp
B. Babinski reflex
C. Moro reflex
D. Rooting reflex
🟢 C. Moro reflex
🔴 RATIONALE: The Moro (startle) reflex is present at birth and typically disappears by 3 to 4 months of age. Its
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a 4-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which developmental milestone should the
nurse expect the infant to have achieved?
A. Sits without support
B. Rolls from back to side
C. Crawls on hands and knees
D. Walks with assistance
🟢 B. Rolls from back to side
🔴 RATIONALE: At 4 months of age, infants typically can roll from back to side. Sitting without support is
expected around 6 to 8 months, crawling at 6 to 10 months, and walking with assistance at 9 to 12 months .
Question 2
A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to the parents of a toddler. According to Erikson, which psychosocial
task is the primary focus for this developmental stage?
A. Trust vs. Mistrust
B. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
,C. Initiative vs. Guilt
D. Industry vs. Inferiority
🟢 B. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
🔴 RATIONALE: The toddler period (1–3 years) corresponds to Erikson's stage of Autonomy vs. Shame and
Doubt, where children strive for independence. Trust vs. Mistrust is the infant stage, Initiative vs. Guilt is the
preschool stage, and Industry vs. Inferiority is the school-age stage .
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a preschool-age child who awakens during the night crying and appears frightened. The
parent reports the child sometimes has no memory of the episode, while other nights the child recalls vivid
imagery and is afraid to go back to sleep. Which finding most strongly indicates the child is experiencing
nightmares rather than night terrors?
A. The child returns to sleep quickly and has no recall of the incident in the morning.
B. The child is agitated and thrashes during the event with profuse sweating.
C. The child does not respond to the parent's comfort during the event.
D. The child awakens fully and can recall the frightening content of the dream.
🟢 D. The child awakens fully and can recall the frightening content of the dream.
🔴 RATIONALE: Children who experience nightmares typically awaken fully and remember the frightening
dream. In contrast, night terrors involve difficulty consoling, agitation, and no memory of the event upon
waking .
Question 4
A nurse is assessing the vital signs of a 3-year-old toddler. Which finding should the nurse report to the
provider?
A. Blood pressure 90/50 mm Hg
,B. Respiratory rate 45/min
C. Weight 14.5 kg (32 lb)
D. Heart rate 110/min
🟢 B. Respiratory rate 45/min
🔴 RATIONALE: A respiratory rate of 45/min is above the expected reference range for a 3-year-old toddler
(normally 20–30 breaths/min). This finding may indicate respiratory distress and requires further evaluation .
Question 5
A nurse is teaching parents about teething in infants. Which statement indicates the parents understand the
teaching?
A. "My baby will get all 20 primary teeth by 12 months."
B. "The first teeth usually erupt between 6 and 8 months."
C. "Teething causes high fever and should be treated aggressively."
D. "I should use topical benzocaine to relieve teething pain."
🟢 B. "The first teeth usually erupt between 6 and 8 months."
🔴 RATIONALE: The first primary teeth typically erupt between 6 and 8 months of age. By 12 months, infants
usually have 6–8 teeth, not all 20. Teething may cause mild discomfort but not high fever, and benzocaine is not
recommended due to safety concerns .
Question 6
The anterior fontanel of a healthy infant typically closes by which age?
A. 2–3 months
B. 6–8 months
C. 12–18 months
D. 24–36 months
, 🟢 C. 12–18 months
🔴 RATIONALE: The anterior fontanel normally closes between 12 and 18 months of age. Delayed closure may
indicate conditions such as hypothyroidism or increased intracranial pressure. The posterior fontanel closes by
6–8 weeks .
Question 7
A nurse is assessing an 18-month-old toddler. Which finding should the nurse investigate further?
A. Heart rate of 106/min
B. Blood pressure 120/80 mm Hg
C. Temper tantrums when upset
D. Respiratory rate of 28/min
🟢 B. Blood pressure 120/80 mm Hg
🔴 RATIONALE: A blood pressure of 120/80 mm Hg is significantly elevated for an 18-month-old and warrants
further investigation. Temper tantrums are typical toddler behavior, and the heart rate and respiratory rate are
within expected ranges for this age .
Question 8
A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant. Which reflex should have already disappeared?
A. Plantar grasp
B. Babinski reflex
C. Moro reflex
D. Rooting reflex
🟢 C. Moro reflex
🔴 RATIONALE: The Moro (startle) reflex is present at birth and typically disappears by 3 to 4 months of age. Its
