ATI Nursing Care of Children (Pediatrics) Final Exam
Preparation Guide 2026–2027 | Comprehensive Pediatric
Nursing Review with Verified Questions, Correct Answers,
Detailed Rationales, Pharmacology, Growth & Development,
and NGN Practice
Growth & Development
1. A nurse is assessing a 4-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which
developmental milestone should the nurse expect to observe?
• A. Sitting without support
• B. Rolling from back to side
• C. Pincer grasp
• D. Walking with assistance
Correct Answer: B. Rolling from back to side
Rationale: Rolling from back to side typically emerges at 4–5 months of age.
Sitting without support occurs around 6–8 months, pincer grasp around 9–10
months, and walking with assistance around 12–15 months.
2. A nurse is teaching parents about expected language development for a 15-
month-old toddler. How many words should the child typically have in their
vocabulary?
• A. 1–2 words
• B. 4–6 words
• C. 10–15 words
• D. 20–30 words
Correct Answer: B. 4–6 words
Rationale: At 15 months, a child should have a vocabulary of 4–6 words. A 12-
,month-old typically has 1–2 words, while an 18-month-old may have 10–15
words.
3. A nurse is assessing a 6-year-old child. According to Erikson, which
psychosocial stage should this child be in?
• A. Trust vs. Mistrust
• B. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
• C. Initiative vs. Guilt
• D. Industry vs. Inferiority
Correct Answer: D. Industry vs. Inferiority
Rationale: The school-age child (6–12 years) is in Erikson's stage of industry
versus inferiority. During this stage, children develop a sense of competence and
achievement through mastering new skills.
4. A nurse is assessing a toddler (1–3 years). Which Erikson stage is the toddler
in?
• A. Trust vs. Mistrust
• B. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
• C. Initiative vs. Guilt
• D. Industry vs. Inferiority
Correct Answer: B. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
Rationale: According to Erikson, the toddler stage (1–3 years) is characterized by
the psychosocial crisis of autonomy versus shame and doubt. Toddlers strive for
independence and control over their environment.
5. A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old child. Which finding indicates the child is
achieving the expected developmental milestone for gross motor skills?
, • A. Walks up and down stairs holding on
• B. Stands on one foot for several seconds
• C. Pedals a tricycle
• D. Hops on one foot
Correct Answer: A. Walks up and down stairs holding on
Rationale: A 2-year-old can walk up and down stairs holding on. Standing on one
foot and hopping are skills of a 3- to 4-year-old, and pedaling a tricycle is typical
for a 3-year-old.
6. A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to parents of an 18-month-old.
Which statement by the parent indicates a need for further teaching?
• A. "I will continue to use a rear-facing car seat."
• B. "My child should be able to say about 10 words."
• C. "I will offer my child whole milk."
• D. "My child should be able to build a tower of 3–4 blocks."
Correct Answer: B. "My child should be able to say about 10 words."
Rationale: An 18-month-old typically has a vocabulary of 10–25 words, not just
10. The other statements are correct: rear-facing car seats are recommended
until age 2, whole milk is appropriate, and building a tower of 3–4 blocks is
expected.
7. A nurse is assessing a 3-year-old child. Which finding is consistent with
normal development?
• A. Copies a circle
• B. Draws a person with 6 body parts
• C. Ties shoelaces
• D. Prints first name
, Correct Answer: A. Copies a circle
Rationale: A 3-year-old can copy a circle. Drawing a person with body parts and
printing a name are skills of a 5-year-old; tying shoelaces is a 6-year-old skill.
8. A nurse is assessing a 7-month-old infant. Which fine motor skill should the
nurse expect?
• A. Grasps rattle by handle
• B. Transfers objects from hand to hand
• C. Uses pincer grasp
• D. Builds a tower of 2 blocks
Correct Answer: B. Transfers objects from hand to hand
Rationale: Transferring objects from hand to hand typically occurs at 7 months.
Grasping a rattle occurs at 3–4 months, pincer grasp at 9–10 months, and building
a tower of 2 blocks at 12–15 months.
9. A nurse is assessing a 4-year-old child. Which finding should the nurse identify
as a normal developmental task?
• A. The child is able to dress independently
• B. The child has a best friend
• C. The child can skip
• D. The child can tie shoelaces
Correct Answer: A. The child is able to dress independently
Rationale: A 4-year-old can dress independently. Having a best friend is typical at
5–6 years, skipping at 5 years, and tying shoelaces at 6 years.
10. A nurse is assessing a 12-month-old infant. Which finding indicates the
infant is meeting the expected growth parameter?
Preparation Guide 2026–2027 | Comprehensive Pediatric
Nursing Review with Verified Questions, Correct Answers,
Detailed Rationales, Pharmacology, Growth & Development,
and NGN Practice
Growth & Development
1. A nurse is assessing a 4-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which
developmental milestone should the nurse expect to observe?
• A. Sitting without support
• B. Rolling from back to side
• C. Pincer grasp
• D. Walking with assistance
Correct Answer: B. Rolling from back to side
Rationale: Rolling from back to side typically emerges at 4–5 months of age.
Sitting without support occurs around 6–8 months, pincer grasp around 9–10
months, and walking with assistance around 12–15 months.
2. A nurse is teaching parents about expected language development for a 15-
month-old toddler. How many words should the child typically have in their
vocabulary?
• A. 1–2 words
• B. 4–6 words
• C. 10–15 words
• D. 20–30 words
Correct Answer: B. 4–6 words
Rationale: At 15 months, a child should have a vocabulary of 4–6 words. A 12-
,month-old typically has 1–2 words, while an 18-month-old may have 10–15
words.
3. A nurse is assessing a 6-year-old child. According to Erikson, which
psychosocial stage should this child be in?
• A. Trust vs. Mistrust
• B. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
• C. Initiative vs. Guilt
• D. Industry vs. Inferiority
Correct Answer: D. Industry vs. Inferiority
Rationale: The school-age child (6–12 years) is in Erikson's stage of industry
versus inferiority. During this stage, children develop a sense of competence and
achievement through mastering new skills.
4. A nurse is assessing a toddler (1–3 years). Which Erikson stage is the toddler
in?
• A. Trust vs. Mistrust
• B. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
• C. Initiative vs. Guilt
• D. Industry vs. Inferiority
Correct Answer: B. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
Rationale: According to Erikson, the toddler stage (1–3 years) is characterized by
the psychosocial crisis of autonomy versus shame and doubt. Toddlers strive for
independence and control over their environment.
5. A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old child. Which finding indicates the child is
achieving the expected developmental milestone for gross motor skills?
, • A. Walks up and down stairs holding on
• B. Stands on one foot for several seconds
• C. Pedals a tricycle
• D. Hops on one foot
Correct Answer: A. Walks up and down stairs holding on
Rationale: A 2-year-old can walk up and down stairs holding on. Standing on one
foot and hopping are skills of a 3- to 4-year-old, and pedaling a tricycle is typical
for a 3-year-old.
6. A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to parents of an 18-month-old.
Which statement by the parent indicates a need for further teaching?
• A. "I will continue to use a rear-facing car seat."
• B. "My child should be able to say about 10 words."
• C. "I will offer my child whole milk."
• D. "My child should be able to build a tower of 3–4 blocks."
Correct Answer: B. "My child should be able to say about 10 words."
Rationale: An 18-month-old typically has a vocabulary of 10–25 words, not just
10. The other statements are correct: rear-facing car seats are recommended
until age 2, whole milk is appropriate, and building a tower of 3–4 blocks is
expected.
7. A nurse is assessing a 3-year-old child. Which finding is consistent with
normal development?
• A. Copies a circle
• B. Draws a person with 6 body parts
• C. Ties shoelaces
• D. Prints first name
, Correct Answer: A. Copies a circle
Rationale: A 3-year-old can copy a circle. Drawing a person with body parts and
printing a name are skills of a 5-year-old; tying shoelaces is a 6-year-old skill.
8. A nurse is assessing a 7-month-old infant. Which fine motor skill should the
nurse expect?
• A. Grasps rattle by handle
• B. Transfers objects from hand to hand
• C. Uses pincer grasp
• D. Builds a tower of 2 blocks
Correct Answer: B. Transfers objects from hand to hand
Rationale: Transferring objects from hand to hand typically occurs at 7 months.
Grasping a rattle occurs at 3–4 months, pincer grasp at 9–10 months, and building
a tower of 2 blocks at 12–15 months.
9. A nurse is assessing a 4-year-old child. Which finding should the nurse identify
as a normal developmental task?
• A. The child is able to dress independently
• B. The child has a best friend
• C. The child can skip
• D. The child can tie shoelaces
Correct Answer: A. The child is able to dress independently
Rationale: A 4-year-old can dress independently. Having a best friend is typical at
5–6 years, skipping at 5 years, and tying shoelaces at 6 years.
10. A nurse is assessing a 12-month-old infant. Which finding indicates the
infant is meeting the expected growth parameter?
