ATI NGN Nursing Care of Children Proctored Exam 2026–2027 Updated
Version | Complete Pediatric Nursing Study Guide Featuring NGN-Style
Practice Questions, Realistic Clinical Judgment Scenarios, Growth &
Development Topics, Pediatric Disorders, Answers and Detailed
Rationales
Question 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. Sits without support
• B. Rolls from back to side
• C. Pincer grasp
• D. Walks with assistance
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rolling from back to side typically emerges at 4–5 months of age.
Sitting without support occurs around 8 months, pincer grasp develops at 9–10
months, and walking with assistance is expected around 12 months.
Question 2
According to Erikson's psychosocial theory, the primary developmental task of a
toddler (1–3 years) is to develop:
• A. Trust
• B. Autonomy
• C. Initiative
• D. Industry
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: The toddler stage corresponds to Erikson's "Autonomy vs. Shame and
Doubt." During this stage, toddlers strive for independence and control over their
bodies and environment. Trust develops in infancy (0–1 year), initiative in
preschool (3–6 years), and industry in school-age children (6–12 years).
Question 3
A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to parents of a 15-month-old toddler.
The nurse should explain that by 18 months of age, the child will likely:
• A. Speak in 3–4 word sentences
• B. Use approximately 10 words
• C. Recite the alphabet
• D. Ask "why" questions
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: By 18 months, toddlers typically have a vocabulary of approximately 10
words. Telegraphic speech (2–3 word sentences) emerges around 2 years of age.
Recitation of the alphabet and asking "why" questions occur during the preschool
years.
Question 4
A nurse is assessing a 9-year-old child. According to Piaget, this child is in which
stage of cognitive development?
• A. Sensorimotor
• B. Preoperational
• C. Concrete Operational
• D. Formal Operational
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Concrete Operational Stage (7–11 years) involves logical thinking
about concrete events and understanding the concept of conservation.
,Sensorimotor is birth–2 years, preoperational is 2–7 years, and formal operational
is 11+ years.
Question 5
A nurse is assessing a 3-year-old child for developmental milestones. Which
behavior should the nurse expect?
• A. Ties shoes independently
• B. Stands on one foot for several seconds
• C. Writes complete sentences
• D. Rides a bicycle with pedals
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: By age 3, children can typically stand on one foot for several seconds.
Tying shoes, writing sentences, and riding bicycles are skills developed later in
childhood.
Question 6
A nurse is assessing a 10-month-old infant. Which fine motor skill should the
nurse expect to find? (Select all that apply)
• A. Grasp a rattle by the handle
• B. Try building a two-block tower
• C. Use a crude pincer grasp
• D. Place objects into a container
• E. Walks with one hand held
Correct Answer: A, C
Rationale: By 10 months, infants can grasp a rattle by the handle and use a crude
pincer grasp. Building a two-block tower and placing objects into a container are
, skills of a 12–15 month old. Walking with one hand held is a gross motor skill, not
a fine motor skill.
Question 7
A nurse is assessing a 12-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which finding
should the nurse report to the provider?
• A. Closed anterior fontanel
• B. Eruption of 6 teeth
• C. Birth weight doubled
• D. Birth length increased by 50%
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: By 12 months, an infant's birth weight should have tripled, not
doubled. Doubling of birth weight occurs around 6 months. Closed anterior
fontanel, 6 teeth, and 50% increase in length are expected findings at 12 months.
Question 8
A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to parents of a toddler. Which of the
following should the nurse include? (Select all that apply)
• A. Develop food habits that will prevent dental caries
• B. Meeting caloric needs resulting in an increased appetite
• C. Expression of bedtime fears is common
• D. Expect behaviors associated with negativism and ritualism
• E. Annual screenings for phenylketonuria are important
Correct Answer: A, C, D
Rationale: Toddlers should develop food habits to prevent dental caries. Bedtime
fears are common in toddlers. Negativism and ritualism are typical toddler
Version | Complete Pediatric Nursing Study Guide Featuring NGN-Style
Practice Questions, Realistic Clinical Judgment Scenarios, Growth &
Development Topics, Pediatric Disorders, Answers and Detailed
Rationales
Question 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. Sits without support
• B. Rolls from back to side
• C. Pincer grasp
• D. Walks with assistance
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rolling from back to side typically emerges at 4–5 months of age.
Sitting without support occurs around 8 months, pincer grasp develops at 9–10
months, and walking with assistance is expected around 12 months.
Question 2
According to Erikson's psychosocial theory, the primary developmental task of a
toddler (1–3 years) is to develop:
• A. Trust
• B. Autonomy
• C. Initiative
• D. Industry
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: The toddler stage corresponds to Erikson's "Autonomy vs. Shame and
Doubt." During this stage, toddlers strive for independence and control over their
bodies and environment. Trust develops in infancy (0–1 year), initiative in
preschool (3–6 years), and industry in school-age children (6–12 years).
Question 3
A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to parents of a 15-month-old toddler.
The nurse should explain that by 18 months of age, the child will likely:
• A. Speak in 3–4 word sentences
• B. Use approximately 10 words
• C. Recite the alphabet
• D. Ask "why" questions
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: By 18 months, toddlers typically have a vocabulary of approximately 10
words. Telegraphic speech (2–3 word sentences) emerges around 2 years of age.
Recitation of the alphabet and asking "why" questions occur during the preschool
years.
Question 4
A nurse is assessing a 9-year-old child. According to Piaget, this child is in which
stage of cognitive development?
• A. Sensorimotor
• B. Preoperational
• C. Concrete Operational
• D. Formal Operational
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Concrete Operational Stage (7–11 years) involves logical thinking
about concrete events and understanding the concept of conservation.
,Sensorimotor is birth–2 years, preoperational is 2–7 years, and formal operational
is 11+ years.
Question 5
A nurse is assessing a 3-year-old child for developmental milestones. Which
behavior should the nurse expect?
• A. Ties shoes independently
• B. Stands on one foot for several seconds
• C. Writes complete sentences
• D. Rides a bicycle with pedals
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: By age 3, children can typically stand on one foot for several seconds.
Tying shoes, writing sentences, and riding bicycles are skills developed later in
childhood.
Question 6
A nurse is assessing a 10-month-old infant. Which fine motor skill should the
nurse expect to find? (Select all that apply)
• A. Grasp a rattle by the handle
• B. Try building a two-block tower
• C. Use a crude pincer grasp
• D. Place objects into a container
• E. Walks with one hand held
Correct Answer: A, C
Rationale: By 10 months, infants can grasp a rattle by the handle and use a crude
pincer grasp. Building a two-block tower and placing objects into a container are
, skills of a 12–15 month old. Walking with one hand held is a gross motor skill, not
a fine motor skill.
Question 7
A nurse is assessing a 12-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which finding
should the nurse report to the provider?
• A. Closed anterior fontanel
• B. Eruption of 6 teeth
• C. Birth weight doubled
• D. Birth length increased by 50%
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: By 12 months, an infant's birth weight should have tripled, not
doubled. Doubling of birth weight occurs around 6 months. Closed anterior
fontanel, 6 teeth, and 50% increase in length are expected findings at 12 months.
Question 8
A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to parents of a toddler. Which of the
following should the nurse include? (Select all that apply)
• A. Develop food habits that will prevent dental caries
• B. Meeting caloric needs resulting in an increased appetite
• C. Expression of bedtime fears is common
• D. Expect behaviors associated with negativism and ritualism
• E. Annual screenings for phenylketonuria are important
Correct Answer: A, C, D
Rationale: Toddlers should develop food habits to prevent dental caries. Bedtime
fears are common in toddlers. Negativism and ritualism are typical toddler
