ATI RN Pediatric Nursing Proctored
Exam 2026-
Practice Questions & Rationales —
The Complete Review Guide
### SECTION I: GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT
**1. A nurse in a pediatric clinic is assessing a 4-month-old infant.
Which developmental milestone should the nurse expect to observe?**
- A. Sitting independently without support
- B. Grasping a rattle briefly
- C. Crawling on hands and knees
- D. Transferring objects from hand to hand
**Answer: B. Grasping a rattle briefly**
**Rationale:** At 4 months, infants typically can grasp objects briefly,
hold a rattle, and bring objects to their mouth. Sitting independently
,occurs around 6-8 months. Crawling occurs at 8-10 months.
Transferring objects occurs around 6-7 months .
---
**2. A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to parents of a 12-
month-old. Which statement indicates an understanding of injury
prevention?**
- A. "We will place crib bumper pads to prevent the baby from hitting
their head."
- B. "We will turn the water heater temperature to 140°F (60°C) for
sterilization."
- C. "We will keep the car seat rear-facing until at least age 2."
- D. "We will give whole milk in a sippy cup at bedtime to help them
sleep."
**Answer: C. "We will keep the car seat rear-facing until at least age
2."**
**Rationale:** The AAP recommends rear-facing car seats until age 2
or until the child reaches the maximum height/weight limit. Bumper
pads are a suffocation/SIDS risk. Water heaters should be set to 120°F
(49°C) to prevent burns. Bedtime bottles/sippy cups cause "bottle
mouth caries" .
,---
**3. According to Erikson, a 7-year-old child is in which psychosocial
stage, and what is the primary conflict?**
- A. Trust vs. Mistrust
- B. Initiative vs. Guilt
- C. Industry vs. Inferiority
- D. Identity vs. Role Confusion
**Answer: C. Industry vs. Inferiority**
**Rationale:** Erikson's Industry vs. Inferiority corresponds to school-
age children (6-12 years) where they focus on mastering skills and
receiving recognition. Initiative vs. Guilt is preschool age (3-5). Trust vs.
Mistrust is infancy. Identity vs. Role Confusion is adolescence .
---
**4. A nurse is assessing a 3-year-old child. Which finding is a
developmental red flag that should be reported to the provider?**
- A. The child is unable to ride a tricycle
- B. The child is unable to copy a circle
- C. The child is unable to build a tower of 9 blocks
, - D. The child is unable to jump with both feet
**Answer: A. The child is unable to ride a tricycle**
**Rationale:** By age 3, a child should be able to pedal a tricycle.
Inability to do so may indicate a gross motor delay. Copying a circle is a
4-year-old milestone. Building a tower of 9-10 blocks and jumping with
both feet are expected by 36 months .
---
**5. A nurse is teaching a parent about play activities for a hospitalized
2-year-old. Which activity is most developmentally appropriate to
reduce anxiety?**
- A. Playing a board game with rules
- B. Playing with a large puzzle with a parent
- C. Watching a movie alone in bed
- D. Building a model airplane
**Answer: B. Playing with a large puzzle with a parent**
**Rationale:** Toddlers engage in parallel play and benefit from
parental presence during hospitalization. Large puzzles are
Exam 2026-
Practice Questions & Rationales —
The Complete Review Guide
### SECTION I: GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT
**1. A nurse in a pediatric clinic is assessing a 4-month-old infant.
Which developmental milestone should the nurse expect to observe?**
- A. Sitting independently without support
- B. Grasping a rattle briefly
- C. Crawling on hands and knees
- D. Transferring objects from hand to hand
**Answer: B. Grasping a rattle briefly**
**Rationale:** At 4 months, infants typically can grasp objects briefly,
hold a rattle, and bring objects to their mouth. Sitting independently
,occurs around 6-8 months. Crawling occurs at 8-10 months.
Transferring objects occurs around 6-7 months .
---
**2. A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to parents of a 12-
month-old. Which statement indicates an understanding of injury
prevention?**
- A. "We will place crib bumper pads to prevent the baby from hitting
their head."
- B. "We will turn the water heater temperature to 140°F (60°C) for
sterilization."
- C. "We will keep the car seat rear-facing until at least age 2."
- D. "We will give whole milk in a sippy cup at bedtime to help them
sleep."
**Answer: C. "We will keep the car seat rear-facing until at least age
2."**
**Rationale:** The AAP recommends rear-facing car seats until age 2
or until the child reaches the maximum height/weight limit. Bumper
pads are a suffocation/SIDS risk. Water heaters should be set to 120°F
(49°C) to prevent burns. Bedtime bottles/sippy cups cause "bottle
mouth caries" .
,---
**3. According to Erikson, a 7-year-old child is in which psychosocial
stage, and what is the primary conflict?**
- A. Trust vs. Mistrust
- B. Initiative vs. Guilt
- C. Industry vs. Inferiority
- D. Identity vs. Role Confusion
**Answer: C. Industry vs. Inferiority**
**Rationale:** Erikson's Industry vs. Inferiority corresponds to school-
age children (6-12 years) where they focus on mastering skills and
receiving recognition. Initiative vs. Guilt is preschool age (3-5). Trust vs.
Mistrust is infancy. Identity vs. Role Confusion is adolescence .
---
**4. A nurse is assessing a 3-year-old child. Which finding is a
developmental red flag that should be reported to the provider?**
- A. The child is unable to ride a tricycle
- B. The child is unable to copy a circle
- C. The child is unable to build a tower of 9 blocks
, - D. The child is unable to jump with both feet
**Answer: A. The child is unable to ride a tricycle**
**Rationale:** By age 3, a child should be able to pedal a tricycle.
Inability to do so may indicate a gross motor delay. Copying a circle is a
4-year-old milestone. Building a tower of 9-10 blocks and jumping with
both feet are expected by 36 months .
---
**5. A nurse is teaching a parent about play activities for a hospitalized
2-year-old. Which activity is most developmentally appropriate to
reduce anxiety?**
- A. Playing a board game with rules
- B. Playing with a large puzzle with a parent
- C. Watching a movie alone in bed
- D. Building a model airplane
**Answer: B. Playing with a large puzzle with a parent**
**Rationale:** Toddlers engage in parallel play and benefit from
parental presence during hospitalization. Large puzzles are
