Pediatric Nursing Exam Compilation – Comprehensive
Q&A (2026)
Complete Practice Examination – 200+ Questions
SECTION 1: GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT – INFANTS (Questions 1-30)
Question 1:
The nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which finding indicates normal
growth and development?
A) Birth weight has doubled
B) Birth weight has tripled
C) Birth length has increased by 50%
D) Head circumference is larger than chest circumference
Answer: A) Birth weight has doubled
Rationale: By 6 months of age, an infant's birth weight should double. By 12 months, it should triple.
Length increases by 50% by 12 months. Head circumference equals chest circumference by 1 year of age.
Birth weight doubling is the key milestone at 6 months.
Question 2:
A 2-month-old infant is brought to the clinic for immunizations. Which vaccines should the nurse
anticipate administering?
A) DTaP, IPV, Hib, PCV, RV
B) DTaP, IPV, Hib, PCV, MMR
C) DTaP, IPV, Hib, PCV, Varicella
D) DTaP, IPV, Hib, MMR, RV
Answer: A) DTaP, IPV, Hib, PCV, RV
Rationale: At 2 months, infants receive DTaP, IPV, Hib, PCV, and RV vaccines. MMR and varicella are
given at 12-15 months. Hepatitis B is given at birth, 1-2 months, and 6-18 months. This is the standard
immunization schedule.
Question 3:
The nurse is teaching a parent about feeding a 4-month-old infant. Which statement indicates
understanding?
A) "I will start solid foods at 4 months"
B) "I will continue to breastfeed or formula feed exclusively until 6 months"
,C) "I will give my baby fruit juice to prevent constipation"
D) "I will add cereal to my baby's bottle to help him sleep"
Answer: B) "I will continue to breastfeed or formula feed exclusively until 6 months"
Rationale: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding or formula feeding
for the first 6 months. Solid foods are introduced around 6 months. Juice is not recommended for infants
under 12 months. Adding cereal to bottles is unsafe and not recommended.
Question 4:
A 9-month-old infant is at the clinic for a well-child visit. Which developmental milestone should the
nurse expect?
A) Walks independently
B) Pincer grasp and crawls
C) Speaks in 2-word sentences
D) Uses a spoon independently
Answer: B) Pincer grasp and crawls
Rationale: By 9 months, infants typically develop the pincer grasp (picking up small objects with thumb
and forefinger) and crawl. Walking independently occurs around 12-15 months. Speaking in 2-word
sentences occurs around 18-24 months. Using a spoon independently occurs around 18-24 months.
Question 5:
The nurse is assessing a 1-month-old infant. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A) Fontanels flat and soft
B) Weight gain of 1 pound
C) Lethargy and poor feeding
D) Startle reflex present
Answer: C) Lethargy and poor feeding
Rationale: Lethargy and poor feeding in a newborn may indicate infection, sepsis, or other serious
conditions requiring immediate evaluation. Flat, soft fontanels are normal. Weight gain of 1 pound in 1
month is within normal limits. The startle (Moro) reflex is a normal newborn reflex.
Question 6:
The nurse is teaching a parent about safe sleep practices for a newborn. Which instruction is MOST
important?
A) "Place your baby on the back to sleep"
B) "Place your baby on the stomach to sleep"
C) "Put pillows and blankets in the crib"
D) "Keep the room temperature at 78°F (25.6°C)"
,Answer: A) "Place your baby on the back to sleep"
Rationale: Placing infants on their back to sleep is the single most important measure to prevent sudden
infant death syndrome (SIDS). Stomach sleeping, soft bedding, and overheating increase the risk of SIDS.
Room temperature should be 68-72°F (20-22°C).
Question 7:
A 6-month-old infant's immunization status needs to be updated. Which vaccines are due at 6 months?
A) DTaP, IPV, Hib, PCV, RV
B) DTaP, IPV, Hib, PCV, RV, Hepatitis B
C) DTaP, IPV, Hib, PCV, MMR
D) DTaP, IPV, Hib, PCV, Varicella
Answer: B) DTaP, IPV, Hib, PCV, RV, Hepatitis B
Rationale: At 6 months, infants receive DTaP, IPV, Hib, PCV, RV, and Hepatitis B vaccines. MMR and
varicella are given at 12-15 months. The 6-month visit is an important time for vaccine catch-up and
completion of the primary series.
Question 8:
The nurse is assessing an infant's anterior fontanel. The nurse notes that it is bulging. This finding is
MOST consistent with:
A) Dehydration
B) Increased intracranial pressure
C) Normal development
D) Malnutrition
Answer: B) Increased intracranial pressure
Rationale: A bulging anterior fontanel indicates increased intracranial pressure, which may occur with
conditions such as hydrocephalus, meningitis, or intracranial hemorrhage. A depressed fontanel indicates
dehydration. The fontanel should be flat and soft in a healthy infant.
Question 9:
The nurse is teaching a parent about infant developmental milestones. At which age does the infant
typically begin to sit without support?
A) 4 months
B) 6 months
C) 8 months
D) 10 months
Answer: C) 8 months
Rationale: Infants typically sit without support by 8 months of age. Sitting with support occurs around 6
, months. Rolling over occurs at 4-5 months. Crawling occurs at 7-9 months. Walking occurs at 12-15
months. Sitting without support is a key milestone.
Question 10:
A 12-month-old infant is at the clinic for a well-child visit. Which finding indicates normal growth?
A) Birth weight has doubled
B) Birth weight has tripled
C) Birth length has increased by 25%
D) Head circumference is 50 cm
Answer: B) Birth weight has tripled
Rationale: By 12 months, an infant's birth weight should triple. Birth weight doubles by 6 months. Length
increases by 50% by 12 months. Head circumference is about 46 cm at 12 months. The key milestone at
12 months is tripling of birth weight.
Question 11:
The nurse is assessing a 10-month-old infant. Which developmental milestone should the nurse expect?
A) Walks independently
B) Pincer grasp and pulls to stand
C) Speaks in 3-word sentences
D) Uses a spoon independently
Answer: B) Pincer grasp and pulls to stand
Rationale: By 10 months, infants typically have a pincer grasp and can pull to stand. Walking
independently occurs at 12-15 months. Speaking in sentences occurs at 18-24 months. Using a spoon
independently occurs at 18-24 months.
Question 12:
A 3-month-old infant is brought to the clinic with concerns about feeding. The infant weighs 5 kg (birth
weight was 3 kg). What is the MOST appropriate nursing action?
A) Refer the infant to a nutritionist
B) Reassure the parent that growth is appropriate
C) Recommend supplementing with formula
D) Notify the healthcare provider
Answer: B) Reassure the parent that growth is appropriate
Rationale: Birth weight of 3 kg should double by 6 months. At 3 months, weight should be approximately
5 kg (birth weight plus about 700 g/month). This infant's weight is appropriate, and reassurance is
needed. No intervention is required.
Q&A (2026)
Complete Practice Examination – 200+ Questions
SECTION 1: GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT – INFANTS (Questions 1-30)
Question 1:
The nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which finding indicates normal
growth and development?
A) Birth weight has doubled
B) Birth weight has tripled
C) Birth length has increased by 50%
D) Head circumference is larger than chest circumference
Answer: A) Birth weight has doubled
Rationale: By 6 months of age, an infant's birth weight should double. By 12 months, it should triple.
Length increases by 50% by 12 months. Head circumference equals chest circumference by 1 year of age.
Birth weight doubling is the key milestone at 6 months.
Question 2:
A 2-month-old infant is brought to the clinic for immunizations. Which vaccines should the nurse
anticipate administering?
A) DTaP, IPV, Hib, PCV, RV
B) DTaP, IPV, Hib, PCV, MMR
C) DTaP, IPV, Hib, PCV, Varicella
D) DTaP, IPV, Hib, MMR, RV
Answer: A) DTaP, IPV, Hib, PCV, RV
Rationale: At 2 months, infants receive DTaP, IPV, Hib, PCV, and RV vaccines. MMR and varicella are
given at 12-15 months. Hepatitis B is given at birth, 1-2 months, and 6-18 months. This is the standard
immunization schedule.
Question 3:
The nurse is teaching a parent about feeding a 4-month-old infant. Which statement indicates
understanding?
A) "I will start solid foods at 4 months"
B) "I will continue to breastfeed or formula feed exclusively until 6 months"
,C) "I will give my baby fruit juice to prevent constipation"
D) "I will add cereal to my baby's bottle to help him sleep"
Answer: B) "I will continue to breastfeed or formula feed exclusively until 6 months"
Rationale: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding or formula feeding
for the first 6 months. Solid foods are introduced around 6 months. Juice is not recommended for infants
under 12 months. Adding cereal to bottles is unsafe and not recommended.
Question 4:
A 9-month-old infant is at the clinic for a well-child visit. Which developmental milestone should the
nurse expect?
A) Walks independently
B) Pincer grasp and crawls
C) Speaks in 2-word sentences
D) Uses a spoon independently
Answer: B) Pincer grasp and crawls
Rationale: By 9 months, infants typically develop the pincer grasp (picking up small objects with thumb
and forefinger) and crawl. Walking independently occurs around 12-15 months. Speaking in 2-word
sentences occurs around 18-24 months. Using a spoon independently occurs around 18-24 months.
Question 5:
The nurse is assessing a 1-month-old infant. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A) Fontanels flat and soft
B) Weight gain of 1 pound
C) Lethargy and poor feeding
D) Startle reflex present
Answer: C) Lethargy and poor feeding
Rationale: Lethargy and poor feeding in a newborn may indicate infection, sepsis, or other serious
conditions requiring immediate evaluation. Flat, soft fontanels are normal. Weight gain of 1 pound in 1
month is within normal limits. The startle (Moro) reflex is a normal newborn reflex.
Question 6:
The nurse is teaching a parent about safe sleep practices for a newborn. Which instruction is MOST
important?
A) "Place your baby on the back to sleep"
B) "Place your baby on the stomach to sleep"
C) "Put pillows and blankets in the crib"
D) "Keep the room temperature at 78°F (25.6°C)"
,Answer: A) "Place your baby on the back to sleep"
Rationale: Placing infants on their back to sleep is the single most important measure to prevent sudden
infant death syndrome (SIDS). Stomach sleeping, soft bedding, and overheating increase the risk of SIDS.
Room temperature should be 68-72°F (20-22°C).
Question 7:
A 6-month-old infant's immunization status needs to be updated. Which vaccines are due at 6 months?
A) DTaP, IPV, Hib, PCV, RV
B) DTaP, IPV, Hib, PCV, RV, Hepatitis B
C) DTaP, IPV, Hib, PCV, MMR
D) DTaP, IPV, Hib, PCV, Varicella
Answer: B) DTaP, IPV, Hib, PCV, RV, Hepatitis B
Rationale: At 6 months, infants receive DTaP, IPV, Hib, PCV, RV, and Hepatitis B vaccines. MMR and
varicella are given at 12-15 months. The 6-month visit is an important time for vaccine catch-up and
completion of the primary series.
Question 8:
The nurse is assessing an infant's anterior fontanel. The nurse notes that it is bulging. This finding is
MOST consistent with:
A) Dehydration
B) Increased intracranial pressure
C) Normal development
D) Malnutrition
Answer: B) Increased intracranial pressure
Rationale: A bulging anterior fontanel indicates increased intracranial pressure, which may occur with
conditions such as hydrocephalus, meningitis, or intracranial hemorrhage. A depressed fontanel indicates
dehydration. The fontanel should be flat and soft in a healthy infant.
Question 9:
The nurse is teaching a parent about infant developmental milestones. At which age does the infant
typically begin to sit without support?
A) 4 months
B) 6 months
C) 8 months
D) 10 months
Answer: C) 8 months
Rationale: Infants typically sit without support by 8 months of age. Sitting with support occurs around 6
, months. Rolling over occurs at 4-5 months. Crawling occurs at 7-9 months. Walking occurs at 12-15
months. Sitting without support is a key milestone.
Question 10:
A 12-month-old infant is at the clinic for a well-child visit. Which finding indicates normal growth?
A) Birth weight has doubled
B) Birth weight has tripled
C) Birth length has increased by 25%
D) Head circumference is 50 cm
Answer: B) Birth weight has tripled
Rationale: By 12 months, an infant's birth weight should triple. Birth weight doubles by 6 months. Length
increases by 50% by 12 months. Head circumference is about 46 cm at 12 months. The key milestone at
12 months is tripling of birth weight.
Question 11:
The nurse is assessing a 10-month-old infant. Which developmental milestone should the nurse expect?
A) Walks independently
B) Pincer grasp and pulls to stand
C) Speaks in 3-word sentences
D) Uses a spoon independently
Answer: B) Pincer grasp and pulls to stand
Rationale: By 10 months, infants typically have a pincer grasp and can pull to stand. Walking
independently occurs at 12-15 months. Speaking in sentences occurs at 18-24 months. Using a spoon
independently occurs at 18-24 months.
Question 12:
A 3-month-old infant is brought to the clinic with concerns about feeding. The infant weighs 5 kg (birth
weight was 3 kg). What is the MOST appropriate nursing action?
A) Refer the infant to a nutritionist
B) Reassure the parent that growth is appropriate
C) Recommend supplementing with formula
D) Notify the healthcare provider
Answer: B) Reassure the parent that growth is appropriate
Rationale: Birth weight of 3 kg should double by 6 months. At 3 months, weight should be approximately
5 kg (birth weight plus about 700 g/month). This infant's weight is appropriate, and reassurance is
needed. No intervention is required.
