ATI Nursing Care of Children Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant
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1. A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant. Which finding should the nurse
recognize as expected?
A. Walks independently
B. Uses a pincer grasp
C. Rolls from abdomen to back
D. Speaks two-word phrases
Answer: Rolls from abdomen to back
Rationale: A 6-month-old commonly rolls over and demonstrates increasing
trunk control. Walking, a pincer grasp, and two-word phrases occur later in
development.
2. A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old child. Which developmental milestone
should the nurse expect?
A. Uses two-word phrases
B. Reads simple sentences
C. Skips on alternating feet
D. Uses scissors accurately
Answer: Uses two-word phrases
,Rationale: Toddlers around 2 years of age commonly combine two words, such
as “more juice” or “mommy go.”
3. A nurse is providing nutrition teaching to the parent of a toddler. Which
recommendation is appropriate?
A. Provide foods that are easy to chew
B. Encourage the child to drink several cups of juice daily
C. Allow the child to eat while walking around
D. Offer whole grapes as a snack
Answer: Provide foods that are easy to chew
Rationale: Toddlers should receive nutritious foods with appropriate textures.
Foods that can cause choking, such as whole grapes, should be modified.
4. A nurse is teaching parents about preventing choking in a toddler. Which
food should the nurse instruct the parents to avoid giving whole?
A. Mashed potatoes
B. Applesauce
C. Hot dogs
D. Yogurt
Answer: Hot dogs
Rationale: Hot dogs are a common choking hazard and should be cut lengthwise
and into small pieces before being offered to young children.
5. A nurse is assessing a child who has epiglottitis. Which finding should the
nurse expect?
A. Barking cough
B. Drooling and tripod positioning
C. Expiratory wheezing
D. Excessive sputum production
Answer: Drooling and tripod positioning
,Rationale: Epiglottitis can cause severe airway obstruction. Drooling, dysphagia,
muffled voice, and sitting forward in a tripod position are classic findings.
6. A child is suspected of having epiglottitis. Which action should the nurse
take?
A. Inspect the throat with a tongue blade
B. Obtain a throat culture immediately
C. Keep the child calm and prepare for airway management
D. Encourage the child to lie flat
Answer: Keep the child calm and prepare for airway management
Rationale: Manipulation of the throat can precipitate complete airway
obstruction. The child should remain calm while emergency airway equipment
and trained personnel are prepared.
7. A nurse is caring for a child who has asthma. Which finding indicates
worsening airway obstruction?
A. Bradycardia
B. Increased wheezing only
C. Decreased level of consciousness
D. Increased appetite
Answer: Decreased level of consciousness
Rationale: A decreased level of consciousness can indicate severe hypoxemia
and respiratory failure and requires immediate intervention.
8. A nurse is teaching a child about using a metered-dose inhaler. Which
instruction is correct?
A. Inhale rapidly while activating the inhaler
B. Exhale fully before inhaling the medication
C. Immediately exhale after inhaling the medication
D. Skip shaking the inhaler before use
, Answer: Exhale fully before inhaling the medication
Rationale: The child should exhale fully, seal the lips around the mouthpiece,
activate the inhaler while slowly inhaling, and hold the breath briefly to improve
medication deposition.
9. A nurse is caring for a child with cystic fibrosis. Which intervention is
appropriate?
A. Restrict fluids
B. Provide a high-calorie, high-protein diet
C. Restrict dietary sodium
D. Avoid pancreatic enzymes
Answer: Provide a high-calorie, high-protein diet
Rationale: Children with cystic fibrosis have increased nutritional needs and
malabsorption. High-calorie, high-protein foods and pancreatic enzymes are
commonly prescribed.
10.A child with cystic fibrosis is prescribed pancreatic enzymes. When should
the nurse instruct the parent to administer them?
A. At bedtime only
B. With meals and snacks
C. Once weekly
D. Only when abdominal pain occurs
Answer: With meals and snacks
Rationale: Pancreatic enzymes should be taken with meals and snacks to assist
digestion and absorption of nutrients.
11.A nurse is caring for a child with dehydration caused by gastroenteritis.
Which finding indicates moderate to severe dehydration?
A. Moist mucous membranes
B. Bounding pulse
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant
Download Pdf
1. A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant. Which finding should the nurse
recognize as expected?
A. Walks independently
B. Uses a pincer grasp
C. Rolls from abdomen to back
D. Speaks two-word phrases
Answer: Rolls from abdomen to back
Rationale: A 6-month-old commonly rolls over and demonstrates increasing
trunk control. Walking, a pincer grasp, and two-word phrases occur later in
development.
2. A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old child. Which developmental milestone
should the nurse expect?
A. Uses two-word phrases
B. Reads simple sentences
C. Skips on alternating feet
D. Uses scissors accurately
Answer: Uses two-word phrases
,Rationale: Toddlers around 2 years of age commonly combine two words, such
as “more juice” or “mommy go.”
3. A nurse is providing nutrition teaching to the parent of a toddler. Which
recommendation is appropriate?
A. Provide foods that are easy to chew
B. Encourage the child to drink several cups of juice daily
C. Allow the child to eat while walking around
D. Offer whole grapes as a snack
Answer: Provide foods that are easy to chew
Rationale: Toddlers should receive nutritious foods with appropriate textures.
Foods that can cause choking, such as whole grapes, should be modified.
4. A nurse is teaching parents about preventing choking in a toddler. Which
food should the nurse instruct the parents to avoid giving whole?
A. Mashed potatoes
B. Applesauce
C. Hot dogs
D. Yogurt
Answer: Hot dogs
Rationale: Hot dogs are a common choking hazard and should be cut lengthwise
and into small pieces before being offered to young children.
5. A nurse is assessing a child who has epiglottitis. Which finding should the
nurse expect?
A. Barking cough
B. Drooling and tripod positioning
C. Expiratory wheezing
D. Excessive sputum production
Answer: Drooling and tripod positioning
,Rationale: Epiglottitis can cause severe airway obstruction. Drooling, dysphagia,
muffled voice, and sitting forward in a tripod position are classic findings.
6. A child is suspected of having epiglottitis. Which action should the nurse
take?
A. Inspect the throat with a tongue blade
B. Obtain a throat culture immediately
C. Keep the child calm and prepare for airway management
D. Encourage the child to lie flat
Answer: Keep the child calm and prepare for airway management
Rationale: Manipulation of the throat can precipitate complete airway
obstruction. The child should remain calm while emergency airway equipment
and trained personnel are prepared.
7. A nurse is caring for a child who has asthma. Which finding indicates
worsening airway obstruction?
A. Bradycardia
B. Increased wheezing only
C. Decreased level of consciousness
D. Increased appetite
Answer: Decreased level of consciousness
Rationale: A decreased level of consciousness can indicate severe hypoxemia
and respiratory failure and requires immediate intervention.
8. A nurse is teaching a child about using a metered-dose inhaler. Which
instruction is correct?
A. Inhale rapidly while activating the inhaler
B. Exhale fully before inhaling the medication
C. Immediately exhale after inhaling the medication
D. Skip shaking the inhaler before use
, Answer: Exhale fully before inhaling the medication
Rationale: The child should exhale fully, seal the lips around the mouthpiece,
activate the inhaler while slowly inhaling, and hold the breath briefly to improve
medication deposition.
9. A nurse is caring for a child with cystic fibrosis. Which intervention is
appropriate?
A. Restrict fluids
B. Provide a high-calorie, high-protein diet
C. Restrict dietary sodium
D. Avoid pancreatic enzymes
Answer: Provide a high-calorie, high-protein diet
Rationale: Children with cystic fibrosis have increased nutritional needs and
malabsorption. High-calorie, high-protein foods and pancreatic enzymes are
commonly prescribed.
10.A child with cystic fibrosis is prescribed pancreatic enzymes. When should
the nurse instruct the parent to administer them?
A. At bedtime only
B. With meals and snacks
C. Once weekly
D. Only when abdominal pain occurs
Answer: With meals and snacks
Rationale: Pancreatic enzymes should be taken with meals and snacks to assist
digestion and absorption of nutrients.
11.A nurse is caring for a child with dehydration caused by gastroenteritis.
Which finding indicates moderate to severe dehydration?
A. Moist mucous membranes
B. Bounding pulse
