CERTIFIED PEDIATRIC NURSE (CPN) CERTIFICATION
EXAMINATION COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND DETAILED
SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR JUST RELEASED
Question 1
A pediatric nurse assesses a 6-month-old infant during a well-child visit and wants
to determine whether development is age-appropriate. Which finding should
concern the nurse most?
A. Rolls from back to abdomen independently
B. Transfers a toy between both hands
C. Sits briefly while leaning forward
D. Has not yet developed any social smile
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A social smile is typically present by 2 months of age. Absence of any
social smile by 6 months is a significant developmental concern requiring further
evaluation for neurologic, visual, or social-communication disorders.
Question 2
A nurse provides anticipatory guidance to parents of a 2-year-old child during a
health maintenance visit. Which recommendation is most appropriate for injury
prevention?
A. Place the child in a booster seat for short trips
B. Allow supervised use of small toys to improve dexterity
C. Keep medications and cleaning products in locked cabinets
,D. Encourage the child to learn swimming independently
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Toddlers are at high risk for poisoning because of increased mobility
and curiosity. Medications and toxic substances should always be stored in locked
cabinets and kept out of the child’s reach.
Question 3
A 4-year-old child is hospitalized with moderate dehydration caused by acute
gastroenteritis. Which assessment finding indicates that rehydration therapy is
improving the child’s condition?
A. Heart rate increases after oral fluids
B. Urine output rises to 1 mL/kg/hour or greater
C. Capillary refill remains longer than 4 seconds
D. Weight decreases by 0.5 kg overnight
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Adequate urine output is one of the best indicators of improved
hydration status. A urine output of at least 1 mL/kg/hour suggests that renal
perfusion and circulating volume are improving.
Question 4
A school-age child with asthma suddenly develops wheezing, chest tightness, and
prolonged expiration after physical activity. Which nursing action should be
performed first?
A. Obtain a peak expiratory flow measurement
B. Encourage coughing and deep breathing exercises
C. Administer the prescribed short-acting bronchodilator
,D. Place the child in a supine position for rest
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: During an acute asthma exacerbation, the priority is rapid reversal of
bronchospasm. A prescribed short-acting beta-agonist should be administered
promptly before additional assessments or interventions.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for an infant with bronchiolitis caused by respiratory syncytial
virus. Which assessment finding requires the most immediate intervention?
A. Mild intercostal retractions during feeding
B. Respiratory rate of 42 breaths per minute
C. Oxygen saturation of 88% while sleeping
D. Occasional scattered wheezes bilaterally
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 88% indicates significant hypoxemia and
requires immediate intervention, such as repositioning, suctioning, and
supplemental oxygen according to institutional protocols.
Question 6
A child with tetralogy of Fallot becomes acutely cyanotic and irritable while
crying. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
A. Administer oral fluids immediately
B. Place the child in the knee-chest position
C. Prepare the child for emergency intubation
D. Encourage the child to continue crying
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: The knee-chest position increases systemic vascular resistance and
decreases right-to-left shunting, improving pulmonary blood flow and
oxygenation during a hypercyanotic or “tet” spell.
Question 7
A nurse teaches parents about immunizations recommended for a healthy 12-
month-old child. Which vaccine is routinely administered at this age?
A. Human papillomavirus vaccine
B. Meningococcal conjugate vaccine
C. Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine
D. Tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis booster for adolescents
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The first dose of the MMR vaccine is routinely recommended at 12
through 15 months of age for healthy children according to standard
immunization schedules.
Question 8
A 7-year-old child with type 1 diabetes reports shakiness, sweating, and hunger
during recess. Which action should the school nurse take first?
A. Administer the scheduled insulin dose
B. Provide 15 grams of rapid-acting carbohydrate
C. Encourage the child to rest without eating
D. Call emergency medical services immediately
Correct Answer: B
EXAMINATION COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND DETAILED
SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR JUST RELEASED
Question 1
A pediatric nurse assesses a 6-month-old infant during a well-child visit and wants
to determine whether development is age-appropriate. Which finding should
concern the nurse most?
A. Rolls from back to abdomen independently
B. Transfers a toy between both hands
C. Sits briefly while leaning forward
D. Has not yet developed any social smile
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A social smile is typically present by 2 months of age. Absence of any
social smile by 6 months is a significant developmental concern requiring further
evaluation for neurologic, visual, or social-communication disorders.
Question 2
A nurse provides anticipatory guidance to parents of a 2-year-old child during a
health maintenance visit. Which recommendation is most appropriate for injury
prevention?
A. Place the child in a booster seat for short trips
B. Allow supervised use of small toys to improve dexterity
C. Keep medications and cleaning products in locked cabinets
,D. Encourage the child to learn swimming independently
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Toddlers are at high risk for poisoning because of increased mobility
and curiosity. Medications and toxic substances should always be stored in locked
cabinets and kept out of the child’s reach.
Question 3
A 4-year-old child is hospitalized with moderate dehydration caused by acute
gastroenteritis. Which assessment finding indicates that rehydration therapy is
improving the child’s condition?
A. Heart rate increases after oral fluids
B. Urine output rises to 1 mL/kg/hour or greater
C. Capillary refill remains longer than 4 seconds
D. Weight decreases by 0.5 kg overnight
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Adequate urine output is one of the best indicators of improved
hydration status. A urine output of at least 1 mL/kg/hour suggests that renal
perfusion and circulating volume are improving.
Question 4
A school-age child with asthma suddenly develops wheezing, chest tightness, and
prolonged expiration after physical activity. Which nursing action should be
performed first?
A. Obtain a peak expiratory flow measurement
B. Encourage coughing and deep breathing exercises
C. Administer the prescribed short-acting bronchodilator
,D. Place the child in a supine position for rest
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: During an acute asthma exacerbation, the priority is rapid reversal of
bronchospasm. A prescribed short-acting beta-agonist should be administered
promptly before additional assessments or interventions.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for an infant with bronchiolitis caused by respiratory syncytial
virus. Which assessment finding requires the most immediate intervention?
A. Mild intercostal retractions during feeding
B. Respiratory rate of 42 breaths per minute
C. Oxygen saturation of 88% while sleeping
D. Occasional scattered wheezes bilaterally
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 88% indicates significant hypoxemia and
requires immediate intervention, such as repositioning, suctioning, and
supplemental oxygen according to institutional protocols.
Question 6
A child with tetralogy of Fallot becomes acutely cyanotic and irritable while
crying. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
A. Administer oral fluids immediately
B. Place the child in the knee-chest position
C. Prepare the child for emergency intubation
D. Encourage the child to continue crying
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: The knee-chest position increases systemic vascular resistance and
decreases right-to-left shunting, improving pulmonary blood flow and
oxygenation during a hypercyanotic or “tet” spell.
Question 7
A nurse teaches parents about immunizations recommended for a healthy 12-
month-old child. Which vaccine is routinely administered at this age?
A. Human papillomavirus vaccine
B. Meningococcal conjugate vaccine
C. Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine
D. Tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis booster for adolescents
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The first dose of the MMR vaccine is routinely recommended at 12
through 15 months of age for healthy children according to standard
immunization schedules.
Question 8
A 7-year-old child with type 1 diabetes reports shakiness, sweating, and hunger
during recess. Which action should the school nurse take first?
A. Administer the scheduled insulin dose
B. Provide 15 grams of rapid-acting carbohydrate
C. Encourage the child to rest without eating
D. Call emergency medical services immediately
Correct Answer: B
