ATI RN Pediatric Exam with NGN 70 Questions | Self-Study Practice
ATI RN Pediatric Nursing Exam
Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) Format | 70 Questions with Rationales 2026
update
Multiple Choice
A nurse is assessing a 12-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which of the
following developmental milestones should the nurse expect the infant to have
achieved?
A. Walking independently
B. Speaking two-word phrases
C. Sitting unsupported
D. Tying shoelaces
Correct Answer: C
By 12 months, an infant should be able to sit unsupported, pull to a stand, and may cruise along furniture.
Walking independently typically occurs between 12 and 15 months, so it may not yet be present at exactly 12
months. Two-word phrases emerge around 18 to 24 months of age. Tying shoelaces is a fine motor skill
expected around age 5 to 6 years. The nurse should use developmental milestones as a screening tool to identify
children who may need further evaluation for developmental delays.
Multiple Choice
A nurse is caring for a 4-year-old child who is hospitalized for surgery. According to
Erikson's psychosocial developmental theory, which of the following behaviors should
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,ATI RN Pediatric Exam with NGN 70 Questions | Self-Study Practice
the nurse anticipate from this child?
A. Intense fear of body mutilation
B. Belief that the hospitalization is a punishment
C. Need for peer socialization and acceptance
D. Desire for increased independence from parents
Correct Answer: B
According to Erikson's theory, the preschool-aged child (3 to 6 years) is in the initiative versus guilt stage.
Children at this age are in the preoperational stage of cognitive development (Piaget) and exhibit magical
thinking and animism. They often interpret illness or hospitalization as punishment for real or imagined
misdeeds. Intense fear of body mutilation is more characteristic of the school-aged child (6 to 12 years). The
need for peer socialization is prominent in adolescence. The desire for increased independence from parents
begins in adolescence as well. The nurse should provide reassurance and simple explanations to address the
preschooler's fears and misconceptions.
Page 2
,ATI RN Pediatric Exam with NGN 70 Questions | Self-Study Practice
Multiple Choice
A nurse is obtaining vital signs on a 3-year-old child. Which of the following findings
should the nurse identify as the expected resting heart rate for this age group?
A. 70 to 90 beats per minute
B. 80 to 110 beats per minute
C. 100 to 140 beats per minute
D. 140 to 160 beats per minute
Correct Answer: B
The expected resting heart rate for a 3-year-old child is 80 to 110 beats per minute. Heart rates decrease as
children grow: newborns have a normal range of 120 to 160 bpm, infants 1 to 12 months have 100 to 140 bpm,
toddlers and preschoolers (1 to 5 years) have 80 to 110 bpm, and school-aged children (6 to 12 years) have 70
to 110 bpm. Adolescents have heart rates similar to adults, ranging from 60 to 100 bpm. The nurse must be
familiar with age-appropriate vital sign parameters to accurately assess pediatric patients and identify
abnormalities that may indicate distress or illness.
Multiple Choice
A nurse is assessing pain in a 5-year-old child who is postoperative following an
appendectomy. Which of the following pain assessment tools is the most appropriate
for this child?
A. FLACC scale
B. Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale
C. Numeric rating scale (0-10)
D. COMFORT scale
Correct Answer: B
The Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale is the most appropriate tool for a 5-year-old child because children
at this developmental level can reliably select a face that represents their level of pain. This scale uses six faces
ranging from a smiling face (no pain) to a crying face (worst pain) and is suitable for children ages 3 years and
older. The FLACC scale is used for preverbal or nonverbal children (typically under 3 years) and assesses five
categories: Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability. The numeric rating scale requires abstract thinking and
is generally appropriate for children ages 8 and older. The COMFORT scale is primarily used for sedated or
critically ill children in intensive care settings.
Multiple Choice
Page 3
, ATI RN Pediatric Exam with NGN 70 Questions | Self-Study Practice
A nurse is preparing to administer an oral medication to a 6-month-old infant. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Placethe medication in the lateral aspect of the infant's mouth
B. Add the medication to a full bottle of formula
C. Administer the medication while the infant is lying flat
D. Mix the medication with the infant's favorite cereal
Correct Answer: A
Page 4
ATI RN Pediatric Nursing Exam
Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) Format | 70 Questions with Rationales 2026
update
Multiple Choice
A nurse is assessing a 12-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which of the
following developmental milestones should the nurse expect the infant to have
achieved?
A. Walking independently
B. Speaking two-word phrases
C. Sitting unsupported
D. Tying shoelaces
Correct Answer: C
By 12 months, an infant should be able to sit unsupported, pull to a stand, and may cruise along furniture.
Walking independently typically occurs between 12 and 15 months, so it may not yet be present at exactly 12
months. Two-word phrases emerge around 18 to 24 months of age. Tying shoelaces is a fine motor skill
expected around age 5 to 6 years. The nurse should use developmental milestones as a screening tool to identify
children who may need further evaluation for developmental delays.
Multiple Choice
A nurse is caring for a 4-year-old child who is hospitalized for surgery. According to
Erikson's psychosocial developmental theory, which of the following behaviors should
Page 1
,ATI RN Pediatric Exam with NGN 70 Questions | Self-Study Practice
the nurse anticipate from this child?
A. Intense fear of body mutilation
B. Belief that the hospitalization is a punishment
C. Need for peer socialization and acceptance
D. Desire for increased independence from parents
Correct Answer: B
According to Erikson's theory, the preschool-aged child (3 to 6 years) is in the initiative versus guilt stage.
Children at this age are in the preoperational stage of cognitive development (Piaget) and exhibit magical
thinking and animism. They often interpret illness or hospitalization as punishment for real or imagined
misdeeds. Intense fear of body mutilation is more characteristic of the school-aged child (6 to 12 years). The
need for peer socialization is prominent in adolescence. The desire for increased independence from parents
begins in adolescence as well. The nurse should provide reassurance and simple explanations to address the
preschooler's fears and misconceptions.
Page 2
,ATI RN Pediatric Exam with NGN 70 Questions | Self-Study Practice
Multiple Choice
A nurse is obtaining vital signs on a 3-year-old child. Which of the following findings
should the nurse identify as the expected resting heart rate for this age group?
A. 70 to 90 beats per minute
B. 80 to 110 beats per minute
C. 100 to 140 beats per minute
D. 140 to 160 beats per minute
Correct Answer: B
The expected resting heart rate for a 3-year-old child is 80 to 110 beats per minute. Heart rates decrease as
children grow: newborns have a normal range of 120 to 160 bpm, infants 1 to 12 months have 100 to 140 bpm,
toddlers and preschoolers (1 to 5 years) have 80 to 110 bpm, and school-aged children (6 to 12 years) have 70
to 110 bpm. Adolescents have heart rates similar to adults, ranging from 60 to 100 bpm. The nurse must be
familiar with age-appropriate vital sign parameters to accurately assess pediatric patients and identify
abnormalities that may indicate distress or illness.
Multiple Choice
A nurse is assessing pain in a 5-year-old child who is postoperative following an
appendectomy. Which of the following pain assessment tools is the most appropriate
for this child?
A. FLACC scale
B. Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale
C. Numeric rating scale (0-10)
D. COMFORT scale
Correct Answer: B
The Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale is the most appropriate tool for a 5-year-old child because children
at this developmental level can reliably select a face that represents their level of pain. This scale uses six faces
ranging from a smiling face (no pain) to a crying face (worst pain) and is suitable for children ages 3 years and
older. The FLACC scale is used for preverbal or nonverbal children (typically under 3 years) and assesses five
categories: Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability. The numeric rating scale requires abstract thinking and
is generally appropriate for children ages 8 and older. The COMFORT scale is primarily used for sedated or
critically ill children in intensive care settings.
Multiple Choice
Page 3
, ATI RN Pediatric Exam with NGN 70 Questions | Self-Study Practice
A nurse is preparing to administer an oral medication to a 6-month-old infant. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Placethe medication in the lateral aspect of the infant's mouth
B. Add the medication to a full bottle of formula
C. Administer the medication while the infant is lying flat
D. Mix the medication with the infant's favorite cereal
Correct Answer: A
Page 4
