NSG 3600 Exam 2 – Pediatric Nursing Complete
Practice Test Bank (Questions 1-200)
Instructions
• Correct Answers are in Bold Italics
• Rationales are in Italic
• Based on Galen College of Nursing NSG 3600 Exam 2 curriculum
• Covers pediatric cardiac, respiratory, infectious diseases, and growth
& development
1. Why does poor feeding happen in heart failure?
A. Because the infant has a sore throat
B. Because it takes too much energy to eat
C. Because of nausea from medications
D. Because of lack of appetite due to fever
Correct Answer: B. Because it takes too much energy to eat.
Rationale: In heart failure, cardiac output is decreased and infants fatigue
easily. Sucking and feeding require significant oxygen and energy, leading to
poor feeding, diaphoresis, and tiring quickly .
2. What diagnostic measure will you perform for heart failure?
A. Chest X-ray
B. Echocardiogram
,C. ECG only
D. Cardiac catheterization
Correct Answer: B. Echocardiogram.
Rationale: Echocardiogram is the diagnostic test for heart failure. It is an
ultrasound of the heart that tells us heart size, valve function, and size of
each chamber .
3. What should you monitor or what is concerning after a cardiac
catheterization?
A. Flushed face and warm legs
B. The leg that was used for femoral artery entrance has a weaker pulse
than the untouched leg
C. Increased appetite
D. Slight oozing that stops quickly
Correct Answer: B. The leg that was used for femoral artery entrance
has a weaker pulse than the untouched leg.
Rationale: After cardiac catheterization via femoral artery, compare pulses. A
weaker pulse in the affected leg vs. unaffected leg, bleeding, hematoma, or
loss of pulse indicates arterial compromise and must be reported
immediately .
4. What is an echocardiogram?
A. X-ray of the heart with contrast
B. Ultrasound of the heart; tells us the size of the heart, how the valves are
working, and the size of each part of the heart
,C. Measurement of electrical activity
D. Blood test for cardiac enzymes
Correct Answer: B. Ultrasound of the heart; tells us the size of the
heart, how the valves are working, and the size of each part of the
heart.
Rationale: Echocardiogram is ultrasound imaging showing cardiac structure,
chamber size, septal defects, valve function, and ventricular function .
5. Nursing care for heart failure: What is a medical emergency?
A. Slight weight gain
B. Mild irritability
C. Change in level of consciousness (LOC)
D. Tachypnea
*Correct Answer: C. Change in level of consciousness (LOC). *
Rationale: A change in level of consciousness in a child with heart failure
indicates decreased cerebral perfusion and is a medical emergency requiring
immediate intervention .
6. What is the medical management and nursing implication for heart
failure medications?
A. Check radial pulse for 1 minute before administering
B. Hold medication if HR is less than 90-100 in infants and less than 70 in
older children
C. Administer with meals
D. Monitor blood pressure only
, Correct Answer: B. Hold medication if HR is less than 90-100 in infants
and less than 70 in older children.
Rationale: The purpose is to slow heart rate and improve filling of ventricles.
Check apical pulse for 1 minute before administering. Hold medication if HR
is less than 90-100 in infants and less than 70 in older children .
7. The nurse is performing cardiac screening on a newborn before
discharge. Which assessment finding would be suggestive of
Coarctation of the Aorta?
A. Bounding peripheral pulses
B. Higher BP in right arm than right leg
C. Continuous machinery-like murmur
D. Cyanosis with crying
Correct Answer: B. Higher BP in right arm than right leg.
Rationale: Coarctation of the aorta presents with higher blood pressure in the
upper extremities compared to the lower extremities due to narrowing of the
aorta. Femoral pulses are weak or absent .
8. The nurse is getting VS on a 36-hour-old infant and notes bounding
peripheral pulses and a BP of 96/25. The nurse suspects:
A. Coarctation of the aorta
B. Atrial septal defect
C. Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
D. Pulmonary stenosis
*Correct Answer: C. Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). *
Practice Test Bank (Questions 1-200)
Instructions
• Correct Answers are in Bold Italics
• Rationales are in Italic
• Based on Galen College of Nursing NSG 3600 Exam 2 curriculum
• Covers pediatric cardiac, respiratory, infectious diseases, and growth
& development
1. Why does poor feeding happen in heart failure?
A. Because the infant has a sore throat
B. Because it takes too much energy to eat
C. Because of nausea from medications
D. Because of lack of appetite due to fever
Correct Answer: B. Because it takes too much energy to eat.
Rationale: In heart failure, cardiac output is decreased and infants fatigue
easily. Sucking and feeding require significant oxygen and energy, leading to
poor feeding, diaphoresis, and tiring quickly .
2. What diagnostic measure will you perform for heart failure?
A. Chest X-ray
B. Echocardiogram
,C. ECG only
D. Cardiac catheterization
Correct Answer: B. Echocardiogram.
Rationale: Echocardiogram is the diagnostic test for heart failure. It is an
ultrasound of the heart that tells us heart size, valve function, and size of
each chamber .
3. What should you monitor or what is concerning after a cardiac
catheterization?
A. Flushed face and warm legs
B. The leg that was used for femoral artery entrance has a weaker pulse
than the untouched leg
C. Increased appetite
D. Slight oozing that stops quickly
Correct Answer: B. The leg that was used for femoral artery entrance
has a weaker pulse than the untouched leg.
Rationale: After cardiac catheterization via femoral artery, compare pulses. A
weaker pulse in the affected leg vs. unaffected leg, bleeding, hematoma, or
loss of pulse indicates arterial compromise and must be reported
immediately .
4. What is an echocardiogram?
A. X-ray of the heart with contrast
B. Ultrasound of the heart; tells us the size of the heart, how the valves are
working, and the size of each part of the heart
,C. Measurement of electrical activity
D. Blood test for cardiac enzymes
Correct Answer: B. Ultrasound of the heart; tells us the size of the
heart, how the valves are working, and the size of each part of the
heart.
Rationale: Echocardiogram is ultrasound imaging showing cardiac structure,
chamber size, septal defects, valve function, and ventricular function .
5. Nursing care for heart failure: What is a medical emergency?
A. Slight weight gain
B. Mild irritability
C. Change in level of consciousness (LOC)
D. Tachypnea
*Correct Answer: C. Change in level of consciousness (LOC). *
Rationale: A change in level of consciousness in a child with heart failure
indicates decreased cerebral perfusion and is a medical emergency requiring
immediate intervention .
6. What is the medical management and nursing implication for heart
failure medications?
A. Check radial pulse for 1 minute before administering
B. Hold medication if HR is less than 90-100 in infants and less than 70 in
older children
C. Administer with meals
D. Monitor blood pressure only
, Correct Answer: B. Hold medication if HR is less than 90-100 in infants
and less than 70 in older children.
Rationale: The purpose is to slow heart rate and improve filling of ventricles.
Check apical pulse for 1 minute before administering. Hold medication if HR
is less than 90-100 in infants and less than 70 in older children .
7. The nurse is performing cardiac screening on a newborn before
discharge. Which assessment finding would be suggestive of
Coarctation of the Aorta?
A. Bounding peripheral pulses
B. Higher BP in right arm than right leg
C. Continuous machinery-like murmur
D. Cyanosis with crying
Correct Answer: B. Higher BP in right arm than right leg.
Rationale: Coarctation of the aorta presents with higher blood pressure in the
upper extremities compared to the lower extremities due to narrowing of the
aorta. Femoral pulses are weak or absent .
8. The nurse is getting VS on a 36-hour-old infant and notes bounding
peripheral pulses and a BP of 96/25. The nurse suspects:
A. Coarctation of the aorta
B. Atrial septal defect
C. Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
D. Pulmonary stenosis
*Correct Answer: C. Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). *
