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COMMON PEDIATRIC DISEASES EXAM 100
QUESTIONS LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026 EDITION
Common Pediatric Diseases – 100 Practice Questions with Rationales
This comprehensive practice exam covers the most frequently tested pediatric
conditions in nursing and medical examinations. The questions reflect key topics
including respiratory disorders, infectious diseases, gastrointestinal conditions, and
developmental concerns .
SECTION 1: RESPIRATORY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES (Questions 1-40)
1. A 2-year-old child is diagnosed with bronchiolitis caused by respiratory syncytial
virus (RSV). Which nursing intervention is the priority?
A) Administer prescribed antibiotics
B) Initiate chest percussion and postural drainage
C) Suction the nasopharynx as needed
D) Place the child in a warm mist tent
Answer: C
Rationale: Suctioning the nasopharynx as needed is the priority intervention to maintain
a patent airway and clear secretions. RSV is a viral infection, so antibiotics are not
effective. Chest percussion is not recommended for bronchiolitis as it can worsen
airway obstruction. Warm mist is no longer recommended; cool mist is preferred if
humidification is used. Humidified oxygen and airway maintenance are key
interventions .
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2. A mother brings her child in for paroxysmal bouts of 10-15 coughs followed by
deep gasping breaths. The coughing is severe enough that the child has vomited.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Croup
B) Pneumonia
C) Pertussis
D) Bronchitis
Answer: C
Rationale: Pertussis (whooping cough) is characterized by paroxysms of 5-15 violent
coughs followed by a forceful inspiratory gasp or "whoop." It begins as a typical upper
respiratory infection and progresses to severe coughing episodes that can induce
vomiting. Croup presents with a barking cough and stridor, while pneumonia typically
presents with fever, tachypnea, and crackles .
3. Strawberry tongue and a maculopapular "sandpaper" rash are classic findings in
which condition?
A) Measles
B) Scarlet fever
C) Varicella
D) Roseola
Answer: B
Rationale: Scarlet fever, caused by Group A Streptococcus, presents with a strawberry
tongue (glossitis) and a fine, sandpaper-like rash. Measles presents with Koplik spots,
varicella with a vesicular rash, and roseola with a maculopapular rash that appears after
fever resolves .
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4. A 6-month-old infant with RSV bronchiolitis is in respiratory distress. Which
assessment finding would be most concerning?
A) Nasal flaring
B) Respiratory rate of 50 breaths/min
C) Grunting
D) Oxygen saturation of 92%
Answer: C
Rationale: Grunting is a sign of impending respiratory failure, indicating the infant is
using expiratory pressure to maintain functional residual capacity. Nasal flaring and
tachypnea are signs of respiratory distress but are less concerning than grunting.
Oxygen saturation of 92% is below normal but not as immediately concerning as
grunting .
5. Parotid gland enlargement, fever, myalgia, and tender salivary glands are
indicative of which condition?
A) Measles
B) Mumps
C) Rubella
D) Scarlet fever
Answer: B
Rationale: Mumps is characterized by parotid gland enlargement, fever, myalgia, and
tender salivary glands. Symptoms typically last 7-10 days. Complications include
orchitis (testicular inflammation) in postpubertal males, meningitis, and hearing loss .
6. A 3-day-old infant is diagnosed with hyperbilirubinemia. A bilirubin test is
required by capillary heel puncture. Which action by the nurse would be incorrect?
A) Wiping away the first drop of blood
B) Applying heel warmers to increase capillary blood flow
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C) Squeezing the infant's heel while collecting the sample
D) Turning off the bilirubin treatment lights before collecting the sample
Answer: C
Rationale: Squeezing the infant's heel should be avoided as it causes hemolysis of the
specimen and can damage tissue. Turning off the bilirubin treatment lights before
collection is important because light exposure may alter the bilirubin level in the
sample. Cleansing the site and warming the area are correct techniques .
7. A child presents with fever, tonsillar exudates, tender anterior cervical lymph
nodes, and a sore throat without a cough. How many Centor criteria does this child
meet?
A) Two
B) Three
C) Four
D) One
Answer: C
Rationale: The Centor criteria for streptococcal pharyngitis include: tonsillar exudates,
lack of cough, fever, and tender anterior cervical lymphadenopathy. This patient meets
all four criteria, indicating a high likelihood of streptococcal pharyngitis requiring
empiric antibiotics .
8. The Centor criteria for streptococcal pharyngitis include all of the following
EXCEPT:
A) Fever
B) Tonsillar exudates
C) Cough
D) Tender anterior cervical lymphadenopathy
Answer: C
COMMON PEDIATRIC DISEASES EXAM 100
QUESTIONS LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026 EDITION
Common Pediatric Diseases – 100 Practice Questions with Rationales
This comprehensive practice exam covers the most frequently tested pediatric
conditions in nursing and medical examinations. The questions reflect key topics
including respiratory disorders, infectious diseases, gastrointestinal conditions, and
developmental concerns .
SECTION 1: RESPIRATORY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES (Questions 1-40)
1. A 2-year-old child is diagnosed with bronchiolitis caused by respiratory syncytial
virus (RSV). Which nursing intervention is the priority?
A) Administer prescribed antibiotics
B) Initiate chest percussion and postural drainage
C) Suction the nasopharynx as needed
D) Place the child in a warm mist tent
Answer: C
Rationale: Suctioning the nasopharynx as needed is the priority intervention to maintain
a patent airway and clear secretions. RSV is a viral infection, so antibiotics are not
effective. Chest percussion is not recommended for bronchiolitis as it can worsen
airway obstruction. Warm mist is no longer recommended; cool mist is preferred if
humidification is used. Humidified oxygen and airway maintenance are key
interventions .
, Page 2 of 42
2. A mother brings her child in for paroxysmal bouts of 10-15 coughs followed by
deep gasping breaths. The coughing is severe enough that the child has vomited.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Croup
B) Pneumonia
C) Pertussis
D) Bronchitis
Answer: C
Rationale: Pertussis (whooping cough) is characterized by paroxysms of 5-15 violent
coughs followed by a forceful inspiratory gasp or "whoop." It begins as a typical upper
respiratory infection and progresses to severe coughing episodes that can induce
vomiting. Croup presents with a barking cough and stridor, while pneumonia typically
presents with fever, tachypnea, and crackles .
3. Strawberry tongue and a maculopapular "sandpaper" rash are classic findings in
which condition?
A) Measles
B) Scarlet fever
C) Varicella
D) Roseola
Answer: B
Rationale: Scarlet fever, caused by Group A Streptococcus, presents with a strawberry
tongue (glossitis) and a fine, sandpaper-like rash. Measles presents with Koplik spots,
varicella with a vesicular rash, and roseola with a maculopapular rash that appears after
fever resolves .
, Page 3 of 42
4. A 6-month-old infant with RSV bronchiolitis is in respiratory distress. Which
assessment finding would be most concerning?
A) Nasal flaring
B) Respiratory rate of 50 breaths/min
C) Grunting
D) Oxygen saturation of 92%
Answer: C
Rationale: Grunting is a sign of impending respiratory failure, indicating the infant is
using expiratory pressure to maintain functional residual capacity. Nasal flaring and
tachypnea are signs of respiratory distress but are less concerning than grunting.
Oxygen saturation of 92% is below normal but not as immediately concerning as
grunting .
5. Parotid gland enlargement, fever, myalgia, and tender salivary glands are
indicative of which condition?
A) Measles
B) Mumps
C) Rubella
D) Scarlet fever
Answer: B
Rationale: Mumps is characterized by parotid gland enlargement, fever, myalgia, and
tender salivary glands. Symptoms typically last 7-10 days. Complications include
orchitis (testicular inflammation) in postpubertal males, meningitis, and hearing loss .
6. A 3-day-old infant is diagnosed with hyperbilirubinemia. A bilirubin test is
required by capillary heel puncture. Which action by the nurse would be incorrect?
A) Wiping away the first drop of blood
B) Applying heel warmers to increase capillary blood flow
, Page 4 of 42
C) Squeezing the infant's heel while collecting the sample
D) Turning off the bilirubin treatment lights before collecting the sample
Answer: C
Rationale: Squeezing the infant's heel should be avoided as it causes hemolysis of the
specimen and can damage tissue. Turning off the bilirubin treatment lights before
collection is important because light exposure may alter the bilirubin level in the
sample. Cleansing the site and warming the area are correct techniques .
7. A child presents with fever, tonsillar exudates, tender anterior cervical lymph
nodes, and a sore throat without a cough. How many Centor criteria does this child
meet?
A) Two
B) Three
C) Four
D) One
Answer: C
Rationale: The Centor criteria for streptococcal pharyngitis include: tonsillar exudates,
lack of cough, fever, and tender anterior cervical lymphadenopathy. This patient meets
all four criteria, indicating a high likelihood of streptococcal pharyngitis requiring
empiric antibiotics .
8. The Centor criteria for streptococcal pharyngitis include all of the following
EXCEPT:
A) Fever
B) Tonsillar exudates
C) Cough
D) Tender anterior cervical lymphadenopathy
Answer: C
