NSG 3600 Exam 2 – Pediatric Nursing
Complete Practice Questions - Galen College
(2026-2027)
QUESTIONS 1–50: Cardiac Defects & Cardiovascular
Disorders
QUESTION 1
A nurse is preparing a newborn with esophageal atresia for surgery. Which
preoperative positioning is most appropriate?
A) Supine with head of bed flat
B) Prone with head turned to the side
C) Supine with head elevated 30-40 degrees and turned sideways
D) Lateral recumbent with dependent lung down
Correct Answer: C) Supine with head elevated 30-40 degrees and
turned sideways
Rationale: Elevating the head 30-40 degrees (high Fowler's position) and
turning the head sideways helps prevent aspiration of secretions into the
lungs. Flat supine positioning increases aspiration risk, and prone is not
standard for esophageal atresia .
,QUESTION 2
A nurse is caring for an infant with suspected cystic fibrosis. Which finding
on assessment supports this diagnosis?
A) Bulky, greasy stools and failure to thrive
B) Salty-tasting skin and tears
C) Persistent wheezing and barrel chest
D) Clubbing of fingers and chronic cough
Correct Answer: B) Salty-tasting skin and tears
Rationale: Salty-tasting skin and tears are classic early signs of cystic fibrosis
due to elevated chloride concentration from defective chloride channel
transport .
QUESTION 3
A nurse is assessing a school-age child who presents with abrupt onset of
fever, sore throat, and pain with swallowing. On examination, the nurse
notes tonsillar erythema with exudate. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Viral pharyngitis
B) Streptococcal pharyngitis
C) Infectious mononucleosis
D) Allergic rhinitis
Correct Answer: B) Streptococcal pharyngitis
Rationale: Abrupt onset of fever, sore throat, pain with swallowing, tonsillar
erythema, and exudate are classic signs of bacterial (streptococcal)
pharyngitis. Viral typically has gradual onset and less exudate .
,QUESTION 4
A nurse is providing discharge instructions to parents after their child's
tonsillectomy. Which dietary instruction is correct?
A) "Offer orange juice and citrus fruits to provide vitamin C for healing."
B) "Avoid orange juice and highly seasoned foods for about 2 weeks."
C) "Encourage milk and ice cream to soothe the throat."
D) "Allow the child to eat whatever they want as tolerated."
Correct Answer: B) "Avoid orange juice and highly seasoned foods for
about 2 weeks."
Rationale: After tonsillectomy, the scab is most likely to be dislodged at 8-12
days. Avoid sharp foods (chips, nachos), highly seasoned food, and citrus
juices. Milk and ice cream are avoided because they coat the throat and
cause clearing, which may cause bleeding .
QUESTION 5
A child is recovering from a tonsillectomy. Which finding requires
immediate notification of the healthcare provider?
A) Complaints of a sore throat
B) Requesting ice chips
C) Frequent swallowing
D) Refusing to eat
Correct Answer: C) Frequent swallowing
Rationale: Frequent swallowing after a tonsillectomy can indicate bleeding.
Restlessness, increased pulse rate, and pallor are late signs. The child should
be taken directly to the emergency department for management .
, QUESTION 6
A nurse is assessing a newborn and notes excessive drooling and copious
secretions pooling in the mouth. What is the nurse's immediate priority?
A) Position the infant supine and suction the oropharynx
B) Recognize this as a medical emergency and prepare for immediate
intervention
C) Feed the infant slowly to help clear the secretions
D) Place the infant in Trendelenburg position to facilitate drainage
Correct Answer: B) Recognize this as a medical emergency and prepare
for immediate intervention
Rationale: Excessive drooling and secretions in a newborn are classic signs of
esophageal atresia, a medical emergency requiring immediate intervention to
prevent aspiration and respiratory compromise .
QUESTION 7
A nurse is caring for a child with heart failure who is receiving digoxin.
Which assessment finding indicates digoxin toxicity?
A) Tachycardia and hypertension
B) Bradycardia and vomiting
C) Polyuria and polydipsia
D) Hyperglycemia and glycosuria
Correct Answer: B) Bradycardia and vomiting
Rationale: Bradycardia and vomiting are classic signs of digoxin toxicity.
Other signs include nausea, visual disturbances, and cardiac arrhythmias .
Complete Practice Questions - Galen College
(2026-2027)
QUESTIONS 1–50: Cardiac Defects & Cardiovascular
Disorders
QUESTION 1
A nurse is preparing a newborn with esophageal atresia for surgery. Which
preoperative positioning is most appropriate?
A) Supine with head of bed flat
B) Prone with head turned to the side
C) Supine with head elevated 30-40 degrees and turned sideways
D) Lateral recumbent with dependent lung down
Correct Answer: C) Supine with head elevated 30-40 degrees and
turned sideways
Rationale: Elevating the head 30-40 degrees (high Fowler's position) and
turning the head sideways helps prevent aspiration of secretions into the
lungs. Flat supine positioning increases aspiration risk, and prone is not
standard for esophageal atresia .
,QUESTION 2
A nurse is caring for an infant with suspected cystic fibrosis. Which finding
on assessment supports this diagnosis?
A) Bulky, greasy stools and failure to thrive
B) Salty-tasting skin and tears
C) Persistent wheezing and barrel chest
D) Clubbing of fingers and chronic cough
Correct Answer: B) Salty-tasting skin and tears
Rationale: Salty-tasting skin and tears are classic early signs of cystic fibrosis
due to elevated chloride concentration from defective chloride channel
transport .
QUESTION 3
A nurse is assessing a school-age child who presents with abrupt onset of
fever, sore throat, and pain with swallowing. On examination, the nurse
notes tonsillar erythema with exudate. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Viral pharyngitis
B) Streptococcal pharyngitis
C) Infectious mononucleosis
D) Allergic rhinitis
Correct Answer: B) Streptococcal pharyngitis
Rationale: Abrupt onset of fever, sore throat, pain with swallowing, tonsillar
erythema, and exudate are classic signs of bacterial (streptococcal)
pharyngitis. Viral typically has gradual onset and less exudate .
,QUESTION 4
A nurse is providing discharge instructions to parents after their child's
tonsillectomy. Which dietary instruction is correct?
A) "Offer orange juice and citrus fruits to provide vitamin C for healing."
B) "Avoid orange juice and highly seasoned foods for about 2 weeks."
C) "Encourage milk and ice cream to soothe the throat."
D) "Allow the child to eat whatever they want as tolerated."
Correct Answer: B) "Avoid orange juice and highly seasoned foods for
about 2 weeks."
Rationale: After tonsillectomy, the scab is most likely to be dislodged at 8-12
days. Avoid sharp foods (chips, nachos), highly seasoned food, and citrus
juices. Milk and ice cream are avoided because they coat the throat and
cause clearing, which may cause bleeding .
QUESTION 5
A child is recovering from a tonsillectomy. Which finding requires
immediate notification of the healthcare provider?
A) Complaints of a sore throat
B) Requesting ice chips
C) Frequent swallowing
D) Refusing to eat
Correct Answer: C) Frequent swallowing
Rationale: Frequent swallowing after a tonsillectomy can indicate bleeding.
Restlessness, increased pulse rate, and pallor are late signs. The child should
be taken directly to the emergency department for management .
, QUESTION 6
A nurse is assessing a newborn and notes excessive drooling and copious
secretions pooling in the mouth. What is the nurse's immediate priority?
A) Position the infant supine and suction the oropharynx
B) Recognize this as a medical emergency and prepare for immediate
intervention
C) Feed the infant slowly to help clear the secretions
D) Place the infant in Trendelenburg position to facilitate drainage
Correct Answer: B) Recognize this as a medical emergency and prepare
for immediate intervention
Rationale: Excessive drooling and secretions in a newborn are classic signs of
esophageal atresia, a medical emergency requiring immediate intervention to
prevent aspiration and respiratory compromise .
QUESTION 7
A nurse is caring for a child with heart failure who is receiving digoxin.
Which assessment finding indicates digoxin toxicity?
A) Tachycardia and hypertension
B) Bradycardia and vomiting
C) Polyuria and polydipsia
D) Hyperglycemia and glycosuria
Correct Answer: B) Bradycardia and vomiting
Rationale: Bradycardia and vomiting are classic signs of digoxin toxicity.
Other signs include nausea, visual disturbances, and cardiac arrhythmias .
