BSN Pediatric Nursing Examination Practice
Questions & [Verified Answers], Plus
Explained Rationales|2026 Latest Update|
Instant Download PDF
1.
A 6-month-old infant is admitted with signs of severe dehydration from
acute gastroenteritis. Which finding requires the nurse's immediate
attention?
A. Sunken anterior fontanelle
B. Dry mucous membranes
C. Capillary refill of 5 seconds
D. Decreased urine output
Answer: C. Capillary refill of 5 seconds
Rationale: A capillary refill time of 5 seconds indicates significant
peripheral perfusion impairment and possible hypovolemic shock.
Severe dehydration in an infant can progress rapidly to circulatory
collapse, making restoration of perfusion the immediate priority.
2.
The nurse is assessing a 2-year-old child. Which developmental
behavior is most appropriate for this age?
A. Cooperative parallel play
B. Abstract reasoning
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,C. Consistent sharing with peers
D. Understanding conservation of volume
Answer: A. Cooperative parallel play
Rationale: Toddlers commonly engage in parallel play, in which
children play beside one another with limited direct interaction.
Abstract reasoning and understanding conservation develop later,
and consistent sharing is not typically established during the toddler
period.
3.
A child with suspected epiglottitis is brought to the emergency
department. Which nursing action is most appropriate?
A. Inspect the throat with a tongue blade
B. Obtain a throat culture immediately
C. Keep the child calm and prepare for airway management
D. Place the child supine for examination
Answer: C. Keep the child calm and prepare for airway management
Rationale: Epiglottitis can cause sudden, life-threatening airway
obstruction. Agitation and invasive throat examination can
precipitate complete airway obstruction. The child should be kept
calm, allowed to assume a position of comfort, and managed with
immediate airway support by an appropriate team.
4.
A nurse is teaching parents about administering oral iron to their
toddler. Which instruction is correct?
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,A. Give the medication with milk
B. Give the medication with orange juice
C. Mix the medication with a full bottle of formula
D. Administer the medication immediately before bedtime
Answer: B. Give the medication with orange juice
Rationale: Vitamin C enhances iron absorption. Milk can decrease iron
absorption, and medications should not routinely be mixed into an
entire bottle because the child may not consume the complete dose.
Liquid iron may temporarily discolor teeth, so appropriate
administration and oral hygiene should also be discussed.
5.
A child with tetralogy of Fallot suddenly develops severe cyanosis and
respiratory distress while crying. Which intervention should the nurse
perform first?
A. Place the child in the knee-chest position
B. Administer oral fluids
C. Encourage ambulation
D. Place the child flat in bed
Answer: A. Place the child in the knee-chest position
Rationale: The knee-chest position increases systemic vascular
resistance, reducing right-to-left shunting and improving pulmonary
blood flow during a hypercyanotic or "tet" spell. The child should also
receive oxygen and emergency treatment as indicated.
6.
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, Which finding is most characteristic of nephrotic syndrome in a child?
A. Generalized edema
B. Severe hypertension with hematuria
C. Persistent dry cough
D. Polyuria and excessive thirst
Answer: A. Generalized edema
Rationale: Nephrotic syndrome causes increased glomerular
permeability, resulting in substantial protein loss in the urine,
hypoalbuminemia, and generalized edema. Proteinuria is a major
diagnostic feature.
7.
A child with asthma develops acute wheezing and respiratory distress.
Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering for rapid
bronchodilation?
A. Montelukast
B. Albuterol
C. Fluticasone
D. Cromolyn
Answer: B. Albuterol
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist used
for rapid relief of acute bronchospasm. Inhaled corticosteroids such as
fluticasone are primarily controller medications rather than
immediate rescue therapy.
8.
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Questions & [Verified Answers], Plus
Explained Rationales|2026 Latest Update|
Instant Download PDF
1.
A 6-month-old infant is admitted with signs of severe dehydration from
acute gastroenteritis. Which finding requires the nurse's immediate
attention?
A. Sunken anterior fontanelle
B. Dry mucous membranes
C. Capillary refill of 5 seconds
D. Decreased urine output
Answer: C. Capillary refill of 5 seconds
Rationale: A capillary refill time of 5 seconds indicates significant
peripheral perfusion impairment and possible hypovolemic shock.
Severe dehydration in an infant can progress rapidly to circulatory
collapse, making restoration of perfusion the immediate priority.
2.
The nurse is assessing a 2-year-old child. Which developmental
behavior is most appropriate for this age?
A. Cooperative parallel play
B. Abstract reasoning
1|Page
,C. Consistent sharing with peers
D. Understanding conservation of volume
Answer: A. Cooperative parallel play
Rationale: Toddlers commonly engage in parallel play, in which
children play beside one another with limited direct interaction.
Abstract reasoning and understanding conservation develop later,
and consistent sharing is not typically established during the toddler
period.
3.
A child with suspected epiglottitis is brought to the emergency
department. Which nursing action is most appropriate?
A. Inspect the throat with a tongue blade
B. Obtain a throat culture immediately
C. Keep the child calm and prepare for airway management
D. Place the child supine for examination
Answer: C. Keep the child calm and prepare for airway management
Rationale: Epiglottitis can cause sudden, life-threatening airway
obstruction. Agitation and invasive throat examination can
precipitate complete airway obstruction. The child should be kept
calm, allowed to assume a position of comfort, and managed with
immediate airway support by an appropriate team.
4.
A nurse is teaching parents about administering oral iron to their
toddler. Which instruction is correct?
2|Page
,A. Give the medication with milk
B. Give the medication with orange juice
C. Mix the medication with a full bottle of formula
D. Administer the medication immediately before bedtime
Answer: B. Give the medication with orange juice
Rationale: Vitamin C enhances iron absorption. Milk can decrease iron
absorption, and medications should not routinely be mixed into an
entire bottle because the child may not consume the complete dose.
Liquid iron may temporarily discolor teeth, so appropriate
administration and oral hygiene should also be discussed.
5.
A child with tetralogy of Fallot suddenly develops severe cyanosis and
respiratory distress while crying. Which intervention should the nurse
perform first?
A. Place the child in the knee-chest position
B. Administer oral fluids
C. Encourage ambulation
D. Place the child flat in bed
Answer: A. Place the child in the knee-chest position
Rationale: The knee-chest position increases systemic vascular
resistance, reducing right-to-left shunting and improving pulmonary
blood flow during a hypercyanotic or "tet" spell. The child should also
receive oxygen and emergency treatment as indicated.
6.
3|Page
, Which finding is most characteristic of nephrotic syndrome in a child?
A. Generalized edema
B. Severe hypertension with hematuria
C. Persistent dry cough
D. Polyuria and excessive thirst
Answer: A. Generalized edema
Rationale: Nephrotic syndrome causes increased glomerular
permeability, resulting in substantial protein loss in the urine,
hypoalbuminemia, and generalized edema. Proteinuria is a major
diagnostic feature.
7.
A child with asthma develops acute wheezing and respiratory distress.
Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering for rapid
bronchodilation?
A. Montelukast
B. Albuterol
C. Fluticasone
D. Cromolyn
Answer: B. Albuterol
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist used
for rapid relief of acute bronchospasm. Inhaled corticosteroids such as
fluticasone are primarily controller medications rather than
immediate rescue therapy.
8.
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