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WONG'S ESSENTIALS OF PEDIATRIC NURSING
EXAM LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026 EDITION
Wong's Essentials of Pediatric Nursing Exam: 250 Practice Questions with
Rationales
DOMAIN 1: PERSPECTIVES OF PEDIATRIC NURSING AND ATRAUMATIC CARE (50
Questions)
1. A nurse is preparing a hospitalized preschool child for a venipuncture. According
to Wong's Essentials, which intervention best reflects the principle of atraumatic
care?
A) Tell the child, "The pain will be brief, just like a bug bite" to minimize anxiety
B) Administer an oral analgesic thirty minutes before the procedure to reduce pain
perception
C) Allow the child to play with a doll and medical equipment to express fear and
aggression before the procedure
D) Have the parent leave the room so the child can focus on the nurse's instructions
Answer: C) Allow the child to play with a doll and medical equipment to express
fear and aggression before the procedure
Rationale: Atraumatic care is based on three principles: preventing or minimizing
separation from family, promoting a sense of control, and preventing or minimizing
bodily injury and pain. Allowing play with medical equipment helps the child express
fear and aggression, promoting a sense of control . Preschool children are particularly
concerned about bodily integrity. A topical anesthetic should be used to eliminate pain,
and the nurse should not promise one attempt in case multiple attempts are required .
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2. A nurse is teaching a family about the Bright Futures program. Which initiatives
are included in this health promotion program? Select all that apply.
A) Encouraging use of community resources
B) Promotion of healthy eating habits
C) After-school activities as a source of engagement
D) Providing a safe environment
E) Providing mental health services as needed
Answer: A, B, D, E
Rationale: Bright Futures focuses on promoting community resources,
nutritional/healthy eating habits, focusing on a safe environment to avoid injury, and
providing mental health services as needed. After-school activities are not a part of the
available services, and health and sexuality teaching is an offered service, not a
restricted service .
3. The nurse is implementing atraumatic care for a child undergoing a painful
procedure. Which nursing action best prevents or minimizes bodily injury and pain?
A) Allow the parent to stay with the child during the procedure
B) Offer the child a choice of which arm to use for the venipuncture
C) Use a topical anesthetic agent before the procedure
D) Explain the procedure using age-appropriate language
Answer: C) Use a topical anesthetic agent before the procedure
Rationale: The three principles of atraumatic care are: (1) prevent or minimize the child's
separation from the family, (2) promote a sense of control, and (3) prevent or minimize
bodily injury and pain. Using a topical anesthetic directly prevents or minimizes pain,
addressing the third principle .
4. A nurse is caring for a hospitalized adolescent. According to pediatric nursing
perspectives, which statement accurately describes the patient's rights?
A) The patient, not the family, is the unit of care for the healthcare provider
B) The patient and family together are the unit of care
C) Healthcare decisions can be made without involving the adolescent
D) Discharge planning begins when the physician writes the order
Answer: B) The patient and family together are the unit of care
Rationale: The patient and family is the unit of care for the healthcare provider.
Discharge planning begins when the patient is admitted, not when the physician writes
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the order. Health promotion provides opportunities to reduce differences in current
health status among members of different groups .
5. The nurse is applying ethical principles in pediatric practice. Which principle
refers to the obligation to promote the patient's well-being?
A) Autonomy
B) Beneficence
C) Justice
D) Nonmaleficence
Answer: B) Beneficence
Rationale: Beneficence is the obligation to promote the patient's well-being. Autonomy
refers to the patient's right to be self-governing. Justice is the concept of fairness . These
ethical principles guide pediatric nursing practice.
6. A nurse is providing health teaching to parents of a preschool child. Which
statement by the nurse reflects an understanding of health promotion for this age
group?
A) "Your child's nutritional needs are best met by following a strict feeding schedule"
B) "Eating preferences and attitudes related to food are established by family influences
and cultures"
C) "Children this age should not be allowed to make any food choices"
D) "Food preferences are biologically determined and cannot be changed"
Answer: B) "Eating preferences and attitudes related to food are established by
family influences and cultures"
Rationale: Eating preferences and attitudes related to food are established by family
influences and cultures. During adolescence, parental influence diminishes and
adolescents make food choices related to peer acceptability and sociability.
Breastfeeding provides micronutrients and immunological properties .
7. A nurse is educating parents about injury prevention based on developmental
stage. Which statement correctly identifies an injury risk for the corresponding
developmental stage?
A) "A newborn may roll over and fall off an elevated surface"
B) "Toddlers are at risk for poisoning because they explore their environment orally"
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C) "School-age children are at greatest risk for drowning"
D) "Adolescents have a lower risk of motor vehicle accidents than younger children"
Answer: B) "Toddlers are at risk for poisoning because they explore their
environment orally"
Rationale: Injuries are the most common cause of death and disability in children in the
United States. Toddlers explore their environment orally and are at risk for poisoning.
Newborns do not roll over, school-age children are at risk for pedestrian injuries, and
adolescents have a high risk of motor vehicle accidents .
8. The nurse is preparing an educational workshop on atraumatic care. Which
intervention should be included to promote a sense of control for the hospitalized
child?
A) Prepare the child that parents will not be able to stay during hospitalization
B) Help the child accept the pain associated with procedures
C) Tell the child that the loss of control and privacy in the hospital is temporary
D) Provide the child with play activities for expression of fear and aggression
Answer: D) Provide the child with play activities for expression of fear and
aggression
Rationale: Allowing the child play activities for the expression of fear and aggression is a
principle of atraumatic care. Other components include preventing or minimizing
separation from family, minimizing bodily injury and pain, and promoting a sense of
control and privacy .
9. A nurse is assessing the leading causes of death in children over 1 year of age.
Which cause is the most common?
A) Congenital anomalies
B) Cancer
C) Motor vehicle accidents
D) Drowning
Answer: C) Motor vehicle accidents
Rationale: Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death in children over 1 year
of age. Motor vehicle accidents surpass congenital anomalies and cancer as the
primary cause of mortality in this age group .
WONG'S ESSENTIALS OF PEDIATRIC NURSING
EXAM LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026 EDITION
Wong's Essentials of Pediatric Nursing Exam: 250 Practice Questions with
Rationales
DOMAIN 1: PERSPECTIVES OF PEDIATRIC NURSING AND ATRAUMATIC CARE (50
Questions)
1. A nurse is preparing a hospitalized preschool child for a venipuncture. According
to Wong's Essentials, which intervention best reflects the principle of atraumatic
care?
A) Tell the child, "The pain will be brief, just like a bug bite" to minimize anxiety
B) Administer an oral analgesic thirty minutes before the procedure to reduce pain
perception
C) Allow the child to play with a doll and medical equipment to express fear and
aggression before the procedure
D) Have the parent leave the room so the child can focus on the nurse's instructions
Answer: C) Allow the child to play with a doll and medical equipment to express
fear and aggression before the procedure
Rationale: Atraumatic care is based on three principles: preventing or minimizing
separation from family, promoting a sense of control, and preventing or minimizing
bodily injury and pain. Allowing play with medical equipment helps the child express
fear and aggression, promoting a sense of control . Preschool children are particularly
concerned about bodily integrity. A topical anesthetic should be used to eliminate pain,
and the nurse should not promise one attempt in case multiple attempts are required .
, Page 2 of 88
2. A nurse is teaching a family about the Bright Futures program. Which initiatives
are included in this health promotion program? Select all that apply.
A) Encouraging use of community resources
B) Promotion of healthy eating habits
C) After-school activities as a source of engagement
D) Providing a safe environment
E) Providing mental health services as needed
Answer: A, B, D, E
Rationale: Bright Futures focuses on promoting community resources,
nutritional/healthy eating habits, focusing on a safe environment to avoid injury, and
providing mental health services as needed. After-school activities are not a part of the
available services, and health and sexuality teaching is an offered service, not a
restricted service .
3. The nurse is implementing atraumatic care for a child undergoing a painful
procedure. Which nursing action best prevents or minimizes bodily injury and pain?
A) Allow the parent to stay with the child during the procedure
B) Offer the child a choice of which arm to use for the venipuncture
C) Use a topical anesthetic agent before the procedure
D) Explain the procedure using age-appropriate language
Answer: C) Use a topical anesthetic agent before the procedure
Rationale: The three principles of atraumatic care are: (1) prevent or minimize the child's
separation from the family, (2) promote a sense of control, and (3) prevent or minimize
bodily injury and pain. Using a topical anesthetic directly prevents or minimizes pain,
addressing the third principle .
4. A nurse is caring for a hospitalized adolescent. According to pediatric nursing
perspectives, which statement accurately describes the patient's rights?
A) The patient, not the family, is the unit of care for the healthcare provider
B) The patient and family together are the unit of care
C) Healthcare decisions can be made without involving the adolescent
D) Discharge planning begins when the physician writes the order
Answer: B) The patient and family together are the unit of care
Rationale: The patient and family is the unit of care for the healthcare provider.
Discharge planning begins when the patient is admitted, not when the physician writes
, Page 3 of 88
the order. Health promotion provides opportunities to reduce differences in current
health status among members of different groups .
5. The nurse is applying ethical principles in pediatric practice. Which principle
refers to the obligation to promote the patient's well-being?
A) Autonomy
B) Beneficence
C) Justice
D) Nonmaleficence
Answer: B) Beneficence
Rationale: Beneficence is the obligation to promote the patient's well-being. Autonomy
refers to the patient's right to be self-governing. Justice is the concept of fairness . These
ethical principles guide pediatric nursing practice.
6. A nurse is providing health teaching to parents of a preschool child. Which
statement by the nurse reflects an understanding of health promotion for this age
group?
A) "Your child's nutritional needs are best met by following a strict feeding schedule"
B) "Eating preferences and attitudes related to food are established by family influences
and cultures"
C) "Children this age should not be allowed to make any food choices"
D) "Food preferences are biologically determined and cannot be changed"
Answer: B) "Eating preferences and attitudes related to food are established by
family influences and cultures"
Rationale: Eating preferences and attitudes related to food are established by family
influences and cultures. During adolescence, parental influence diminishes and
adolescents make food choices related to peer acceptability and sociability.
Breastfeeding provides micronutrients and immunological properties .
7. A nurse is educating parents about injury prevention based on developmental
stage. Which statement correctly identifies an injury risk for the corresponding
developmental stage?
A) "A newborn may roll over and fall off an elevated surface"
B) "Toddlers are at risk for poisoning because they explore their environment orally"
, Page 4 of 88
C) "School-age children are at greatest risk for drowning"
D) "Adolescents have a lower risk of motor vehicle accidents than younger children"
Answer: B) "Toddlers are at risk for poisoning because they explore their
environment orally"
Rationale: Injuries are the most common cause of death and disability in children in the
United States. Toddlers explore their environment orally and are at risk for poisoning.
Newborns do not roll over, school-age children are at risk for pedestrian injuries, and
adolescents have a high risk of motor vehicle accidents .
8. The nurse is preparing an educational workshop on atraumatic care. Which
intervention should be included to promote a sense of control for the hospitalized
child?
A) Prepare the child that parents will not be able to stay during hospitalization
B) Help the child accept the pain associated with procedures
C) Tell the child that the loss of control and privacy in the hospital is temporary
D) Provide the child with play activities for expression of fear and aggression
Answer: D) Provide the child with play activities for expression of fear and
aggression
Rationale: Allowing the child play activities for the expression of fear and aggression is a
principle of atraumatic care. Other components include preventing or minimizing
separation from family, minimizing bodily injury and pain, and promoting a sense of
control and privacy .
9. A nurse is assessing the leading causes of death in children over 1 year of age.
Which cause is the most common?
A) Congenital anomalies
B) Cancer
C) Motor vehicle accidents
D) Drowning
Answer: C) Motor vehicle accidents
Rationale: Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death in children over 1 year
of age. Motor vehicle accidents surpass congenital anomalies and cancer as the
primary cause of mortality in this age group .
