ATI RN Pediatric Nursing Online Comprehensive Exam Review
2026/2027 Questions and Answers with Rationales
1.
A nurse is assessing a 2-month-old infant. Which finding should the nurse expect?
A. Sitting without support
B. Smiling responsively
C. Walking independently
D. Using a pincer grasp
Answer: B. Smiling responsively
Rationale: Around 2 months, infants commonly develop social smiling, begin
cooing, and demonstrate improved visual tracking. Sitting independently and
walking occur later.
2.
A nurse is assessing a 4-month-old infant. Which finding is expected?
A. Rolls from abdomen to back
B. Walks with assistance
C. Uses two-word phrases
D. Climbs stairs independently
Answer: A. Rolls from abdomen to back
Rationale: Rolling from abdomen to back commonly develops around 4 months.
More advanced gross-motor and language skills develop later.
3.
A nurse is teaching parents about safe sleep for an infant. Which statement
indicates understanding?
,A. "I will place my baby on the back on a firm sleep surface."
B. "I will place pillows around my baby."
C. "I will let my baby sleep on the sofa."
D. "I will use loose blankets to keep my baby warm."
Answer: A. "I will place my baby on the back on a firm sleep surface."
Rationale: Supine positioning on a firm, flat surface without loose bedding,
pillows, or soft objects reduces the risk of sleep-related infant death.
4.
A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant. Which developmental milestone is
expected?
A. Sits with support
B. Runs independently
C. Uses four-word sentences
D. Copies a triangle
Answer: A. Sits with support
Rationale: Around 6 months, infants commonly sit with support, roll, transfer
objects between hands, and babble.
5.
A nurse is teaching the parent of a 6-month-old about introducing solid foods.
Which food is appropriate?
A. Iron-fortified cereal
B. Whole grapes
C. Honey
D. Whole peanuts
Answer: A. Iron-fortified cereal
,Rationale: Iron-fortified infant cereal is an appropriate complementary food when
developmentally ready. Honey is avoided until after 12 months, and whole grapes
and peanuts are choking hazards.
6.
A nurse is assessing a 9-month-old infant. Which finding is expected?
A. Pulls to a standing position
B. Rides a tricycle
C. Hops on one foot
D. Uses complete sentences
Answer: A. Pulls to a standing position
Rationale: Pulling to stand is a common gross-motor milestone around 9 months.
7.
A nurse is assessing a 12-month-old child. Which finding is expected?
A. Walks with assistance
B. Reads simple words
C. Uses complex sentences
D. Skips using alternate feet
Answer: A. Walks with assistance
Rationale: Many children begin walking around 12 months, although the normal
range is broad. More advanced motor and language skills develop later.
8.
A nurse is assessing a toddler. Which type of play should the nurse expect?
, A. Parallel play
B. Competitive team play
C. Abstract play
D. Cooperative adult play
Answer: A. Parallel play
Rationale: Toddlers commonly play beside other children without sustained
cooperative interaction.
9.
A toddler becomes upset when the parent leaves the hospital room. Which
behavior is the child demonstrating?
A. Separation anxiety
B. Concrete reasoning
C. Formal operational thinking
D. Regression caused by psychosis
Answer: A. Separation anxiety
Rationale: Separation anxiety is common during infancy and toddlerhood.
Familiar routines, objects, and parental presence can reduce distress.
10.
A nurse is preparing a toddler for an injection. Which approach is best?
A. Use simple, concrete language
B. Provide a lengthy explanation
C. Tell the child the injection will not hurt
D. Ask the parent to leave
Answer: A. Use simple, concrete language
Rationale: Toddlers have limited understanding of abstract concepts. Brief,
concrete explanations and distraction are developmentally appropriate.
2026/2027 Questions and Answers with Rationales
1.
A nurse is assessing a 2-month-old infant. Which finding should the nurse expect?
A. Sitting without support
B. Smiling responsively
C. Walking independently
D. Using a pincer grasp
Answer: B. Smiling responsively
Rationale: Around 2 months, infants commonly develop social smiling, begin
cooing, and demonstrate improved visual tracking. Sitting independently and
walking occur later.
2.
A nurse is assessing a 4-month-old infant. Which finding is expected?
A. Rolls from abdomen to back
B. Walks with assistance
C. Uses two-word phrases
D. Climbs stairs independently
Answer: A. Rolls from abdomen to back
Rationale: Rolling from abdomen to back commonly develops around 4 months.
More advanced gross-motor and language skills develop later.
3.
A nurse is teaching parents about safe sleep for an infant. Which statement
indicates understanding?
,A. "I will place my baby on the back on a firm sleep surface."
B. "I will place pillows around my baby."
C. "I will let my baby sleep on the sofa."
D. "I will use loose blankets to keep my baby warm."
Answer: A. "I will place my baby on the back on a firm sleep surface."
Rationale: Supine positioning on a firm, flat surface without loose bedding,
pillows, or soft objects reduces the risk of sleep-related infant death.
4.
A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant. Which developmental milestone is
expected?
A. Sits with support
B. Runs independently
C. Uses four-word sentences
D. Copies a triangle
Answer: A. Sits with support
Rationale: Around 6 months, infants commonly sit with support, roll, transfer
objects between hands, and babble.
5.
A nurse is teaching the parent of a 6-month-old about introducing solid foods.
Which food is appropriate?
A. Iron-fortified cereal
B. Whole grapes
C. Honey
D. Whole peanuts
Answer: A. Iron-fortified cereal
,Rationale: Iron-fortified infant cereal is an appropriate complementary food when
developmentally ready. Honey is avoided until after 12 months, and whole grapes
and peanuts are choking hazards.
6.
A nurse is assessing a 9-month-old infant. Which finding is expected?
A. Pulls to a standing position
B. Rides a tricycle
C. Hops on one foot
D. Uses complete sentences
Answer: A. Pulls to a standing position
Rationale: Pulling to stand is a common gross-motor milestone around 9 months.
7.
A nurse is assessing a 12-month-old child. Which finding is expected?
A. Walks with assistance
B. Reads simple words
C. Uses complex sentences
D. Skips using alternate feet
Answer: A. Walks with assistance
Rationale: Many children begin walking around 12 months, although the normal
range is broad. More advanced motor and language skills develop later.
8.
A nurse is assessing a toddler. Which type of play should the nurse expect?
, A. Parallel play
B. Competitive team play
C. Abstract play
D. Cooperative adult play
Answer: A. Parallel play
Rationale: Toddlers commonly play beside other children without sustained
cooperative interaction.
9.
A toddler becomes upset when the parent leaves the hospital room. Which
behavior is the child demonstrating?
A. Separation anxiety
B. Concrete reasoning
C. Formal operational thinking
D. Regression caused by psychosis
Answer: A. Separation anxiety
Rationale: Separation anxiety is common during infancy and toddlerhood.
Familiar routines, objects, and parental presence can reduce distress.
10.
A nurse is preparing a toddler for an injection. Which approach is best?
A. Use simple, concrete language
B. Provide a lengthy explanation
C. Tell the child the injection will not hurt
D. Ask the parent to leave
Answer: A. Use simple, concrete language
Rationale: Toddlers have limited understanding of abstract concepts. Brief,
concrete explanations and distraction are developmentally appropriate.
