ATI PEDIATRIC NURSING PRACTICE EXAMINATION
– STUDY GUIDE | LATEST UPDATE 2026/2027 | ACTUAL
EXAM | PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |
EXAM REVIEW | 100% CORRECT ANSWERS |
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
This comprehensive practice examination is designed for nursing students
preparing for the ATI Pediatric Nursing assessment and the NCLEX-RN®. It
integrates Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) clinical judgment concepts and covers
the full breadth of pediatric nursing, including growth and development, health
promotion, common pediatric illnesses, congenital conditions, medication
administration, dosage calculations, and family-centered care. The 100
advanced-level multiple-choice questions challenge your ability to apply
developmental principles to clinical scenarios, prioritize care, calculate pediatric
dosages accurately, and make sound evidence-based decisions. Each item reflects
the rigor of the ATI proctored pediatric nursing exam, with detailed rationales
explaining why the correct choice is optimal and why alternatives are incorrect.
Use this study guide to assess your mastery of pediatric nursing, identify
knowledge gaps, and build confidence for safe, compassionate care of children
and families.
Table of Contents
1. Growth and Development
2. Health Promotion and Immunizations
3. Pediatric Assessment and Vital Signs
4. Respiratory and Cardiovascular Disorders
5. Gastrointestinal, Renal, and Endocrine Disorders
6. Neurological, Musculoskeletal, and Integumentary Disorders
7. Hematology, Oncology, and Immunology
8. Pediatric Medication Administration and Dosage Calculations
9. Safety and Injury Prevention
10. Family-Centered Care and Psychosocial Issues
, 1. A 6-month-old infant is brought to the clinic for a well-child visit. Which
developmental milestone should the nurse expect the infant to have
achieved?
A) Sits unsupported
B) Roll from back to front
C) Uses a pincer grasp
D) Walks holding onto furniture
Correct Answer: B
By 6 months, an infant should be able to roll from back to front. Sitting
unsupported (A) typically occurs around 8 months; pincer grasp (C) around 9–10
months; walking holding on to furniture (D) around 10–12 months.
2. A 2-year-old child is brought to the clinic. The nurse should expect the child
to demonstrate which fine motor skill?
A) Draw a circle
B) Stack 6 to 7 blocks
C) Turn pages one at a time
D) Use a pincer grasp
Correct Answer: B
A 2-year-old can stack about 6 to 7 blocks. Drawing a circle (A) is expected at 3
years; turning pages one at a time (C) at 4 years; pincer grasp (D) is a 10-month
skill.
3. The nurse is assessing a 4-year-old child’s language development. Which
behavior is expected at this age?
A) Uses 2-word sentences
B) Names only family members
C) Tells simple stories and asks many “why” questions
D) Speaks only in the present tense
Correct Answer: C
A 4-year-old can tell simple stories, use complete sentences, and frequently asks
,“why.” Two-word sentences (A) occur at 2 years; naming family members (B) is a
2–3-year skill; speaking only in present tense (D) is not typical.
4. The nurse is teaching parents of a 9-month-old infant about safety. Which
statement by a parent indicates a need for further teaching?
A) “I will keep small objects out of reach.”
B) “I will place my baby on the back to sleep.”
C) “I will leave the baby in the walker while I shower.”
D) “I will use a rear-facing car seat.”
Correct Answer: C
Walkers are hazardous and should be avoided because they can tip over or allow
the infant to reach dangerous areas. The other statements reflect appropriate
safety and sleep practices.
5. A 3-year-old child is hospitalized. The nurse should understand that the
major stressor for a toddler is:
A) Loss of independence
B) Separation anxiety
C) Fear of death
D) Peer rejection
Correct Answer: B
Toddlers experience separation anxiety as the major stressor during hospitalization
because they lack understanding of time and fear abandonment. Loss of
independence (A) is more prominent in school-age children; fear of death (C) in
adolescents; peer rejection (D) in adolescents.
6. The nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection to a
6-month-old infant. Which site should the nurse use?
A) Deltoid
B) Vastus lateralis
C) Dorsogluteal
D) Ventrogluteal
, Correct Answer: B
The vastus lateralis is the preferred IM site for infants because it is well developed,
free of major nerves and blood vessels. The deltoid is too small; dorsogluteal is not
used in infants due to sciatic nerve risk; ventrogluteal is appropriate for older
children and adults.
7. A 4-year-old child weighs 16 kg. The prescribed dose of acetaminophen is
10 mg/kg/dose every 6 hours. How many milligrams should the nurse
administer per dose?
A) 100 mg
B) 160 mg
C) 200 mg
D) 320 mg
Correct Answer: B
Dose = 10 mg/kg × 16 kg = 160 mg per dose. The other options reflect incorrect
multiplication or unit conversion.
8. A child is prescribed amoxicillin 40 mg/kg/day divided every 8 hours. The
child weighs 22 kg. How many milligrams should the nurse administer per
dose?
A) 220 mg
B) 293 mg
C) 440 mg
D) 880 mg
Correct Answer: B
Total daily dose = 40 mg/kg × 22 kg = 880 mg/day. Divided every 8 hours = 3
doses/day. Per dose = 880 ÷ 3 ≈ 293 mg. The other options reflect incorrect daily
total or division.
9. The nurse is caring for a child with acute glomerulonephritis. Which finding
should the nurse expect?
A) Hypokalemia
B) Hypertension and dark, tea-colored urine
– STUDY GUIDE | LATEST UPDATE 2026/2027 | ACTUAL
EXAM | PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |
EXAM REVIEW | 100% CORRECT ANSWERS |
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
This comprehensive practice examination is designed for nursing students
preparing for the ATI Pediatric Nursing assessment and the NCLEX-RN®. It
integrates Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) clinical judgment concepts and covers
the full breadth of pediatric nursing, including growth and development, health
promotion, common pediatric illnesses, congenital conditions, medication
administration, dosage calculations, and family-centered care. The 100
advanced-level multiple-choice questions challenge your ability to apply
developmental principles to clinical scenarios, prioritize care, calculate pediatric
dosages accurately, and make sound evidence-based decisions. Each item reflects
the rigor of the ATI proctored pediatric nursing exam, with detailed rationales
explaining why the correct choice is optimal and why alternatives are incorrect.
Use this study guide to assess your mastery of pediatric nursing, identify
knowledge gaps, and build confidence for safe, compassionate care of children
and families.
Table of Contents
1. Growth and Development
2. Health Promotion and Immunizations
3. Pediatric Assessment and Vital Signs
4. Respiratory and Cardiovascular Disorders
5. Gastrointestinal, Renal, and Endocrine Disorders
6. Neurological, Musculoskeletal, and Integumentary Disorders
7. Hematology, Oncology, and Immunology
8. Pediatric Medication Administration and Dosage Calculations
9. Safety and Injury Prevention
10. Family-Centered Care and Psychosocial Issues
, 1. A 6-month-old infant is brought to the clinic for a well-child visit. Which
developmental milestone should the nurse expect the infant to have
achieved?
A) Sits unsupported
B) Roll from back to front
C) Uses a pincer grasp
D) Walks holding onto furniture
Correct Answer: B
By 6 months, an infant should be able to roll from back to front. Sitting
unsupported (A) typically occurs around 8 months; pincer grasp (C) around 9–10
months; walking holding on to furniture (D) around 10–12 months.
2. A 2-year-old child is brought to the clinic. The nurse should expect the child
to demonstrate which fine motor skill?
A) Draw a circle
B) Stack 6 to 7 blocks
C) Turn pages one at a time
D) Use a pincer grasp
Correct Answer: B
A 2-year-old can stack about 6 to 7 blocks. Drawing a circle (A) is expected at 3
years; turning pages one at a time (C) at 4 years; pincer grasp (D) is a 10-month
skill.
3. The nurse is assessing a 4-year-old child’s language development. Which
behavior is expected at this age?
A) Uses 2-word sentences
B) Names only family members
C) Tells simple stories and asks many “why” questions
D) Speaks only in the present tense
Correct Answer: C
A 4-year-old can tell simple stories, use complete sentences, and frequently asks
,“why.” Two-word sentences (A) occur at 2 years; naming family members (B) is a
2–3-year skill; speaking only in present tense (D) is not typical.
4. The nurse is teaching parents of a 9-month-old infant about safety. Which
statement by a parent indicates a need for further teaching?
A) “I will keep small objects out of reach.”
B) “I will place my baby on the back to sleep.”
C) “I will leave the baby in the walker while I shower.”
D) “I will use a rear-facing car seat.”
Correct Answer: C
Walkers are hazardous and should be avoided because they can tip over or allow
the infant to reach dangerous areas. The other statements reflect appropriate
safety and sleep practices.
5. A 3-year-old child is hospitalized. The nurse should understand that the
major stressor for a toddler is:
A) Loss of independence
B) Separation anxiety
C) Fear of death
D) Peer rejection
Correct Answer: B
Toddlers experience separation anxiety as the major stressor during hospitalization
because they lack understanding of time and fear abandonment. Loss of
independence (A) is more prominent in school-age children; fear of death (C) in
adolescents; peer rejection (D) in adolescents.
6. The nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection to a
6-month-old infant. Which site should the nurse use?
A) Deltoid
B) Vastus lateralis
C) Dorsogluteal
D) Ventrogluteal
, Correct Answer: B
The vastus lateralis is the preferred IM site for infants because it is well developed,
free of major nerves and blood vessels. The deltoid is too small; dorsogluteal is not
used in infants due to sciatic nerve risk; ventrogluteal is appropriate for older
children and adults.
7. A 4-year-old child weighs 16 kg. The prescribed dose of acetaminophen is
10 mg/kg/dose every 6 hours. How many milligrams should the nurse
administer per dose?
A) 100 mg
B) 160 mg
C) 200 mg
D) 320 mg
Correct Answer: B
Dose = 10 mg/kg × 16 kg = 160 mg per dose. The other options reflect incorrect
multiplication or unit conversion.
8. A child is prescribed amoxicillin 40 mg/kg/day divided every 8 hours. The
child weighs 22 kg. How many milligrams should the nurse administer per
dose?
A) 220 mg
B) 293 mg
C) 440 mg
D) 880 mg
Correct Answer: B
Total daily dose = 40 mg/kg × 22 kg = 880 mg/day. Divided every 8 hours = 3
doses/day. Per dose = 880 ÷ 3 ≈ 293 mg. The other options reflect incorrect daily
total or division.
9. The nurse is caring for a child with acute glomerulonephritis. Which finding
should the nurse expect?
A) Hypokalemia
B) Hypertension and dark, tea-colored urine
