Pediatric Nursing (NSG 3600) Comprehensive Practice Exa… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
✓ VERIFIED • 2026 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
Pediatric Nursing (NSG 3600) Comprehensive
Practice Exam 2026 UPDATE
Actual Exam Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations)
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Full Rationales
Status: Verified & Updated for 2026
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 1
,Pediatric Nursing (NSG 3600) Comprehensive Practice Exa… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. According to Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development, what is the primary
developmental task for a toddler aged 1 to 3 years?
A. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
B. Trust vs. Mistrust
C. Initiative vs. Guilt
D. Industry vs. Inferiority
Answer: A
Rationale: Toddlers are working on mastering their own bodies and environment; failure to do so results in
shame and doubt. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related
distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports
safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
2. A nurse is assessing an infant with suspected pyloric stenosis. Which finding is considered
a hallmark sign of this condition?
A. Projectile vomiting after feeding
B. Ribbon-like stools
C. Currant jelly-like stools
D. Bile-stained emesis
Answer: A
Rationale: Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis causes an obstruction that leads to forceful, non- bilious projectile
vomiting. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide
accurate patient education. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related
distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
3. A child is brought to the emergency department with suspected epiglottitis. Which nursing
action is the priority?
A. Obtain a throat culture immediately
B. Place the child in a supine position
C. Assess the child’s throat using a tongue blade
D. Prepare for immediate airway management and intubation
Answer: D
Rationale: Epiglottitis is a medical emergency. Avoid throat examination as it can cause total airway
obstruction. Airway maintenance is the priority. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care,
anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education. Exam questions often test the ability to
distinguish this concept from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 2
, Pediatric Nursing (NSG 3600) Comprehensive Practice Exa… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to an infant. The infant’s apical pulse is 80 beats
per minute. What is the most appropriate action?
A. Administer the medication as ordered
B. Re-check the pulse in 30 minutes
C. Withhold the dose and notify the provider
D. Administer half of the ordered dose
Answer: C
Rationale: Digoxin is typically held in infants if the heart rate is below 90-110 beats per minute to avoid toxicity.
This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (C) requires understanding both the
pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize
care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education.
5. Which position should a nurse place a child in who is experiencing a ‘tet spell’
(hypercyanotic spell) during Tetralogy of Fallot?
A. Prone position
B. High-Fowler’s position
C. Trendelenburg position
D. Knee-chest position
Answer: D
Rationale: The knee-chest position increases systemic vascular resistance, which helps shunt blood into the
pulmonary circulation. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications,
and provide accurate patient education. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from
closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
6. Which clinical manifestation is characteristic of Hirschsprung disease in a newborn?
A. Excessive hunger
B. Frequent watery diarrhea
C. Bright red blood in the stool
D. Failure to pass meconium within the first 24 to 48 hours
Answer: D
Rationale: Hirschsprung disease involves an absence of ganglion cells in the colon, preventing peristalsis and
meconium passage. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and
improves patient outcomes. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (D)
requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 3
✓ VERIFIED • 2026 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
Pediatric Nursing (NSG 3600) Comprehensive
Practice Exam 2026 UPDATE
Actual Exam Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations)
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Full Rationales
Status: Verified & Updated for 2026
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 1
,Pediatric Nursing (NSG 3600) Comprehensive Practice Exa… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. According to Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development, what is the primary
developmental task for a toddler aged 1 to 3 years?
A. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
B. Trust vs. Mistrust
C. Initiative vs. Guilt
D. Industry vs. Inferiority
Answer: A
Rationale: Toddlers are working on mastering their own bodies and environment; failure to do so results in
shame and doubt. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related
distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports
safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
2. A nurse is assessing an infant with suspected pyloric stenosis. Which finding is considered
a hallmark sign of this condition?
A. Projectile vomiting after feeding
B. Ribbon-like stools
C. Currant jelly-like stools
D. Bile-stained emesis
Answer: A
Rationale: Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis causes an obstruction that leads to forceful, non- bilious projectile
vomiting. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide
accurate patient education. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related
distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
3. A child is brought to the emergency department with suspected epiglottitis. Which nursing
action is the priority?
A. Obtain a throat culture immediately
B. Place the child in a supine position
C. Assess the child’s throat using a tongue blade
D. Prepare for immediate airway management and intubation
Answer: D
Rationale: Epiglottitis is a medical emergency. Avoid throat examination as it can cause total airway
obstruction. Airway maintenance is the priority. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care,
anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education. Exam questions often test the ability to
distinguish this concept from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 2
, Pediatric Nursing (NSG 3600) Comprehensive Practice Exa… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to an infant. The infant’s apical pulse is 80 beats
per minute. What is the most appropriate action?
A. Administer the medication as ordered
B. Re-check the pulse in 30 minutes
C. Withhold the dose and notify the provider
D. Administer half of the ordered dose
Answer: C
Rationale: Digoxin is typically held in infants if the heart rate is below 90-110 beats per minute to avoid toxicity.
This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (C) requires understanding both the
pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize
care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education.
5. Which position should a nurse place a child in who is experiencing a ‘tet spell’
(hypercyanotic spell) during Tetralogy of Fallot?
A. Prone position
B. High-Fowler’s position
C. Trendelenburg position
D. Knee-chest position
Answer: D
Rationale: The knee-chest position increases systemic vascular resistance, which helps shunt blood into the
pulmonary circulation. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications,
and provide accurate patient education. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from
closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
6. Which clinical manifestation is characteristic of Hirschsprung disease in a newborn?
A. Excessive hunger
B. Frequent watery diarrhea
C. Bright red blood in the stool
D. Failure to pass meconium within the first 24 to 48 hours
Answer: D
Rationale: Hirschsprung disease involves an absence of ganglion cells in the colon, preventing peristalsis and
meconium passage. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and
improves patient outcomes. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (D)
requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 3
