Page 1 of 89
ATI PN PEDIATRIC NURSING PROCTORED EXAM 2026 | NGN-
STYLE PRACTICE QUESTIONS EXAM QUESTIONS LATEST
VERSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026 EDITION
ATI PN Pediatric Nursing Proctored Exam 2026 | NGN-Style Practice Questions
EXAMINATION QUESTIONS
SECTION 1: GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT (Questions 1–30)
1. A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old child during a well-child visit. Which of the
following findings would indicate a potential developmental delay?
A) The child uses two-word phrases.
B) The child walks independently.
C) The child is unable to stack two blocks.
D) The child has a vocabulary of about 50 words.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The inability to stack two blocks at 2 years of age is a developmental delay
that requires further evaluation. Using two-word phrases, walking independently, and
having a vocabulary of about 50 words are all expected milestones for a 2-year-old .
2. According to Erikson's theory, a school-age child (6-12 years) is in which stage of
psychosocial development?
A) Trust vs. Mistrust
B) Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
C) Initiative vs. Guilt
D) Industry vs. Inferiority
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Correct Answer: D
Rationale: According to Erikson's psychosocial theory, the school-age child is in the
stage of Industry vs. Inferiority. During this stage, children develop a sense of
competence and achievement through learning new skills and completing tasks .
3. A nurse is assessing an adolescent client. Which behavior is consistent with
Piaget's formal operational stage?
A) The adolescent thinks concretely about objects.
B) The adolescent can think abstractly and use deductive reasoning.
C) The adolescent is egocentric and cannot see others' perspectives.
D) The adolescent relies on trial and error to solve problems.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Piaget's formal operational stage (12 years and older) is characterized by the
ability to think abstractly, use deductive reasoning, and consider hypothetical
situations .
4. A nurse is assessing a newborn. Which of the following reflexes should the nurse
expect to be present?
A) Moro reflex
B) Rooting reflex
C) Grasp reflex
D) All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: All of these reflexes—Moro, rooting, and grasp—are present at birth and are
expected in a healthy newborn .
5. A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to the parents of a 15-month-old child.
Which statement by the parent indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "We will start using time-out as a form of discipline."
B) "We will allow our child to use a sippy cup independently."
C) "We will begin toilet training now that our child is 15 months old."
D) "We will limit our child's daily screen time to 2 hours."
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Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Toilet training is usually not initiated until 18-24 months when the child
shows signs of readiness. At 15 months, toddlers should be encouraged to use a sippy
cup independently .
6. A nurse is assessing a 7-year-old child. According to Erikson's theory, which
developmental task is characteristic of this age group?
A) Developing a sense of trust
B) Developing a sense of industry
C) Developing a sense of autonomy
D) Developing a sense of identity
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A 7-year-old is in the school-age stage, which is Industry vs. Inferiority. This
stage focuses on developing competence and achievement through learning and
completing tasks .
7. A nurse is performing a developmental screening on a 12-month-old infant.
Which fine motor milestone should the infant have achieved?
A) Pincer grasp
B) Building a tower of two blocks
C) Scribbling spontaneously
D) Using a spoon without spilling
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: By 12 months, infants typically have developed a pincer grasp (using thumb
and forefinger to pick up small objects). Building a tower of two blocks usually occurs
around 15 months .
8. A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to parents of a toddler about home
safety. Which parent statement indicates correct understanding of safety
instructions?
A) "We will keep our child out of the sun between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m."
B) "We will move our child to a toddler bed when he’s 24 inches tall."
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C) "We will purchase a toy storage box with a lightweight lid."
D) "We will give our child peanuts as a healthy snack."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Heavy hinged lids can trap or injure a toddler. A lightweight lid, or no lid,
prevents potential harm or suffocation .
9. A nurse is caring for a hospitalized school-age child. Which intervention would
best support the child's developmental needs?
A) Allowing the child to choose meals from a menu
B) Providing the child with a coloring book and crayons
C) Encouraging the parents to stay with the child at all times
D) Allowing the child to make decisions about their care routine
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: School-age children are developing a sense of industry and autonomy.
Allowing them to make decisions about their care routine (e.g., choosing the order of
activities) supports their developmental needs and gives them a sense of control .
10. A nurse is caring for a 2-year-old child who is hospitalized. The parent must
leave for work. The child screams "Don't go!" and then becomes quiet and
withdrawn. This behavior indicates which phase of separation anxiety?
A) Protest phase
B) Despair phase
C) Detachment phase
D) Regression
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The despair phase is characterized by the child becoming withdrawn, quiet,
and sad. The protest phase is the initial screaming and clinging .
0. A nurse is assessing a newborn. Which of the following reflexes should the nurse
expect to be present?
A) Moro reflex
B) Rooting reflex
ATI PN PEDIATRIC NURSING PROCTORED EXAM 2026 | NGN-
STYLE PRACTICE QUESTIONS EXAM QUESTIONS LATEST
VERSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026 EDITION
ATI PN Pediatric Nursing Proctored Exam 2026 | NGN-Style Practice Questions
EXAMINATION QUESTIONS
SECTION 1: GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT (Questions 1–30)
1. A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old child during a well-child visit. Which of the
following findings would indicate a potential developmental delay?
A) The child uses two-word phrases.
B) The child walks independently.
C) The child is unable to stack two blocks.
D) The child has a vocabulary of about 50 words.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The inability to stack two blocks at 2 years of age is a developmental delay
that requires further evaluation. Using two-word phrases, walking independently, and
having a vocabulary of about 50 words are all expected milestones for a 2-year-old .
2. According to Erikson's theory, a school-age child (6-12 years) is in which stage of
psychosocial development?
A) Trust vs. Mistrust
B) Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
C) Initiative vs. Guilt
D) Industry vs. Inferiority
, Page 2 of 89
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: According to Erikson's psychosocial theory, the school-age child is in the
stage of Industry vs. Inferiority. During this stage, children develop a sense of
competence and achievement through learning new skills and completing tasks .
3. A nurse is assessing an adolescent client. Which behavior is consistent with
Piaget's formal operational stage?
A) The adolescent thinks concretely about objects.
B) The adolescent can think abstractly and use deductive reasoning.
C) The adolescent is egocentric and cannot see others' perspectives.
D) The adolescent relies on trial and error to solve problems.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Piaget's formal operational stage (12 years and older) is characterized by the
ability to think abstractly, use deductive reasoning, and consider hypothetical
situations .
4. A nurse is assessing a newborn. Which of the following reflexes should the nurse
expect to be present?
A) Moro reflex
B) Rooting reflex
C) Grasp reflex
D) All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: All of these reflexes—Moro, rooting, and grasp—are present at birth and are
expected in a healthy newborn .
5. A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to the parents of a 15-month-old child.
Which statement by the parent indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "We will start using time-out as a form of discipline."
B) "We will allow our child to use a sippy cup independently."
C) "We will begin toilet training now that our child is 15 months old."
D) "We will limit our child's daily screen time to 2 hours."
, Page 3 of 89
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Toilet training is usually not initiated until 18-24 months when the child
shows signs of readiness. At 15 months, toddlers should be encouraged to use a sippy
cup independently .
6. A nurse is assessing a 7-year-old child. According to Erikson's theory, which
developmental task is characteristic of this age group?
A) Developing a sense of trust
B) Developing a sense of industry
C) Developing a sense of autonomy
D) Developing a sense of identity
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A 7-year-old is in the school-age stage, which is Industry vs. Inferiority. This
stage focuses on developing competence and achievement through learning and
completing tasks .
7. A nurse is performing a developmental screening on a 12-month-old infant.
Which fine motor milestone should the infant have achieved?
A) Pincer grasp
B) Building a tower of two blocks
C) Scribbling spontaneously
D) Using a spoon without spilling
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: By 12 months, infants typically have developed a pincer grasp (using thumb
and forefinger to pick up small objects). Building a tower of two blocks usually occurs
around 15 months .
8. A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to parents of a toddler about home
safety. Which parent statement indicates correct understanding of safety
instructions?
A) "We will keep our child out of the sun between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m."
B) "We will move our child to a toddler bed when he’s 24 inches tall."
, Page 4 of 89
C) "We will purchase a toy storage box with a lightweight lid."
D) "We will give our child peanuts as a healthy snack."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Heavy hinged lids can trap or injure a toddler. A lightweight lid, or no lid,
prevents potential harm or suffocation .
9. A nurse is caring for a hospitalized school-age child. Which intervention would
best support the child's developmental needs?
A) Allowing the child to choose meals from a menu
B) Providing the child with a coloring book and crayons
C) Encouraging the parents to stay with the child at all times
D) Allowing the child to make decisions about their care routine
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: School-age children are developing a sense of industry and autonomy.
Allowing them to make decisions about their care routine (e.g., choosing the order of
activities) supports their developmental needs and gives them a sense of control .
10. A nurse is caring for a 2-year-old child who is hospitalized. The parent must
leave for work. The child screams "Don't go!" and then becomes quiet and
withdrawn. This behavior indicates which phase of separation anxiety?
A) Protest phase
B) Despair phase
C) Detachment phase
D) Regression
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The despair phase is characterized by the child becoming withdrawn, quiet,
and sad. The protest phase is the initial screaming and clinging .
0. A nurse is assessing a newborn. Which of the following reflexes should the nurse
expect to be present?
A) Moro reflex
B) Rooting reflex
