ATI Comprehensive Predictor | Pediatrics Review Practice
Exam 2026 UPDATED ACTUAL Questions and CORRECT
Answers
1. A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant. Which of the following
developmental milestones should the nurse expect the infant to have achieved?
A. Rolling from back to stomach
B. Sitting unsupported for long periods
C. Walking while holding onto furniture
D. Using a neat pincer grasp
Answer: A
Rationale: By 6 months of age, infants should be able to roll from their back to their
stomach and vice versa. Sitting unsupported usually occurs around 8 months, walking
while holding furniture (cruising) at 11 months, and a neat pincer grasp at 11-12 months.
2. A nurse is providing teaching to the parent of an infant who has
gastroesophageal reflux (GER). Which of the following instructions should the
nurse include?
A. Place the infant in a car seat after feedings
B. Feed the infant larger meals less frequently
C. Thicken the infant’s formula with rice cereal
D. Position the infant on their stomach to sleep
Answer: C
Rationale: Thickening formula with rice cereal can help decrease the frequency of reflux
episodes. Placing an infant in a car seat can increase intra-abdominal pressure, and infants
should always sleep on their backs to prevent SIDS.
,3. A nurse is caring for a toddler who has a diagnosis of
laryngotracheobronchitis (croup). Which of the following findings is the priority
for the nurse to report to the provider?
A. Barking cough
B. Inspiratory stridor
C. Substernal retractions
D. Hoarseness
Answer: C
Rationale: While barking cough and stridor are common in croup, substernal retractions
indicate increased work of breathing and potential respiratory failure, making it the
priority finding.
4. A nurse is assessing a child who has suspected epiglottitis. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take?
A. Obtain a throat culture
B. Inspect the throat with a tongue depressor
C. Prepare the child for a lateral neck x-ray
D. Place the child in a supine position
Answer: C
Rationale: A lateral neck x-ray is used to confirm the ‘steeple sign’ or ‘thumb sign’
associated with epiglottitis. Throat cultures and inspections with tongue depressors are
contraindicated because they can cause a laryngospasm and airway obstruction.
, 5. A nurse is teaching a parent of a child with cystic fibrosis about nutrition.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Restrict salt intake during summer months
B. Limit fat intake to 10% of total calories
C. Provide a low-protein, high-carbohydrate diet
D. Administer pancreatic enzymes with meals and snacks
Answer: D
Rationale: Pancreatic enzymes are necessary to assist with the digestion and absorption of
fats and proteins and must be taken with all meals and snacks. Children with CF actually
need increased salt and a high-calorie, high-protein diet.
6. A school nurse is assessing a child who has pediculosis capitis (head lice).
Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Small, white flakes that easily blow off the hair
B. Circular patches of hair loss with red borders
C. Small, firm, silver-colored oval bodies attached to hair shafts
D. Honey-colored crusts on the scalp
Answer: C
Rationale: Nits (lice eggs) appear as small, firm, silver-colored oval bodies that are tightly
attached to the hair shaft, unlike dandruff which flakes off easily.
7. A nurse is assessing a child with Tetralogy of Fallot who is experiencing a
hypercyanotic (‘tet’) spell. Which of the following actions should the nurse take
first?
A. Place the child in a knee-chest position
B. Administer 100% oxygen via mask
C. Administer morphine sulfate intravenously
D. Prepare for immediate surgical intervention
Answer: A
Exam 2026 UPDATED ACTUAL Questions and CORRECT
Answers
1. A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant. Which of the following
developmental milestones should the nurse expect the infant to have achieved?
A. Rolling from back to stomach
B. Sitting unsupported for long periods
C. Walking while holding onto furniture
D. Using a neat pincer grasp
Answer: A
Rationale: By 6 months of age, infants should be able to roll from their back to their
stomach and vice versa. Sitting unsupported usually occurs around 8 months, walking
while holding furniture (cruising) at 11 months, and a neat pincer grasp at 11-12 months.
2. A nurse is providing teaching to the parent of an infant who has
gastroesophageal reflux (GER). Which of the following instructions should the
nurse include?
A. Place the infant in a car seat after feedings
B. Feed the infant larger meals less frequently
C. Thicken the infant’s formula with rice cereal
D. Position the infant on their stomach to sleep
Answer: C
Rationale: Thickening formula with rice cereal can help decrease the frequency of reflux
episodes. Placing an infant in a car seat can increase intra-abdominal pressure, and infants
should always sleep on their backs to prevent SIDS.
,3. A nurse is caring for a toddler who has a diagnosis of
laryngotracheobronchitis (croup). Which of the following findings is the priority
for the nurse to report to the provider?
A. Barking cough
B. Inspiratory stridor
C. Substernal retractions
D. Hoarseness
Answer: C
Rationale: While barking cough and stridor are common in croup, substernal retractions
indicate increased work of breathing and potential respiratory failure, making it the
priority finding.
4. A nurse is assessing a child who has suspected epiglottitis. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take?
A. Obtain a throat culture
B. Inspect the throat with a tongue depressor
C. Prepare the child for a lateral neck x-ray
D. Place the child in a supine position
Answer: C
Rationale: A lateral neck x-ray is used to confirm the ‘steeple sign’ or ‘thumb sign’
associated with epiglottitis. Throat cultures and inspections with tongue depressors are
contraindicated because they can cause a laryngospasm and airway obstruction.
, 5. A nurse is teaching a parent of a child with cystic fibrosis about nutrition.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Restrict salt intake during summer months
B. Limit fat intake to 10% of total calories
C. Provide a low-protein, high-carbohydrate diet
D. Administer pancreatic enzymes with meals and snacks
Answer: D
Rationale: Pancreatic enzymes are necessary to assist with the digestion and absorption of
fats and proteins and must be taken with all meals and snacks. Children with CF actually
need increased salt and a high-calorie, high-protein diet.
6. A school nurse is assessing a child who has pediculosis capitis (head lice).
Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Small, white flakes that easily blow off the hair
B. Circular patches of hair loss with red borders
C. Small, firm, silver-colored oval bodies attached to hair shafts
D. Honey-colored crusts on the scalp
Answer: C
Rationale: Nits (lice eggs) appear as small, firm, silver-colored oval bodies that are tightly
attached to the hair shaft, unlike dandruff which flakes off easily.
7. A nurse is assessing a child with Tetralogy of Fallot who is experiencing a
hypercyanotic (‘tet’) spell. Which of the following actions should the nurse take
first?
A. Place the child in a knee-chest position
B. Administer 100% oxygen via mask
C. Administer morphine sulfate intravenously
D. Prepare for immediate surgical intervention
Answer: A
