Core Domains
Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning
Pediatric Primary Care Management and Pharmacology
Utah Health Law, Nurse Practice Act, and Regulatory Standards
Professional Ethics, Legal Compliance, and Interprofessional Collaboration
Growth, Development, and Behavioral Health Pediatrics
Pediatric Acute and Chronic Disease Management
Family-Centered Care and Cultural Competency
This comprehensive examination is meticulously designed to evaluate the advanced
clinical competency, theoretical knowledge, and specialized judgment required of Pediatric
Nurse Practitioners seeking specialized professional validation. The assessment rigorously
measures advanced skills and knowledge across comprehensive pediatric health
assessment, evidence-based pharmacological management, complex pathophysiology,
and family-centered intervention strategies. Featuring a robust balance of rigorous
multiple-choice items and intricate clinical scenarios, the examination challenges
,candidates to apply complex diagnostic reasoning to diverse pediatric populations. Special
emphasis is placed on real-world clinical application, ethical dilemmas, and regulatory
decision-making within professional practice.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
A four-week-old infant is brought to a Utah pediatric clinic by concerned parents who
report non-bilious projectile vomiting immediately following feeds over the past week.
The infant appears hungry immediately after vomiting. Which of the following is the
most appropriate initial diagnostic modality?
A. Upper gastrointestinal series
B. Abdominal ultrasound
C. Computed tomography of the abdomen
D. Plain abdominal radiograph
🟢 B. Abdominal ultrasound
🔴 Explanation: Abdominal ultrasound is the gold standard and initial diagnostic imaging
modality of choice for suspected pyloric stenosis in infants because it avoids ionizing
radiation and reliably visualizes muscle wall thickness and pyloric channel length.
A 15-year-old adolescent presents for an annual wellness exam in Salt Lake City and
requests confidential screening and treatment for sexually transmitted infections
without parental notification, citing Utah minor consent laws. Under Utah law, which
condition allows a minor to give independent consent for medical care?
,A. Any minor over the age of 14 requesting general outpatient services
B. A minor seeking treatment for sexually transmitted infections
C. Only emancipated minors or those who are married
D. Minors requesting prescription contraception without parental awareness
🟢 B. A minor seeking treatment for sexually transmitted infections
🔴 Explanation: Utah law permits minors to give independent consent for the diagnosis
and treatment of sexually transmitted infections without parental knowledge or consent,
balancing public health protection with adolescent confidentiality.
An 18-month-old toddler is evaluated for routine developmental surveillance. The
primary care pediatric nurse practitioner notes that the child does not point to objects
to show interest, fails to respond consistently to their name, and exhibits repetitive
hand-flapping when excited. Which screening tool is specifically recommended by
the American Academy of Pediatrics at this specific age interval?
A. Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ)
B. Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT-R/F)
C. Parents' Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS)
D. Vanderbilt ADHD Diagnostic Rating Scale
🟢 B. Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT-R/F)
🔴 Explanation: The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised with Follow-Up (M-
CHAT-R/F) is a validated screening tool specifically recommended by the American
Academy of Pediatrics to be administered at the 18- and 24-month well-child visits to
screen for autism spectrum disorder.
, A school-age child with well-controlled asthma presents with acute wheezing, chest
tightness, and a dry cough following an upper respiratory tract infection. Current
peak flow is at 60 percent of personal best. According to the National Asthma
Education and Prevention Program guidelines, what is the most appropriate initial
pharmacological intervention for acute home management?
A. Administering oral corticosteroid burst therapy immediately
B. Delivering short-acting beta-2 agonist metered-dose inhaler via spacer
C. Initiating daily maintenance inhaled corticosteroid therapy
D. Administering a dose of oral leukotriene receptor antagonist
🟢 B. Delivering short-acting beta-2 agonist metered-dose inhaler via spacer
🔴 Explanation: Short-acting beta-2 agonists, such as albuterol delivered via metered-
dose inhaler with a spacer, serve as the first-line rapid-acting rescue medication for acute
bronchospasm and asthma exacerbations in children.
A seven-year-old child presents with a three-day history of high fever, sore throat,
and a fine, sandpaper-like erythematous rash that blanches upon pressure,
accompanied by circumoral pallor and a strawberry tongue. What is the primary
causative organism of this clinical presentation?
A. Staphylococcus aureus
B. Streptococcus pyogenes
C. Epstein-Barr virus
D. Parvovirus B19