ATI RN Nursing Care of Children Exam 2026/2027
– Pediatrics Review Questions, Answers &
Rationales | West Coast University
I. Growth, Development & Pediatric Nursing Principles
1. A nurse is assessing a 2-month-old infant. Which finding indicates
expected development?
A. Sitting without support
B. Rolling from abdomen to back
C. Smiling responsively
D. Pulling to stand
Answer: C. Smiling responsively
Rationale: A 2-month-old commonly begins social smiling. Sitting,
pulling to stand, and rolling are later developmental milestones.
2. Which activity is most appropriate for a 6-month-old infant?
A. Playing board games
B. Playing with a soft rattle
C. Using safety scissors
D. Building a complex puzzle
Answer: B. Playing with a soft rattle
Rationale: Infants benefit from toys that stimulate grasping, reaching,
and sensory development.
,3. Which finding should the nurse expect in a 9-month-old infant?
A. Walking independently
B. Pulling to stand
C. Using three-word sentences
D. Riding a tricycle
Answer: B. Pulling to stand
Rationale: Pulling to stand is a typical gross-motor milestone around 9
months.
4. Which behavior is expected in a 12-month-old child?
A. Walking with assistance or independently
B. Riding a bicycle
C. Cooperative team play
D. Writing several letters
Answer: A. Walking with assistance or independently
Rationale: Many children begin walking around 12 months, although
normal variation is considerable.
5. Which type of play is most characteristic of toddlers?
A. Cooperative play
B. Parallel play
C. Competitive play
D. Team play
Answer: B. Parallel play
,Rationale: Toddlers commonly play alongside other children without
sustained interaction.
6. Which activity is most appropriate for a preschooler?
A. Peek-a-boo
B. Coloring with crayons
C. Complex crossword puzzles
D. Competitive football
Answer: B. Coloring with crayons
Rationale: Preschoolers enjoy imaginative and creative activities that
promote fine-motor development.
7. A school-age child is hospitalized. Which activity is most
appropriate?
A. Rattle
B. Board game
C. Pacifier
D. Mobiles
Answer: B. Board game
Rationale: School-age children generally enjoy games with rules,
collections, crafts, and activities involving peers.
8. Which developmental characteristic is expected during
adolescence?
, A. Development of object permanence
B. Development of personal identity
C. Parallel play
D. Magical thinking as the dominant cognitive process
Answer: B. Development of personal identity
Rationale: Adolescence involves identity formation, increasing
independence, and abstract reasoning.
9. Which finding in a toddler should the nurse report for further
developmental evaluation?
A. Uses two-word phrases
B. Walks independently
C. Does not walk by 18 months
D. Plays beside another child
Answer: C. Does not walk by 18 months
Rationale: Failure to walk independently by approximately 18 months
warrants developmental assessment.
10. Which approach should the nurse use when explaining a
procedure to a preschooler?
A. Provide a detailed scientific explanation
B. Use simple words and demonstrate on a toy
C. Give written instructions only
D. Explain that the procedure will not hurt
Answer: B. Use simple words and demonstrate on a toy
– Pediatrics Review Questions, Answers &
Rationales | West Coast University
I. Growth, Development & Pediatric Nursing Principles
1. A nurse is assessing a 2-month-old infant. Which finding indicates
expected development?
A. Sitting without support
B. Rolling from abdomen to back
C. Smiling responsively
D. Pulling to stand
Answer: C. Smiling responsively
Rationale: A 2-month-old commonly begins social smiling. Sitting,
pulling to stand, and rolling are later developmental milestones.
2. Which activity is most appropriate for a 6-month-old infant?
A. Playing board games
B. Playing with a soft rattle
C. Using safety scissors
D. Building a complex puzzle
Answer: B. Playing with a soft rattle
Rationale: Infants benefit from toys that stimulate grasping, reaching,
and sensory development.
,3. Which finding should the nurse expect in a 9-month-old infant?
A. Walking independently
B. Pulling to stand
C. Using three-word sentences
D. Riding a tricycle
Answer: B. Pulling to stand
Rationale: Pulling to stand is a typical gross-motor milestone around 9
months.
4. Which behavior is expected in a 12-month-old child?
A. Walking with assistance or independently
B. Riding a bicycle
C. Cooperative team play
D. Writing several letters
Answer: A. Walking with assistance or independently
Rationale: Many children begin walking around 12 months, although
normal variation is considerable.
5. Which type of play is most characteristic of toddlers?
A. Cooperative play
B. Parallel play
C. Competitive play
D. Team play
Answer: B. Parallel play
,Rationale: Toddlers commonly play alongside other children without
sustained interaction.
6. Which activity is most appropriate for a preschooler?
A. Peek-a-boo
B. Coloring with crayons
C. Complex crossword puzzles
D. Competitive football
Answer: B. Coloring with crayons
Rationale: Preschoolers enjoy imaginative and creative activities that
promote fine-motor development.
7. A school-age child is hospitalized. Which activity is most
appropriate?
A. Rattle
B. Board game
C. Pacifier
D. Mobiles
Answer: B. Board game
Rationale: School-age children generally enjoy games with rules,
collections, crafts, and activities involving peers.
8. Which developmental characteristic is expected during
adolescence?
, A. Development of object permanence
B. Development of personal identity
C. Parallel play
D. Magical thinking as the dominant cognitive process
Answer: B. Development of personal identity
Rationale: Adolescence involves identity formation, increasing
independence, and abstract reasoning.
9. Which finding in a toddler should the nurse report for further
developmental evaluation?
A. Uses two-word phrases
B. Walks independently
C. Does not walk by 18 months
D. Plays beside another child
Answer: C. Does not walk by 18 months
Rationale: Failure to walk independently by approximately 18 months
warrants developmental assessment.
10. Which approach should the nurse use when explaining a
procedure to a preschooler?
A. Provide a detailed scientific explanation
B. Use simple words and demonstrate on a toy
C. Give written instructions only
D. Explain that the procedure will not hurt
Answer: B. Use simple words and demonstrate on a toy
