ATI Pediatrics Nursing 2026/2027 | ATI RN Pediatric
Nursing Proctored Exam & Content Mastery Series
(CMS) Study Guide | ATI Pediatrics Practice
Questions, Answers & Detailed Rationales | Pediatric
Nursing Assessment, Growth & Development, Health
Promotion, Respiratory Disorders, Cardiovascular
Disorders, Gastrointestinal Disorders, Neurological
Disorders, Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders, Renal &
Urinary Disorders, Hematology & Oncology, Infectious
& Immune Disorders, Pediatric Emergencies,
Pharmacology, Psychosocial Care, Clinical Judgment,
Prioritization & NGN Case-Based Practice
Question 1: A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant at a well-
child visit. Which developmental milestone should the nurse expect
the infant to have achieved?
A. Sitting without support
B. Rolling from back to abdomen
C. Walking with one hand held
D. Transferring objects from one hand to the other
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Rolling from back to abdomen
Rationale: A 6-month-old infant should be able to roll from back to
abdomen and sit with support. Sitting without support typically develops
around 8 months, walking with assistance around 9-12 months, and
transferring objects between hands is often seen by 7 months but rolling is
the more reliable 6-month milestone.
Question 2: By what age should the anterior fontanel typically close
in an infant?
A. 2 to 3 months
B. 6 to 8 months
C. 12 to 18 months
D. 24 to 30 months
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 12 to 18 months
Rationale: The anterior fontanel typically closes between 12 and 18 months
of age. The posterior fontanel closes much earlier, by 2 to 3 months.
,Delayed closure may indicate hypothyroidism or increased intracranial
pressure.
Question 3: A parent of a toddler asks why their child's abdomen
protrudes. Which response by the nurse is most accurate?
A. "This indicates your child may have a hernia."
B. "Toddlers have weak abdominal muscles and a developing spine."
C. "This is a sign of malnutrition and requires evaluation."
D. "Your child's liver is enlarged, causing the protrusion."
CORRECT ANSWER: B. "Toddlers have weak abdominal muscles
and a developing spine."
Rationale: Toddler abdomen protrusion is a normal finding due to
underdeveloped abdominal musculature and the developing spinal curve.
This typically resolves as the child grows and muscles strengthen. It is not
indicative of hernia, malnutrition, or hepatomegaly.
Question 4: A nurse is teaching parents about appropriate play
activities for a preschooler. Which activity should the nurse
recommend?
A. Playing with a mobile
B. Playing dress-up
C. Participating in competitive sports
D. Collecting trading cards
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Playing dress-up
Rationale: Preschoolers (ages 3-6) engage in associative and dramatic play.
Dress-up promotes social, mental, and physical development. Mobiles are
for infants, competitive sports are more appropriate for school-age children,
and collecting is typical of school-age children.
Question 5: A 4-year-old child was admitted 2 hours ago and the
mother has left. The child is withdrawn, quiet, and uninterested in
the environment. Which stage of separation anxiety is the child
experiencing?
A. Protest
B. Despair
C. Detachment
D. Denial
,CORRECT ANSWER: B. Despair
Rationale: The three stages of separation anxiety are protest, despair, and
detachment. Despair is characterized by withdrawal, quiet behavior, and
disinterest. Protest involves crying and screaming, while detachment
involves superficial interest in the environment.
Question 6: What is the expected heart rate range for a newborn
from birth to 1 week of age?
A. 60-100 beats per minute
B. 80-120 beats per minute
C. 100-160 beats per minute
D. 120-180 beats per minute
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 100-160 beats per minute
Rationale: The normal heart rate for a newborn (birth to 1 week) is 100-160
beats per minute, with brief fluctuations depending on sleep or crying. This
is significantly higher than adult rates due to the immature cardiac system.
Question 7: A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old child during a well-
child visit. Which gross motor skill should the nurse expect?
A. Hopping on one foot
B. Kicking a ball
C. Skipping
D. Riding a tricycle
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Kicking a ball
Rationale: A 2-year-old should be able to kick a ball, run, and walk up and
down stairs with assistance. Hopping on one foot is typically achieved by
age 4, skipping by age 5, and riding a tricycle by age 3.
Question 8: At what age should an infant typically be able to sit
without support?
A. 4 months
B. 6 months
C. 8 months
D. 10 months
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 8 months
, Rationale: Sitting without support is typically achieved by approximately 8
months of age. At 6 months, the infant can sit with support; by 10 months,
the infant can typically pull to stand.
Question 9: A nurse is providing teaching to parents of a toddler
about growth and development. Which statement by the parent
indicates understanding?
A. "My child should have complete control of their bladder by now."
B. "My child's abdomen sticking out is normal due to weak muscles."
C. "My child should be able to share toys with others."
D. "My child should understand the concept of death."
CORRECT ANSWER: B. "My child's abdomen sticking out is normal
due to weak muscles."
Rationale: Toddlers have protruding abdomens due to weak abdominal
muscles and a developing spine. Bladder control is typically not complete
until 3-4 years, sharing is a preschool-age skill, and understanding of death
as permanent is a school-age concept.
Question 10: What developmental stage is characterized by magical
thinking and viewing death as temporary?
A. Infant
B. Toddler
C. Preschool age
D. School age
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Preschool age
Rationale: Preschool-age children (3-6 years) engage in magical thinking
and often view death as temporary or reversible. They may believe their
thoughts can cause events. School-age children begin to understand death
as permanent.
Question 11: How should a nurse explain a surgical procedure to a
5-year-old child?
A. Using detailed anatomical terms
B. Explaining what they will feel, see, hear, and taste
C. Telling them it won't hurt at all
D. Waiting until the day of surgery to explain anything
Nursing Proctored Exam & Content Mastery Series
(CMS) Study Guide | ATI Pediatrics Practice
Questions, Answers & Detailed Rationales | Pediatric
Nursing Assessment, Growth & Development, Health
Promotion, Respiratory Disorders, Cardiovascular
Disorders, Gastrointestinal Disorders, Neurological
Disorders, Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders, Renal &
Urinary Disorders, Hematology & Oncology, Infectious
& Immune Disorders, Pediatric Emergencies,
Pharmacology, Psychosocial Care, Clinical Judgment,
Prioritization & NGN Case-Based Practice
Question 1: A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant at a well-
child visit. Which developmental milestone should the nurse expect
the infant to have achieved?
A. Sitting without support
B. Rolling from back to abdomen
C. Walking with one hand held
D. Transferring objects from one hand to the other
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Rolling from back to abdomen
Rationale: A 6-month-old infant should be able to roll from back to
abdomen and sit with support. Sitting without support typically develops
around 8 months, walking with assistance around 9-12 months, and
transferring objects between hands is often seen by 7 months but rolling is
the more reliable 6-month milestone.
Question 2: By what age should the anterior fontanel typically close
in an infant?
A. 2 to 3 months
B. 6 to 8 months
C. 12 to 18 months
D. 24 to 30 months
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 12 to 18 months
Rationale: The anterior fontanel typically closes between 12 and 18 months
of age. The posterior fontanel closes much earlier, by 2 to 3 months.
,Delayed closure may indicate hypothyroidism or increased intracranial
pressure.
Question 3: A parent of a toddler asks why their child's abdomen
protrudes. Which response by the nurse is most accurate?
A. "This indicates your child may have a hernia."
B. "Toddlers have weak abdominal muscles and a developing spine."
C. "This is a sign of malnutrition and requires evaluation."
D. "Your child's liver is enlarged, causing the protrusion."
CORRECT ANSWER: B. "Toddlers have weak abdominal muscles
and a developing spine."
Rationale: Toddler abdomen protrusion is a normal finding due to
underdeveloped abdominal musculature and the developing spinal curve.
This typically resolves as the child grows and muscles strengthen. It is not
indicative of hernia, malnutrition, or hepatomegaly.
Question 4: A nurse is teaching parents about appropriate play
activities for a preschooler. Which activity should the nurse
recommend?
A. Playing with a mobile
B. Playing dress-up
C. Participating in competitive sports
D. Collecting trading cards
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Playing dress-up
Rationale: Preschoolers (ages 3-6) engage in associative and dramatic play.
Dress-up promotes social, mental, and physical development. Mobiles are
for infants, competitive sports are more appropriate for school-age children,
and collecting is typical of school-age children.
Question 5: A 4-year-old child was admitted 2 hours ago and the
mother has left. The child is withdrawn, quiet, and uninterested in
the environment. Which stage of separation anxiety is the child
experiencing?
A. Protest
B. Despair
C. Detachment
D. Denial
,CORRECT ANSWER: B. Despair
Rationale: The three stages of separation anxiety are protest, despair, and
detachment. Despair is characterized by withdrawal, quiet behavior, and
disinterest. Protest involves crying and screaming, while detachment
involves superficial interest in the environment.
Question 6: What is the expected heart rate range for a newborn
from birth to 1 week of age?
A. 60-100 beats per minute
B. 80-120 beats per minute
C. 100-160 beats per minute
D. 120-180 beats per minute
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 100-160 beats per minute
Rationale: The normal heart rate for a newborn (birth to 1 week) is 100-160
beats per minute, with brief fluctuations depending on sleep or crying. This
is significantly higher than adult rates due to the immature cardiac system.
Question 7: A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old child during a well-
child visit. Which gross motor skill should the nurse expect?
A. Hopping on one foot
B. Kicking a ball
C. Skipping
D. Riding a tricycle
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Kicking a ball
Rationale: A 2-year-old should be able to kick a ball, run, and walk up and
down stairs with assistance. Hopping on one foot is typically achieved by
age 4, skipping by age 5, and riding a tricycle by age 3.
Question 8: At what age should an infant typically be able to sit
without support?
A. 4 months
B. 6 months
C. 8 months
D. 10 months
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 8 months
, Rationale: Sitting without support is typically achieved by approximately 8
months of age. At 6 months, the infant can sit with support; by 10 months,
the infant can typically pull to stand.
Question 9: A nurse is providing teaching to parents of a toddler
about growth and development. Which statement by the parent
indicates understanding?
A. "My child should have complete control of their bladder by now."
B. "My child's abdomen sticking out is normal due to weak muscles."
C. "My child should be able to share toys with others."
D. "My child should understand the concept of death."
CORRECT ANSWER: B. "My child's abdomen sticking out is normal
due to weak muscles."
Rationale: Toddlers have protruding abdomens due to weak abdominal
muscles and a developing spine. Bladder control is typically not complete
until 3-4 years, sharing is a preschool-age skill, and understanding of death
as permanent is a school-age concept.
Question 10: What developmental stage is characterized by magical
thinking and viewing death as temporary?
A. Infant
B. Toddler
C. Preschool age
D. School age
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Preschool age
Rationale: Preschool-age children (3-6 years) engage in magical thinking
and often view death as temporary or reversible. They may believe their
thoughts can cause events. School-age children begin to understand death
as permanent.
Question 11: How should a nurse explain a surgical procedure to a
5-year-old child?
A. Using detailed anatomical terms
B. Explaining what they will feel, see, hear, and taste
C. Telling them it won't hurt at all
D. Waiting until the day of surgery to explain anything
