ATI RN Pediatric Nursing 2026 Proctored Exam with NGN
–Verified Questions & Answers with Detailed Rationales |
Latest Updated Study Guide Chamberlain University
Prepare for the ATI RN Pediatric Nursing 2026 Proctored Exam with NGN using exam-style
multiple-choice questions covering growth and development, pediatric assessment, health
promotion, nutrition, pharmacology, and system disorders. Each question includes a verified
updated answer and a detailed NGN-style rationale to support clinical judgment, retention, and
first-attempt passing success. This organized digital study guide is ideal for Stuvia and Docsity
buyers seeking a concise, sale-ready ATI pediatric nursing exam resource.
1. A nurse is assessing a 4-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which
developmental milestone should the nurse expect to observe?
A. Rolls from front to back
B. Sits without support
C. Transfers objects from hand to hand
D. Walks independently
Answer: A. Rolls from front to back
Explanation: Rolling from front to back typically occurs at 4 months. Sitting
without support occurs at 6 to 8 months. Transferring objects occurs at 7 months.
Walking occurs at 12 to 15 months.
2. A nurse is performing a developmental screening on a 9-month-old infant.
Which fine motor skill should the nurse expect the infant to demonstrate?
A. Build a tower of two cubes
B. Use a crude pincer grasp
C. Turn pages in a book
D. Copy a circle
Answer: B. Use a crude pincer grasp
Explanation: A crude pincer grasp typically develops around 9 months. Tower-
building (12-15 months) and page-turning (12-18 months) occur later; copying
shapes is a preschool skill.
,3. A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to parents of a 4-year-old child.
Which disciplinary strategy is most appropriate for this age group?
A. Time-out lasting approximately 4 minutes
B. Encouraging a nap after misbehavior
C. A reward system for all behaviors
D. Physical guidance to correct behavior
Answer: A. Time-out lasting approximately 4 minutes
Explanation: The general guideline is one minute of time-out per year of age,
making 4 minutes appropriate for a 4-year-old.
4. A nurse is assessing a 12-month-old during a well-child visit. Which finding
should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Anterior fontanel is closed
B. Birth weight has tripled
C. Two to four teeth have erupted
D. Child pulls to stand while holding furniture
Answer: A. Anterior fontanel is closed
Explanation: The anterior fontanel normally closes between 12 and 18 months;
premature closure warrants provider evaluation, while the other findings are
expected at 12 months.
5. Which behavior would the nurse expect to observe in a toddler experiencing
separation anxiety during hospitalization?
A. Protest, despair, and detachment
B. Regression to earlier developmental stages only
C. Complete indifference to caregivers
D. Increased cooperation with strangers
Answer: A. Protest, despair, and detachment
Explanation: Separation anxiety in toddlers classically progresses through protest,
despair, and detachment phases.
6. A school-age child (7 years old) is hospitalized. According to Erikson, which
activity best supports this child's developmental stage?
A. Completing simple craft projects independently
B. Being fed by the nurse
C. Playing peek-a-boo
D. Choosing between two shirts to wear
,Answer: A. Completing simple craft projects independently
Explanation: School-age children are in the industry vs. inferiority stage and
benefit from opportunities to complete tasks and feel a sense of accomplishment.
7. An adolescent newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes is withdrawn and reluctant
to test blood glucose in front of peers. This behavior reflects which developmental
concern?
A. Identity vs. role confusion and body image
B. Trust vs. mistrust
C. Initiative vs. guilt
D. Generativity vs. stagnation
Answer: A. Identity vs. role confusion and body image
Explanation: Adolescents are working through identity formation and are highly
sensitive to appearing different from peers, which affects adherence behaviors.
8. A nurse is teaching a parent about expected language development. Which
milestone is inappropriate for an 18-month-old?
A. Uses 2-word phrases
B. Speaks in full sentences
C. Uses approximately 10 words
D. Understands only single words
Answer: C. Uses approximately 10 words
Explanation: By 18 months, toddlers typically have a vocabulary of about 10-25
words; 2-word phrases usually emerge closer to 24 months.
9. Which toy is most appropriate for the nurse to recommend for a 6-month-old
infant?
A. Small building blocks with sharp edges
B. A soft rattle that is easy to grasp
C. A board book with small pop-up pieces
D. A balloon for batting practice
Answer: B. A soft rattle that is easy to grasp
Explanation: Infants at 6 months explore objects orally and need large, soft, easily
grasped toys without small or sharp parts due to choking risk.
10. A nurse notes that a 2-year-old repeatedly says 'no' to nearly every request.
The nurse should recognize this as:
A. A normal attempt to assert autonomy
B. A sign of a behavioral disorder
, C. Evidence of poor parenting
D. An indication of developmental delay
Answer: A. A normal attempt to assert autonomy
Explanation: Toddlers commonly exhibit negativism as part of developing
autonomy, consistent with Erikson's autonomy vs. shame and doubt stage.
11. Which finding during a developmental assessment of a 5-year-old would be
most concerning to the nurse?
A. Cannot hop on one foot
B. Unable to speak in full sentences understood by strangers
C. Prefers parallel play over group play
D. Draws a person with 3 body parts
Answer: B. Unable to speak in full sentences understood by strangers
Explanation: By age 5, speech should be clearly intelligible to strangers; significant
delays in speech clarity warrant further evaluation.
12. A nurse is assessing reflexes in a 2-month-old infant. Which reflex should have
already disappeared?
A. Rooting reflex
B. Stepping reflex
C. Babinski reflex
D. Palmar grasp
Answer: B. Stepping reflex
Explanation: The stepping (walking) reflex typically disappears by 2 months of
age, while rooting, palmar grasp, and Babinski persist longer.
13. A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which
developmental milestone should the nurse expect the infant to demonstrate?
A. Pincer grasp
B. Sitting without support
C. Rolling from back to abdomen
D. Transferring objects hand to hand
Answer: C. Rolling from back to abdomen
Explanation: At 6 months of age, infants typically can roll from back to abdomen
and abdomen to back. The pincer grasp develops around 9-12 months, sitting
without support typically occurs around 7-8 months, and transferring objects hand
to hand emerges around 7 months.
–Verified Questions & Answers with Detailed Rationales |
Latest Updated Study Guide Chamberlain University
Prepare for the ATI RN Pediatric Nursing 2026 Proctored Exam with NGN using exam-style
multiple-choice questions covering growth and development, pediatric assessment, health
promotion, nutrition, pharmacology, and system disorders. Each question includes a verified
updated answer and a detailed NGN-style rationale to support clinical judgment, retention, and
first-attempt passing success. This organized digital study guide is ideal for Stuvia and Docsity
buyers seeking a concise, sale-ready ATI pediatric nursing exam resource.
1. A nurse is assessing a 4-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which
developmental milestone should the nurse expect to observe?
A. Rolls from front to back
B. Sits without support
C. Transfers objects from hand to hand
D. Walks independently
Answer: A. Rolls from front to back
Explanation: Rolling from front to back typically occurs at 4 months. Sitting
without support occurs at 6 to 8 months. Transferring objects occurs at 7 months.
Walking occurs at 12 to 15 months.
2. A nurse is performing a developmental screening on a 9-month-old infant.
Which fine motor skill should the nurse expect the infant to demonstrate?
A. Build a tower of two cubes
B. Use a crude pincer grasp
C. Turn pages in a book
D. Copy a circle
Answer: B. Use a crude pincer grasp
Explanation: A crude pincer grasp typically develops around 9 months. Tower-
building (12-15 months) and page-turning (12-18 months) occur later; copying
shapes is a preschool skill.
,3. A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to parents of a 4-year-old child.
Which disciplinary strategy is most appropriate for this age group?
A. Time-out lasting approximately 4 minutes
B. Encouraging a nap after misbehavior
C. A reward system for all behaviors
D. Physical guidance to correct behavior
Answer: A. Time-out lasting approximately 4 minutes
Explanation: The general guideline is one minute of time-out per year of age,
making 4 minutes appropriate for a 4-year-old.
4. A nurse is assessing a 12-month-old during a well-child visit. Which finding
should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Anterior fontanel is closed
B. Birth weight has tripled
C. Two to four teeth have erupted
D. Child pulls to stand while holding furniture
Answer: A. Anterior fontanel is closed
Explanation: The anterior fontanel normally closes between 12 and 18 months;
premature closure warrants provider evaluation, while the other findings are
expected at 12 months.
5. Which behavior would the nurse expect to observe in a toddler experiencing
separation anxiety during hospitalization?
A. Protest, despair, and detachment
B. Regression to earlier developmental stages only
C. Complete indifference to caregivers
D. Increased cooperation with strangers
Answer: A. Protest, despair, and detachment
Explanation: Separation anxiety in toddlers classically progresses through protest,
despair, and detachment phases.
6. A school-age child (7 years old) is hospitalized. According to Erikson, which
activity best supports this child's developmental stage?
A. Completing simple craft projects independently
B. Being fed by the nurse
C. Playing peek-a-boo
D. Choosing between two shirts to wear
,Answer: A. Completing simple craft projects independently
Explanation: School-age children are in the industry vs. inferiority stage and
benefit from opportunities to complete tasks and feel a sense of accomplishment.
7. An adolescent newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes is withdrawn and reluctant
to test blood glucose in front of peers. This behavior reflects which developmental
concern?
A. Identity vs. role confusion and body image
B. Trust vs. mistrust
C. Initiative vs. guilt
D. Generativity vs. stagnation
Answer: A. Identity vs. role confusion and body image
Explanation: Adolescents are working through identity formation and are highly
sensitive to appearing different from peers, which affects adherence behaviors.
8. A nurse is teaching a parent about expected language development. Which
milestone is inappropriate for an 18-month-old?
A. Uses 2-word phrases
B. Speaks in full sentences
C. Uses approximately 10 words
D. Understands only single words
Answer: C. Uses approximately 10 words
Explanation: By 18 months, toddlers typically have a vocabulary of about 10-25
words; 2-word phrases usually emerge closer to 24 months.
9. Which toy is most appropriate for the nurse to recommend for a 6-month-old
infant?
A. Small building blocks with sharp edges
B. A soft rattle that is easy to grasp
C. A board book with small pop-up pieces
D. A balloon for batting practice
Answer: B. A soft rattle that is easy to grasp
Explanation: Infants at 6 months explore objects orally and need large, soft, easily
grasped toys without small or sharp parts due to choking risk.
10. A nurse notes that a 2-year-old repeatedly says 'no' to nearly every request.
The nurse should recognize this as:
A. A normal attempt to assert autonomy
B. A sign of a behavioral disorder
, C. Evidence of poor parenting
D. An indication of developmental delay
Answer: A. A normal attempt to assert autonomy
Explanation: Toddlers commonly exhibit negativism as part of developing
autonomy, consistent with Erikson's autonomy vs. shame and doubt stage.
11. Which finding during a developmental assessment of a 5-year-old would be
most concerning to the nurse?
A. Cannot hop on one foot
B. Unable to speak in full sentences understood by strangers
C. Prefers parallel play over group play
D. Draws a person with 3 body parts
Answer: B. Unable to speak in full sentences understood by strangers
Explanation: By age 5, speech should be clearly intelligible to strangers; significant
delays in speech clarity warrant further evaluation.
12. A nurse is assessing reflexes in a 2-month-old infant. Which reflex should have
already disappeared?
A. Rooting reflex
B. Stepping reflex
C. Babinski reflex
D. Palmar grasp
Answer: B. Stepping reflex
Explanation: The stepping (walking) reflex typically disappears by 2 months of
age, while rooting, palmar grasp, and Babinski persist longer.
13. A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which
developmental milestone should the nurse expect the infant to demonstrate?
A. Pincer grasp
B. Sitting without support
C. Rolling from back to abdomen
D. Transferring objects hand to hand
Answer: C. Rolling from back to abdomen
Explanation: At 6 months of age, infants typically can roll from back to abdomen
and abdomen to back. The pincer grasp develops around 9-12 months, sitting
without support typically occurs around 7-8 months, and transferring objects hand
to hand emerges around 7 months.
