Galen NSG 3600 Exam 3 | Nursing Practice: Children's
Health (2026) Actual Q&A PDF
1. A nurse is assessing a child with acute diarrhea. During the physical examination, the
nurse inspects the abdomen. Which of the following would the nurse perform next?
A) Palpation
B) Percussion
C) Auscultation
D) Rectal examination
Correct Answer: Auscultation
Rationale: The correct sequence for abdominal assessment is inspection, auscultation,
percussion, and palpation. Auscultation is performed before percussion and palpation to
avoid altering bowel sounds. Palpation and percussion can stimulate bowel motility and
artificially increase bowel sounds.
2. A 9-month-old infant is brought to the clinic with a 2-day history of watery diarrhea
and decreased wet diapers. The nurse assesses the infant and notes a sunken fontanel,
dry mucous membranes, and capillary refill of 3 seconds. Using the standard maintenance
fluid calculation for a 10-kg infant, what is the approximate daily maintenance fluid
requirement?
A) 500 mL/day
B) 1000 mL/day
C) 1500 mL/day
D) 2000 mL/day
Correct Answer: 1000 mL/day
,Rationale: The Holliday-Segar method gives 100 mL/kg for the first 10 kg, which equals
1000 mL/day. This infant also requires replacement of ongoing losses, but the base
maintenance volume is 1000 mL.
3. A 2-year-old child is brought to the clinic with acute diarrhea. The parent reports the
child has had 6 watery stools in the past 12 hours. What is the priority nursing
assessment?
A) Abdominal girth measurement
B) Hydration status
C) Bowel sounds
D) Dietary history
Correct Answer: Hydration status
Rationale: The priority in a child with acute diarrhea is to assess for dehydration, as fluid
and electrolyte loss can lead to serious complications. Abdominal girth and bowel sounds
are relevant but secondary. Dietary history helps identify causes but is not the priority.
4. Which of the following findings indicates severe dehydration in a pediatric patient?
A) Dry mucous membranes
B) Decreased urine output
C) Lethargy and hypotension
D) Sunken fontanels
Correct Answer: Lethargy and hypotension
,Rationale: Lethargy and hypotension are signs of severe dehydration (≥10% fluid loss).
Dry mucous membranes, decreased urine output, and sunken fontanels are signs of
moderate dehydration. Lethargy with hypotension indicates impending shock and
requires immediate intervention.
5. A nurse is teaching parents about oral rehydration therapy for a child with mild
dehydration. Which of the following instructions is most appropriate?
A) Administer sports drinks to replace electrolytes
B) Give small, frequent sips of oral rehydration solution
C) Offer fruit juice to encourage fluid intake
D) Restrict all fluids for 12 hours
Correct Answer: Give small, frequent sips of oral rehydration solution
Rationale: Oral rehydration solution (ORS) should be given in small, frequent sips to
minimize vomiting and maximize absorption. Sports drinks and fruit juices have high
sugar content and incorrect electrolyte balance, which can worsen diarrhea. Fluid
restriction is not appropriate.
6. A 6-week-old infant is admitted with projectile non-bilious vomiting after feedings,
visible gastric peristalsis, and an olive-shaped mass in the right upper quadrant. The nurse
anticipates which diagnosis and primary surgical intervention?
A) Intussusception treated with air enema only
B) Hirschsprung disease treated with pull-through immediately
C) Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis treated with pyloromyotomy
D) Gastroesophageal reflux treated with fundoplication
Correct Answer: Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis treated with pyloromyotomy
, Rationale: Classic signs of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis include non-bilious projectile
vomiting, olive mass, and visible peristalsis. Pyloromyotomy is the definitive surgical
treatment after fluid and electrolyte correction.
7. The nurse is reviewing the lab results of an infant with hypertrophic pyloric stenosis.
Which finding is most expected?
A) Hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis
B) Hyperkalemia
C) Metabolic acidosis
D) Hypernatremia
Correct Answer: Hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis
Rationale: Loss of gastric hydrochloric acid from vomiting leads to hypochloremia,
hypokalemia, and metabolic alkalosis. This classic electrolyte pattern distinguishes pyloric
stenosis from other causes of vomiting.
8. A 9-month-old infant is admitted with episodic screaming, drawing up of the legs, and
passage of "red currant jelly" stools. The nurse anticipates which diagnostic test?
A) Upper GI series
B) Barium or air enema
C) Abdominal ultrasound
D) CT scan of the abdomen
Correct Answer: Barium or air enema
Rationale: Intussusception is confirmed and often reduced by barium or air enema. This
procedure is both diagnostic and therapeutic. Ultrasound may be used initially, but enema
is definitive for reduction.
Health (2026) Actual Q&A PDF
1. A nurse is assessing a child with acute diarrhea. During the physical examination, the
nurse inspects the abdomen. Which of the following would the nurse perform next?
A) Palpation
B) Percussion
C) Auscultation
D) Rectal examination
Correct Answer: Auscultation
Rationale: The correct sequence for abdominal assessment is inspection, auscultation,
percussion, and palpation. Auscultation is performed before percussion and palpation to
avoid altering bowel sounds. Palpation and percussion can stimulate bowel motility and
artificially increase bowel sounds.
2. A 9-month-old infant is brought to the clinic with a 2-day history of watery diarrhea
and decreased wet diapers. The nurse assesses the infant and notes a sunken fontanel,
dry mucous membranes, and capillary refill of 3 seconds. Using the standard maintenance
fluid calculation for a 10-kg infant, what is the approximate daily maintenance fluid
requirement?
A) 500 mL/day
B) 1000 mL/day
C) 1500 mL/day
D) 2000 mL/day
Correct Answer: 1000 mL/day
,Rationale: The Holliday-Segar method gives 100 mL/kg for the first 10 kg, which equals
1000 mL/day. This infant also requires replacement of ongoing losses, but the base
maintenance volume is 1000 mL.
3. A 2-year-old child is brought to the clinic with acute diarrhea. The parent reports the
child has had 6 watery stools in the past 12 hours. What is the priority nursing
assessment?
A) Abdominal girth measurement
B) Hydration status
C) Bowel sounds
D) Dietary history
Correct Answer: Hydration status
Rationale: The priority in a child with acute diarrhea is to assess for dehydration, as fluid
and electrolyte loss can lead to serious complications. Abdominal girth and bowel sounds
are relevant but secondary. Dietary history helps identify causes but is not the priority.
4. Which of the following findings indicates severe dehydration in a pediatric patient?
A) Dry mucous membranes
B) Decreased urine output
C) Lethargy and hypotension
D) Sunken fontanels
Correct Answer: Lethargy and hypotension
,Rationale: Lethargy and hypotension are signs of severe dehydration (≥10% fluid loss).
Dry mucous membranes, decreased urine output, and sunken fontanels are signs of
moderate dehydration. Lethargy with hypotension indicates impending shock and
requires immediate intervention.
5. A nurse is teaching parents about oral rehydration therapy for a child with mild
dehydration. Which of the following instructions is most appropriate?
A) Administer sports drinks to replace electrolytes
B) Give small, frequent sips of oral rehydration solution
C) Offer fruit juice to encourage fluid intake
D) Restrict all fluids for 12 hours
Correct Answer: Give small, frequent sips of oral rehydration solution
Rationale: Oral rehydration solution (ORS) should be given in small, frequent sips to
minimize vomiting and maximize absorption. Sports drinks and fruit juices have high
sugar content and incorrect electrolyte balance, which can worsen diarrhea. Fluid
restriction is not appropriate.
6. A 6-week-old infant is admitted with projectile non-bilious vomiting after feedings,
visible gastric peristalsis, and an olive-shaped mass in the right upper quadrant. The nurse
anticipates which diagnosis and primary surgical intervention?
A) Intussusception treated with air enema only
B) Hirschsprung disease treated with pull-through immediately
C) Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis treated with pyloromyotomy
D) Gastroesophageal reflux treated with fundoplication
Correct Answer: Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis treated with pyloromyotomy
, Rationale: Classic signs of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis include non-bilious projectile
vomiting, olive mass, and visible peristalsis. Pyloromyotomy is the definitive surgical
treatment after fluid and electrolyte correction.
7. The nurse is reviewing the lab results of an infant with hypertrophic pyloric stenosis.
Which finding is most expected?
A) Hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis
B) Hyperkalemia
C) Metabolic acidosis
D) Hypernatremia
Correct Answer: Hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis
Rationale: Loss of gastric hydrochloric acid from vomiting leads to hypochloremia,
hypokalemia, and metabolic alkalosis. This classic electrolyte pattern distinguishes pyloric
stenosis from other causes of vomiting.
8. A 9-month-old infant is admitted with episodic screaming, drawing up of the legs, and
passage of "red currant jelly" stools. The nurse anticipates which diagnostic test?
A) Upper GI series
B) Barium or air enema
C) Abdominal ultrasound
D) CT scan of the abdomen
Correct Answer: Barium or air enema
Rationale: Intussusception is confirmed and often reduced by barium or air enema. This
procedure is both diagnostic and therapeutic. Ultrasound may be used initially, but enema
is definitive for reduction.
