ATI RN Capstone Nursing Care of Children
Comprehensive Questions with Answers & Detailed
Rationales
ATI RN Capstone Nursing Care of Children Content Areas
(Approximate Weighting):
• Growth & Development (15–20%)
• Pediatric Assessment (10–15%)
• Respiratory Disorders (10–15%)
• Cardiovascular Disorders (10–15%)
• Gastrointestinal Disorders (10–15%)
• Renal & Urinary Disorders (5–10%)
• Neurological Disorders (5–10%)
• Musculoskeletal Disorders (5–10%)
• Endocrine Disorders (5–10%)
• Hematologic & Immunologic Disorders (5–10%)
• Infectious Diseases (5–10%)
• Pediatric Pharmacology (10–15%)
• Pediatric Emergencies (5–10%)
• Child Abuse & Safety (5–10%)
Section 1: Growth & Development (Q1–Q15)
Q1. A nurse is assessing a 9-month-old infant during a well-child visit.
Which developmental milestone should the nurse expect the infant to
,have achieved?
A. Walks independently without support
B. Says "mama" or "dada" with meaning
C. Uses a pincer grasp to pick up small objects
D. Builds a tower of three blocks
Answer: C
Rationale: By 9 months, infants typically develop a pincer grasp (thumb
and forefinger) to pick up small objects. Walking independently usually
occurs around 12 months. Saying "mama" or "dada" with meaning typically
occurs around 10–12 months. Building a tower of three blocks is a
milestone for 18–24 months.
Q2. A parent asks the nurse about their 2-year-old child's behavior,
stating, "My child is always saying 'no' and wants to do everything
independently." Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. "This behavior is abnormal and may indicate a developmental delay."
B. "Your child is demonstrating autonomy, which is a normal stage of
development according to Erikson."
C. "Your child is likely experiencing separation anxiety and needs more
attention."
D. "This behavior suggests your child is ready for preschool."
Answer: B
Rationale: According to Erikson's theory, toddlers (1–3 years) are in the
stage of "Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt". This behavior is normal for this
age. Separation anxiety is more common in infants. This behavior does not
indicate readiness for preschool.
Q3. A nurse is evaluating the growth of a 7-year-old child. Which
finding would indicate a potential growth concern?
A. Height increases by 2 inches (5 cm) per year
B. Weight increases by 4–6 pounds (2–3 kg) per year
,C. BMI is at the 85th percentile for age and gender
D. The child's height and weight are both at the 5th percentile
Answer: D
Rationale: A child whose height and weight are both at the 5th percentile
may indicate a growth concern, especially if there is a sudden drop in
percentiles. Options A and B are normal growth patterns for school-age
children. A BMI at the 85th percentile is considered overweight, not
necessarily a growth concern.
Q4. A nurse is teaching a group of adolescents about healthy
decision-making. According to Piaget's theory, which cognitive stage
are adolescents in?
A. Sensorimotor
B. Preoperational
C. Concrete operational
D. Formal operational
Answer: D
Rationale: Adolescents are in the formal operational stage, where they
develop abstract thinking and hypothetical reasoning. The sensorimotor
stage occurs in infancy. The preoperational stage occurs in early childhood.
Q5. A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant during a well-child visit.
Which developmental milestone should the nurse expect the infant to
have achieved?
A. Playing peek-a-boo
B. Saying "mama" or "dada" with meaning
C. Sitting unsupported
D. Rolling from back to front
Answer: D
Rationale: Rolling from back to front is typically achieved by 6 months of
age. Playing peek-a-boo and saying "mama" or "dada" with meaning are
, usually seen around 9 months to 1 year. Sitting unsupported is often
achieved between 6 to 8 months, but rolling is a more consistent 6-month
milestone.
Q6. The nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to the parents of an
18-month-old toddler. Which statement by the parents indicates an
understanding of the toddler's developmental stage?
A. "We expect our child to share toys willingly with other children now."
B. "We are preparing for our child to start asking 'why' all the time."
C. "We understand that temper tantrums are normal as our child tries to
communicate."
D. "We are focusing on teaching our child to count to ten."
Answer: C
Rationale: Temper tantrums are a common and normal part of toddler
development as they learn to communicate and assert independence.
Sharing willingly is not expected at 18 months. Asking "why" is more
common in preschoolers.
Q7. A nurse is assessing a 4-year-old child. Which developmental
milestone should the nurse expect?
A. Hops on one foot
B. Ties shoelaces
C. Reads simple words
D. Counts to 100
Answer: A
Rationale: A 4-year-old can hop on one foot, skip, and catch a ball. Tying
shoelaces is expected at 5 years. Reading simple words is expected at 6
years. Counting to 100 is expected at 6 years.
Q8. A nurse is assessing a 12-month-old infant. Which developmental
milestone should the nurse expect?
Comprehensive Questions with Answers & Detailed
Rationales
ATI RN Capstone Nursing Care of Children Content Areas
(Approximate Weighting):
• Growth & Development (15–20%)
• Pediatric Assessment (10–15%)
• Respiratory Disorders (10–15%)
• Cardiovascular Disorders (10–15%)
• Gastrointestinal Disorders (10–15%)
• Renal & Urinary Disorders (5–10%)
• Neurological Disorders (5–10%)
• Musculoskeletal Disorders (5–10%)
• Endocrine Disorders (5–10%)
• Hematologic & Immunologic Disorders (5–10%)
• Infectious Diseases (5–10%)
• Pediatric Pharmacology (10–15%)
• Pediatric Emergencies (5–10%)
• Child Abuse & Safety (5–10%)
Section 1: Growth & Development (Q1–Q15)
Q1. A nurse is assessing a 9-month-old infant during a well-child visit.
Which developmental milestone should the nurse expect the infant to
,have achieved?
A. Walks independently without support
B. Says "mama" or "dada" with meaning
C. Uses a pincer grasp to pick up small objects
D. Builds a tower of three blocks
Answer: C
Rationale: By 9 months, infants typically develop a pincer grasp (thumb
and forefinger) to pick up small objects. Walking independently usually
occurs around 12 months. Saying "mama" or "dada" with meaning typically
occurs around 10–12 months. Building a tower of three blocks is a
milestone for 18–24 months.
Q2. A parent asks the nurse about their 2-year-old child's behavior,
stating, "My child is always saying 'no' and wants to do everything
independently." Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. "This behavior is abnormal and may indicate a developmental delay."
B. "Your child is demonstrating autonomy, which is a normal stage of
development according to Erikson."
C. "Your child is likely experiencing separation anxiety and needs more
attention."
D. "This behavior suggests your child is ready for preschool."
Answer: B
Rationale: According to Erikson's theory, toddlers (1–3 years) are in the
stage of "Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt". This behavior is normal for this
age. Separation anxiety is more common in infants. This behavior does not
indicate readiness for preschool.
Q3. A nurse is evaluating the growth of a 7-year-old child. Which
finding would indicate a potential growth concern?
A. Height increases by 2 inches (5 cm) per year
B. Weight increases by 4–6 pounds (2–3 kg) per year
,C. BMI is at the 85th percentile for age and gender
D. The child's height and weight are both at the 5th percentile
Answer: D
Rationale: A child whose height and weight are both at the 5th percentile
may indicate a growth concern, especially if there is a sudden drop in
percentiles. Options A and B are normal growth patterns for school-age
children. A BMI at the 85th percentile is considered overweight, not
necessarily a growth concern.
Q4. A nurse is teaching a group of adolescents about healthy
decision-making. According to Piaget's theory, which cognitive stage
are adolescents in?
A. Sensorimotor
B. Preoperational
C. Concrete operational
D. Formal operational
Answer: D
Rationale: Adolescents are in the formal operational stage, where they
develop abstract thinking and hypothetical reasoning. The sensorimotor
stage occurs in infancy. The preoperational stage occurs in early childhood.
Q5. A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant during a well-child visit.
Which developmental milestone should the nurse expect the infant to
have achieved?
A. Playing peek-a-boo
B. Saying "mama" or "dada" with meaning
C. Sitting unsupported
D. Rolling from back to front
Answer: D
Rationale: Rolling from back to front is typically achieved by 6 months of
age. Playing peek-a-boo and saying "mama" or "dada" with meaning are
, usually seen around 9 months to 1 year. Sitting unsupported is often
achieved between 6 to 8 months, but rolling is a more consistent 6-month
milestone.
Q6. The nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to the parents of an
18-month-old toddler. Which statement by the parents indicates an
understanding of the toddler's developmental stage?
A. "We expect our child to share toys willingly with other children now."
B. "We are preparing for our child to start asking 'why' all the time."
C. "We understand that temper tantrums are normal as our child tries to
communicate."
D. "We are focusing on teaching our child to count to ten."
Answer: C
Rationale: Temper tantrums are a common and normal part of toddler
development as they learn to communicate and assert independence.
Sharing willingly is not expected at 18 months. Asking "why" is more
common in preschoolers.
Q7. A nurse is assessing a 4-year-old child. Which developmental
milestone should the nurse expect?
A. Hops on one foot
B. Ties shoelaces
C. Reads simple words
D. Counts to 100
Answer: A
Rationale: A 4-year-old can hop on one foot, skip, and catch a ball. Tying
shoelaces is expected at 5 years. Reading simple words is expected at 6
years. Counting to 100 is expected at 6 years.
Q8. A nurse is assessing a 12-month-old infant. Which developmental
milestone should the nurse expect?
