PEDIATRIC DISORDERS & ACUTE CARE
NUR 272
Pediatric Nursing
Disorders & Acute Care
Care of Childbearing / Childrearing Family
Medgar Evers College, CUNY
Original pediatric clinical questions covering respiratory, cardiac, neurologic, gastrointestinal,
renal, endocrine, infectious, oncology, emergency, fluid, medication-safety, and priority
nursing care.
100 A-D 100
Practice questions Single best answer Explained answers
ASSESS / PRIORITIZE / INTERVENE
Answers and explanations after every question
Focused practice. Clear reasoning. Confident review.
, NUR 272 | PEDIATRIC DISORDERS & ACUTE CARE PASSPOINT PRO
Your practice guide
Work through 100 original pediatric clinical questions. Each item is followed by its answer and explanation so you can
connect signs and symptoms with the safest nursing assessment, intervention, medication-safety step, or escalation
decision.
Choose one best answer before reading the answer panel.
Prioritize airway, breathing, circulation, neurologic change, and signs of shock.
Use weight-based medication and fluid-safety principles consistently.
Track missed items by section and repeat weak content areas.
Topic map and review tracker
SET FOCUS ITEMS SCORE
01 Respiratory disorders & airway care 1-20 ___ / 20
02 Cardiac, hematologic & neurologic disorders 21-40 ___ / 20
03 GI, renal, endocrine & metabolic disorders 41-60 ___ / 20
04 Infectious, immunologic & oncology care 61-80 ___ / 20
05 Emergencies, fluids, medication safety & priorities 81-100 ___ / 20
Total correct: _____ / 100 Questions to revisit: __________________
PassPoint Pro | Original practice questions
, NUR 272 | PEDIATRIC DISORDERS & ACUTE CARE PASSPOINT PRO
01 Respiratory disorders & airway care
CROUP
1
A 2-year-old has a barking cough and inspiratory stridor that worsens when crying. Which nursing action
is most appropriate first?
A Keep the child calm and assess airway and breathing while preparing prescribed therapy
B Force the child to lie flat for a throat examination
C Inspect the throat repeatedly with a tongue blade
D Encourage vigorous coughing exercises
Answer: A. Keep the child calm and assess airway and breathing while preparing prescribed therapy
Explanation: Croup causes upper-airway swelling and stridor, and agitation can worsen obstruction. The nurse should keep the
child calm, assess respiratory effort, and provide ordered corticosteroid or nebulized epinephrine therapy as indicated.
Unnecessary throat manipulation can increase distress and should be avoided.
EPIGLOTTITIS
2
A child presents with high fever, drooling, muffled voice, and a tripod position. What is the priority nursing
action?
A Place the child supine for a complete examination
B Maintain the child in a position of comfort and prepare for emergency airway management
C Use a tongue blade to inspect the epiglottis
D Offer oral fluids to test swallowing
Answer: B. Maintain the child in a position of comfort and prepare for emergency airway management
Explanation: Drooling, tripod positioning, and muffled voice suggest severe upper-airway obstruction such as epiglottitis.
Airway loss can occur rapidly, so the child should remain calm and upright while expert airway support is prepared. Throat
examination should not be attempted outside a controlled setting because it can precipitate complete obstruction.
BRONCHIOLITIS
3
An infant with bronchiolitis has copious nasal secretions and poor feeding. Which intervention is most
helpful before feeding?
A Place the infant prone and unattended
B Gently suction the nose and assess respiratory effort
C Offer a large feeding before clearing secretions
D Give a cough suppressant routinely
Answer: B. Gently suction the nose and assess respiratory effort
Explanation: Infants are primarily nose breathers, so nasal congestion can interfere with both breathing and feeding. Gentle
nasal suctioning before feeds can improve comfort and intake while the nurse monitors oxygenation and work of breathing.
Large feeds may worsen fatigue and aspiration risk when respiratory distress is present.
PassPoint Pro | Original practice questions
, NUR 272 | PEDIATRIC DISORDERS & ACUTE CARE PASSPOINT PRO
01 Respiratory disorders & airway care
RSV PRECAUTIONS
4
Which infection-control approach is commonly used for a hospitalized infant with respiratory syncytial
virus?
A Use contact precautions and follow facility respiratory-isolation policy
B Use no precautions because RSV is not contagious
C Share equipment between rooms without cleaning
D Use only reverse isolation for the infant
Answer: A. Use contact precautions and follow facility respiratory-isolation policy
Explanation: RSV spreads efficiently through respiratory secretions and contaminated hands or surfaces. Contact precautions,
meticulous hand hygiene, and dedicated or disinfected equipment reduce transmission. Facilities may add other respiratory
precautions according to current policy and local guidance.
ASTHMA RESCUE
5
A school-age child with asthma develops wheezing and chest tightness during exercise. Which medication
type is used for rapid relief?
A An inhaled corticosteroid used only as a rescue drug
B A pancreatic enzyme preparation
C An oral antibiotic
D A short-acting inhaled bronchodilator such as albuterol
Answer: D. A short-acting inhaled bronchodilator such as albuterol
Explanation: Short-acting beta2 agonists provide rapid bronchodilation during acute asthma symptoms. Controller medicines
such as inhaled corticosteroids reduce chronic airway inflammation but are not substitutes for immediate rescue therapy. The
nurse should also assess response and signs of severe exacerbation.
ASTHMA INHALER
6
Which teaching improves delivery of medicine from a metered-dose inhaler in a child who has difficulty
coordinating inhalation?
A Take all puffs at once without inhaling
B Spray the medicine into the room and have the child breathe nearby
C Skip shaking or priming instructions for the device
D Use a spacer or valved holding chamber as prescribed
Answer: D. Use a spacer or valved holding chamber as prescribed
Explanation: A spacer or holding chamber reduces the need for precise hand-breath coordination and improves medication
delivery to the lungs. Correct device technique should be demonstrated and reassessed regularly. Poor technique can make an
effective medication seem ineffective.
PassPoint Pro | Original practice questions