PEDIATRIC NURSING – CPN
PRACTICE EXAMINATION
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS PLUS RATIONALES
2026/2027 EDITION WITH INSTANT
PDF DOWNLOAD
1.
A pediatric nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant. Which finding
should be reported immediately?
A. Respiratory rate of 30 breaths/min
B. Heart rate of 120 beats/min
C. Capillary refill of 2 seconds
D. Bulging, tense anterior fontanelle
Rationale: A bulging, tense anterior fontanelle can indicate
increased intracranial pressure and requires prompt
evaluation. Respiratory rate and heart rate listed are within
expected ranges for an infant, and capillary refill of 2 seconds
is generally acceptable.
2.
A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection to a
2-month-old infant. Which muscle is generally preferred?
,A. Deltoid
B. Dorsogluteal
C. Vastus lateralis
D. Rectus abdominis
Rationale: The vastus lateralis muscle is the preferred
intramuscular injection site for young infants because it is
well developed and avoids major nerves and blood vessels.
The deltoid is less developed in young infants, while the
dorsogluteal site is avoided because of the risk of sciatic
nerve injury.
3.
Which assessment finding is most characteristic of dehydration in
an infant?
A. Increased urine output
B. Moist mucous membranes
C. Decreased tears when crying
D. Bounding peripheral pulses
Rationale: Infants with dehydration may produce few or no
tears when crying, have dry mucous membranes, decreased
urine output, and altered skin turgor. Bounding pulses and
increased urine output are not typical findings of significant
dehydration.
4.
A nurse is caring for a child with suspected bacterial meningitis.
Which intervention is the priority?
,A. Encourage oral fluids
B. Place the child in a brightly lit room
C. Initiate appropriate isolation precautions promptly
D. Encourage frequent ambulation
Rationale: Suspected bacterial meningitis requires prompt
infection-control measures, including appropriate
transmission-based precautions according to institutional
policy. Early precautions help reduce transmission while
diagnostic testing and antimicrobial therapy are initiated.
5.
A 4-year-old child is admitted with croup. Which finding requires
the most immediate intervention?
A. Barking cough
B. Hoarse voice
C. Low-grade fever
D. Stridor at rest with increasing respiratory distress
Rationale: Stridor at rest accompanied by increasing
respiratory distress indicates significant upper-airway
obstruction. This can progress rapidly, making airway
assessment and intervention the priority. Barking cough and
hoarseness are common manifestations of croup but are less
immediately concerning.
6.
Which developmental behavior is most appropriate for a healthy
2-year-old child?
, A. Writing complete sentences
B. Riding a two-wheel bicycle independently
C. Using two-word phrases
D. Understanding abstract concepts
Rationale: Two-year-old children commonly use two-word
combinations such as “more juice” and demonstrate rapidly
expanding vocabulary. Writing sentences, riding a two-wheel
bicycle, and understanding abstract concepts are generally
associated with later developmental stages.
7.
A child with asthma is experiencing acute wheezing and
respiratory distress. Which medication should the nurse expect to
administer for rapid relief?
A. Montelukast
B. Fluticasone
C. Albuterol
D. Cromolyn
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist
that produces rapid bronchodilation and is commonly used as
a rescue medication during acute asthma symptoms. Inhaled
corticosteroids such as fluticasone are primarily controller
medications.
8.
A nurse is teaching parents how to reduce the risk of sudden
unexpected infant death. Which instruction is most appropriate?
PRACTICE EXAMINATION
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS PLUS RATIONALES
2026/2027 EDITION WITH INSTANT
PDF DOWNLOAD
1.
A pediatric nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant. Which finding
should be reported immediately?
A. Respiratory rate of 30 breaths/min
B. Heart rate of 120 beats/min
C. Capillary refill of 2 seconds
D. Bulging, tense anterior fontanelle
Rationale: A bulging, tense anterior fontanelle can indicate
increased intracranial pressure and requires prompt
evaluation. Respiratory rate and heart rate listed are within
expected ranges for an infant, and capillary refill of 2 seconds
is generally acceptable.
2.
A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection to a
2-month-old infant. Which muscle is generally preferred?
,A. Deltoid
B. Dorsogluteal
C. Vastus lateralis
D. Rectus abdominis
Rationale: The vastus lateralis muscle is the preferred
intramuscular injection site for young infants because it is
well developed and avoids major nerves and blood vessels.
The deltoid is less developed in young infants, while the
dorsogluteal site is avoided because of the risk of sciatic
nerve injury.
3.
Which assessment finding is most characteristic of dehydration in
an infant?
A. Increased urine output
B. Moist mucous membranes
C. Decreased tears when crying
D. Bounding peripheral pulses
Rationale: Infants with dehydration may produce few or no
tears when crying, have dry mucous membranes, decreased
urine output, and altered skin turgor. Bounding pulses and
increased urine output are not typical findings of significant
dehydration.
4.
A nurse is caring for a child with suspected bacterial meningitis.
Which intervention is the priority?
,A. Encourage oral fluids
B. Place the child in a brightly lit room
C. Initiate appropriate isolation precautions promptly
D. Encourage frequent ambulation
Rationale: Suspected bacterial meningitis requires prompt
infection-control measures, including appropriate
transmission-based precautions according to institutional
policy. Early precautions help reduce transmission while
diagnostic testing and antimicrobial therapy are initiated.
5.
A 4-year-old child is admitted with croup. Which finding requires
the most immediate intervention?
A. Barking cough
B. Hoarse voice
C. Low-grade fever
D. Stridor at rest with increasing respiratory distress
Rationale: Stridor at rest accompanied by increasing
respiratory distress indicates significant upper-airway
obstruction. This can progress rapidly, making airway
assessment and intervention the priority. Barking cough and
hoarseness are common manifestations of croup but are less
immediately concerning.
6.
Which developmental behavior is most appropriate for a healthy
2-year-old child?
, A. Writing complete sentences
B. Riding a two-wheel bicycle independently
C. Using two-word phrases
D. Understanding abstract concepts
Rationale: Two-year-old children commonly use two-word
combinations such as “more juice” and demonstrate rapidly
expanding vocabulary. Writing sentences, riding a two-wheel
bicycle, and understanding abstract concepts are generally
associated with later developmental stages.
7.
A child with asthma is experiencing acute wheezing and
respiratory distress. Which medication should the nurse expect to
administer for rapid relief?
A. Montelukast
B. Fluticasone
C. Albuterol
D. Cromolyn
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist
that produces rapid bronchodilation and is commonly used as
a rescue medication during acute asthma symptoms. Inhaled
corticosteroids such as fluticasone are primarily controller
medications.
8.
A nurse is teaching parents how to reduce the risk of sudden
unexpected infant death. Which instruction is most appropriate?
