Certified Pediatric Nurse Exam Question
and correct answers (verified answers
100%) Q&A
2026/2027 INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A 6-month-old infant is assessed during a routine visit. Which developmental finding is
most appropriate for this age?
A. Walking independently
B. Sitting with support
C. Using two-word phrases
D. Drawing a circle
Correct Answer: B. Sitting with support
Rationale: By approximately 6 months, many infants can sit with support and demonstrate
increasing trunk control. Independent walking and two-word phrases occur much later.
2. Which assessment finding in a 2-month-old infant requires the nurse's immediate
attention?
A. Hands frequently clenched
B. Respiratory rate of 70/min with nasal flaring
C. Brief periods of crying
D. Startle response to loud noise
Correct Answer: B. Respiratory rate of 70/min with nasal flaring
Rationale: Tachypnea accompanied by nasal flaring indicates increased work of breathing and
may signal significant respiratory distress.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer an oral medication to a toddler. Which approach is most
appropriate?
,A. Mix the medication into a full bottle of milk
B. Tell the child that the medication is candy
C. Use an oral syringe and allow the child to choose the flavor when possible
D. Force the child's mouth open and quickly administer it
Correct Answer: C. Use an oral syringe and allow the child to choose the flavor when possible
Rationale: Oral syringes improve dosing accuracy, while offering limited choices promotes
cooperation. Medications should never be falsely described as candy.
4. Which finding is most characteristic of dehydration in an infant?
A. Increased urine output
B. Bulging fontanelle
C. Decreased wet diapers
D. Bounding peripheral pulses
Correct Answer: C. Decreased wet diapers
Rationale: Reduced urine output is an important indicator of fluid deficit in infants. Other
findings may include dry mucous membranes, poor skin turgor, and a sunken fontanelle.
5. A child with suspected bacterial meningitis is admitted. Which isolation precaution is
initially appropriate?
A. Contact
B. Droplet
C. Airborne
D. Protective
Correct Answer: B. Droplet
Rationale: Suspected bacterial meningitis caused by organisms such as meningococcus requires
droplet precautions in addition to standard precautions.
6. Which finding is most concerning in a child with asthma?
A. Expiratory wheezing
B. Mild cough
,C. Diminished or absent breath sounds
D. Respiratory rate of 24/min
Correct Answer: C. Diminished or absent breath sounds
Rationale: A "silent chest" may indicate critically reduced airflow and severe airway obstruction.
It is more concerning than audible wheezing.
7. Which medication is commonly used as a rapid-relief bronchodilator for acute asthma
symptoms?
A. Albuterol
B. Montelukast
C. Fluticasone
D. Cromolyn
Correct Answer: A. Albuterol
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist that rapidly relaxes bronchial
smooth muscle and provides relief during acute bronchospasm.
8. A child with croup develops increasing stridor at rest and retractions. What should the
nurse do first?
A. Inspect the throat with a tongue blade
B. Keep the child calm and provide prescribed respiratory support
C. Encourage vigorous coughing
D. Place the child flat in bed
Correct Answer: B. Keep the child calm and provide prescribed respiratory support
Rationale: Agitation can worsen upper-airway obstruction. Maintaining a calm environment and
supporting oxygenation are priorities.
9. Which sign is typical of epiglottitis?
A. Barking cough
B. Drooling and tripod positioning
C. Productive cough with crackles
D. Mild nasal congestion
, Correct Answer: B. Drooling and tripod positioning
Rationale: Drooling, dysphagia, muffled voice, and tripod positioning are classic warning signs of
epiglottic inflammation and airway obstruction.
10. Which action should the nurse avoid when epiglottitis is suspected?
A. Maintaining the child's position of comfort
B. Preparing for airway management
C. Inspecting the throat with a tongue blade
D. Administering prescribed antibiotics
Correct Answer: C. Inspecting the throat with a tongue blade
Rationale: Manipulation of the inflamed epiglottis can precipitate sudden airway obstruction.
11. Which vaccine is routinely administered during infancy to help prevent measles?
A. MMR
B. HPV
C. Tdap
D. Meningococcal B
Correct Answer: A. MMR
Rationale: The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella and is routinely
introduced during early childhood according to the applicable immunization schedule.
12. Which nursing action is most appropriate when administering an intramuscular injection
to a young child?
A. Use the smallest appropriate needle and correct anatomical site
B. Always use the deltoid muscle
C. Inject directly into the abdomen
D. Use the same needle size for every child
Correct Answer: A. Use the smallest appropriate needle and correct anatomical site
Rationale: Pediatric injections require consideration of age, muscle mass, medication volume,
and the recommended injection site.
and correct answers (verified answers
100%) Q&A
2026/2027 INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A 6-month-old infant is assessed during a routine visit. Which developmental finding is
most appropriate for this age?
A. Walking independently
B. Sitting with support
C. Using two-word phrases
D. Drawing a circle
Correct Answer: B. Sitting with support
Rationale: By approximately 6 months, many infants can sit with support and demonstrate
increasing trunk control. Independent walking and two-word phrases occur much later.
2. Which assessment finding in a 2-month-old infant requires the nurse's immediate
attention?
A. Hands frequently clenched
B. Respiratory rate of 70/min with nasal flaring
C. Brief periods of crying
D. Startle response to loud noise
Correct Answer: B. Respiratory rate of 70/min with nasal flaring
Rationale: Tachypnea accompanied by nasal flaring indicates increased work of breathing and
may signal significant respiratory distress.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer an oral medication to a toddler. Which approach is most
appropriate?
,A. Mix the medication into a full bottle of milk
B. Tell the child that the medication is candy
C. Use an oral syringe and allow the child to choose the flavor when possible
D. Force the child's mouth open and quickly administer it
Correct Answer: C. Use an oral syringe and allow the child to choose the flavor when possible
Rationale: Oral syringes improve dosing accuracy, while offering limited choices promotes
cooperation. Medications should never be falsely described as candy.
4. Which finding is most characteristic of dehydration in an infant?
A. Increased urine output
B. Bulging fontanelle
C. Decreased wet diapers
D. Bounding peripheral pulses
Correct Answer: C. Decreased wet diapers
Rationale: Reduced urine output is an important indicator of fluid deficit in infants. Other
findings may include dry mucous membranes, poor skin turgor, and a sunken fontanelle.
5. A child with suspected bacterial meningitis is admitted. Which isolation precaution is
initially appropriate?
A. Contact
B. Droplet
C. Airborne
D. Protective
Correct Answer: B. Droplet
Rationale: Suspected bacterial meningitis caused by organisms such as meningococcus requires
droplet precautions in addition to standard precautions.
6. Which finding is most concerning in a child with asthma?
A. Expiratory wheezing
B. Mild cough
,C. Diminished or absent breath sounds
D. Respiratory rate of 24/min
Correct Answer: C. Diminished or absent breath sounds
Rationale: A "silent chest" may indicate critically reduced airflow and severe airway obstruction.
It is more concerning than audible wheezing.
7. Which medication is commonly used as a rapid-relief bronchodilator for acute asthma
symptoms?
A. Albuterol
B. Montelukast
C. Fluticasone
D. Cromolyn
Correct Answer: A. Albuterol
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist that rapidly relaxes bronchial
smooth muscle and provides relief during acute bronchospasm.
8. A child with croup develops increasing stridor at rest and retractions. What should the
nurse do first?
A. Inspect the throat with a tongue blade
B. Keep the child calm and provide prescribed respiratory support
C. Encourage vigorous coughing
D. Place the child flat in bed
Correct Answer: B. Keep the child calm and provide prescribed respiratory support
Rationale: Agitation can worsen upper-airway obstruction. Maintaining a calm environment and
supporting oxygenation are priorities.
9. Which sign is typical of epiglottitis?
A. Barking cough
B. Drooling and tripod positioning
C. Productive cough with crackles
D. Mild nasal congestion
, Correct Answer: B. Drooling and tripod positioning
Rationale: Drooling, dysphagia, muffled voice, and tripod positioning are classic warning signs of
epiglottic inflammation and airway obstruction.
10. Which action should the nurse avoid when epiglottitis is suspected?
A. Maintaining the child's position of comfort
B. Preparing for airway management
C. Inspecting the throat with a tongue blade
D. Administering prescribed antibiotics
Correct Answer: C. Inspecting the throat with a tongue blade
Rationale: Manipulation of the inflamed epiglottis can precipitate sudden airway obstruction.
11. Which vaccine is routinely administered during infancy to help prevent measles?
A. MMR
B. HPV
C. Tdap
D. Meningococcal B
Correct Answer: A. MMR
Rationale: The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella and is routinely
introduced during early childhood according to the applicable immunization schedule.
12. Which nursing action is most appropriate when administering an intramuscular injection
to a young child?
A. Use the smallest appropriate needle and correct anatomical site
B. Always use the deltoid muscle
C. Inject directly into the abdomen
D. Use the same needle size for every child
Correct Answer: A. Use the smallest appropriate needle and correct anatomical site
Rationale: Pediatric injections require consideration of age, muscle mass, medication volume,
and the recommended injection site.
