KAPLAN PEDIATRIC NURSING EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
CORE DOMAINS
Growth and Development
Pediatric Assessment and Health Promotion
Fluid and Electrolyte Balance
Pharmacological and Nutritional Therapies
Acute and Chronic Illness Management
Pediatric Emergencies and Critical Care
Ethics, Advocacy, and Legal Issues
Family-Centered Care and Cultural Competence
INTRODUCTION
The Kaplan Pediatric Nursing Exam evaluates the knowledge and clinical judgment required for
safe, effective nursing care of infants, children, and adolescents. It assesses foundational pediatric
theory, growth and development principles, health promotion, and the management of acute and
chronic conditions. The exam emphasizes real-world application through multiple-choice and
scenario-based questions that require critical thinking, prioritization, and ethical decision-
making. Candidates must demonstrate competency in family-centered care, regulatory
compliance, and professional standards to ensure optimal patient outcomes across diverse
pediatric populations.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which developmental
milestone should the nurse expect to observe?
A. Rolling from back to abdomen
B. Sitting without support
C. Pincer grasp
D. Walking with assistance
🟢 Correct answer: A
🔴 RATIONALE: Rolling from back to abdomen typically occurs at 5 to 6 months of age. Sitting
without support is expected at 8 months, pincer grasp at 9 to 10 months, and walking with
assistance at 12 months. These milestones reflect gross and fine motor development
progression.
,2. A 4-year-old child is admitted with suspected epiglottitis. Which action should the nurse
take first?
A. Obtain a throat culture
B. Inspect the throat with a tongue blade
C. Maintain the child in a comfortable position
D. Administer oral antibiotics
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Epiglottitis is a medical emergency. Manipulating the throat or inspecting it
with a tongue blade can precipitate complete airway obstruction. Maintaining a comfortable
position, often upright and leaning forward, helps keep the airway patent while preparing for
emergency airway management.
3. A nurse is teaching the parents of a child with sickle cell anemia about preventing vaso-
occlusive crises. Which instruction is most important?
A. Encourage vigorous physical activity
B. Ensure adequate hydration
C. Administer iron supplements daily
D. Restrict fluids during illness
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Dehydration is a major trigger for vaso-occlusive crises in sickle cell anemia.
Adequate hydration reduces blood viscosity and promotes circulation, decreasing the risk of
sickling and vessel occlusion. Iron supplements are not routinely indicated unless iron
deficiency is present.
4. A 2-year-old child is brought to the emergency department with a suspected foreign body
aspiration. Which assessment finding is most concerning?
A. Mild cough
B. Stridor
C. Wheezing
D. Hoarse voice
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Stridor indicates partial upper airway obstruction and is a life-threatening sign.
While cough, wheezing, and hoarseness may occur, stridor signals significant narrowing that
can rapidly progress to complete obstruction and requires immediate intervention.
,5. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to an infant with heart failure. The apical pulse is
90 beats per minute. What action should the nurse take?
A. Administer the dose as ordered
B. Hold the dose and notify the provider
C. Administer half the dose
D. Recheck the pulse in 15 minutes
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Digoxin should be withheld in infants if the apical pulse is below 90 to 110
beats per minute, depending on age and institutional protocol. A pulse of 90 in an infant may
indicate bradycardia, and administration could lead to toxicity. The provider must be notified.
6. A 10-year-old child with type 1 diabetes mellitus is experiencing hypoglycemia. Which
symptom should the nurse expect?
A. Polyuria
B. Polydipsia
C. Shakiness
D. Kussmaul respirations
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Shakiness, along with sweating, palpitations, and hunger, is a classic sign of
hypoglycemia due to sympathetic nervous system activation. Polyuria, polydipsia, and
Kussmaul respirations are associated with hyperglycemia and diabetic ketoacidosis.
7. A nurse is assessing a child for possible physical abuse. Which finding is most indicative of
abuse?
A. Bruises on the shins
B. Multiple bruises in various stages of healing
C. A single bruise on the forehead
D. Bruises on the knees
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Multiple bruises in different stages of healing, especially in protected areas or
with patterned shapes, raise high suspicion for physical abuse. Accidental bruises commonly
occur on bony prominences like shins and knees.
8. A 5-year-old child is receiving chemotherapy. The nurse should monitor for which oncologic
emergency indicated by a temperature of 38.3°C (101°F)?
, A. Tumor lysis syndrome
B. Febrile neutropenia
C. Superior vena cava syndrome
D. Spinal cord compression
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Febrile neutropenia is a life-threatening emergency in immunocompromised
children undergoing chemotherapy. A single temperature of 38.3°C or higher requires
immediate evaluation and empiric antibiotic therapy.
9. A nurse is teaching a parent about car seat safety for a 9-month-old infant. Which statement
indicates correct understanding?
A. "I will place the car seat in the front passenger seat."
B. "My baby should ride in a rear-facing car seat in the back seat."
C. "I can switch to a forward-facing seat now."
D. "The car seat should be installed with the seat belt only."
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Infants should remain in a rear-facing car seat in the back seat until they reach
the maximum height or weight limit of the seat, typically at least 2 years of age. The back seat
is the safest location, and the car seat should be installed using LATCH or seat belt according to
manufacturer instructions.
10. A child with nephrotic syndrome is receiving prednisone. Which side effect should the nurse
monitor for?
A. Hypertension
B. Weight loss
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Bradycardia
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Corticosteroids such as prednisone can cause hyperglycemia, increased
appetite, weight gain, hypertension, and immunosuppression. Monitoring blood glucose levels
is essential during therapy.
11. A nurse is performing a developmental assessment on a 15-month-old toddler. Which
behavior indicates a possible developmental delay?
A. Says two to three words
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
CORE DOMAINS
Growth and Development
Pediatric Assessment and Health Promotion
Fluid and Electrolyte Balance
Pharmacological and Nutritional Therapies
Acute and Chronic Illness Management
Pediatric Emergencies and Critical Care
Ethics, Advocacy, and Legal Issues
Family-Centered Care and Cultural Competence
INTRODUCTION
The Kaplan Pediatric Nursing Exam evaluates the knowledge and clinical judgment required for
safe, effective nursing care of infants, children, and adolescents. It assesses foundational pediatric
theory, growth and development principles, health promotion, and the management of acute and
chronic conditions. The exam emphasizes real-world application through multiple-choice and
scenario-based questions that require critical thinking, prioritization, and ethical decision-
making. Candidates must demonstrate competency in family-centered care, regulatory
compliance, and professional standards to ensure optimal patient outcomes across diverse
pediatric populations.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which developmental
milestone should the nurse expect to observe?
A. Rolling from back to abdomen
B. Sitting without support
C. Pincer grasp
D. Walking with assistance
🟢 Correct answer: A
🔴 RATIONALE: Rolling from back to abdomen typically occurs at 5 to 6 months of age. Sitting
without support is expected at 8 months, pincer grasp at 9 to 10 months, and walking with
assistance at 12 months. These milestones reflect gross and fine motor development
progression.
,2. A 4-year-old child is admitted with suspected epiglottitis. Which action should the nurse
take first?
A. Obtain a throat culture
B. Inspect the throat with a tongue blade
C. Maintain the child in a comfortable position
D. Administer oral antibiotics
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Epiglottitis is a medical emergency. Manipulating the throat or inspecting it
with a tongue blade can precipitate complete airway obstruction. Maintaining a comfortable
position, often upright and leaning forward, helps keep the airway patent while preparing for
emergency airway management.
3. A nurse is teaching the parents of a child with sickle cell anemia about preventing vaso-
occlusive crises. Which instruction is most important?
A. Encourage vigorous physical activity
B. Ensure adequate hydration
C. Administer iron supplements daily
D. Restrict fluids during illness
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Dehydration is a major trigger for vaso-occlusive crises in sickle cell anemia.
Adequate hydration reduces blood viscosity and promotes circulation, decreasing the risk of
sickling and vessel occlusion. Iron supplements are not routinely indicated unless iron
deficiency is present.
4. A 2-year-old child is brought to the emergency department with a suspected foreign body
aspiration. Which assessment finding is most concerning?
A. Mild cough
B. Stridor
C. Wheezing
D. Hoarse voice
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Stridor indicates partial upper airway obstruction and is a life-threatening sign.
While cough, wheezing, and hoarseness may occur, stridor signals significant narrowing that
can rapidly progress to complete obstruction and requires immediate intervention.
,5. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to an infant with heart failure. The apical pulse is
90 beats per minute. What action should the nurse take?
A. Administer the dose as ordered
B. Hold the dose and notify the provider
C. Administer half the dose
D. Recheck the pulse in 15 minutes
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Digoxin should be withheld in infants if the apical pulse is below 90 to 110
beats per minute, depending on age and institutional protocol. A pulse of 90 in an infant may
indicate bradycardia, and administration could lead to toxicity. The provider must be notified.
6. A 10-year-old child with type 1 diabetes mellitus is experiencing hypoglycemia. Which
symptom should the nurse expect?
A. Polyuria
B. Polydipsia
C. Shakiness
D. Kussmaul respirations
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Shakiness, along with sweating, palpitations, and hunger, is a classic sign of
hypoglycemia due to sympathetic nervous system activation. Polyuria, polydipsia, and
Kussmaul respirations are associated with hyperglycemia and diabetic ketoacidosis.
7. A nurse is assessing a child for possible physical abuse. Which finding is most indicative of
abuse?
A. Bruises on the shins
B. Multiple bruises in various stages of healing
C. A single bruise on the forehead
D. Bruises on the knees
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Multiple bruises in different stages of healing, especially in protected areas or
with patterned shapes, raise high suspicion for physical abuse. Accidental bruises commonly
occur on bony prominences like shins and knees.
8. A 5-year-old child is receiving chemotherapy. The nurse should monitor for which oncologic
emergency indicated by a temperature of 38.3°C (101°F)?
, A. Tumor lysis syndrome
B. Febrile neutropenia
C. Superior vena cava syndrome
D. Spinal cord compression
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Febrile neutropenia is a life-threatening emergency in immunocompromised
children undergoing chemotherapy. A single temperature of 38.3°C or higher requires
immediate evaluation and empiric antibiotic therapy.
9. A nurse is teaching a parent about car seat safety for a 9-month-old infant. Which statement
indicates correct understanding?
A. "I will place the car seat in the front passenger seat."
B. "My baby should ride in a rear-facing car seat in the back seat."
C. "I can switch to a forward-facing seat now."
D. "The car seat should be installed with the seat belt only."
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Infants should remain in a rear-facing car seat in the back seat until they reach
the maximum height or weight limit of the seat, typically at least 2 years of age. The back seat
is the safest location, and the car seat should be installed using LATCH or seat belt according to
manufacturer instructions.
10. A child with nephrotic syndrome is receiving prednisone. Which side effect should the nurse
monitor for?
A. Hypertension
B. Weight loss
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Bradycardia
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Corticosteroids such as prednisone can cause hyperglycemia, increased
appetite, weight gain, hypertension, and immunosuppression. Monitoring blood glucose levels
is essential during therapy.
11. A nurse is performing a developmental assessment on a 15-month-old toddler. Which
behavior indicates a possible developmental delay?
A. Says two to three words
