ATI Nursing Care of Children 2026/2027 Study Guide |
ACTUAL-Style ATI Pediatric Nursing Practice Questions &
Answers, RN Nursing Care of Children Exam Prep, Verified
Answers, Detailed Rationales, Pediatric Growth &
Development, Health Promotion, Pediatric Disorders,
Medications, Fluid & Electrolytes, Respiratory,
Cardiovascular, Neurologic, GI, Endocrine, Infectious
Diseases, Emergency Care & Comprehensive Nursing
Review
Question 1: A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant during a well-
child visit. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to
the provider?
A. Birth weight has doubled
B. Positive Moro reflex
C. Presence of a pincer grasp
D. Birth length increased by 50%
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Positive Moro reflex
Rationale: The Moro reflex is a primitive reflex that should disappear by 4
months of age. Its persistence at 6 months indicates possible neurological
abnormality and requires further evaluation. Birth weight doubling by 6
months is expected, pincer grasp typically develops around 9 months, and
birth length increasing by 50% by 12 months is normal.
Question 2: A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to the parent of a
4-month-old infant regarding introduction of solid foods. Which of the
following statements by the parent indicates understanding of the
teaching?
A. "I will start with strained fruits to prevent allergies."
B. "I will introduce iron-fortified rice cereal first."
C. "I will add cereal to my baby's bottle for nighttime feeding."
D. "I will begin with whole milk to increase caloric intake."
CORRECT ANSWER: B. "I will introduce iron-fortified rice cereal first."
Rationale: Iron-fortified single-grain cereals are the recommended first
solid food for infants at 4-6 months because breast milk and formula alone
may not provide sufficient iron after 4 months. Fruits are introduced after
cereals and vegetables. Adding cereal to bottles is not recommended due
,to choking risk and interference with hunger cues. Whole milk should not
be given before 12 months.
Question 3: A nurse is assessing a 15-month-old toddler during a well-
child visit. Which of the following gross motor milestones should the
nurse expect the toddler to demonstrate?
A. Jumping with both feet
B. Walking independently
C. Standing on one foot for 5 seconds
D. Riding a tricycle
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Walking independently
Rationale: Independent walking is expected by 15 months. Jumping with
both feet typically occurs around 2 years. Standing on one foot for several
seconds develops around 3-4 years. Riding a tricycle is a gross motor skill
expected around 3 years of age.
Question 4: A nurse is providing teaching to the parents of a 2-year-old
toddler about age-appropriate activities. Which of the following
statements by the parent indicates understanding?
A. "I will enroll my child in a soccer team next month."
B. "I will let my child play with a favorite stuffed animal during nap time
away from home."
C. "My child should be able to draw a circle."
D. "I will leave small building blocks on the floor for creative play."
CORRECT ANSWER: B. "I will let my child play with a favorite stuffed
animal during nap time away from home."
Rationale: Toddlers often need a transitional object (security item) for
comfort when away from home. Organized sports are inappropriate for 2-
year-olds due to immature motor skills and attention span. Drawing circles
is expected around 3 years. Small blocks pose a choking hazard for
toddlers who still mouth objects.
Question 5: A nurse is assessing a 3-year-old preschooler. Which of the
following fine motor skills should the nurse expect the child to
demonstrate?
,A. Drawing a circle
B. Tying shoelaces
C. Printing their name
D. Using scissors to cut a straight line
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Drawing a circle
Rationale: A 3-year-old should be able to draw a circle and a cross. Tying
shoelaces and printing names are skills expected around 6 years. Cutting a
straight line with scissors is typically achieved around 4-5 years.
Question 6: A nurse is providing teaching to the parent of a 4-year-old
preschooler about sleep promotion. Which of the following statements
by the parent indicates understanding of the teaching?
A. "I will let my child stay up an extra 2 hours on weekends."
B. "I will sleep in my child's bed if she wakes up during the night."
C. "I will keep a dim lamp on in my child's room during the night."
D. "I will let my child watch television for 30 minutes before bedtime."
CORRECT ANSWER: C. "I will keep a dim lamp on in my child's room
during the night."
Rationale: Preschoolers often have bedtime fears, and a dim nightlight can
provide comfort without disrupting sleep. Allowing weekend sleep
schedule changes can disrupt circadian rhythms. Co-sleeping when the
child awakens reinforces night waking. Screen time before bed interferes
with sleep onset.
Question 7: A nurse is assessing a 5-year-old child during a well-child
visit. Which of the following immunizations should the nurse plan to
administer?
A. Diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis (DTaP)
B. Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
C. Inactivated poliovirus (IPV)
D. All of the above
CORRECT ANSWER: D. All of the above
Rationale: At the 4-6 year well-child visit, the child should receive the DTaP,
MMR, IPV, and varicella booster vaccines if not previously administered.
These boosters ensure continued immunity before school entry.
, Question 8: A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to the parent of a
6-year-old school-age child. Which of the following statements by the
parent indicates understanding of injury prevention?
A. "I will allow my child to ride in the front seat of the car."
B. "I will ensure my child wears a helmet when riding a bicycle."
C. "I will let my child play with BB guns under supervision."
D. "I will leave my child unsupervised in the bathtub."
CORRECT ANSWER: B. "I will ensure my child wears a helmet when
riding a bicycle."
Rationale: Helmet use during bicycle riding is a critical injury prevention
measure for school-age children. Children under 12 should ride in the back
seat. BB guns pose significant eye and tissue injury risks. Children should
never be unsupervised in bathtubs due to drowning risk.
Question 9: A nurse is assessing a 10-year-old child according to
Piaget's theory of cognitive development. The nurse should identify
that the child is in which stage?
A. Sensorimotor
B. Preoperational
C. Concrete operational
D. Formal operational
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Concrete operational
Rationale: School-age children (7-11 years) are in the concrete operational
stage, characterized by logical thinking about concrete events,
understanding of conservation, and classification skills. Sensorimotor is
birth to 2 years. Preoperational is 2-7 years. Formal operational begins
around 11 years.
Question 10: A nurse is providing teaching to the parents of an 11-year-
old child about expected developmental changes during puberty.
Which of the following statements by a parent indicates
understanding?
A. "Growth differences between boys and girls become evident during this
period."
B. "Initial physiologic changes appear during early childhood."
ACTUAL-Style ATI Pediatric Nursing Practice Questions &
Answers, RN Nursing Care of Children Exam Prep, Verified
Answers, Detailed Rationales, Pediatric Growth &
Development, Health Promotion, Pediatric Disorders,
Medications, Fluid & Electrolytes, Respiratory,
Cardiovascular, Neurologic, GI, Endocrine, Infectious
Diseases, Emergency Care & Comprehensive Nursing
Review
Question 1: A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant during a well-
child visit. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to
the provider?
A. Birth weight has doubled
B. Positive Moro reflex
C. Presence of a pincer grasp
D. Birth length increased by 50%
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Positive Moro reflex
Rationale: The Moro reflex is a primitive reflex that should disappear by 4
months of age. Its persistence at 6 months indicates possible neurological
abnormality and requires further evaluation. Birth weight doubling by 6
months is expected, pincer grasp typically develops around 9 months, and
birth length increasing by 50% by 12 months is normal.
Question 2: A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to the parent of a
4-month-old infant regarding introduction of solid foods. Which of the
following statements by the parent indicates understanding of the
teaching?
A. "I will start with strained fruits to prevent allergies."
B. "I will introduce iron-fortified rice cereal first."
C. "I will add cereal to my baby's bottle for nighttime feeding."
D. "I will begin with whole milk to increase caloric intake."
CORRECT ANSWER: B. "I will introduce iron-fortified rice cereal first."
Rationale: Iron-fortified single-grain cereals are the recommended first
solid food for infants at 4-6 months because breast milk and formula alone
may not provide sufficient iron after 4 months. Fruits are introduced after
cereals and vegetables. Adding cereal to bottles is not recommended due
,to choking risk and interference with hunger cues. Whole milk should not
be given before 12 months.
Question 3: A nurse is assessing a 15-month-old toddler during a well-
child visit. Which of the following gross motor milestones should the
nurse expect the toddler to demonstrate?
A. Jumping with both feet
B. Walking independently
C. Standing on one foot for 5 seconds
D. Riding a tricycle
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Walking independently
Rationale: Independent walking is expected by 15 months. Jumping with
both feet typically occurs around 2 years. Standing on one foot for several
seconds develops around 3-4 years. Riding a tricycle is a gross motor skill
expected around 3 years of age.
Question 4: A nurse is providing teaching to the parents of a 2-year-old
toddler about age-appropriate activities. Which of the following
statements by the parent indicates understanding?
A. "I will enroll my child in a soccer team next month."
B. "I will let my child play with a favorite stuffed animal during nap time
away from home."
C. "My child should be able to draw a circle."
D. "I will leave small building blocks on the floor for creative play."
CORRECT ANSWER: B. "I will let my child play with a favorite stuffed
animal during nap time away from home."
Rationale: Toddlers often need a transitional object (security item) for
comfort when away from home. Organized sports are inappropriate for 2-
year-olds due to immature motor skills and attention span. Drawing circles
is expected around 3 years. Small blocks pose a choking hazard for
toddlers who still mouth objects.
Question 5: A nurse is assessing a 3-year-old preschooler. Which of the
following fine motor skills should the nurse expect the child to
demonstrate?
,A. Drawing a circle
B. Tying shoelaces
C. Printing their name
D. Using scissors to cut a straight line
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Drawing a circle
Rationale: A 3-year-old should be able to draw a circle and a cross. Tying
shoelaces and printing names are skills expected around 6 years. Cutting a
straight line with scissors is typically achieved around 4-5 years.
Question 6: A nurse is providing teaching to the parent of a 4-year-old
preschooler about sleep promotion. Which of the following statements
by the parent indicates understanding of the teaching?
A. "I will let my child stay up an extra 2 hours on weekends."
B. "I will sleep in my child's bed if she wakes up during the night."
C. "I will keep a dim lamp on in my child's room during the night."
D. "I will let my child watch television for 30 minutes before bedtime."
CORRECT ANSWER: C. "I will keep a dim lamp on in my child's room
during the night."
Rationale: Preschoolers often have bedtime fears, and a dim nightlight can
provide comfort without disrupting sleep. Allowing weekend sleep
schedule changes can disrupt circadian rhythms. Co-sleeping when the
child awakens reinforces night waking. Screen time before bed interferes
with sleep onset.
Question 7: A nurse is assessing a 5-year-old child during a well-child
visit. Which of the following immunizations should the nurse plan to
administer?
A. Diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis (DTaP)
B. Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
C. Inactivated poliovirus (IPV)
D. All of the above
CORRECT ANSWER: D. All of the above
Rationale: At the 4-6 year well-child visit, the child should receive the DTaP,
MMR, IPV, and varicella booster vaccines if not previously administered.
These boosters ensure continued immunity before school entry.
, Question 8: A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to the parent of a
6-year-old school-age child. Which of the following statements by the
parent indicates understanding of injury prevention?
A. "I will allow my child to ride in the front seat of the car."
B. "I will ensure my child wears a helmet when riding a bicycle."
C. "I will let my child play with BB guns under supervision."
D. "I will leave my child unsupervised in the bathtub."
CORRECT ANSWER: B. "I will ensure my child wears a helmet when
riding a bicycle."
Rationale: Helmet use during bicycle riding is a critical injury prevention
measure for school-age children. Children under 12 should ride in the back
seat. BB guns pose significant eye and tissue injury risks. Children should
never be unsupervised in bathtubs due to drowning risk.
Question 9: A nurse is assessing a 10-year-old child according to
Piaget's theory of cognitive development. The nurse should identify
that the child is in which stage?
A. Sensorimotor
B. Preoperational
C. Concrete operational
D. Formal operational
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Concrete operational
Rationale: School-age children (7-11 years) are in the concrete operational
stage, characterized by logical thinking about concrete events,
understanding of conservation, and classification skills. Sensorimotor is
birth to 2 years. Preoperational is 2-7 years. Formal operational begins
around 11 years.
Question 10: A nurse is providing teaching to the parents of an 11-year-
old child about expected developmental changes during puberty.
Which of the following statements by a parent indicates
understanding?
A. "Growth differences between boys and girls become evident during this
period."
B. "Initial physiologic changes appear during early childhood."
