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,
Family-Centered Care, Pediatric Assessment,
Respiratory, Cardiovascular, Neurologic, GI, Endocrine,
Renal, Hematologic, Infectious Diseases, Medications,
Fluid & Electrolytes, Pediatric Emergencies &
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 as a potential developmental delay?
A. The infant rolls from back to abdomen
B. The infant has a strong Moro reflex
C. The infant cannot sit without support
D. The infant holds a bottle with both hands
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The infant has a strong Moro reflex
Rationale: The Moro reflex is a primitive reflex that typically disappears by
3 to 4 months of age. Persistence of the Moro reflex at 6 months indicates a
potential neurological abnormality and should be reported to the provider.
Rolling from back to abdomen, sitting with support, and holding a bottle
are all expected developmental milestones for a 6-month-old infant.
Question 2: A nurse is caring for a 3-month-old infant who has
gastroesophageal reflux. Which of the following actions should the
nurse take?
A. Place the infant in a prone position after feedings
B. Feed the infant smaller amounts more frequently
C. Add cereal to the infant's bottle to thicken the formula
D. Position the infant flat during feedings
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Feed the infant smaller amounts more
frequently
Rationale: Smaller, more frequent feedings help reduce the frequency of
reflux episodes by decreasing the volume in the stomach at one time. Prone
,positioning increases the risk of SIDS. Adding cereal is not recommended
before 6 months of age. Flat positioning during feedings promotes reflux.
Question 3: A nurse is providing teaching to the parent of a toddler
about preventing injuries. Which of the following statements by the
parent indicates understanding?
A. "I will leave small toys on the floor so my child can play."
B. "I will keep cleaning products in a cabinet low to the ground."
C. "I will use a rear-facing car seat until my child is 2 years old."
D. "I will give my child nuts because they are healthy."
CORRECT ANSWER: C. "I will use a rear-facing car seat until my
child is 2 years old."
Rationale: Children should ride in a rear-facing car seat until at least 2 years
of age or until they reach the maximum weight or height limit for the seat.
Small toys, cleaning products, and nuts can all pose choking or poisoning
hazards.
Question 4: A nurse is caring for an adolescent who has type 1
diabetes mellitus. Which of the following findings requires
immediate follow-up?
A. Blood glucose 150 mg/dL
B. Ketones in the urine
C. Hemoglobin A1c 7%
D. Weight gain of 1 lb in 1 week
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Ketones in the urine
Rationale: The presence of ketones in the urine can indicate diabetic
ketoacidosis (DKA), a serious and potentially life-threatening complication.
This requires immediate follow-up. A blood glucose of 150 mg/dL is
slightly elevated but not immediately dangerous, HbA1c of 7% indicates
good long-term control, and 1 lb weight gain in a week is not concerning.
Question 5: A nurse is teaching a parent about administering oral
medications to an infant. Which of the following should the nurse
include in the teaching?
A. Use a universal dropper for medication administration
B. Add the medication to a formula bottle before feeding
,C. Use the nipple of a bottle to administer the medication
D. Mix the medication with honey for taste
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Use the nipple of a bottle to administer the
medication
Rationale: Using the nipple of a bottle is an appropriate method for
administering oral medications to infants. Medications should not be added
to formula bottles because the infant may not consume the entire feeding,
resulting in an incomplete dose. Honey is contraindicated in infants under 1
year due to the risk of botulism.
Question 6: A nurse is assessing a child's ears. Which of the
following is an expected finding?
A. Light reflex is located at the 2 o'clock position
B. Tympanic membrane is red in color
C. Bone landmarks are not visible
D. Cerumen is present bilaterally
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Cerumen is present bilaterally
Rationale: Cerumen (earwax) is a normal finding in the ear canal. A red
tympanic membrane indicates inflammation. The light reflex should be at
the 5 o'clock or 7 o'clock position. Bone landmarks should be visible in a
healthy ear.
Question 7: A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant. Which of the
following reflexes should the infant exhibit?
A. Moro
B. Plantar grasp
C. Stepping
D. Tonic neck
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Plantar grasp
Rationale: The plantar grasp reflex is present at birth and persists until 8 to
10 months of age, so it should still be present at 6 months. The Moro reflex
disappears by 3 to 4 months, the stepping reflex disappears by 4 to 8
weeks, and the tonic neck reflex disappears by 3 to 4 months.
, Question 8: A nurse is assessing a 12-month-old infant during a
well-child visit. Which of the following findings should the nurse
expect?
A. Closed anterior fontanel
B. Eruption of 6 teeth
C. Birth weight doubled
D. Birth length increased by 50%
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Birth weight doubled
Rationale: An infant's birth weight should double by 6 months and triple by
12 months. The anterior fontanel typically closes between 12 and 18
months. The average 12-month-old has 6 to 8 teeth. Birth length increases
by 50% by 12 months, not doubled.
Question 9: A nurse is performing a developmental screening of a
10-month-old infant. Which of the following fine motor skills
should the nurse expect?
A. Grasp a rattle by the handle
B. Build a two-block tower
C. Use a crude pincer grasp
D. Place objects into a container
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Grasp a rattle by the handle
Rationale: Grasping a rattle by the handle is expected at 10 months.
Building a two-block tower is expected at 12 months. A crude pincer grasp
develops at 9 months, and a neat pincer grasp at 12 months. Placing objects
into a container is expected at 11 months.
Question 10: A nurse is conducting a well-baby visit with a 4-
month-old infant. Which of the following immunizations should the
nurse plan to administer?
A. MMR
B. IPV
C. PCV
D. Varicella
E. RV
CORRECT ANSWER: B, C, E (IPV, PCV, RV)
ACTUAL-Style ATI Pediatric Nursing Practice
Questions & Answers, RN Nursing Care of Children
Exam Prep, Verified Answers, Detailed Rationales,
Pediatric Growth & Development, Health Promotion,
Family-Centered Care, Pediatric Assessment,
Respiratory, Cardiovascular, Neurologic, GI, Endocrine,
Renal, Hematologic, Infectious Diseases, Medications,
Fluid & Electrolytes, Pediatric Emergencies &
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 as a potential developmental delay?
A. The infant rolls from back to abdomen
B. The infant has a strong Moro reflex
C. The infant cannot sit without support
D. The infant holds a bottle with both hands
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The infant has a strong Moro reflex
Rationale: The Moro reflex is a primitive reflex that typically disappears by
3 to 4 months of age. Persistence of the Moro reflex at 6 months indicates a
potential neurological abnormality and should be reported to the provider.
Rolling from back to abdomen, sitting with support, and holding a bottle
are all expected developmental milestones for a 6-month-old infant.
Question 2: A nurse is caring for a 3-month-old infant who has
gastroesophageal reflux. Which of the following actions should the
nurse take?
A. Place the infant in a prone position after feedings
B. Feed the infant smaller amounts more frequently
C. Add cereal to the infant's bottle to thicken the formula
D. Position the infant flat during feedings
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Feed the infant smaller amounts more
frequently
Rationale: Smaller, more frequent feedings help reduce the frequency of
reflux episodes by decreasing the volume in the stomach at one time. Prone
,positioning increases the risk of SIDS. Adding cereal is not recommended
before 6 months of age. Flat positioning during feedings promotes reflux.
Question 3: A nurse is providing teaching to the parent of a toddler
about preventing injuries. Which of the following statements by the
parent indicates understanding?
A. "I will leave small toys on the floor so my child can play."
B. "I will keep cleaning products in a cabinet low to the ground."
C. "I will use a rear-facing car seat until my child is 2 years old."
D. "I will give my child nuts because they are healthy."
CORRECT ANSWER: C. "I will use a rear-facing car seat until my
child is 2 years old."
Rationale: Children should ride in a rear-facing car seat until at least 2 years
of age or until they reach the maximum weight or height limit for the seat.
Small toys, cleaning products, and nuts can all pose choking or poisoning
hazards.
Question 4: A nurse is caring for an adolescent who has type 1
diabetes mellitus. Which of the following findings requires
immediate follow-up?
A. Blood glucose 150 mg/dL
B. Ketones in the urine
C. Hemoglobin A1c 7%
D. Weight gain of 1 lb in 1 week
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Ketones in the urine
Rationale: The presence of ketones in the urine can indicate diabetic
ketoacidosis (DKA), a serious and potentially life-threatening complication.
This requires immediate follow-up. A blood glucose of 150 mg/dL is
slightly elevated but not immediately dangerous, HbA1c of 7% indicates
good long-term control, and 1 lb weight gain in a week is not concerning.
Question 5: A nurse is teaching a parent about administering oral
medications to an infant. Which of the following should the nurse
include in the teaching?
A. Use a universal dropper for medication administration
B. Add the medication to a formula bottle before feeding
,C. Use the nipple of a bottle to administer the medication
D. Mix the medication with honey for taste
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Use the nipple of a bottle to administer the
medication
Rationale: Using the nipple of a bottle is an appropriate method for
administering oral medications to infants. Medications should not be added
to formula bottles because the infant may not consume the entire feeding,
resulting in an incomplete dose. Honey is contraindicated in infants under 1
year due to the risk of botulism.
Question 6: A nurse is assessing a child's ears. Which of the
following is an expected finding?
A. Light reflex is located at the 2 o'clock position
B. Tympanic membrane is red in color
C. Bone landmarks are not visible
D. Cerumen is present bilaterally
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Cerumen is present bilaterally
Rationale: Cerumen (earwax) is a normal finding in the ear canal. A red
tympanic membrane indicates inflammation. The light reflex should be at
the 5 o'clock or 7 o'clock position. Bone landmarks should be visible in a
healthy ear.
Question 7: A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant. Which of the
following reflexes should the infant exhibit?
A. Moro
B. Plantar grasp
C. Stepping
D. Tonic neck
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Plantar grasp
Rationale: The plantar grasp reflex is present at birth and persists until 8 to
10 months of age, so it should still be present at 6 months. The Moro reflex
disappears by 3 to 4 months, the stepping reflex disappears by 4 to 8
weeks, and the tonic neck reflex disappears by 3 to 4 months.
, Question 8: A nurse is assessing a 12-month-old infant during a
well-child visit. Which of the following findings should the nurse
expect?
A. Closed anterior fontanel
B. Eruption of 6 teeth
C. Birth weight doubled
D. Birth length increased by 50%
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Birth weight doubled
Rationale: An infant's birth weight should double by 6 months and triple by
12 months. The anterior fontanel typically closes between 12 and 18
months. The average 12-month-old has 6 to 8 teeth. Birth length increases
by 50% by 12 months, not doubled.
Question 9: A nurse is performing a developmental screening of a
10-month-old infant. Which of the following fine motor skills
should the nurse expect?
A. Grasp a rattle by the handle
B. Build a two-block tower
C. Use a crude pincer grasp
D. Place objects into a container
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Grasp a rattle by the handle
Rationale: Grasping a rattle by the handle is expected at 10 months.
Building a two-block tower is expected at 12 months. A crude pincer grasp
develops at 9 months, and a neat pincer grasp at 12 months. Placing objects
into a container is expected at 11 months.
Question 10: A nurse is conducting a well-baby visit with a 4-
month-old infant. Which of the following immunizations should the
nurse plan to administer?
A. MMR
B. IPV
C. PCV
D. Varicella
E. RV
CORRECT ANSWER: B, C, E (IPV, PCV, RV)
