1
Pediatric Nursing Practice Questions — 100 Questions with Answers and Rationales
Section 1: Growth and Development (Questions 1–15)
1. At what age does an infant typically first achieve a social smile?
A. Birth
B. 2 months
C. 4 months
D. 6 months
Answer: B. A social smile emerges around 2 months. Reflex smiling may occur earlier but is
not social.
2. A 9-month-old should be able to do which of the following?
A. Walk independently
B. Sit without support
C. Say two-word sentences
D. Stack three blocks
Answer: B. Independent sitting is achieved by 8–9 months. Walking independently occurs
around 12–15 months.
3. Which finding indicates a toddler has achieved a developmental milestone appropriate
for 18 months?
A. Runs well
B. Kicks a ball
C. Uses a spoon with some spilling
D. Draws a circle
Answer: C. Using a spoon with spilling is expected at 18 months. Running well and kicking a
ball are 2-year milestones.
4. The nurse is assessing a 3-year-old. Which behavior is expected?
A. Parallel play
B. Cooperative play
C. Imaginative play
D. Competitive play
Answer: A. Parallel play is typical for toddlers and young preschoolers. Cooperative play
develops around age 4–5.
5. At what age does a child typically develop a pincer grasp?
A. 3 months
B. 6 months
C. 9 months
D. 12 months
, 2
Answer: C. The pincer grasp (thumb and index finger) develops around 9 months.
6. A parent asks when their child should start using a sippy cup. The nurse's best response
is:
A. 4 months
B. 6 months
C. 9 months
D. 12 months
Answer: B. By 6 months, most infants can begin using a sippy cup as solids are introduced.
7. Which statement by a parent indicates understanding of toilet training readiness?
A. "My 12-month-old is ready because she can walk."
B. "My 18-month-old shows interest and stays dry for 2 hours."
C. "My 15-month-old can pull down his pants."
D. "My 20-month-old refuses to sit on the potty."
Answer: B. Readiness includes interest, dry periods of 2+ hours, and ability to communicate
needs — usually around 18–24 months.
8. The nurse is teaching about stranger anxiety. At what age does it typically peak?
A. 3–4 months
B. 6–8 months
C. 12–15 months
D. 2 years
Answer: B. Stranger anxiety peaks around 6–8 months and resolves by 2 years.
9. A 5-year-old's weight is expected to be approximately:
A. 20 lb
B. 30 lb
C. 40 lb
D. 50 lb
Answer: C. A 5-year-old typically weighs about 40 lb (18 kg).
10. Which is the expected head circumference of a 6-month-old?
A. 33 cm
B. 38 cm
C. 43 cm
D. 48 cm
Answer: C. Head circumference at 6 months is approximately 43 cm (increases ~1 cm/month
in first 6 months).
11. The nurse is assessing a 2-year-old. Which finding should be reported?
A. Uses 2-word phrases
, 3
B. Cannot stack 6 blocks
C. Cannot name 3 body parts
D. Cannot pedal a tricycle
Answer: B. A 2-year-old should stack 4–6 blocks. Inability to do so may indicate fine motor
delay.
12. Which developmental task is associated with Erikson's stage for a 4-year-old?
A. Trust vs. mistrust
B. Autonomy vs. shame
C. Initiative vs. guilt
D. Industry vs. inferiority
Answer: C. Initiative vs. guilt is the preschool stage (3–6 years).
13. The nurse is teaching about dental care. When should a child first see a dentist?
A. At birth
B. By 1 year
C. By 3 years
D. By 5 years
Answer: B. The AAPD recommends a first dental visit by age 1 or within 6 months of first
tooth eruption.
14. A 7-year-old is in which Piagetian stage?
A. Sensorimotor
B. Preoperational
C. Concrete operational
D. Formal operational
Answer: C. Concrete operational (7–11 years) involves logical thinking about concrete
events.
15. Which fine motor skill is expected in a 4-year-old?
A. Ties shoelaces
B. Draws a person with 6 parts
C. Uses scissors to cut a straight line
D. Writes full name
Answer: C. Cutting a straight line is a 4-year skill. Tying shoes and drawing 6-part figures are
5-year skills.
Section 2: Cardiovascular (Questions 16–30)
Pediatric Nursing Practice Questions — 100 Questions with Answers and Rationales
Section 1: Growth and Development (Questions 1–15)
1. At what age does an infant typically first achieve a social smile?
A. Birth
B. 2 months
C. 4 months
D. 6 months
Answer: B. A social smile emerges around 2 months. Reflex smiling may occur earlier but is
not social.
2. A 9-month-old should be able to do which of the following?
A. Walk independently
B. Sit without support
C. Say two-word sentences
D. Stack three blocks
Answer: B. Independent sitting is achieved by 8–9 months. Walking independently occurs
around 12–15 months.
3. Which finding indicates a toddler has achieved a developmental milestone appropriate
for 18 months?
A. Runs well
B. Kicks a ball
C. Uses a spoon with some spilling
D. Draws a circle
Answer: C. Using a spoon with spilling is expected at 18 months. Running well and kicking a
ball are 2-year milestones.
4. The nurse is assessing a 3-year-old. Which behavior is expected?
A. Parallel play
B. Cooperative play
C. Imaginative play
D. Competitive play
Answer: A. Parallel play is typical for toddlers and young preschoolers. Cooperative play
develops around age 4–5.
5. At what age does a child typically develop a pincer grasp?
A. 3 months
B. 6 months
C. 9 months
D. 12 months
, 2
Answer: C. The pincer grasp (thumb and index finger) develops around 9 months.
6. A parent asks when their child should start using a sippy cup. The nurse's best response
is:
A. 4 months
B. 6 months
C. 9 months
D. 12 months
Answer: B. By 6 months, most infants can begin using a sippy cup as solids are introduced.
7. Which statement by a parent indicates understanding of toilet training readiness?
A. "My 12-month-old is ready because she can walk."
B. "My 18-month-old shows interest and stays dry for 2 hours."
C. "My 15-month-old can pull down his pants."
D. "My 20-month-old refuses to sit on the potty."
Answer: B. Readiness includes interest, dry periods of 2+ hours, and ability to communicate
needs — usually around 18–24 months.
8. The nurse is teaching about stranger anxiety. At what age does it typically peak?
A. 3–4 months
B. 6–8 months
C. 12–15 months
D. 2 years
Answer: B. Stranger anxiety peaks around 6–8 months and resolves by 2 years.
9. A 5-year-old's weight is expected to be approximately:
A. 20 lb
B. 30 lb
C. 40 lb
D. 50 lb
Answer: C. A 5-year-old typically weighs about 40 lb (18 kg).
10. Which is the expected head circumference of a 6-month-old?
A. 33 cm
B. 38 cm
C. 43 cm
D. 48 cm
Answer: C. Head circumference at 6 months is approximately 43 cm (increases ~1 cm/month
in first 6 months).
11. The nurse is assessing a 2-year-old. Which finding should be reported?
A. Uses 2-word phrases
, 3
B. Cannot stack 6 blocks
C. Cannot name 3 body parts
D. Cannot pedal a tricycle
Answer: B. A 2-year-old should stack 4–6 blocks. Inability to do so may indicate fine motor
delay.
12. Which developmental task is associated with Erikson's stage for a 4-year-old?
A. Trust vs. mistrust
B. Autonomy vs. shame
C. Initiative vs. guilt
D. Industry vs. inferiority
Answer: C. Initiative vs. guilt is the preschool stage (3–6 years).
13. The nurse is teaching about dental care. When should a child first see a dentist?
A. At birth
B. By 1 year
C. By 3 years
D. By 5 years
Answer: B. The AAPD recommends a first dental visit by age 1 or within 6 months of first
tooth eruption.
14. A 7-year-old is in which Piagetian stage?
A. Sensorimotor
B. Preoperational
C. Concrete operational
D. Formal operational
Answer: C. Concrete operational (7–11 years) involves logical thinking about concrete
events.
15. Which fine motor skill is expected in a 4-year-old?
A. Ties shoelaces
B. Draws a person with 6 parts
C. Uses scissors to cut a straight line
D. Writes full name
Answer: C. Cutting a straight line is a 4-year skill. Tying shoes and drawing 6-part figures are
5-year skills.
Section 2: Cardiovascular (Questions 16–30)
