RN Pediatric Nursing ATI Review Module 12.0
by Alissa Althoff | Content Mastery Series Study
Guide & Exam Review 2026/2027
Section I: Foundations of Pediatric Nursing
1. A nurse is assessing a 9-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which of
the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Birth weight has doubled
B. Birth weight has tripled
C. Pincer grasp is present
D. Walks independently
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A pincer grasp (using the thumb and index finger to pick up small
objects) typically develops between 9 and 12 months of age. Birth weight doubles
by 5–6 months and triples by 12 months. Walking independently typically occurs
around 12–15 months.
2. A nurse is teaching a parent about introducing solid foods to an infant.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Introduce one new food at a time, waiting 3–5 days between new foods
B. Begin with mixed-grain cereals for maximum nutrition
C. Add honey to sweeten foods after 6 months
D. Introduce cow's milk at 9 months
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Introducing one new food at a time with a 3–5 day interval allows
identification of food allergies or intolerances. Honey is contraindicated before 12
months due to botulism risk. Cow's milk should not replace breast milk or formula
before 12 months. Single-ingredient foods are recommended initially.
,3. A nurse is caring for a hospitalized 3-year-old child. Which of the following
behaviors should the nurse expect according to Erikson's stages of
psychosocial development?
A. Cooperative play with peers
B. Initiative versus guilt
C. Autonomy versus shame and doubt
D. Industry versus inferiority
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Toddlers (1–3 years) are in Erikson's stage of autonomy versus
shame and doubt. Preschoolers (3–6 years) are in initiative versus guilt. School-
age children (6–12 years) are in industry versus inferiority. Cooperative play is
characteristic of preschool and school-age children.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a 2-year-old child. Which
of the following methods is most appropriate for medication administration?
A. Mix the medication with the child's entire bottle of formula
B. Use an oral syringe and administer slowly toward the inner cheek
C. Place the medication in a bottle with juice
D. Administer with a teaspoon and allow the child to self-administer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Using an oral syringe directed toward the inner cheek prevents
aspiration and allows the nurse to control the rate of administration. Mixing
medication in a full bottle of formula or juice risks incomplete ingestion if the child
does not finish the bottle. Toddlers should not self-administer medication.
5. A nurse is assessing pain in a 4-year-old child who is postoperative. Which
of the following pain scales is most appropriate?
,A. Numeric rating scale (0–10)
B. Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale
C. Visual analog scale
D. Verbal descriptor scale
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Wong-Baker FACES scale uses facial expressions and is
appropriate for children as young as 3 years who can understand the concept of
faces representing pain. The numeric rating scale and visual analog scale require
abstract thinking typically not developed until age 7–8.
6. A nurse is teaching a parent about car seat safety for a newborn. Which of
the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Place the car seat forward-facing in the front passenger seat
B. Position the car seat rear-facing in the back seat
C. Use a booster seat with the seat belt across the neck
D. Place the infant in the front seat with the airbag active
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Infants should ride rear-facing in the back seat until at least age 2
or until they reach the highest weight/height allowed by the car seat manufacturer.
The front seat is unsafe due to airbag deployment risk. Booster seats are for older
children who have outgrown forward-facing car seats.
7. A nurse is caring for a child who is dying. The parents ask about organ
donation. Which of the following responses by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. "You should decide immediately so we can proceed."
B. "Organ donation is only possible for adults."
C. "I can provide you with information and contact the organ procurement
organization if you wish."
D. "You don't need to think about that right now."
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse's role is to provide information and facilitate the family's
decision without pressure. Organ donation is possible for children with parental
consent. The family should be given time to consider this decision. Providing
resources respects family autonomy.
8. A nurse is assessing a 5-year-old child's developmental milestones. Which of
the following should the nurse expect the child to be able to do?
A. Tie shoelaces independently
B. Print their first name
C. Hop on one foot
D. Count to 100
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hopping on one foot is a gross motor milestone typically achieved
by age 4–5. Printing first name and tying shoelaces are typically achieved by age
5–6. Counting to 100 is a cognitive milestone achieved later in school age.
9. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to the parents of a 6-month-old
infant. Which of the following statements by the parent indicates a need for
further teaching?
A. "I will place my baby on the back to sleep."
B. "I will use a firm mattress with a fitted sheet."
C. "I will place a soft pillow in the crib for comfort."
D. "I will keep the crib free of stuffed animals."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Soft pillows, blankets, and stuffed animals in the crib increase the
risk of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Infants should sleep
by Alissa Althoff | Content Mastery Series Study
Guide & Exam Review 2026/2027
Section I: Foundations of Pediatric Nursing
1. A nurse is assessing a 9-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which of
the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Birth weight has doubled
B. Birth weight has tripled
C. Pincer grasp is present
D. Walks independently
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A pincer grasp (using the thumb and index finger to pick up small
objects) typically develops between 9 and 12 months of age. Birth weight doubles
by 5–6 months and triples by 12 months. Walking independently typically occurs
around 12–15 months.
2. A nurse is teaching a parent about introducing solid foods to an infant.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Introduce one new food at a time, waiting 3–5 days between new foods
B. Begin with mixed-grain cereals for maximum nutrition
C. Add honey to sweeten foods after 6 months
D. Introduce cow's milk at 9 months
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Introducing one new food at a time with a 3–5 day interval allows
identification of food allergies or intolerances. Honey is contraindicated before 12
months due to botulism risk. Cow's milk should not replace breast milk or formula
before 12 months. Single-ingredient foods are recommended initially.
,3. A nurse is caring for a hospitalized 3-year-old child. Which of the following
behaviors should the nurse expect according to Erikson's stages of
psychosocial development?
A. Cooperative play with peers
B. Initiative versus guilt
C. Autonomy versus shame and doubt
D. Industry versus inferiority
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Toddlers (1–3 years) are in Erikson's stage of autonomy versus
shame and doubt. Preschoolers (3–6 years) are in initiative versus guilt. School-
age children (6–12 years) are in industry versus inferiority. Cooperative play is
characteristic of preschool and school-age children.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a 2-year-old child. Which
of the following methods is most appropriate for medication administration?
A. Mix the medication with the child's entire bottle of formula
B. Use an oral syringe and administer slowly toward the inner cheek
C. Place the medication in a bottle with juice
D. Administer with a teaspoon and allow the child to self-administer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Using an oral syringe directed toward the inner cheek prevents
aspiration and allows the nurse to control the rate of administration. Mixing
medication in a full bottle of formula or juice risks incomplete ingestion if the child
does not finish the bottle. Toddlers should not self-administer medication.
5. A nurse is assessing pain in a 4-year-old child who is postoperative. Which
of the following pain scales is most appropriate?
,A. Numeric rating scale (0–10)
B. Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale
C. Visual analog scale
D. Verbal descriptor scale
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Wong-Baker FACES scale uses facial expressions and is
appropriate for children as young as 3 years who can understand the concept of
faces representing pain. The numeric rating scale and visual analog scale require
abstract thinking typically not developed until age 7–8.
6. A nurse is teaching a parent about car seat safety for a newborn. Which of
the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Place the car seat forward-facing in the front passenger seat
B. Position the car seat rear-facing in the back seat
C. Use a booster seat with the seat belt across the neck
D. Place the infant in the front seat with the airbag active
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Infants should ride rear-facing in the back seat until at least age 2
or until they reach the highest weight/height allowed by the car seat manufacturer.
The front seat is unsafe due to airbag deployment risk. Booster seats are for older
children who have outgrown forward-facing car seats.
7. A nurse is caring for a child who is dying. The parents ask about organ
donation. Which of the following responses by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. "You should decide immediately so we can proceed."
B. "Organ donation is only possible for adults."
C. "I can provide you with information and contact the organ procurement
organization if you wish."
D. "You don't need to think about that right now."
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse's role is to provide information and facilitate the family's
decision without pressure. Organ donation is possible for children with parental
consent. The family should be given time to consider this decision. Providing
resources respects family autonomy.
8. A nurse is assessing a 5-year-old child's developmental milestones. Which of
the following should the nurse expect the child to be able to do?
A. Tie shoelaces independently
B. Print their first name
C. Hop on one foot
D. Count to 100
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hopping on one foot is a gross motor milestone typically achieved
by age 4–5. Printing first name and tying shoelaces are typically achieved by age
5–6. Counting to 100 is a cognitive milestone achieved later in school age.
9. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to the parents of a 6-month-old
infant. Which of the following statements by the parent indicates a need for
further teaching?
A. "I will place my baby on the back to sleep."
B. "I will use a firm mattress with a fitted sheet."
C. "I will place a soft pillow in the crib for comfort."
D. "I will keep the crib free of stuffed animals."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Soft pillows, blankets, and stuffed animals in the crib increase the
risk of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Infants should sleep
