AACN CCNS (PEDIATRIC)
Clinical Judgment
Final Test Review
2025
1. Which of the following is a common sign of septic shock in
pediatric patients?
- A) Bradycardia
- B) Hypertension
- C) Hypotension
- D) Increased urine output
- ANS: C) Hypotension
- Rationale: Hypotension is a common sign of septic shock
due to systemic vasodilation and decreased peripheral resistance.
©2025
,2. What is the primary goal of fluid resuscitation in pediatric
patients with hypovolemic shock?
- A) Reduce fever
- B) Restore blood volume and improve tissue perfusion
- C) Decrease heart rate
- D) Increase blood pressure
- ANS: B) Restore blood volume and improve tissue perfusion
- Rationale: The primary goal of fluid resuscitation is to
restore blood volume and improve tissue perfusion to prevent
organ damage.
Fill-in-the-Blank Questions
3. The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is used to assess the level of
__________ in pediatric patients.
- ANS: consciousness
- Rationale: The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) assesses the
level of consciousness in patients by evaluating eye, verbal, and
motor responses.
4. In pediatric patients, __________ is the most common cause
of cardiac arrest.
- ANS: respiratory failure
©2025
, - Rationale: Respiratory failure is the most common cause of
cardiac arrest in pediatric patients due to the high incidence of
respiratory illnesses and complications.
True/False Questions
5. True or False: Elevated lactate levels in pediatric patients can
indicate inadequate tissue perfusion and oxygenation.
- ANS: True
- Rationale: Elevated lactate levels can indicate anaerobic
metabolism due to inadequate tissue perfusion and oxygenation.
6. True or False: The use of atropine is contraindicated in
pediatric patients with bradycardia.
- ANS: False
- Rationale: Atropine can be used in pediatric patients with
bradycardia to increase heart rate by blocking vagal tone.
Multiple Response Questions
7. Which of the following are clinical signs of dehydration in
pediatric patients? (Select all that apply)
- A) Sunken fontanelles
- B) Dry mucous membranes
- C) Increased tear production
©2025
, - D) Decreased skin turgor
- ANS: A) Sunken fontanelles, B) Dry mucous membranes,
D) Decreased skin turgor
- Rationale: Clinical signs of dehydration include sunken
fontanelles, dry mucous membranes, and decreased skin turgor.
Increased tear production is not a sign of dehydration.
8. Which of the following factors should be considered when
assessing pain in pediatric patients? (Select all that apply)
- A) Age and developmental level
- B) Cultural background
- C) Parental presence
- D) Type of procedure
- ANS: A) Age and developmental level, B) Cultural
background, D) Type of procedure
- Rationale: Factors to consider when assessing pain in
pediatric patients include age and developmental level, cultural
background, and the type of procedure. Parental presence can
provide comfort but is not a direct factor in pain assessment.
Additional Questions
9. What is the primary goal of administering bronchodilators to
pediatric patients with asthma?
©2025
Clinical Judgment
Final Test Review
2025
1. Which of the following is a common sign of septic shock in
pediatric patients?
- A) Bradycardia
- B) Hypertension
- C) Hypotension
- D) Increased urine output
- ANS: C) Hypotension
- Rationale: Hypotension is a common sign of septic shock
due to systemic vasodilation and decreased peripheral resistance.
©2025
,2. What is the primary goal of fluid resuscitation in pediatric
patients with hypovolemic shock?
- A) Reduce fever
- B) Restore blood volume and improve tissue perfusion
- C) Decrease heart rate
- D) Increase blood pressure
- ANS: B) Restore blood volume and improve tissue perfusion
- Rationale: The primary goal of fluid resuscitation is to
restore blood volume and improve tissue perfusion to prevent
organ damage.
Fill-in-the-Blank Questions
3. The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is used to assess the level of
__________ in pediatric patients.
- ANS: consciousness
- Rationale: The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) assesses the
level of consciousness in patients by evaluating eye, verbal, and
motor responses.
4. In pediatric patients, __________ is the most common cause
of cardiac arrest.
- ANS: respiratory failure
©2025
, - Rationale: Respiratory failure is the most common cause of
cardiac arrest in pediatric patients due to the high incidence of
respiratory illnesses and complications.
True/False Questions
5. True or False: Elevated lactate levels in pediatric patients can
indicate inadequate tissue perfusion and oxygenation.
- ANS: True
- Rationale: Elevated lactate levels can indicate anaerobic
metabolism due to inadequate tissue perfusion and oxygenation.
6. True or False: The use of atropine is contraindicated in
pediatric patients with bradycardia.
- ANS: False
- Rationale: Atropine can be used in pediatric patients with
bradycardia to increase heart rate by blocking vagal tone.
Multiple Response Questions
7. Which of the following are clinical signs of dehydration in
pediatric patients? (Select all that apply)
- A) Sunken fontanelles
- B) Dry mucous membranes
- C) Increased tear production
©2025
, - D) Decreased skin turgor
- ANS: A) Sunken fontanelles, B) Dry mucous membranes,
D) Decreased skin turgor
- Rationale: Clinical signs of dehydration include sunken
fontanelles, dry mucous membranes, and decreased skin turgor.
Increased tear production is not a sign of dehydration.
8. Which of the following factors should be considered when
assessing pain in pediatric patients? (Select all that apply)
- A) Age and developmental level
- B) Cultural background
- C) Parental presence
- D) Type of procedure
- ANS: A) Age and developmental level, B) Cultural
background, D) Type of procedure
- Rationale: Factors to consider when assessing pain in
pediatric patients include age and developmental level, cultural
background, and the type of procedure. Parental presence can
provide comfort but is not a direct factor in pain assessment.
Additional Questions
9. What is the primary goal of administering bronchodilators to
pediatric patients with asthma?
©2025
