1
ATI Pediatrics CMS 2025 – Complete
Test Bank with 450 Verified Questions
& Detailed Rationales | A+ Grade |
Latest Update
1. Growth and Developmental Milestones
1. A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which developmental
milestone should the nurse expect the infant to achieve?
A. Sits without support
B. Walks with assistance
C. Uses a pincer grasp
D. Says two-word phrases
Answer: A
Rationale: By 6 months, infants typically can sit without support. Walking with
assistance occurs around 9–12 months, a pincer grasp develops around 9–10 months, and
two-word phrases emerge around 2 years.
2. A nurse is evaluating a 4-year-old child’s fine motor skills. Which activity is most
appropriate for this age?
A. Tying shoelaces independently
B. Drawing a simple stick figure
C. Writing full sentences
D. Cutting out complex shapes
Answer: B
Rationale: A 4-year-old can draw a simple stick figure, indicating age-appropriate fine
motor skills. Tying shoelaces and cutting complex shapes are skills typically mastered at
5–6 years, and writing full sentences is expected around 6–7 years.
3. A nurse is teaching parents about developmental milestones for a 12-month-old. Which
milestone should the nurse include?
A. Stacking two blocks
B. Running short distances
C. Naming 10 colors
D. Following multistep commands
Answer: A
Rationale: At 12 months, infants can stack two blocks, demonstrating early fine motor
coordination. Running, naming colors, and following multistep commands are milestones
for older children (18 months–3 years).
4. A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old’s language development. How many words should the
child’s vocabulary typically include?
A. 10–20 words
B. 50–100 words
, 2
C. 200–300 words
D. 500–600 words
Answer: C
Rationale: A 2-year-old typically has a vocabulary of 200–300 words and begins
forming two-word phrases. Smaller vocabularies are seen in younger infants, and larger
ones develop later.
5. A nurse is observing a 3-year-old during play. Which behavior indicates typical social
development?
A. Playing cooperatively in a group
B. Engaging in parallel play
C. Showing no interest in peers
D. Leading organized games
Answer: B
Rationale: Parallel play, where children play alongside but not with peers, is typical for
3-year-olds. Cooperative play emerges around 4–5 years, and disinterest in peers may
indicate developmental concerns.
6. A nurse is assessing a 9-month-old for gross motor development. Which finding is
expected?
A. Standing independently
B. Crawling on hands and knees
C. Walking unassisted
D. Climbing stairs
Answer: B
Rationale: At 9 months, infants typically crawl on hands and knees. Standing
independently and walking unassisted occur around 12 months, while climbing stairs is a
milestone for toddlers.
7. A nurse is evaluating a 5-year-old’s cognitive development. Which task should the child
be able to perform?
A. Counting to 10
B. Solving simple addition problems
C. Reading short sentences
D. Writing their full name
Answer: A
Rationale: A 5-year-old can typically count to 10. Solving addition problems, reading
sentences, and writing their full name are skills that develop closer to 6–7 years.
8. A nurse is assessing a 15-month-old’s fine motor skills. Which action is age-appropriate?
A. Using a spoon with minimal spilling
B. Drawing a circle
C. Building a tower of six blocks
D. Cutting with scissors
Answer: A
Rationale: At 15 months, infants can use a spoon with minimal spilling. Drawing circles,
building taller block towers, and cutting with scissors are skills for older children (2–4
years).
9. A nurse is teaching parents about a 24-month-old’s developmental milestones. Which
milestone should be included?
, 3
A. Kicking a ball forward
B. Riding a tricycle
C. Tying shoes
D. Drawing a square
Answer: A
Rationale: A 24-month-old can kick a ball forward, indicating gross motor development.
Riding a tricycle, tying shoes, and drawing a square are milestones for older children (3–
5 years).
10. A nurse is assessing an 18-month-old’s social development. Which behavior is expected?
A. Sharing toys willingly
B. Engaging in pretend play
C. Playing organized games
D. Forming close friendships
Answer: B
Rationale: At 18 months, toddlers engage in simple pretend play, such as imitating adult
actions. Sharing, organized games, and forming friendships develop later (2–4 years).
2. Pediatric Respiratory Conditions and Emergencies
11. A nurse is caring for a child with asthma. Which symptom indicates an acute
exacerbation?
A. Occasional dry cough
B. Increased wheezing and shortness of breath
C. Normal respiratory rate
D. Clear lung sounds
Answer: B
Rationale: Increased wheezing and shortness of breath are hallmark signs of an acute
asthma exacerbation, indicating airway obstruction requiring immediate intervention.
12. A nurse is assessing a 4-year-old with suspected croup. Which clinical finding is most
characteristic?
A. High-pitched wheezing
B. Barking cough
C. Productive cough with green sputum
D. Chest pain on inspiration
Answer: B
Rationale: A barking cough is a classic symptom of croup, caused by upper airway
inflammation. Wheezing is more common in asthma, and productive cough suggests a
bacterial infection.
13. A nurse is preparing to administer oxygen to a child in respiratory distress. Which
delivery method is most appropriate for a 2-year-old?
A. Non-rebreather mask
B. Nasal cannula
C. Venturi mask
D. Face tent
Answer: B
, 4
Rationale: A nasal cannula is well-tolerated by young children and delivers low to
moderate oxygen concentrations, suitable for mild to moderate respiratory distress.
14. A nurse is caring for an infant with bronchiolitis. Which intervention is a priority?
A. Administering antibiotics
B. Maintaining a patent airway
C. Encouraging oral fluids
D. Providing a high-calorie diet
Answer: B
Rationale: Bronchiolitis causes airway obstruction due to mucus. Maintaining a patent
airway through suctioning and positioning is the priority to ensure adequate oxygenation.
15. A nurse is assessing a child with epiglottitis. Which finding requires immediate
intervention?
A. Mild fever
B. Drooling and difficulty swallowing
C. Dry cough
D. Nasal congestion
Answer: B
Rationale: Drooling and difficulty swallowing in epiglottitis indicate severe airway
obstruction, a medical emergency requiring immediate intervention to prevent respiratory
failure.
16. A nurse is teaching parents about home management of asthma. Which instruction should
be included?
A. Use a humidifier only during sleep
B. Avoid known triggers like smoke
C. Administer bronchodilators daily regardless of symptoms
D. Restrict physical activity completely
Answer: B
Rationale: Avoiding triggers such as smoke or allergens is essential in asthma
management to prevent exacerbations. Bronchodilators are used as needed, and activity
should be encouraged.
17. A nurse is caring for a child with pneumonia. Which assessment finding indicates
worsening respiratory status?
A. Temperature of 38°C (100.4°F)
B. Increased respiratory rate and retractions
C. Clear breath sounds bilaterally
D. Improved appetite
Answer: B
Rationale: Increased respiratory rate and retractions indicate respiratory distress and
worsening pneumonia, requiring prompt reporting and intervention.
18. A nurse is preparing放下ing a child with cystic fibrosis experiencing respiratory distress.
Which action is most appropriate?
A. Administering oral corticosteroids
B. Performing chest physiotherapy
C. Providing high-fat meals
D. Encouraging bed rest
Answer: B
ATI Pediatrics CMS 2025 – Complete
Test Bank with 450 Verified Questions
& Detailed Rationales | A+ Grade |
Latest Update
1. Growth and Developmental Milestones
1. A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which developmental
milestone should the nurse expect the infant to achieve?
A. Sits without support
B. Walks with assistance
C. Uses a pincer grasp
D. Says two-word phrases
Answer: A
Rationale: By 6 months, infants typically can sit without support. Walking with
assistance occurs around 9–12 months, a pincer grasp develops around 9–10 months, and
two-word phrases emerge around 2 years.
2. A nurse is evaluating a 4-year-old child’s fine motor skills. Which activity is most
appropriate for this age?
A. Tying shoelaces independently
B. Drawing a simple stick figure
C. Writing full sentences
D. Cutting out complex shapes
Answer: B
Rationale: A 4-year-old can draw a simple stick figure, indicating age-appropriate fine
motor skills. Tying shoelaces and cutting complex shapes are skills typically mastered at
5–6 years, and writing full sentences is expected around 6–7 years.
3. A nurse is teaching parents about developmental milestones for a 12-month-old. Which
milestone should the nurse include?
A. Stacking two blocks
B. Running short distances
C. Naming 10 colors
D. Following multistep commands
Answer: A
Rationale: At 12 months, infants can stack two blocks, demonstrating early fine motor
coordination. Running, naming colors, and following multistep commands are milestones
for older children (18 months–3 years).
4. A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old’s language development. How many words should the
child’s vocabulary typically include?
A. 10–20 words
B. 50–100 words
, 2
C. 200–300 words
D. 500–600 words
Answer: C
Rationale: A 2-year-old typically has a vocabulary of 200–300 words and begins
forming two-word phrases. Smaller vocabularies are seen in younger infants, and larger
ones develop later.
5. A nurse is observing a 3-year-old during play. Which behavior indicates typical social
development?
A. Playing cooperatively in a group
B. Engaging in parallel play
C. Showing no interest in peers
D. Leading organized games
Answer: B
Rationale: Parallel play, where children play alongside but not with peers, is typical for
3-year-olds. Cooperative play emerges around 4–5 years, and disinterest in peers may
indicate developmental concerns.
6. A nurse is assessing a 9-month-old for gross motor development. Which finding is
expected?
A. Standing independently
B. Crawling on hands and knees
C. Walking unassisted
D. Climbing stairs
Answer: B
Rationale: At 9 months, infants typically crawl on hands and knees. Standing
independently and walking unassisted occur around 12 months, while climbing stairs is a
milestone for toddlers.
7. A nurse is evaluating a 5-year-old’s cognitive development. Which task should the child
be able to perform?
A. Counting to 10
B. Solving simple addition problems
C. Reading short sentences
D. Writing their full name
Answer: A
Rationale: A 5-year-old can typically count to 10. Solving addition problems, reading
sentences, and writing their full name are skills that develop closer to 6–7 years.
8. A nurse is assessing a 15-month-old’s fine motor skills. Which action is age-appropriate?
A. Using a spoon with minimal spilling
B. Drawing a circle
C. Building a tower of six blocks
D. Cutting with scissors
Answer: A
Rationale: At 15 months, infants can use a spoon with minimal spilling. Drawing circles,
building taller block towers, and cutting with scissors are skills for older children (2–4
years).
9. A nurse is teaching parents about a 24-month-old’s developmental milestones. Which
milestone should be included?
, 3
A. Kicking a ball forward
B. Riding a tricycle
C. Tying shoes
D. Drawing a square
Answer: A
Rationale: A 24-month-old can kick a ball forward, indicating gross motor development.
Riding a tricycle, tying shoes, and drawing a square are milestones for older children (3–
5 years).
10. A nurse is assessing an 18-month-old’s social development. Which behavior is expected?
A. Sharing toys willingly
B. Engaging in pretend play
C. Playing organized games
D. Forming close friendships
Answer: B
Rationale: At 18 months, toddlers engage in simple pretend play, such as imitating adult
actions. Sharing, organized games, and forming friendships develop later (2–4 years).
2. Pediatric Respiratory Conditions and Emergencies
11. A nurse is caring for a child with asthma. Which symptom indicates an acute
exacerbation?
A. Occasional dry cough
B. Increased wheezing and shortness of breath
C. Normal respiratory rate
D. Clear lung sounds
Answer: B
Rationale: Increased wheezing and shortness of breath are hallmark signs of an acute
asthma exacerbation, indicating airway obstruction requiring immediate intervention.
12. A nurse is assessing a 4-year-old with suspected croup. Which clinical finding is most
characteristic?
A. High-pitched wheezing
B. Barking cough
C. Productive cough with green sputum
D. Chest pain on inspiration
Answer: B
Rationale: A barking cough is a classic symptom of croup, caused by upper airway
inflammation. Wheezing is more common in asthma, and productive cough suggests a
bacterial infection.
13. A nurse is preparing to administer oxygen to a child in respiratory distress. Which
delivery method is most appropriate for a 2-year-old?
A. Non-rebreather mask
B. Nasal cannula
C. Venturi mask
D. Face tent
Answer: B
, 4
Rationale: A nasal cannula is well-tolerated by young children and delivers low to
moderate oxygen concentrations, suitable for mild to moderate respiratory distress.
14. A nurse is caring for an infant with bronchiolitis. Which intervention is a priority?
A. Administering antibiotics
B. Maintaining a patent airway
C. Encouraging oral fluids
D. Providing a high-calorie diet
Answer: B
Rationale: Bronchiolitis causes airway obstruction due to mucus. Maintaining a patent
airway through suctioning and positioning is the priority to ensure adequate oxygenation.
15. A nurse is assessing a child with epiglottitis. Which finding requires immediate
intervention?
A. Mild fever
B. Drooling and difficulty swallowing
C. Dry cough
D. Nasal congestion
Answer: B
Rationale: Drooling and difficulty swallowing in epiglottitis indicate severe airway
obstruction, a medical emergency requiring immediate intervention to prevent respiratory
failure.
16. A nurse is teaching parents about home management of asthma. Which instruction should
be included?
A. Use a humidifier only during sleep
B. Avoid known triggers like smoke
C. Administer bronchodilators daily regardless of symptoms
D. Restrict physical activity completely
Answer: B
Rationale: Avoiding triggers such as smoke or allergens is essential in asthma
management to prevent exacerbations. Bronchodilators are used as needed, and activity
should be encouraged.
17. A nurse is caring for a child with pneumonia. Which assessment finding indicates
worsening respiratory status?
A. Temperature of 38°C (100.4°F)
B. Increased respiratory rate and retractions
C. Clear breath sounds bilaterally
D. Improved appetite
Answer: B
Rationale: Increased respiratory rate and retractions indicate respiratory distress and
worsening pneumonia, requiring prompt reporting and intervention.
18. A nurse is preparing放下ing a child with cystic fibrosis experiencing respiratory distress.
Which action is most appropriate?
A. Administering oral corticosteroids
B. Performing chest physiotherapy
C. Providing high-fat meals
D. Encouraging bed rest
Answer: B
