2025 Certified Pediatric Nurse CPN Certification
Exam New Latest Version with All 175 Questions
from Actual Exam with Answers and Rationale
Section 1: Professional Issues (Questions 1–9)
1. A pediatric nurse suspects child abuse in a 4-year-old with unexplained bruises. What is
the priority action?
A) Report to child protective services immediately.
B) Confront the parents.
C) Document and observe.
D) No report needed. Correct Answer: A) Report to child protective services
immediately.
Rationale: Mandatory reporting is a legal and ethical obligation for suspected abuse.
Content Outline: Professional Issues – Ethical practice and advocacy.
2. A nurse is educating a family about a child's asthma action plan. What approach ensures
family-centered care?
A) Use teach-back method and involve the family in planning.
B) Lecture without interaction.
C) No education.
D) Written materials only. Correct Answer: A) Use teach-back method and involve the
family in planning.
Rationale: Promotes adherence and empowerment. Content Outline: Professional Issues –
Facilitation of learning and response to diversity.
3. In a multicultural clinic, a nurse encounters a family with language barriers. What is the
best practice?
A) Use a certified interpreter.
B) Use family member as interpreter.
C) Speak louder.
D) No interpreter. Correct Answer: A) Use a certified interpreter.
Rationale: Ensures accurate communication and cultural sensitivity. Content Outline:
Professional Issues – Response to diversity.
4. A nurse identifies a medication error. What systems thinking approach?
A) Report via incident system and analyze root cause.
B) Blame the individual.
C) Ignore if no harm.
D) No report. Correct Answer: A) Report via incident system and analyze root cause.
Rationale: Improves safety. Content Outline: Professional Issues – Systems thinking.
5. A nurse collaborates with a social worker for a child with chronic illness. What goal?
A) Coordinate family support services.
B) Nurse alone.
C) No collaboration.
D) Discharge. Correct Answer: A) Coordinate family support services.
Rationale: Holistic care. Content Outline: Professional Issues – Collaboration.
, 6. A nurse uses evidence-based practice for vaccine administration. What action?
A) Follow CDC schedule and monitor for adverse events.
B) No EBP.
C) Tradition only.
D) Ignore schedule. Correct Answer: A) Follow CDC schedule and monitor for adverse
events.
Rationale: Ensures immunization efficacy. Content Outline: Professional Issues –
Clinical inquiry.
7. A nurse advocates for a child with developmental delay. What action?
A) Refer to early intervention services.
B) No advocacy.
C) Ignore delay.
D) Discharge. Correct Answer: A) Refer to early intervention services.
Rationale: Supports development. Content Outline: Professional Issues – Advocacy.
8. In an ethical dilemma about parental consent, what action?
A) Consult ethics committee if conflict arises.
B) Ignore dilemma.
C) No consult.
D) Force consent. Correct Answer: A) Consult ethics committee if conflict arises.
Rationale: Resolves ethical issues. Content Outline: Professional Issues – Ethical
practice.
9. A nurse facilitates learning for a family on asthma. What method?
A) Teach-back and action plan demonstration.
B) No teaching.
C) Lecture only.
D) Ignore family. Correct Answer: A) Teach-back and action plan demonstration.
Rationale: Ensures understanding. Content Outline: Professional Issues – Facilitation of
learning.
Section 2: Care of Children – Health Promotion and Assessment (Questions 10–23)
10. A 2-month-old infant at a well-child visit has a weight gain of 20 g/day. What is the
nurse's assessment?
A) Adequate growth; continue breastfeeding.
B) Inadequate; supplement with formula.
C) No assessment needed.
D) Refer to specialist. Correct Answer: A) Adequate growth; continue breastfeeding.
Rationale: Normal weight gain for infants is 20–30 g/day. Content Outline: Care of
Children – Growth and development assessment.
11. A 6-year-old child has a BMI percentile of 85. What health promotion intervention?
A) Encourage balanced diet and physical activity.
B) No intervention.
C) Diet restriction.
D) Medication. Correct Answer: A) Encourage balanced diet and physical activity.
Rationale: Addresses overweight risk. Content Outline: Care of Children – Health
promotion.
12. During a newborn assessment, the nurse notes acrocyanosis. What is the appropriate
response?
, A) Normal finding in first 24–48 hours.
B) Immediate oxygen.
C) Refer to cardiology.
D) No response. Correct Answer: A) Normal finding in first 24–48 hours.
Rationale: Peripheral cyanosis from cold exposure. Content Outline: Care of Children –
Neonatal assessment.
13. A 10-year-old with asthma presents for routine check. What assessment?
A) Asthma control test (ACT) score.
B) No test.
C) Peak flow only.
D) Chest X-ray. Correct Answer: A) Asthma control test (ACT) score.
Rationale: Evaluates symptom control. Content Outline: Care of Children – Respiratory
assessment.
14. A 4-year-old with recurrent ear infections. What assessment?
A) Tympanometry for middle ear effusion.
B) No test.
C) Vision screening.
D) Dental exam. Correct Answer: A) Tympanometry for middle ear effusion.
Rationale: Diagnoses otitis media with effusion. Content Outline: Care of Children –
ENT assessment.
15. A 15-year-old with acne. What health promotion?
A) Education on skincare and self-esteem.
B) No education.
C) Medication only.
D) Ignore acne. Correct Answer: A) Education on skincare and self-esteem.
Rationale: Addresses physical and psychosocial aspects. Content Outline: Care of
Children – Dermatological health promotion.
16. A newborn with jaundice has bilirubin 12 mg/dL at 24 hours. What assessment?
A) Risk assessment using Bhutani nomogram.
B) No assessment.
C) Immediate phototherapy.
D) Discharge. Correct Answer: A) Risk assessment using Bhutani nomogram.
Rationale: Determines need for intervention. Content Outline: Care of Children –
Neonatal assessment.
17. A 8-year-old with obesity. What assessment?
A) Screen for comorbidities like hypertension.
B) No screening.
C) Diet history only.
D) Height only. Correct Answer: A) Screen for comorbidities like hypertension.
Rationale: Identifies risks. Content Outline: Care of Children – Health assessment.
18. A 12-year-old with irregular menses. What assessment?
A) History for PCOS symptoms and hCG test.
B) No test.
C) Thyroid test only.
D) No history. Correct Answer: A) History for PCOS symptoms and hCG test.
Rationale: Rules out pregnancy and endocrine issues. Content Outline: Care of Children
, – Adolescent gynecology assessment.
19. A 3-year-old with delayed speech. What developmental assessment?
A) Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ).
B) No questionnaire.
C) Vision test only.
D) Hearing test only. Correct Answer: A) Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ).
Rationale: Screens for developmental delays. Content Outline: Care of Children –
Developmental assessment.
20. A 16-year-old with depression symptoms. What mental health assessment?
A) PHQ-9 for depression screening.
B) No screening.
C) Physical exam only.
D) Labs. Correct Answer: A) PHQ-9 for depression screening.
Rationale: Standard tool for adolescents. Content Outline: Care of Children – Behavioral
assessment.
21. A newborn with hip click on exam. What assessment?
A) Ortolani and Barlow maneuvers for DDH.
B) No maneuvers.
C) X-ray immediately.
D) Ignore click. Correct Answer: A) Ortolani and Barlow maneuvers for DDH.
Rationale: Screens for developmental dysplasia of the hip. Content Outline: Care of
Children – Musculoskeletal assessment.
22. A 5-year-old with fever and rash. What assessment for measles?
A) Check for Koplik spots and vaccination history.
B) No check.
C) CBC only.
D) X-ray. Correct Answer: A) Check for Koplik spots and vaccination history.
Rationale: Confirms diagnosis and immunity. Content Outline: Care of Children –
Infectious disease assessment.
23. A 14-year-old with scoliosis. What screening assessment?
A) Adams forward bend test.
B) No test.
C) X-ray.
D) Height only. Correct Answer: A) Adams forward bend test.
Rationale: Screens for spinal curvature. Content Outline: Care of Children –
Musculoskeletal screening.
Section 3: Care of Children – Diagnosis and Planning (Questions 24–44)
24. A 6-month-old with poor weight gain and vomiting. What diagnosis?
A) Gastroesophageal reflux.
B) Normal variant.
C) Sepsis.
D) All possible.
Correct Answer: A) Gastroesophageal reflux.
Rationale: Common cause of feeding issues in infants. Content Outline: Care of Children –
Gastrointestinal diagnosis.
25. A 10-year-old with recurrent abdominal pain. What differential diagnosis?
Exam New Latest Version with All 175 Questions
from Actual Exam with Answers and Rationale
Section 1: Professional Issues (Questions 1–9)
1. A pediatric nurse suspects child abuse in a 4-year-old with unexplained bruises. What is
the priority action?
A) Report to child protective services immediately.
B) Confront the parents.
C) Document and observe.
D) No report needed. Correct Answer: A) Report to child protective services
immediately.
Rationale: Mandatory reporting is a legal and ethical obligation for suspected abuse.
Content Outline: Professional Issues – Ethical practice and advocacy.
2. A nurse is educating a family about a child's asthma action plan. What approach ensures
family-centered care?
A) Use teach-back method and involve the family in planning.
B) Lecture without interaction.
C) No education.
D) Written materials only. Correct Answer: A) Use teach-back method and involve the
family in planning.
Rationale: Promotes adherence and empowerment. Content Outline: Professional Issues –
Facilitation of learning and response to diversity.
3. In a multicultural clinic, a nurse encounters a family with language barriers. What is the
best practice?
A) Use a certified interpreter.
B) Use family member as interpreter.
C) Speak louder.
D) No interpreter. Correct Answer: A) Use a certified interpreter.
Rationale: Ensures accurate communication and cultural sensitivity. Content Outline:
Professional Issues – Response to diversity.
4. A nurse identifies a medication error. What systems thinking approach?
A) Report via incident system and analyze root cause.
B) Blame the individual.
C) Ignore if no harm.
D) No report. Correct Answer: A) Report via incident system and analyze root cause.
Rationale: Improves safety. Content Outline: Professional Issues – Systems thinking.
5. A nurse collaborates with a social worker for a child with chronic illness. What goal?
A) Coordinate family support services.
B) Nurse alone.
C) No collaboration.
D) Discharge. Correct Answer: A) Coordinate family support services.
Rationale: Holistic care. Content Outline: Professional Issues – Collaboration.
, 6. A nurse uses evidence-based practice for vaccine administration. What action?
A) Follow CDC schedule and monitor for adverse events.
B) No EBP.
C) Tradition only.
D) Ignore schedule. Correct Answer: A) Follow CDC schedule and monitor for adverse
events.
Rationale: Ensures immunization efficacy. Content Outline: Professional Issues –
Clinical inquiry.
7. A nurse advocates for a child with developmental delay. What action?
A) Refer to early intervention services.
B) No advocacy.
C) Ignore delay.
D) Discharge. Correct Answer: A) Refer to early intervention services.
Rationale: Supports development. Content Outline: Professional Issues – Advocacy.
8. In an ethical dilemma about parental consent, what action?
A) Consult ethics committee if conflict arises.
B) Ignore dilemma.
C) No consult.
D) Force consent. Correct Answer: A) Consult ethics committee if conflict arises.
Rationale: Resolves ethical issues. Content Outline: Professional Issues – Ethical
practice.
9. A nurse facilitates learning for a family on asthma. What method?
A) Teach-back and action plan demonstration.
B) No teaching.
C) Lecture only.
D) Ignore family. Correct Answer: A) Teach-back and action plan demonstration.
Rationale: Ensures understanding. Content Outline: Professional Issues – Facilitation of
learning.
Section 2: Care of Children – Health Promotion and Assessment (Questions 10–23)
10. A 2-month-old infant at a well-child visit has a weight gain of 20 g/day. What is the
nurse's assessment?
A) Adequate growth; continue breastfeeding.
B) Inadequate; supplement with formula.
C) No assessment needed.
D) Refer to specialist. Correct Answer: A) Adequate growth; continue breastfeeding.
Rationale: Normal weight gain for infants is 20–30 g/day. Content Outline: Care of
Children – Growth and development assessment.
11. A 6-year-old child has a BMI percentile of 85. What health promotion intervention?
A) Encourage balanced diet and physical activity.
B) No intervention.
C) Diet restriction.
D) Medication. Correct Answer: A) Encourage balanced diet and physical activity.
Rationale: Addresses overweight risk. Content Outline: Care of Children – Health
promotion.
12. During a newborn assessment, the nurse notes acrocyanosis. What is the appropriate
response?
, A) Normal finding in first 24–48 hours.
B) Immediate oxygen.
C) Refer to cardiology.
D) No response. Correct Answer: A) Normal finding in first 24–48 hours.
Rationale: Peripheral cyanosis from cold exposure. Content Outline: Care of Children –
Neonatal assessment.
13. A 10-year-old with asthma presents for routine check. What assessment?
A) Asthma control test (ACT) score.
B) No test.
C) Peak flow only.
D) Chest X-ray. Correct Answer: A) Asthma control test (ACT) score.
Rationale: Evaluates symptom control. Content Outline: Care of Children – Respiratory
assessment.
14. A 4-year-old with recurrent ear infections. What assessment?
A) Tympanometry for middle ear effusion.
B) No test.
C) Vision screening.
D) Dental exam. Correct Answer: A) Tympanometry for middle ear effusion.
Rationale: Diagnoses otitis media with effusion. Content Outline: Care of Children –
ENT assessment.
15. A 15-year-old with acne. What health promotion?
A) Education on skincare and self-esteem.
B) No education.
C) Medication only.
D) Ignore acne. Correct Answer: A) Education on skincare and self-esteem.
Rationale: Addresses physical and psychosocial aspects. Content Outline: Care of
Children – Dermatological health promotion.
16. A newborn with jaundice has bilirubin 12 mg/dL at 24 hours. What assessment?
A) Risk assessment using Bhutani nomogram.
B) No assessment.
C) Immediate phototherapy.
D) Discharge. Correct Answer: A) Risk assessment using Bhutani nomogram.
Rationale: Determines need for intervention. Content Outline: Care of Children –
Neonatal assessment.
17. A 8-year-old with obesity. What assessment?
A) Screen for comorbidities like hypertension.
B) No screening.
C) Diet history only.
D) Height only. Correct Answer: A) Screen for comorbidities like hypertension.
Rationale: Identifies risks. Content Outline: Care of Children – Health assessment.
18. A 12-year-old with irregular menses. What assessment?
A) History for PCOS symptoms and hCG test.
B) No test.
C) Thyroid test only.
D) No history. Correct Answer: A) History for PCOS symptoms and hCG test.
Rationale: Rules out pregnancy and endocrine issues. Content Outline: Care of Children
, – Adolescent gynecology assessment.
19. A 3-year-old with delayed speech. What developmental assessment?
A) Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ).
B) No questionnaire.
C) Vision test only.
D) Hearing test only. Correct Answer: A) Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ).
Rationale: Screens for developmental delays. Content Outline: Care of Children –
Developmental assessment.
20. A 16-year-old with depression symptoms. What mental health assessment?
A) PHQ-9 for depression screening.
B) No screening.
C) Physical exam only.
D) Labs. Correct Answer: A) PHQ-9 for depression screening.
Rationale: Standard tool for adolescents. Content Outline: Care of Children – Behavioral
assessment.
21. A newborn with hip click on exam. What assessment?
A) Ortolani and Barlow maneuvers for DDH.
B) No maneuvers.
C) X-ray immediately.
D) Ignore click. Correct Answer: A) Ortolani and Barlow maneuvers for DDH.
Rationale: Screens for developmental dysplasia of the hip. Content Outline: Care of
Children – Musculoskeletal assessment.
22. A 5-year-old with fever and rash. What assessment for measles?
A) Check for Koplik spots and vaccination history.
B) No check.
C) CBC only.
D) X-ray. Correct Answer: A) Check for Koplik spots and vaccination history.
Rationale: Confirms diagnosis and immunity. Content Outline: Care of Children –
Infectious disease assessment.
23. A 14-year-old with scoliosis. What screening assessment?
A) Adams forward bend test.
B) No test.
C) X-ray.
D) Height only. Correct Answer: A) Adams forward bend test.
Rationale: Screens for spinal curvature. Content Outline: Care of Children –
Musculoskeletal screening.
Section 3: Care of Children – Diagnosis and Planning (Questions 24–44)
24. A 6-month-old with poor weight gain and vomiting. What diagnosis?
A) Gastroesophageal reflux.
B) Normal variant.
C) Sepsis.
D) All possible.
Correct Answer: A) Gastroesophageal reflux.
Rationale: Common cause of feeding issues in infants. Content Outline: Care of Children –
Gastrointestinal diagnosis.
25. A 10-year-old with recurrent abdominal pain. What differential diagnosis?
