ATI PEDS FINAL EXAM LATEST /PEDS ATI FINAL EXAM
PREPARATION/ ATI PEDS FINAL EXAM PRACTICE REAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES|
ALREADY GRADED A+
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which of
the following developmental milestones should the nurse expect to observe?
A) Sitting independently without support
B) Playing peek-a-boo
C) Pincer grasp development
D) Rolling from back to abdomen
E) Standing while holding onto furniture
Correct Answer: D) Rolling from back to abdomen
Rationale: Most infants can roll from their back to their abdomen by 6
months of age. Sitting independently usually occurs around 8 months, pincer
grasp at 9-11 months, playing peek-a-boo at 8-12 months, and standing
while holding on around 9-12 months.
Question 2
A 4-year-old child is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of asthma
exacerbation. The child's parents express anxiety about their child's
breathing. Which nursing action is the priority?
A) Administer a prescribed oral corticosteroid.
B) Encourage the child to drink plenty of fluids.
C) Assess the child's respiratory status and administer a bronchodilator.
D) Teach the parents about asthma triggers.
E) Provide a distracting activity for the child.
Correct Answer: C) Assess the child's respiratory status and administer a
bronchodilator.
Rationale: In an acute asthma exacerbation, the priority is to assess
respiratory status (e.g., work of breathing, breath sounds, oxygen saturation)
and administer a rapid-acting bronchodilator to open the airways and
improve breathing. Other actions are important but secondary to addressing
the immediate respiratory distress.
Question 3
A nurse is caring for an infant with a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt. Which
finding is a priority concern and indicates a potential shunt malfunction?
A) Head circumference increasing over time.
B) Soft, non-bulging fontanel.
C) Episodes of spitting up after feeding.
,D) Child exhibiting a positive Babinski reflex.
E) Decreased urinary output.
Correct Answer: A) Head circumference increasing over time.
Rationale: An increasing head circumference in an infant with a VP shunt is a
critical sign of increased intracranial pressure, which can indicate shunt
malfunction or obstruction. The other options are either normal findings (soft
fontanel, positive Babinski in infancy) or less directly indicative of shunt
malfunction (spitting up, decreased urinary output).
Question 4
A school-age child with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) reports feeling shaky
and lightheaded. The nurse notes the child is pale and diaphoretic. The
child's blood glucose is 60 mg/dL. What is the nurse's initial action?
A) Administer regular insulin.
B) Provide 15g of a simple carbohydrate.
C) Give a complex carbohydrate with protein.
D) Encourage the child to rest.
E) Prepare to administer glucagon.
Correct Answer: B) Provide 15g of a simple carbohydrate.
Rationale: For mild to moderate hypoglycemia (blood glucose 60 mg/dL) in a
conscious child, the initial action is to administer 15 grams of a simple
carbohydrate (e.g., 4 oz juice, glucose tablets) to rapidly raise blood glucose.
Insulin would worsen hypoglycemia. Complex carbohydrates are given after
blood glucose normalizes. Glucagon is for severe hypoglycemia or if the child
is unconscious.
Question 5
A nurse is teaching parents of a toddler about poison prevention. Which
statement by the parents indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A) "We keep all cleaning supplies under the kitchen sink in child-proof
containers."
B) "We store medications in a locked cabinet out of our child's reach."
C) "Our child knows not to touch brightly colored pills."
D) "We use child-resistant caps, so we don't worry about where we store
medicines."
E) "It's safe to leave cosmetics on the counter since they aren't harmful."
Correct Answer: B) "We store medications in a locked cabinet out of our
child's reach."
Rationale: Medications, even with child-resistant caps, should always be
stored in a locked cabinet and out of a child's reach. Child-resistant
containers are not child-proof. Cleaning supplies should also be locked up.
,Relying on a child to know not to touch certain items is not a safe strategy.
Cosmetics can be harmful.
Question 6
A nurse is assessing a 3-year-old child in the emergency department who
presents with a "barking" cough, inspiratory stridor, and respiratory distress.
The child's temperature is 100.8°F (38.2°C). The nurse suspects croup
(laryngotracheobronchitis). Which intervention should the nurse anticipate as
a priority?
A) Administer intravenous antibiotics.
B) Prepare for endotracheal intubation.
C) Administer a nebulized corticosteroid.
D) Initiate contact precautions.
E) Obtain a throat culture.
Correct Answer: C) Administer a nebulized corticosteroid.
Rationale: Croup is typically viral, and the primary treatment for moderate to
severe symptoms includes nebulized corticosteroids (e.g., budesonide) and
racemic epinephrine to reduce airway inflammation and edema. Antibiotics
are not indicated unless a bacterial co-infection is present. Intubation is for
severe airway obstruction. Throat cultures are contraindicated in epiglottitis
due to the risk of laryngospasm.
Question 7
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to the parents of an infant following
surgical repair of a cleft lip. Which instruction should the nurse include in the
teaching plan?
A) Encourage the infant to suck vigorously on a pacifier to promote healing.
B) Place the infant in a prone position for sleep to prevent aspiration.
C) Clean the suture line gently with a sterile cotton swab and prescribed
solution.
D) Feed the infant with a spoon to avoid pressure on the incision.
E) Allow the infant to cry for short periods to strengthen lung capacity.
Correct Answer: C) Clean the suture line gently with a sterile cotton swab and
prescribed solution.
Rationale: Post-operative care for cleft lip repair includes gentle cleaning of
the suture line as prescribed to prevent infection and promote healing.
Avoiding vigorous sucking (pacifier or bottle nipple) is crucial to protect the
incision. The infant should be positioned supine or on their side. Spoon
feeding is not appropriate for an infant. Crying should be minimized as it puts
stress on the incision.
, Question 8
A nurse is performing a physical assessment on a 10-year-old child. Which
finding should the nurse report to the provider as a potential concern?
A) Presence of fine motor skills.
B) Pubic hair development (Tanner stage 2).
C) Regular heart rate of 80 bpm.
D) Vision acuity of 20/30.
E) Weight in the 80th percentile for age.
Correct Answer: B) Pubic hair development (Tanner stage 2).
Rationale: Pubic hair development (Tanner stage 2) in a 10-year-old female
can be a normal sign of early puberty. However, in a 10-year-old male, this
would be considered precocious puberty and warrants further investigation.
Since the gender is not specified, it's a "potential concern" that needs
clarification or further assessment regarding the child's age and gender in
relation to normal pubertal development ranges. Fine motor skills, heart rate
of 80 bpm, 20/30 vision, and weight in the 80th percentile are generally
normal findings for a 10-year-old. Puberty usually starts around 8-13 for girls
and 9-14 for boys.
Question 9
A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular (IM) injection to a 9-
month-old infant. Which site is the most appropriate for this injection?
A) Deltoid
B) Dorsogluteal
C) Ventrogluteal
D) Vastus lateralis
E) Rectus femoris
Correct Answer: D) Vastus lateralis
Rationale: The vastus lateralis muscle in the thigh is the preferred and safest
site for IM injections in infants and toddlers due to its large muscle mass and
distance from major nerves and blood vessels. The deltoid is not well-
developed enough in infants. The dorsogluteal site carries a risk of sciatic
nerve damage and is generally avoided in children under 3. The
ventrogluteal site can be used, but vastus lateralis is often preferred for
infants. The rectus femoris is not a standard IM site due to pain and
proximity to femoral vessels.
Question 10
A child is admitted with Kawasaki disease. The nurse understands that a
priority in the management of this condition is to monitor for which potential
complication?
PREPARATION/ ATI PEDS FINAL EXAM PRACTICE REAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES|
ALREADY GRADED A+
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which of
the following developmental milestones should the nurse expect to observe?
A) Sitting independently without support
B) Playing peek-a-boo
C) Pincer grasp development
D) Rolling from back to abdomen
E) Standing while holding onto furniture
Correct Answer: D) Rolling from back to abdomen
Rationale: Most infants can roll from their back to their abdomen by 6
months of age. Sitting independently usually occurs around 8 months, pincer
grasp at 9-11 months, playing peek-a-boo at 8-12 months, and standing
while holding on around 9-12 months.
Question 2
A 4-year-old child is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of asthma
exacerbation. The child's parents express anxiety about their child's
breathing. Which nursing action is the priority?
A) Administer a prescribed oral corticosteroid.
B) Encourage the child to drink plenty of fluids.
C) Assess the child's respiratory status and administer a bronchodilator.
D) Teach the parents about asthma triggers.
E) Provide a distracting activity for the child.
Correct Answer: C) Assess the child's respiratory status and administer a
bronchodilator.
Rationale: In an acute asthma exacerbation, the priority is to assess
respiratory status (e.g., work of breathing, breath sounds, oxygen saturation)
and administer a rapid-acting bronchodilator to open the airways and
improve breathing. Other actions are important but secondary to addressing
the immediate respiratory distress.
Question 3
A nurse is caring for an infant with a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt. Which
finding is a priority concern and indicates a potential shunt malfunction?
A) Head circumference increasing over time.
B) Soft, non-bulging fontanel.
C) Episodes of spitting up after feeding.
,D) Child exhibiting a positive Babinski reflex.
E) Decreased urinary output.
Correct Answer: A) Head circumference increasing over time.
Rationale: An increasing head circumference in an infant with a VP shunt is a
critical sign of increased intracranial pressure, which can indicate shunt
malfunction or obstruction. The other options are either normal findings (soft
fontanel, positive Babinski in infancy) or less directly indicative of shunt
malfunction (spitting up, decreased urinary output).
Question 4
A school-age child with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) reports feeling shaky
and lightheaded. The nurse notes the child is pale and diaphoretic. The
child's blood glucose is 60 mg/dL. What is the nurse's initial action?
A) Administer regular insulin.
B) Provide 15g of a simple carbohydrate.
C) Give a complex carbohydrate with protein.
D) Encourage the child to rest.
E) Prepare to administer glucagon.
Correct Answer: B) Provide 15g of a simple carbohydrate.
Rationale: For mild to moderate hypoglycemia (blood glucose 60 mg/dL) in a
conscious child, the initial action is to administer 15 grams of a simple
carbohydrate (e.g., 4 oz juice, glucose tablets) to rapidly raise blood glucose.
Insulin would worsen hypoglycemia. Complex carbohydrates are given after
blood glucose normalizes. Glucagon is for severe hypoglycemia or if the child
is unconscious.
Question 5
A nurse is teaching parents of a toddler about poison prevention. Which
statement by the parents indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A) "We keep all cleaning supplies under the kitchen sink in child-proof
containers."
B) "We store medications in a locked cabinet out of our child's reach."
C) "Our child knows not to touch brightly colored pills."
D) "We use child-resistant caps, so we don't worry about where we store
medicines."
E) "It's safe to leave cosmetics on the counter since they aren't harmful."
Correct Answer: B) "We store medications in a locked cabinet out of our
child's reach."
Rationale: Medications, even with child-resistant caps, should always be
stored in a locked cabinet and out of a child's reach. Child-resistant
containers are not child-proof. Cleaning supplies should also be locked up.
,Relying on a child to know not to touch certain items is not a safe strategy.
Cosmetics can be harmful.
Question 6
A nurse is assessing a 3-year-old child in the emergency department who
presents with a "barking" cough, inspiratory stridor, and respiratory distress.
The child's temperature is 100.8°F (38.2°C). The nurse suspects croup
(laryngotracheobronchitis). Which intervention should the nurse anticipate as
a priority?
A) Administer intravenous antibiotics.
B) Prepare for endotracheal intubation.
C) Administer a nebulized corticosteroid.
D) Initiate contact precautions.
E) Obtain a throat culture.
Correct Answer: C) Administer a nebulized corticosteroid.
Rationale: Croup is typically viral, and the primary treatment for moderate to
severe symptoms includes nebulized corticosteroids (e.g., budesonide) and
racemic epinephrine to reduce airway inflammation and edema. Antibiotics
are not indicated unless a bacterial co-infection is present. Intubation is for
severe airway obstruction. Throat cultures are contraindicated in epiglottitis
due to the risk of laryngospasm.
Question 7
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to the parents of an infant following
surgical repair of a cleft lip. Which instruction should the nurse include in the
teaching plan?
A) Encourage the infant to suck vigorously on a pacifier to promote healing.
B) Place the infant in a prone position for sleep to prevent aspiration.
C) Clean the suture line gently with a sterile cotton swab and prescribed
solution.
D) Feed the infant with a spoon to avoid pressure on the incision.
E) Allow the infant to cry for short periods to strengthen lung capacity.
Correct Answer: C) Clean the suture line gently with a sterile cotton swab and
prescribed solution.
Rationale: Post-operative care for cleft lip repair includes gentle cleaning of
the suture line as prescribed to prevent infection and promote healing.
Avoiding vigorous sucking (pacifier or bottle nipple) is crucial to protect the
incision. The infant should be positioned supine or on their side. Spoon
feeding is not appropriate for an infant. Crying should be minimized as it puts
stress on the incision.
, Question 8
A nurse is performing a physical assessment on a 10-year-old child. Which
finding should the nurse report to the provider as a potential concern?
A) Presence of fine motor skills.
B) Pubic hair development (Tanner stage 2).
C) Regular heart rate of 80 bpm.
D) Vision acuity of 20/30.
E) Weight in the 80th percentile for age.
Correct Answer: B) Pubic hair development (Tanner stage 2).
Rationale: Pubic hair development (Tanner stage 2) in a 10-year-old female
can be a normal sign of early puberty. However, in a 10-year-old male, this
would be considered precocious puberty and warrants further investigation.
Since the gender is not specified, it's a "potential concern" that needs
clarification or further assessment regarding the child's age and gender in
relation to normal pubertal development ranges. Fine motor skills, heart rate
of 80 bpm, 20/30 vision, and weight in the 80th percentile are generally
normal findings for a 10-year-old. Puberty usually starts around 8-13 for girls
and 9-14 for boys.
Question 9
A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular (IM) injection to a 9-
month-old infant. Which site is the most appropriate for this injection?
A) Deltoid
B) Dorsogluteal
C) Ventrogluteal
D) Vastus lateralis
E) Rectus femoris
Correct Answer: D) Vastus lateralis
Rationale: The vastus lateralis muscle in the thigh is the preferred and safest
site for IM injections in infants and toddlers due to its large muscle mass and
distance from major nerves and blood vessels. The deltoid is not well-
developed enough in infants. The dorsogluteal site carries a risk of sciatic
nerve damage and is generally avoided in children under 3. The
ventrogluteal site can be used, but vastus lateralis is often preferred for
infants. The rectus femoris is not a standard IM site due to pain and
proximity to femoral vessels.
Question 10
A child is admitted with Kawasaki disease. The nurse understands that a
priority in the management of this condition is to monitor for which potential
complication?
