ATI Pediatrics Exam Test Bank with
NCLEX Questions Expert-Verified
Correct Answers and Detailed Rationales
for Pediatric Nursing Success
Prepared for Nursing Students and Professionals
September 2025
,Contents
1 Core Questions from ATI and NCLEX Sources 2
2 Additional Relevant Questions and Answers 12
3 Extended Questions for Comprehensive Review 19
4 Supplementary Pediatric Nursing Topics 26
4.1 Growth and Development Milestones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
4.2 Common Pediatric Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
4.3 Vaccination Schedules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
4.4 Emergency Care Protocols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
5 Pediatric Nursing Best Practices 27
5.1 Assessment Techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
5.2 Parental Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
5.3 Infection Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
6 Review of Key Pediatric Interventions 27
6.1 Respiratory Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
6.2 Gastrointestinal Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
6.3 Neurological Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
7 Advanced Pediatric Care Scenarios 28
7.1 Case Studies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
7.2 Critical Thinking Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
1
,1 Core Questions from ATI and NCLEX Sources
Question 1: A 4-year-old child presents with a high fever, cough, and difficulty breathing.
The nurse notes wheezing upon auscultation. What is the priority nursing inter-
vention?
Answer: Administer a bronchodilator.
Rationale: Administering a bronchodilator relieves wheezing and improves breath-
ing.
Question 2: A 10-year-old child with asthma is experiencing an exacerbation. The child is
using a rescue inhaler every 2 hours. What should the nurse assess for next?
Answer: Signs of respiratory failure.
Rationale: Frequent inhaler use indicates poor control, so check for failure.
Question 3: During a health assessment, a nurse observes that a 2-year-old child has a dis-
tended abdomen and is irritable. The mother reports the child has not had a bowel
movement in three days. What should the nurse do first?
Answer: Assess the child’s abdomen further.
Rationale: Further assessment determines the issue before action.
Question 4: A nurse is teaching a group of parents about the importance of vaccinations for
children. Which statement indicates that a parent understands the teaching?
Answer: "Vaccinations help prevent serious diseases."
Rationale: This shows understanding of vaccination role.
Question 5: A nurse is caring for a child with a burn injury. The child’s pain level is reported
as 8/10. What is the most appropriate intervention?
Answer: Administer prescribed analgesics.
Rationale: Analgesics manage pain effectively.
Question 6: A 6-year-old child is diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
The nurse is developing a care plan. What is the priority intervention?
Answer: Establish a structured routine.
Rationale: Routine helps manage ADHD symptoms.
Question 7: A nurse is assessing a 3-year-old child for developmental milestones. Which of
the following skills should the child be able to demonstrate?
Answer: Copy a circle.
Rationale: By age 3, children can copy a circle.
Question 8: A nurse in a pediatric clinic is assessing a toddler at a well-child visit. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take?
Answer: Minimize physical contact with the child initially.
Rationale: Start with least traumatic procedures.
Question 9: A nurse is caring for an 18-year-old adolescent who is up-to-date on immuniza-
tions and is planning to attend college. The nurse should inform the client that
he should receive which of the following immunizations prior to moving into a
campus dormitory?
Answer: Meningococcal polysaccharide.
Rationale: Prevents meningococcal infection in dorms.
2
, Question 10: A nurse is teaching the parent of an infant about food allergens. Which of the
following foods should the nurse include as being the most common food allergy
in children?
Answer: Cow’s milk.
Rationale: Cow’s milk is common due to protein sensitivity.
Question 11: A nurse is teaching the parent of a toddler about home safety. Which of the
following statements by the parent indicates an understanding of the teaching?
Answer: "I lock my medications in the medicine cabinet."
Rationale: Locking prevents access to hazards.
Question 12: A nurse is performing a physical assessment on a 6-month-old infant. Which of
the following reflexes should the nurse expect to find?
Answer: Babinski.
Rationale: Present until age 1.
Question 13: A nurse is preparing to administer recommended immunizations to a 2-month-old
infant. Which of the following immunizations should the nurse plan to adminis-
ter?
Answer: Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) and inactivated polio virus (IPV).
Rationale: Recommended at 2 months.
Question 14: A nurse is developing a plan of care for a school-age child who underwent a sur-
gical procedure that resulted in temporary loss of vision. Which of the following
interventions should the nurse include in the plan of care?
Answer: Explain sounds the child is hearing.
Rationale: Reduces fear from noises.
Question 15: A nurse is assessing a 3-year-old child who is 1 day postoperative following a
tonsillectomy. Which of the following methods should the nurse use to determine
if the child is experiencing pain?
Answer: Use the FACES scale.
Rationale: Accurate for children age 3+.
Question 16: A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant at a well-child visit. Which of the
following findings indicates the need for further assessment?
Answer: Legs remain crossed and extended when supine.
Rationale: Legs should flex at knees.
Question 17: A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a school-age child who has acute
poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN) and is mildly hypertensive. Which
of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan of care?
Answer: Restrict the child’s sodium intake.
Rationale: Manages hypertension and fluid retention.
Question 18: A nurse is collecting data from a toddler at a well-child visit. Which of the fol-
lowing findings should the nurse identify as a possible indication of child mal-
treatment?
Answer: Laceration on the side of the torso.
Rationale: Not typical for accidental injury.
Question 19: A nurse is reinforcing discharge teaching with the parent of a school-age child
3
NCLEX Questions Expert-Verified
Correct Answers and Detailed Rationales
for Pediatric Nursing Success
Prepared for Nursing Students and Professionals
September 2025
,Contents
1 Core Questions from ATI and NCLEX Sources 2
2 Additional Relevant Questions and Answers 12
3 Extended Questions for Comprehensive Review 19
4 Supplementary Pediatric Nursing Topics 26
4.1 Growth and Development Milestones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
4.2 Common Pediatric Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
4.3 Vaccination Schedules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
4.4 Emergency Care Protocols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
5 Pediatric Nursing Best Practices 27
5.1 Assessment Techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
5.2 Parental Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
5.3 Infection Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
6 Review of Key Pediatric Interventions 27
6.1 Respiratory Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
6.2 Gastrointestinal Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
6.3 Neurological Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
7 Advanced Pediatric Care Scenarios 28
7.1 Case Studies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
7.2 Critical Thinking Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
1
,1 Core Questions from ATI and NCLEX Sources
Question 1: A 4-year-old child presents with a high fever, cough, and difficulty breathing.
The nurse notes wheezing upon auscultation. What is the priority nursing inter-
vention?
Answer: Administer a bronchodilator.
Rationale: Administering a bronchodilator relieves wheezing and improves breath-
ing.
Question 2: A 10-year-old child with asthma is experiencing an exacerbation. The child is
using a rescue inhaler every 2 hours. What should the nurse assess for next?
Answer: Signs of respiratory failure.
Rationale: Frequent inhaler use indicates poor control, so check for failure.
Question 3: During a health assessment, a nurse observes that a 2-year-old child has a dis-
tended abdomen and is irritable. The mother reports the child has not had a bowel
movement in three days. What should the nurse do first?
Answer: Assess the child’s abdomen further.
Rationale: Further assessment determines the issue before action.
Question 4: A nurse is teaching a group of parents about the importance of vaccinations for
children. Which statement indicates that a parent understands the teaching?
Answer: "Vaccinations help prevent serious diseases."
Rationale: This shows understanding of vaccination role.
Question 5: A nurse is caring for a child with a burn injury. The child’s pain level is reported
as 8/10. What is the most appropriate intervention?
Answer: Administer prescribed analgesics.
Rationale: Analgesics manage pain effectively.
Question 6: A 6-year-old child is diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
The nurse is developing a care plan. What is the priority intervention?
Answer: Establish a structured routine.
Rationale: Routine helps manage ADHD symptoms.
Question 7: A nurse is assessing a 3-year-old child for developmental milestones. Which of
the following skills should the child be able to demonstrate?
Answer: Copy a circle.
Rationale: By age 3, children can copy a circle.
Question 8: A nurse in a pediatric clinic is assessing a toddler at a well-child visit. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take?
Answer: Minimize physical contact with the child initially.
Rationale: Start with least traumatic procedures.
Question 9: A nurse is caring for an 18-year-old adolescent who is up-to-date on immuniza-
tions and is planning to attend college. The nurse should inform the client that
he should receive which of the following immunizations prior to moving into a
campus dormitory?
Answer: Meningococcal polysaccharide.
Rationale: Prevents meningococcal infection in dorms.
2
, Question 10: A nurse is teaching the parent of an infant about food allergens. Which of the
following foods should the nurse include as being the most common food allergy
in children?
Answer: Cow’s milk.
Rationale: Cow’s milk is common due to protein sensitivity.
Question 11: A nurse is teaching the parent of a toddler about home safety. Which of the
following statements by the parent indicates an understanding of the teaching?
Answer: "I lock my medications in the medicine cabinet."
Rationale: Locking prevents access to hazards.
Question 12: A nurse is performing a physical assessment on a 6-month-old infant. Which of
the following reflexes should the nurse expect to find?
Answer: Babinski.
Rationale: Present until age 1.
Question 13: A nurse is preparing to administer recommended immunizations to a 2-month-old
infant. Which of the following immunizations should the nurse plan to adminis-
ter?
Answer: Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) and inactivated polio virus (IPV).
Rationale: Recommended at 2 months.
Question 14: A nurse is developing a plan of care for a school-age child who underwent a sur-
gical procedure that resulted in temporary loss of vision. Which of the following
interventions should the nurse include in the plan of care?
Answer: Explain sounds the child is hearing.
Rationale: Reduces fear from noises.
Question 15: A nurse is assessing a 3-year-old child who is 1 day postoperative following a
tonsillectomy. Which of the following methods should the nurse use to determine
if the child is experiencing pain?
Answer: Use the FACES scale.
Rationale: Accurate for children age 3+.
Question 16: A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant at a well-child visit. Which of the
following findings indicates the need for further assessment?
Answer: Legs remain crossed and extended when supine.
Rationale: Legs should flex at knees.
Question 17: A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a school-age child who has acute
poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN) and is mildly hypertensive. Which
of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan of care?
Answer: Restrict the child’s sodium intake.
Rationale: Manages hypertension and fluid retention.
Question 18: A nurse is collecting data from a toddler at a well-child visit. Which of the fol-
lowing findings should the nurse identify as a possible indication of child mal-
treatment?
Answer: Laceration on the side of the torso.
Rationale: Not typical for accidental injury.
Question 19: A nurse is reinforcing discharge teaching with the parent of a school-age child
3
