ScribeAmerica Pediatrics Final Exam
Practice Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2025|2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. A 2-year-old presents with a barking cough, inspiratory stridor, and low-
grade fever. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Asthma
B. Croup
C. Bronchiolitis
D. Epiglottitis
Rationale: Croup typically presents with a “barking” cough, inspiratory
stridor, and low-grade fever. Epiglottitis is more acute and severe with
drooling and high fever.
2. Which of the following vaccines is contraindicated in a child with a
severe allergy to neomycin?
,A. MMR
B. DTaP
C. IPV (Inactivated Polio Vaccine)
D. Hib
Rationale: IPV contains traces of neomycin, and a severe allergy is a
contraindication. MMR, DTaP, and Hib vaccines are not contraindicated for
neomycin allergy.
3. A 6-month-old infant is brought in for routine checkup. Which milestone
is expected at this age?
A. Walks alone
B. Says “mama” or “dada”
C. Rolls from tummy to back
D. Uses a pincer grasp
Rationale: By 6 months, infants can usually roll from tummy to back.
Walking alone occurs closer to 12 months, pincer grasp around 9 months,
and first words around 9–12 months.
4. Which of the following is the most common cause of acute otitis media
in children?
A. Streptococcus pyogenes
B. Staphylococcus aureus
,C. Streptococcus pneumoniae
D. Haemophilus influenzae type b
Rationale: Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common bacterial cause
of acute otitis media in children.
5. A 4-year-old child presents with a red, swollen, painful knee after a
minor fall. X-ray shows no fracture. Which is the most appropriate next
step?
A. Immediate surgery
B. Rest, ice, elevation, and analgesia
C. Antibiotics
D. MRI
Rationale: Minor trauma with no fracture usually requires conservative
management with RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) and analgesics.
6. What is the preferred first-line treatment for a 10-year-old with mild
persistent asthma?
A. Oral corticosteroids
B. Low-dose inhaled corticosteroid
C. Leukotriene receptor antagonist
D. Long-acting beta-agonist alone
, Rationale: Low-dose inhaled corticosteroids are first-line for mild persistent
asthma. Long-acting beta-agonists should never be used as monotherapy.
7. A newborn screening shows a deficiency in phenylalanine hydroxylase.
What is the diagnosis?
A. Maple syrup urine disease
B. Phenylketonuria (PKU)
C. Galactosemia
D. Congenital hypothyroidism
Rationale: Deficiency in phenylalanine hydroxylase causes PKU, which can
lead to intellectual disability if untreated.
8. Which of the following is the most common cause of bronchiolitis in
infants?
A. Influenza virus
B. Adenovirus
C. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
D. Rhinovirus
Rationale: RSV is the most frequent cause of bronchiolitis in infants,
leading to wheezing and respiratory distress.
Practice Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2025|2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. A 2-year-old presents with a barking cough, inspiratory stridor, and low-
grade fever. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Asthma
B. Croup
C. Bronchiolitis
D. Epiglottitis
Rationale: Croup typically presents with a “barking” cough, inspiratory
stridor, and low-grade fever. Epiglottitis is more acute and severe with
drooling and high fever.
2. Which of the following vaccines is contraindicated in a child with a
severe allergy to neomycin?
,A. MMR
B. DTaP
C. IPV (Inactivated Polio Vaccine)
D. Hib
Rationale: IPV contains traces of neomycin, and a severe allergy is a
contraindication. MMR, DTaP, and Hib vaccines are not contraindicated for
neomycin allergy.
3. A 6-month-old infant is brought in for routine checkup. Which milestone
is expected at this age?
A. Walks alone
B. Says “mama” or “dada”
C. Rolls from tummy to back
D. Uses a pincer grasp
Rationale: By 6 months, infants can usually roll from tummy to back.
Walking alone occurs closer to 12 months, pincer grasp around 9 months,
and first words around 9–12 months.
4. Which of the following is the most common cause of acute otitis media
in children?
A. Streptococcus pyogenes
B. Staphylococcus aureus
,C. Streptococcus pneumoniae
D. Haemophilus influenzae type b
Rationale: Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common bacterial cause
of acute otitis media in children.
5. A 4-year-old child presents with a red, swollen, painful knee after a
minor fall. X-ray shows no fracture. Which is the most appropriate next
step?
A. Immediate surgery
B. Rest, ice, elevation, and analgesia
C. Antibiotics
D. MRI
Rationale: Minor trauma with no fracture usually requires conservative
management with RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) and analgesics.
6. What is the preferred first-line treatment for a 10-year-old with mild
persistent asthma?
A. Oral corticosteroids
B. Low-dose inhaled corticosteroid
C. Leukotriene receptor antagonist
D. Long-acting beta-agonist alone
, Rationale: Low-dose inhaled corticosteroids are first-line for mild persistent
asthma. Long-acting beta-agonists should never be used as monotherapy.
7. A newborn screening shows a deficiency in phenylalanine hydroxylase.
What is the diagnosis?
A. Maple syrup urine disease
B. Phenylketonuria (PKU)
C. Galactosemia
D. Congenital hypothyroidism
Rationale: Deficiency in phenylalanine hydroxylase causes PKU, which can
lead to intellectual disability if untreated.
8. Which of the following is the most common cause of bronchiolitis in
infants?
A. Influenza virus
B. Adenovirus
C. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
D. Rhinovirus
Rationale: RSV is the most frequent cause of bronchiolitis in infants,
leading to wheezing and respiratory distress.
