ScribeAmerica Pediatrics Practice Exam
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 and stridor. What is the most
likely diagnosis?
A. Asthma
B. Croup
C. Epiglottitis
D. Bronchiolitis
Answer: B. Croup
Rationale: Croup is caused by viral infection (often parainfluenza) and
presents with a characteristic barking cough and inspiratory stridor, typically
in children 6 months–3 years.
,2. At what age should a child typically begin to walk independently?
A. 6–9 months
B. 9–12 months
C. 12–15 months
D. 18–24 months
Answer: C. 12–15 months
Rationale: Most children take their first independent steps around 12
months. Walking earlier or later may be normal but warrants monitoring if
significantly delayed.
3. Which vaccine is contraindicated in an immunocompromised child?
A. DTaP
B. MMR
C. IPV
D. HepB
Answer: B. MMR
Rationale: MMR is a live attenuated vaccine and should be avoided in
severely immunocompromised children due to the risk of causing disease.
4. A 5-year-old presents with a fever, rash starting on the face, and
conjunctivitis. What is the likely diagnosis?
A. Rubella
,B. Measles
C. Varicella
D. Scarlet fever
Answer: B. Measles
Rationale: Measles presents with fever, cough, coryza, conjunctivitis, and a
maculopapular rash starting on the face and spreading downward.
5. Which heart murmur is considered “innocent” in children?
A. Still’s murmur
B. VSD murmur
C. PDA murmur
D. Aortic stenosis murmur
Answer: A. Still’s murmur
Rationale: Still’s murmur is a benign, systolic, vibratory murmur common in
children, usually loudest at the lower left sternal border.
6. A 6-month-old infant presents with projectile vomiting after feeds.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Gastroenteritis
B. Pyloric stenosis
C. Intussusception
D. GERD
, Answer: B. Pyloric stenosis
Rationale: Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis presents with nonbilious,
projectile vomiting, visible peristalsis, and an olive-shaped mass.
7. What is the most common cause of bronchiolitis in infants?
A. Influenza
B. Adenovirus
C. RSV
D. Rhinovirus
Answer: C. RSV
Rationale: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of
bronchiolitis, leading to wheezing, coughing, and difficulty feeding in infants.
8. Which congenital heart defect causes cyanosis in a newborn?
A. ASD
B. Tetralogy of Fallot
C. VSD
D. PDA
Answer: B. Tetralogy of Fallot
Rationale: Tetralogy of Fallot includes pulmonary stenosis, VSD, overriding
aorta, and right ventricular hypertrophy, leading to cyanosis (“blue baby”).
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 and stridor. What is the most
likely diagnosis?
A. Asthma
B. Croup
C. Epiglottitis
D. Bronchiolitis
Answer: B. Croup
Rationale: Croup is caused by viral infection (often parainfluenza) and
presents with a characteristic barking cough and inspiratory stridor, typically
in children 6 months–3 years.
,2. At what age should a child typically begin to walk independently?
A. 6–9 months
B. 9–12 months
C. 12–15 months
D. 18–24 months
Answer: C. 12–15 months
Rationale: Most children take their first independent steps around 12
months. Walking earlier or later may be normal but warrants monitoring if
significantly delayed.
3. Which vaccine is contraindicated in an immunocompromised child?
A. DTaP
B. MMR
C. IPV
D. HepB
Answer: B. MMR
Rationale: MMR is a live attenuated vaccine and should be avoided in
severely immunocompromised children due to the risk of causing disease.
4. A 5-year-old presents with a fever, rash starting on the face, and
conjunctivitis. What is the likely diagnosis?
A. Rubella
,B. Measles
C. Varicella
D. Scarlet fever
Answer: B. Measles
Rationale: Measles presents with fever, cough, coryza, conjunctivitis, and a
maculopapular rash starting on the face and spreading downward.
5. Which heart murmur is considered “innocent” in children?
A. Still’s murmur
B. VSD murmur
C. PDA murmur
D. Aortic stenosis murmur
Answer: A. Still’s murmur
Rationale: Still’s murmur is a benign, systolic, vibratory murmur common in
children, usually loudest at the lower left sternal border.
6. A 6-month-old infant presents with projectile vomiting after feeds.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Gastroenteritis
B. Pyloric stenosis
C. Intussusception
D. GERD
, Answer: B. Pyloric stenosis
Rationale: Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis presents with nonbilious,
projectile vomiting, visible peristalsis, and an olive-shaped mass.
7. What is the most common cause of bronchiolitis in infants?
A. Influenza
B. Adenovirus
C. RSV
D. Rhinovirus
Answer: C. RSV
Rationale: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of
bronchiolitis, leading to wheezing, coughing, and difficulty feeding in infants.
8. Which congenital heart defect causes cyanosis in a newborn?
A. ASD
B. Tetralogy of Fallot
C. VSD
D. PDA
Answer: B. Tetralogy of Fallot
Rationale: Tetralogy of Fallot includes pulmonary stenosis, VSD, overriding
aorta, and right ventricular hypertrophy, leading to cyanosis (“blue baby”).
