NSG 2330 – PEDIATRIC NURSING FINAL PRACTICE
EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. The most common cause of acute diarrhea in infants and young children is:
A. Escherichia coli
B. Rotavirus
C. Salmonella
D. Giardia lamblia
Rationale: Rotavirus is the leading cause of acute viral gastroenteritis in infants
and young children worldwide._
2. A nurse caring for a 4-year-old with croup should prioritize which
intervention?
A. Administer antibiotics
B. Provide humidified oxygen and monitor for stridor
C. Encourage oral fluids
D. Suction frequently
Rationale: Croup is viral and managed with humidified air and airway
monitoring; antibiotics are not indicated._
3. A child with sickle cell crisis is in severe pain. The nurse’s priority is:
A. Apply cold compresses
B. Encourage fluids
C. Administer prescribed opioid analgesic
D. Provide distraction
Rationale: Pain management with opioids is the first priority during vaso-
occlusive crisis._
,4. Which finding indicates increased intracranial pressure in an infant?
A. Sunken fontanel
B. High-pitched cry
C. Slow pulse
D. Decreased head circumference
Rationale: A high-pitched cry and bulging fontanel are classic early signs of
increased intracranial pressure._
5. The best site for an IM injection in an infant is:
A. Deltoid
B. Vastus lateralis
C. Ventrogluteal
D. Dorsogluteal
Rationale: The vastus lateralis is safest for infants because it avoids major
nerves and blood vessels._
6. The nurse teaches parents that iron-fortified cereal should begin at:
A. 1 month
B. 3 months
C. 4–6 months
D. 9 months
Rationale: Iron stores deplete by 4–6 months, making fortified cereal
appropriate to start then._
7. A child with cystic fibrosis should receive pancreatic enzymes:
A. Before bedtime
B. With all meals and snacks
C. Only with high-fat meals
D. Every 8 hours
, Rationale: Pancreatic enzymes aid digestion and must be taken with every meal
and snack._
8. The most reliable sign of dehydration in infants is:
A. Sunken eyes
B. Weight loss
C. Dry mouth
D. Decreased tears
Rationale: Weight loss best reflects total fluid loss in infants._
9. The nurse notes Koplik spots. This finding is associated with:
A. Rubella
B. Measles (Rubeola)
C. Varicella
D. Scarlet fever
Rationale: Small white spots inside the cheeks (Koplik spots) are diagnostic of
measles._
10. A child with epiglottitis should never receive:
A. Oxygen
B. Throat inspection with a tongue depressor
C. IV antibiotics
D. IV fluids
Rationale: Throat inspection can cause complete airway obstruction in
epiglottitis._
11. A child receiving digoxin vomits. The nurse should:
A. Repeat the dose
B. Hold the next dose and notify the provider
C. Give half the dose
EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. The most common cause of acute diarrhea in infants and young children is:
A. Escherichia coli
B. Rotavirus
C. Salmonella
D. Giardia lamblia
Rationale: Rotavirus is the leading cause of acute viral gastroenteritis in infants
and young children worldwide._
2. A nurse caring for a 4-year-old with croup should prioritize which
intervention?
A. Administer antibiotics
B. Provide humidified oxygen and monitor for stridor
C. Encourage oral fluids
D. Suction frequently
Rationale: Croup is viral and managed with humidified air and airway
monitoring; antibiotics are not indicated._
3. A child with sickle cell crisis is in severe pain. The nurse’s priority is:
A. Apply cold compresses
B. Encourage fluids
C. Administer prescribed opioid analgesic
D. Provide distraction
Rationale: Pain management with opioids is the first priority during vaso-
occlusive crisis._
,4. Which finding indicates increased intracranial pressure in an infant?
A. Sunken fontanel
B. High-pitched cry
C. Slow pulse
D. Decreased head circumference
Rationale: A high-pitched cry and bulging fontanel are classic early signs of
increased intracranial pressure._
5. The best site for an IM injection in an infant is:
A. Deltoid
B. Vastus lateralis
C. Ventrogluteal
D. Dorsogluteal
Rationale: The vastus lateralis is safest for infants because it avoids major
nerves and blood vessels._
6. The nurse teaches parents that iron-fortified cereal should begin at:
A. 1 month
B. 3 months
C. 4–6 months
D. 9 months
Rationale: Iron stores deplete by 4–6 months, making fortified cereal
appropriate to start then._
7. A child with cystic fibrosis should receive pancreatic enzymes:
A. Before bedtime
B. With all meals and snacks
C. Only with high-fat meals
D. Every 8 hours
, Rationale: Pancreatic enzymes aid digestion and must be taken with every meal
and snack._
8. The most reliable sign of dehydration in infants is:
A. Sunken eyes
B. Weight loss
C. Dry mouth
D. Decreased tears
Rationale: Weight loss best reflects total fluid loss in infants._
9. The nurse notes Koplik spots. This finding is associated with:
A. Rubella
B. Measles (Rubeola)
C. Varicella
D. Scarlet fever
Rationale: Small white spots inside the cheeks (Koplik spots) are diagnostic of
measles._
10. A child with epiglottitis should never receive:
A. Oxygen
B. Throat inspection with a tongue depressor
C. IV antibiotics
D. IV fluids
Rationale: Throat inspection can cause complete airway obstruction in
epiglottitis._
11. A child receiving digoxin vomits. The nurse should:
A. Repeat the dose
B. Hold the next dose and notify the provider
C. Give half the dose
