RN ATI Pediatric Assessment Exam 2023
[NGN] Newest Version | 70 Actual Questions
& Verified A+ Answers
Question 1: A 4-year-old child is admitted with suspected acute laryngotracheobronchitis (croup).
Which clinical finding is most indicative of severe airway obstruction?
A) Barking cough
B) Inspiratory stridor at rest
C) Mild hoarseness
D) Low-grade fever
Correct Answer: B) Inspiratory stridor at rest
Explanation: Inspiratory stridor at rest signals significant sub-glottic narrowing and is a red-flag for
impending respiratory failure, requiring immediate intervention.
Question 2: The nurse is assessing a 6-month-old with bronchiolitis. Which finding warrants
immediate intervention?
A) Tachypnea 54/min
B) Mild nasal flaring
,C) Apneic episode lasting 12 seconds
D) Scattered expiratory wheezes
Correct Answer: C) Apneic episode lasting 12 seconds
Explanation: Apnea in infants with bronchiolitis indicates fatigue or hypoxemia and is an emergent
sign requiring prompt airway support and monitoring.
Question 3: A 2-year-old is brought to the clinic with a blood pressure of 88/50 mmHg. The nurse
interprets this as:
A) Hypertension
B) Hypotension
C) Normal for age
D) Requires immediate fluid bolus
Correct Answer: C) Normal for age
Explanation: Normal systolic BP in toddlers is approximately 70 + (2 × age in years); 88 mmHg falls
within expected range.
Question 4: The nurse calculates maintenance IV fluids for a 14 kg toddler using the
Holliday-Segar method. The hourly rate should be:
A) 52 mL/hr
B) 44 mL/hr
,C) 56 mL/hr
D) 48 mL/hr
Correct Answer: A) 52 mL/hr
Explanation: 100 mL/kg for first 10 kg = 1000 mL + 50 mL/kg for next 4 kg = 200 mL; total 1200 mL
÷ 24 hr = 50 mL/hr (rounded to 52 mL/hr per ATI guidelines).
Question 5: Which assessment finding is most consistent with moderate dehydration in an
18-month-old?
A) Sunken anterior fontanel
B) Tears when crying
C) Moist mucous membranes
D) Normal skin turgor
Correct Answer: A) Sunken anterior fontanel
Explanation: A depressed fontanel indicates fluid deficit, whereas tears and moist membranes
suggest minimal dehydration.
Question 6: A 3-day-old newborn presents with jaundice that appears at serum bilirubin 14 mg/dL.
The nurse suspects:
A) Normal physiologic jaundice
B) Breast milk jaundice
, C) Pathologic jaundice
D) Breastfeeding jaundice
Correct Answer: C) Pathologic jaundice
Explanation: Jaundice within 24 hours or bilirubin >12 mg/dL in term infants <72 hours is pathologic
until proven otherwise.
Question 7: The nurse auscultates a continuous machinery-like murmur at the left upper sternal
border in a 4-day-old. This most likely indicates:
A) Ventricular septal defect
B) Tetralogy of Fallot
C) Patent ductus arteriosus
D) Coarctation of the aorta
Correct Answer: C) Patent ductus arteriosus
Explanation: The classic “machinery” murmur reflects turbulent flow through the patent ductus
arteriosus, common in neonates.
Question 8: Which pain scale is most appropriate for a cognitively intact 8-year-old
post-appendectomy?
A) FLACC
B) CRIES
[NGN] Newest Version | 70 Actual Questions
& Verified A+ Answers
Question 1: A 4-year-old child is admitted with suspected acute laryngotracheobronchitis (croup).
Which clinical finding is most indicative of severe airway obstruction?
A) Barking cough
B) Inspiratory stridor at rest
C) Mild hoarseness
D) Low-grade fever
Correct Answer: B) Inspiratory stridor at rest
Explanation: Inspiratory stridor at rest signals significant sub-glottic narrowing and is a red-flag for
impending respiratory failure, requiring immediate intervention.
Question 2: The nurse is assessing a 6-month-old with bronchiolitis. Which finding warrants
immediate intervention?
A) Tachypnea 54/min
B) Mild nasal flaring
,C) Apneic episode lasting 12 seconds
D) Scattered expiratory wheezes
Correct Answer: C) Apneic episode lasting 12 seconds
Explanation: Apnea in infants with bronchiolitis indicates fatigue or hypoxemia and is an emergent
sign requiring prompt airway support and monitoring.
Question 3: A 2-year-old is brought to the clinic with a blood pressure of 88/50 mmHg. The nurse
interprets this as:
A) Hypertension
B) Hypotension
C) Normal for age
D) Requires immediate fluid bolus
Correct Answer: C) Normal for age
Explanation: Normal systolic BP in toddlers is approximately 70 + (2 × age in years); 88 mmHg falls
within expected range.
Question 4: The nurse calculates maintenance IV fluids for a 14 kg toddler using the
Holliday-Segar method. The hourly rate should be:
A) 52 mL/hr
B) 44 mL/hr
,C) 56 mL/hr
D) 48 mL/hr
Correct Answer: A) 52 mL/hr
Explanation: 100 mL/kg for first 10 kg = 1000 mL + 50 mL/kg for next 4 kg = 200 mL; total 1200 mL
÷ 24 hr = 50 mL/hr (rounded to 52 mL/hr per ATI guidelines).
Question 5: Which assessment finding is most consistent with moderate dehydration in an
18-month-old?
A) Sunken anterior fontanel
B) Tears when crying
C) Moist mucous membranes
D) Normal skin turgor
Correct Answer: A) Sunken anterior fontanel
Explanation: A depressed fontanel indicates fluid deficit, whereas tears and moist membranes
suggest minimal dehydration.
Question 6: A 3-day-old newborn presents with jaundice that appears at serum bilirubin 14 mg/dL.
The nurse suspects:
A) Normal physiologic jaundice
B) Breast milk jaundice
, C) Pathologic jaundice
D) Breastfeeding jaundice
Correct Answer: C) Pathologic jaundice
Explanation: Jaundice within 24 hours or bilirubin >12 mg/dL in term infants <72 hours is pathologic
until proven otherwise.
Question 7: The nurse auscultates a continuous machinery-like murmur at the left upper sternal
border in a 4-day-old. This most likely indicates:
A) Ventricular septal defect
B) Tetralogy of Fallot
C) Patent ductus arteriosus
D) Coarctation of the aorta
Correct Answer: C) Patent ductus arteriosus
Explanation: The classic “machinery” murmur reflects turbulent flow through the patent ductus
arteriosus, common in neonates.
Question 8: Which pain scale is most appropriate for a cognitively intact 8-year-old
post-appendectomy?
A) FLACC
B) CRIES
