Ultimate Review & Practice Pack | Pediatric
Assessment Updates, Developmental Milestone
Charts, Critical Nursing Priorities, Childhood
Disorders, Medication Safety Alerts & NGN-Formatted
ATI Pediatric Questions with Comprehensive
Rationales
Question 1:
Which of the following is the first sign of respiratory distress in children?
A) Cyanosis
B) Tachypnea
C) Altered consciousness
D) Wheezing
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Tachypnea
Rationale: Tachypnea, or increased respiratory rate, is often the first sign of respiratory
distress in children, indicating that they are experiencing difficulty with breathing.
Question 2:
What is the appropriate dosage of acetaminophen for a pediatric patient?
A) 10 mg/kg every 8 hours
B) 15 mg/kg every 6 hours
C) 20 mg/kg every 4 hours
D) 5 mg/kg every 12 hours
CORRECT ANSWER: B) 15 mg/kg every 6 hours
Rationale: The standard pediatric dosage for acetaminophen is 15 mg/kg every 6 hours
as needed, ensuring safety and efficacy in treating pain or fever.
Question 3:
At what age should a child be able to say at least 50 words and use two-word
phrases?
A) 12 months
B) 18 months
,C) 24 months
D) 36 months
CORRECT ANSWER: B) 18 months
Rationale: By 18 months, children typically should be able to say about 50 words and
begin to combine words into simple phrases, indicating language development.
Question 4:
Which vaccine is recommended at 2, 4, and 6 months of age?
A) MMR
B) DTaP
C) HPV
D) Influenza
CORRECT ANSWER: B) DTaP
Rationale: The DTaP vaccine is recommended at 2, 4, and 6 months of age to protect
against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.
Question 5:
What is the most common cause of dehydration in children?
A) Gastroenteritis
B) Heat exhaustion
C) Excessive sweating
D) Allergic reactions
CORRECT ANSWER: A) Gastroenteritis
Rationale: Gastroenteritis is the most common cause of dehydration in children due to
the loss of fluids from vomiting and diarrhea.
Question 6:
What is the primary purpose of the growth chart in pediatric assessment?
A) To determine developmental milestones
B) To evaluate nutritional status
C) To provide a visual representation of a child's weight
D) To track immunization status
CORRECT ANSWER: B) To evaluate nutritional status
,Rationale: Growth charts are primarily used to evaluate a child's growth in relation to
their age and sex, which helps assess nutritional status.
Question 7:
Which developmental task is typically expected of a 3-year-old child?
A) Riding a bicycle
B) Dressing independently
C) Using scissors to cut paper
D) Understanding the concept of time
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Dressing independently
Rationale: A 3-year-old typically begins to dress independently, although they may still
need assistance with certain aspects.
Question 8:
What is the earliest age at which a child can receive the varicella vaccine?
A) 6 months
B) 12 months
C) 18 months
D) 24 months
CORRECT ANSWER: B) 12 months
Rationale: The varicella vaccine is recommended for children starting at 12 months of
age to protect against chickenpox.
Question 9:
Which of the following conditions is characterized by the presence of a "barking"
cough?
A) Croup
B) Asthma
C) Bronchiolitis
D) Pneumonia
CORRECT ANSWER: A) Croup
, Rationale: Croup is characterized by a "barking" cough, which is due to inflammation of
the upper airway.
Question 10:
At what age should a child be able to completely toilet train?
A) 18 months
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 4 years
CORRECT ANSWER: C) 3 years
Rationale: Most children are fully toilet trained by the age of 3, although some may take
longer.
Question 11:
Which of the following is a sign of dehydration in an infant?
A) Increased appetite
B) Soft fontanel
C) Dry mucous membranes
D) Normal skin turgor
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Dry mucous membranes
Rationale: Dry mucous membranes are a key sign of dehydration in infants.
Question 12:
What is the most appropriate way to measure an infant's temperature?
A) Oral
B) Axillary
C) Tympanic
D) Rectal
CORRECT ANSWER: D) Rectal
Rationale: A rectal temperature is the most accurate method for measuring an infant's
temperature.