ATI RN Pediatric Nursing Online Practice B 2026/2027 Exam
Questions and Answers with Rationales
1.
A nurse is assessing a 2-month-old infant. Which finding should the
nurse recognize as an expected developmental milestone?
A. Sitting without support
B. Smiling responsively
C. Walking independently
D. Using a pincer grasp
Answer: B. Smiling responsively
Rationale: By approximately 2 months, infants commonly begin
smiling responsively and demonstrating improved visual tracking.
Sitting, pincer grasp, and independent walking develop later.
2.
A nurse is assessing a 12-month-old infant. Which finding should the
nurse expect?
A. Uses two-word sentences consistently
B. Pulls to stand and may cruise along furniture
C. Rides a tricycle
D. Copies a triangle
Answer: B. Pulls to stand and may cruise along furniture
Rationale: Around 12 months, infants commonly pull to stand, cruise
along furniture, use a few words, and develop increasingly refined
grasping skills.
,3.
A nurse is providing dietary teaching to the parent of a 9-month-old
infant. Which food is appropriate to introduce?
A. Whole grapes
B. Honey
C. Pureed or soft cooked vegetables
D. Unpasteurized milk
Answer: C. Pureed or soft cooked vegetables
Rationale: Soft, developmentally appropriate foods can be introduced
during infancy. Honey should be avoided before 12 months because of
the risk of infant botulism, and choking hazards such as whole grapes
should be avoided.
4.
A nurse is teaching the parent of an infant about preventing sudden
unexpected infant death. Which statement indicates understanding?
A. "I will place my baby on their stomach to sleep."
B. "I will use a firm, flat sleep surface."
C. "I will put pillows around the baby."
D. "I will let my baby sleep on the couch."
Answer: B. "I will use a firm, flat sleep surface."
Rationale: Infants should sleep supine on a firm, flat surface without
pillows, loose blankets, bumper pads, or other soft objects.
,5.
A nurse is assessing a 4-year-old child. Which behavior is expected?
A. Parallel play exclusively
B. Associative or cooperative play
C. Abstract reasoning
D. Complete dependence on caregivers for dressing
Answer: B. Associative or cooperative play
Rationale: Preschoolers increasingly interact with other children during
play and begin developing cooperation and imaginative play skills.
6.
A nurse is preparing a preschooler for a painful procedure. Which
intervention is appropriate?
A. Provide a detailed explanation several days in advance
B. Use simple language and demonstrate the procedure with play
C. Tell the child the procedure will not hurt
D. Avoid allowing questions
Answer: B. Use simple language and demonstrate the procedure
with play
Rationale: Preschoolers benefit from concrete explanations, therapeutic
play, and honest preparation close to the time of the procedure.
7.
A nurse is caring for a hospitalized toddler who begins crying when the
parent leaves. Which response is appropriate?
, A. "The child should stop crying because the parent will return."
B. "This behavior is consistent with separation anxiety."
C. "This indicates developmental regression."
D. "The child should be isolated from visitors."
Answer: B. "This behavior is consistent with separation anxiety."
Rationale: Separation anxiety is common during toddlerhood.
Maintaining familiar routines and encouraging parental involvement can
reduce distress.
8.
A nurse is assessing a child who has bacterial meningitis. Which finding
requires immediate intervention?
A. Photophobia
B. Fever
C. Decreased level of consciousness
D. Headache
Answer: C. Decreased level of consciousness
Rationale: A declining level of consciousness can indicate increased
intracranial pressure or neurologic deterioration and requires immediate
attention.
9.
A child is suspected of having bacterial meningitis. Which isolation
precaution should the nurse initiate initially?
A. Airborne
B. Droplet
Questions and Answers with Rationales
1.
A nurse is assessing a 2-month-old infant. Which finding should the
nurse recognize as an expected developmental milestone?
A. Sitting without support
B. Smiling responsively
C. Walking independently
D. Using a pincer grasp
Answer: B. Smiling responsively
Rationale: By approximately 2 months, infants commonly begin
smiling responsively and demonstrating improved visual tracking.
Sitting, pincer grasp, and independent walking develop later.
2.
A nurse is assessing a 12-month-old infant. Which finding should the
nurse expect?
A. Uses two-word sentences consistently
B. Pulls to stand and may cruise along furniture
C. Rides a tricycle
D. Copies a triangle
Answer: B. Pulls to stand and may cruise along furniture
Rationale: Around 12 months, infants commonly pull to stand, cruise
along furniture, use a few words, and develop increasingly refined
grasping skills.
,3.
A nurse is providing dietary teaching to the parent of a 9-month-old
infant. Which food is appropriate to introduce?
A. Whole grapes
B. Honey
C. Pureed or soft cooked vegetables
D. Unpasteurized milk
Answer: C. Pureed or soft cooked vegetables
Rationale: Soft, developmentally appropriate foods can be introduced
during infancy. Honey should be avoided before 12 months because of
the risk of infant botulism, and choking hazards such as whole grapes
should be avoided.
4.
A nurse is teaching the parent of an infant about preventing sudden
unexpected infant death. Which statement indicates understanding?
A. "I will place my baby on their stomach to sleep."
B. "I will use a firm, flat sleep surface."
C. "I will put pillows around the baby."
D. "I will let my baby sleep on the couch."
Answer: B. "I will use a firm, flat sleep surface."
Rationale: Infants should sleep supine on a firm, flat surface without
pillows, loose blankets, bumper pads, or other soft objects.
,5.
A nurse is assessing a 4-year-old child. Which behavior is expected?
A. Parallel play exclusively
B. Associative or cooperative play
C. Abstract reasoning
D. Complete dependence on caregivers for dressing
Answer: B. Associative or cooperative play
Rationale: Preschoolers increasingly interact with other children during
play and begin developing cooperation and imaginative play skills.
6.
A nurse is preparing a preschooler for a painful procedure. Which
intervention is appropriate?
A. Provide a detailed explanation several days in advance
B. Use simple language and demonstrate the procedure with play
C. Tell the child the procedure will not hurt
D. Avoid allowing questions
Answer: B. Use simple language and demonstrate the procedure
with play
Rationale: Preschoolers benefit from concrete explanations, therapeutic
play, and honest preparation close to the time of the procedure.
7.
A nurse is caring for a hospitalized toddler who begins crying when the
parent leaves. Which response is appropriate?
, A. "The child should stop crying because the parent will return."
B. "This behavior is consistent with separation anxiety."
C. "This indicates developmental regression."
D. "The child should be isolated from visitors."
Answer: B. "This behavior is consistent with separation anxiety."
Rationale: Separation anxiety is common during toddlerhood.
Maintaining familiar routines and encouraging parental involvement can
reduce distress.
8.
A nurse is assessing a child who has bacterial meningitis. Which finding
requires immediate intervention?
A. Photophobia
B. Fever
C. Decreased level of consciousness
D. Headache
Answer: C. Decreased level of consciousness
Rationale: A declining level of consciousness can indicate increased
intracranial pressure or neurologic deterioration and requires immediate
attention.
9.
A child is suspected of having bacterial meningitis. Which isolation
precaution should the nurse initiate initially?
A. Airborne
B. Droplet
